press & media

(WSEC in Springfield & Jacksonville, WQEC in Quincy and WMEC in Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.)

WSEC/PBS Springfield to air My Word is My Bond, The History of the Chicago Board of Trade

MARCH 1, 2010, SPRINGFIELD, IL -   WSEC/PBS Springfield will air the half hour documentary My Word is My Bond, The History of the Chicago Board of Trade on Monday, March 15, 2010 at 8pm.  The program covers more than a century and a half of the Chicago Board of Trade's (CBPT) history from its founding in 1848 through the recent merger with once rival Chicago Mercantile Exchange in 2007.

CBOT historians, members and former chairmen account the remarkable evolution of this great Chicago financial institution and its unique way of doing business.

Many relate the CBOT with its historic landmark building at LaSalle and Jackson and the chaotic trading floor.  This documentary traces the progression of the futures market and tells stories about traders like "Old Hutch" who made a fortune in the wheat pit in 1881.  Members discuss advancements in technology from the invention of the trading "pit" in the 1800s to current electronic trading platforms.  The program reveals the significance of the exchange during the Civil War, World War II, the stock market crash of 1987, and its impact on our current credit based economy.

These stories are told by Chicago leaders including Charles P. Carey, CME Group Vice Chairman and former CBOT Chairman; Terrence A. Duffy, CME Group Executive Chairman; Rick Santelli, CNBC Business News On-Air Editor; George Seals, Trader and former Chicago Bear; and former CBOT Board members, Keith D. Bronstein, Richard L. Sandor, and Lee B. Stern.

My Word is My Bond, The History of the Chicago Board of Trade was produced by Chicago based video production company, Production Craft, Inc.  The program aired on WTTW on Sunday, January 10th.  President and CEO of Network Knowledge stations Dr. Jerold Gruebel says "We are appreciative of being able to share resources of other Illinois Public Television Stations to better serve our Illinois viewers."

My Word is My Bond, The History of the Chicago Board of Trade can be seen on WSEC/PBS Springfield on Monday, March 15th at 8pm.  A preview can be viewed online at: http://www.productioncraft.com/programming/MYWordisMyBond.html. 

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

WSEC/PBS Springfield to Present Fun Time Station

JANUARY 19, 2010, SPRINGFIELD, IL - On Saturday, February 13th, WSEC/PBS Springfield will host the 12th annual Fun Time Station in the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  Over 3,000 attended last year's day long educational event designed to stimulate learning for children and promote the educational values of children's programming broadcast on WSEC/PBS Springfield.

The theme of this year's event is "Play and Learn".  Children can participate in hands-on activities based on PBS's educational programming.  Entertainment includes Springfield Ballet and Shudo-Kan Karate Club.

Clifford the Big Red Dog, Super Why!, Wonder Red and Curious George will be on hand to greet the children.  There will be face painting as well as displays by various civic organizations.  In addition participants can purchase items from the WSEC/PBS gift store, buy raffle tickets and concessions will be available.

Tickets are $4 in advance or $5 at the door.  Purchase advance tickets at any County Market store in Springfield or Chatham, or by calling 800-232-3605, ext. 224.  The event runs from 10am-3pm, and is sponsored by St. John's Children's Hospital with sponsor support from Kerber, Eck & Braeckel, Newman-Alton Inc., and Eck, Shafer & Punke.

More information can be found at the station's website at wsec.tv.  WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

WSEC/PBS Springfield to air the Republican Gubernatorial Debate

DECEMBER 17, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - The recently held Republican Gubernatorial Debate from Springfield will air on WSEC/PBS on Friday, December 18th at 7:30pm.  This edited hour long program will pre-empt CapitolView and Lawmakers.

The debate, presented by the Citizens Club of Springfield, was held Monday, December 14th at the Hoogland Center for the Arts' LRS Theatre.  Republican candidates for Governor included Adam Andrzejewski, Senator Bill Brady, Senator Kirk Dillard, Dan Proft, Jim Ryan and Bob Schillerstrom.  The panel included Bernard Schoenburg of the State Journal-Register, Michelle Eccles of WTAX and Sean Crawford of WUIS.  The evening's moderator was Rich Bradley of WUIS.

The program will be re-broadcast on Sunday December 20th at 12pm.  In addition the first half of the program will air Sunday evening at 5pm with the second half airing at 10pm.  The program will air in its entirety on PBS/World at a time to be announced.  More information is available at wsec.tv.

Ambassador Maurice S. Parker, Diplomat-in-Residence, on Network Knowledge stations as part of Springfield's The Ambassador Series

NOVEMBER 11, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL -  On Tuesday November 12th Network Knowledge taped The Ambassador Series, a program organized in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield.  The series brings ambassadors from around the world to Springfield to share business, economic and political insights.

