WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 12/30/01

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up on News 7-
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fire hits close to home for a group of Pittsylvania County firefighters. The death toll continues to rise after a fireworks explosion in Peru... The cold does little to stop this group from treading for a good cause...
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
Plus, Mike Stevens checks in from Jacksonville--
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:06:27]
[IN Q=We got here]
((MIKE NEAL/FIRE CHIEF: WE GOT HERE, OUR EQUIPMENT, OUR STATION WAS ON FIRE. WE COULDN'T GET INTO IT SO OUR HANDS WERE TIED UNTIL THE NEXT STATION COULD GET HERE. IT'S JUST DEVESTATING.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=just devestating]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

An early morning fire hits close to home for some Pittsylvania County firefighters.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.[Ringgold-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-53 TC-1:10:15]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the blaze that destroyed the Ringgold Volunteer Fire Department.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ringgold]

The fire broke out just after five this morning at fire station number 23 on Route 58.
Firefighters arrived to find the place engulfed in flames.
Other departments had to be called in to put out the fire because all of Ringgold's equipment was inside.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:07:08]
[IN Q=There's a lot of memories]
((MIKE NEAL/FIRE CHIEF: THERE'S A LOT OF MEMORIES HERE, A LOT OF HARD WORK PUT IN HERE. SO WE JUST HAVE TO MOVE ON. WE LOST OUR THREE TRUCKS, OUR EQUIPMENT, AND I THINK ONE GUY SUMMONED UP HE SAYS IT WAS ALMOST LIKE YOUR OWN HOUSE WAS ON FIRE.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Neal/Ringgold Fire Chief]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=was on fire]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Damage estimates top more than six hundred thousand dollars.
Ironically, the department was raising money to build a new fire station in the area.
The fire chief says those plans will have to be moved up.
In the meantime, several area departments have donated equipment to help them get back on their feet.
(------------)

[Salem-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-04 TC-00:07]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Officials are investigating a fire that destroyed a garage in Salem this evening.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
The two car-garage caught fire around 9:30 tonight on Catlett Lane. Nobody was injured in the fire, but two dogs were trapped inside the structure and are thought to have perished. Fire officials say the structure was fully involved when they arrived. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

(------------)[Roanoke-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-62 TC-25:08]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[WIPE/WIPE/WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Fire also destroyed a house in Roanoke County this morning. Firefighters were called to this home on Whipplewood Road... off Buck Mountain Road just after seven. Officials say the house will most likely be a complete loss.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:49:16]
[IN Q=Most of the roof burnt]
[SUPER=01-Donald Gillispie/Roanoke Co. Fire Inspector; ]
((MOST OF THE ROOF BURNT ON THIS. THERE'S WATER DAMAGE THROUGHOUT, VERY LITTLE FIRE INTERIOR, BUT BECAUSE OF THE ROOF COMING DOWN CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE, NOT SURE OF VALUE OF CONTENTS OF IT JUST YET.))
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=of it just yet.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fire officials believe coals or ash from a grill-- caught the rear deck on fire. The flames then spread to the roof-- Officials say only one person was home at the time-- and no one was hurt.
(------------)

[Peru-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]
Officials still aren't sure what led to an explosion and massive fire in Lima, Peru last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lima, Peru; ]
The blaze apparently started in a warehouse filled with fireworks. More than 250- bodies have been recovered so far. Officials say at least 122 of the victims, including children, were found dead in the streets. The blaze burned through four blocks of historic downtown Lima last night.
(------------)

[Halifax-Memorial]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-52 TC-1:24:37]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Plans to honor war veterans in Halifax County are moving forward.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./May]

A commission has approved a final design for a war memorial.
Earlier this year, controversy broke out as to whether the monument should be black or white.
The memorial is scheduled to be dedicated on Veteran's Day 2002 on land across from the county courthouse.
The Board of Supervisors must first approve the final design.
That should come at their January 7th meeting.
(------------)

[Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-49 TC-1:46:56]
[GRAPHIC=Henry Co. School Consol.]
Next week, a new face will join the Henry County School board. This-- just two weeks after the school board voted to move forward on a controversial reconfiguration plan. Justin McLeod shows us how the newest member plans to shake things up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:42:58 (LAUREL PARK TAPE)]
[IN Q=Nat sound of Millner talking at podium]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Curtis Millner/School Board Member-Elect; :11]
[SUPER=@justin1; :56]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Henry County]
((((NAT SOUND OF MILLNER TALKING AT PODIUM))
Curtis Millner is just days away from joining the Henry County school board.
And already, he's at odds with his soon to be colleagues.
[SOT 1:54:31]
[IN Q=I think the plan]
((CURTIS MILLNER/ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: I THINK THE PLAN IS TOO HASTY. I DON'T THINK ENOUGH CONSIDERATION WAS PUT INTO IT. I THINK IT CAN BE DONE A BETTER WAY.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=a better way]

Millner is talking about the board's recent decision to close several schools and consolidate the county's four high schools into two.
The plan drew strong opposition from parents, teachers, and students.
Millner says the public can still change the board's mind.
[SOT 1:57:59]
[IN Q=There is a possibility]
((CURTIS MILLNER: THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY WITH ALL THE PUBLIC OUTCRY AND THINGS THAT ONE OR TWO MEMBERS MAY HAVE CHANGED THEIR MIND AND I THINK THEY NEED A CHANCE TO EXPRESS IT.))
[Runs= 09]
[OUT Q=to express it]

Millner plans to do plenty of expressing of his own.
This retired military man and former teacher believes he brings a unique perspective to the school district.
After all, he will be the only African American on the school board.
[SOT 10:01:49]
[IN Q=Millner represents the]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: MILLNER REPRESENTS THE IRISBURG DISTRICT AND AS THE NEWEST SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HE PLANS TO PROPOSE ONE MAJOR CHANGE. HE WANTS THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT NIGHT TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A BETTER CHANCE TO ATTEND. CURRENTLY, THE BOARD MEETS IN THE MORNING.))
[Runs= 13]
[OUT Q=meets in the morning]

The board is scheduled to meet next Thursday.
At that time, a group of citizens plans to ask the board to reconsider its decision.
If members refuse, some residents then plan to petition to have the board removed from office.
Millner supports that decision.
[SOT 1:58:47]
[IN Q=I agree that if]
((CURTIS MILLNER: I AGREE THAT IF I ACT IN THE WAY THAT SOME OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ACTED, I SHOULD BE REMOVED.))
[Runs =06]
[OUT Q=should be removed]

Millner realizes he'll make no friends on the board with comments like that.
However, he remains confident he and his fellow board members can work together and accomplish what's best for the school district.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Henry County.))

[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
Up ahead, rumors are swirling in Afghanistan that the United States will launch another offensive in the next couple of days...
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
and also, it's a Dickens of a Christmas for one local woman. Stay with us, there's much more to come on News 7 at 11.

(-------------)

[VA-Execution]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The number of people executed in Virginia is down compared to previous years. In 1999-- the state put 14 men to death and eight last year.
This year--- Virginia executed only two people-- the fewest number of executions since 1984.
Officials say this year's decrease reflects a national trend.

