Staff writer
Peabody Main Street Director Shane Marler has been in touch with a production team member of NBC News about coming to Peabody to film a segment for a Tom Brokaw news feature on the economy, the Obama administration, and the people in the Heartland.
Marler was contacted two weeks ago to film interviews with area farmers and individuals involved in making a living in rural America. Alex Thomas of Haverhill Studios in Wichita came to Peabody Thursday to film the individuals who agreed to be interviewed for the initial casting.
Marler spoke with NBC News Tuesday morning and confirmed their interest in pursuing the project using Peabody and the surrounding countryside as a backdrop.
Some additional footage was requested by NBC, and Marler and Thomas will work with the broadcasting corporation to make sure they have what they need.
“This is all still preliminary,” Marler said. “We don’t know for sure that Mr. Brokaw or anyone else will actually be coming to Peabody. Of course, it would be tremendous to have him show up and do the interviews himself. But at this point we just don’t know.”
More information will be available as the project moves forward.
Volunteers needed
In preparation for the possible coverage of the community by NBC’s Tom Brokaw, Peabody Main Street is hoping to have volunteers clean the gutters along Walnut Street from Ninth Street to the railroad tracks.
“Walnut Street is like the front porch to our community,” said Marler. “It’s part of that first impression and we want the impact to be positive.
“We have set aside April 18 as a work day and hope to have enough volunteers clean dirt, debris, and overgrown grass and weeds from gutters,” he said. “We are calling on service groups in the community and at the school.
“If we get more than just a handful of volunteers, it won’t take long to get the job done,” he added.
The city will be using the street sweeper to loosen stubborn material a day or two before the cleanup. Chris Young has volunteered some of his equipment to haul debris and weeds.
“All we need are extra hands to push a broom or scoop-up dust and dirt,” Marler said.
Anyone willing to help should contact Marler at the city building, 983-2174.