2009 VAB AWARDS BANQUET

PARSONS, CURRAN AND OTHERS HONORED AT VAB AWARDS BANQUET

A standing ovation from his fellow broadcasters capped off the long journey of Marselis Parsons, from WEST Radio in Easton, Pennsylvania to the VAB Hall of Fame. Parsons, the longtime anchor and News Director of WCAX-TV, was welcomed in to the Hall of Fame at the VAB Awards banquet Nov. 7 at the Essex Resort and Spa.  

“This is not goodbye,” Parsons told the crowd.  He noted station owner Peter Martin has supplied him with a camera to help produce occasional feature stories about interesting people and places he hopes to find during his so-called retirement.  

Parsons was officially welcomed into the Hall of Fame by Martin and by Vermont Governor Jim Douglas.     It was pointed out that Douglas has also announced his retirement, but the Governor reminded the crowd that he still has 14 months to go on the job.  

Also joining the VAB Hall of Fame this year is the late Belva Keyworth, who owned and operated WBTN-AM and WHGC-FM in Bennington for many years. Keyworth was a longtime supporter of both the VAB and the AWRT, American Women in Radio and Television. 

The VAB Broadcaster of the Year award was presented to Ann Curran of Vermont Public Television.  In his introductory remarks, VAB President Ken Kasz recalled the incredible amount of work Curran did to help all the local TV stations through the historic transition to all-digital transmission.

Two Distinguished Service Awards were presented to two longtime radio reporters.  Bob Kinzel of VPR and Tim Johnson of WTSA in Brattleboro were the inaugural winners of the awards.   

Calling himself a “Luddite,” averse to new technology, Kinzel demonstrated how recording media has evolved since he began using cart machines as a disc jockey at WJOY-AM in the mid-1970’s.   

Johnson was introduced by his former boss (and former VAB President) Dave Underhill.  Johnson  listed a few of his favorite radio stories, but focused on the generosity of his listeners, who always came through whenever the station held a food drive for the needy.  

Tim Johnson of WTSA	Bob Kinzel of VPR

Helping those less fortunate afford fuel helped Ray Kimball of WCFR in Springfield earn the first Al Noyes Community Service Award.  Kimball has helped raise thousands of dollars each year for the local “Share the Warmth” campaign staged by Southeast Vermont Community Action.  

Jon Brooks and Mark Knight of WKOL radio accepted another Community Service Award for their station’s yearly campaign to help send kids with cancer to summer camp.  Their “Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Thon” has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.  

Nassau Broadcasting was also honored with a Community Service Award for their creative fundraising campaign. Nassau General Manager Michael Waggoner presented a check for $4000 to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, the check representing proceeds from the sale of a locally-produced music CD,  “The Best of Area Code 802.”  

The award presentations were hosted by VAB Hall of Fame member Eric Michaels of Radio Vermont.  Michaels also helped put together a video montage of historic Vermont radio and television photos and a collection of current station logos.