Recently, Clark Hunter of Mountain Topics stopped by Stratford Oaks Farm to interview Dr. Suzanne Mellow-Irwin and her friend, Zach Hamm, about Dr. Irwin’s book, Stratford Oaks Tales, The Tale of Gretchen. See an excerpt of the interview at the book’s website, www.stratfordoakstales.com

Dr. Suzanne Mellow - Irwin and Clark Hunter, host of Mountain Topics

The book is the first in a series of children’s books about “the good life for the animals at Stratford Oaks Farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.”  Each book will feature a different animal at the farm and will tell the (mostly) true story of their life. Some details have been necessarily changed for the targeted 3rd-grade level of reading ability and comprehension.

The book was illustrated by Zach Hamm, a young man from Alleghany County who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, so the story is told, “through the eyes of Zach.” Zach’s quiet nature lends itself to his artistic talents and his unique ability to re-create the farm and its inhabitants.

According to his mom, Donna, “Zach uses all that God has given him.” Would that we all could say that of our own lives.

Clark’s award-winning program, Mountain Topics currently airs on Alleghany Community Television.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

No tags

On Alleghany Cablevision, ACTV has moved from Channel 50 to Channel 98.

No tags

We are now members of SEATOA; Southeast Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors. Representing Georgia, NC, SC & Tenn. We are one of 116 PEG channels in NC.
ACTV Station manager, Charlie Scott, has been invited to speak at the annual conference in Chattanooga in March of 2012. The theme for this year’s conference is PROTECTING COMMUNITY NETWORKS: Economic Opportunities for the Future.

No tags

ACTV shared in some “historic” awards at the North Carolina Society of Historians’ annual banquet, held Saturday October 22 in Mooresville, North Carolina:

Alleghany Memories

Mildred Torney, Margaret Crouse and Pauline Jolly shot in front of the blue-screen backdrop in the ACTV studio.

The Alleghany Historical – Genealogical Society won a Paul Green Multimedia Award for the first episode of its new television show, Alleghany Memories, that featured Mildred Torney and Pauline Jolly being interviewed by Margaret Crouse.

This first installment of the series, shot by Charlie Scott in the new ACTV studio at the Blue Ridge Business Development Center in Sparta, airs Thursdays at 6 p.m.

From the NCSH judges’ collective comments: “This is one of the best oral history DVDs we have ever had the privilege to judge! It’s the kind of, “find a comfy seat and bring a cup of coffee-type” of recording, set in a relaxed atmosphere. It felt like we were sitting around with friends, just visiting with three exceptional women who have done so much for Alleghany County, NC … and that is an understatement!”

Alleghany Lives

Brad Jenkins won a Paul Green Multimedia Award for his play Alleghany Lives. Charlie Scott shot the play during the county’s Sesquicentennial in 2009 and the station has aired it several times since.

Judges’ comments: “After the play was over, even though Mr. Jenkins was not present, nor was any cast member, they would have seen the same type of standing ovation that they received at the end of the play recorded on this DVD! It is truly a piece of work, ART, to be proud of.”

Mountain Topics

A Paul Green Multimedia award was given to Clark Hunter for a series of programs on the Blue Ridge Parkway for his show, Mountain Topics.

Clark, a member of the ACTV Board of Directors and a career broadcast professional, has developed one of the first original programs for the station.

NCSH judges: “The host always seemed interested in what the speaker had to say. He asked intelligent, open minded questions, and made some excellent comments. It was easy to see that he had done his homework with regard to the subject matter at hand. His voice holds one’s attention and sounds very interesting and inviting.”

Alleghany County projects won over 10% of all awards given in 2011 by NCSH. Congratulations to each of the winners and thank you and the NC Society of Historians for your contributions to North Carolina History.

Thanks, also, for allowing Alleghany Community Television to share in the production of these historic, historical, award-winning entries!

No tags

The Alleghany Jubilee

ACTV recently taped the first episodes of The Alleghany Jubilee that will be aired on Thursday evenings at 6:00 PM.

Amber Call shoots video of the Rise and Shine Band as square dancers take the floor.

Ernest and Agnes Joines have been hosting and playing old-time, mountain music at the Alleghany Jubilee in the old Sparta Theater building on Main Street for the last eighteen years.

Agnes has hosted an annual Hillbilly Variety Show for several years, now, regularly selling out the 900+ seat Sparta School Auditorium. The Hillbilly Show raises money for the Alleghany Planning Committee, Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission’s local arm, that helps Alleghany citizens with heating bills, home garden seed distribution, and Head Start. They also give out 2 annual scholarships to Seniors at Alleghany High School.

The program will feature local performers and the first two shows (Videotaped August 5th) are a preview to this year’s Hillbilly Show on October 15th.

ACTV Station Manager Charlie Scott oversees Daniel Caudill manning the Tricaster.

ACTV Station Manager, Charlie Scott, was on-hand to direct a crew of young technicians that included Daniel Caudill, Destiny Blevins, Amber Call and Natalie Marion. “The crew did a great job. They’re knowledgeable and professional, and we couldn’t have asked for a better result,” said Claire Halsey of Imaging Specialists who are co-producing the series with the Jubilee.

Photos are by Coby LaRue of the Alleghany News and are reprinted with permission.

Destiny Blevens records video of the band.

Alleghany Memories

Immediately following the Jubilee at 8:00 PM will be Alleghany Memories, a new interview program from the Alleghany Historical – Genealogical Society. The show will feature older citizens telling stories about their lives in Alleghany County. The first episode features Mildred Torney and Pauline Jolly, both former Alleghany librarians, who were interviewed by Margaret Crouse in the ACTV studio. The show was sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

L-to-R- Mildred Torney, Margaret Crouse and Pauline Jolly at the Alleghany Community Television studio.

Candidates for the show must be at least 80 years old and must have a sponsor lined up to pay production and airing costs. Folks can be interviewed by someone from the society, friends, family members or anyone they are comfortable with. For information, contact Reba Evans of AHGS at 372-4866.

No tags