[Update-Afghanistan]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Op. Enduring Freedom]
There are reports tonight the military will launch a major offensive in the next few days. The effort by hundreds of Afghan fighters and U-S special forces is likely to get underway in two Afghan towns.... where thousands of Taliban solders are thought to be hiding. Jennifer Miller has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Here at this ]
[SUPER=03-Mazar-E-Shariff, Afghanistan; :00 ]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Abdullah Abdullah/Afghani Interim Foreign Minister; :33]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Miller/CBS News; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Washington.]
(( HERE AT THIS PRISON NEAR MAZAR- E- SHARIFF, PRO-TALIBAN FIGHTERS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED TO A MARINE BASE NEAR KANDAHAR FOR QUESTIONING. BY SUNDAY NIGHT, THE NUMBER OF SUSPECTED AL QAEDA AND TALIBAN FIGHTERS BEHIND BARS GREW TO 150.
BUT THERE ARE STILL TWO SUSPECTS THE U-S NEEDS TO CAPTURE ... MULLAH MOHAMMED OMAR AND OSAMA BIN LADEN. DESPITE RUMORS BIN LADEN FLED TO NEIGHBORING PAKISTAN .... AFGHANISTAN'S INTERIM FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HE THINKS BIN LADEN IS STILL IN COUNTRY ... AND EXPLAINS THE PAKISTANI MILITARY IS TRYING TO PREVENT CONFUSION AT BORDER CROSSINGS.
Super: DR. ABDULLAH ABDULLAH/AFGHANISTAN INTERIM FOREIGN MINISTER
SOT "Pakistani soldiers are not inside Afghanistan in search for Osama
Bin Laden. In fact they have manned their borders with Afghanistan to prevent incidents of crossing people from Al Qaeda to Pakistan or leaders of the Taliban."
MEANWHILE, THE U-S ARMY WILL SEND SOLDIERS TO SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN TO RELIEVE MARINES ... AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO PREPARE FOR WHAT THE PENTAGON CALLS "FUTURE MISSIONS" ... MISSIONS AFGHANISTAN SAYS SHOULD CONTINUE AS LONG AS THERE ARE TERRORIST CELLS IN ITS BORDERS.

(Sot/Dr. Abdullah Abdullah)
"I think we are not at the end of the campaign, and it should continue as long as it takes ."
ALSO SUNDAY, AFGHANISTAN'S INTERIM GOVERNMENT FINALLY SETTLED ON AN AGREEMENT FOR A MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE ... AND IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL ... ITALIAN PEACEKEEPERS JOINED THE BRITISH TO MAINTAIN ORDER.
STANDUP CLOSE: AND PREPARATIONS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY AT THE U-S NAVAL STATION AT GUANTANAMO BAY IN CUBA ... WHERE THE MILITARY WILL INTERROGATE AL QAEDA AND TALIBAN PRISONERS ... SOME OF WHOM MAY FACE TERRORISM-RELATED CHARGES.
JENNIFER MILLER, CBS NEWS, WASHINGTON. ))

[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[writer=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

Up ahead, Mike Stevens checks in from Jacksonville where Virginia Tech was celebrating the best this year had to offer...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
and also, this group was taking a holiday dip for a good cause. We'll have that and more coming up. Stay with us.
(----------------)

[WEB-ADDRESS]
(///// SOT /////)
[Web Address Announce] [Pinnacle 4885ess]

[Feedback]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=Fdback]
[GRAPHIC=Feedback]

Too much hot air in Congress, and on the ski slopes, are the themes in our viewer mail.
Assignment editor Joe McKean has this week's Feedback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Animation Open]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=Animation Close]
((Before adjourning for the holidays, the House and the Senate failed to reach an agreement on an economic recovery plan.
That upset a viewer from Henry County (Holley Harding) who's out of work.
"This is very sad because there are people losing their jobs in this country every day due to the NAFTA bill that was passed by our government. Now that NAFTA is having a negative effect on so many people in this country it seems that our own government is turning their backs on the people who put them in office."
We also had a complaint about airing a publicity stunt at a ski resort. (Chevis E. Swearingen/Martinsville.)
"You showed employees of Snowshoe Resort 'calling on higher powers', the Norse god of snow, Ullr, to bring some snow and business to their resort. While it may have been a fun publicity event, it looked like a pagan celebration. I assume most of them are of Judeo-Christian background. Have they thought of praying to God or Jesus Christ? If they had held a traditional Judeo-Christian prayer service, would WDBJ7 have covered it?"
Any thoughts you might have on issues in the news, or our coverage, are welcome...by mail...fax...or email.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

[Polar-Bears]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Most of us wouldn't consider a dip in the ocean this time of year....
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Newport, RI]

