West Virginia Public Broadcasting

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WV Public Broadcasting Documentary Earns Regional Emmy Nomination

Charleston, W.Va. – June 12, 2013 – The historical documentary Frank Kearns: American Correspondent, which premiered on West Virginia PBS last fall, has been nominated for a regional Emmy Award in the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The film is one of four nominees in the “Documentary – Historical” category.

Winners will be announced July 20 in Cincinnati.West Virginia Public Broadcasting won a Regional Emmy in 2011 for its documentary Last Chapter: End of Life Decisions produced by Suzanne Higgins.

Frank Kearns: American Correspondent is a profile of a native West Virginian who was a pioneer broadcast reporter for CBS and later a journalism professor at West Virginia University. The documentary is co-produced, written and directed byJake Davis, executive producer at Greenbriar Group Films in Columbia, S.C. and former student of Kearns; and West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s award-winning producer and videographer Chip Hitchcock whose works include West Virginia: The Road to Statehood, Bridgeport to Baghdad and The Last Mission: Establishing the Rule of Law in Iraq.

View a trailer of the documentary on the West Virginia Public Broadcasting YouTube channel.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting nurtures personal growth, promotes civic responsibility and inspires lifelong discovery through high-quality programming and services. West Virginia Public Radio, West Virginia PBS, wvpubcast.org and Ready To Learn^® are all services of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Shawn Patterson (304) 556-4908

Documentaries shine

Celebrate West Virginia’s 150^th Birthday with hours of state-related programs

Broadcast Date(s): Check your local listings for these public television and public radio programs all month long on West Virginia Public Radio, WV PBS and WV PBS.2

Charleston, W.Va. – June 10, 2013 – As West Virginia celebrates its 150^th birthday, West Virginia Public Broadcasting is adding to the festivities by airing more than two dozen television documentaries about the state and its history; plus a special one-hour radio documentary.

“We felt it was important for West Virginia Public Broadcasting to participate in telling the State’s story,” said Scott Finn, executive director. “This is what we are known for and we are proud to include our own productions plus films from independent producers that can’t be seen (or heard) anywhere else.

"We hope our viewers and listeners enjoy the variety of stories presented this month and the diversity of perspectives the producers bring to our audiences."

On West Virginia Public Radio

· Thursday, June 20 at 9 p.m. -- West Virginia 150: Commemorating Statehood -- a one hour documentary that explores how the state’s history and other characteristics shape today’s West Virginians and tries to answer the question “what does it mean to be a West Virginian?” Produced by Cecelia Mason, Shepherdstown Bureau Chief for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On WV PBS

· Monday-Wednesday, June 17-19 at 9 pm. -- West Virginia: A Film History -- looks at many noted individuals who made contributions to the history of the state including Robert C. Byrd, Henry Louis Gates, Leon Sullivan and Jerry West. (Repeats Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 24 at 2:30 p.m.)

· Tuesday, June 18 at 9:30 p.m. -- The Great Kanawha: An American Story, a documentary that traces the early history, European settlement and the beginning of the industrialization along the river. Produced by West Virginia Documentary Consortium, Inc.

· Wednesday, June 19 at 9:30 p.m. -- Winding Gulf: Stories from West Virginia’s Coalfields -- examines the impact of industry upon a particular place and the people who live, work, and die there. Produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Russ Barbour and Jessica Lilly.

· Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. – the broadcast premiere of West Virginia: The Road to Statehood. Through interviews with respected state historians, dramatizations, archival letters, sketches and photographs, the film examines events and philosophies behind West Virginia statehood. Produced by Chip Hitchcock and Russ Barbour from West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

9 p.m. -- State Born from a Nation Torn produced by Clarksburg native Lemeul Muniz.

10 p.m. -- A Moving Monument: The West Virginia State Capitol an award-winning documentary from MotionMasters tracing the fascinating story of the Mountain State’s seat of government.

· Sunday, June 23

7 p.m. -- 3 Rivers: The Bluestone, Gauley and the New (Russ Barbour)

9 p.m. -- Obscurely Famous Graves – visit the graves and find out more about some of the state’s “forgotten” luminaries. Produced by Jack Crutchfield.

· Wednesday, June 26 at 8:30 p.m. -- Secrets of the Valley: Prehistory of the Kanawha -- West Virginia State University film professor Daniel Boyd collaborated with U.S Army Corps of Engineers archeologist Robert Maslowski to tell the story of the Kanawha Valley’s prehistory.

