Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • 13

Current II Abby Business Comics leisure TV 5B 6B 7B 3B 2B The Press, Binghomton, N.Y., Fri.t June 16, 1978 More look at WSKG as it looks to growth I 1 1 i II available on the commercial networks, programs like 'The and movies, too," he said. Dees emphasizes that the station has a commitment to the community, which is not only public television's mandate but Dees' personal philosophy for the medium. About 10 percent of the station's budget goes toward the daily broadcasts of "News Center" at 7 and 11 p.m. Dees contends the money is well-spent, although the local commercial stations also field news programs. "One station simply can't do it all in "We get some indication of who is watching and what they are watching during the fund-raising periods," he said.

"If more people call during 'National Geographic' than they do during a cooking show, it gives us an idea of what our viewers prefer. "Also, we know where the calls are coming from and we're always surprised at how far away we are being seen." The money earned during these fundraisers indicates the steady increase of WSKG's viewers. Four years ago the station raised this year more than $200,000 was netted. And Dees thinks there are still many people who will be ready contributors in coming years. The method of fund-raising program interruptions and lengthy, salesmen pitches have been criticized.

But Dees' answer is: It works. "There is no doubt in my mind that if we eased off the fund raising or tried to approach it differently, we would go down the tubes the programming would suffer," he said. Ninety percent of all the individual contributions to the station are made during those events. Programming costs have risen by 144 percent in the past four years, which accounts for the dramatic increase in WSKG's operating budget. Dees believes these costs should taper off as the means to obtain programs grows.

In a few months, Dees said, public television stations will have much more flexibility because of a satellite that can transmit four signals simultaneously to all member stations. "Each station will have the option of broadcasting something special, a Congressional hearing, for example, or sticking with the regular PBS schedule," Dees said. It is a major advancement for public television because; until now, the stations had to receive signals over expensive By GENE GREY Ten years ago last month the first flickering pictures appeared on WSKG-TV, then known as educational television. Today, through wide-ranging programming and shrewd fund-raising, the station has grown into a miUion-dollar-a-year operation that provides programming to viewers in 19 counties in two states. Arthur F.

Dees, president and general manager of the station for the past four years, sees nothing wrong with trying to attract viewers as vigorously as the commercial networks, but for different reasons. "We see our programming as a service and the commercial networks see their function as providing an audience so that the commercials can be seen," he said. WSKG has succeeded in attracting both viewers and money. Based on Public Broadcasting Service surveys of 160 public television stations in the United States, WSKG is 17th in number of viewers per population, ahead of such metropolitan areas as Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas. And as more viewers have been attracted, there's been a proportional increase in the station's operating budget Four years ago, it was today it's $1.3 million.

The state provides about one-third of the budget, the federal government about one-fourth, and local sources (business, industry and memberships) one-third. The remainder comes from foundations and grants. The federal government provided about $200,000 this year, matching locally raised funds. What the sources get for their money is diversified programming. That doesn't mean programming for an elitist or snob-appeal audience, said Dees.

"Yes, we want to have 'Live from Lincoln opera and ballet, but we also want to have sports that may not be FAA announcer Sherri Strichman in the control room of WSKG "There is no doubt in my mind that if we eased off the fund-raising or tried to approach it differently, we would go down the tubes," said Arthur F. Dees, president and general manager ofWSKG-TV. covering news, and I think our approach adds another dimension. I don't mean this to be a criticism of the commercial stations, but we believe we can give more time to a story because the emphasis on our news show is different than theirs." Because the Nielson ratings service covers only some of the counties in which WSKG is available, it is difficult to obtain an accurate count of the number of viewers the station has. But Dees believes the station's signal is available to as many as one million people in 13 counties of New York and six counties of Pennsylvania.

there is no question that we have reached the point where we need more studio space. "In our present studio we couldn't possibly have the Endwell Chorus, for example, or the Binghamton Symphony or even the symphony's clarinet section. "It isn't a matter that we've decided to do news because we don't want to do other types of community programming. We want to be able to do both but can't in our present situation." Dees said the possibility of leasing the Civic Theater will vote on departing Roberson New talent coming along at opera mm? i'ttmy I- VP Arthur Dees and former land lines. To get the satellite in space, each of the 160 public television stations contributed $20,000, but the Kresque Foundation gave each station $100,000 to help offset costs of operation, said Dees.