....but the Newport, Rhode Island Polar Bears took their normal Sunday swim today.
Tuesday their New Year dip will be for a good cause.
The group will be raising money to help the family of an eight-year-old girl fighting bone cancer...
(------------)

[S-Gator]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-114 (25:07)/SP106-54:11]
[GRAPHIC=Gator Bowl]

It has been another actioned packed day in Jacksonville. Mike Stevens has a wrap up of Today's Gator Bowl Activities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=First audio....]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Ponte Vedra, FL; :20]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, FL; :56]
[SUPER=01-Chad Beasley/Virginia Tech Senior Tackle; 1:07]
[SUPER=01-Jarrett Ferguson/Virginia Tech Fullback; 1:15]
[SUPER=01-Billy Hardee/Virginia Tech Defensive Back; 1:37]
[SUPER=01-Grant Noel/16 Touchdown Passes In 2001; 2:01]
[RUNS=2:30]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports."]
(--------------)

[S-Giants]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-101 (2:03:34)]
[GRAPHIC=Giants/Eagles]

The Giants are out and the Eagles clinch their first N-F-C East Title since 1988 with a 24 to 21 win over the Giants.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA/FOX SPORTS; :]

Outgoing Mayor Rudy Giuliani shaking hands with Jim Fassel.
The game got close in the fourth quarter Tiki Barber takes the handoff and carries the ball 23 yards to set up a touchdown.
Ron Dayne gets the call and he scores from 16 yards out and the Giants took a 21 to 14 lead in the fourth.
[SUPER=32-Philadelphia/24/N.Y. Giants/21/;]

The Eagles tied it at 21 then David Akers booted the 35 yard field goal with 7 seconds left and the Eagles hold on for the 24 to 21 win.
(------------)

[S-Packers]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-110 (25:18)]
[GRAPHIC=Packers/Vikings]

Green Bay can still win the N-F-C Central title. Today, Brett Favre led the Packers on a long fourth quarter driv
e to beat Minnesota 24 to 13.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Green Bay, WI/FOX SPORTS; :]

The Vikings took their first lead of the game with 10-minutes left in fourth quarter when Sergion Winn hooks up with Bryon Chamberlain on this 47 yard T-D pass to make the score 13 to 10 Vikings.
[SUPER=32-Green Bay/24/Minnesota/13/;]

Then Favre took the Packers down the field on this 79 yard drive that ended with Ahman Green's 4 yard run and Green Bay improves to 11 and 4 with the 24 to 13 win.
(------------)

[S-Steelers]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-115 (5:43)]
[GRAPHIC=Steelers/Bengals]

Thanks to an Oakland loss, Pittsburgh has clinched the home field advantage but the Steelers couldn't handle the Bengals.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cincinnati, OH/CBS SPORTS; :]

The Bengals pulled off an amazing comeback late in the fourth quarter.
It started when Jon Kitna hit Danny Farmer, who makes this super catch for the score to tie the game at 23 to 23.
But Neil Rackers missed the winning extra point sending the game into overtime tied at 23.
[SUPER=32-Cincinnati/26/Pittsburgh/23/;Overtime]

Rackers got another shot at it and he nailed this 31 yard field goal and the Bengals upset the Steelers 26 to 23 in Overtime.
(------------)

[S-NFL]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-111 (26:20)]
[GRAPHIC=NFL Logo]

The Washington Redskins battled the New Orleans Saints and Washington was leading the game 33 to 10 in the fourth quarter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-St. Louis, MO/CBS SPORTS; :00]

A big day for Marshal Faulk against the Colts.
Faulk had 165 total yards and he scored four touchdowns three on the ground and one through the air as the Rams beat the Colts 42 to 17.
[SUPER=03-Irving, TX/FOX SPORTS; :]

