VIDEO ARTS STUDIOS SHOWCASES INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

ON THE HALLMARK CHANNEL

What do husband and wife music store owners, a town of six people, and an expert on car radios have in common?  Their stories – shot, produced, and edited by Video Arts – have all been highlighted on The Hallmark Channel’s ‘New Morning’ program in the past couple of months.  ‘New Morning’’ is a weekday, one-hour show that features inspirational stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Steve and Barb Baker from Fergus Falls, Minnesota are one such couple.  They are the founders of Operation Happy Note, a non-profit organization that sends musical instruments to soldiers stationed overseas.  This summer Video Arts Studios spent a day interviewing and videotaping Steve and Barb at Operation Happy Note’s headquarters inside of Fergus Music. 

“Steve and Barb have given so much of themselves for this project and supporting the troops while they serve our country,” says company Vice President Mary Ann Phillips.  “At Video Arts Studios, we are proud to be able to help get the message of Operation Happy Note to the general public through the Hallmark Channel and New Morning.”

Video Arts also traveled to Westfield, North Dakota, a town of just six people.  That’s right, six residents!  Our crew spent the day with Lois and Tom Vander Wall, owners of the town’s only business, Grandma’s Kuchen.  We also met Marilyn and Jerry Van Beek and Gordy and Tilly Ryckman.  Jerry and Tilly have both lived in Westfield almost their entire lives.  Tilly was born right in town!  We had a blast meeting this incredible cast of characters and we’re sure people across the country got a kick out of seeing how a town of six works!

Fargo’s own Julie Cahoon, owner of Julie’s Radio Ranch, was featured in the story of her amazing life and career, too.  When she was a single mother, Julie put herself through car radio repair school only to enter into a workforce filled with gender discrimination.  But Julie persevered, becoming the only woman in the country who can repair as many types of radios as she can!  Julie, now a happily married mother of five daughters, eventually opened up her own successful business.

We are proud to have the opportunity to work with The Hallmark Channel and to share amazing stories from the Upper Midwest with the rest of the country.