WVPB News Story Archives - Page 2 of 1752 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

WVPB Foundation Receives Grant To Support Books For Buddies Reading Initiative

The West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. has received one of 60 grants recently announced by Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc. (YCF).

CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. has received one of 60 grants recently announced by Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc. (YCF). The grants were presented at a celebration sponsored by Hope Gas at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place on Nov. 15. The nonprofit distributed the donations to local charitable organizations in celebration of National Community Foundation Week.

These awards, ranging from $120 to $14,000, support community programs, schools, services and initiatives across Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston and Taylor counties.

“The mission at West Virginia Public Broadcasting is to educate, inform and inspire,” stated WVPB Education Director Maggie Holley. “One of our favorite things to do is to get books in the hands of children. The Books with Buddies program provides books for kids across West Virginia. We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Stephen D. Tanner Children’s Enrichment Fund, which is made possible by Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia.”

These grants were awarded on National Philanthropy Day, Nov. 15, which coincides with National Community Foundation Week, celebrated annually from Nov. 12-18. “On behalf of YCF’s Board of Directors, we thank our generous community of donors who make these grant awards possible,” said YCF’s Board Chair Martin Howe. “We also congratulate the nonprofits and schools receiving the awards and working to improve the lives of residents throughout our region.”

YCF’s mission is to promote philanthropy and build endowment funds to benefit our communities. Through financial resources, YCF extends many forms of assistance to qualified people, programs and projects. Primarily serving North Central West Virginia, YCF works to make charitable giving easy, flexible and effective.

For more information, please visit www.ycfwv.org or call the YCF office at 304-296-3433.

Learn more about WVPB education initiatives and access free resources at wvpublic.org/education.

WVPB Now Available To Hulu + Live TV Subscribers

West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) is now live streaming on Hulu + Live TV, one of the nation’s largest streaming services for live television with more than 4.5 million subscribers. Hulu + Live TV’s subscribers will now have access to inspiring and educational content created by the WVPB production team, along with PBS favorites.

Hulu + Live TV Subscribers Will Now Have Access to High-Quality, Educational and Inspiring Content from West Virginia Public Broadcasting

CHARLESTON, WV – West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) is now live streaming on Hulu + Live TV, one of the nation’s largest streaming services for live television with more than 4.5 million subscribers. Hulu + Live TV’s subscribers will now have access to inspiring and educational content created by the WVPB production team, along with PBS favorites, including PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, MASTERPIECE, Antiques Roadshow and WVPB PBS KIDS channel.

Participating PBS stations like WVPB will make Hulu + Live TV available in more than 300 markets over the next year. This agreement represents PBS’s continued commitment to make its quality and award-winning content accessible to all Americans on as many digital platforms as possible.

“We are extremely excited that West Virginia Public Broadcasting has been added to the local channels for subscribers of Hulu + Live TV,” said WVPB Interim Executive Director Eddie Isom. “This will allow more cord cutters to continue watching the local documentaries WVPB produces. As program distribution continues to evolve, WVPB will continue to grow our live streaming. We were added to DIRECTV and the PBS App earlier this year. We hope to add more streaming services in the near future.”

WVPB is telling West Virginia’s story. Watch WVPB over the air, on your local cable system, stream our content, or download the free app. Just search WVPB in the App Store or via Google Play. Visit our website at wvpublic.org for all the latest content, news, education resources, schedules and more.

PBS, PBS KIDS and local station content is also available on PBS.org and pbskids.org, as well as the PBS Video App and PBS KIDS Video app available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs from Samsung and Vizio. Local PBS station members are also able to view an extended library of quality public television programming via Passport.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kristi Wheeler, WVPB Marketing Manager
304.556.4911, kwheeler@wvpublic.org

WVPB’s Latest Above And Beyond Award Goes To Jeffrey Goff

Jeffrey Goff, an English teacher at James Monroe High School in Monroe County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for September 2023, which recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

During an assembly, Goff was presented the award by WVPB’s Education Director Maggie Holley. Goff received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurers’ Office sponsors the award, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State.

Goff has a clear passion for literature in the classroom, which shows in his work. He makes literary texts that high school students may deem daunting or advanced more approachable and meaningful. For example, to help bring Dante’s Inferno to life, he has students design their version and create it in either mixed media art or video form. For Shakespeare, Goff will take the students to the American Shakespeare Center in Virginia for shows and interactions with the actors.

Goff’s classroom neighbor stated, “Rather than merely reading and commenting on theater works, I hear enthusiastic student productions of various works of Shakespeare, Death of a Salesman, and Of Mice and Men through the wall.”

Goff is especially praised for his connections with students. Graduating seniors often said Goff made a profound, positive impact on them during their time at school. In addition, they described Goff as the teacher who had most prepared them for college and a career.

One current eleventh grader, Gavin French, said, “Mr. Goff is just a really wonderful teacher overall; without him, a lot of these students wouldn’t have the passion for English that they do, including myself, and I think he is absolutely deserving of this award.”

Goff’s nominator and teaching colleague stated, “With a mixture of tact, humor, and patience, he has been my sounding board and coach, all on an informal, selfless basis. Jeff is usually one of the first teachers to arrive and last to leave in the evening and always has time for conversations with parents, students, and peers. Jeff leads by example and consistently goes the extra mile for his 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. If you know of a deserving teacher who goes “Above and Beyond,” please click here to nominate them.

