As 2017 winds to a close, we’re looking back on some of our favorite memories of the year. From favorite programs to community events, this was a big year, with fun run-ins and meaningful moments.
Today’s memories come from Susannah Brooks, editor of our monthly member guide, Airwaves. Read on to find out what she’ll remember the most!
Wisconsin Public Television is saddened by the death of Nancy Zieman, longtime host of Sewing With Nancy.
Zieman passed away at her home in Beaver Dam Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer.
An educator, author, pattern maker, television producer, entrepreneur and innovator, Zieman inspired millions of sewing and quilting enthusiasts throughout her career. She hosted Sewing With Nancy, the longest-running sewing series on television, since 1982. The program continues to air on public television stations across the United States.
A careful, kind and generous presence, Zieman presented each of her programs in an engaging how-to format that empowered people of all skill levels to explore their own talents.
In addition to her TV program, Zieman was the founder of Nancy’s Notions, a Tacony Corporation company. Grown from her own kitchen table into a nationwide name trusted by sewers and quilters, the company offers thousands of products including sewing books, notions, videos and DVDs, fabrics and quilting products and embroidery designs through its website, retail store and Nancy’s Notions catalog.
In 2005, Zieman helped develop Quilt Expo with WPT in Madison. The event is a vibrant example of Zieman’s inspiration, now drawing more than 20,000 people from across the United States to celebrate the art and craft of quilting.
Zieman is survived by her husband, Richard, their two sons, Ted and Tom, and her beloved grandchildren.
“Nancy was an entrepreneur, a talented television host, a dear friend to so many people at Wisconsin Public Television, and a true Wisconsin treasure,” WPT’s Director of Television Jon Miskowski said. “During the time that she produced her series Sewing With Nancy with WPT, she made hundreds of hours of programs sharing her love of sewing and quilting – work that reflects the essence of Nancy’s legacy in passing the love of sewing, a passion she held very dear, on to the next generation. It was an honor for WPT to be a part of her story. We will all miss Nancy and share our condolences with her family and friends as we remember a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.”
“I am proud to have worked with Nancy on Sewing With Nancy for more than 25 years,” Laurie Gorman, WPT’s producer of Sewing With Nancy, said. “She had the rare ability to take her passion – the love of sewing – and share it with a national audience through the medium of television. Nancy was a savvy entrepreneur, talented colleague, and dear friend. She will be greatly missed by the staff at WPT and her many viewers and fans across the country.”
Zieman’s work on Sewing With Nancy lives on in the hundreds of hours of television that she created, much of which is available online at wpt.org/SewingWithNancy as a lasting resource that is still used by sewing and quilting enthusiasts around the world.
A private funeral service will be held. Fans and friends hoping to share their memories of Nancy’s life and inspiration are welcome to leave comments at NancyZieman.com/blog. If friends, fans and viewers desire, information about suggested memorial gifts is also available at that website.
Weekday afternoons aren’t just for kids anymore!
In September, the flagship channel of Wisconsin Public Television introduced something new. Now viewers who tune in between 1 and 3 p.m. from Monday-Friday can settle in for a relaxing treat with the new Midday Me Time block.
So indulge yourself! Whether you’re taking a break from hard work or just enjoying some time to yourself, Midday Me Time is the perfect way to catch up on classic PBS favorites – or discover new ones featuring the thoughtful, intriguing stories you love.
Read on for a preview of what’s coming up!
In April, we introduced you to David Olson, chair of the social studies department at Madison’s James Madison Memorial High School. As Wisconsin’s 2017 PBS Digital Innovator, he was one of 52 educators across the country to attend the 2017 PBS Digital Summit. Read their stories.
WPT spoke with Olson shortly after his return from the Digital Summit in San Antonio.
“Having access to high quality digital resources, and finding ways for teachers to connect with one other and foster innovation, can only lead to good things,” says Olson. “It will lead to much better outcomes for students; we’re creating citizens who hopefully will be ready to be full participants in a very different world than the one in which many WPT members might have grown up.”
For more great resources for educators, kids and anyone who loves to learn, visit WPT Education.
