>> Announcer: THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >>> HEY, WHAT´S UP, EVERYBODY?

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR TUNING IN TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "THE WELCOME MAT."

BEFORE WE DIVE INTO OUR CONVERSATION AND I INTRODUCE MY SPECIAL GUEST THIS EVENING, I WANT TO FIRST THANK ALL OF YOU AS YOU TUNE IN EVERY WEEK TO THE WTJX TV SHOW, THE WTJX FACEBOOK PAGE, THE WTJX WEBSITE.

WE TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THE ENGAGEMENT, ALL SUPPORT, ALL THE EYES, ALL THE VIEWS.

EVERYBODY THAT PULL UP ON KIA AND I IN THE STREETS AND SAY I WATCH THE SHOW AND I KNOW WHO YOU ARE, BLAH, BLAH, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THIS IS THE LAST EPISODE OF THIS SEASON.

AND TO DO THAT WITH ME ON THE COUCH I HAVE A VERY, VERY, VERY SPECIAL GUEST.

MISS YVETTE DE LA BON.

SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT WTJX.

MS. DE LA BON, HOW ARE YOU THIS EVENING?

>> I AM WELL.

AND YOURSELF?

>> DOING ALL RIGHT, MAN.

TO BE VERY HONEST I´M VERY TIRED.

I´VE BEEN HOUSE HUSBANDING FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

>> WHAT IS HOUSE HUSBANDING?

>> HOUSE HUSBANDING IS ALL THE THINGS THAT HOUSEWIVING IS, JUST IN THE FORM OF A HUSBAND.

SO I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, GET MY WIFE´S BREAKFAST TOGETHER, GET THE KID TOGETHER.

WE JUST BE CHILLING.

WHEN SHE´S GONE TO WORK, I COOK, CLEAN UP THE KITCHEN, PAY ATTENTION TO THE BABY.

SHE´S BEEN SICK.

>> HAVE YOU DONE LAUNDRY?

>> OH, LAUNDRY.

BUT YEAH, SO -- THAT´S MY DAYS.

I´VE JUST -- GIVE US A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU´VE BEEN, WHERE YOU´RE GOING.

>> I CAN´T TELL YOU WHERE I´M GOING, BUT I´LL TELL YOU, AS YOU SAID, MY NAME´S YVETTE DE LA BANK.

I´M CURRENTLY THE VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE THE WTJX CHANNEL 12 AND I AM FORMERLY THE -- WHAT WAS MY POSITION?

I AM DEVELOPER, DIRECTOR OF FUND-RAISING AT WTJX.

I´VE BEEN WITH WTJX FOR A WHILE.

I´M VERY TIRED NOW.

TEN YEARS FROM WTJX AS AN EMPLOYEE.

I´M ON THE BOARD, SO STILL A FAMILY MEMBER.

BUT ONCE YOU´RE A MEMBER OF THE WTJX FAMILY YOU WANT TO REMAIN A MEMBER OF THE WTJX FAMILY.

>> VERY MUCH SO.

I´VE BEEN A PART OF THE WTJX FAMILY FOR MAYBE A COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> YOU´RE FAMILY.

YOU´RE IN IT FOR LIFE.

>> GOT YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU´RE WELCOME.

LET´S GET INTO THE SHOW.

SO THE PURPOSE OF WTJX IS TO EDUCATE EVERYONE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FROM THE CRADLE TO THE ROCKING CHAIR.

PARTNER WITH FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS THAT´S DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERYONE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

A KEY ELEMENT AT WTJX IS THE OPEN ENGAGEMENT.

THAT´S RELEVANT TO EVERYONE IN THE TERRITORY.

ENGAGEMENT THAT´S INCLUSIVE, THAT´S INTERACTIVE, AND THAT PROVIDES MEANINGFUL INFORMATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF ALL.

FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN WORKING EVERY DAY TO GROW, EXPAND AND TO SERVE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY.

SO CELEBRATE OUR JUBILEE THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO JOIN THE WTJX FAMILY TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS AT OUR ANNIVERSARY GALA.

IT HAPPENS ON SATURDAY AUGUST 13th, 2022 AT THE BETHLEHEM SUGAR FACTORY.

THAT´S OPPOSITE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL GUARD ON THE BIG ISLAND OF ST. CROIX.

SO MISS DE-LAUBANQUE, ONE QUESTION FOR YOU.