The speaker, Ambassador Maurice S. Parker, Diplomat-in-Residence, based at the University of Illinois Chicago will provide information on career and internship opportunities at the Department of State.  From his base in Chicago, the Ambassador provides DIR services in five mid-western states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Ambassador Parker is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor at the U.S. Department of State.  His prior experience includes U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland from September 2007 - June 2009.  He served as Director of the Office of Employee Relations, Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State from July 2006 - July 2007.  From June 2005 - July 2006, the Ambassador also served as Director of the Foreign Service Assignments Division in the Bureau of Human Resources.  From August 2004 - March 2005, he was Director of Consular and International Programs at the Homeland Security Council, Executive Office of the President, at the White House.

The Ambassador Series is a presentation of WSEC/PBS Springfield, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield and Prairie Heart Institute.  The program can be seen on WSEC/PBS Springfield on Friday, November 13th at 8pm and again on Sunday, November 15th at 5pm.  The program will also air on PBS/World, channel 14.2, cable 147 on Friday November 13th at 10pm.

The Ambassador Series is made possible with the support of HD Smith Wholesale Company and the Walnut Foundation.

WQEC/PBS Quincy brings Fun Time Station to Oakley Lindsay Center

OCTOBER 21, 2009, QUINCY, IL - WQEC/PBS Quincy presents its fifth annual Fun Time Station this Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Oakley Lindsay Center, from 10:00am to 2:30pm.  The event provides hands-on activities for children and their families, and is based on PBS' children's educational programming such as Arthur, Word World, Super Why, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Bob the Builder.

The theme of the event "Play and Learn," features a variety of interesting activities, all designed to incorporate the theme along with various learning and skills related to children's educational programming.

In addition to the booths and activities, there will be entertainment by Cindi Vancil School of Dance, Mike Anderson's Dulci Kids and visits by PBS characters Clifford and Curious George.  A concession stand will be available along with the WQEC store for purchasing PBS program items. 

Advance tickets are $3 for Club Kids members, $4 for non-members, and are available at County Market Stores, the Civic Center Office or by calling 800-232-3605.  Tickets purchased at the door are $5.  Ages under 2 are free.  Proceeds benefit children's educational programming for WQEC/PBS Quincy channel 27.

WQEC/PBS Quincy's Fun Time Station is sponsored by First Banker's Trust, Simmetry Communications and County Market.  For more information call 800-232-3605, ext. 223, or online at wqec.tv.

Ambassador of Australia to the U.S. to speak at WSEC/PBS Springfield's The Ambassador Series

OCTOBER 5, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC/PBS Springfield in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield will once again begin its season of The Ambassador Series Wenesday October 7th.  The series brings ambassadors from around the world to Springfield to share business, economic and political insights.

The speaker will be ambassador of Australia to the United States Dennis Richardson who was appointed June 2005.

He has been a career public servant since 1969 when he joined Australia's foreign service.  He has served in Nairobi, Port Moresby and Jakarta.  From October 1996 until his appointment to Washington he served as Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization.  Prior to that he was Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (1993-1996).

Mr. Richardson has served in various senior public service rules in the Departments of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign Affairs and Trade and Immigration.  He was Head of the Review of the Intelligence Community post Cold War in 1992 and Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister from 1990 to 1991.

Mr. Richardson was born in Kempsey, NSW, in 1947 and he holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from Sydney University.  He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2003.  He is married to Betty and has one son and one daughter.

The Ambassador Series is a presentation of WSEC/PBS Springfield, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield and Prairie Heart Institute.  Tickets are $18 and may be purchased by calling UIS at 217-206-6058. Registration begins at 11:30am at Prairie Heart Institute's Dove Conference Center.

The presentation will be taped to air on WSEC/PBS on Sunday, October 11th at 6 and 10pm.

WSEC/PBS Springfield to Broadcast Town Hall Meeting

OCTOBER 1, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC/PBS Springfield recorded the proceedings from the town hall meeting held Monday, September 28th, at the Dove Center.

This town hall meeting, presented by the Grass Roots Coalition for Consolidation, explores the $2.3 billion proposal by the Illinois Dept. of Transportation & Union Pacific for federal funding to build an additional rail line between Chicago and St. Louis.  The program includes presentations and question/answer session with the audience.  Tim Davlin, Andy VanMeter and Gary Plummer speak. (90 minutes.)

The program can be seen on WSEC/World, channel 14.2, cable 417 on Thursday October 1st at 7:00pm and on WSEC-SD, channel 14.1, cable 8 on Saturday October 3rd at 5:30pm and Sunday October 4th at 4:00pm.

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

Illinois Stories and Pasfield House Fund Raiser Offer Local Tie-in with National PBS Ken Burns Series on WSEC/PBS Springfield

SEPTEMBER 23, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - As a local tie-in to the national PBS Ken Burns' series "The National Parks: America's Best Idea", Illinois Stories, hosted by Mark McDonald, will feature Weldon Springs State Park and Siloam Springs State Park.

Weldon Springs State Park, near Clinton, is on the site of a Chautauqua that lasted until about 1920.  The natural springs drew people from all over the Midwest.  It was later donated to the state and became a state park.  Its attractions include a beautiful spring fed lake, an all-wars veterans' memorial, museums housed in a restored town hall and one room schoolhouse, and about 50 acres of restored prairie.  More than 370,000 people visit each year.

