The fonds consists of collection of images related to CHAT-TV, the station, programming, advertising and commercial advertising. 75 U-Matic ¾ inch VideoTapes. Most of these tapes chronicled the "newsworthy" events between the years 1985 - 1994. Some of the material is raw footage shot in the field for later incorporation into newscasts or documentaries, while other items represent the master edited programs. However, most of the footage has been edited into news/sports/farm stories, which would have played during the Newscast. These include reporters like Harv Speers, JD Lewis, Tracey McFarlane, and Francis Silvaggio. Also included are some items which represent stock footage and/or promotional items. These tapes are invaluable for the glimpse they give into what was going on in the area defined by the MHMAG mandate for that time period, and, if it was a continuing piece, show the progression of the story. Some Highlights:;Flood Watch '95 - shows the rise, fall, the decisions, the destruction and clean up after the flood of the South Saskatchewan River. Last time Medicine Hat and area experienced a flood of this magnitude was in the 50's. This flood devastated the City...many homes where condemned, flood assistance in some cases, non-existent. Ag Stories - Harv Speers, well known in this area for his rural savvy, reported on the frustration of the farmers with the Crow Rate, strikes at the Vancouver Grain Terminal, closure of local elevators, low wheat prices, low cattle prices, too much rain, not enough rain to name just a few. Harv Speers is also well know for his humourous pieces like a three hole golf course in the middle of the prairie, wax museum in a small community, and a calf born without any hair. City Council: A great collection which shows the highlights from each Council meeting, interviews with the Mayor and many of the alderman, city clerk and other city employees. Some of the topics include: should the burn barrel by law be changed so there is no more burning within the City limits, budget cuts, elections, should the fire and EMT amalgamate, downtown revitalization. Other Notable Events: Death of Harry Veiner, long time Mayor and eccentric resident with old film footage and pictures; Death of Lorne Havard, one of the original CHAT TV announcers, with old film footage of Lorne, commercials; Hy-Point Fire, this collection of the raw footage from near the beginning of the fire to the end which includes interviews with fireman, police and bystanders. Behind the scenes: this collection also includes behind the scene footage and bloopers from CHAT TV. Clips like these ones are not usually kept and gives us a glimpse to the "other side". An interesting note to the CHAT TV inventory, by watching these tapes, you see the development of not only the reporter but also the camera work and production values. Even just by watching the countdowns, you can see how and when new equipment is being introduced and utilized (To follow will be other film, video, slides, photographs, commercial artwork, manuscripts, and assorted ephemera yet to be described.)