ARE YOU READY TO GO TO THE BIG PARTY AT THE GALA?

>> OF COURSE.

I DON´T HAVE MY OUTFIT YET.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT COLOR YOU´RE WEARING?

>> NO -- >> YOU SAY YOU´RE READY TO PARTY -- >> I AM ALWAYS READY TO PARTY.

FOR THIS EVENT YOU´VE GOT TO SHOW UP RED CARPET READY.

WE DO HAVE A RED CARPET.

SO YOU´VE GOT TO BE RED CARPET ELEGANT.

OF COURSE THAT MEANS IT´S A BLACK TIE AFFAIR.

BUT I TRUST THAT YOU HAVE YOUR TUXEDO READY.

>> WELL, SEE, YOU´RE TALKING TO ME AS IF YOU WERE EXPECTING ME TO PULL UP ON THE RED CARPET IN MY TUX.

>> BUT OF COURSE.

>> OKAY.

I MENTIONED BEFORE WE HAVE THE LITTLE ONE RUNNING AROUND.

YOU KNOW, MY WIFE IS A PART OF THE WTJX FAMILY AS WELL.

SO WE WILL MAKE SOME DECISIONS.

>> BUT I KNOW I´M GOING.

SO -- >> I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.

WE ARE 60% GOING RATE.

>> IF YOU´RE A MEMBER OF THE WTJX FAMILY -- >> AS MY WIFE IS AND I AM HALFWAY.

>> DO YOU HAVE A MEMBERSHIP?

ARE YOU A PASSPORT MEMBER?

BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF MEMBERSHIPS, YOU KNOW.

>> OKAY.

>> THEN YOUR TICKET IS LESS THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC´S.

>> OKAY.

>> YOUR TICKET AS A MEMBER WOULD BE 125.

$125.

>> NOT A BAD TICKET.

>> NOT AT ALL.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS 150.

AND IF YOU´RE COMING AS A COUPLE, IT´S 285.

YOU KNOW, THERE´S A DISCOUNT FOR FAMILIES.

IT´S GOING TO BE AN EVENT THAT YOU CAN´T AFFORD TO MISS.

>> I GOT YOU.

I GOT YOU.

AND I´M ASSUMING THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE GOING TO BE THERE.

>> YES.

>> GIVE US A THE WILL BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU GUYS DO WITH THE WTJX STATION.

>> THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WAS CREATED BY LEGISLATION.

DURING WHAT WAS IT, 1968, LONG BEFORE YOUR TIME, WHEN THE GOVERNOR WAS PAIWANSKY -- >> THAT´S DEFINITELY BEFORE MY TIME.

>> IT WAS WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED AS GOVERNOR.

HE WAS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT THE IDEA FORWARD THAT WE SHOULD HAVE PBS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS IS SHORTLY AFTER PBS BECAME A THING ON THE MAINLAND.

I THINK THE LEGISLATION TO CREATE PBS WAS IN 1967 AND PAIWANSKY PROPOSED IT IN ´68.

>> OH, SO REALLY SOON -- >> WE WERE RIGHT THERE.

WE WERE RIGHT THERE.

AND THE LEGISLATURE AT THE TIME WAS THE SEVENTH LEGISLATURE.

YOU KNOW HOW FAR BACK THIS SHOWS.

IT REALLY SHOWS HOW MANY YEARS WE´VE BEEN AROUND.

BUT THE LEGISLATION DICTATED HOW THE BOARD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COMPRISED.

SO I DON´T WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE BUT I´LL TRY AND TELL YOU WHAT THE BOARD -- HOW THE BOARD IS COMPRISED.

THE GOVERNOR GETS TO NOMINATE CERTAIN PEOPLE.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATURE GETS TO NOMINATE IN SPEEM.

AND THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE BOARD BY VIRTUE OF THEIR POSITION.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION IS ALWAYS ON OUR BOARD BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT IT´S THE COMMISSION OF EDUCATION.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY IS ALWAYS ON OUR BOARD BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, BASED ON OUR MISSION, YOU SEE THAT ONE OF THE FOCUSES IS ON EDUCATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS ARE ON BOARD BASED ON THEIR POSITION.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET IS ON OUR BOARD BY VIRTUE OF THE POSITION.

>> I THINK THERE´S SOMEBODY ELSE WHO´S ON -- >> HE O´, YOU´RE -- >> I KNOW.