Siloam Springs State Park near Quincy also boasts natural springs as its main feature.  A large clear lake draws fishermen and boaters while an equestrian trail and camping area is a great attraction for horse owners and riders.  The history revolves around the springs and the beautiful, lush hillsides.

The Illinois Stories Weldon Springs episode will air Thursday, Sept. 24th at 7:00pm, Sunday, September 27th at 4:00pm and Monday, September 28th at 6:30pm.  The Siloam Springs episode will air Thursday, September 24th at 7:30pm, Friday, September 25th at 6:30pm and Wednesday, September 30th at 6:30pm.

Also as a local tie-in to the upcoming national PBS Ken Burns series, which is truly an American phenomenon, Pasfield House will host a fundraiser for Springfield's PBS station, WSEC on Thursday, September 24th.  Tickets are $20, and can be purchased in advance at County Market stores in Springfield and Chatham or at the door.  Children under 12 are free.  Admission covers food and soft drinks; a cash bar will be available.  The event runs from 5:30-8:00pm, with proceeds benefiting the station.  Pasfield House is located at 525 S. Pasfield St., Springfield.

In addition to mixing and mingling, patrons will have the opportunity to view clips and segments from the new Ken Burns' film "The National Parks: America's Best Idea".  The 12-hour documentary explores the history of the park system, and its impact on American culture today.

Additional information is available online at www.networkknowledge.tv, or by calling the station at 217-483-7887.  The event is presented in collaboration with the Historic Pasfield Inn and County Market.  

Springfield School Principal featured on POV's "The Principal Story" on WSEC/PBS Springfield

SEPTEMBER 9, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Two educators show that leadership makes a difference at tough public schools in POV's The Principal Story, Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 9:30pm on WSEC/PBS Springfield.  The documentary goes inside public schools in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois to follow two principals' challenges and victories over the course of a school year.

The Principal Story captures a year in the life of two dynamic public school principals in Illinois.  Veteran principal Kerry Purcell has led Harvard Park Elementary in the state capital of Springfield for six years; Tresa D. Dunbar, Ph.D., is a second-year principal at Chicago's Henry H. Nash Elementary on the city's tough west side.  They differ in temperament, age, race and experience.  Yet they share a startling demographic challenge.  Their students are overwhelmingly from low-income families.  At Harvard Park, the number is 87%.  At Nash, virtually every student - a shocking 98% of the student body - comes from a low-income family.  With this fact come a host of familiar problems - lack of funding, teacher turnover, low attendance rates, low scores and the corresponding lures of drugs, gangs and violence.

Fortunately, as The Principal Story makes clear, Purcell and Dunbar share a couple of other things.  One is an irrepressible determination to see that poverty doesn't prevent their students from getting a good education.  The other is an uncanny knack for delivering on that determination.

The Principal Story is two real-life suspense stories in one.  In six years at Harvard Park (pre-K-5), Purcell has taken a school where student behavior was out of hand, test scores were "in the gutter" and staff morale was low, and dramatically increased attendance, test scores and order in the classrooms.  The numbers alone show her success.  Yet the numbers can be treacherous under policies such as No  Child Left Behind that emphasize uniform test results.  With success, "the standards keep going up," as Purcell ruefully notes.  In her sixth year at Harvard Park, rather than resting on her laurels, she faces the daunting task of raising the students' proficiency rates in reading and math from 65% to 95%.

At Nash Elementary (pre-K-8), second-year principal Dunbar faces a particularly dire situation.  The school has been on probation for 12 years, on the academic watch list for eight, and had gone through six principals in five years before appointing the former assistant principal (who returned to the school after multi-year principal training) as principal.  In her first year, Dunbar had barely begun rallying the teaching staff and reaching out to her students and their families.  Now the challenge is stark - if she and her staff cannot significantly raise test scores this year, Nash Elementary will be closed. 

Unlike many principals who are perceived as remote figures, The Principal Story reveals Purcell and Dunbar to be in constant motion - in constant contact with both students and teachers.  They  are literally hands-on leaders, working punishing hours including extra-curricular support programs for teachers and students.  They also keep their staffs in ongoing self-examination as both women are determined to use data on student performance to improve classroom and administrative effectiveness.  Perhaps the most remarkable feature shared by Purcell and Dunbar is the striking ability to show sympathy, understanding and affection without compromising their authority with teachers or students.

In The Principal Story, the futures of two schools and their hundreds of students hang in the balance.  Yet the struggles at Harvard Park and Nash - and the successes forged by Purcell and Dunbar - lay bare the crises afflicting much of American public education.  In those crises, the futures of millions of public school students - of public education itself - and of the nation certainly hang in the balance.

POV, The Principal Story can be seen on Tuesday, September 15th at 9:30pm on WSEC/PBS Springfield.