· Sunday June 30 at 8 p.m. -- East Wind, West Wind: Pearl Buck, The Woman Who Embraced the World. The film follows the extraordinary life of a missionary child, born in West Virginia at the end of the 19^th century and raised in rural China, who became one of the best known American writers and received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1938. Produced by Craig Davidson.

On WV PBS.2 (where available)

· Wednesdays, June 12, 19 and 26 at 7 p.m. -- Road Trip to History – a series of spellbinding journeys through the communities, history, and events that shaped the heartland of the Shenandoah Valley from Oak Tree Productions.

· Tuesday, June 11 at 8 p.m. -- The Appalachians, a three-part documentary by Braxton County native Mary-Lynn Evans.

· Wednesday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. – The Vandalia Gathering -- a documentary about the annual bluegrass music festival in Charleston by West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s John Nakashima.

· Wednesday, June 15

7 p.m. -- Ken Hechler: In Pursuit of Justice (Russ Barbour)

9 p.m. -- Robert C, Byrd: Soul of the Senate (MotionMasters)

· Sunday, June 16

8 p.m. -- Crossings: Bridge Building in West Virginia (West Virginia Department of Transportation)

9 p.m. -- Road to Opportunity: The WV Turnpike 50th Anniversary (West Virginia Department of Transportation)

10 p.m. – A Brief History of The Greenbrier, the story of the resort by Erik Hastings and Bob Conte for the resort.

· Monday, June 17

8 p.m. -- Mills of Pendleton County -- More than 40 water-driven mills existed at one time in remote Pendleton County. Directed by Gerald Milnes for the Fort Seybert Heritage Educational Association

9 p.m. -- The Resilient Forest -- documents the settlement, early history, industrialization, folk life, recreation, conservation and forestry practices that formed the cultural identity of residents of the Appalachian Forest Heritage area. Produced by the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area.

10 p.m. -- Helvetia, the community of Swiss immigrants that settled in Upshur County from West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

· Tuesday, June 18 at 10 p.m. -- A Principled Man: Rev. Leon Sullivan -- meet the man who would mentor Martin Luther King, Jr., help free Nelson Mandela, play a significant role in ending apartheid in South Africa and create the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC). (MotionMasters)

· Wednesday, June 19

8:30 p.m. – Clifftop -- a documentary look at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival from West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

10 p.m. -- Passing Through Sandstone -- the history of a small town on the banks of the New River by Jon Averill.

· Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. -- Whiz Kids: The Movie. At a time when American teens lag far behind other countries in math and science, this is a coming-of-age documentary that tells the story of three remarkably different, yet equally passionate 17-year-old scientists who vie to compete in the nation’s oldest, most prestigious science competition. The young girl hails from Parkersburg where her project discovered C8 in the local water supply. (Sandbar Pictures)

· Friday, June 21 at 8 p.m. -- Best of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)

· Saturday, June 22

7 p.m. -- A Living Monument: The West Virginia County Courthouses (MotionMasters)

8 p.m. -- A Moving Monument: The West Virginia State Capitol (MotionMasters)

9 p.m. -- Foundation of Justice: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia (MotionMasters)

9:30 p.m. The Griffin and the Minor Canon, an animated production of Frank Stockton’s short story featuring the voice of West Virginia native and actor David Selby.

· Sunday June 23 at 10 p.m. -- Welcome to Coalwood, a documentary film about the hometown of Homer Hickam and the Rocket Boys who were featured in the 1999 film, “October Sky.” By See to Sea Productions.

· Tuesday, June 25

8 p.m. -- American Experience: John D. Rockefeller (PBS)

10 p.m. -- Reconstructing Bill: The Story of Gov. William C. Marland -- Marland was considered one of West Virginia’s most intelligent and visionary chief executives, but was discovered driving a cab as part of his self-made rehabilitation program from alcoholism. (Russ Barbour)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Shawn Patterson (304) 556-4908

Community invited to meet new leader of West Virginia Public Broadcasting

plus a sneak peak of new documentary

Charleston, W.Va. – June 7, 2013 – The executive director of West Virginia Public Broadcasting is traveling the state to meet viewers and listeners of the statewide public broadcasting network. Meet Scott Finn on Friday, June 14 at the Culture Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Then stay for a special preview of the documentary West Virginia: The Road to Statehood, produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting in commemoration of the state’s 150^th birthday, at 7 p.m.

This event is part of the statewide “Let’s Talk” gatherings hosted by the Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

“Our job is to tell West Virginia’s story,” Finn said. “But it’s been a while since the executive director reached out to meet the people who make our educational programming possible.

“West Virginia Public Broadcasting is owned by the people of this state,” he said. “It’s time to ask them what we’re doing well, and what we need to do better.”

