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First the Diamond & Proposal at the Diamond Ball, Now the Wedding!

Posted: Sun, 12 May 2013 23:41:22 +0000

And now, for the rest of the story. Remember last year when Eric Zaczek won the diamond at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Diamond Ball and immediately dropped down on his knee and proposed to Charis Gatas in front of hundreds of guests? (Watch his proposal here: http://youtu.be/ZpbFG14Lugo) Well, here they are as husband and wife! My husband and I were so pleased to be invited to their beautiful wedding Saturday at St. Louis Church. God bless this happy couple!
2013 Walk MS — New Venue, Same Big Mission!

Posted: Mon, 06 May 2013 00:06:22 +0000

Buffalo Walk MS moved to Canalside in 2013 under blue skies and sunshine! WNY has one of the highest rates of MS in the entire country.

Buffalo Walk MS moved to Canalside in 2013 under blue skies and sunshine!

Some 2,000 people joined us at Canalside to raise money for the programs of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. WNY has one of the highest rates of MS in the entire country.

With News 4 Videographer Josh Roy I interviewed walkers with multiple sclerosis for the News 4 Buffalo evening newscasts. MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system with a wide range of symptoms.

Sandy LaSpada of Lockport, who has multiple sclerosis, is the leader of Team Smurfs. The Smurfs are among the highest fundraisers for Walk MS.

Carole Marra of Sanborn was interviewed for News Four about her son’s challenges with MS. Joey Marra, to her right in the sunglasses, is now 16 and was diagnosed with MS at age 8 — perhaps the youngest person ever to receive this diagnosis in WNY.

I was proud to be part of Team Joey this year. Joey Marra, age 16 wearing sunglasses, lives with MS. Every day is a challenge, but Joey has been able to maintain his spot on the honor roll!

Linda Pautler of Cheektowaga is hopeful research will change her life, but also that research will keep other from being diagnosed with MS.

Assemblyman Dennis Gabrysak is a member of the legislative alliance in Albany that aims to keep issues related to MS in the forefront.

State Senator Mark Grisanti and State Assemblyman Dennis Gabrysak, both members of the MS legislative alliance in Albany, spoke to the Walk MS crowd.

Before Walk MS stepped off we took a few minutes to give details and safety instructions.

Many of the people who join Walk MS have multiple sclerosis or are walking on behalf of a relative, friend, or co-worker who does. Some 3400 people in the Buffalo area have MS.

I have been honored to be part of Walk MS for more than 25 years… with the support of WIVB-TV Ch. 4, a major Walk sponsor.

As the clock hit 10 AM on Saturday, May 4, we were good to go. Get ready, get set, walk!

My former co-worker “Troubleshooter” Lee Coppola and his great family were among the walkers. They represented Team Coolture. Coolture is a local company that makes a cooling vest designed for those who have difficulty tolerating heat — a big problem for many people with MS.

A great team called “Gracefully Here.” They’re supporting Christina Douglas from Niagara Falls, to my right, whom you may recognize because she appeared with me on billboards and in the Walk MS announcement which aired on Ch. 4.

Rich Warden of Silver Creek was diagnosed with MS in 1995. His family and friends formed ‘Warden’s Walkers” and they have been with us every year since 1996 among the highest team fundraisers. They are dedicated to the mission of finding the causes of MS and, hopefully, a cure!

A big thank you to all the Walk MS volunteers like Mary and Rick. We couldn’t do it without them!

After Walk MS it’s time to enjoy the sunny weather with hot dogs, music, and sunshine!

Walk MS raises money for local patient programs and for research into new treatments and someday, a cure for multiple sclerosis.
News Four at the 2013 New York Emmy Awards

Posted: Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:16:16 +0000

WIVB-TV News 4 Buffalo sent our nominees to the 56th Annual New York Emmy Awards last weekend in New York City. Emily Guggenmos, Lou Raguse, News Director Joe Schlaerth, Ed Drantch, Mike Mombrea, Jr., Diana Fairbanks, and myself were among the nominees. (Rich Newberg is missing from this photo.) My husband, Mike, is next to me.

The 56th Annual Emmy Awards were held in the Marriott Marquis on Times Square.

Hundreds of people filled the Marriott Marquis ballroom for the 56th Annual New York Emmy Awards on April 14, 2013.

It was a pleasure to meet former talk show host Dick Cavett who made a stage appearance at the New York Emmy Awards.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, well-known sex therapist, was a presenter for the New York Emmy Awards.

This photo is of very poor quality but you may recognize singer and Emmy presenter Dionne Warwick standing between Lori and Rich Newberg. Next to Rich is Mike Mombrea, Jr., myself, and my husband, Mike. We had just a moment to line up for the photo before the award ceremony.