Seats now available for "On the Road with Illinois Stories" bus tour

SEPTEMBER 4, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC/PBS Springfield announced its second "On the Road with Illinois Stories" bus tour, offering viewers a chance to visit some of the destinations featured on its popular series, "Illinois Stories".  The one-day tour takes place on Tuesday, September 15, visiting sites in Jacksonville, Virginia, Ashland and Springfield.

"Our inaugural "Illinois Stories" bus tour was such a success we decided to duplicate it, with different destinations, of course," said Network Knowledge President, Dr. Jerold Gruebel.  "This is an opportunity to connect with our viewers in a different way.  They love being personally involved in our programs, and we love being able to share the experience with them."

The producer/host of "Illinois Stories", Mark McDonald, will lead the group to the Strawn Art Gallery in Jacksonville, the Rexroat Prairie and log village in Virginia, the Jones Boys Grocery Store in Ashland, The Historic Pasfield House Inn in Springfield (where lunch will be served), and the St. Francis of Assisi Church at the Hospital Sisters Motherhouse in Springfield.  All the sites chosen have been the subject of an "Illinois Story".

"These are sites that can fascinate a crowd," McDonald said.  "They are bus accessible, knowledgeable tour guides are eager to share their expertise, and some are a bit off the beaten path...like "illinois Stories".

The tour begins at 8:30 AM on September 15 with a brief tour of the studios of WSEC-TV PBS in Chatham. The bus will depart at 9:00 AM and will return to the station between 4:30 and 5:00 PM.  Tickets are $60 per person and include the bus trip, tours at the sites and lunch.  All proceeds stay with your public television station.  You can make reservations by calling 217-483-7887, x224.  Payments can be made by telephone with Visa, Mastercard and Discover.

"Illinois Stories" is an Emmy winning series in its 6th year.  It highlights the people, places, issues and events of central Illinois.  It can be seen Monday through Friday at 6:30 PM, Thursdays at 7:00 and 7:30 PM, Sundays at 4:00 and 4:30 PM. 

WSEC-TV/PBS Springfield to Hold Fundraiser at The Historic Pasfield House Inn
Event includes preview of new Ken Burns' film on national parks

SEPTEMBER 1, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Historic Pasfield House Inn will host a fundraiser for Springfield's PBS station, WSEC on Thursday, September 24th.  Tickets are $20, and can be purchased in advance or at the door.  Children under 12 are free.  Admission covers food and soft drinks; a cash bar will be available.  The event runs from 5:30-8:00pm, with proceeds benefiting the station.

In addition to mixing and mingling, patrons will have the opportunity to view clips and segments from the new Ken Burns' film "The National Parks:  America's Best Idea".  The 12-hour documentary explores the history of the park system, and its impact on American culture today.

As part of the project, the station is seeking stories from area viewers that have been to the parks and would be willing to share their experiences and photographs.  They will be displayed at the September 24th event, and can be sent to parkstories@wsec.tv.  The event is presented in collaboration with County Market and The Historic Pasfield House Inn.

Additional information is available online at www.networkknowledge.tv, or by calling the station at 217-483-7887.

The Historic Pasfield House Inn is located at 525 S. Pasfield St., Springfield.  

Lawmakers With Mark McDonald:  Special Edition (30 min)

SEPTEMBER 1, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Congressman John Shimkus joins Mark McDonald for the full half hour on a Special Edition of Lawmakers, where they will discuss changes to health care, cap and trade, and other issued Congress will be facing when they return from their summer break after the Labor Day holiday.

Airdates:
Friday September 4th @ 6:30pm
Saturday September 5th @ 11:00am
Sunday September 6th @ 5:30pm

WSEC/PBS Springfield Producer Receives Emmy Nomination

AUGUST 21, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Scott Troehler, director of production & local programming at WSEC/PBS, received a nomination in the Director-Post Production Cetegory in this year's Emmy competition for his work on the Expedition United Kingdom series.

The three-part series, hosted by Becky Cramblit, featured people and places in England's Lake District, Manchester, Wales, and Devon.

The Emmys are presented by the Mid-America chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.  The award ceremony is October 3 in St. Louis.

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois. 

WSEC/PBS Springfield Receives Awards for Local Programs

AUGUST 7, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC/PBS Springfield recently received awards for programs produced by the station.

In the Aurora Awards, Expedition United Kingdom (Scott Troehler, producer; Becky Cramblit, host) and Building Stories (Scott Troehler, producer; Dave Leonatti, host) received the Gold Award.

The Aurora Awards is an international competition designed to recognize excellence in the film and video industries.  It specifically targets products, programs and commercials that would not normally have the opportunity to compete on a national level, by focusing on non-national commercials, regional or special interest entertainment and corporate sponsored film and video.  Entries have come from across the US, and abroad from countries including Russia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Germany, Australia and Mexico.

In the Communicator Awards, Building Stories (Scott Troehler, producer; Dave Leonatti, host), Illinois Stories (Mark McDonald, producer/host) and Cardia (Mark McDonald, producer; Mark McDonald & Dr. Gregory Mishkel, hosts) received Awards of Distinction.

