If you're looking for pony news, there's no better place than Ponyland Press, as anyone in town can tell you. As the town's one and only newspaper and broadcasting station, the Press stays busy seven days a week, keeping Ponyland up to date on local and national events around the clock -- and whether your interests run to politics, sports, discoveries, hometown anecdotes, or simply the day's weather, you're sure to find what you're looking for in tonight's news report, or in the columns of the Sunday paper.
Ponyland Press has a special history: it's the oldest business in Ponyland. It began in the late 1980's, when Ponyland was still only a small settlement of migrant ponies seeking shelter and protection from the surrounding wilds. No news came to Ponyland in those days, and even rumors were scarce -- it was too dangerous to venture outside of the town, into the mountains and forests where ponies were hunted by both men and beasts, and instead everyone stayed home, knowing nothing of the outside world.
But at last two freelance reporters, Wave Runner and Cuddles, determined to brave the dangers and bring back news from other lands. Armed only with notepads and pencils, they set out into the wilderness, traveled to distant lodges and stations, spied on hunters, traded stories with travelers, and returned with reports. It was the first step to civilizing Ponyland.
1988: Cuddles and Wave Runner begin their journey.
Balloons, stepping out of her office to the copy machine.
Balloons is the owner and chief editor at Ponyland Press, and has been since the beginning. It was she who first conceived the plan of printing a weekly paper, where Wave Runner and Cuddles' thrilling reports and journal articles would appear alongside local stories, which all the ponies in Ponyland could read. The deal was made, and together, Balloons, Wave Runner, and Cuddles founded the town's first and only newspaper. They've been working together ever since.
In the last twenty years, a great deal has changed. Ponyland has evolved from a settlement into a proper town, and advancing technology has made it easier for ponies to communicate and travel safely between cities. But that doesn't mean there's no place left for Ponyland Press. On the contrary, the Press is as vital as ever, and is working hard to keep pace with the changing world. Their large broadcasting station, located near the center of town, now airs news shows five nights a week, in addition to the Sunday papers which they continue to print.
The crew at work in the studio.
Celebrate, filming for the night's show.
The staff at Ponyland Press has grown over the years, too. Celebrate is a long-time staff member; he joined up in the early 90's as a photographer, shooting stories and publicity shots on site with the reporters. Nowadays, he works in the news studio, and deals primarily with film.
Dapple has taken over Celebrate's old job as on-site photographer; she travels around with the reporters and takes pictures and video for their articles and interviews. She also works in the studio when she's needed, and helps with the sound and lighting.
Dapple filming on site at the Ponyland Park.
Presents in the studio, on a coffee break.
Two anchors host the nightly news, and one of them is Presents. As the husband of Balloons, the station owner, he's always been a part of Ponyland Press, though not always directly. Like his wife, Presents is a long-time town member, well liked and trusted among the local ponies, having served them in various capacities over the years, as a construction worker, a medic, and a rancher. News reporting is only part-time work for him, but he enjoys the prestige of a news anchor's reputation.
Honeycomb is the show's full-time host and anchor. She delivers brief news flashes and updates during the day, in addition to the evening's reports which she shares with Presents. She loves her job, and has never dreamed of working anywhere else.
Honeycomb, reporting on the mysterious attack on Posey.
Mirror Mirror in the studio, filming in front of a pinkscreen.
Mirror Mirror is the local meteorologist and weather forecaster. She writes all her own reports, and always makes sure she looks ravishing during broadcasts, so that even the weather is a delight to watch.
But of course, the heart of Ponyland Press is still in the newspaper, which Balloons continues to edit and publish as diligently and passionately as ever. She oversees the broadcasts, but spends most of her time in her office, gathering stories and doing layout work.
Balloons in her office.
Cuddles in her office.
Cuddles is still a reporter at the Press, but instead of striking out on dangerous missions into the wilderness, she does most of her work from her little cubicle next to Wave Runner's. She's also married now, to Tex, who works for the local construction company.
Wave Runner, next door, does similar work, but her reporting more often takes her out of town to gather news and host interviews in other pony towns and cities. She and Cuddles are still great friends, and remember many strange adventures they shared in their youth.
Wave Runner in her office.
Skylight in her office.
The newest member of the editorial staff is Skylight, but she too has been with the company for many years now. She writes up articles and local stories, and takes care of the advertising section of the paper. Skylight is married to Celebrate, the cameraman, and they have a daughter together.
Ponyland Press has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and everyone who works there is proud to be part of it. The ponies at the Press work hard, but it's worth their while. They're not only reporting history -- they're making it.
Balloons in the studio during a shoot.
PHOTO ALBUM
Skylight with her (and Celebrate's) daughter, Baby Skylight.
