Media Hall of Fame inductees include three children's shows

Three children’s TV shows, Black-owned Joplin newspapers and John Hoffmann were inducted during a luncheon ceremony Tuesday into the Regional Media Hall of Fame at Missouri Southern State University.

Hoffmann, with a career involving all three local television stations, has been with KSNF-TV for 26 years, where he has been vice president and general manager since 2000.

You might recognize him because it was just last month that he was inducted into the Webb City Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Joplin Uplift is the best known of three Black-owned newspapers that served Joplin. It was established in 1926 by Augustus and Fannie Tutt and expanded to cover Springfield and Coffeyville, Kan.

The Uplift was preceded by the Joplin Advance, established in 1895, and the Afro-American Leader, which started in 1917.

The Fun Club, aired on KOAM-TV from 1958 to 1985, was the chance for local children to visit a television studio and appear on TV.

Ed Wilson entertained children as Ranger Ed on the Bar 12 Ranger show that was aired from the 1950s to 1960s on KODE-TV.

KY3’s Children’s Hour appeared weekday afternoons from 1953 to 1986 featuring Norma Champion as Aunt Norma for 29 of those years, along with puppets Skinny McGinnis and Rusty Rooster. Champion was present to receive the award.

Videos by KGCS-TV