Once again, rumors are flying that WLOSer Bob Caldwell, who has been on the air in Western North Carolina longer than anyone, will hang up the barometer this summer. Caldwell has been calling the weather around these parts for about 40 years.
There were similar rumors last year when Caldwell celebrated his job anniversary. Could this be the year? If so, who’s going to be there to tell us when to buy the bread and milk? And what about all those cool outdoors reports? No more tales of Judaculla Rock and private waterfalls. Sigh.
8 Comments
I’ve heard that Bob is gone sometime in July.
I’d guess Jay would do morning weather and possibly bring Terrie in as the 2nd anchor.
If not, then perhaps Julie switches to mornings and they end up with someone new on weekends — hire from outside or "train" an anchor/reporter, i.e. Holly or… well, she might be the only one capable.
It looks as though Bob is giving the retirement idea another shot for this summer. Look for Jay to move into his slot. As for whether or not they will find an anchor to replace Jay, that I do not know…
I will hate to see Bob go. As a kid, I wished for Norwood to be sick so Bob Caldwell could do the Mr. Bill show…
He’s an institution around here, not many of those left…
i like your idea, Hal!
me too, pubcrawler
I’ll miss Bob’s Friday outdoor reports, which I think he does a lot better then guessing the weather. When he retires it will be the end of an era. He’s one of the last weather guys from the old days (before they all became "meteorologists").
If Paul’s correct, I’ve got a wild idea. Let’s get a meteorologist from UNCA to do weather at WLOS. It would make sense that a person trained in the mountains could have an edge in forecasting the weather for this area. Maybe.
Or how about this, we let one UNCA meteorology student a week give the morning forecast. We let them rotate until we find one that can get it right.
Actually, that could be rather entertaining.
I like that idea the best.
I will say that I’ll miss Bob’s outdoor segments. It will be the end of an era.
I’ve been hearing for the past 7 years that Bob wants to start a "fly fishing school" up in Madison County. If he’s financially set,then he may be out the door. Even though Bob doesn’t have a clue when it comes to weather, he’ll be missed. Viewers love him and his hometown appeal. I guess time will tell.
It is true. He’s retiring this summer. Who should replace him? Jay Seltzwater or Julie Blunder or bring hire someone new? Or just get rid of weather all together and have Victoria read the national weather service report, it’s much more reliable.