Among priorities for the future, said Dees, is a larger facility so more programs can be produced in the local studio. "I want to stress that we are very grateful to the Town of Union for letting us use the Hooper School building. They bailed us out when we needed them. But FRANK WOODIUFF songs i' Carol Gorelick-Riaboy solos during the Tri-Cities Opera fund-raiser Wednesday night at the Bingham fon Country Club. 1 Willow Point Elementary School from the Vestal School District came to a deadend this week when the school district decided against the proposed arrangement.

'We are continuing to look for a place, though. It is a high priority for us," said Dees. Dees' own goal will continue to be promoting WSKG, both radio and television operations. He encourages people to volunteer their time and services to the station, so the community can feel it is truly a part of the broadcasting effort. year, providing a new theater is found.

Until it is, the future of Civic Theater is in limbo. "There is some talk about getting involved as a dinner-theater operation, but we want to wait until we see what we are financially and artistically able to do." The Roberson program committee, chaired by Alice Wales, met this morning to discuss Civic Theater's letter. "There has been discussions on both sides," said Laura Martin, assistant director of Roberson, "and perhaps what they are recommending is the wisest thing, although it hasn't been approved yet. "There is a feeling, I believe, that they want a new image and, frankly, if there is tension, perhaps it is a happy solution. We wish them the very best." Martin said the departure of Civic Theater wouldn't lessen Roberson's commitment to theater, but an emphasis on educational opportunities for children and adults may be sought.

Civic 's departure will not affect Roberson's budget, she said, because although theater is a part of the educational function of the Center, no applications call for funds for a specific theatrical operation. The Civic Theater board and members will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at American Legion Post 80, 76 Main Binghamton. GENE GREY Osmond look-alike is Oneonta singer No, it's not Donny Osmond in the picture. It's just his look-alike, and because of it, Billy Dean of Oneonta may also have a singing career.

Dean, whose real name is Bill Heath, has his picture in "16 Magazine" this month as part of an article on star look-alikes. It's not the first time the 23-year-old singer has cashed in on his remarkable resemblance to the television star and singer. Last year he performed a Donny Osmond imitation at the touring "Gong Show" at the Arena, taking second prize. Dean hopes to pursue a singing career. He'll sing some Osmond songs, but hopes he'll be able to be remembered someday as Billy Dean, not Donny Osmond's clone.

the Garden." For reservations and ticket information call 748-7363. The Southern Tier Civic Ballet will have open auditions at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Helene Yelverton Dance Studio, 1299 Conklin Road, Conklin, for dancers who are 10 years old and older. Dancers should bring leotards, ballet shoes and pointe Shoes, if they dance on pointe. For additional information, contact Danita Schiff at 722-3073 or 625-2793.

Cynthia Clarey, in the foreground, and Robert Lischetti Club, with other members of the Tri-Cities Opera backing The board of Civic Theater will asks its membership Tuesday to vote on leaving Roberson Center for the Arts and Sciences on July 1. -A letter was received by Roberson Center yesterday, signed by Keith M. Nelson, business manager of the Civic Theater. In the letter, Nelson recommended that Civic Theater no longer continue its present relationship as an intergrated society of the Center. "Further, we have been in the process of rewriting our constitution In order to operate as an independent theater group.

