An exclusive sneak peek...

During the past few years, WPT has been an innovative leader in public television as it has told the stories of Wisconsin soldiers through the groundbreaking and award-winning Wisconsin World War II Stories and Wisconsin Korean War Stories projects.

The next installment in this series will be a sweeping look at the experiences and impact of the Vietnam War on Wisconsin soldiers with Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories. The project is expected to air on WPT in 2010, but work has already begun around the state to find veterans who are willing to tell their stories.

As a special Web exclusive, Be more Tuned In is proud to present a sneak preview of two of the show's interviews. To learn more about Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories, visit WisconsinStories.org.



Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories is being produced as a partnership of the Wisconsin Historical Society and WPT, in association with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

An award-winning blog...

Good news, Be more Tuned In fans!

Our little insider's blog from Wisconsin Public Television, was recently awarded the prize for Best Web site/Large Market at the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Since March of 2006, we've provided an innovative look at WPT's programs with regular postings and articles -- taking you beyond the shows you see on television, venturing behind-the-scenes at WPT events and introducing you to PBS personalities through interviews and downloadable podcasts.

The NETA award was one of 24 prizes given out to public broadcasters from around the country during a celebratory presentation at the association's annual conference. A full list of award winners is available here.

We hope to keep up this high level of blogging with more new and exciting features coming soon!

A 40-year landmark...

40 years ago today -- on Feb. 18, 1968 -- the first national broadcast of Mister Rogers Neighborhood was aired on educational public television stations throughout the United States.

And, while Fred Rogers passed away in 2003, his show is still on the air on those original (and undoubtedly many other) stations. On WPT, you can find the program at 12:30 p.m. weekdays.

His influence in child development remains as a beacon of compassion, mentoring and understanding. In fact, a recent annual study from Beloit College that gauges the mindset of modern college freshmen pointed out that for today's 18-year-olds, Walter Cronkite was never the most trusted man in America. For them, Fred Rogers was, and still is.

To celebrate the anniversary, NPR's Morning Edition offered a special tribute to Rogers that can be found here.

And, digging way back into the archives, this link leads to an interview with Fred Rogers that was conducted by Be more Tuned In's blogger back in 2002.

A successful Expo...

The thousands of people who attended this past weekend's 15th-annual Garden Expo in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison found a warm and inviting respite from the bitter cold temperatures outside. The central-garden display, thanks to the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association (WLCA), created a unique oasis and a showcase for the latest trends in landscaping.

Expo-goers received helpful hints, learned about new lawn, garden and landscaping technology and purchased new supplies from exhibitors, vendors, lecturers and educators. Volunteers from around the state contributed to the event's success. Many thanks to everyone involved!

To get a feel for a bit of the event's scope, Be more Tuned In captured a brisk tour through the event floor. If you were there, see if you can find yourself. If you weren't there, see a small bit of what you missed!



Mark your calendars now for next year's Garden Expo on Feb. 13, 14 and 15, 2009.

Garden Expo is presented by Wisconsin Public Television and the UW-Extension/Cooperative Extension Horticulture Team.

Garden Expo is generously supported by Blain's Farm & Fleet, Green Power Tomorrow from MGE, Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association and Zimbrick Volkswagen.

Snowfall marks Springtime...

While the snow on the ground might not indicate it, now is the perfect time to start thinking about Spring! This weekend is Garden Expo at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center. To tell you more about the wonderful green oasis created in the convention hall, Be more Tuned In has a special message from Shelley Ryan, the host and producer of WPT's The Wisconsin Gardener.

Some might find it strange that as a gardener I look forward to February, but it's become one of my favorite times of the year. The second weekend of the month is when I get together with old gardening friends and meet some new ones at the Garden Expo.

Part of the fun of gardening is the planning and at Garden Expo, not only do I get to talk about gardening for a full weekend, I get to see all the latest gardening and landscaping trends in one place. It's become part on my annual planning process.

This year's Garden Expo -- in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison -- is Feb. 8, 9 and 10. The event will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Stop to chat with me. I'll be spending some time each day at the Wisconsin Public Television booth.

At 11 on Saturday morning, I'll be with Wisconsin Public Radio's "Garden Talk" Host Larry Meiller for the Ask the Hosts seminar. Come prepared to ask us your gardening questions. It's always a fun-filled informative hour.

My friends from UW-Extension and Wisconsin Master Gardeners will have booths where they'll answer questions, and offer tips and advice. It's also a great place to shop and get ideas with more than 400 vendor booths that feature the latest gardening tools, gadgets, lawn equipment and yard art. I always find some new things I just have to have.

The weekend offers a respite for winter-weary Midwesterners and an abundance of things to do and see. Visit wpt.org/gardenexpo on the Web to register for workshops, purchase tickets and to see the seminar and demonstration schedules.

Shelley

Garden Expo is presented by Wisconsin Public Television and the UW-Extension/Cooperative Extension Horticulture Team.

Garden Expo is generously supported by Blain's Farm & Fleet, Green Power Tomorrow from MGE, Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association and Zimbrick Volkswagen.