Free previews of Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Manitowoc-Two Rivers... And ice cream, too!

Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Manitowoc-Two Rivers premieres at 8 p.m. Monday, July 6 on WPT. But viewers can get an advance look at the history documentary during two free public screenings in the Manitowoc and Two Rivers area.

On Wednesday, July 1. At 2 p.m., an ice cream social and community screening will be held at the J.E. Hamilton Community House in Two Rivers. At 7 p.m., a community screening will be offered at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc.

The program follows the evolution of two cities whose culture, commerce and recreation have been shaped by neighboring Lake Michigan.

The Wisconsin Hometown Stories series is produced by WPT through a partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Get Daily Program Updates Via Twitter

You can now follow WPT on Twitter at twitter.com/wispublictv to receive daily program updates and last-minute schedule changes.

Each day, WPT will provide you with a program highlight for that evening, updated information about WPT events and helpful links that will take you around the Web for more information about your favorite WPT programs.

It's Auction time...

It's Auction time again on WPT! The frenzy of the live televised WPT Auction picks up at 7 tonight with Sports Night and will offer bidding and buying excitement as well as good deals on merchandise from local individuals and businesses through Sunday.

Articles up for bid each weeknight at 7 and Saturday and Sunday beginning at noon include art, jewelry, vacations, things for home and businesses, gardening tools and equipment, sports tickets and equipment, and items for families and children.

For the full schedule of nightly Auction themes and to view and bid on Major and Showcase items, visit wpt.org/auction. There are also great deals to be had on that Web site with the Deals of the day.

Now in its 34th year, the WPT Auction is one of the largest community fundraising events in the state. Proceeds support WPT's programming and outreach events. If you'd like to volunteer for this year's Auction -- either on- or off-camera -- there are still opportunities available.

Visit wpt.org/volunteer for more information. The video below shows some of the roles you can take on!

A summer preview from PBS...

It is going to be an exciting summer on WPT! The video below from PBS previews just a few of the new programs coming this season from History Detectives, Nature, American Experience and Masterpiece Mystery!

Visit wpt.org/schedule to see what's on tap for the next two weeks. Or, pledge your support to WPT and start receiving Airwaves in the mail. In the member magazine you will find all of the program information you need to satisfy your summer public television viewing.

WPT "White Deer" Video Finds Internet Fame...

The segment below from WPT's In Wisconsin, about a herd of rare white deer in Northern Wisconsin, has been viewed online more than 1.5 million times, becoming an Internet hit.

The segment, which features stunning footage of a white deer herd in Boulder Junction and interviews with Mercer wildlife photographer Jeff Richter and Manitowish naturalist John Bates, originally aired on In Wisconsin in March.

Soon after, a visitor to In Wisconsin's Web site shared the link on StumbleUpon, an Internet community that allows users to suggest Web sites to other Internet users who have similar interests. From there, the video's link spread via email, was shared on other environmental-and outdoor-themed Web forums and was the top ranked video on the PBS homepage, pbs.org.


You can also watch full episodes of In Wisconsin by visiting wpt.org/inwisconsin.

WPT Behind the Scenes -- UW Band Director Michael Leckrone

In anticipation of this years University of Wisconsin Varsity Band Spring Concert on WPT, we headed to the Kohl Center in Madison to talk with Director of Bands Michael Leckrone. He discussed the work that goes into creating each year's Spring Concert, how the tradition of his "flying" entrances began and why this annual show means so much to the band members and its die-hard fans.

Watch the University of Wisconsin Varsity Band Spring Concert: 35th Anniversary Special on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and again at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3.

Participate in the Quilt Expo Quilt Contests...

Quilters are invited to enter quilts in this year's 10-category juried and judged contest. The contest awards first-, second- and third-place cash prizes in each of the 10 categories.

The first-place winner in each category receives $500, second-place $300 and third-place $200, plus a Best of Show winner is awarded $1,500. From the entries, a special Viewers' Choice winner is selected by Quilt Expo attendees and receives $500. The 2008 award-winning quilts may be viewed at the Quilt Expo Web site.

