Wonkette's Sex Change

For A Channel 9 Veteran, A Hartfelt Tribute

After 36 1/2 years with local CBS affiliate WUSA, Channel 9 news photographer Tad Dukehart decided to put down his camera. The 63-year-old Dukehart was presented with a swanky engraved plate from Tiffany at a company Christmas luncheon to celebrate his years of service.

And his name was misspelled. Bummer.

"It's probably just an innocent mistake," laughed off the man who was referred to as "Thomas Duke heart " on the elegant, oh-so-permanent engraving. (Dukehart has always been known as Tad around the office, but Thomas is in fact his given name.)

Problem is, this isn't the first time this has happened. New management invaded the station just before Dukehart's 25-year anniversary 11 years ago and referred to him as "Ted" when he reached the 25-year mark. Really, what's in a name?

Dukehart's friends and colleagues were shocked when they heard about the plate, but WUSA General Manager Darryll Green says the station got the order right. The plate was so beautifully wrapped -- big blue box, lots of tissue, satin ribbon -- that no one checked the engraving before the big presentation. He tripped over himself yesterday stressing that the station "appreciates all his years of service."

And, yes, the happily retired Duke hart is getting a brand-new plate.

Surreal Estate

Seller : William Conway

Buyer: Steve Case

Price: $24.5 million

Details: The former AOL chairman has quietly purchased and moved into Merrywood, the historic mansion in McLean that was the childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis . Case, who wouldn't comment on the sale, bought the 17,254-square-foot manse on Chain Bridge Road in November from Conway, the managing director of the Carlyle Group. The Georgian mansion, once owned by Jackie's stepfather, Hugh Auchincloss , is nestled cozily in a wealth of trees on the banks of the Potomac River and rests on the seven remaining acres of the original 46-acre estate. Invite us to the next lawn party for croquet.