The format for each presentation included a personal presenter selected by the recipient as well as the production and screening of a “This Is Your Life” video from each recipient, after which the recipient gave an acceptance speech.

Leticia Callava (2nd from left) and family (RC 2 #9)

Leticia Callaya is the Senior News Anchor on Noticiero 51 at WSCV, Channel 51 owned by Telemundo. She said that these Awards bring back many memories, but it seems like only yesterday that she began her career at Univision. Joaquin Blaya took a chance on a young kid who dressed like a hippie and hired her as a script writer. Moreover, at the time she was hired, she had never watched Spanish-language television in the United States. What she lacked in experience, she made up in enthusiasm. She became the longest-running female news anchor in South Florida. Leticia’s award was presented by her daughter, Beatriz Montalvo Gratas, who attended the ceremonies with her two twin three year old daughters, Leticia’s grandchildren.

Dave Game (center) with family & friends (RC3 #10A)

David Woodward Game is an Investigative Journalist at WFOR-TV, the CBS Owned Station in Miami. His 5-part series on computerized city planning was honored with a Suncoast Regional Emmy Award. He said that he appreciated the fact that the Silver Circle honored those professionals who put down roots in the television community and grew with it. He said, “There is no other town like Miami for television news.” His presenter was Shannon High, News Director at WFOR-TV who, not that many years ago had been an intern at the station. Dave said it was sort of strange having an intern come back as News Director. He told a fellow Channel 4 employee, “I hope we were nice to her.”

Bob Leider (center) with family (RC3 #2A)

Robert W. Leider is Executive Vice President of Sunbeam Television Corporation and General Manager of WSVN Channel 7/Fox in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale. Bob is actively involved in community affairs and was recently honored as Volunteer of the Year for Habitat for Humanity of Broward. Bob’s award was presented to him by his boss, Ed Ansin, C.E.O. of Sunbeam Television who credited Bob with the success of their stations in Boston and Miami. Ed’s remarks were followed by a wacky video covering Bob’s career in which recently departed anchor Rick Sanchez vowed that he could never work for anyone else. Bob said that he takes his work seriously, but not himself. He added “I am honored to receive this award on the same night as Mark Londner.”

Mark Londner (center) & family (RC3 #15A)

Mark Londner is Senior Reporter at WSVN-TV, Channel 7, in Miami. Mark is a co-winner of the Peabody Award and a ten time Emmy Award winner. Mark said that he recalled the prophesy of his Father who, annoyed because Mark as a child sat so close to the TV screen, told him that if he got too close to the television someday day he’d end up inside it. Fred Silverman, award-winning independent producer, presented the Award to Mark. He said that he had had the wonderful experience of working with Mark when he first got into television news. He was impressed with his professionalism and considers him the best news writer he has seen. He said that Michael Putney, long-time Channel 10 reporter and other senior reporters in Miami have long praised Mark as the best television reporter in town.

Bob Mayer and family (RC 3 #13A)

Bob Mayer is a WTVJ veteran. He has reported the news in South Florida since 1963 when he began his career as a radio station high school correspondent. He got his start at WTVJ in 1969 as an intern and was hired as a cameraman. Bob said that working in news in South Florida over the years has been like a speeding train. He started his career shooting 16mm film. Then, the station switched to ¾” video tape. Then, it was Beta. Now WTVJ edits on a computer hard drive. “If there is a more exciting place other than South Florida, I don’t know where it is.” Bob Weaver, veteran WTVJ weatherman, presented the award to Bob, saying, “I’m proud to recognize Bob Mayer who I have been watching since I was a kid.”

Don and Betty Noe (RC3 #22A)

Don Noe is the Chief Meteorologist at WPLG-TV, 10, Miami. Since 1979, he has anchored the weather for Eyewitness News. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1973 with a degree in meteorology. He said while attending college he worked in a department store. He considered dropping out of school. His wife-to-be, Betty, said, if you don’t get your butt back to school, you won’t get a degree in meteorology and you won’t get me! Betty presented his award in a hilarious speech. She said that a grade schooler had written Don after his recent appearance at her school to ask, “Do you make a lot of money? Are you rich? Do you live in a mansion? Do you have servants?” She said she received this letter as she completed her seventh loan of laundry.

Graham Simmons (far left) with friends (RC 3 #17A)

Graham Simmons is Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations at WPBT, Channel 2. His career spans 35 years. It began in early 1965, shortly after graduation from Lindsey Hopkins Television Training School, when he was hired in production by Channel 2. He is currently overseeing a new transmission facility at WPBT and a new digital transmitter and antenna. He said that in receiving his award tonight, he was scared to death. He added that he had bad news and good news for the audience. The bad news is that he was told to speak for five minutes. The good news is “You’re going to get out four minutes early.”

As people reluctantly left the room, many said that not only are the Silver Circle Awards a wonderful evening, they also are an important living history of television in South Florida.

(RC 2 #18)

Copies of the pictures on these pages are available from Bob Soto Photography, P. O. Box 640923, North Miami, FL 33164-0923. Tel. 305-892-9584. When ordering, men-tion that the pictures are from the Silver Circle Awards and use the number under each picture (example – RC2 #18) that you wish to order.