Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Goodbye! I'm Leaving KSPR and KY3 Inc.

I've come a long way since I started at KY3 in April 2003. I started on Good Friday at the urging of my then-news director. By doing that, I had to take another year of religious classes, but I was so happy to be in my home state!

Just a couple weeks after my big move, the May 4th tornadoes came. I was so terrified because it was the first real major breaking news event I'd covered. There was so much destruction, and I was so sad to talk to families who had lost loved ones. The first house I stopped at in Camdenton was an eye opener. I met a couple of teens who were picking up the debris, and I asked them a few questions about the storm. I asked... "Did everyone make it out ok?" "No," was their response.

Apparently, a husband and wife lived there for several years. They were grandparents. She was found in a bathtub several hundred yards away from the house. The grandfather was somewhere out in the field. I thought of my family. That one news event shaped much of my career... even as devastating as it was, I am grateful to have learned so early about true hardships and the power of local TV news. People complain about local TV, but the truth is, I believe our station (and others) saved lives the night of the storm. We helped many towns and people recover afterwards. It was a great lesson, and it's not one that comes around often.

After a few months, I had the great opportunity to work the weekend mornings and anchor the cut-ins. It was ONLY the cut-ins, but I thought anchoring a smidge would be better than nothing. I passed up several opportunities to report dayside, M-F... but I was determined to have my 3 minutes on the anchor desk, even if it meant waking up on Saturdays at 5 a.m.

Then, the opportunity came to work at KSPR. Weekend nights. Producing my own newscast. Editing on BETA. And filling in on the sports desk. Really? What year was this? It didn't matter, though. I thought it was great experience. I remember feeling a great sadness leaving my KY3 comforts... but I was so excited for the chance to do more professionally.

A year later, I was anchoring the 10 p.m. news. Shortly after that, we dumped all of our sad equipment and started working in the newest studio/newsroom in the market. It's been really cool to be HD from start to finish, work with robotic cams and ipads and work with the latest equipment. Of course, that can only go so far.

But, as I ramble here... I kept thinking it might be time to move on. After all, nearly eight years in one place is a long time. At some point, you have to decide whether you want change or not. I did.

My contract ends November 30th. My last newscast will be Sunday, November 28th. I imagine it will be routine-- "here today, gone tomorrow" kind-of-thing. And, that's the way it should be. I wouldn't subject any of our viewers to my mumblings about moving on. It's reserved for my blog, though... and I won't apologize for that!

I had a great run at KY3 Inc. I made a lot of memories with incredible people. I earned recognition across the state --even the country-- for the work I've done in both newsrooms. And, most importantly, I met my wonderful husband here. Without him, I'm nothing. Jim and I have so much more ahead in our future together, but Springfield will leave an impression on us. And, I'm truly grateful to have had the chance to be here.

I'm sorry I haven't told some of you face-to-face about my big life change. I feel like a horrible friend, and the truth is, I still feel like I need to be a little cryptic about my future. We will still have roots in the Ozarks; Jim will continue working at KY3 Inc., and I will be seen around town.

Feel free to send me a message on Facebook or drop me a note with your email. I'll be in touch.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Michele you are brave and smart, continue to follow your heart, if you get off your path,accept it as a learning experience. I am fully confident that you will make good choices. Enjoy the ride. Much love from Pleasant Hill!

Anne Brown said...

Michelle - Burl and I will miss watching you so much and hate to see you leave the station but wish you only the best. We bought "lunch with a celebrity" recently at an auction so guess we'd better cash in quick! We'll be gone over the holidays so hope to dine with you in December.

Unknown said...

Michelle,

You are the greatest, I know I will miss seeing you every night as will many, many others for the news and your warm smile.
Thank you for the time you spent with me and Brendan. He still talks about that.
I hope to see you again someday, and sooner than later.
The best and warmest of wishes to you and Jim from the bottom of my heart.

Always,
Liz <3

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
I am so glad I got to be a part of the time and experiences that you built at KY3 inc. I remember that trip to Camdenton and the people we met that day. I wish that I could shoot a few more stories with you. You are a great writer and you have EARNED your way to where you are going! - Jerrod

Michelle said...

Thanks for all the nice messages! Jerrod, I've missed you all this time. We really had some great experiences together... and I've been sad all this time that it ended.

Anne-- let's get together soon!

And thanks for the shout out from Pleasant Hill. I miss that place, too!

Anonymous said...

You are gonna make giant, beautiful waves wherever you go. I hope the very best for you, all of my good thoughts your way. Can't wait to see what comes next for you, and I am glad to hear you are going to be around for a while, after all, I just got back here!

Harold D said...

Michelle... I always had the feeling that you would eventually move onward and upward. Frankly, I figured you would get a call from one of the networks. Move on to the "big time" as they say (ha). You are that good. We will certainly miss seeing you on KSPR. I hope everything works out great for you. You've earned it!

The Capn's Corner said...

Here's wishing you a great future! You have the talent to go far, yet you're down-to-earth enough to just be yourself
What ever you do will be successful, I'm sure, but we sure will miss seeing you every day.

Good luck, and God speed to a great lady!