2018 Hall of Fame Inductee is first director of Oregon Cable Access Media; Friend of Access Awards go to long-time community producers from Eau Claire, Stoughton and Algoma
Wisconsin Community Media announces Liz Harlow of Oregon Cable Access Media as its 2018 inductee into the WCM Hall of Fame. Three community members are being honored with the Friend of Access Award for their dedication to their local community media centers: Al Reinhart of Algoma, Mary Ann Wold of Eau Claire and James Wyngaard of Stoughton. The awards will be presented during the Best of the Midwest Media Fest Banquet and Show in Oshkosh on May 10.
Liz Harlow, who retired in 2016, will be the eleventh community media professional to be inducted into the WCM Hall of Fame. Liz was the first director of Oregon Cable Access and she developed it into a community fixture over a period of thirty years, working particularly with high school youth.
The Friend of Access Award recipients have all been pivotal to the success of the media centers in their communities. Al Reinhart, who is the director of Algoma Community Television, puts in far more hours than his stipend reflects, says Amber Shallow, Deputy Treasurer, City of Algoma. “I have never met someone with as big a heart and passion for his work as Al. I honestly believe that the only reason our little station keeps going is because of the work Al does.” Al has been involved with the station since 1993, when he was appointed to the City Cable Commission.
Mary Ann Wold is a former president of the Eau Claire Public Access board of directors. For more than 25 years, she has volunteered at what is now called Valley Media Works. Mary Ann and her husband, Rick, who passed away in January, were praised by Heather Harkins, Valley Media Works Outreach and Communications Coordinator, “We would not be where we are today if we had not had their dedication, expertise, and generosity guiding us along the way.”
James Wyngaard of Stoughton, volunteers his time at WSTO Stoughton, WMCF McFarland, Sun Prairie Media Center and other centers around the Dane County area. “James is willing to help anyone,” said Derek Westby, Director of WSTO Stoughton, providing production assistance, generating ideas for new equipment and processes, and sports announcing, a passion he has been indulging in Stoughton for 15 years.