The Communicator Awards is an international awards program honoring creative excellence for Communications Progessionals.  Founded by communication professionals over a decade ago, The Communicator Awards received over 9,000 entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of the largest awards of its kind in the world.  

WSEC Scales Back Productions and Staffing During Crisis

JUNE 17, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC-TV, Springfield's PBS station, has reduced the hours of station-produced programming during the summer months due to its ongoing financial crisis.

While some programs go on hiatus during the summer, others, such as Illinois Stories, typically continue production.  However, because of the station's financial situation, the number of programs produced in June, July and August will be reduced from three episodes per week to one per week.

Cardia, the station's program featuring heart related topics, will cease production after the June program.  It is tentatively scheduled to resume production in September; however that schedule may change depending upon funding.

Additionally, the station has reduced staff by eliminating two full time positions, to 13 from 15, and will not fill nine existing part time positions that are currently open.

WSEC/PBS Broadcasts Golf Scramble

JUNE 16, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - The 13th annual WSEC Golf Scramble took place at The Rail on May 14th.  The WSEC-TV camera crew was there to tape the event.  The resulting program will air on Saturday, June 26th at 7:30pm and will be repeated Sunday June 28th at 12pm and Friday July 26th at 9:30pm.

Host Mark McDonald, of Illinois Stories, and Steve Bridge, Ag Director of WFMB-AM, interview golfers and organizers who talk about the day.  Viewers will also enjoy scenes from The Rail as the golfers played their way through the course.

The WSEC Golf Scramble was sponsored by Airport & DirectAir, Spinner's Plastics, Maldaner's and County Market.  The event is a fund raiser for the station and this year raised over $13,000.

WSEC/PBS Springfield and UIS complete this Season's The Ambassador Series 

JUNE 14, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC/PBS Springfield in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield finished this year's The Ambassador Series with a total of six events. The series brings ambassadors from around the world to Springfield to share business, economic and political insights.

Speakers this season included ambassadors from Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, Ukraine, Norway and the former US ambassador to Mexico.  The upcoming season will resume in September at Prairie Heart Institute's Dove Conference Center.

The Ambassador Series is a presentation of WSEC/PBS Springfield, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield and Prairie Heart Institute.

WSEC/PBS Features Quincy and Petersburg in the June Line-up of Illinois Stories

JUNE 3, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Network Knowledge, the PBS stations in Springfield, Quincy and Macomb, announced today its line-up of Illinois Stories for June 11.  Groups in Quincy and Petersburg will be high-lighted.

"Friends of the Log Cabins" in Quincy started working last year to restore the abandoned log village on Quinsippi Island.  This hard working consortium envisions the village, when completed, will host a wide variety of events and become a major tourist attraction.  This story charts their progress in the restoration.  The program will air on Thursday, June 11 at 7:30 PM; Friday, June 12 at 6:30 PM; and Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 PM.

The Menard County Garden Club is made up of gardeners whose interest and abilities rival the best.  They are preparing for their first ever "Menard County Garden Tour", which includes ten "secret gardens" in and around Petersburg.  We visit five of them and get the "green thumb treatment" from the gardeners themselves.  The program airs Thursday, June 11 at 7:00 PM; Sunday, June 14 at 4:00 PM; Monday, June 15 at 6:30 PM.

WSEC/PBS Springfield hosts 4th of July Celebration

JUNE 3, 2009, SPRINGFIELD,IL - WSEC-TV, Springfield's PBS station, today announced its second annual 4th of July celebration, to be held again at the beautiful Pasfield House in Springfield.

The summer event brings viewers and supporters of the stations together for an evening of fun and friendship, good food and the downtown fireworks display.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to meet and visit with our members and viewers," said Dr. Jerold Gruebel, President and CEO of Network Knowledge.  "Last year I learned a lot about their likes, dislikes and expectations.  We got a chance to answer many of their questions about programming and funding in a relaxed, comfortable setting."

The outdoor event is also a fundraiser for Network Knowledge.  The $20 per person donation includes traditional holiday fare, dessert and soft drinks.  A cash bar will also be available.  Dinner will be served buffet style on the veranda of the Pasfield House starting at 6:00 PM., and everyone is invited to stay and enjoy the fireworks at about 9:30 PM.  All the proceeds stay with Network Knowledge to support its line-up of superb programming.

"We can't thank Tony Leone enough," Gruebel said of the owner of the Pasfield House.  "This event simply would not be possible without his generosity.  What could be better than good food at a beautiful facility on a great holiday?"

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

WSEC/PBS to air Defenders of the Innocent Awards Program

May 29, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - The UIS Innocence Project, housed in the Institute for Legal, Legislative and Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, recently held the Defenders of the Innocent Awards Reception which was taped by WSEC/PBS for broadcast.

