Journalists help preserve broadcast history

Like many broadcast journalists, Adrienne Abbott stays alert for anyone with a good yarn.

She's finding plenty of them close to home these days as she devotes volunteer efforts to preserve the history of broadcasting in Nevada.

A former journalist with KOLO-TV who now works as a consultant and chairs the Emergency Alert System in Nevada, Abbott is tracking down pioneer broadcasters and videotaping interviews with them.

She's working on segments with Betty Stoddard Muncie, a longtime radio and television personality who was the first woman to host a live TV show in Reno, and Tad Dunbar, the longtime news anchor for KOLO.

Her work is part of a statewide effort undertaken by the Nevada Broadcasters Association.

This year, the association hopes to prepare segments on at least 20 veteran broadcasters across the Silver State, beginning with the most senior.

The effort will continue in coming years.

Among the interviews undertaken this year is a session with D.

Ray Gardner, an Elko-based broadcaster who spearheaded development of the industry in northeast Nevada.

Ultimately, Abbott said, the Las Vegas-based broadcasters association hopes that its new office will include room for visitors to hear the stories of pioneering broadcasters and view memorabilia of the industry's early days in Nevada.

The program will be officially unveiled this summer at the broadcasters association hall of fame dinner.

In the meantime, Abbott says, "I'm having an absolute blast.

I love a good story, and all of these people have good stories." She is aware, too, of the need to move quickly.

"It's important not to lose our history," Abbott says.

"Every day that goes by we lose some of these people."