Q’s Hats in Review, Prepping for Rocky

The complaining about how much snow we “didn’t” get is taking up too much room in cyberspace. It is time to just enjoy TV reporters and the hats they are wearing out on the elements.

The last post had some doozies. Thanks for the submissions. If you have a photo to submit, send them in an email to me at IPTVPaul@gmail.com or just put them on Twitter @paulyeager.

Taylor Umland, KWQC, Davenport.

But one of the best ones came directly onto my Facebook wall. Here is the bar for today. A Wartburg College hat being worn on my old TV station, KWQC in Davenport. Taylor Umland was rocking the orange and black during his morning reports in the QC.

One of my former co-workers at KWQC was Matt Davis. Mr. Matt was a nightside reporter when I started and we would do liveshots without a hat. A certain morning radio duo named Dwyer and Michael’s would razz him on-air about not wearing a hat and looking cold on his evening live reports.

The radio guys decided to send a gift to Matt of a hat, which he would sometimes wear and other times it was just sitting on his desk, ready for the call of duty.

Bailey Dietz, KWQC, Davenport.

Sticking at KWQC, we bring in Bailey Dietz from her nightside live shot Thursday.

Former TV6 intern and now reporter at WGBA in Green Bay, WI, Jonathan Gregg is in on the action.

Jonathon Gregg

Jon is a former board member of the Iowa Broadcast News Association. I’m sure he’s already made plans to attend this year’s convention on April 20 in Johnston at the Stoney Creek Inn.

Now to some of the morning crew.

Arielle Nixon was wondering why she had to take a picture of herself wearing earmuffs. She wasn’t sure what the request was all about, but thanks to Pat Dix for this.

Pat’s Tweet.

Thanks for playing along.

Arielle Nixon, WHO, Des Moines.

Thanks to the MW ESPN bureau for this submission of KARE photojournalist Nate Anderson.

Nate Anderson, KARE, Minneapolis.

Jason Rantala, WOI, West Des Moines.

Kim St. Onge, KCCI, Des Moines.

My little reporter, Levi. That’s a hat OVER his hooded sweatshirt.

Megan Ruether is always a good sport about trying new hats and thanks to Travis Jungling for lighting up Megan Friday morning for this picture.

Megan Reuther, WHO, Des Moines.

But it was Megan’s former station that wins the day. You may remember Nikki Newbrough from last year with the space cadet interview subject.

This year she’s gone above and beyond with a sombrero and a friend, Danielle Wagner. I think Danielle is the Ice Princess? Did I get that correct?

Danielle Wagner and Nikki Newbrough of KWWL, Waterloo.

Thanks again for the submissions. We’re only a couple of days away from doing it again with Winter Storm Rocky approaching.

He Gone. Hassel Beaming Off To the Mothership

Farewell, Chris Hassel. (photo from @poundHassel )

Say goodbye to Cooter Ray. And Gary Dolphin. And Mad Fran. Plus the guy from HR and whatever other character Chris Hassel dreamed up in his 5.5 years at WHO-HD.

He’s now on his way to “The Show.” The pride of Muscatine is headed to Bristol, CT and ESPN News’ “Highlight Express.”

I’ve known Chris since his days at St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He was a student who also anchored the Sunday night sports on the Fox 18 KLJB broadcasts. He was still in college and was anchoring on professional station. During his senior year as a Bee, he cleaned up at the Iowa Broadcast News Association awards banquet in Clear Lake.

Chris won almost every category in student TV and radio plus professional TV and radio. He was also calling games for WOC-AM in Davenport in addition to working in the news and sports departments.

Then-News Director Mark Minnick told the crowd, news directors specifically, to hire this guy.

Mark was right.

Chris landed at 1801 Grand and made an impression immediately. His humor was boundary pushing. His editing, precise. But it may be some of the  segments on SoundOff that will be his legacy.

This is still one of my favorites. Chris and Andy pair up for pure genius in this Stivers Ford behind the scenes segment. http://youtu.be/Nt6NSBml-wo

He even took a shot at Marty Tirrell, the Mouth of the Midwest.

Chris Hassel tees off at the Legacy Golf Course. (DM Register photo).

