Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - Covington-based Current Events Productions has been awarded a 2008 Pegasus Award of Distinction for an episode of the talk show "Taste of Newton."

The Pegasus Awards recognize exemplary work in video production. Entries are judged by a panel of industry professionals.

Awards are given on three levels, the highest being the Award of Excellence, followed by the Award of Honor and then the Award of Distinction.

Current Events received an Award of Distinction for outstanding production quality in the Public Access category of Talk Shows for an episode of "Taste of Newton" that focused on merchants in downtown Covington.

"(The Pegasus Awards) is an organization that recognizes video production companies. They're out there to set the standard in the industry to make sure it is high quality so that every production company would strive to have that standard in their productions," said Teri Haler, who owns Current Events along with her husband, Chris. "It's something we should want to strive for, to be in that realm. I just feel like if we can bring Covington to that level and exposure, it just helps everybody."

The Halers started Current Events in 2002. "Taste of Newton" was born in 2006 as a way to showcase local restaurants, businesses and events.

Fifth-generation Newton Countian Irene R. Smith was tapped to host.

"We've had nothing but positive feedback. Anytime we go to do a recording, people are coming up to us and to Irene specifically, saying 'I love your show, I watch it all the time. Thank you for providing our family with information about local businesses,'" Haler said, adding that business owners have also reported an increase in sales after being featured on the show.

"Taste of Newton" airs seven times daily on Charter Cable channel 22. New episodes are featured monthly.

For more information, visit www.taste-of-newton.com.

Crystal Tatum can be reached at crystal.tatum@newtoncitizen.com.