The 56th Annual New York Emmy Awards are about to begin in the Marriott Marquis ballroom. The vast majority of the Emmy nominees are from the New York City media market.

My husband and I enjoyed the night we were part of this glittering event. My Emmy nomination was for anchoring during the Nik Wallenda wirewalk across Niagara Falls.

Singer Judy Collins was among the presenters for the 56th Annual New York Emmy Awards.

Diana Fairbanks, Ed Drantch, and me during the dinner and awards ceremony at the WIVB-TV table.

So, no one from our group won an Emmy, but we all know “it’s an honor to be nominated” and it was great to be part of this big event.
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week: Preparing for ‘Walk MS’

Posted: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:01:10 +0000

March 11-17 is designated as MS Awareness Week — a time to be aware that WNY has one of the highest rates of Multiple Sclerosis in the entire country. The National MS Society supports research into this unpredictable disease of the central nervous system and offers a wide range of aid to patients. Find details about Walk MS here: http://bit.ly/Y5picq

We invite you to join us for Walk MS, Saturday, May 4th, in a new location this year on the Buffalo waterfront. Joanne Schiffhauer of Orchard Park was diagnosed in 2010. Ron Surdej of West Seneca has lived with MS for 5 years. Rich Warden of Silver Creek first learned he had MS 17 years ago. Christina Douglas of Niagara Falls heard her diagnosis in 2011.

We gathered in the WIVB-TV studios to record a public service announcement about Walk MS. Roy Schrodt was our videographer.

We have a lot of information to give in under :15 seconds, so the stopwatch is a must!

A video shoot requires patience and more than one take!

With the green screen behind us, you will see a different background in the finished PSA.

Director Jim Diavastes gives us cues with Maria Batt and Christy Missico of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society watching the action.

It’s not over until Director Jim Diavastes says it’s over!

All who participated in the shoot pose for one last photo on the News 4 set. We hope you will join us to raise money for patient aid and research on May 4 at Walk MS.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Diamond Ball 2013

Posted: Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:55:46 +0000

It was my pleasure to emcee the 2013 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Diamond Ball which raises money for research into treatment for blood-related cancers and for aid to patients. See more photos on my Facebook page!
Getzville Fire Installation Dinner 2013

Posted: Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:31:03 +0000

Many thanks to the Getzville Fire Company volunteers for their kindness to me once again as I emceed their Annual Installation Dinner on February 9, 2013. They dedicate hours of their personal and family time to protecting the residents, homes, businesses, and schools of Getzville — and the sprawling UB North campus and the 990 Expressway.

See the entire photo album here
Super Bowl Commercials: What Do You Think?

Posted: Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:01:37 +0000

Here’s where I’ll be commenting on the commercials during today’s big game. I welcome YOUR comments and I plan to use some of them during our late news tonight after the Super Bowl (and after CBS’ Elementary.)

I’ve already watched online more than 30 of the commercials that will run during the game. I have an idea which one will be the likely favorite of viewers — but a few brands — Oreo, Tide, Chrysler — have chosen not to reveal their ads before game day — and we’ll have to see if there are any big winners there.

Game starts shortly before 6:30 p.m. — I’ll be back posting then.
Memorable Super Bowl commercials from the past

Posted: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:23:11 +0000

Here are some unforgettable big game ads from previous years. Do you remember them?
Sneak Peek: Super Bowl 2013 commercials

Posted: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:05:06 +0000

Looking forward to the Super Bowl commercials this year? Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll see during the big game.

This year, 30 seconds of airtime costs upwards of an estimated $4 million!

Click here to watch previews of 6 ads you’ll see this year.

What do you think? Leave me some comments below.
Thanks for 40 years at News 4, Vic Baker!

Posted: Sun, 13 Jan 2013 17:37:42 +0000

On Friday, staffers at News 4 learned that it would be our last day working with Senior Producer Vic Baker. After 40 years at Channel 4, Vic and his wife, Judy, have decided to move to Florida — where Vic will take a new position with a regional cable news channel. After shaping the news in a host of news writing and producing positions over the past 4 decades we say thank you and farewell to our friend, Vic Baker.

News 4 Operations Manager Nancy Sanders joined me and Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg in saying farewell to Senior Producer Vic Baker.

No farewell is complete without a cake — this one is for Vic Baker!

Vic Baker does the honors, cutting the cake on his desk at our farewell get-together.

At an impromptu farewell party between the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, which Vic Baker produced in recent years, Vic reflected on his 40 year career at Channel 4.

Vic Baker and I have worked together during the entire 29 years I have been at Channel 4. He’s been my 6 p.m. producer for the last decade and I will miss him!

The News 4 night team gathers for a final farewell photo with our friend and colleague Vic Baker!