1. In December, 1976 a new morning program premiered at 6:00 called “Good Morning Five Country” with Ed McIntyre, a co-host, and regular visits by early risers from the CBC Farm Department. Can you name the co-host?
A. Charlie Gaddy
B. Bobbie Battista
C. Bette Elliott
D. Nick Pond
2. The February 23, 1978 edition of “The Capitol Letter,” forerunner of CapCom, listed many new employees to CBC. One name belongs to a news photographer who is still here today. Name that person.
3. In the October 19, 1978 edition of “The Capitol Letter,” a very nice thank-you note was printed. Can you name the person who wrote this note?
To all employees of Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Ninety-one years are worth living if in those years one can win the friendship of such a group as you. Thank you for the lovely bouquet and all your good wishes on my birthday last week. Sincerely yours, __________.
4. Monday, September 11, 1978 signaled the day when something very, very tall went into operation. Can you name the structure?
5. In May 1978, the afternoon programming line-up looked like this:
4:00 – Gilligan’s Island
4:30 – I Love Lucy
5:00 – The Real McCoys
5:30 – ______________ Name the lead-in to Action News 5 at 6:00. Hint – it was a successful lead-in for many years. The program featured a fictitious town in North Carolina.
Answers:
- B. Bobbie Battista. She eventually became co-anchor of Action News 5 with Charlie Gaddy on the 6 & 11 PM newscasts. She left WRAL in late 1981 to join Ted Turner’s news network, CNN, based in Atlanta. Watch Bobbie Battista reminisce about her days at WRAL by clicking this link to the CBC History website: http://history.capitolbroadcasting.com/media-assets/bobbie-battista-wral-news-anchor/?from=790
Bobbie Battista and Charlie Gaddy on set at WRAL (left) & Bobbie Battista on the CNN desk.
2. Terry Cantrell. Here’s Terry grabbing a shot of NCSU basketball coach Jim Valvano.
WRAL-TV’s Terry Cantrell (right) with Jim Valvano
3. The note was penned by Mr. A.J. Fletcher, Founder of Capitol Broadcasting Company.
A. J. Fletcher
4. WRAL’s first 2,000 foot broadcast tower. The tower served the station and the public well until an ice storm brought it to the ground on December 10, 1989. Here is a promo describing special features about the tower. Before this video aired, the TV 5 logo was added to the end of the spot. http://history.capitolbroadcasting.com/media-assets/wral-tall-tower-promo/?from=377
5. The Andy Griffith Show
Thanks to Corp’s Pam Allen for this capcom story. Pam Parris Allen is a former WRAL newscast producer/director who now works as a researcher and producer on the CBC History Project.
