Blueberry Blues

Analysis:

This story is typical of the local news “personal profile” style of segment. The actual news value of the piece is rather low, which little information that would actually help a viewer to be better informed about their community or the world at large. Rather, this piece is meant to be entertaining with the purpose of attracting viewers and higher ratings. Hence the irrelevant and sensationalized details such as the “cross” left in the charred remains of the barn.

Story:

Newsreader – Their jobs were in the air after a fire tore through an Allegan County Blueberry farm. But, they’ve bounced back against all odds while others are singing the Blueberry Blues. 24 Hour News 8’s Brad Edwards is back from Saugatuck now with more on the story…Brad?

Reporter – Good evening Susie and that’s right, drought has turned many a farmland into dry and dusty dirt land, and for one, the bite was twice as harsh. A freak fire toasted their dream 6 months ago. “There’s no way you’ll come back,” most said–they replied “just watch.”

Reporter – Just beyond the cattails lays a tale of the comeback. Krupka’s, it’s called, for the married Krupkas.

Reporter – 30 years, huh? Harold, does it seem like it’s been that long?
Farmer – Yes.

Reporter – Hahaha!

Reporter – This is Harold’s dream. 40 years ago it was a few acres, now…

Wife – …we have 11 farms with 350 acres.

Reporter – Harold’s right-hand woman-his wife, Connie.

Wife – We like ’em this way, right off the bush.

Reporter – And they’re really good. And Harold isn’t just any old Harry…

Wife – Everybody in the world knows Crazy Harold. And Harold’s crazy. And we love each other.

Reporter – Most of their years were flush with smiles. Not this one.

Reporter – Worst you’ve ever had?

Farmer – Yah, this is the worst, ya.

Reporter – No season was ever drier. They’ve weathered it with massive irrigation. On the flipside of the summer sizzle, the frost-bitten January morn when this happened, they drove strait through from Florida.

Wife – Neither of us talked, and when we pulled up that driveway…I never saw Harold like that, it was sad. It was the worst day of our life, it was like a funeral.

Reporter – Torched, except for the wooden letters of the Krupka’s sign, a sign made by Harold’s dad who died shortly before the fire.

Wife – And those letters were laying on the ground and had not burnt.

Reporter – Amongst fire, the wooden letters just fell. And rising from that spot…

Wife – …was a steel cross.

Reporter – …and you thought?

Wife – I didn’t know what to think, it gave us goosebumps.

Reporter – Not sure what to do at first, they then rebuilt in a mere few months. It is what it is, maybe not a bona-fide blueberry miracle, but it’s at least a guy they call Crazy and his sweetheart determined to harvest their passion.

Reporter – Do you toast a berry?

Wife – Haha, it’s not like a glass of wine!

Reporter – And the comeback really started when they stared rebuilding only 4 months ago, and they supply some biggies, like Yoplait Yogurt and Dunkin’ Donuts. Their official harvest season begins tomorrow. Tom?

Time: 2:40