The Downstate Illinois Innocense Project works to assist the wrongfully convicted by providing resources for investigation and research, and to develop policy proposals that would help prevent the conviction of innocent persons in the future.  This awards reception is the second annual event to recognize individuals and organizations who have worked to help achieve those goals.

The featured speaker at the reception was Larry Marshall, who founded the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern University Law School.  Honorees include Springfield criminal defense attorney Michael Metnick for his lifetime achievement in the defense of the innocent, and the Dominican Sisters of Springfield who have devoted themselves to work in opposition to the death penalty.

The Defenders of the Innocent Awards program will air in two versions.  A 30 minute edited version will air on WSEC/PBS Thursday June 4th at 6:30pm.  The program will air in its entirety on PBS World on Friday June 5th at 9:00pm.

The Defenders of the Innocent Awards program is the first local program produced specifically for PBS World and one of the first in the nation.

Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S. to speak at WSEC/PBS Springfield's The Ambassador Series

May 21, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC/PBS Springfield in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield will present the next The Ambassador Series Wednesday May 27th.  The series brings ambassadors from around the world to Springfield to share business, economic and political insights.

The speaker will be ambassador of Ukraine to the United States His Excellency Oleh Shamshur.  Ambassador Shamshur previously served as deputy minister of foreign affairs (2000-04), head of the European Union Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2003-04), and minister-counselor at the Ukrainian Embassy to the Benelux countries (1998-2003).

Ambassador Shamshur fraduated cum laude from the Taras Shevchenko Kyiv University's Department of International Relations and International Law, and he holds a doctorate from Kyiv University.  He also completed a post-graduate course at the Academy of Sciences in Ukraine.  Ambassador Shamshur speaks English, French and Russian.

The Ambassador Series is a presentation of WSEC/PBS Springfield, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield and Prairie Heart Institute.  Tickets are $18 and may be purchased by calling UIS at 217-206-6058.  Registration begins at 11:30am at Prairie Heart Institute's Dove Conference Center.

WSEC/PBS Springfield to Air Special on Military Families
Queen Latifah and John Mayer visit Sesame Street to Help Military Families Cope With Change

Primetime Special Premiering April 1 at 7pm on WSEC/PBS Springfield

MARCH 31, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, is producing, in association with David Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants Incorporated and Lookalike Productions, a new PBS primetime special, Coming Home: Military Families Cope With Change, featuring Queen Latifah, John Mayer and Elmo.  This half-hour HD special tells stories of service members who return home with injuries, visible and invisible, and explores the heroic struggles their families face in discovering a new way of finding a "new normal."  It salutes the extraordinary courage and strength of these military families and offers the general public a powerful glimpse into what they often must endure.  The special will air on WSEC/PBS Springfield on April 1, 2009 at 7pm.

Sesame Workshop has spent the past two years creating outreach materials to help military families with young children cope with deployments, homecomings, and changes.  In 2007, the Workshop produced a PBS primetime special, When Parents are Deployed, with Cuba Gooding, Jr., which was honored with an Emmy nomination.

"The range of media tools available through Talk, Listen, Connect truly provides fundamental ways for each family member to support each other through all stages," said Gary E. Knell, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop.  "The deep impact of this project continues to inspire us, which is why we are excited to create a new special that will further champion the needs of the military community and will help these families and others find ways to be there for each other."

"The men and women of our military have made indescribable sacrifices," said David Letterman.  "The very least we can do is tell their stories, and to honor the bravery and strength of both the soldiers and their families."

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

Additional information on HD programming, and on digital conversion, is available on the station's website, wsec.tv. 

Ambassador of Norway to the US to speak at WSEC/PBS Springfield's The Ambassador Series

MARCH 4, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC/PBS Springfield in collaboration with the University of Illinois Springfield will present the next The Ambassador Series Wednesday March 11th.  The series brings ambassadors from around the world to Springfield to share business, economic and political insights.

The speaker will be the Ambassador of Norway to the United States, Wegger Christian Strommen.  Ambassador Strommen previously served as Norway's permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva (2005-07), deputy permanent representative of Norway's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (2002-05), as well as deputy permanent representative to the U.N. Security Council and chairman of the Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (2000-02).

The Ambassador Series is a presentation of WSEC/PBS Springfield, in collaboration with the University of Ilinois Springfield and Prairie Heart Institute.  Tickets are $18 and may be purchased by calling UIS at 217-206-6058.  Registration begins at 11:30am at Prairie Heart Institute's Dove Conference Center.

WSEC-TV/PBS Springfield Realigns Digital Channels; Adds New Channel

JANUARY 29, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - On Thursday, January 29, WSEC/PBS Springfield realigned its digital channels and added a new PBS channel to its lineup.

The new channel, WSEC/PBS WORLD, is a channel featuring non-fiction, documentary and news programming.  With signature series such as NOVA, NATURE, FRONTLINE and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, as well as engaging specials and mini-series, WSEC/PBS WORLD delivers throught-provoking stories, thorough investigations and trusted voices around the clock.  It allows viewers to discover scientific advances, natural wonders, revelations of history, lives of the great and unsung, independent voices, and perspective on today's headlines.  In the Springfield area, the channel can be seen off air on Digital 14.2.