The Kids' Quilt Challenge for youth age 15 and under is sponsored by Nancy Zieman Productions and awards gift certificates to the top three quilts -- a $200 certificate for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place.

Both quilt contest entry forms are available for download at the Quilt Expo Web site. For more information, call 800-253-1158.

The 2009 Quilt Expo is presented by WPT and Nancy Zieman Productions 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 through Saturday, Sept. 12 in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The event includes the quilt contest exhibits, additional special quilt exhibits, Sit & Sew, and hands-on workshops taught by leading quilting educators, stage presentations with innovative tips and techniques, a vendor mall with national and local businesses, two special evening events, appearances by Nancy Zieman of public television's Sewing With Nancy and prize drawings.

Last chance to apply for Antiques Roadshow Wisconsin tickets...

The ticket application period for Antiques Roadshow's visit to Madison closes next Monday, April 20. Apply now for your chance to attend!

Antiques Roadshow producers want WPT viewers to dig out their hidden treasures as the favorite show brings its lights, cameras and appraisers to The Alliant Energy Center in Madison Saturday, July 11.

Roadshow fans can apply to be part of a random drawing for a limited number of free tickets. Complete ticketing rules are available online at pbs.org/antiques or by dialing toll-free 1-888-762-3749. Ticket recipients will be selected at random from all eligible entries.

For more information about the other cities that join Madison for Antiques Roadshow's 2009 tour and to sign up for the show's e-newsletter that will provide up-to-the-minute updates on the show's Wisconsin event, visit the show's official Web site.

WPT Stations End Analog Broadcasts April 5...

WPT will end analog broadcasts on the six transmitters around Wisconsin on this Sunday, April 5. After that date, WPT will transmit only digital signals, which are already on the air. Many TV stations in Wisconsin ended analog broadcasts on Feb. 17.

WPT will continue to offer viewer support Digital TV phone lines to answer questions about Digital TV, over-the-air reception, the federal converter box coupon program and other topics. Toll-free calls can be made to 800-422-9707.

If you or any of your friends, family and neighbors are having trouble setting up converter boxes, adjusting antennas or otherwise preparing for the switch, please call or visit wpt.org/digitaltv. WPT is here to help.

WPT wins prestigious Cronkite Award...

For the fourth biennial election cycle in a row, WPT has been awarded the University of Southern California Annenberg Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism.

The 2009 award recognizes the expansive body of work WPT produced during the 2008 election season. Election news, information, candidate statements and more were offered to viewers via WPT's weekly news and public affairs programs, campaign and election specials, on-air debates and Web sites. WPT previously won the prestigious national award in 2007, 2005 and 2003.

In bestowing the award, judges called WPT's campaign stories "as good as political coverage can get."

The award is presented every two years by the Norman Lear Center at USC's Annenberg School of Communication.

Learn more about this award by clicking here.

Catch Up on Public TV Shows Online...

Miss an episode of one of your favorite WPT programs? Trying to recall something you saw on Frontline last week? PBS is now offering a large number of their quality programs online for free in one convenient place.

Visitors to pbs.org/video will find a portal to more than two dozen PBS programs that have episodes and past program content available for viewing online.

These choices include episodes of American Experience, NOVA, NOW on PBS and Nature. There are also classic segments from Julia Child's cooking programs and archival collections from The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer.

Garden Expo Starts Friday!

It's Time to Think Green!
Feb. 13, 14 and 15, 2009
Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison

Make plans now to attend this year's event! All proceeds support WPT programming.

