GREENSBORO, N.C. — In less than a week, WFMY News 2 turns 75. We wanted to start the week by remembering the life of a man who many would agree was the backbone of WFMY News 2, Lee Kinard.
He took us from the destruction of the Berlin Wall to every corner of the world. He brought rays of light on snowy Triad mornings to timelines of the 20th century. Lee Kinard came to WFMY News 2 in 1956 - in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes – like when was the studio floor manager when Richard Nixon came to Greensboro. Kinard remembered it saying, "All the New York press came in to studio one and sat down. And Nixon did his thing. And I gave him the finger. This finger (laughter) and you sit back in all because this man is being asked important questions."
Kinard launched the Good Morning Show the following year, in 1957. The nation's longest running local morning show. He was responsible for designing GMS's format – and is the reason you see weather in the mornings across the nation today. He said, "Weather was important if you were married and had babies because you had to know when to wash diapers and hang them on the line."
From Egypt to Estonia To Eden, North Carolina, Kinard always knew the story was about you. He said, "It was the story in the street told by the people in the street when we got a camera that could record sound."
After retiring in 1999, Kinard focused on education, getting people to vote, and raising money for those in need.
Lee Kinard died in October of 2018. He was 86 years old. But his legacy is still felt every day here at WFMY News 2, especially since we bring you the news from the Lee Kinard studios.
We'll be celebrating 75 a little more this week. We're catching up with some familiar faces and celebrating other businesses turning 75. Don't miss it!
Of course, this weekend we want you to celebrate 75 years with us! Sunday, August 18th, we'll be at Triad Park from 2:00pm - 4:00pm for a party! There will be food trucks, a performance from Eric and the Chill Tones, and, of course, members of the WFMY News 2 team! We hope to see you there.