Jon and Taryn Vanderford shared with us how they met at the University of Nebraska with both of them playing saxophones in the Marching Band. Taryn grew up on a farm in Pender, NE and Jon came from Murdock, NE. Jon has worked for Channel 10/11 for 20 years. Taryn told us that she went to country school where there was only six children and then went to Pender High School were there was only 33 children in attendance. Jon told us about how he does all the filming and editing for Pure Nebraska.
Jon told us about some of the stories that he has done for Pure Nebraska which Taryn co-anchors with her husband. It can be seen weekly from 9:00-9:30 am and on Sunday at 7:30 am. Taryn shared about her experiences when they lived in Knoxville, TN where she worked as a producer, writer and researcher. Pure Nebraska was started because at the time, the General Manager wanted something that was low costing, but yet a local program. At first it was on only once a week for one hour on METV (part of 10/11). It was a show that showcased small towns, unique and good things about those small towns, agriculture and small businesses. The current General Manager changed it so they only do a half-hour show and it is live.
Many of the ideas come from people in the state of Nebraska via email or social media. Jon goes and does all the shooting of the film and Taryn helps by doing the interviews with the people. They use a small staff. Brad Anderson, a weatherman goes along if his time permits and does the weather from that area. If they go out to western Nebraska or Sandhills, it is usually a three day trip and they may shoot up to five segments in one day, followed by five more segments at another part of the state, on the third day they do another five segments at another location(s). This way they have 15 all together and bring them back to the studio and do all the editing so they fit a 30 minute program. If they are close by it makes it a lot easier to do one segment.
They both admitted that their is a lot to see in Nebraska and a lot of unique things you might see in a small town. Many people who can't or don't get a chance to travel the State of Nebraska, actually love to watch Pure Nebraska because they get to visit those unique and special places with traveling.
Jon said he would love to take a group of people on a bus tour of Nebraska just to show them all the unique and special places that our state has to offer that you don't hear much about. Both Taryn and Jon shared some of the stories that they have done for Pure Nebraska. If you should want to visit some of those places you can go to the Channel 10/11 Website and look for "Pure Nebraska" and you will find those stories.