It was 45 years ago…
October 3, 2007 at 8:07 am | In Uncategorized |
Cincinnati has its share of broadcast icons: Uncle Al & Captain Wendy, Skipper Ryle, Bob Shreve, Paul Dixon. CET has its own icon and today, we’re celebrating her 45 years with CET.
On October 3rd, 1962, on Mt. Olympus (aka 2222 Chickasaw Street) in Cincinnati, Ohio, a fresh-faced Grace Hill joined WCET-TV’s staff. Starting out answering phones, Grace quickly progressed through the ranks of Cincinnati’s (and the nation’s) first licensed education television station to lead the Programming Department from the 20th century and into the new milliennium.
Since joining, she’s endured countless pledge drives, programming changes and meetings, all the while retaining that familiar sparkle in her eye that her co-workers and Greater Cincinnati viewers have come to love. People all over the tri-state equate Grace’s lovely face with the face of CET.
My favorite memories of Grace were watching her on pledge breaks during Doctor Who. Little did I know then as a pimply 17 year-old that one day I’d be working with the lady, herself.
Grace, congratulations on 45 years. You’re as much a part of CET as Big Bird, Mr. Rogers and Masterpiece Theatre. Here’s to more years.
Please share your congratulations & memories of CET’s Grande Dame of Programming in the Comments section.
And enjoy some pictures of Grace through the years.
Grace with 48 Logo | Grace Hill 1981 | Grace with Andy Dahmann | Grace at Auction
Grace with Brian | Grace pledging | Grace Hill, Timelord | Grace with Rosalie Eick
Grace at the podium | Grace with Wayne Godwin | Grace with Kathy Lehr | Grace 1984
Grace Hill, stylist | Grace Hill at CETconnect | Grace with Award
- Brian
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Congratulations, Grace! Everything I know about programming I learned from you! You make working at CET very enjoyable with your quick quips and light-hearted nature, in addition to being such a positive force and great mentor.
Comment by Amanda — October 3, 2007 #
Dear Grace ! Congratulations ! Our community is so fortunate to have you here at CET in public broadcasting. Because of you we can all enjoy quality, educational programs like Sesame Street, NOVA, Nature and the Antiques Roadshow. THANK YOU for giving such life to us via CET !
Comment by Sherry — October 3, 2007 #
Thanks for the many years of providing the community with exceptional programming via CET. You are a true professional that brings unique perspectives to every project you undertake. I have enjoyed working with you over the years, and thank you for your guidance and friendship; I have learned much and laughed often. My children think it’s cool that I even know the lady that does all those great pledge breaks. You go girl!
Comment by Kathy Lehr — October 3, 2007 #
Grace, thanks for 45 years of great leadership and guidance. Only you could get me to do a pledge break :). It has been a pleasure to be your friend and co-worker. We all appreciate all that you have done to make CET an award winning institution. Congratulations on 45 years of service!
Comment by Carol Derkson — October 3, 2007 #
Congratulations, Grace! If they have an award for the Most Pledge Drives Endured, you should get it! (It would include the companion book and DVD set, plus matching tote bag and “Channel 48 thermoplastic” mug.) It was great to see you at Christmas and have some laughs about the “old” days. Here’s wishing you many more happy and successful years!
Comment by Suzy Gabbard — October 3, 2007 #
Congrats Grace! CET wouldn’t be the same without you!
Comment by Andrea — October 3, 2007 #
CONGRATULATIONS, Grace! Thanks so much for all you do for CET. Greater Cincinnati and all of PBS have been the beneficiaries of your dedication and hard work. Here’s to 45 years and counting!
Susan
Comment by showarth — October 3, 2007 #
Congratulations Grace, on your 45 years. I well remember all of those Ohio programmers meetings, and the old SPC Program Fairs, and all of the
“ground breaking events ” that were a part of our early days. Also the fact that even in programming there were few women around. Thanks for all the great work you have done for CET, and for PBS. Shirley Timonere
Comment by Shirley Timonere — October 3, 2007 #
Congratulations, Grace! Thank you for your hard work and continued support here at CET. I truly appreciate all of the help and support that you have given me this past year. I have learned so much from you as I am sure so many others have also. I look forward to many more years of working with you.
Comment by Sylvia A. Richard — October 3, 2007 #
Congratulations, Grace. Has it really been 45 years? I remember it was just yesterday when we were going to meetings someplace in Ohio. Congratulations and best wishes to a fine programmer and a very fine lady.
Comment by Art Starkey — October 3, 2007 #
CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS, Grace! I was priveleged to work with you, and I continue to wish you the best. -Patsy
Comment by pcarruthers — October 3, 2007 #
When I started working at CET my dad wanted to know if I got to work with Red Green, Ken Burns and Grace Hill. He’s a big fan of Grace’s and so am I. Congratulations Grace!