In Dallas Emmitt Smith had a record day.
Smith went over 16-thousand yards rushing in his career and moved to within 56 yards of 1-thousand this season the Cowboys upset the 49-ers. And here are the N-F-L scores.
(------------)
[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5022;]
[SUPER=0100-j/Arizona/30//Carolina/7///j/Miami/21//Atlanta/14///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0100-j/Buffalo/14//N.Y. Jets/9///j/Chicago/24//Detroit/0///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0100-j/Cleveland/41//Tennessee/38///j/St. Louis/42//Indianapolis/17///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0100-/Jacksonville/26/j/Kansas City/30///j/Green Bay/24//Minnesota/13///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0100-/Pittsburgh/23/j/Cincinnati/26//Overtime//San Francisco/21/j/Dallas/27///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0100-/N.Y. Giants/21/j/Philadelphia/24////Oakland/17/j/Denver/23///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0100-j/Seattle/25//San Diego/22////Washington/33//New Orleans/10/4//;]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=...last score."]
(--------------)

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-113 (27:38)]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Dazzle]

The Roanoke Dazzle's three game win streak ended at home this afternoon. The Huntsville Flight beat the Dazzle 73 to 63.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Dazzle vs Flight; :]

The fans playing musical chairs during a break in the action.
Artie Griffin gets out on the break and finds Jeff Bayse on the baseline and he throws down the slam.
But the Flight answered Tyrone Ellis takes Andre McCollum off the dribble knocking down the jumper from the free throw line.
The Dazzle on the move Marshall Phillips finds Danny Earl behind the line and he drains the three pointer.
[SUPER=33-Huntsville/73/Roanoke/63/;]

Huntsville's Ellis on the break he finds a cutting Kelvin Price he lays it in for the score and the Flight gets the 10 point, 73 to 63 win.
(------------)

[S-UVA]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-108 (52:30)]
[GRAPHIC=UVA Logo]

The Virginia Cavaliers won their 9th straight game cruising to an easyy 112 to 67 win over Grambling State at University Hall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/CSN; :]

The Cavaliers got off to a quick start.
Jason Rogers gets it inside and scores off the glass the Cavs led 65 to 21.
Grambling would score just before the half Terry Russ hits the three pointer but Virginia led 68 to 25 at the half.
The Cavaliers came out running to open the second half Adam Hall with the easy hoop the lead was 43.
Grambling's Nick Hall would nail this three pointer in the second half but Virginia maintained a 45 point lead.

[SUPER=33-Virginia#4/112/Grambling/67/;]

The Cavaliers continued to run the floor and Virginia gets the 112 to 67 win over Grambling.
(------------)

[S-Scores]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-112 (22:41)]
[GRAPHIC=None]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gainesville, FL/SUNSHINE; :]

Second ranked Florida picked up its 10-th straight win today.
Brett Nelson led the Gators with 19 points in a 107 to 55 win over Belmont in Gainesville.
And here are the college scores.
(------------)
[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Virginia#4/112//Grambling St./67///j/Williams/85//Averett/58///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Florida#2/107//Belmont/55///j/Arizona#14/74//Valparaiso/70///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Miami#24/71//St. Francis, Pa./48///j/Maryland#8/72//N.C. State/65///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Syracuse#18/83//Buffalo/62///j/Hamp.-Sydney/98//John Carroll/76///;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=....last score."]
(-------------)

[Dickens-Christmas]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-50 TC-1:39:31]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A year- round hobby is bringing enjoyment to a Salem family this holiday season...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Helen Leigh has been collecting pieces for her Dickens Christmas Village since 1985. She says the hobby started when she saw an ad in a catalogue displaying the first seven collectables... Leigh was able to buy all but two of those first seven pieces-- and then slowly began adding to the collection.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:12:03]
[IN Q=I thought]
[SUPER=01-Helen Leigh/Collector; ]
((I THOUGHT THEY'D BE SO PRETTY ON THE MANTLE, SO I GOT THE HOUSES, SO I THOUGH EVERY VILLAGE, HOUSE, NEEDS A CHURCH, AND THAT STARTED IT.))
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=that started it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Leigh has accumulated 70- pieces over the past 15 or so years. (------------)