We have filed to incorporate as Civic Theater of Broome County Inc. a profit corporation," wrote Nelson. "If the general membership of Civic Theater votes affirmative on the issue, we will be on our own as of July 1, 1978." Tension between Civic Theater and Roberson surfaced publicly in March, tut there has been growing concern for more than a year about the quality and cost of the productions staged by Civic, as well as worry about the decrease in show attendance. Civic Theater began in 1949 and Roberson has been its home for many years. Nelson said with a new board it may be possible to stage two productions next Billy Dean Donny Osmond look-alike TJBjt 1 i I '11 perform a duet for members of the Binghamton Country them up.

Opera attacks deficit with Anybody who has the idea opera-types are stuffy, should have heard Barthold, an unregenerate country-singer, sing "Country Road," and "Dropkick Me Jesus, Through the Goalpost of Life." The good humor and genuine friendliness of the young performers would turn even people with tin ears into opera fans. Glen coming back Glen Campbell will make bis second appearance at the Arena at 8 p.m. July 15. The Rhinestone Cowboy will sing in the round, in the center of the Arena, and be joined by a 30-piece orchestra and his own back-up band. Tickets can be obtained by mail order through Tuesday, at which time they will go on sale at the Arena box office for $8.50, $7.50 and $6.50.

Campbell is one of many acts that will make for an. active season through the rest of the year. Coming up on July 11 will be rock singer Dave Mason for one show at 8 p.m. He will be joined by two other acts, to be announced soon. Something unusual is also set for the Forum on July 7, "Abbey Road," which is a live on-stage tribute to the Beatles, performed by four mop-head look-alikes.

Any resemblance between that show and Broadway's succesful "Beatlemania" is probably not accidental. Tickets for (hat show are $7.50 and $6.50. By GENE GREY Only the Tri-Cities Opera would think of dramatizing their financial plight by singing and not the blues, either. As a means of chipping away at its $45,000 deficit, the opera turned out its talented crew Wednesday at the Binghamton Country Club to entertain 180 persons, about equally mixed Opera Guild and country club members. Everybody contributed at east $5 to the opera and was treated to a three-hour show featuring nearly everyone in the company.

Although an occasional aria was sung, and darn well, too, most of the singers turned up with lighter fare, giving the equivalent of an opera pops performance. Broadway show tunes were sprinkled heavily throughout the evening, among Spanish and Welsh folk songs, and even some country and western ditties. Bettle Brown, business manager of the opera, said the event would raise several hundred dollars. About $5,000 already has been raised since the company's financial situation was announced from the stage of the Forum in April, during the production of "Faust." Other fund-raising events planned include making the opera singers available for private parties. If you'd like to have a personal recital for you and your guests, contact the Tri-Cities Opera Company for more information.

The session Wednesday was a real marathon. The singing started at (the bar stayed-open through- On TheTbwn out), and ended after 1 a with those stouthearts who remained, audience and singers alike, singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Everybody pitched in. Cynthia Clarey and Jake Gardner joined, even though they had only a couple days left before their wedding. They'll marry at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial Methodist Church in Johnson City tomorrow afternoon. Cynthia said Jake will be off on a singing commitment soon and she'll also be busy, so the honeymoon won't be until January.

The informal evening proved there is a lot of new talent coming along at the Tri-Cities Opera. In addition to those like Clarey and Gardner, Malcolm Arnold, Bruce Reed, Randolph Messing and Robert Lischetti, who have have had major roles in Tri-Cities Operas, there are many others who sound ready for big things at the opera. Fine numbers were turned in by Carol Gorelick-Riaboy, Paul Clark, Roger Hartman, Grant Best, Ben Holdroyd, Loretta Marlow, Jeannine Sylompek, Paul Clark, Laurel Ekldridge, Richard Leech and John Bartbold. SneakFfeek Singer Al Martino appears for two performances at 7:30 and 10 tonight at the Forum. Tickets are $9 and $8 and will be available at the box office.

Emlyn Williams' melodrama "Night Must Fall" continues tonight, Saturday and Sunday at 8:15 p.m. at the Cider Mill Playhouse, 2 Nanticoke Endicott. Opening Wednesday will be the Alan Ayckbourn comedy "Round and Round i.