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Flood video on sale this weekend

Photo

DVD cover for "The Flood of 2008" produced by Videogenics.

JANESVILLE — For most local residents, the DVD chronicling the flood of 2008 will serve as a souvenir of the disastrous event and its strange consequences.

For others, “The Flood of 2008” will be a memorial to its creator, John Gage.

John, 41, of Janesville had nearly completed his last video project when he died in a traffic accident.

This weekend, John’s video will go on sale for $10 at the Rock River Thresheree and LaborFest, said Howard Gage, John’s father and video-production partner.

“We’ve had three focus groups look at this so far, and the word is they use is ‘compelling,’” Howard said. “It’s 55 minutes long, and people say that it goes by so quickly.”

Along with footage of the flood, the DVD includes photos from The Janesville Gazette, news reports from Channel 3 and aerial photos.

All proceeds from DVD sales will go to flood relief. DVDs bought in Jefferson County will fund flood relief there. Proceeds from DVDs bought in Rock County will go to the United Way’s flood relief efforts.

Howard is soliciting donations from businesses to cover the cost of making each DVD.

“That way, all of the $10 could be donated to flood relief,” Howard explained.

It costs about $1.25 to make each disc. A donation at the $1,250 “producer” level would pay for 1,000 a copies; $125 donation would pay for 100 copies. People are even invited to donate $12.50 for 10 copies.

The flood videos will go on sale next week at 40 distribution points throughout Rock County and in Jefferson. Many banks, credit unions and Ace Hardware stores have agreed to carry the video. They also will be available at the Gazette.

Howard has ordered an additional 2,500 videos, and he expects they will be available in about two weeks.

John and Howard started Videogenics in 1986. They produced a variety of videos for families, churches, the community and others through the years, including numerous videos to promote the annual United Way campaigns.

Gail Graham, of the United Way, called the flood video John’s shining glory.

“He has footage you would just not believe.”

Howard said John called him one Sunday in June from Jefferson, saying: “Dad, these people are really hurting. We’ve got to do something about it.”

John’s video was that “something.”

TO LEARN MORE

For more information about “The Flood of 2008” video, call the United Way of North Rock County, (608) 757-3040 or visit www.uwnrc.org.