Executive Director’s Update

Hello friends and supporters of FATV,

Welcome to the second edition of The Rock Report, FATV's quarterly newsletter. I hope you're enjoying the summer season and finding time to relax with family and friends.

Throughout the spring, FATV was proud to be alongside our community, celebrating milestones and honoring those who make Fitchburg such a special place to call home. Our coverage included five graduations, six award ceremonies, and eight memorial services, all of which are available to watch anytime in the Video on Demand section of our website, or on the free FATV App. From Juneteenth celebrations to Firefighter Sunday, from Fitchburg High School's commencement to the Fourth of July Parade, FATV remains committed to keeping our community connected through meaningful coverage of local events.

This summer, you'll find FATV covering the popular “Concerts on the Common” music series while our North Central News team continues to bring you stories from our community. FATV volunteer members continue to create new content each week, featuring local faces and stories from throughout our community. Be sure to watch for new classes and initiatives, including our new program focused on preserving and digitizing family media history. Educational opportunities like these are just one of the many benefits of becoming an FATV member. We'd love to tell you more, so reach out to our team today!

If you enjoy FATV's programming and the opportunities we provide to our community, we hope you'll consider supporting our mission. As a nonprofit organization, FATV gratefully accepts tax-deductible donations, and every contribution helps us continue serving our viewers, members, and the Fitchburg community.

North Central News Highlights

Our North Central News team continues covering stories that impact Fitchburg and surrounding communities. Recent stories include:

• Barbara & Us: Before the Cameras Go Dark
• Growing Pains: Fitchburg’s Financial Future
• 15th Annual DPW Day at Coolidge Park

In April – June alone, North Central News produced over 20 episodes. Watch the latest episodes on our channels and online.

Event Recaps

29th Annual Boulder Award

Community members gathered at Oak Hill Country Club on May 7 for FATV's 29th Annual Boulder Award Dinner. The ceremony honored Scott May with the Boulder Award for his contributions to community media and civic engagement, while Eddy Troxler, Barbara Foster, and Mary Lotze were recognized with membership awards for their outstanding service and achievements. The evening celebrated the power of local storytelling, volunteerism, and the lasting impact of community media in Fitchburg.

FATV and Fitchburg State University welcomed a packed audience to Weston Auditorium on May 30 for the live taping of the final episode of Barbara & You, celebrating Barbara Foster's remarkable 50-year television legacy. Family, friends, community leaders, and longtime viewers gathered to honor Barbara's decades of storytelling and her commitment to highlighting local people, organizations, and events. The Golden Anniversary celebration marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in community television and offered a heartfelt thank-you to Barbara for her lasting impact on the region.

FATV Represents at the Alliance for Community Media National Conference

FATV was proud to represent our community at the Alliance for Community Media National Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. Our team presented on several initiatives, including North Central News, innovative revenue strategies for community media, and best practices for facilitating grassroots conversations about Artificial Intelligence.

The conference was also a special opportunity to accept a Hometown Media Award recognizing the outstanding work of Civic Multimedia Journalists Joshua Cronin and Michael Burns.

We returned home inspired by the ideas and connections we made, including a visit to FACTv in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and look forward to continuing to strengthen community media here in North Central Massachusetts.

Program Spotlight

Fitchburg Rewind

FATV recently launched Fitchburg Rewind, a new series of short historical documentaries exploring the people, places, and events that have shaped Fitchburg's rich history. Over the course of several months, Fitchburg State University intern Aiden Truehart produced and edited 14 documentaries that highlight local landmarks, forgotten stories, and significant moments from the city's past.

Created with the support and historical expertise of Peter Capodagli and the Fitchburg Historical Society, the series helps preserve and share Fitchburg's heritage for future generations. Through engaging storytelling and historical research, Fitchburg Rewind offers viewers a unique opportunity to rediscover the community's past while gaining a deeper appreciation for its future. Congratulations to Aiden on this outstanding body of work and contribution to local storytelling.

Member Spotlight 

Brandon Hamilton

Just Flaggin' host Brandon Hamilton is passionate about growing youth flag football across New England. Through his podcast, Brandon shares conversations about the sport, coaching, and building opportunities for young athletes while highlighting the positive impact of flag football in our communities.

Thank you, Brandon, for using community media to inspire the next generation of athletes.

Legislative Updates

From April through June, FATV provided comprehensive legislative coverage to keep our community informed and connected.

This past quarter, FATV covered 68 meetings and produced over 92 hours of local government coverage, helping make important civic discussions more accessible and keeping our community informed and engaged.

A notable example of this commitment was Daniel Beaulac's gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Fitchburg City Council's FY27 budget meeting, providing 7.5 hours of live coverage that continued until 1:30 a.m. and ensured residents had access to this important civic process from start to finish. Thank you, Danny!

Do you have old media tucked away at home?

Throughout August, FATV is offering a new hands-on media preservation program where members can learn how to digitize their personal media using FATV's equipment. 

With guidance from staff, participants will preserve family memories by converting aging media into digital files. Appointments are available by reservation only and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Supported formats include:

• DVDs and CDs

• VHS, VHS-C, DV, miniDV, Hi8, Digital8, Video8, and audio cassettes

• 8mm and Super 8 film

• 35mm, 110, and 126 film negatives

• 35mm slides

Open to current FATV members (or those who join before their appointment).

Register today!

Questions? Contact FATV for more information.

Get Involved!

Fitchburg Access Television is your community media center. There are many ways to participate:

• Become a member
• Produce your own show or podcast
• Volunteer at events or productions

Ready to get involved? Here are a few ways to reach us:

• Call: (978) 343-0834

• Email: contact@fatv.org

• Visit: FATV during our hours of operation

  • Monday–Thursday: 10 AM–6 PM

  • Friday: 10 AM–4 PM