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Barbara Wells's avatar

I worked in the Elion-Hitchings building, I think its a shame it was demolished.

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Stuart W.'s avatar

I worked for WRAL's lowly competitor, WPTF-28, who had just started their news operation in 1987. Even though we were no threat, our news crews were always treated with respect by WRAL crews. Jay Jennings, the chief videographer at the time was especially kind to this up-and-coming video journalist! Happy to see the old TV-5 gang (and the BW ziggurat! and Jimmy V! and Dean!) again!

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Stuart W.'s avatar

RAL really did have more money than God, and spent it like a drunken sailor on shore leave. They'd fly anyone anywhere in that chopper. They thought it was the best marketing tool on Earth.

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Jeremy Markovich's avatar

I only rode in our news chopper once, but I remember something about it being more expensive/complicated/paperwork intensive to ferry people back in forth by helicopter, so we generally didn't ever do that. There was something where we picked up a reporter in Hickory and it would have made sense to just fly him home to Charlotte but we couldn't because of some rule, so we had to drop him back in Hickory and he had to drive back.

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thestatelottery's avatar

This is mind blowingly interesting.

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Mark G Smith's avatar

hey Jeremy and all...

what a great (and very informative & complete) trip down the ol NC gopher hole... however... I feel compelled to also hold up for your consideration the actual and venerable State Song - "The Old North State", which not enough of us know & appreciate!!

My Dad was B&R in NC and each time the family wagon crossed the state line, we sang it With Gusto and then started looking for the first barbeque joint!!

Here's the only recording of The Old North State I've ever heard, a major production by our own Red Clay Ramblers, from the great album of the same name!! (forward to past 4:00 for the lyrics, but the whole thing is a glorious musical and cinematic tribute to NC!)

https://youtu.be/bJuG0pun6BM?si=BKdV-eqwDB200KPQ

Here's to the Ole North State!

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Betsey Duggins's avatar

Love it! Who knew of this promo song?

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Stuart W.'s avatar

I did! I did!

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