A Close Look At Loretha Hodges Finds New Local Programming By Abigail L. Flanders discretion of the director, be- In TV Post Challenges Staff Writer gins the theme ..And Reporting song D) rtuigan l. r lanuers. oasic numan condition. 1 De- It’s Thursday afternoon thus, the beginning of another Post Staff Writer lieve that’s a but Jim Strader, the producer and successful Whistlestop ses- long way off, sion. Loretha is I still dream of the when I writer of Whistlestop hurries Hodges quiet and day soft-spoken, yet am asked." into the studio in his “Puff-n- Whistlestop, one of only two dynamically talented as WSOC TV’s news Toot" garb railroad coveralls local children's programs, Poet To reporter. She’s a small town Publish and an engineer’s hat, carry- was the brain child of Dennis girl with small town ing an armload of puppets and Phillips, who left WBTV and qualities- the kind of qualities that have Charlotte more than a year a format for Sunday's show. made her one of WSOC’s 6-Part Series On ago and willed it to the indus- big- He calls an informal meeting gest assets. trious young Jim Strader. on the Whistlestop gang-Cla- Loretha’s home town is Hen- Since then, the ratings have ra Lowry, Jim Patterson and derson, North Carolina. She CBD Conference soared, and Whistlestop is now Fred Kirby. came to Charlotte in 1967 to deemed as being one of the attend Johson C. Smith Uni- The Post will He explains what he wants most successful attempts of begin publish- After her a series on the for this week's show and rea- good education entertainment versity. graduation ing six-part 12 in 1972, she became interested issues of the Caucus of Black dily invites input from the for children. "The success of in her Democrat cast. They all converse and the show is due to its talent trying hand at news Conference. Re- In serve now for get into character while the staff,” Jim Strader said. reporting. 1973, she became your copy Hoyle a crew is set- part of the WBT radio news Martin’s crisp on production busy “With a combination of expe BILLY DAMS WITH MARILYN McCOO Ms. Loretha Hodges reporting team. In 1974, she the this historic event in Black ting the props and making rience and wit from Jim Pat- joined ...Small town girl Anderson television news team Which will sure that the lights are proper- terson, child from Fred Gladys husband and team at history. begin appeal .Popular wife and aggressive yet very down set. The set and the cast are WSOC. “It’s more Thursday, May 13. ly Kirby and a sincere under- challeng- to earth and ing, but easier to do very feminine. ready, so the audio man at standing and rapport with television news She is a young divorcee who A / children from Clara because there’s less hus- Lowry, faces all the frustrations of tle. Instead of five or the show has better a doing six than fair Marilyn McCoo, a "1 real- Delphonics stories as I did being single parent. Attend when I worked J chance to continue a being in ize that whereever I am success." radio, I only do one or two.” going Loretha said. career-wise is directly related is the first chil- to where I am Whistlestop Her goals, ambitions, and taking my child. dren’s show that Jim Strader To On I am of “Soul Train” personality are based on her constantly thinking has ever produced and writ- Appear her needs and realizing that Church Marilyn McCoo and Billy Time.” ry ol ‘•(It s Alright Now) philosophy of life. “1 believe in ten. He sees it as an enormous she must come first. After a Davis, the duo who The Think I’ll Make It being sensitive to the needs of but the dynamic Delphonics blend their Anyhow’ challenge, rewards for others and I would busy day of researching and broke away recently from the melodious voices on ‘‘This and “Say You Love Me.” like the CtfAhLOTTE both Jim and WBTV have news, I must extend AWtL same consideration in return. reporting ■* been Fifth Dimension to form Time,” “Phoney” and “I’ve CINEMA xaiR worth all the time and The Soul I their own are Got Train Dancers deplore who as 123 effort that act, special Everything I Ever Want- people place just much energy at the end VK TRADE STO7W720^P Jim and the Whist- the action more this weekend on the In You.” keep lively ant I value on material of the cast have in