But it was the “Little Lick, Lotta Bite” that may have put him in the most hot water.

His Hazzle Dazzle production on Todd Lickliter’s ruffled a few feathers. Lickliter was the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Iowa.

Chris will tell you most of the things he’s done are from the brain of Keith Murphy, sports director at WHO-HD.

Before Chris, it was Andy Fales who turned Murph’s ideas into reality. The trio was incredibly talented in so many areas. Sports almost seemed their secondary specialty.

Here is the Little Lick clip.

Chris is a known night owl and those odd ESPN hours will likely suit him just fine.

One former professor told me recently no student came more prepared for their assignment than Mr. Hassel. I think that’s holding true again as he makes this move.

And now he’s just been named 2012 Iowa Sportscaster of the Year. That’s a nice parting gift.

A Blizzard of Hats

This storm is serious for many people. If you have power, internet, food, and no place to go, you didn’t think this was a problem.

For others in the dark, stuck on the interstate, or working, this was a tough day.

Many our TV friends were in the elements. And, they were wearing hats.

These are the Hats That Saved Christmas. Brett McIntyre starts off this batch.

Brett McIntyre of WHO-HD

Kevin Phelps stands in the place I did several times for KWQC-TV in Davenport. Gotta love the Brady Street Reports.

Kevin Phelps, KWQC-TV

WOI-TV’s Jason Rantala was out early Thursday morning, ready for duty.

Jason Rantala, WOI-TV.

Megan Reuther is no stranger to the hat blog. She let me know she had a new hat for the season. Good work, Megan.

Megan Reuther of WHO-HD.

Another KWQC entry comes from Erica Cervantes.

Erica Cervantes, KWQC-TV

Jackie Schmillen tells us the traffic for KCCI, but she was in the warm, dare I say, hot, studio. No hat, but the snow season is young.

Jackie Schmillen, KCCI-TV

This is Amber O’Brien’s first time on the blog in our hat parade. Welcome.

Amber O’Brien, KWQC-TV

This was not Amanda Lewis’ first winter storm. She was out in the cold wind for KCCI.

Amanda Lewis, KCCI-TV

And our last KWQC entry comes from my longtime friend, Elizabeth Goodsitt. The weekend anchor is always in full fashion.

Elizabeth Goodsitt, KWQC-TV

Arielle Nixon was not in a full hat out front of WHO-HD.

Arielle Nixon, WHO-HD.

And a returning entry comes from Mark Tauscheck of KCCI. That black stocking cap is classic, but always works.

Mark Tauscheck, KCCI-TV

Thank you for checking out the hats. As you can see, I’m a little light in the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids market. Send me any entries to IPTVPaul@gmail.com and we’ll get them in the mix.

The Hats That Saved Christmas

KCRG/SMG’s Chris Earl is ready.

The entries are coming in and are impressive so far.

This is a rough looking start to the contest as it is being done on a mobile device. There are more important things than cable or Internet.

Be safe out there friends.

Stephanie Moore was on night patrol Tuesday night.

Stephanie Moore, WHO-TV.

Someone needs to inform Ron Marasco of WOI that he needs a hat.

Ron Marasco, WOI-TV.

See, Phil Prazen gets it. He’s in his standard stocking cap.

Phil Prazen, WOI-TV

Noelle Smith was on the ‘side of the road’ report location.

Noelle Smith, KCCI-TV

Patrick Bell had multiple hits Wednesday night.

Patrick Bell, KCCI-TV

Kera Mashek’s entry was from Tuesday night, but still a good one.

Kera Mashek, KWWL-TV

The Hats That May Save Christmas

Nikki’s live shot on earth. (KWWL in early 2012)

The first winter storm brings a lot of things.

New forecasting models, snowplows strategies, gloves, and my personal favorite, hats.

We had a limited hat choice on local TV reporters in 2012. Can the last 12 Days of the Year Finally Give to me, a new crop of hats on my TV?

Let us see.

Please submit any entries on your local TV station to iptvpaul@gmail.com

BTW, we do have media movements to get to as well. Chris Hassel to ESPN, John Campbell retires, Angie Hunt goes to ISU and the return of Scott Sanborn to TV on KGAN. Another day, another blog post.