YOU´RE THE ONE WHO´S GETTING ME IN TROUBLE.

BUT THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ALSO ON OUR BOARD.

AND REPRESENTING THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS DR. KAISER HOWARD.

AND HE IS OUR CHAIR RIGHT NOW.

>> VERY NICE.

YOU MENTIONED TICKET SALES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS?

>> $150 PER PERSON.

>> OKAY.

SO JUST OUTSIDE OF THE GALA, BECAUSE WTJX IS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS.

50 YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT.

50 YEARS OF EDUCATION.

THAT´S A BIG THING.

I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

I REMEMBER BEING AT HOME WATCHING BIG BIRD ON SESAME STREET.

>> ON A COLOR TV.

>> IT WAS COLOR.

BUT IT HAD THE KNOBS.

>> I´M TELLING YOU THAT WE WERE ON BLACK AND WHITE.

CHANNEL 12 HAS BEEN AROUND IN THE BLACK-AND-WHITE DAYS.

>> FOR SURE.

AS A TEENAGER I REALLY ENJOYED GRAFFITI STREET.

THAT WAS ONE MUCH MY FAVORITE SHOWS.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE TEENS WAS ABLE TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND I KIND OF ALWAYS FELT LIKE MAN, I WANTED TO BE ON "GRAFFITI STREET."

AND I NEVER MADE IT.

AND NOW I HAVE LIKE GRAFFITI STREET FOR ADULTS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR FAVORITE -- OR YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE PROGRAM ON WTJX?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON´T HAVE A FAVORITE FAVORITE.

BUT YOU MENTIONED "GRAFFITI STREET."

AND "GRAFFITI STREET" HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

AND A NUMBER OF PERSONS AREN´T EVEN AWARE THAT "GRAFFITI STREET" IS A LOCAL SHOW.

I CAN TAKE YOU BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN THEY HAD A SHOW CALLED "RIGAMAROLE."

>> I NEVER HEARD.

>> THAT WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST LOCALLY PRODUCED SHOWS THAT WE HAD.

MILT DAVIS WAS THE DIRECTOR HUF PRODUCER OF THAT SHOW AND THEY DID 31 SERIES.

THEY´VE DONE THINGS LIKE -- I´LL TELL YOU WHAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES, IS REDISCOVER ST. CROIX.

AND WHAT THAT DID WAS THE PRODUCER AT THE TIME OF THAT SHOW WAS ANIL BRUCE.

AND THAT SHOW TOOK US INTO PLACES THAT WE DIDN´T KNOW EXISTED.

>> JENNY ST. JOHN.

>> ONE OF THE HOSTS, YES.

SO THERE ARE PEOPLE DOING BIG THINGS NOW WHO GOT THEIR START ON WTJX.

>> I KNOW SHE´S A PRODUCER ON ANOTHER NETWORK.

>> CORRECT.

>> AND IT JUST KIND OF GOES TO SHOW HOW YOU CAN KIND OF JUST THINK YOU´RE DOING SOMETHING SMALL AND LOCAL -- >> AND IT CAN GROW.

IT CAN GROW.

>> WE DEFINITELY DON´T WANT TO NEGLECT "FACE TO FACE."

>> "FACE TO FACE."

>> WHICH IS EXTREMELY HUGE.

>> WAS THE LONGEST-RUNNING LIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF HURRICANE HUGO -- NOT HUGO.

HURRICANE IRMA AND MARIA THAT "FACE TO FACE" CEASED TO BE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, SUBSEQUENT TO THAT WE LOST ADDIE -- >> THE GREAT ADDIE UTLEY.

>> WHO WAS THE HOST OF THAT FOR 40-PLUS YEARS.

>> YEAH.

AND HE ALSO USED TO DO THE PARADE, WHICH IS ALSO BROADCASTED BY WTJX.

>> AND I WILL SAY THAT YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB STEPPING INTO THOSE BIG SHOES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR THIS YEAR´S CARNIVAL PARADE.

>> I HAD A GOOD TIME AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS OUTSIDE OF MY COMFORT ZONE BUT THEY WELCOMED ME, SHEILA, GEORGE, EVERYBODY AND THE STAFF.

IT WAS JUST AN INCREDIBLE THING.

WATCHING WTJX THERE ARE SOME MARSHALS OUT THERE.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS FOR EVERYBODY, FOR YOU TO TUNE IN AND CHECK OUT.