• Hundreds of exhibitor booths selling seeds, plants, books, tools, lawn equipment and other exciting merchandise for gardens and yards of all sizes.
• More than 100 free educational seminars and demonstrations on topics including lawns, gardens, landscape design and more.
• A 1,200-square-foot central-garden display sponsored by the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association.
• A chance to meet Master Gardener Shelley Ryan, producer and host of WPT's The Wisconsin Gardener.
• UW-Extension horticulture experts will be available to offer insight, plant identification and tips to gardeners and amateur landscapers of all levels.
• Nonprofit groups specializing in mulching various plant species, rain gardens, rock gardens, conservation efforts and more will have booths to share their information.
• An exciting Garden Expo raffle for prizes including landscape packages, equipment, decorations, tools and more. The nominal raffle ticket price supports WPT programming.
  

Tickets for Garden Expo cost $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Two-day passes are available for $10 both in advance and at the door.

To find a list of advance ticket vendors around the state, information about all of Garden Expo's educational offerings, hands-on workshop registration and details on the Garden Expo raffle and available prizes, please visit wpt.org/gardenexpo.

PBS invades The Daily Show...

In the past two days, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart has had a distinctive PBS feel to it. Perhaps that is due to its two guests -- Washington Week moderator Gwen Ifill and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who hosts Nova ScienceNow.

Watch both of their interviews below.

Gwen Ifill

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Gwen Ifill

Daily Show Full Episodes
Daily Show Tickets

More Funny Videos
Comedians on Tour

Neil DeGrasse Tyson

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Daily Show Full Episodes
Daily Show Tickets

More Funny Videos
Comedians on Tour

WPT NewsHour Alert...

Frederica Freyberg, anchor of WPT's Here and Now, appeared on Tuesday's edition of the NewsHour With Jim Lehrer.

Freyberg talked about Wisconsin's budget issues as part of a reporter discussion on how the recession is affecting states around the country. NewsHour correspondent Jeffrey Brown leads the reporter roundup with Freyberg and reporters from Florida, New York and California.

Watch the discussion from pbs.org/newshour below.



Here and Now airs at 7:30 p.m. Fridays on WPT. The NewsHour airs at 6 p.m. weeknights.

Laugh along with WPT...

Tonight's the night to laugh on WPT. The first episode of Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America premieres at 8 p.m. tonight, with two more two-hour installments at the same time each of the next two Wednesdays.

Can't wait to chuckle? Take a moment to enjoy the two PBS promos below (including the comedic talents of Jim Lehrer) for a quick guffaw, then tune in to the Billy Crystal-hosted program tonight!

Antiques Roadshow is Coming to Wisconsin!

Antiques Roadshow producers want WPT viewers to dig out their hidden treasures as the favorite show brings its lights, cameras and appraisers to The Alliant Energy Center in Madison Saturday, July 11.

Admission to the event is free, but tickets are required, limited and must be obtained in advance. Complete ticketing rules are available online at pbs.org/antiques or by dialing toll-free 1-888-762-3749. Ticket recipients will be selected at random from all eligible entries.

For more information about the other cities that join Madison for Antiques Roadshow's 2009 tour and to sign up for the show's e-newsletter that will provide up-to-the-minute updates on the show's Wisconsin event, visit the show's official Web site.

Watch the show's season premiere from Palm Springs, Calif. at 7 p.m. tonight on WPT.

WPT Behind the Scenes -- A Conversation With Rick Bayless

This past weekend, Chef Rick Bayless visited the WPT studios for a very special membership drive event. Be more Tuned In caught up with Chef Bayless after the show to ask him about the next season of Mexico: One Plate at a Time, his love of Mexican cuisine and what it is that keeps drawing him back to the United State's southern neighbor time and again.



Watch Mexico: One Plate at a Time's sixth season on WPT at 11 a.m. Saturdays. Keep an eye on wpt.org for schedule information on the seventh season which is in production now. For more information about Rick Bayless, visit rickbayless.com.

Special thanks to Metcalfe's Sentry for their support of Chef Bayless' Madison visit.

WPT Behind the Scenes -- Kohl Center "Ice Man" Art Schultz

In celebration of University of Wisconsin Badger Hockey on WPT, we went behind the scenes at the Kohl Center in Madison to learn what is involved in taking care of the ice all season long from ice supervisor and Zamboni driver Art Schultz a.k.a The Ice Man.



