JUDY PANCOAST If you live in Goffstown, you’ve certainly heard the name Judy Pancoast.
Judy is a singer, songwriter and storyteller extraordinaire, who has lived in Goffstown since 1995. She is also a producer at GTV, producing “A Visit with Mrs. Claus,” during the month of December, and several other features.
When asked why she decided to produce television, Pancoast said, “When I was a little girl growing up in Maine, Santa had a show on Channel 5 in Bangor, and it always came on after school the week before Christmas.
“He would be beamed ‘by special arrangement by satellite’ from the North Pole, and read letters from kids, and he’d have a local choir on the show. I loved it, especially because he built up the tension to Christmas Eve,” she said, and added she’d like to do that for local kids.
So, she wrote a letter to Mrs. Claus up at the North Pole, and asked if she’d be willing to do a program on GTV.
“Mrs. Claus was delighted because Santa always gets the spotlight,” Pancoast said. “She’s been doing it now for several years, and I enjoy it because she lets me do some singing on her show.”
Pancoast’s answer to where she would like to see GTV headed was she would like to see more people take advantage of the creative possibilities of GTV.
“I’ve seen terrific stations in other communities,” she said. “They thrive because of the people involved.
“Folks should realize they can come into the studio with no prior experience and learn about television production,” she said, “and best of all, it’s free. It’s a wonderful asset to the community.”
BILL WYNNE
One of the show producers on GTV, the Goffstown community television station, is Bill Wynne who has been a Goffstown resident since 1981.
Bill has done several shows, including sports events and many special events around town. His Backyard Productions has recorded such town events as the Pumpkin Regatta, Old Home Day, Hometown Holidays, and other special happenings in town.
Wynne said he became a GTV producer to bring youth sports and community events before the public so the people can see these things.
“If you missed any of these great happenings,” Wynne said, “you can see them on GTV.
“I also do the GBD, the Goffstown Business Directory,” he said. “And it’s coming along really well.”
Wynne declared that he would like to see GTV expand.
“GTV should be involved more with the community, but it’s difficult to do with limited funds and volunteers,” he said.
“I’d love to see GTV becoming more proactive in the community centers – Pinardville, Grasmere and the Village area. These are separate centers of Goffstown and they can each provide great access to what’s happening in town.
“When you compare GTV with other community access stations, it’s very interesting,” Wynne said. “Some of the other stations have big, beautiful studios.
“GTV has tried extremely hard to provide the community with professional services. It’s come a long way, and there’s so much more that can be done for the community through GTV. I would love to see it grow.”
MIKE LIVINGSTON
Mike Livingston is a producer on GTV, Goffstown’s Community Television station. He has been an entertainer for 27 years, and he’s also a music writer and record producer.
Mike has lived in Goffstown, on and off, for about 12 years. He said he really enjoys living in Goffstown because he likes the fact that it’s a small community…”and it seems to be a throwback to better days in the United States. I don’t mean that it’s a backward community, but that it’s a place where you still know your neighbors and people help one another,” he said.
Mike said, “I came into GTV originally because I was helping my former granddaughter’s Girl Scout troop. They were doing a tour of the studio, and I met Dick Gagnon and we immediately became friends. So I started to come in and do some experimenting.
“I was just helping out in the beginning, and doing some recording and stuff,” he said, “but then I started to branch off because I wanted to join in on visual media.”
Mike said he’d like to see GTV become a high definition production house.
“I’d like to see GTV get some high definition cameras - I think that makes all the difference in the world. I’m excited about the new ‘green screen’ technology,” he said.
“With the advent of YouTube, I see no reason why people can’t come in here and produce their own videos to not only air here on GTV, but also to put on YouTube.
“More people should come in here and use these facilities,” he said. “Dick will help you to learn how to do it. It’s not difficult and it’s a lot of fun.”
TOM PARKER
Tom Parker is a producer on GTV, where he televises his Spirit and Truth Church services.
When asked why he became a producer, Parker replied, “I was bringing my tapes in here to be edited, and Dick convinced me that I could do my own show, so I decided to give it a shot.”
Parker was born and brought up right here in Goffstown in the Parker Station area of town. His parents and grandparents were all Goffstown residents, and the building that was once the Neighborly Club and is now the Historical Society museum, was originally the Parker Brothers Store that his family owned. He noted that the food locker that was once across the street and has since been torn down, was also owned by the Parker family. And he added that the blueberry farm down the road, was once owned by his sister.
“I didn’t realize the influence that GTV has on the general public,” Parker said. “until I started to get comments from people saying, ‘I saw you on TV.’
“GTV has a lot to offer and it has become more innovative. It seems to be getting more people involved, and I think there are more programs now than there were in the past.”
Parker said he hopes to learn more about using the computers.
“Dick has been a great help,” he said. “He’s very patient.
“Talking about technology,” he said, “my wife just got a new cell phone that came with a booklet of about 90 pages! It’s amazing how much things have changed in the past 30 years!”