WSEC's Create channel, which features how-to, travel and cooking programs, will now also offer children's programming from PBS KIDS from 6:00pm to 9:00pm on weekdays, and from 6:00am to noon on weekends.  Called CREATE/kids, it will move to WSEC's Digital channel 14.3.

Launched to serve viewers' increasing interest in "do-it-yourself" programs, program genres seen on Create include viewers' favorite public television series and specials on cooking, travel, arts and crafts, gardening, home improvement and other lifestyle interests.

PBS KIDS is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based entertainment.  Award-winning programs on PBS KIDS include, CURIOUS GEORGE, JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLY WINKS, WORDWORLD, FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN, BETWEEN THE LIONS and WORDGIRL.

Local programming will be seen of both WSEC/PBS WORLD and CREATE/kids throughout the week.  On WSEC/PBS WORLD, station productions will air from 6:00pm-7:00pm on weekends, while CREATE/kids will broadcast local content weekdays from 9:00pm-10:00pm and on weekends from 4-5 and 7-8.  Viewers should check local listings or the station's website for programs.

WSEC's main channel will not change channel location, and will continue to offer its current programming, but in HD.

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

Additional information on HD programming, and on digital conversion, is available on the station's website, wsec.tv.

WSEC/PBS Springfield Hosts a DTV Informative Open House for the Public.

JANUARY 19, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - In an effort to help inform viewers of the changes associated with the conversion to digital television, WSEC/PBS Springfield will hold an Open House at their studios in Chatham on Sunday February 8th from 1-4pm.

The event is free and open to the public.  Personnel will be on hand to explain how to hook up a converter box and the various antennas required for the digital conversion process.  In addition, station representatives will answer questions and inform viewers about new digital programming available on WSEC/PBS.  Attendees will also be able to experience high definition viewing first hand with HD and SD screens on display.

WSEC/PBS studios are located at 1475 East Plummer Blvd. behind Glennwood High School in Chatham.  For more information, call 217-483-7887 or check online at wsec.tv.  RSVPs can be made to Shellie at 217-483-7887, ext. 236.

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

Additional information on HD programming, and on digital conversion, is available on the station's website, wsec.tv.

Contact:

Dr. Jerold Gruebel
President & CEO
Network Knowledge
WSEC/PBS Springfield
217-483-7887, x222; 800-232-3605

WSEC/PBS Springfield to Present Fun Time Station

JANUARY 7, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, IL - On Saturday, January 31st WSEC/PBS Springfield will host the 11th annual Fun Time Station in the Illinois Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  The event features performances, arts and crafts, reading and other learning activities.

The theme of this year's event is "A Rainbow of Fun".  Children can participate in hands-on activities based on PBS's educational programming.  Entertainment includes, Kinner & Co. Dance Studio, Trudy Fleming Academy, Springfield Youth Performance Group and Shudo-kan Karate Club.

Clifford the Big Red Dog, Super WHY!, and Curious George will be on hand to greet the children.  There will be face painting as well as displays by various civic organizations.  In addition participants can purchase items from the WSEC/PBS store, buy raffle tickets and concessions will be available.

Tickets are $4 in advance or $5 at the door.  Purchase advance tickets at Harper on the Way Stores located at 1133 West Jefferson and 3001 Clear lake in Springfield and on Route 4 in Auburn, or by calling 800-232-3605, ext. 224.  The event runs from 10am - 3pm, and is sponsored in part by St. John's Hospital, Adecco and Newman-Alton Inc.

More information can be found at the station's website at wsec.tv.

Contact:

Amy Evans
Membership Coordinator
WSEC/PBS Springfield
217-483-7887 ext. 224
800-232-3605 ext. 224 

Representative Jill Tracy interviews on WQEC/PBS Quincy's Lawmakers

DECEMBER 18, 2008, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Representative Jill Tracy (R) 93rd District was interviewed on Lawmakers with Mark McDonald.  Tracy is one of twenty-one house members and one of only nine republicans selected for the committee to investigate the governor's impeachment.

Lawmakers will discuss why Tracy was selected to the committee and why Ed Genson, Governor Blagojevich's attorney, wanted her removed for already having made up her mind about the Governor's ability to serve.

Also appearing on the program are Representative Jim Watson (R) 97th District, Representative Rich Brauer (R) 100th District and Representative Robert Flider (D) 101st District.

Lawmakers with Mark McDonald airs Friday, December 19th at 8:00pm and Sunday, December 21st at 5:30pm and 10:00pm.

Newshour with Jim Lehrer originates live from WSEC/PBS Studio

DECEMBER 9, 2008, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Tuesday evening's edition of The Newshour with Jim Lehrer originated live from the WSEC/PBS Springfield studio.  Bernie Schoenberg, political columnist for the State Journal Register and host of WSEC's Capitol View, a weekly public affairs program, moderated the segment.