The next Badger Hockey broadcasts on WPT include this weekend's series against the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. Friday's game will be broadcast at 10:30 p.m. and Saturday night's broadcast is at 11. Visit wpt.org/sports for the full season broadcast schedule.

Special thanks to The Zambonis for permission to use music from "Music About Hockey: The Zambonis' Greatest Hits." Visit thezambonis.com for more information.

WPT Digital TV Tips...

The above video is just one of a collection of WPT Digital TV Tips that are available to help viewers ease their way through the Feb. 17, 2009 Digital TV transition.

WPT is urging viewers to not wait, but to make the switch now to avoid any interruption in television reception. WPT and most other broadcasters are already broadcasting their Digital TV signals alongside their analog broadcasts, but come February, those analog broadcasts will go away.

For more information, visit WPT's Digital TV Web page. To see other WPT Digital TV Tips, visit the Be more Tuned In YouTube channel.

Antiques Roadshow is Politically Collect...

This next Monday night, Antiques Roadshow throws its hat into the political media ring with a special episode of election and political-related finds. Antiques Roadshow "Politically Collect" airs at 7 p.m.

In the episode, which features items from both red and blue states, viewers will find an extensive and colorful collection of campaign buttons, a court affidavit submitted by Jimmy Carter to the state of Maine on the eve of the 1976 election appealing their decision to list him on the ballot as James Earl Carter and an heirloom desk and chair used at the United States House of Representatives from 1857 to 1873.

Find a preview segment featuring signed photos of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, valued at $75,000 by clicking here.

An Emmy award-winning series...

WPT producer JoAnne Garrett and videographer Frank Boll (pictured at left) were honored with an Emmy Award from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Arts & Sciences Saturday night for their work on a series of reports on wolves in Wisconsin.

Garrett and Boll were awarded in the category for "Outstanding Achievement within a Regularly Scheduled News Program -- Soft News Feature Series." Sound and music for the series was created and managed by WPT's Brad Wray.

The five-part series on issues surrounding the return of wolves in Wisconsin was part of a month-long series In Wisconsin this past spring. But, it was a culmination of more than four years of work from Garrett and Boll that resulted in a collection of rare moving images of wolves in the wild. Using creative video practices, including motion sensors, nighttime filming, tree stands and camouflaged hunting blinds, Boll was able to capture footage of the notoriously shy animals interacting on a snow-covered lake.

The award-winning series covered the history of wolves in the state, wolf-dog hybrids and issues related to wolves' interactions with hunters and farmers.

Watch the entire award-winning series by clicking here.

WPT Launches New Digital Broadcast Lineup

Last week WPT launched a new Digital TV broadcast lineup, which offers full-time high-definition capabilities, an award-winning Wisconsin PBS Kids program schedule that is available more than 11 hours each day and an expanded broadcast day for The Wisconsin Channel. To learn how you can receive WPT's digital channel lineup and to ensure you are ready for next February's digital TV transition now, visit the Digital TV Web site.

• WPT-HD - WPT's signature service features Wisconsin PBS Kids and in-school programs during the day, The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer at 6 p.m. weekdays, how-to, music and entertainment programs on the weekend, and the best educational, news and documentary programs from WPT and PBS each night -- all available in high-definition when available.
• The Wisconsin Channel - This channel features programs from around the state, highlighting the people, places and issues affecting Wisconsin residents.
• WPT Create - This channel features the best of public television's how-to programs, including cooking, home improvement, art, gardening and more. This channel also is home to Wisconsin PBS Kids programs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays, allowing parents to find their children's favorite shows when WPT-HD is offering in-school programming.
  

For a full program schedule of all three services, visit wpt.org/schedule on the Web.

Big week in presidential coverage on WPT...

UPDATE: Full episode of The Choice streaming below!

This is a big week in presidential politics and WPT has the bases covered with in-depth coverage on the air and online.

