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Prince George's Community Television is no longer the best-kept secret in the county, said Patricia Thornton of Mitchellville.

With those words, Thornton, president of CTV's board of directors, kicked off an evening of reminiscence and recognition to celebrate 25 years of broadcasting Oct. 15 in College Park.

CTV is a nonprofit cable access facility that provides programming for the county government as well as community access shows developed by CTV access producers, CTV staff and outside producers. The station also serves as a training ground for youth and adults who want broadcasting experience.

The station celebrated its accomplishments and set new goals during an event at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The evening included rousing entertainment from the dance group Colours as well as comments from TV and WAMU radio talk show host Kojo Nnamdi.

"Public access TV is First Amendment TV," said Nnamdi, who chairs the board of the Public Access Corporation in the District, in his remarks at the event. "It gives members of the community the freedom to express themselves."

CTV currently offers a range of shows throughout the day as well a 30-minute news broadcast.

Thornton, one of 12 board members, not only wants to increase the types of shows available on CTV but also connect with a wide range of audiences across the county.

During a summer camp this year, for example, about 10 students from Central, Charles H. Flowers and other county high schools produced a show that will air soon. And one of the station's newest shows, the "Tearoom," takes a cutting-edge look at marriage and relationships, health care and more.

"We have so much room for more," Thornton said. "Further, people won't have to use us to produce their shows. We can train them to produce their own."

Andrew Dyer Sr. of Bowie co-hosts the station's longest-running studio access program, "Roundball Report." The show covers area basketball teams and encourages players to focus on their education, as well as highlighting local basketball players who have gone on to play in college or professionally.

"We covered [Oklahoma City Thunders'] Jeff Green when he was a high school senior," said Dyer, who co-hosts the show with Christy Winters Scott, a four-year letterwinner for the University of Maryland.

In addition to featuring studio guests, the show has gone out to cover Abe Pollin, owner of the Washington Wizards, as well as Hall of Fame player Michael Jordan.

The "Roundball Report" has taught young athletes how to speak to the media and given young reporters access to stories they wouldn't get to cover on commercial stations, Dyer said.

CTV

How it makes a difference: CTV provides public affairs as well as community access programming that offers a unique look at the county. For information, go to www.pgctv.org.