Elizabethtown resident Warren Nace stands next to the equipment that operates Channel 18.

If someone had asked retirement living resident Warren Nace what his plans were after moving to the Elizabethtown campus almost six years ago, he surely never thought he'd answer, "to start a resident-run TV station." But that is exactly what happened.

At a Retirement Living Residents' Association meeting in November 2002, Bro. Nace proposed the idea of turning Channel 18, which had previously only aired various announcements and the worship services in Sell Chapel, into a station that airs programming 24 hours a day and is operated by resident volunteers.

Before moving forward with the project, Bro. Nace had to gather more details, such as how much equipment was needed, how the station would operate and what the cost would be to develop the station. So Bro. Nace and fellow retirement living residents Henry Clay and Ed Allen visited other resident-run TV stations at retirement communities in Lancaster, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Bros. Nace, Clay and Allen presented their research, and the project was approved.

However, the station didn't come to fruition overnight... the work had only begun. Before equipment could be purchased, the money had to be raised. Through the Residents' Association, Bro. Nace solicited funds to cover the cost of the state-of-the-art equipment. Within six months, retirement living residents raised $50,000 - enough to purchase new digital equipment and a sound system for Sell Chapel and equipment for the studio, located in the lower level of Grand Lodge Hall.

Next, Bro. Nace not only had to learn how to operate the station equipment, but also teach the team of dedicated volunteers how to use the same equipment.

"The operating manuals were almost useless," he said. "I spent many hours getting familiar with the equipment and learning the techniques that work."

Bro. Nace has added a handful of residents who are eager to participate on the Channel 18 Team: Tom Glidden, Norma Hildebrand, Clyde Jordan, Art Linington, Horace Mason, Harry McMullen, Ray Simpson, Woody Richter, Carol Stevenson, Yolanda Weider and Bob Wheeler.

Just as each employee at a large TV station performs his/her own specific duties, each resident has a particular role in operating the station. Responsibilities include making daily announcements, video editing, programming, preparing pages for the screen, and filming.

Bro. Nace feels fortunate to have an enthusiastic team, which continues to grow as more residents are becoming interested in Channel 18. "Everybody is giving 110 percent," he said. "Just like on a sports team, each player has to work together," he said. "If one person lets you down, you lose the whole thing."

When residents tune into Channel 18, they see a variety of programming, including worship services in Sell Chapel, resident activities, activity announcements, departmental spotlights, health-related information from Masonic Village staff, the Tours of Pennsylvania series (courtesy of the PCN Channel) and the "Man on the Street" segments, featuring residents Ray Simpson and Woody Richter interviewing interesting residents. Bro. Nace continues to develop other programming.

The hard work has paid off for members of the Channel 18 Team, especially when they hear the positive feedback from fellow residents and staff. "It's very satisfying when people tell you they enjoy what they're viewing," Bro. Nace said. "It's also satisfying knowing that something you thought about and talked about for 1 1/2 years has developed into what you imagined."

Bro. Nace is grateful for the continued support from Masonic Village staff. "Roxanne Ney (Communications Manager) has been a tremendous resource and is always willing to help us," he said. "Administration has been very encouraging."

Bro. Nace hopes Channel 18 will continue to evolve. "I hope we can build a smooth-running operation, so it will continue for many, many years to come."

So far, Bro. Nace is happy with his present "job." "One thing I love about this job is that no matter how much money I earn, it never puts me in a higher tax bracket!" he said.

Elizabethtown residents who would like to lend their talents to Channel 18 may contact Bro. Nace at ext. 33443.