New Documentary Honoring The Legacy Of Woody Williams To Premiere This Weekend

To commemorate Veterans Day in West Virginia, West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) proudly releases a new documentary about the life of Medal of Honor recipient, Woody Williams titled, Woody Williams: An Extraordinary Life of Service. The show will air Saturday, Nov. 11, at 8 p.m. on WVPB. You can also watch the program on WVPB Passport and our YouTube channel.

Updated on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.

Watch Saturday, Nov. 11, at 8 p.m. on WVPB

CHARLESTON,WV: To commemorate Veterans Day in West Virginia, West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) proudly releases a new documentary about the life of Medal of Honor recipient, Woody Williams titled, Woody Williams: An Extraordinary Life of Service. The show will air Saturday, Nov. 11, at 8 p.m. on WVPB. You can also watch the program on WVPB Passport and our YouTube channel.

The front of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Charleston, West Virginia.

Photos courtesy of Jan Kunicki/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

The documentary chronicles the life of Hershel ‘Woody” Williams, America’s last living World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. William’s life was dedicated to God, family, country and perhaps above all, service. In 2022, Williams passed at the age of 98, and would lie in honor at both the West Virginia State Capitol and the US Capitol.

“Woody Williams: An Extraordinary Life of Service has been a great project for our video production team and showcases their talent in telling West Virginia’s story,” commented Interim Executive Director Eddie Isom. “We hope everyone learns about Mr. Williams’ commitment to his community that went way beyond his military service. We hope this hour-long documentary is an inspiration to others.”

The documentary shares how Williams at the age of 85, formed the Woody Williams Foundation, dedicated to honoring and helping Gold Star Families. Through the work of the foundation, there are now Gold Star Families Monuments in every state.

You can watch and stream this and other award-winning shows online at wvpublic.org, on our YouTube channel, or by downloading the WVPB app. It’s free and available in the Apple App Store or via Google Play – just search for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kristi Morey, WVPB Marketing Communications
304.556.4911, kmorey@wvpublic.org

WVPB Brings Sesame Street To The Celebration At The 2023 West Virginia Book Festival

This year, a beloved and familiar presence made the event even more special – iconic character standees, books and activities from Sesame Street, courtesy of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The 2023 West Virginia Book Festival came to life in Charleston, as book lovers of all ages flocked to the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

This year, a beloved and familiar presence made the event even more special – iconic character standees, books and activities from Sesame Street, courtesy of West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB).

Reading took center stage in this year’s festival as WVPB distributed hundreds of free books to children of all ages. But the festivities extended far beyond the world of books.

Families were treated to a day filled with creative crafts, engaging games, and invaluable information about learning opportunities for children. The event was not merely about reading; it was about celebrating the joy of learning and the endless possibilities that come with it.

Learn more about WVPB Education and how our team strives to educate, inform and inspire.

Joy To The World Tickets On Sale Now

Bob Thompson’s annual holiday jazz celebration is back! The event is at the West Virginia Culture Center Theater Thursday, Dec. 14, and Friday, Dec. 15.

Special Guests Vocalist Maria Muldaur and Trumpeter James Moore Join Annual Holiday Celebration

Thursday, Dec. 14 and Friday, Dec. 15, 2023

CHARLESTON, WV: Bob Thompson’s annual holiday jazz celebration is back! For over 30 years, Joy to the World has been delighting audiences with old and new holiday favorites.

The event is at the West Virginia Culture Center Theater Thursday, Dec. 14, and Friday, Dec. 15.

Joy to the World is presented by West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from the West Virginia Lottery.

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m.

All seats are general admission and are available online at Eventbrite or at https://mountainstage.org/.

Dec. 14 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/732959610927?aff=oddtdtcreator

Dec. 15 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/732982689957?aff=oddtdtcreator

“I’m looking forward to our 31st edition of Joy to the World,” shares Bob Thompson. “And I’m really looking forward to working with Maria Muldaur. Most of us know her from her classic hit, ‘Midnight at the Oasis,’ but she brings with her a history of being immersed in many genres of American roots music – Blues, early jazz, gospel, folk and New Orleans music are all part of her rich heritage. When you add trumpeter James Moore to our band, and we’ll have all the proper ingredients for a great Holiday party!”

Early-bird tickets are $25 when purchased before 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Tickets will be $30 from Nov. 25 until the day of show. Joining Thompson on stage is his long-time band: Timothy Courts on drums, Ryan Kennedy on guitars, John Inghram on bass, and special guest vocalist Maria Muldaur and Special Guest James Moore on trumpet.

Maria Muldaur is best known worldwide for her 1974 mega-hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” which received several Grammy nominations. Her 55-plus year career could best be described as a long and adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music. Maria has toured extensively worldwide and has recorded 41 solo albums covering all kinds of American Roots Music, including Gospel, R&B, Jazz and Big Band. She has now settled comfortably into her favorite idiom, the Blues. In September 2019, the Americana Music Association awarded Maria “The Lifetime Achievement Americana Trailblazer Award” for her lifelong work of covering the depth and breadth of American Roots music.

The world-renowned jazz pianist Bob Thompson is the Mountain State’s best-loved musician and ambassador of jazz. Since 1991, he has been a pianist, and regularly featured artist, on WVPB’s syndicated radio show, Mountain Stage, distributed by NPR Music. For 30 years now, he has also been co-producer and host of Joy to the World, a holiday jazz show broadcast on public radio stations nationwide. In October 2015, Thompson was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. He makes his home in Charleston, West Virginia, and has enjoyed a long and active career as a performer, composer, arranger and educator. Learn more about his work at colortones.com.

Watch and listen for last season’s show coming in December on WVPB radio and television.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kristi Morey, WVPB Marketing Communications
304.556.4911, kmorey@wvpublic.org