SO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP WATCHING US.

ALL RIGHT?

SO WTJX IS A MEMBER STATION OF THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE.

KNOWN SIMPLY TO MANY AS PBS.

PBS IS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT MEDIA ENTERPRISE.

IT´S OWNED AND OPERATED BY MEMBER STATIONS WHICH PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE PROGRAMS SUCH AS WTJX, AND IT´S RUN BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS RESPONSIBLE FOERT DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE SYSTEM.

LIKE ALL PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS THE SYSTEM IS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDS FROM THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, OR CPB.

THAT´S A PRIVATE CORPORATION CREATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND IT´S THE LARGEST SINGLE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMING.

LIKE ALL BROADCASTING OUTLETS THE SYSTEM IS REGULATED BY THE FCC, THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION.

SO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATES AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ALLOTS THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF WTJX, DONATIONS FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU KEEP ALL THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMING LIKE "THE WELCOME MAT" GOING.

SO TALK TO US ABOUT WHY IT´S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO DONATE TO WTJX.

>> YOU MENTIONED CPB, CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

CPB GIVES MONEY TO MEMBER STATIONS LIKE WTJX BASED ON A FORMULA.

AND PART OF THAT FORMULA DEPENDS ON HOW MANY MEMBERS THAT STATION HAS.

SO IT´S IMPORTANT FOR US IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO CONTINUE TO -- FOR YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL TO GIVE TO THE STATION SO THAT YOU BECOME A MEMBER BECAUSE IT AFFECTS OUR NUMBERS WITH CPB.

THAT´S WHERE WE GET A GOOD PORTION OF OUR FUNDING.

AGAIN, THANKS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WE GET ANOTHER HUGE PORTION FROM THAT SOURCE.

BUT WE STILL DEPEND ON THE PUBLIC, THE LOCAL PUBLIC TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATION TO KEEP US RUNNING.

AND LOCAL PROGRAMS HAVE TO BE UNDERWRITTEN.

AND SO WE LOOK TO THE -- TO CORPORATIONS LOCALLY AND GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENS TO DONATE TO THE STATION, TO CONTRIBUTE, TO UNDERWRITE THESE PROGRAMS SO THAT PROGRAMS LIKE THIS CAN CONTINUE TO BE.

>> AND HOW DO THEY ACTUALLY DO THAT?

DO WE ACTUALLY GO TO A SPECIFIC WEBSITE?

DO WE E-MAIL A SPECIFIC PERSON AND SAY HEY, I´M A LOCAL BUSINESS, I WANT TO BE AN UNDERWRITER FOR "THE WELCOME MAT" OR SOME OTHER SHOW?

>> ANY CORPORATE CITIZEN OR INDIVIDUAL, BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY WANT TO SUPPORT A PROGRAM ON AIR, CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

OUR WEBSITE IS WWW.WTJX.ORG.

IT´S VERY SIMPLE.

WTJX.ORG.

AND THE INFORMATION IS THERE.

OR IF YOU SEE A WTJX SHIRT ON THE STREET STOP THEM -- >> PULL OUT YOUR CHECKBOOK.

>> THEY CAN GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION AS TO HOW TO DONATE TO THIS STATION.

YOU CAN CALL THE STATION.

IT´S 718-3339 OR 774-6255.

PLEASE PAT ME ON MY SHOULDER.

>> BECAUSE YOU REMEMBER -- >> THANK YOU.

I REMEMBERED THAT NUMBER.

>> AND OF COURSE THE DOLLAR RUN IS ANOTHER FUND-RAISER.

>> ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, YES.

>> IS THERE INFORMATION ABOUT A BOOKLET -- I KNOW PEOPLE USUALLY DO ADS.

>> YES.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO THE SPONSORS OF THIS EVENT BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE IN A BIG WAY.

WE HAVE THREE LEVELS OF SPONSORSHIP, WHICH IS GOLD SPONSORS.

WE HAVE TWO GOLD SPONSORS, AND I´M GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK ON MY CHEAT SHEET.

>> YEAH, DO.

>> TWO GOLD SPONSORS, AUTRY AND THE OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY.

WE HAVE SILVER SPONSORS, WHICH ARE FIRST BANK AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

AND THEN WE HAVE BRONZE SPONSORSHIP.

