Health & Fitness
Public Access TV Producer: "Neighbors"
There is a very special neighbor I've not written about in this blog. She's an important part of NEIGHBORS. Her name is Mrs. Marion Kochka, a neighbor extraordinaire.
There is a very special neighbor I’ve not written about in this blog. She’s an important part of NEIGHBORS. Her name is Mrs. Marion Kochka, a neighbor extraordinaire. A friend indeed for a friend in need. She’s the one who suggested that I ask Matthew Gillispie, our supreme editor to help with what was just our try at making a DVD of young people singing the Chess Song. Marion and I were as close as peas and carrots. The first NEIGHBORS meeting was held in Marion’s apartment with wine and cheese included.
Sad for me, but good her — Mrs. Kochka moved away last years to be closer to her family and didn’t participate in the filming of our upcoming fourth season, and I miss her dearly and daily. She was one of the stars of NEIGHBORS – Season Three, Bullying and Chess, now on public access. Maybe when we film in Yonkers next year, she’ll be all settled in and back with NEIGHBORS.
And, writing of stars in NEIGHBORS - Season Three, Bullying and Chess were the two Danbury School Counselors Ms. Sandra Atanasoft and Dr. Dawn Ballard. These two endearing women were determined to make our viewers aware of the overall details of bullying. I felt so proud when Sandra told me that just prior to the filming at the Danbury Library, she and Dr. Ballard met to go over their presentation. That let me know that they understood what we were trying to do on NEIGHBORS, and that they took the show and subject matter very seriously.
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I didn’t know until they presented it that there were four forms of bullying, physical, cyber, emotional and verbal. The caring counselors had really great posters and cards that were easy to follow—watch the show and judge for yourself. (On one of their posters we found a picture of Matthew’s distant relative Brittany who back in 2010 committed suicide because she was being bullied.)
At times when I’m feeling melancholy about the fact that I’m unable to pay the cast and crew of NEIGHBORS, I remember that that’s not why these wonderful people help with the show.
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We all believe that young people learning to engage in Chess helps them to make better choices and just might save and changes lives. I do remember telling the cast and crew that every day of my life I’ll pray for God’s blessing of health, happiness and prosperity upon them and their families, and that promise I’ve kept. There’s a song I remember from the Southern Baptist church I attended as a 'tween, which says, “Somebody prayed for me. They had me on their mind. They took the time to pray for me. I’m so glad they prayed. I’m so glad they prayed. I’m so glad they prayed for me.” For the cast and crew of NEIGHBORS, I’m that person praying and I’m hoping all are glad.
Please Watch NEIGHBORS on Greenwich's Community Access channel 24 Verizon FiOS; Government Access Ch. 79 check GCTV website and Ch 88 Cablevision Wednesdays at 6pm and Sundays 8:30am. Danbury Community Access Ch 23 at 8:30 pm Mondays and phillyCAM.org Video On Demand. Like us athttps://www.facebook.com/neighborstv our Matthew athttps://www.facebook.com/YourCruiseTA and; Allegra Dance Studio athttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Allegra-Dance-Studio/117287282092?fref=ts.
Thank you for supporting NEIGHBORS.