WORDS & PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
Station Manager Charles Clapsaddle, along with his Manatee Education Television (METV) staff and board members, have created a legacy here in Manatee County that will transcend time.
Before moving to Bradenton, Charles lived in Washington, DC, where he worked as a television production manager for the US Army. “My 11-year career working with the Army was very rewarding,” said Charles. “It gave me the opportunity to travel and meet the tremendous men and women that protect our country.”
In late 1999, Charles moved to Manatee County to care for his mother and was offered a position with USF, which led to his position with METV.
METV is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Bradenton that produces original programming spotlighting community, educational, and cultural issues in Manatee and Sarasota counties. METV is committed to working cooperatively with all entities in our region. METV partners with many nonprofit and civic organizations to provide timely and important programs that focus on community interests, community programs, and community involvement. METV also produces promotional videos and Public Service Announcements; for educational, community, and cultural organizations countywide.
“METV’s staff, myself included, have been very lucky to work with such a great community like Manatee County,” said Charles. “I’ve been through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I think what we’ve done over the past twenty-five years is create an asset that Manatee County can truly use. We hope to continue that, and I think that we are well on our way to having the people and the mindset to make that happen.”
Chris Dolan, who has worked with Charles for over 21 years at METV, says, “Charles has shown me the importance of community.” Manatee County has many wonderful individuals and organizations that make our community truly exceptional. Charles’ dedication to capturing these stories is not just his passion but a great source of fulfillment for me as well.”
In 2009, long-time employee Richard Brooks had a chance encounter with Charles at a Veterans Day event that led to not just a working relationship but a friendship as well. Richard laughs as he recalls, “Charles needed a ride back to the studio, and during the drive, we bonded over our love of The Rolling Stones. Over the years, just a few of the most memorable times with Charles were filming many of the Sarasota Film Festival events. Especially the red carpet shoots we did when a METV documentary was being featured. There was a lot of community involvement in those programs. We felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment in being able to see local people and places on the big screen. Winning several film festival awards just reinforced his idea that there is a plethora of great stories to tell in Manatee and Sarasota counties.”
Charles is proud to be part of all the organizations he has worked with over the years, but the ones that really stand out to him are the documentaries. Charles, Durand Adams, and Charles Williams have produced seven documentaries tackling tough topics.
Charles didn’t shy away from the sometimes controversial topics. While all the documentaries are powerful, educational, and enlightening, it was his first documentary, Through the Tunnel, that continues to receive awards. It first premiered at the Sarasota Film Festival in 2019 and continues to get requests for red carpet viewings. The story of Through the Tunnel follows how ordinary people navigated segregation in 1969 at Lincoln Memorial High School. Lincoln was the only high school for African/American children in Manatee County and was closed due to the official ending of segregation in public places.
Other documentaries he has tackled with difficult topics were:
- Enduring Beauty of Memory is about the beauty, power, and frailty of memory.
- American Dreams…Stories of Immigration chronicles the stories of immigrants who explain their decisions, or a decision made for them, of abandoning their homeland to come to America.
- A Way Out is a documentary that explores how women get out of dangerously abusive relationships.
- Invisible is a story of poverty, hope, and the American Dream.
- Dangerous Ladies: Voices of the Suffragists is a look back on the suffragists and their precursors, whose courage ultimately led to women being given the right to vote.
- The Brightest Moment is the history of one exceptional elementary school with a dedicated band of educators and parents who met the challenges of poverty, desegregation, and inclusion of special needs children.
“While collaborating on these documentaries, it became clear to me that Charles Clapsaddle and METV have perfected the art of shining the spotlight on people and organizations in the Manatee County area which are involved in making their community a better place to live,” said retired Circuit Court Judge Durand Adams.
In 2019, while standing behind the camera documenting an annual event at the Manatee County Fair Grounds, Charles was surprised as he started to hear familiar things about the award recipient. Vernon DeSear shocked Charles when he announced he was the recipient of the Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant and meritorious contributions to Manatee County in the way of volunteer community service.
Also, in 2019, the Manatee Community Foundation created the Charles Clapsaddle Community Spotlight Award, which is given out annually at the Spirit of Manatee Awards. The criteria for the winner is an outstanding nonprofit professional who embodies the spirit of philanthropy and community in Manatee County, transforming projects or initiatives from ordinary into the extraordinary, and giving a voice to those who otherwise might not have been heard. He or she gives freely to support other nonprofit professionals in their work and community efforts and unselfishly looks for the betterment of all of Manatee County
Many local organizations rely on Charles and the METV staff to document their stories and their legacies for future generations. Just a few of the organizations he has received awards from include the Manatee County School District, Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Arthritis Foundation, DeSoto Historical Society, Rotary International, and the Manatee County Veterans Council.
Michael Barber, Director of Communications, Family, and Community Engagement for the School District of Manatee County, considers Charles not just a colleague but also a friend. “I met Charles when I was covering the school district as a reporter with the Bradenton Herald from 2001 to 2006. During my 18 years with the school district, he has become a valued friend. A few years ago, when it was obvious he was struggling health-wise, I told him that my wife and I were going on an Alaskan cruise for our 30th anniversary. I didn’t see him for about a month, and then I spotted him outside Pier 22. As I was walking up to him, he flashed his famous smile and asked, ‘Hey, how did you and your wife enjoy your Alaskan cruise? It was typical Charles. He has a heart of gold and is always interested in others.”
It wasn’t difficult finding people wanting to tell their stories about Charles. He has made a huge impact on Manatee County, and he’s still creating important and invaluable content that will be utilized today and for future generations.
While his job keeps him very busy, Charles and his wife Sue enjoy spending quiet time at home with their two puppies, three-year-old Bubba and one-year-old Bella. “We will be celebrating our twenty-year wedding anniversary this year and look forward to celebrating with family and friends. Maybe I’ll even throw in a little gardening.”