WE HAVE FOUR BRONZE SPONSORS.

THE RG PARK.

THE STACY PLASKETT.

VIER AND LINE TREE BAY.

THOSE ARE OUR SPONSORS FOR THE EVENT.

BUT IN ADDITION TO SPONSORSHIP WE HAVE TWO OTHER WAYS THAT YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE ACTIVITY.

YOU CAN PURCHASE A CONGRATULATORY BANNER.

AND WHAT THE CONGRATULATORY BANNER IS, IT´S A BANNER THAT´S -- I THINK IT´S FOUR, FIVE FEET BY TWO, AND YOU HAVE YOUR LOGO AND IT SAYS THIS AGENCY CONGRATULATES WTJX ON 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> VERY NICE.

>> WE WILL HAVE THOSE BANNERS AT THE EVENT ON THE NIGHT.

AND THEN YOU AS THE BUSINESS OWNER CAN TALK THAT BANNER AND PUT IT UP ON YOUR BUSINESS SO THAT THE WORLD WILL KNOW -- >> YOU SUPPORT LOCAL PROGRAMMING.

>> -- YOU SUPPORT WTJX.

SO THAT´S ANOTHER WAY THAT YOU CAN PARTICIPATE.

THE OTHER WAY, OF COURSE, IS TO PURCHASE AN AD IN THE BOOKLET.

THE BOOKLET THIS YEAR, WE´RE HOPING THAT IT BECOMES ALMOST LIKE A HISTORICAL DOCUMENT.

YOU KNOW THAT WITH ARMOR AND MARIA WTJX LOST PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING ON ST. THOMAS.

LUCKILY WE DID HAVE SOME STUFF ON ST. CROIX.

BUT ON ST. THOMAS OUR MAIN STUDIO IS GONE.

AND SO ALL OF OUR ARCHIVES WENT ALONG WITH IT.

SO WE´RE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOKLET THAT WOULD KIND OF COVER THOSE YEARS THAT WE´VE LOST THE RECORDS FOR.

>> SO JUST KIND OF BEING IN THE BOOKLET, HAVING A BOOKLET IS ACTUALLY HAVING, BEING A PART OF HISTORY.

THE EVERYDAY PERSON CAN PURCHASE THEIR TICKET WHERE?

>> ANYBODY CAN PURCHASE A TICKET ONLINE.

TICKETS ARE AT WTJX.ORG.

AND YOU JUST GO ONLINE AND YOU CLICK TICKET AND YOU CAN PAY WITH PAYPAL AND YOUR TICKETS WILL BE MAILED TO YOU.

WE´RE MAILING OUT TICKETS BY THE END OF JUNE.

TICKETS WILL BE SENT OUT.

FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO COME.

THIS IS WHAT THE TICKET LOOKS LIKE.

>> VERY NICE TICKET.

VERY CLASSY.

SO EVERYBODY´S GOT TO GET A SUIT AND TIE.

>> THEY SAY WTJX IS ALWAYS EXTRA.

EXTRA.

>> SO TAKING IT OFF OF THE GALA A LITTLE BIT AND POINTING IT BACK ON YOURSELF, WHAT´S I GUESS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT OR JUST KIND OF YOUR BEST MEMORY ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE WTJX FAMILY?

YOU COULD EMBARRASS ANYBODY YOU WANT.

THIS IS A SAFE SPACE.

>> THIS IS NOT AN EMBARRASSING SHOW.

IF NOT I WOULD HAVE TO CALL SIERRA AND SHAKY FOR SURE BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE OLDEST EMPLOYEES.

>> I MYSELF CALL THEM EVERY TIME.

>> YES.

I´M THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT I TEND TO ENJOY WHAT I DO.

SO I ENJOY ALL OF THE TIME THAT I SPENT AT WTJX.

NOT EVERY DAY WAS A PLEASANT DAY.

>> OF COURSE.

>> BUT IT WAS AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE.

AND WE, WHEN WE HAVE FUN WE HAVE FUN AND WHEN WE WORK WE WORK HARD AND WE PLAY HARD.

AND SO I JUST HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME BEING THERE.

>> I CAN DEFINITELY ATTEST TO THAT.