The Newshour's lead story was the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on allegations of soliciting bribes for President-elect Obama's Senate seat and other claims.

With Schoenberg answering questions and lending expert commentary, this is the fourth time that The Newshour with Jim Lehrer has originated live from the WSEC/PBS studios.

Now celebrating its 30th year, The Newshour continues to provide in-depth analysis of current events with a news summary, live studio interviews, discussions, and both foreign and domestic on-site reports.  The Newshour is seen by approximately three million people every weeknight and remains one of the most distinguished sources of news on television.

Select The Newshour clips are available online through the Network Knowledge website at wsec.tv.

Congressman Phil Hare on a Special Edition of WSEC/PBS Springfield's Lawmakers

DECEMBER 3, 2008, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Congressman Phil Hare (D-17) joins host Mark McDonald for the full half hour to discuss topics including the economy, auto industry bailout and transitioning to the new Obama Administration. 

Lawmakers:  Special Edition will air Friday, December 5 at 1:00pm and 6:30pm, and again on Sunday, December 7 at 11:30 am.

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

Additional information on HD programming, and on digital conversion, is available on the station's website, wsec.tv.

Record Crowd Attends WQEC/PBS Quincy Fun Time Station

NOVEMBER 14, 2008, QUINCY, IL - A record crowd consisting of mostly parents and their children attended this year's WQEC Fun Time Station in Quincy at the Oakley Lindsay Center this past Saturday, November 8th.

Despite lower than expected pre-ticket sales, an estimated 1,250 came to this year's event to participate in hands-on educational and fun learning experiences at various stations.

WQEC Fun Time Station was sponsored by Adecco and First Bankers Trust with assisting sponsors including Simmetry, County Market, WGEM, TCBY, Wachovia and Blessing Hospital.  Proceeds benefit children's educational programming for WQEC/PBS Quincy channel 27.

WQEC/PBS Quincy, WMEC/PBS Macomb and WSEC/PBS Springfield are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

Additional information on HD programming, and on digital conversion, is available on the station's website, networkknowledge.tv.

Contact:

Dr. Jerold Gruebel
President & CEO
Network Knowledge
WQEC/PBS Quincy
217-483-7887 ext. 222; 800-232-3605

WSEC/PBS Springfield Programs Receive Awards

NOVEMBER 14, 2008, SPRINGFIELD, IL - Five programs produced by WSEC/PBS Springfield recently received recognition in the 2008 Aegis Awards.

Programs receiving "Winner" recognition were the travel series Expedition Scotland (Scott Troehler, producer; Becky Cramblit, host) and the lifestyle program InLife (Scott Troehler, producer; Becky Cramblit, host).  Programs receiving "finalist" recognition were the health program Cardia (Mark McDonald, producer; Mark McDonald & Dr. Gregory Mishkel, hosts); the magazine program Illinois Stories (Mark McDonald, producer & host) and the historical program Building Stories (Scott Troehler, producer; Dave Leonatti, host).

Now in its 19th year, the Aegis Awards has established itself as a leading competition for professional video and film makers.  The mission of the Aegis Awards competition is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective video/film productions being produced today.  This year's competition drew approximately 2,300 entries.

WSEC/PBS Springfield, WQEC/PBS Quincy and WMEC/PBS Macomb are all part of Network Knowledge, which provides quality public television and educational services through a network of volunteers, universities, hospitals and business partners in communities throughout central and western Illinois.

Additional information on HD programming, and on digital conversion, is available on the station's website, wsec.tv.

WSEC/PBS Springfield to air Masterpiece: God on Trial

OCTOBER 29, 2008, SPRINGFIELD, IL - WSEC/PBS Springfield will air Masterpiece: God on Trial on Sunday, November 9th at 8pm.

This ninety minute program is the fictional account of a group of men held at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of Nazi Germany's concentration camps during World War II.  Although the story itself is fictional, the depiction of the horrors of life in a concentration camp is not.

Masterpiece: God on Trial, starring Sir Antony Sher (Primo), Dominic Cooper ("Sense and Sensibility"), Stellan Skarsgard (Good Will Hunting), Rupert Graves ("The Forsyte Saga") and Stephen Dillane ("John Adams"), tells the story of a group of Jewish men who, propelled by their fear of death, are feeling abandoned by God and therefore decide that the best way to rectify this is to put God "on trial, " accusing him of breaking his covenent with the Jewish people and allowing this genocide to occur.  By the end of the film, the ghosts of the prisoners stand shoulder to shoulder with their modern-day counterparts in the gas chamber, awaiting imminent death.  Those left behind can only attempt to imagine what that felt like.  The fear is palpable.  It is, at times, a very difficult program to watch, and therefore is not suited for younger viewers.

Masterpiece: God on Trial,  rated TV14 due to its graphic nature, airs Sunday, November 9th at 8pm on WSEC/PBS Springfield.  Additional information on HD programming, and on digital conversion, is available on the station's website, wsec.tv.