Westford CAT Joins Other Stations to Air LIVE Local Telethon This Weekend

By Lauren Horton

Sponsored by Gatehouse Media in conjunction with Maynard High School, the Beacon Santa Annual Telethon has become a 29-year tradition. Along with over 300 items that will be auctioned off during the weekend, viewers can also enjoy local performances, occasional game shows, and even some cooking demonstrations.

It’s all being done in the holiday spirit to raise money for over 400 area families in need. The 40-hour live telethon program will be run on access channels in Acton, Boxboro, Stow, Maynard, Hudson, Sudbury, Littleton, Lexington, and Westford. You can read more about this event by going to Beacon Santa webpage or news article. Also, if you step away from your television this weekend but want to keep up with the auction and performances, you can watch the webcast on line or listen to their radio webcast

Our 5^th Grade Video Training Seminar Series wrapped up this week and we’ll be playing their Game Show program on our Education Access Channels, immediately following the telethon at noon on Sunday.  Other new programs to follow the telethon on Sunday include Scuba Jack’s Adventures, a new preschool program that explores the seacoast. Also new is MCC Connects, a program produced at Middlesex Community College. This episode explains the advantages of joining Phi Theta Kappa, the nationally recognized honor society for two-year colleges.

On our Government Access Channels Comcast 10 and Verizon 34 we have the new School Committee meeting from 12/5 and a new Joint Budget Hearing meeting from 12/8.  We’ve also added two new series, Senior Scene produced by the Massachusetts Department of Elder Affairs and Consumer Affairs produced by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

And on Public Access Channels Comcast 8 and Verizon 33 we have loads of new episodes of your favorite shows. Bob Greene, former Westford resident and candidate in the Democratic NH Presidential primary, came to Westford CAT to record a special program, "The President's CIA Daily Briefing," simulating a real presidential briefing with Ray McGovern, former CIA Analyst for the Reagan and Bush administrations. A new Explore features “Raindrops Over Rwanda,” a moving and informative program about the effects of genocide and how forgiveness has played a major part in rebuilding the country.  Also, Penny Dreadful’s Shilling Shockers returns, kicking off a new season with the 1920 silent movie version of “Dr Jekell and Mr. Hyde.”

For up to date information on our times and channels you can see our full schedule at www.westfordcat.org/tv-schedules or watch the Community Bulletin Board for each channel.