BEFORE THE SHOW WE TALK ABOUT -- I HAVE SO MUCH FUN AND I SEE EVEN FOR SOME OF THE NEWER PEOPLE THEY JUST KIND OF COME IN, THE GUYS AND LADIES ON THE CAMERAS, JUST KIND OF PEOPLE ARE COMING AND SAYING HEY, MY NAME IS SUCH AND SUCH AND I´M WORK ON THE SHOW TODAY.

EVERYBODY JUST KIND OF FEELS WELCOME.

AND I´VE ALWAYS KIND OF GOTTEN THE FEEL AROUND PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH WTJX.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT WORKING FOR A NOT FOR PROFIT PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION IS THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BALANCE WHAT YOU DO.

THE WORK THAT INDIVIDUALS AT THIS STATION DO GOES WAY BEYOND 9 TO 5.

EMPLOYEES REALLY HAVE TO PUT IN THAT EXTRA TIME.

IT DOESN´T END WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR AND YOU LEAVE.

AND ONCE THAT GETS INTO YOUR SYSTEM, IT´S HARD TO GET IT OUT.

>> MM-HMM.

>> SO WE HAVE TO SAY -- WHEN I SAY WE, I MEAN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE TO REALLY SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO CEO SINGH FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND ALSO TO THE STAFF WHO GRIND DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY.

>> A LOT OF IMPORTANT WORK ISN´T SEEN.

>> IT IS NOT SEEN.

PEOPLE SEE US PUT ON A SHOW LIKE THIS AND THEY DON´T HAVE A CLUE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED AND WHY IT´S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO GET UNDERWRITING FOR THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS.

>> I DO WANT TO MAKE A QUICK INSERTION.

I DO WANT TO MAKE A SLIGHT CORRECTION ABOUT YOUR TICKET PRICES.

IT´S 275.

>> WHAT DID I SAY?

>> I THINK YOU SAID -- SO YOU SAID 285.

>> 125 FOR MEMBERS.

>> FOR MEMBERS.

>> 150 FOR GENERAL PUBLIC.

AND 275 FOR COUPLES.

>> THERE WE GO.

>> WHAT DID I SAY, 285?

OKAY.

IF YOU GIVE 285 WE TAKE THE EXTRA MONEY AND PUT IT TOWARD A DONATION AND THEN YOU CAN BECOME A MEMBER.

>> THERE YOU GO.

THAT WOULD BE PERFECT.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF WTJX?

>> OH, WOW.

THAT´S A HARD QUESTION.

BECAUSE WE ALWAYS HAVE THESE GRANDIOSE IDEAS OF WHAT WE´D LIKE TO SEE.

WE FOUGHT FOR YEARS TO GET ON DISH.

AND THE FCC WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE.

AND NOW WTJX IS ON DISH.

>> VERY NICE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I´D LIKE TO SEE IS FOR US TO HAVE A BROADER REACH.

RIGHT NOW WE SERVE THREE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

TORTOLA AND EASTERN PART OF PUERTO RICO.

AND I´D LIKE TO SEE US BE ABLE TO SERVE THE REST OF THE REGION.

>> RIGHT.

AND OF COURSE WE HAVE THE WTJX FACEBOOK PAGE.

PEOPLE WATCH THIS SHOW HEAVILY THERE.

>> ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> AND THEN THERE´S A WTJX WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN NOT ONLY WATCH EVERY EPISODE WE´VE EVER DONE BUT EVERY EPISODE OF EVERY OTHER SHOW.

SO THERE IS -- I KNOW THE REACH YOU WANT TO GET BUT YOU MIGHT EVEN -- >> YES.

>> HOW FAR WE GET TO.

BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TUNE IN.

AND AS WE BROADEN THE SHOWS THAT WE BRING TO THE VIEWER I HOPE THAT WE CAN JUST KIND OF -- I´D LOVE TO SEE A GAME SHOW, A LOCAL GAME SHOW.

THAT WOULD BE FUN TO WATCH, RIGHT?

>> I THINK AT ONE POINT IN TIME SOME YEARS BACK THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO DO A GAME SHOW.

BUT I´D LIKE TO SEE THAT TOO.

>> WE HAVE SOME PRODUCERS AT WTJX WHO CAN MAKE SOME -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST EMPLOYEES THAT THERE ARE.

>> 100%.

>> AND THAT´S WHY THEY GO OTHER PLACES AND MAKE TONS AND TONS OF MONEY.

BUT WE HAVE HAD SOME REALLY, REALLY GREAT EMPLOYEES AT WTJX.

