Photo courtesy of WINK-TV
This episode of Roundtable honors retiring WINK Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell, a broadcaster known by many for his service to the Southwest Florida area for almost 40 years. Led by Press Club board member George Lehner, this episode takes a trip down memory lane through Farrell’s career.
Farrell is known for being the calm before the storm with his reassuring demeanor and his reputation for accuracy through all major weather challenges that have struck the community in the past decades, such as Hurricanes Charley, Wilma and Irma.
WINK News team members Chris Cifatte and Lois Thome shared some of their fondest memories of working with Farrell. Thome explains that Farrell is what she considers a “triple threat”– a great communicator, a calm and steady scientist, and someone with quick wit.
Press Club members had a chance to ask Farrell questions, such as future long-term weather predictions as it seems Southwest Florida is increasingly getting hit by more major storms each year. Members also asked Farrell to offer advice to college students wanting to pursue meteorology broadcasting.
Throughout the episode, clips are shown to the group of Farrell doing what he does best — keeping the community safe and informed.
View the Roundtable by clicking here.
Samantha Roesler
Samantha Roesler is in her fourth year at Florida Gulf Coast University, majoring in both journalism and legal studies. She is currently the Eagle News editor where she oversees FGCU’s student-run newspaper and she is an intern for Gulfshore Life magazine. Her passion is for writing stories focused on Southwest Florida’s delicate environment, having covered a range of topics from Everglades restoration to cane toad invasions.
We need your ideas! Do you have a topic in mind for a future edition of Roundtable? Do you know experts we can interview? Send any and all suggestions to Roundtable coordinator Bob Orr at BobOrr21@gmail.com.