The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

(Left to right) Walter Beaulieu, Dave Roberts and Bill Russell
all members of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
at the Bala Golf Club, Philadelphia
Thursday, November 16, 2000

On the evening of Thursday, November 16, 2000 at the Bala Golf Club, in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia, Broadcast Pioneers member Dave Roberts of WPVI's Action News was honored as PERSON OF THE YEAR for the year 2000 by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.

The dinner was a sell-out crowd of everyone who is someone in Philadelphia broadcasting. Fellow member Marc Howard along with other Channel 6 personnel including anchor Jim Gardner (who worked with Dave in Buffalo before they both came to Philly) and Lisa Thomas-Laury were there. Gardner received this same honor four years before, in 1996.

Dave Roberts spoke to the room of more than 200 people. The Person of the Year Address is the last thing on the program for the evening. Listen to Dave Roberts!

Shortly thereafter, Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Sciaky spoke with Dave's son, David Boreanaz (also Dave Roberts' real name), star of the network series, Angel. Angel was Boreanaz' series at that time. Several years later, he had another series called, "Bones." Watch the interview!

Earlier that evening, we inducted several area broadcasters in our "Hall of Fame." First up was Broadcast Pioneers member Pat Ciarrocchi from CBS3, KYW-TV. Here's what she said that evening. Later, Ed Sciaky also spoke with Pat. Watch what she told us!

Next was veteran talk show broadcaster Austin Culmer, also a member of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. This is what he said! We are know Austin as a broadcaster, but did you realize he was an amateur photographer, too? Look at some of them!

Another person honored that weekend was Dr. Francis Davis, a member of our organization. Davis was the city's first broadcast meteorologist. Listen to what he said!

Our final honoree was Broadcast Pioneers member Harry Kalas. This is what he told us! Afterwards, Ed Sciaky spoke with Harry and this is what he said! Then Ed asked Harry about Richie Ashburn!

After at this event, we inducted three broadcasters, all members, into our Hall of Fame posthumously. Accepting the award for Larry Ferrari was his long time friend and member of the Broadcast Pioneers, W, Carter Merbreier (Captain Noah). Larry played the music on his show along with others including Dialing for Dollars. Here's what Carter said about Larry!

Next was Jo Oristaglio who was one of the founding members of our organization and was for many years our Secretary until her death in 1999 at the age of 88. Listen to her brothers Dan & Sal!

Our final honoree was John Paul Weber, who had passed away earlier in that year. Accepting the award for John Paul Weber were his children, Vicky and John Cameron Weber. Listen to their remarks!

One extra piece of audio, and that's member Joe Pellegrino starting the whole evening off by singing the Star Spangled Banner. Listen!

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com