Continue reading Meet Wisconsin’s 2017 PBS Digital Innovator: David Olson
This fall’s new season of Wisconsin Life on Wisconsin Public Television brings plenty to get excited about. New adventures await, bringing us closer to the people and places that make our state such a great place to live and explore.
And, this year, the show has a new host to help guide the way.
Angela Fitzgerald joins Wisconsin Life as the series’ host for its fifth season, inviting viewers along to visit new locations, meet people whose passions, hobbies and expertise celebrate the best of our state, and introduce new stories from every corner of Wisconsin.
“I’m excited to experience the people and places of Wisconsin, while introducing our viewers to the diversity that exists in our state,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s been a blast filming in locations around Wisconsin so far, and I look forward to sharing all those stories with viewers across Wisconsin.”
In addition to her new role as host of Wisconsin Life, Fitzgerald is a member of the Madison College faculty, as well as a professional financial educator with Summit Credit Union. Her work in the field of financial literacy led her to be a founder of Brown Girl, Green Money – a social network of women of color working to support the achievement and pursuit of personal finance goals.
The award-winning WPT series dedicated to telling personal and engaging stories about Wisconsin people and places begins its new season Thursday, Oct. 5, but viewers can start watching exclusive new segments online now at WisconsinLife.org.
Get to know Angela a little bit better – and learn about some of the exciting places we’ll all visit in the new season of Wisconsin Life in this exclusive interview from a recent on-location shoot in Minocqua!
With so many great programs on Wisconsin Public Television, it’s hard to pick favorites – especially for the people who work here! Meet some of the people behind the scenes at WPT and see what gets us excited in this new blog series, “What We Watch.”
First up: Diane Agans, major gifts manager, who has worked for WPT since 1986.
With two busy teenagers, Diane enjoys programs the family can watch together and discuss – which includes a lot of public television programming!
Continue reading Introducing: What We Watch!
Antiques Roadshow has announced their 2017 tour, and the show is coming to Green Bay June 17!
The application process to enter the random drawing for a chance to receive free tickets is open now through April 10.
Can’t get enough Antiques Roadshow? Watch full episodes and favorite appraisals online now!
Wisconsin Public Television has exciting news! On Monday, Jan. 16 a brand-new 24/7 channel: WPT PBS KIDS and live stream will debut, supporting WPT’s mission to provide Wisconsin children with high-quality educational content. Read more about these new children’s services and how to tune in below!
Continue reading WPT to Launch New 24/7 PBS KIDS Channel on Jan. 16
New year, new Here & Now set! Here & Now‘s look has been completely revamped – from a brand-new set design to deeper story possibilities and a fresh logo. Go behind the scenes in WPT’s studios to view the set rebuild, reflect on Here & Now’s history, and hear from Here & Now anchor Frederica Freyberg and Here & Now producer Andy Moore about what they’re most looking forward to in 2017.
Then, tune in to Here & Now tomorrow – 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 – to be the first to view the show’s new look.
Continue reading WPT’s “Here & Now” Welcomes the New Year With a New Look
Come Soar With Us Again!
Wisconsin Winter From the Air
Coming to Wisconsin Public Television
at the end of November 2016
In Wisconsin From the Air, we took flight above the state we call home. Now, Wisconsin Winter From the Air – an all-new, visually stunning program – takes us into the sky again as we capture the wonder of a winter season that transforms the state’s landscape. This time, we’ll fly over some of Wisconsin’s most beloved landmarks and travel inside some of the active pastimes that bring us out into the cold to explore.
Loft above running rivers and frozen fields, soar over lighthouses and cityscapes, ski down snow-covered hills and across wandering trails and snowmobile along icy lakes.
As we anxiously await this exciting new show, we want you to be the first people to take a look inside the program
Today, we are sharing an exclusive first look and in coming weeks we will send you new segments from the program. We hope you will mark your calendar for the premiere date and share this video with your friends!
Funding for Wisconsin Winter From the Air provided by Ron and Colleen Weyers, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Morgan’s Shoes, John E. Kuenzl Foundation, Stanley J. Cottrill Fund, Francis A. and Georgia F. Ariens Fund within the Brillion Area Family of Funds, Holiday Vacations, and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television.
