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Popular TV weatherman returning to air minus
veggies
By Bill Whitaker
The return of veteran meteorologist Charlie Jordan to the airwaves
is clearly regarded as a coup for KTXS-TV, at least by most who
have heard the news.
Announced at KTXS' Saturday night "premiere party"
highlighting the fall season, the decision will find Charlie handling
weekend weather chores at KTXS, possibly as soon as this weekend,
if Charlie -- noted for his weather folklore -- can figure out
how to master KTXS' high-tech computer system.
"You know all that complaining and kidding around about
the new phone system at the Reporter-News?" Charlie said
Monday morning. "Well, ditto here!"
Actually, Charlie said he was thrilled to join KTXS-TV so he
could learn its celebrated weather system, including Live Doppler
12. He also told me he was anxious to be with a station "that
really does the weather."
And, yes, Charlie has reminded me he is a bona fide meteorologist
and that he'll be going high-tech during his weekend broadcasts.
Even so, during a casual conversation about what is said to be
a hard winter ahead, Charlie let it slip: "Yes, and if you
check, you haven't seen many hummingbirds around...."
Charlie, now in his early 60s, comes to KTXS shortly after
the loss of its chief meteorologist, the popular Steve Kersh,
now working at a TV station in Amarillo. George Flickinger is
taking over evening weather duties on weekdays, while LeAnn Allison
is doing the morning weather.
Folks who have spent some time in West Texas will remember
Charlie Jordan from his days doing weekend weather at KTAB-TV.
Back in the 1980s, the lanky, folksy meteorologist gained staying
power with viewers by routinely showcasing area vegetables during
his broadcasts.
That's one difference in what he'll be doing at KTXS, station
officials say.
"There'll be no vegetables," quipped KTXS news director
Paul Brown (who himself begins anchoring a new 5 p.m. newscast
with station veteran Jennifer Bray). "Now, we will limit
Charlie to two fruits!"
ON THE BRAIN
Incidentally, KTXS is caught up in ABC's campaign emphasizing
that "TV is good," that life is too short not to watch
TV, and that it's certainly not a complete waste of brain cells
to turn on the boob tube -- something emphasized during KTXS'
successful premiere party at Perini's Steakhouse the other night.
Distributed to party guests was an ABC coaster that read: "Don't
worry, you've got billions of brain cells."
STILL LIFE
While rodeo, livestock and carnival rides dominate spectators'
attention at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo, local items on display
once again rate a closer look.
Among those on view at this year's fair, all submitted by area
folks:
-- Trolley and bus tokens from 1920 to 1930, submitted by "Mrs.
Wade." The tokens, a little smaller than pennies, come from
various locales, including Austin, Galveston, Dallas, Kansas City,
Norfolk and Abilene.
-- A huge wreath made of pans, tin-can lids, metal containers
and wire, all of it well-rusted.
-- Among the vegetables displayed, a set of ornamental gourds
slickly painted up like penguins by Anna Ezzell, whose family
members are big contributors when it comes to competitive vegetables
at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo.
-- A 1933 application to continue attending Abilene Christian
College. In it, William Cozart, 21, not only reassured university
officials he was Church of Christ but that he did not dance, use
tobacco or play cards. And yes, the form asks about each of these
sinful pursuits.
"What is your attitude on attending parties, shows and
keeping company on school nights?" the form asked.
"I will abstain from doing so," Cozart wrote.
Back in those days, it's a fair bet he did so, too.
NUTS FOR COCONUT
It might interest veggie-loving Charlie Jordan to know the
number of oversized vegetables entered for this year's fair was
way down, likely because of the almost non-existent rainfall we've
had the past month or so.
Still, a colossal "coconut squash" submitted by Pat
Minyard of Tuscola did impress judges and left them hoping they
might even draw seeds from it. Reportedly, the dull white coconut
squash can be substituted for anything that might ordinarily use
coconuts.
Alas, Pat Minyard did not submit any culinary proof of this
to the ever-curious judges.
Bill Whitaker, who had looked forward to a coconut squash creme
pie, can be reached at 676-6732.
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Copyright ©1996 or
1997, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps. Publications
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