Nothing celebrates summer like a good old fashion cook-out and let’s face it, we could all use a little reminder that summer is really here. So, on Friday, July 31 beginning at 6pm, MATV, Malden’s Media Center will be concluding our year and half long celebration of our 20th anniversary with a gala cook-out and spectacular Photo Retrospective Exhibit. This nostalgic look down memory lane features hundreds of photos, news clippings and memorabilia that look back at MATV’s remarkable history of providing two decades of community media for the city. It has been an incredible journey and if you’ve been involved with MATV or participated in any of our events over the years, you just might find yourself in one of these photos.
Thanks to the visionary foresight of former Mayor Jim Conway, who in 1987 created our founding Board of Directors made up of non-partisan members of the community, who came together to write our by-laws and set the foundation for what we have become today. We are grateful to Mayor Conway who’s decision to keep Malden Access Television separate from the Mayor’s office led us to becoming one of the most vibrant media centers in the country. We were thrilled to be part of his well deserved tribute this May when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Malden Chamber of Commerce.
Of course, no retrospective would be complete without an acknowledgement of our founding “mother” the original executive director, Rika Welsh. It was through her tireless efforts and inspired leadership that the studio was built and our membership nurtured. Out of a former barbershop school and hair salon located in downtown Malden, a local community media center was born. It was Rika and her original staff, Kathy Davies O’Leary and John Luvender who first introduced community television to Malden, but it has been our friends and neighbors who have contributed to its success. These are the faces we celebrate in this exhibit and we encourage you all to walk down memory lane and check out this visual chronicle of our past.
In viewing these photos, one can see the incredible diversity of people who have taken advantage of this wonderful resource through the years. So many people, young and old, from all ethnic groups and abilities, each one coming together to make something happen. Whether it was taping an event, joining a production crew featuring local talent or expressing a political point in some talk show, each participant was enjoying what they were doing and it is clear through all the smiles and waves, that everyone seems like they’re having a good time.
MATV has been part of the history of Malden since 1988 and through this photo exhibit, one can see how this media center has been an integral part of that story ever since. From the earliest Family Day events to the Malden 350th festival parade, as well as the many Holiday Parades and countless graduations and Junior Varieties, MATV has been there to record the memories. I want to thank MATV Volunteer Coordinator, Dee Jaye Tobin for framing and installing the exhibit. She did a fantastic job organizing over 500 photos and setting up the retrospective.
So join us at the 20th Anniversary Photo Retrospective and Backyard BBQ on Friday, July 31. There will be food (hot dogs and hamburgers, side dishes, light beverages, and beer and wine available), entertainment, raffle prizes and of course an opportunity to check out the exhibit. Potluck contributions are welcome (though not required). The event is FREE, but please RSVP so we can know how many are coming. If you're bringing a potluck contribution, let us know what it is, again so we can plan our menu accordingly. See you at the cook-out!!
I had a great time at the BBQ. Thanks MATV!
Posted by: Susan | August 05, 2009 at 08:28 PM