“Let’s Talk” is open and free to the public. It’s a chance to meet Finn and other leaders at West Virginia Public Broadcasting, as well as members of the Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting in your community.

After the gathering, West Virginia Public Broadcasting will debut its latest documentary West Virginia: The Road to Statehood, which brings to life the issues, differences and disagreements that created what is now West Virginia.

Through interviews with respected state historians, dramatizations, archival letters, sketches and photographs the 40-minute film examines events and philosophies behind West Virginia becoming a state during the Civil War, particularly through the lives of attorney Francis Pierpont (for creating a new state) and former U.S. Congressman Albert Gallatin Jenkins (for preserving the Commonwealth).

One or more of the producers will also be on hand for a Q&A with the audience.

The broadcast premiere of the documentary is Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. on WV PBS.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Shawn Patterson (304) 556-4908

New documentary marks sesquicentennial

West Virginia: The Road to Statehood previews in Wheeling and Charleston

Broadcast date(s):.Premiere broadcast on WV PBS Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m.

Preview events on Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. in Charleston

and Wednesday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Wheeling

Charleston, W.Va. – June 3, 2013--“Now, after many long and weary years … we have the profound satisfaction of proclaiming to those around us that we are a separate state in the Union.” -- Arthur Boreman, first governor of West Virginia commemorating the birth of the 35th state, in his inaugural address on June 20, 1863.

Thus ends the new documentary West Virginia: The Road to Statehood which brings to life the issues, differences and disagreements that divided the Commonwealth of Virginia, turning families and neighbors against one another throughout what is now West Virginia. Through interviews with respected state historians, dramatizations, archival letters, sketches and photographs the 40-minute film examines events and philosophies behind West Virginia becoming a state during the Civil War, particularly through the lives of attorney Francis Pierpont (considered the “father of West Virginia”) and former U.S. Congressman Albert Gallatin Jenkins(who defended “Old Virginia”).

The film’s broadcast debut on West Virginia PBS is Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m.

Two preview showings of the film are also scheduled in both the cities that have had the honor of being the state’s capital.

The first will be Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston. The second will be Wednesday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Independence Hall in Wheeling. Admission to both previews is free. Seating is limited to the capacity of each theater. One or more of the film’s producers will be available at each showing for audience discussion.

“We are proud to present this documentary as a complement to the state’s 150^th birthday celebrations,” said Scott Finn, executive director of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. “The personalized perspective of this film will draw viewers in to the drama of the politics as contrasted by the violence of the war.”

Even while Pierpont, Jenkins and others met in Wheeling to debate “dismemberment,” their homes and counties were switching hands or under attack by Union or Confederate armies. Guerillas and bushwhackers made travel dangerous or impossible, women tried to keep their families safe and fed because most of the men were off at war, and slaves decided whether to risk running for freedom or staying to defend their families. Co-producer Russ Barbour says, “I liken the program to a courtroom drama with a war going on just beyond the doors.”

Chip Hitchcock, also co-producer, adds “We were very fortunate to tape re-enactors in the beautifully restored Custom House in Wheeling, where delegates from all over the state met 150 years ago to debate and create our state. We also taped Civil War re-enactors in downtown Beverly, West Virginia, which is a rare modern event but similar to a lot of what happened during the war.”

In addition to the previews and the broadcast, a complimentary DVD of the documentary, along with a curriculum-related education guide, will be given to each school in the state during the 2013-2014 term.

West Virginia: The Road to Statehood was produced with assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and WVU Libraries. Barbour and Hitchcock interviewed a dozen prominent West Virginia historians, including Joe Geiger, West Virginia State Historian and Archivist, and John Alexander Williams, author of three books on West Virginia’s history.

Hitchcock’s producer credits include Bridgeport to Baghdad and The Last Mission: Establishing the Rule of Law in Iraq. Barbour’s credits include Reconstructing Bill: The Story of Governor William C. Marland and Three Rivers: The Bluestone, Gauley and New. Together Hitchcock and Barbour produced Ken Hechler: In Pursuit of Justice.

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About West Virginia Public Broadcasting

West Virginia Public Broadcasting nurtures personal growth, promotes civic responsibility and inspires lifelong discovery through high-quality programming and services. West Virginia Public Radio, West Virginia PBS, wvpubcast.org and Ready To Learn® are all services of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting is a 501(c)3 organization responsible for receiving donated funds from individuals for annual membership to West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Friends serve as ambassadors in their communities on behalf of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

All of the licenses for West Virginia Public Broadcasting are held by the West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, Kay Goodwin, Secretary.

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