Upon regaining the use of my legs and looking for direction, I had sent a resume to the General Manager at WCTI TV in New Bern. I’d had 4 years in Radio; but, I thought that I had nothing to lose and a positive outlook. I thank you people again for pulling me out of that wheelchair with your support. I entered into a career in television. TV POWW was a phenomenal, supposed ‘kids show’; although, the show led in ratings with 18-49 year olds as well as young people. The students at ECU used to tell me how much they enjoyed the show as a break from studies. It was a kids call-in game show that was interfaced with Tom and Jerry cartoons. I was the host and it was my best ‘feel good' hour of any day. People grown to adulthood still to this day say, “Hey, TV POWW!” I loved that adventure and loved those kids and older kids who made it all special. Many wondered and asked how it seemed so natural for me. It was with television that I dedicated my work in life to saying ‘thank you’ to all of you for making me want to try and walk again. I swear, any happiness and sincerity that I projected on TV, came from you. That’s why it seemed natural.
Because of you, my career gave me situations of learning with telethons, meeting inspirational people, helping others and warning people of potential life threatening weather. I was taught Meteorology by Bill Rogers. He was one of the Top Meteorologist in the Marine Corps for more than 30 years. He specialized in Hurricanes and Severe Weather. He taught me the same. He taught me how to ‘feel’ the weather. Enough, so that when the owners of The Weather Channel were looking for what they considered the top twenty-six weather people in the country, they asked me to come work for them and help start it. We didn’t have all the walls in rooms yet. You know where it’s grown since then. The Keneelys, the Mancusos, the Cantores, the Hopes; we all became friends in weather.
From there, I worked in Richmond, then on to CBS in Houston, to West Palm, to NBC Philadelphia, to New York WOR and back to Philadelphia. If the people of Eastern North Carolina hadn’t inspired me to start this journey, I wouldn’t have known Audra Lindley or Mrs. Roper. I wouldn’t have become friends to John Denver or George Foreman, Spanky McFarlan, The Kingston Trio, Anthony Edwards, or met some of the finest journalist in News programming, from Rather to Jennings. I met real American Heroes. I knew Michael Smith, Pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger. I met and talked with Chuck Yeager, the first human to break the sound barrier. I became friends with Alan Shepard and we even played golf together. He was the first American in Space. I remembered him as a kid. We did a TV series about Halley’s Comet.
I met many others, including Diplomats and Politicians; but, no matter what, I was always excited meeting someone from home. I would hear people yelling from the second deck at the AstroDome or Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, or Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia; “ Hey, Craig; Hey Weber, TV POWWW! How’s the weather?! We’re from Newport, We’re from Greenville, We’re from Jacksonville!”
You have always made my life feel worthwhile. I respect your heritage, your integrity, your fortitude, and your simplicity in ways to be happy and fulfilled. You are a part of me. I must protect this. Help me. We will grow; but, we must have a conscience about it. We must think and plan for future generations of children and keep life here sacred.
They must learn to love, share and care as you have.
- Craig
Weber for Congress
1413 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
Phone: 252-726-9697