It is fitting that in the above photo Roberta Delegard Schrankler is pictured with George Stoney, a New Yorker, who carries the unofficial title in community television circles as the “Father of Public Access.” For many of us at MTN Roberta held a similar place in our hearts. Roberta joined the MTN staff in the early eighties. She brought with her an extensive background in painting and sculpture and was determined that all projects begin and end with “creativity.” Together with J.C. Bagdadi she co-produced “Video Mailbox”. The show began as a video correspondence or a dialogue between various citizens and soon grew to include a potpourri of stories, mixed with theater, arts and community events. The show was the first exposure that many Minnesotans had with community television and served to recruit newcomers to MTN. Roberta was an enthusiastic producer who loved to be unconventional in her work. She brought out the best in those who became involved in her productions. She was a devout editor who often spent entire nights in what was then known as “Edit Suite One.” Roberta died of breast cancer in late August of this year. Many from the MTN community gathered at her memorial service to pay tribute to Roberta and her legacy of bringing creativity to community media. --Pam Colby