Ch. 3 Valley Vision's New Television Show: Valley Forum

Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce poses with Valley Forum host, Mike Corthell on September 9, 2013.

NORTH CONWAY, New Hampshire - The Mt. Washington Valley and Western Maine have a new issues driven television show named Valley Forum. The program will be evolving. Initially the show is being taped but eventually, as it is being planned and developed, it will become a live, viewer call-in format much like the former Point of View co-hosted by Donna Woodward, Dot Seybold, Theresa Kennett and Janice Crawford, that aired a few years ago on Valley Vision. With the many political issues that are ongoing in the greater Mt. Washington Valley and Western Maine and a brighter economy looming, many community and business leaders see this television program as a great vehicle for all of us who care about our region and our communities. 
   Hosted by Mike Corthell of Fryeburg, Maine, the show's first episode was taped today at the Valley Vision studio in North Conway Village. Mike says that he became interested in doing the show after Donna Woodward told him about her former show, Point of View while they were working on the Fryeburg Business Association's plans for the summer. He went on to say, ''I was thinking, it's time to bring back a television program that not only discusses pending political issues that are of interest to all of us but also speaks to all that is good about Mt. Washington Valley .'' Adding, ''We have a group of over a dozen unique towns that make up our little piece of heaven and they all have qualities that make our region very special. Add to that the sheer beauty we have on the eastern slope, I have to say stunning, natural beauty, and you have a destination to be enjoyed not only by all of us here in New England but now the whole world and it is my pleasure to be part of championing our valley.''
   Janice Crawford was Mike's first guest which he said was very appropriate since Janice has seen many changes in Mt. Washington Valley since she first took the helm of the now 100 year old chamber 17 years ago. Janice as we all know, is the number one spokesperson for all the businesses that make up our tourist driven economy. Not only does she manage the chambers overall operations but she is a director of several area boards of directors. Her friend and colleague Jac Cuddy, executive director of the Mt. Washington Valley Economic Council said, "Janice embodies the very essence of entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, dedication, and the follow through to make things happen, said Cuddy. "Her love of community and seeing businesses succeed has been the driving force to one of the state's most respected chambers of commerce. Janice's leadership has had a major impact on tourism in the Mount Washington Valley." We couldn't agree more.
   In her interview on Valley Forum, she told host Mike Corthell, that she and her staff of four full-time and two part-time employees have great chemistry that bridges two generations; 'baby boomers' and 'millennials' who share a dedication to serving the public as well as the membership. She went on to say that the chamber also contracts with two outside professionals - public relations director Marti Mayne and search engine optimizer Jason Robie. The chamber is aided by 40 volunteers who help to man the chamber's three information centers. 
   The first episode of Valley Forum is not scheduled as of this writing but Valley Vision's station manager, Bill Edmunds says that it will be on very soon. Stayed tuned!