If you've tuned in to WNEP-TV anytime over the past 40 years or so, chances are you'd see the work of one man: Mike Stevens.
Mike has been part of Newswatch 16 for almost four decades now. Most of the time he's looking for interesting stories about interesting people he'd meet while traveling the Pennsylvania Road.
Before Mike started winding down the road less traveled, he grew up in the Wyoming Valley. He graduated from Swoyersville High School, worked some odd jobs, even played a few tunes and did the news on the radio for about 10 years.
Then in the '70s, he got a call from Elden Hale, then news director at WNEP, to come in and audition for a job.
He tackled the hard news beat for a bit, then mike left WNEP and covered the news at some other TV stations.
When he returned, he focused his attention on the "softer side" of TV news.
Hale called Mike into his office. " 'We want you to do this feature, On The PA Road,' Mike recalled. "And I said, 'What is it?' And he said, 'Well, we're not sure, but we think you should do it three times a week.' "
In the beginning, the station even gave him a van to travel the Pennsylvania Road, but it wasn't easy. He had no idea what he was going to do--no idea at all.
"I tell people, it was like going door to door, saying 'Is there a story here? oh, how bout over here?' "
Sometimes it was a sign along the side of the road that led Mike to a story. Sometimes it was just interesting people doing some interesting things.
Mike believes it was that kind of individual who made On The Pennsylvania Road what it is today.
We had to ask if he has a favorite.
"Each one of these individuals is different and each one becomes my favorite, I think, in their own little way because they all did a little something that was unique and it was interesting and it was a lot of fun."
Over the years, he's earned the reputation of being quite the savvy story teller.
"I don't have a real formula, you know. When I go to sit down and write, I put my earphones on and listen to disco music. I'm sorry but that's what I do," he laughed.
He admits he got to be a good writer by reading hundreds of books.
It's been quite the ride for 40 years--a long and winding road, but a good one.
Mike is now "semi" retired. In his free time he teaches at Keystone College, takes pictures, reads and writes about whatever he likes.
Mike admitted he tried to leave WNEP, but just couldn't give it up: the job and you, who he often calls "dear viewers."