Comment by PromoKatie — October 3, 2007 #
Kudos! Through 45 strange and wonderful years you’ve demonstrated . . . what’s the word for a charming or attractive endowment, characteristic, quality or feature? . . .oh, yeah: Grace!
Comment by Richard Eiswerth — October 3, 2007 #
Congratulations Grace! You have so much to be proud of. It’s a pleasure to have worked with you on several projects.
Comment by Maryanne Zeleznik — October 3, 2007 #
I thought I had been in this building forever! You’ve got me beat - hands down.
It’s quite an accomplishment to stay at one place for 45 years - even more so when you do such a great job! Congratulations!
Comment by Bruce Ellis — October 3, 2007 #
Happy anniversary Grace! You’ve done a great job at WCET. Congratulations!
Comment by Maria Rodriguez — October 3, 2007 #
WOW - Congratulations Grace! What an accomplishment! But just one of many throughout your stellar career. All of Cincinnati is fortunate to have benefitted from your work and dedication to CET. Thank you!
Comment by Chris Phelps — October 3, 2007 #
Grace,
You are the rock on which that station has stood. You were always someone I could go to for leadership and guidance when I was there in the 80’s and 90’s, and you are still someone I seek out whenever I come back for a visit. It’s always good to see you there. You are and continue to be a significant part of the history of broadcasting in Cincinnati. Thank you for your years of service, the city of Cincinnati owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to you.
Comment by Dave Rosberg — October 3, 2007 #
Grace,
Congratulations on 45 years of Service to Cincinnati’s viewing Masses. You should be very proud of all you’ve done! Keep up the Great Work!
I remember the first pledge breaks you hosted. I bet it’s a whole lot easier for you now! Uh oh, I’m having a flashback to Valentine theatre..time to go.
Comment by Ron Riegler — October 4, 2007 #
Can it really be that long, Grace? That Shirley Timonere person thinks it has been, but her memory has been suspect for years. Just today on the PMD site there is a clip of Ron Devilier hosting a Monty Python troup visit to KERA studios in 1975. And ten minutes after viewing that little time capsule I get to see you in The Scarf. Little did I know we had that in common as I was the designated Doctor Who pitcher at WYES in pledge and got to wear the thing often. Whether as a colleague or as a client, I have always treasured our association, Grace. And I look forward to working with you for years to come. Congratulations on a remarkable career at WCET.
Comment by Julius Cain — October 4, 2007 #
Congratulations Grace! I have always valued your advice and your friendship. Cincinnati is lucky to have you, as is the entire PBS system. Thanks for all the great work and contributions to the WCET community as well as the PBS community. And we’ll always have Branson.
Best wishes- Lyn
Comment by Lyn Ganz Seymour — October 5, 2007 #
You go, girl! Grace, you are a shining example of a dedicated employee, a knowledgable and strategic programmer, and a grand lady! Your parents knew exactly what they were doing when they named you - you are in every wonderful way.
All the best to you always,
wanda
Comment by Wanda Zimmerman — October 5, 2007 #
Fantastic job, Grace. Congratulations. You are indeed the face of CET. Everyone knows you’re there after 45 years because you strongly believe in Public TV. Bravo. I feel lucky and privledged to have worked with you and also your husband John at Ch 12. Keep your legacy and your great example going!!!
Comment by Jerry O'Connor — October 5, 2007 #
Grace, you deserve every accolade that has come your way. You have an amazing ability to deeply and personally connect with everyone—whether on-screen or in-person. The many successes that you have authored are testament to that. You always inspire me with your integrity, your creativity, your boundless passion and your extraordinary vision. A thousand thanks for your sweet and abiding friendship through the years.
Comment by Joyce Kamen (Wise) — October 5, 2007 #
Grace … from the official PBS , the very best. I go back to March 16, 68 so I can never catch up! I’ve decided to change venues and will retire at the end of the year (end of the Leiffer Era at KVCR). We’ve seen it all from before there was PBS and through all the BS. I’d guess you have found as I have that the people of public broadcasting are the greatest and just make for a first-rate quality of life to live and work. So … from this coast to your desk, I wish you the very best. Old programmers never die, they just leave the grid … but you are still there and I tip my programmer’s tophat to you! Don Leiffer … of KVCR-TV, San Bernardino, California.
Comment by Don Leiffer — October 9, 2007 #
Somehow the circuits that filter the words on the internet dropped out one importnat word of my original message …
From the official PBS … (open carrot) oldfart (close carrot) … the word “oldfart” being one of questionable usage in a quality (and FCC compliant world) was needed in this circumstance as it is the name I was given some years ago and one I use with my PBS friends …
Don
Comment by Don Leiffer — October 9, 2007 #