Live From Silver Spring, It's Riderwood Television

Every morning at 10, retired meteorologist Bob Krebs stands in front of a blue screen in a TV studio at the Riderwood retirement community in Silver Spring and announces the day's forecast.

Krebs, who lives at Riderwood, directs his comments to three cameras operated by other Riderwood residents, while five other residents turn knobs in a control room to adjust the sound.

In all, about 80 residents -- with the help of three staff producers -- brainstorm, tape and produce shows carried daily on Riderwood's TV station.

It's 100 percent resident-run, said staff member Chris Cotterman, Riderwood TV's lead coordinator.

"You can turn on the TV, tune to this channel and see yourself and your friends. And you can come down here and make [programming] yourself," Cotterman said.

Most of the seniors who work at Riderwood's studio had no experience in front of or behind a TV camera. Residents can choose their level of involvement, said Jason Boyle, the station's production coordinator.

Whether they are reading community announcements for the visually impaired, operating the soundboard or producing a daily show, the residents choose how much time they want to spend at the studio.

Doris Terry, a resident who pitched in the 1947 All-American Girls Baseball League and was immortalized in the movie "A League of Their Own," has a weekly show, "Riderwood Pets," featuring interviews with residents and their favorite furry companions.

"We have residents who have got their own interests and produce their own shows," Boyle said. "And then there are also residents who just want to be hosts."

In 2002, Emma Ditman became one of the first residents to get involved in the station. Ditman, who said she prefers staying behind the camera, said it has helped Riderwood's 3,000 residents stay in touch with each other.

"We feel like we're doing something for the whole community," she said.

It's also fun, she added.

"It's an opportunity for people to use all kinds of talent," Ditman said.

Talent also keeps the station vibrant, Boyle said. In six years of daily shows, the station has rarely shown a rerun because residents come up with ideas for shows and series every day.

"It speaks volumes about the level of activity on the campus, because that's where our programming comes from," he said.

Riderwood TV has even taken its show on the road. Participants have shot video at the Baltimore Zoo and covered a resident who volunteered at the National Archives, said Leire Moulier, the station's scheduling coordinator.

Resident Tom Beriloa said the shows gives him a taste of the people who live at Riderwood.

"They're very interesting to see. People here have talent," he said.