guests Organized as the things day for my child. She’s lestop put it. “The Don Cornelius than on Soul Train television show Four Gents in the host-producer, basic human and emo- child and biggest problem is the 1964, Del- anexceptional like finding which also features interviews the artists. tional needs.” her time to do all appear- phonics are now a trio com- me, interest span is very the work that She has the ances by the Delphonics and posed of William and Wilbur “girl-next-door” short.” producing and writing a chil- Soul Train is sponsored b) vocalists D. J. Hart and image that blends very well dren’s Rogers. Randy Cain. Johnson Products manu program takes. I have Co., with her Ultimately, Loretha would McCoo and Davis, husband In soaring tenor bal- talents as a newsre- had a great deal of input from tones, facturers of hair care pro like to host her own show-A Mb. Butler and wife, team to do “I lad D. J. porter. She comes across on Beverly up singer, Rogers, im- ducts and cosmetics especial show that would analyze the the cast and the production We Get To Love In with his screen as being ...Winthrop College graduate Hope presses lyrical delive- ly for Blacks. Jhe positive crew, but the responsibilities r- of to both educate and Butler trying nlmd tan Now A RE-RELEASE Beverly entertain children are great. I i'eople must continuously be aware of BACK BY the age group that I am trying Named WSOC to reach and I’m often faced Purchase Needed Aids POPULAR DEMAND

with the dilemma of either — RALEIGH Blind or visual* watcnes, canes, games, and oversimplifying or undersim- kitchen aids such as locklid Media ly-impaired people from a- Assistant a sauce plifying particualr subject.” cross the state can now pans, splatter guards, Ms. pur- UIHlDaffA RE-RELEASE Love Beverly Butler has oven food une ot me mat chase needed aids and house- mitts, turners and been named Media Assistant questions is THE OWfilNAL hold items measuring cups have been the OUR for usually posed by Black view- designed especially GREATEST SCREEN WSOC-TV, Charlotte, N.C. most items. YET... APPEARANCE OF ers is whether or not the show for them from the North Caro- popular Ms Butler’s duties include the has “Black lina Division of Services for Articles the Division sells and of all appeal.” Perhaps timing editing films the are from the one of the best answers to that Blind in Raleigh. pruchased Ame- for feature movies, commer- rican ■JSWW3MSP4. TDM is Foundation for the Blind ony ottractlon cials and question the fact that the The agency stocks hundreds in our IAIKHUN.... promotional spots. and sold a histor/l as BILLY show has “child and at 5 percent dis- JACK Ms. Butler the WSOC- appeal,” of these items, and they can joined count. Dr. Waters that TV a child’s world has no room for the office at 410 North says LIMITED staff in of 1976 as drop by PLUS January this is not a but SEATING ONL color distinction or prejudice. Boylan Avenue and great savings, THE MACK Promotional Assistant. Prior inspect that the the items to greatest advantage is to that she had been a Also, the of prior purchase. statisti- appearance Clara in saving time in receiving the cian for Xerox, Inc. Lowry as the singer, the Items include BIG SHOWS now showing story everything products. "People can walk in is a the dancer and often from a needle threader to a 2 Beverly graduate of teller, the our office and make direct Winthrop Rock puppeteer gives some Black specially designed scrabble College, Hill, purchases or they can order S.C., and attended identification and to game or a rail. Dr. I AA Double Feature Fayette- appeal bowling them mail or and OLIVER! ^ by telephone Th» Smith Hit ville State the show. “I am William Mititil A University in Fa- often recog- Waters, director of receive look nP *UU TIME them in several Mum .»4 Lyric* by LIONEL OAHT N.C. where nized Black and the Division states that yetteville, she stu- by White chil- thus days,” Dr. Waters said. died data and tele- dren of all who tell me far items such as self-thread- processing ages “We felt this was another vision that the tele- RESERVATIONS 542-3481 production. they enjoy show...Not ing neeldles, large-pring service the Division could of- Dilworth Theatre While at just because I’m on Winthrop College, it, but phone dials, specially design- fer the visually-imparied citi. received the because of the show ed alarm Beverly “Who’s itself.” clocks, timers, zens in our state. Who in American i1 ■ — 1 ■' ii Colleges and In an age when television Universities Award" and the reflects the hectic and compli- THE HOUSE OF CHARLES M»rt: «o#|« “Drama Award” for 1970. U^t fm,* "it"iVu** f* cated pace of life, it should be Barber Shop and Salon ^ In addition to her UMIH 4-x> duties at very rewarding for parents to db*iu!