STE. GENEVIEVE -- Don Pritchard wants people to take notice when he pulls up to an event in the new Ste. Genevieve Community Access TV (SGCAT) vehicle.

The long time manager of Ste. Genevieve's community access TV channel says that's why he's driving around town in a newly decorated pick up.

"I wanted something that will grab some attention when we pull up to the municipal band concerts or to the football field or when I videotape the Christmas lights," he said. "Something that will make people stop and say, 'Wow, Channel 98 is here'."

The 1998 Chevy S-10 was donated by the daughter and son in law of longtime SGCAT board member Bob Roth.

"I am so grateful Jeff and Ellie Bond donated the truck to us, because we would never have been able to purchase a vehicle on our own, we just don't have that kind of money," Pritchard said. "Now we can bring more attention to our channel when we cover local events."

Pritchard says he had in mind something colorful and bold and the result fits the bill just fine.

He said the truck hit the road after getting a mechanical once over from Bob Brumfield, a SGCAT board member, who owns Brumfield Automotive.

"We had also some work done by John Stuppy over at Stuppy's Auto. He does great work so we know the truck is in great shape now," Pritchard said. "And John donated some snazzy aluminum rims for the set of tires donated by Gene's Auto. It looks just great."

The truck also gave the non-profit organization some space to recognize corporate donations.

"Brumfield did a fantastic job of lining up donations for the channel and Chris Larose at High Caliber Graphics did an outstanding job with the artwork," Pritchard added.

Those who donated funds and are recognized the truck include: Ruth's Palomino Lounge, Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, Barley Chevrolet, Dave Sexauer Insurance, Flieg's Equipment, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Gegg Materials and Excavating and, of course, Stuppy Auto Sales and Auto Body, Gene's Auto Service and High Caliber Graphics.

Pritchard also noted the successful launch of SGCAT's new all video Channel 98.

"We've been on the air on Channel 98 for a few weeks now and it's going very well," he said. "We start our programming blocks at 6 a.m., noon, 6 p.m. and midnight and I am trying to fill them up, so you're always less than 30 minutes away from another program. For that reason it is more important than ever that folks in the community video tape events and submit them to SGCAT for showing on Channel 98. It's free of charge and we will even loan you a camcorder if you need one."

Pritchard did note that some older televisions do not receive Channel 98, which by the way was a channel assigned to SGCAT by the cable company. SGCAT had no say or choice in the channel selection.

"If we had, I would certainly have picked a lower channel, that could be received by everyone. Those who have the older televisions that do not pick up 98 can see if their VCR will pick up 98. If it does, they can leave the TV on Channel 3 or 4 and then use the VCR to tune in Channel 98. If their VCR won't pick up 98 either, then they may have to purchase a new VCR or TV in order to continue watching these local programs," he said.

Pritchard says he will make house calls to help viewers find Channel 98.

"I have already been to a couple homes and in both cases found it was necessary to use a VCR to tune in the channel, but I was able to do so," he said.

Viewers who want assistance can call 883-7675 and schedule an appointment. Leave a message if there is no one in the office, which is normally open only 2-5 p.m. weekday afternoons.

"I will do my best to help out our viewers, because I want everyone to be able to watch both Channels 7 and 98," he said.