>> THERE´S ALSO A WTJX APP WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY CAN GET THINGS, GET INFORMATION FROM AND THE RADIO STATION AS WELL.

>> I HAVE THE APP ON MY PHONE.

>> AND I DON´T.

AND I SHOULD.

>> WHAT?

I LISTEN TO "ANALYZE THIS," WHICH IS THE RADIO PROGRAM WITH FORMER SENATOR NEVILLE JAMES IN THE MORNING.

I THINK IT´S FROM 8:00 TO 10:00.

AND I WALK AT THAT TIME.

SO I HAVE IT ON MY PHONE.

>> YES.

JUST KIND OF ONE-STOP SHOP.

>> KIND OF ONE-STOP SHOP.

>> THAT´S AWESOME.

>> YOU CAN LISTEN TO PROGRAMMING.

YOU CAN WATCH PROGRAMS.

THE APP IS AMAZING.

AND THEY HAVE A QR CODE THAT YOU CAN JUST PUT YOUR PHONE TO THE -- I DON´T KNOW THESE THINGS.

>> WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SHOW, YOU´RE OLDER BUT YOU´RE NOT OLD.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU REDEEMED YOURSELF.

YOU CAN PUT YOUR PHONE TO THE QR CODE THAT WE HAVE AND THE APP IS THERE.

>> YEAH.

THERE´S NEWS ON THE WEBSITE.

YOU CAN GET NEWS ON THE APP.

ONE OF THE THINGS I ALSO WANT TO SEE ON WTJX, THIS IS JUST ME SELFISHLY WANTING TO PUT EVERYTHING I LIKE INTO CHANNEL 12.

SO MANY SHOWS THAT ARE JUST SO MUCH FUN.

>> YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE A PBS STATION.

>> WE DON´T HAVE TO BE CRAZY.

>> BUT WE HAVE TO ALWAYS BE SO VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE A PBS STATION.

>> FOR SURE.

>> AND SO A DATING SHOW, IT MIGHT BE FUN.

>> IT COULD BE FUN.

WE COULD KEEP IT CLEAN.

WE COULD KEEP IT FAIRLY CLEAN.

>> IT WOULD HAVE TO BE RECORDED OR SOMETHING.

IT CAN´T BE LIVE.

I AM NOT SAYING THAT AT ALL.

>> I SAY TWICE.

BUT IT´S AWESOME SPEAKING WITH YOU IS AWESOME TO KIND OF HIGHLIGHT 50 YEARS ON WTJX FROM PBS KIDS TO YOUR "FACE TO FACES."

TO THE PARADE TO EVERYTHING ELSE.

IT´S A HUGE THING.

>> WE ALSO DO GREAT PBS PROGRAMMING OUTSIDE OF THE LOCAL PROGRAMS THAT WE DO.

YOU KNOW, THERE´S "DOWNTON ABBEY," WHICH WAS HUGE.

THERE WAS SUCH A HUGE FOLLOWING OF "DOWNTON ABBEY."

>> I HAVE TO CUT YOU OFF.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

>> THANK YOU.

IT WAS A PLEASURE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYBODY AT THE GALA ON AUGUST 13th.

>> AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR JOINING US.

IT´S BEEN A GREAT CONVERSATION.

I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH US NOT JUST ON TV BUT THROUGH THE FACEBOOK PAGE, THROUGH WTJX.ORG.

AND WE HOPE TO SEE MANY OF YOU AT THE GALA LIKE YVETTE SAID.

THANKS AGAIN FOR TUNING IN FOR ANOTHER EPISODE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE ENDING OF THIS SEASON.

WE´LL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT SEASON.

AS ALWAYS, BE SAFE.

PEACE.

♫♫ ♫♫ >> Announcer: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARDS, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

>> IT´S A BLACK TIE RED CARPET AFFAIR.

CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF MILESTONES.

WTJX AT OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY GALA ON SATURDAY AUGUST 13th AT 6:00 P.M. JOIN US ON THE RED CARPET FOR COCKTAILS AND PHOTO OPS FOLLOWED BY LIVE MUSIC FROM GIASI CLARK, STANLEY AND THE KNIGHTS AND THE SUSHI BRASS.

GET YOUR TICKETS AT WTJX.ORG.

IT WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER.

COME CELEBRATE WTJX´S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY.

SEE YOU THERE.