Teacher Cable TV Program Thanks Community

After 25 years of live, call-in broadcasts and service to the community, Ridgefield's educational community television program ends its award-winning series.

The teacher-produced cable television program series-- Ridgefield: Now We're Talking! aired its final show on May 8.

The cable program's production team of 17 teachers retired the show. Production team members (all Ridgefield Public School system teachers) are: Carolyn Balmer, Diane Caggiano, Sue Goff, Jean Jaykus, Frieda Johnson, Christine Kochefko, Janet Leiphart, Ingrid Mallon, Lynn Meyer, John Nessel, Janice Patzold, Toby Payne, John Renjilian, AnneMarie Surfaro-Boehme, Cleo Villamarin, Melinda Violante and Tom Vogt.

The production team members maintained a positive model for effective educational programming in Ridgefield, and volunteered the many hours of creativity and professionalism that went into each broadcast.

The team would like to especially thank: the Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, The Town of Ridgefield, First Selectman Rudy Marconi, all Ridgefield community members, the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce and media outlets, the Ridgefield Public Schools' staff and students, Ms. Deborah Low and members of the Board of Education, as well as the PTAs, for their support.

Programs from the series are currently rebroadcasted on Comcast Educational Access Channel 97 on Tuesdays and Thursdays all day, and Sundays, midnight to 6am and 6pm to 10pm. The programs also may be viewed by visiting www.ridgefieldnwt.org, and ridgefield now were talking - YouTube .

Team photo on set: Left to right standing: Melinda Violante, Jean Jaykus, John Nessel, Diane Caggiano, John Renjilian, Janet Leiphart, Lynn MeyerLeft to right sitting: Christine Kochefko, Sue Goff, AnneMarie Surfaro-Boehme, Cleo Villamarin, Tom Vogt

Not pictured: Carolyn Balmer, Frieda Johnson, Ingrid Mallon, Janice Patzold, Toby Payne