«" WSOC-TV, does When You Care Enough To Look The Very Best idra Beverly know that there’s at least one Sparks, Fireside Drive,-Charlotte, a winner ott it>t some and works in Figure Control- Cosmetics- wujlv, modeling program that is designed for Jewelry ithia a winner on commercial Rawlinson, Queen Road, 1600. Myrtle Cuthb. productions. She the innocent, uncomplicated Charles H. Williams, MB N0 Harrill is l i, St., Charlotte, a winner on 1600. Kenne single and lives in Charlotte. minds of children. LaSalle Street, Charlotte Telephone 394-0608 WGIV, int, Coronia St., Charlotte, a winner on WGIV,1600. Barbra J Afton a winner I 5ton, Lane, on 1600. Les Reid, Pressly Road ; mer on 1600. Sandra Jones, Smallwood Place a winner on WGI' J0o Ruby Fewell, Coronia Street, Charlotte a winner on 1600 "" la Bailey, Avenue a winner on 1600. Loretta Wall N Ridge WGIV, i, Tinsley Street a winner on WGIV 1600. Jackie Griffin a w: The neui action r on adventure 1600, WGIV. Donnie Backer, Parkwood Avenue, Charlotte,' fun picture of iner on WGIV, 1600. Bridget Roberson, Syracuse Drive a wirin' WGIV, 1600. Bernard Nations Ford the year. Cunningham, Road, awinner V, 1600. Alvesta Kennedy, Skyview Road, Charlotte, a winne WGIV, 1600. Freddie Mussey, Lambeth Drive, Charlotte a win WGIV, 1600. Anthony Watts, Wingate Street, a winner on 160 ijamin Jackson, Morgan Street, Charlotte, a winner on WGIV, mathan Blakeney, Julia Avenue, Charlotte a winner on WGIV 1 in Johnson, Charlotte, a winner on WGIV,1600r' Adell Totten, 1 iner on WGIV, 1600. Denise Jackson, Central Avenue, Chariot /inner on 1600. Beverly Harley, 10th Street, Charlotte a wi WGIV 1600. Angela Davis, Milan Road, Charlotte, a winner o -V, 1600. Dee Dee Davenport, Double Oaks Road, a winner on ilyn Byrd, Tara Lane, Charlotte, a winner on WGIV,1600. Reg /e, St. Paul Street, a winner on 1600. Althea Byrd, Vance S ij. iuuue, a. winner on wi>iv,iouu. oniriey bowel I, jacKson Avert firmer on WGIV, 1600. Tony Crawford, Brookhill Road, a winn IV, 1600. Joyce Porter, W. 7th Street, Charlotte, a winner o .V, 1600. Barbra Anderson, Walnut Avenue, a winner on 1600. .vin Maddox, Pegram Street, Charlotte a winner on WGIV, 1600 :ry Sanders, Seymour Drive, Charlotte, a winner on WGIV, 160 res Farmer, Old Steele Creek Road, Charlotte a winner on WGI ;herine Burris, N. Alexander Street, Charlotte a winner on p tdra Acker, Martin Street, a winner on WGIV 1600. iBeth Drak 'Ion Drive, Charlotte, a winner on WGIV 1600. Walter Willia :racoke Court, Charlotte, a winner on WGIV 1600. Robert Mor :kney Avenue, Charlotte, a winner on WGIV 1600. Jean Anders k les Street, a winner on 1600. Marcus Graves, W. Park Avenue irlotte, a winner on WGIV 1600. Elise Davis, Brookhill Road iner on WGlV 1600. Ronald Davis, Woodruff Place, Charlotte, BiQ3?y rr^ mer on WGIV 1600. Janice Thompson, LaSalle Street, Chariot vinner on WGIV 1600. Shelia Jackson Evergreen Drive, a winn WGIV 1600. Sonja Bell, Wynbrook, Charlotte, a winner on WG ihonso Davis, McAllister Drive, Charlotte, a winner on WGIV >ra Stowe, Rte 14 Charlotte, a winner on WGIV 1600. Pamela nons Northcliff Drive a winner on Rhonda i 1600. Roseboro Cha dinner on WGIV * 1600. Geraldine Phifer, Georgetown Drive, a ,Ir' c on WGIV 1600. Donzell J-Starring BRUCE LEE Payne, Cummings Avenue, a winner on -tis Youngue, LaSalle Street, a winner on WGIV 1600. Shown AS At: 1:30 -4:50-8:15 Ans Shown At: 3:10-6:30-9:40 irlotte, a winner on WGIV 1600. Milton Crowe, Homewoj vinner on WGIV 1600. Dave Johnson Queen Road, CharV "“S c on WGIV 1600. Robert Lowery, Sylcania Lane, Char] 2“CSHOWS $1.00%* c on WGIV 1600. Cefus Summer, Seymour Drive, Charl< UOTV 1600. Fplprl* CAROLINA THF.ATRE Vnnne. Sanders Street, a winnei

I