Sara Tonks, We Hardly Knew Ye…

I’m of a generation who still watches the nightly news. As it stands, I’d rather be getting my information from reliable sources rather than from potentially spurious news sources on my cell phone or laptop.

It also fits right into my life schedule; after finishing some small tasks after work and a late lunch, I usually take an hour to watch television and view what’s happening: either in our area, nationally or around the world.

Besides some of the local anchor people who’ve been around for decades, I enjoy seeing new blood: young fresh-faced reporters or storytellers. People who’ve probably just graduated from local universities with their sheepskins in communications, attempting to carve out names for themselves and create a reel (a pre-digital Stone-Age term for video news clips that feature the journeyman reporter, that hopefully, will get them their next gig.)

I can only assume the newbies sign a short (one year?) contract with either WICU or WJET, then, after a year, if there’s an opening, they continue reporting locally or move to greener pastures. Freshmen reporters appear; sophomore reporters disappear. By the time I realize I haven’t seen a TV journalist for a few weeks, shamefully, I’ve already forgotten their names and faces; nonetheless, I wish them the best in their careers, wherever they’ve moved.

Approximately nine months ago, however, someone disappeared from the local airwaves that I do remember and miss. Sara Tonks.

Sara was a member of the First Warning Weather team for WICU or Channel 12. (Heads up to the Erienewsnow.com webmaster: You need to update the weather web page. Sara Tonks isstilllisted as Weekend Meteorologist.)

        Maybe I remember her because she stood out: a female meteorologist, as opposed to a weather girl. She apparently knew what she was talking about. I only recall ever seeing two female weather forecasters within the Erie area before her: one was Shirley Ramsey (Remember, anyone?) who was a mainstay in the 1960-70’s; the other, was a young camera-struck woman in the 1980’s who I saw only once.

        So, what made Sara Tonks so special that I still recall her? Were her forecasts any more accurate than anyone else’s? No. If anything she was on par with all her male counterparts in the Erie weather business, fine gents all.     Maybe it’s because she was a female in a male-dominated field (at least in Erie) that made her stand out?

        No, ultimately I think it was Sara’s personality and demeanor along with the few personal facts I managed to glean about her during her tenure in Erie that allows me to recall her.

        Like what? Her dog’s name is Brody. She has a black belt in karate. She attended Georgia Tech. Last summer for a week she participated in the Tall Ships Erie event with WICU reporter/storyteller, Tom Kowalski, learning how to work aboard a 19th-century sailing ship.

        Am I objectifying her to say she was attractive? (Though that is not the point of this essay.) Does that diminish her stature as a meteorologist or her knowledge or what she accomplished? I don’t think so. It’s just a simple observation that she was easy on the eyes. And if I’m wrong for stating that, I’m sorry I offended anyone.

        Time passes. Like a stream, life flows on.

        In the meantime, I guess I’ll continue to get the weather forecast from the current Erie Meteorological Men’s Club: John, A.J., Dakota, Tom, Tom, Jacob…

        …Or, Tom, Dick or Harry…

        Goodbye, Ms. Sara Tonks. I’ll miss you.

        Thanks for the weather”whether it was good or bad. I hope you are well.

        Wherever you are…

GG

END