But first, the hats of Draco.

Lots of Hot Air and Balloons on Parade

Noah steps out into traffic to get a good view of the 2012 Festival of Trees parade. November 17, 2012.

Going back to the Quad Cities is like old home week for our family. We see some relatives, friends and a few former co-workers.

Our trip to the 2012 Festival of Trees parade was no different. We decided to take the boys back to the parade we enjoyed so many times during our stay in the QC. Noah had never seen the parade as we moved west before the 2006 parade.

Before we found a spot to stand along the parade route, we had stepped back into the time machine.

Theresa Bryant, Gary Metivier, Paula Sands, Mike Ortiz, Anne Hughes, Beth Marsoun, Randy Biery, Jim Mertens and Michelle Makelbust were some of my former KWQC-kinfolk. Mertens, anchor at ‘rival’ WQAD, was like a co-worker to me.

Bettendorf City Administrator Decker Ploehn carries the city on his shoulders dressed as character from the Nutcracker. He’s the one in red.

We found a spot, not on the curb, but behind the first wave of parade goers in downtown Davenport. Then a nice family sitting in front of us, asked if the boys wanted to sit on the curb to have a front-row seat. We thanked them, sat down, and watched the big balloons march by our vantage point.

Noah enjoyed the parade. Levi befriended a woman in our group whose party we crashed. She asked him if he wanted to be held up higher to see what was coming our way. After the first lift, Levi asked the woman if she was a grandma. She said yes. With 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, she knew the joys little children can bring.

The WQAD crew walked by. John David marches on with Cassie Heiter, Rebecca Smith, Terry Swails and Matt Hammill try to keep up.

Levi had to get a boost because the group ahead of us in the parade decided this was an event you stood in the street to see. Not just standing-up-during-an-entire-rock concert, but almost IN the parade. And really, they had no qualms about doing it. A little respect for your fellow parade-goers can go a long way.

We did have a nice view of Antonella’s Pizzeria, the pizza place President Obama visited just days before the 2012 election.

This experience made me appreciate the Urbandale parade “enforcers” who draw a chalkline along the route to keep kids from being squashed like mis-thrown Tootsie Roll. Kids are one thing, adults are another.

Again, thanks to the wonderful people who allowed us to sit in front of them. We were able to see the B100 van, the WQAD newsteam and even Bettendorf City Manager, Decker Ploehn.

Levi was so tough, he didn’t need gloves.

My old Team Weekend pal, Erik Maitland is back in the Quads and now chief meteorologist at Channel 6. He stopped, said hello and even gave us a candy cane. I just hope he didn’t think I was Eugene Kennedy. That would have been awkward.

We even experienced a dance recital.

Again, thanks to our hosts and even some viewers with entirely too good of memories to remember some old weekend anchor. It is humbling to think we made that much of an impression.

She’s always had a lot of class

Some people will be forever in your brain.

Jennifer Livingston is one of those people. We go back too many days either of us care to admit.

Livy and I were in many Communication Arts classes together at Wartburg College. We both did some work for Wartburg TV and also KWAR. She was on my staff as promotions manager during my short time as station manager.

We both were music folks, her in choir and I in Castle Singers.

It seemed everywhere I went, she was there.

She went to La Crosse and never really left. She tried getting me to come to WKBT out of college, but I went to KIMT instead.

Each time we talk, it is just like the old times.

Watching the Marion, Iowa native deliver a 4 minute commentary on a viewer was just like the days in Waverly. Smart, well-thought out and heartfelt.

We’ve always said Jen had a big heart. Now her convictions are giving strength to others in countering a bully.

I’m sure many of your social media timelines have seen this image today and comments about the story that has now been reported on Huffington Post, Gawker and many others.

Jen is now reaching fame only her brothers Ron and John have seen before. Even her mother, Linda, was news recently.

Words can be hurtful, but they can also be uplifting and inspiring. I think she’s taken a lemon and turned it much more than lemonade.

Summer Breeze of Media Moves

We know that the Godfather (John Walters) has moved from ABC5 to Iowa State University.

