Weekday broadcasts from LPTV Channel 6

By Setarreh Massihzadegan
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The cameras are ready, the microphones and props in place. The day’s hostesses sit behind their desk anticipating the countdown to the “On Air” light, signifying the show will be broadcast live on LPTV Channel 6.

But as the countdown ends and the clock strikes 10 a.m., the screen on Linden Ponds’ TV station doesn’t switch to the live show. A flurry of troubleshooting ensues, and with some quick thinking from the show’s producers, the show pops on just two minutes late.

Improving crew
“ The first couple of shows it was new to us, but we’re getting more comfortable with it,” says Leroy Jenkins, who can be seen manning the station’s cameras and hosting LIVE Sports on Tuesdays at 2 p.m.

The TV station at Linden Ponds began going live once a week last fall, but today the station goes live Monday through Friday. Live from Linden Ponds airs every weekday morning with a rotating set of hosts and subjects.

The show gets under way with the help of community TV coordinators Liz Patton and Tom McGivern. They hold regular training workshops for those who are new to the station or need some brushing up.

“ The two of them have done just a wonderful job of getting this up and running,” says Lo Steele, who regularly hosts Live from Linden Ponds and produces the monthly show Bright Lights.

Currently about 25 people who live at Linden Ponds contribute in some capacity to the station, and their work seems to have paid off .

“We used to take 45 minutes before the show to get in place. Now, two minutes before we get ready,” McGivern says.

“And we don’t go off written scripts,” Steele adds. “Much of it is extemporaneous.”

Informing the community
Those who tune in to the live show get a rundown of the main activities going on that day—of which there are many—and they receive useful information from special guests.