Tuesday night marks the premiere of this election cycle's version of Frontline "The Choice." The 20th anniversary broadcast of "The Choice" at 8 p.m. examines the rich personal and political biographies of John McCain and Barack Obama, and goes behind the headlines to discover how they arrived at this moment and what their very different candidacies say about America.

Watch the full episode of "The Choice" below.


At 8 p.m., Wednesday night, the reporting team from The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer will present commentary and insight surrounding their coverage of the final presidential debate, which will be hosted by CBS News' Bob Schieffer from Hofstra University in New York.

And, from now until the election, WPT and Wisconsin Public Radio team up to present the best source for election information online at WisconsinVote.org. The site has features that make it easy for voters to find the information they want. Archived audio programs from WPR's talk shows offer insight and analysis into the upcoming races. A collection of video clips from WPT's news and public affairs programs and national news shows provide a balanced look at the issues impacting and shaping campaigns.

And, a large selection of candidate profiles paint a biographical sketch of each candidate, allowing voters to decide which candidate most deserves their vote.

The Last Enemy starts Sunday...

This Sunday night marks the premiere of Masterpiece Contemporary. The first episode of the five-part technological thriller "The Last Enemy" airs at 9 p.m.

The film was written by "Prime Suspect" scribe Peter Berry and tells the story of a mathematical genius who takes a wild ride through the boundless paranoia of a surveillance society. The remaining episodes airs at 9 p.m. each Sunday through Nov. 2.

See a sneak preview clip of the show below.

New seasons of In Wisconsin and Here and Now...

New time for Here and Now, both shows now in HD

This week marks the start of a new season for both In Wisconsin and Here and Now on WPT. Both shows will begin broadcasting in stunning High Definition on WPT-HD.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Patty Loew hosts the season premiere of In Wisconsin with reports on the work of a University of Wisconsin-Madison stem cell research scientist, a Marquette County island pasture, the singing sands of Lake Superior's Julian Bay and a Darlington shop class that builds bridges.

At a new time -- 7:30 p.m. Friday, Frederica Freyberg anchors the season premiere of Here and Now, the half-hour show, which features exclusive interviews with news makers, insightful commentary on issues of statewide importance and news reports from throughout the state and around the nation on issues that affect Wisconsin life.

Gwen Ifill talks about WPT's new Friday night lineup

WPT's New Friday Night Lineup:

6 p.m. The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
7 p.m. Washington Week
7:30 p.m. Here and Now
8 p.m. Bill Moyers' Journal

An Invitation From Guest Blogger Nancy Zieman...

Greetings!

I invite everyone to take a little time this fall to escape, create, celebrate. Join WPT and Nancy Zieman Productions for the fourth-annual Quilt Expo 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Thursday, Sept. 11 through Saturday, Sept. 13. Quilt Expo is held in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.

We know you appreciate time to escape, be it one, two, or three days. Each day at Quilt Expo there are unique opportunities. Start by viewing our quilt contest exhibit. It's an amazing art show. Celebrate the artistic, creative, and imaginative expressions of quilters from around the country. Plus, vote for your favorite quilt; you get to be a judge!

This year, we have more opportunities for shopping. What quilter wouldn't like to escape to a quilting Mecca with more than 150 regional and national vendors who bring us the latest fabrics, tools, notions, books and patterns.

Create new quilting projects with more than 144 lectures and 60 hands-on or machine Sit & Sew Workshops. Learn from your favorite quilt instructors and introduce yourself to the newest quilting tips and techniques.

Thursday and Friday evenings offer an escape to two entertaining events. At 6 on Thursday, get ready to laugh at the true adventures of Kaye Wood. The PBS quilting celebrity shares some of the unusual things that have happened to her during her years of teaching quilting at "Why Do These Things Happen to Me? With Kaye Wood." At 6 on Friday, "Joe the Quilter: A Musical Quilt Show With Joe Cunningham" is a unique presentation. Inspired by the legacy of Joseph Hedley, a.k.a. Joe the Quilter, who lived in England from 1750 to 1830, Joe Cunningham became a professional quilter. His show illustrates Hedley's life through words, song and quilts made in his original style.

