Jim Workman, Author at West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Mountain Stage Receives Vandalia Award

Mountain Stage is a recipient of the Vandalia Award, West Virginia’s highest folklife honor. It was presented during the 2022 Vandalia Gathering held May 27 in Charleston.

Mountain Stage, a program produced exclusively by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, has been a beloved live music radio show since 1983. The program was honored for being a “proud ambassador for West Virginia” around the world, introducing West Virginia musicians to countless listeners, and offering a platform for emerging artists and seasoned performers from virtually every genre of music.

The Vandalia Award is presented to individuals and groups who embody the spirit of West Virginia’s folk heritage and are recognized for their lifetime contribution to West Virginia and its traditional culture. The Vandalia Award is a cherished lifetime achievement recognition for those who have dedicated much of their lives to preserving and honoring West Virginia’s traditional heritage.

Butch Antolini, chief executive officer and executive director of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, said the Vandalia Award couldn’t be given to a more deserving group.

“Mountain Stage is far and away West Virginia’s most visible ambassador on the airwaves all across the world,” Antolini said. “More than 280 of America’s radio stations broadcast this exclusive production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, and our reputation in the entertainment industry is unmatched.

“Mountain Stage being selected as the 2022 recipient of the Vandalia Award is most deserving,” Antolini added.

“We’re truly grateful that Mountain Stage has been chosen to receive the 2022 Vandalia Award along with Goldenseal magazine,” said Larry Groce, co-founder of Mountain Stage and its original host. “Many West Virginia traditional musicians have been featured on the show over the years including 16 former Vandalia Award winners, and we love to bring this wonderful music to the world. Thanks to Curator Randall Reid-Smith and everyone at the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History for this great honor.”

“It’s an honor to be acknowledged with the Vandalia Award as we approach our 40th Anniversary,” said Adam Harris, executive producer of Mountain Stage. “Mountain Stage, with Larry Groce’s creative vision, has helped showcase some of West Virginia’s best traditional music to radio listeners around the world, including many of the past award recipients like The Bing Brothers, Melvin Wine, and Everett Lilly of the Lilly Brothers.”

MountainStage.org

Calhoun County Teacher Awarded For Going ‘Above And Beyond’

Laura Webb, a third grade reading and social studies teacher from Calhoun County, has earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting's Above and Beyond Award for March 2022.

Laura Webb, a third grade reading and social studies teacher from Calhoun County, has earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for March 2022. The award recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Webb was surprised by a special assembly at Arnoldsburg Elementary by WVPB education director Maggie Holley and Principal Jennifer Hunt, where she received a monetary award and our signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The award is proudly sponsored by the West Virginia State Treasurers Office, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State.

Webb was nominated by Carissa Yoak, who described Laura as a teacher who has her students “so intrigued and invested that they don’t even realize they are learning.”

Webb finds a variety of ways to make learning exciting for her students. She’s conducted activities such as mock trials, crime scenes, and carnivals. Miss Webb mentioned making blanket forts with her class as her favorite.

“For Dr. Seuss Week, we transformed the entire room with blanket forts and spent the entire day reading,” she explained. “It was so peaceful and the students loved it.”

In addition to providing fun and meaningful learning experiences in the classroom, Webb is also the coordinator for the summer school program, “Summer Boost.” She encourages those in her community to come out and participate this summer.

When asked what she loves about her job, Webb mentioned how important it is to build relationships with the kids. Getting to know them is one of the things she loves most about her job. It is clear that she is passionate about her students and teaching and shows that every day. Whether it is writing her students personal letters of encouragement for upcoming tests, attending her students’ extra-curricular games, or staying after school to help students with a variety of projects, Webb is wholeheartedly there for her students.

Each month WVPB has an esteemed panel of judges that select one deserving teacher who goes above and beyond for the students in West Virginia.

Nominate a deserving teacher that goes “Above and Beyond.”

The Lawrence Welk Show Returns To Air On WVPB

By popular demand, The Lawrence Welk Show returns to West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Sat. April 2.

Thanks to hundreds of public television stations, “The Lawrence Welk Show” has aired for 34 record-setting years on public television – an all-time record for any musical variety syndicated program and it’s still going strong.

“The Lawrence Welk Show is an American tradition,” said WVPB interim executive director Butch Antolini. “We are thrilled to bring it back to broadcast on WVPB.”

The Lawrence Welk Show will air on West Virginia Public Broadcasting Saturdays at 7 p.m.

“The Lawrence Welk Show” continues to provide inspiration to students majoring in music, young aspiring singers and dancers, big band students, precious memories for mom, dad, grandma and grandpa, and the healing power of music as therapy for older viewers suffering with memory challenges.

This series features the stars of The Lawrence Welk Show, including the harmonious quartet of The Lennon Sisters; “the happy Norwegian” Myron Floren; and Champagne Lady, Norma Zimmer.

The performances include appearances by honky-tonk pianist Jo Ann Castle; the ever-popular Ralna English and Guy Hovis; and fan favorite, Bobby Burgess.

The cycle will comprise of soloists Anacani and Tom Netherton, the incomparable Mary Lou Metzger, Big Tiny Little and other fan favorites.

WVPB Names Douglas News Director

West Virginia Public Broadcasting has named Eric Douglas as its News Director.

Previously he served as its interim news director.

Douglas is a native of Kanawha County who graduated from Marshall University with a degree in journalism. He has written for newspapers and magazines throughout his career.

Prior to coming to West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Douglas created several documentaries including photo essays on the people of Russia and lobster divers in Honduras along with audio documentaries on West Virginia war veterans and the history of baseball in Charleston, West Virginia.

He is an author, writing both nonfiction and fiction, including a series of thriller novels set in locations around the world.

Douglas has also produced a series of “Appalachian Author Interviews” for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

WVPB Names McCormick Webmaster, Digital Coordinator

West Virginia Public Broadcasting has named Liz McCormick as its Webmaster and Digital Coordinator.

McCormick started with West Virginia Public Broadcasting in 2014 as an intern. She was hired as a freelance reporter in July of that year, and then hired full-time in December 2014 as the Eastern Panhandle reporter/producer.

In August 2020, she added the education beat to her newsroom responsibilities.

McCormick is also associate producer and a reporter on WVPB’s television program, The Legislature Today.

McCormick graduated from Capital High School in 2010 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and New Media with a concentration in Digital Filmmaking and a minor in Theater from Shepherd University in 2014.

Mineral County Teacher Goes Above And Beyond

Kimberly Nester, a middle and high school Spanish teacher from Mineral County, has earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for February 2022, which recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Nester was honored at Keyser Middle School on March 1. She received a monetary award and our signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight from WVPB education director Maggie Holley. The award is proudly sponsored by the West Virginia State Treasurers Office, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State.

Mrs. Nester was nominated by her husband and colleague, Tommy Nester, who described how she immerses her students into the Spanish language daily. He states that Kimberly engages students through projects, games, and music. Students also connect on an emotional level, building ofrendas to honor a deceased loved one while learning about Mexican traditions.

Nester stated that the best thing about teaching is forming strong relationships with her students. She described how students have her class for two years and the course credit follows them into high school. Mrs. Nester said, “I use a lot of different things to keep the students engaged (not just rote memorization). I integrate technology, study the culture, and show the students that I am not afraid to be goofy.”

Each month, an esteemed panel of judges selects one deserving teacher who goes above and beyond for the students in West Virginia. If you know of a deserving teacher that goes “Above and Beyond,” nominate them on our Above and Beyond page.