| GEM Productions was founded
in 1996 by three history buffs by the names of Wayne Gray,
Terry Economy, and Paul "Gil" Merriam, thus the
letters G.E.M. are the last name initials of the founders.
Mr. Economy has since retired from the company. The three history buffs would often reminisce about life and events that took place when they were kids growing up in Rockland. It was during one of those reminiscent events that the comment was made: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a video camera 100 years ago so that the moving images and the sound of their voices could have been captured". Well, it occurred to them that there still a lot of folks around that had interesting stories to tell so why not start recording them. Originally, the idea was to record oral history videos so with just a Sony camcorder Wayne and Gil began interviewing people. When their programs appeared on one of the local television channels the response was instant and positive. Since that time and with the help of program sponsors they have upgraded their production equipment with commercial cameras, lighting and editing equipment and have produced over 50 programs. Until now GEM Productions has never
advertised, but frequently get requests to produce special
programs for both private and commercial events. |
|
Wayne C. Gray  |
Wayne Gray, a Maine native graduated from Rockland High
School and the University of Maine in Augusta. He served
four years in the U.S. Air Force as a cryptographer. His
time in the Air Force included a year in the Pentagon and
17 months in Libya, Following his tour in the Air Force
he returned to Rockland where he became involved in politics
and civic affairs. He served three terms in the state legislature.
From 1981 to 1994 he lived and worked in Washington, D.C.
for a large property management company. In June of 1994
he returned to the family home in Rockland and took up
where he left off. He was appointed by the city council
to finish out a term on the school board due to a resignation
and was elected for another three years serving two years
as chairman. He was appointed by the governor to finish
out a term as Register of Probate and served in that office
for one year. |
Gil Merriam  |
Paul G. Merriam, known
locally as "Gil," was born
in Rockland, attended local schools, and graduated from Rockland
High School. He earned a BA degree from San Diego State University
and MA and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oregon. For twenty-one years, he taught history and urban studies, and also served as an academic administrator, at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. After retiring from the university, he moved back to the Rockland area in 1987. From 1994-1998 he served as the Executive Director of the Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce. He is an author of a number of historical articles and books, including three books on the local area. He co-authored Home Front on Penobscot Bay: Rockland During the War Years, 1940-1945 (1991), and Rockland Area Lime Industries (2006); and is the author of a book on a local industry, Plowing with the Storm: The History of Fisher Engineering (1997). Gil has been active in community affairs as a volunteer, including serving on boards and committees of a number of non-profit organizations, the City of Rockland, and a local industry. He created the local history TV program, "Out of Our Past," that has appeared on local cable access channels. He resides in Rockland. |
