2002 Upper Midwest Emmy Awards Presented October 5, 2002

The 2002 Emmy Awards were a Chapter-wide event, with Emmy statues going home to cities all over our region. Stations in Bismarck (KFYR), Duluth (KBJR, WDIO and WDSE), Rochester (KTTC), and Fargo (KVLY) came to the Emmys Gala and went home with the hardware. In the Twin Cities, KSTP-TV was the big winner with a total of 20 regional Emmy Awards. WCCO-TV won nine awards. KARE-TV received eight. Twin Cities Public Television had four and KMSP-TV took three, including the Emmy for Single Newscast. Fox Sports took home 3 Emmys; the on-screen announcement of Dick Bremer’s win as Commentator featured a “Circle this, Burt! sign. Minnesota Wild’s Patrick O’Connor was the recipient of 2 Emmys for productions broadcast on Fox and KMSP.

A series of documentaries on the Anishinaabe/Ojibwe people, produced and directed by Lorraine Norrgard and broadcast on WDSE, was the recipient of 5 Emmys, including Documentary, Musical Composition, and Directing (Non-News). KBJR’s Beth Erickson did the introductions of these nominees with their challenging titles in Ojibwe. Her near-flawless use of this beautiful language earned cheers and a round of applause from the crowd.

It was a long, but fun, evening - we presented 67 Emmys and 3 college and high school awards and honored 4 individuals with induction into the Silver Circle. Homer Hankies decorated the tables, in honor of the Twins win earlier that day. Each guest received a gift from MAC Cosmetics, a thank you for their contributions to the news and information industry.

Two of our Silver Circle honorees were in attendance and gave wonderful acceptance speeches. KARE-11’s Stuart A. Lindman displayed the graciousness and style that made him a trusted anchor on television for many, many years. His commanding presence has not dimmed in retirement. Elaine Peterson, a fixture at KEYC-TV in Mankato for 40 years, was both funny and feisty in her acceptance speech. She regaled the crowd with anecdotes that showcased her signature sense of humor and, at the same time, reminded guests to never forget the station’s responsibility to the communities they serve.

The video presenting Silver Circle honoree Roger Awsumb was a saunter down memory lane for those of us who grew up with Casey Jones. The show clips brought back cherished childhood memories. Mr. Awsumb’s son, Robert Awsumb and his daughter, Nancy Nelson, were on hand to accept the plaque.

The final honoree, WCCO founder Francis Van Konynenburg, was described by those who knew him as a gifted manager devoted to the broadcast industry. It was under his leadership that WCCO earned its reputation as an industry leader. His old friend, Bob Fransen, a Silver Circle honoree in 2001, was on hand to accept the plaque.

We were honored to have 3 of our 4 Scholarship recipients join us at the Gala. Connor Cronk, Av Forstein and Andrea Wells all made the trip and were introduced to the crowd. Laura C. Meyer was unable to join us, but was recognized by Scholarship Chair Allen Costantini.

For a complete list of winners go to www.natas-mn.org.

And, a reminder: Additional Emmy statuettes and Production Certificates are available. Check the Call for Entries for eligibility, and use the form posted at our website to order.

Pictures from the 2002 Upper Midwest Emmy Awards Gala

WCCO's David Schechter accepts the Emmy for Reporter		Ed Piette, President of our Board of Governors (and Vice President and General Manager, KSTP-TV) welcomes guests.
KEYC's Elaine Peterson with her signature round specs and sparkling sense of humor, accepts induction into The Silver Circle		Tom Szymanski (KVLY), recipient of the Emmy for Weather Anchor
Anchor Candice Grossklaus and Anchor/Producer Jeremiah Jacobsen of KTTC's "NewsCenter Today" accepting the Emmy for Single Morning News		The distinguished Stuart A. Lindman graciously acknowledges his induction into The Silver Circle
TPT's Jeff Weihe and his Emmy for Entertainment Program

DEADLINE APPROACHES: NATAS Cannon Scholarship - $40,000 for children and grandchildren of NATAS members only!

As announced previously, NATAS has a $40,000 John Cannon Scholarship restricted to the children and grandchildren of NATAS members. You must be a member of record as of December 9, 2002. If you have a college bound high school senior, this could be the best $75 investment you can make. ($45 for members in DMA markets 51+!) To get membership and Scholarship information, email [email protected]

“How to win the Freedom of Information wars in an era of secrecy”

The Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Minnesota Journalism Center, along with the Silha Center for the Study of Ethics and Law at the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication present a conversation with Anders Gyllenhaal, Editor and Senior Vice President of the Star Tribune.

Gyllenhaal is the newly-appointed editor of the largest newspaper in the state and the FOI Chair of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. He will speak about information access in these challenging times.

November 12; reception at 6pm, presentation at 6:30. Free, no RSVP required. Location: U of M School of Journalism and Mass Communication Conference Center. For more information: www.mjc.umn.edu or call 612-625-8095

Seth Eastman Documentary: The Awards Keep Coming!

The Twin Cities Public Television documentary “Seth Eastman: Painting the Dakota”, winner of five 2001 Upper Midwest Emmy Awards, won three more awards in 2002. In April the National Cowboy Museum presented the Bronze Wrangler for Best Documentary to producer Kristian Berg at the 42nd Annual Western Heritage Awards in Oklahoma City. In May it won a Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Video from the Publisher’s Marketing Association at Book Expo America in New York City. Last month the documentary was awarded a CINE Golden Eagle Award for excellence in filmmaking.

Narrated by Peter Coyote, “Seth Eastman: Painting the Dakota” tells the story of frontier soldier-artist Seth Eastman, who captured a visual record of traditional Native American life in the upper Mississippi Valley in the early nineteenth century. “Seth Eastman: Painting the Dakota” will be distributed nationally to public television stations this November as part of Native American Heritage Month. Credits: Writer/Producer Kristian Berg, Executive Producer Fred deSam Lazaro, Associate Producer Stephanie Mosher, Production Manager Shari Lamke.

NATAS Mentoring Program

“Without a mentor…I wouldn’t be in this business.”
“I wish I had this, oh so many years ago when I was young.”
“I’ve been in the business a long time and I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Others can learn from (my) mistakes.”

These are just a few comments made by reporters, photographers and anchors working in the Twin Cities market. They feel lucky to have made it to the thirteenth largest market, and all of them acknowledge they had help along the way. Now, for many, it’s payback time.

Late last year, the Upper Midwest Chapter of NATAS launched a mentorship program. It is designed to match reporters, photographers, producers, assignment editors, news managers and on-air talent and all other broadcast disciplines from smaller markets with professionals working in the Twin Cities. The program is structured only in that we match individuals based on current job or future job goals. For example, a photographer from Austin would be matched with a photographer in the Twin Cities. The two shooters would then determine how often they would talk, exchange tapes, and how often they could get together for hands-on coaching. Or, we’ll match a reporter from Duluth, whose goal is to be an anchor, with someone who is already an anchor in the Twin Cities. Or, do you have your sights on a GM position, or Community Relations? We’ve got professionals ready to coach and help you.

The only thing you need to do is take the next step and ask to be a part of the NATAS Mentorship program. Whether you want to be a mentor or mentee, just go to the NATAS website at www.NATASUpperMidwest.org, click on the Mentorship icon. Fill out the information and the Mentorship committee will take it from there.

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