When TV came to Reliance 50 years ago
The wind raised cane with television reception, to say the least. As I sat
there, straining to see my most favorite of all soap stars, Grant Alexander, aka
Philip Spaulding of Guiding Light fame, it reminded me of the Sunday
evening in Reliance circa 1953 when several of us: Grandma and Bill Morgan, John
and Martha Hoffer, Lena and Hobart Huntsman and I can't remember who else,
gathered in the Walt and Viola Berg home to "see TV!"
Bergs must have been the first people in town with a TV and we were invited down
for the premier. The KPLO tower was in place on "the Buttes" half-way between
Reliance and Lower Brule, and Reliance was going to have TV. How excited we were
as we sat there watching the "snow", listening to the static and airwaves
and waiting for the miracle of actual pictures on the screen as Walt and the
rest of men were outside turning the antenna (as the women screamed directions
from inside) looking for the magical spot that would bring in the reception.
Every now and then someone would believe she saw something and all of the women
would scream more orders. If I remember right, the quest for the magic of TV was
lost that night. We did not make the connection with the tower that night, but
it wasn't long before everyone in town was watching "snowy" TV
That's what I was doing Thursday while Guiding Light was on and TV reception was
off ... trying to see through the
snow, just in case HE should have a five-second spot on the show.
The Register will miss the cheery little letters from their friend, Marion Murphy from Reliance. Someone said she thought he would be delayed getting into heaven a little while ... he had so many stories to tell St. Peter first.
Did you ever crouch down so long while playing hide and seek that both legs went to sleep? Try running for "safe", if you can. Guess I don't have to tell you who gets to be "it."