'It was a magical place': Romig Family recounts time working, playing at WDSU in the 60s
One of the first families of local TV, reminisces about their time working and playing at WDSU and how the station impacted them personally
One of the first families of local TV, reminisces about their time working and playing at WDSU and how the station impacted them personally
One of the first families of local TV, reminisces about their time working and playing at WDSU and how the station impacted them personally
The Romigs were essentially WDSU's "First Family," with patriarch Jerry Romig running the newsroom in the 1960s and 1970s as Vice President and Program Director.
His wife Janice and the kids would be frequent visitors to WDSU calling the set home, and the people in it, family.
"We loved our time there and we love the people," said Janice Romig.
"We would just run all over the place," said Mary Beth Romig Haskins, Romig's daughter. "We were playing in the prop rooms, which were built on shelves back in the back. We would play on the set like we were the newsmen. I always wanted to be Nash Roberts."
"We would like to get in trouble at least one time each day that we were there," said Mark Romig. "We would ride the antique elevator from the first floor up to the third-floor where Mr. Reed and Mr. Stern had their offices and we will always be yelled at."
Mark and Mary Beth were also put to work along with other station kids, as they were featured in commercials.
"We weren't just the station rats," said Mary Beth. "We were also the Whitney kids and did commercials for Whitney Bank."
Even Janice found herself in front of the camera from time to time.
"There was the scene of the ladies modeling, and I was one of the models," said Janice Romig.
WDSU would also change the lives of this family personally. One day during the Mid Day Show in the 60s, the Children's Bureau put out a desperate call for fosters and the Romigs answered that call.
"We decided we were going to foster," said Janice.
The family opened up their hearts and home to 23 foster children over the years all while bringing a fifth child into the world as well.
Even today, the Romigs still try to keep New Orleans in the news through their work with the Saints and the tourism group, New Orleans and Co.
"We're trying to keep New Orleans top of mind and in the news that its a great place to live work and play," said Haskins.
And just like their play and work time at WDSU, they still consider the station a second family, one that not only impacted their lives but the community around them.