Each program admission fee is $20. To register, visit wiquiltexpo.com.

Get your tickets for the evening events soon; they're bound to sell out fast! Please join us at Quilt Expo and stop by the WPT booth to chat with me. I'll be there from 2:30 to 3:30 each day.

-Nancy Zieman

Digital TV Answers -- Ask WPT's Director of Television

Be more Tuned In visited WPT's Director of Television James Steinbach, who fielded some viewer comments and questions about the upcoming transition to digital TV.



On Feb. 17, 2009, all broadcasters in the United States will be turning off their analog transmitters and will be broadcasting exclusively in Digital TV. Viewers who watch TV over the air with an antenna need to take action and can do so now. Viewers without a new TV will simply need a digital converter box to keep receiving over-the-air TV signals in their home. The federal government is offering coupons to offset the cost of the boxes.

For more information about digital TV, visit wpt.org or call WPT's Audience Services department at 800.422.9709.

And, if you have any questions about any of WPT's services for James to answer in future installments of Ask WPT's Director of Television, post them in the comment area below.

If you have a high-speed Internet connection and would like to view the video in higher quality, follow this link to YouTube and click Watch in High Quality" below the video player.

Covering the conventions online and over the air...

During the next two weeks, WPT will be the place to find the most comprehensive coverage of the two Presidential National Conventions. The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer will be offering the only complete over-the-air prime time, gavel-to-gavel coverage of both convention.

The Democratic Party National Convention will be broadcast from Denver starting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 -- Thursday, September 28. The Republican Party National Convention will be broadcast live from St. Paul, Minn. starting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1 -- Thursday, Sept. 4.

In addition to the primetime television coverage, NewsHour reporters will be offering exclusive video reports from the convention halls and floors at the Online NewsHour. They will also be offering instant text updates on their Twitter feed and as-they-happen photo uploads on the NewsHour Flickr feed -- a combination tactic NewsHour staffers have coined as "Twickering."

As the election season unfolds, don't forget that your best source for Wisconsin-based election information is WisconsinVote.org. If you're looking for information from public television outlets around the country, you'll want to visit the PBS Vote 2008 Web site.

Sesame Street for young and old...

As Sesame Street begins its 39th broadcast season today, they have launched a new Web site that might be an even bigger story for the show's fans, both young and old. Available on-demand and 24-hours-per day, the new site is an interactive wonder.

On the colorful, video-intensive Web site, young viewers will love the fun animated games that they can play with their favorite Sesame Street characters. In fact, they probably won't even realize that they are learning important reading and math skills as they help Elmo count eggs in a barnyard or check a mailbox with Big Bird.

They can also watch new clips of their Sesame Street friends singing with Chris Brown or learning about friendship with Zoe, Abby Cadabby and Rosita.

And for older fans, the Web site offers a comprehensive archive of Sesame Street songs, clips and lessons from all of its 39 years. Taking a trip down memory lane, visitors will easily recall the series of animated pinball countdowns, the Ladybugs' Picnic, the classic moment of Grover learning to count with a young boy named John John and many more Sesame Street memories.

All of the videos can be added to customized play lists that can be revisited as often as a visitor wants -- essentially allowing each user the chance to string together their own episode of Sesame Street!

Parents will find their own section of hints, tips and resources for using the site and the show's broadcast for positive child development.

WPT Be more Tuned In Videocast -- PBS President Paula Kerger

For our next installment in the Be more Tuned In Videocast series, PBS President Paula Kerger joined us at the Wisconsin Public Television studios in Madison to talk about her perspectives on the strengths of public television.

In our conversation, Kerger, who became PBS President in early 2006, offered her thoughts on the opportunities and challenges facing PBS and discussed some of the innovative initiatives she has seen from WPT and other public broadcasters across the nation.

WPT Be more Tuned In Videocast --Paula Kerger



To learn more about PBS, visit their Web site.