More sports shorts…

John Sears comes back to Des Moines and adds four numbers to his station channel assignment. Sears goes from KCRG TV 9 to WHO-TV13. He’ll work under Keith Murphy and replaces Zach Borg.

Molly Nelson has already left KCCI for a position at DMACC.

Another TV8 staffer departs soon. Keri Gavin will leave the news business and KCCI within days.

My old pal Beth Marsoun had the interim tag removed and now is News Director at KWQC in Davenport. Beth started as an intern, then tape editor, producer, executive producer and now is the boss.

Across the river, WQAD is settling into a new main female anchor. Denise Hnytka is new 5, 6, and 10p anchor at the ABC affiliate.  Hnytka replaces Rae Chelle Davis.

Jonathon Gregg has pulled up stakes at CRI in Oskaloosa and become a Packer fan in Green Bay at NBC 26. WGBA hired him to one-man-band, among other things. His boss is former KWWL sports director Bob Healey. Jon’s former boss at CRI was Tami Wiencek, another past-KWWL’er.

Gregg served on the IBNA Board of Directors until April. Another board member Dean Borg, is recovering after a weekend fall. Borg broke an ankle, leg and also had a pacemaker installed. Dean is efficient in his medical visits. He’ll probably show the scars this weekend on Iowa Press. Yes, he wants to be back on air this weekend.

And making his debut on the journal of rural America is Mike Pearson. The Grinnell banker steps to the mic to succeed his father, Mark. The elder Pearson passed away in June.

What else needs to be reported? Drop me a line: IPTVPaul@gmail.com

 

This Fun Is All Wet

Noah tests his aim on Levi. All systems go for some water fun.

Finally a little water to cool me off.

Levi seems to enjoy the sprinkler.

Maddox goes after Levi with his cup of water.

I don’t care who you are, that there is funny!

Noah says, “your turn, Maddox” to see what it is like to have water thrown on you.

Time to burn off any remaining energy with a race around the yard.

The words I write are fine to read. But you really just want to see the pictures in YBHA XI.

I know some readers want to read more about the wonderful Public Television program Market to Market or other fun items about media personalities like Ed Wilson or Jackie Schmillen.

Monday night was a hot one. We played in the sprinkler. Need I say more? Cousin Maddox was over for some good, clean fun and the boys got all wet and seemed to enjoy the evening.

 

Pancakes, Church and Baseball Combine For Great Father’s Day Fun

Sunday morning pancakes with my syrup-y sons.

I don’t think there’s a better way to spend Father’s Day than with my boys in church, at the ballpark and eating steak.

You will find no complaints from me about being home alone with the boys. I’ve spent a few Father’s Day working, this one just happens to be in the middle of YBHA XI.

Noah and 100 of his closest VBS friends helped pack Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Services at 530p on Saturday, 8, 930 and 11 on Sunday morning) to belt out those Operation Overboard songs one more time. A special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Freeseman for joining us in church. We welcome all, including Methodists, to our party. It was good to have Wil with us and not in the hospital like he was two years ago on Father’s Day.

Take that, Noah!

After Levi allegedly took a nap, we loaded up on the sunscreen and headed to the ballpark. We sat in the sun for nine outs before retreating to the shade and the conversation with Bill and Ron, our regular row mates. We stayed to run the bases just like Anthony Rizzo when he hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth to propel the Iowa Cubs to a win. Even Levi wanted to run and not be carried. He did well rounding first and heading for home.

Finally, we tried something new on the grill for supper. A flank steak that ended up as the base for our fajitas. Thanks to Aunt Kris for joining us and convincing Levi to try steak. He ate it and apparently liked it. He did try a freshly picked raspberry, but quickly spit that out.

Guess who is the aggressor of these two?

Backyard baseball ended in tears, but they were quickly washed away by the hose. You remember my little hose buddy, right?

Mom called to make sure we were alive and upright. Yes on both accounts. She didn’t ask though, if our clothes were dry.

**Speaking of someone spending more daylight hours with his family, best to John Walters on his new gig at Iowa State University. He’ll be headed to Cyclones.TV. John signed up from ABC5 on Friday night. WOI just won’t be the same. Maybe we’ll see him in Ankeny more often.