WQBC stands for the Washington Quarter Century Broadcaster's Club. It was formed in 1976 as a social gathering of broadcasters with 25 years of service in the Washington/Baltimore market. Lou Brott and Dave Von Soten were two of the founders and until their deaths several years ago they did all the organizing and leg work to keep the yearly dinner happening. (Other founders were Bill Mayhugh, Hugh Guidi (our own Lew Martin) and Eddie Gallagher.)
Walt Starling, whom you all remember as the premier "in the air traffic reporter" in the DC area, took over the thankless organizing and "getting it done" chores that were necessary to keep the club going.
Frankly, after Walt took over, the yearly dinners blossomed into some truly memorable events!
I never heard of ANYONE who ever worked with, or even MET Walt Starling, who didn't like him.
Walt died of cancer earlier this year.
So, appropriately, the WQBC dinner honored our friend, the late Walt Starling.
Burd opened the meeting with a phone call to Ed Walker, who's recovering from back surgery complications in Sibley Hospital. I don't know of anyone in our old broadcaster group who is more respected and loved than Ed.
There was an audible sigh of relief when Ed answered his hospital phone, and sounded like the Ed Walker of old.I'll keep you informed of his progress.
Here are a few Pictures I took at the 29th WQBC dinner Friday night Oct 28th 2005.
Sharon Starling, Walt's wife
Walt's Mom
Joe Krebs, WRC and President of AFTRA
Bob Duckman
Donna and Johnny Wilcox
David Burd
David Burd, one of Walt's best friends MC'd the event which featured moving tributes by David, Patricia O'Donnell, and Dave Arlington and others. Sharon Starling, Walt's wife, gave a very moving "thank you" speech to all of Walt's radio friends.
Also, plenty of memories of radio and TV days "gone by," were featured as well. Tom Buckley showed film clips of old TV news promos and Dave Arlington and other close friends of Walt played audio clips of Walt.
Don Richards and Susan O'Kelly brought the house down with their re-creation of the old radio show, "The Bickersons" closing with a lip sync version of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald's "Sweethearts."
Fred Fisk
Shirley and Bill Mayhugh
Frank Hardin
Mr and Mrs. Mac McGarry
I would guess that there were about 100 people at the dinner and when David Burd introduced Mac McGarry, one of the speakers, he pointed out that Mac was probably the only person in the room who had never been fired.
I think he was right.
