Illinois State University ISU ReD: Research and eData WGLT Program Guides Arts and Sciences Spring 3-1-2010 WGLT Program Guide, March-April, 2010 Illinois State University Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/wgltpg Recommended Citation Illinois State University, "WGLT Program Guide, March-April, 2010" (2010). WGLT Program Guides. 229. https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/wgltpg/229 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Arts and Sciences at ISU ReD: Research and eData. It has been accepted for inclusion in WGLT Program Guides by an authorized administrator of ISU ReD: Research and eData. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IN THIS ISSUE: GLT Friends Council Talkin' Blues Spring Fund Drive The GLT Friends Council: a brief history Ben Shows a Lot of H(e)art as new GLT Friends Council Chair by GLT General Manager Bruce Bergethon by GLT Development Director Aaron Wissmiller The GLT Friends Council is a group of commu­ As self-proclaimed, lifelong "townies," Ben Hart and his wife Katie have strong nity supporters with a simple mission: to "increase roots in the community. They make a happy home with their 2½ year-old daughter, the financial well-being of WGLT to insure its Lauren, and a 15-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer (properly named Hans, but ongoing operation." Since 1997, the organization affectionately known as "The Wonderdog"). has helped with projects large and small that have Ben grew up in Bloomington/Normal, graduated from the University of Colorado augmented the station's finances, but more impor­ at Boulder in 1992, then returned to the twin cities to earn his MBA from Illinois tantly, its impact in the community. State University in 1995. Like many good things, the Council had its origin It was during this time that Ben discovered GLT, which has turned out to be one of in a time of crisis. In 1996, an ad hoc university his favorite parts of living in central Illinois. Before long, he was volunteering as a committee was charged with determining if fund drive phone volunteer. He stepped up his commitment a decade ago by agree­ Illinois State University should continue, or ing to be a member of the GLT Friends Council. He accepted his new position as eliminate, its longstanding support for WGLT. the leader of the Council with great pride and is enthusiastic about the expanded Luckily for us, the committee recommended membership and redefined roles of the group. that WGLT continue to be supported by the University. A further recommendation was that "I see the Council as another set of eyes, ears, and arms to help the station grow the station should form a community advisory group to help it seek private funding and to continue to serve the needs of the central Illinois community," says Hart. - hence the creation of the GLT Friends Council in 1997. Ben is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Services for Heritage Enterprises, Original Council bylaws were written by ISU Provost Al Goldfarb, with local Inc., a growing local company operating 31 skilled nursing facilities throughout businessman John Copenhaver, a staunch community supporter. Copenhaver Illinois. (Craig Hart, Ben's father, was one of the company's founding partners in became the first chair of the Council. He was succeeded in 1999 by Bruce 1963.) They take the word "heritage" seriously, as demonstrated by the company's Breitweiser, who chaired the Council through a dramatic period (1999-2009) leading role in the renovation of Downtown Bloomington. of financial growth for GLT. Ben Hart, profiled in this issue of the guide (see following page), is the new Council Chair. He leads a group that has recently In 1989, Heritage Enterprises became one of the been expanded from a dozen community supporters to twice that number. first companies to move back in to downtown, bucking the trend of the late 70s and 80s, when In addition to helping GLT staff with corporate and individual fundraising, the the area lost many businesses to eastside develop­ Friends Council acts as an advocate for the station with many constituencies, in­ ment. The company purchased three buildings in cluding local leaders and elected officials, and serves as a forum for GLT to solicit the 100 block of West Jefferson and completed a and receive opinions from a group that represents community perspectives. floor-to-ceiling remodel to historical standards, maintaining as many of the building's unique The achievements of the Friends Council are many. Suggestions from Council architectural features as possible. Ben was membership have led to shortened fund drives, increases in the number of indi­ involved in the rehab in a very hands-on way - vidual supporters, and the concept of the GLT Day Sponsorship. With Council as in swinging a hammer and crowbar while advice, GLT has increased corporate sponsorship by 250% from 1997 to 2009. In gutting the basement. All that hard work paid addition, Council members were responsible for the concepts of the GLT Summer off - his new office has floor-to-ceiling windows Concert (turning 10 this year) and the GLT Jazz Masters series (2003-2009). We're that offer a beautiful view of the historic McLean excited about the current make-up of the council and expect even more achieve­ County Museum of History. (continued) ments over the next few years. -2- -3- Ben Hart (continued) GLT Friends Council 2010-2013 Heritage's commitment to downtown Bloomington is also demonstrated by their multi-year sponsorship of the GLT Summer Concert, celebrating its Randy Africano AAM Consulting 10th anniversary this year. *Jerry Antonini OSF Healthcare Brad Barker Brad Barker Honda GLT has been an integral part of Ben's life for many years. He starts his day Dunbar, Breitweiser Co, LLP well-informed with Morning Edition and enjoys the in-depth, well-paced Bruce Breitweiser & news and interviews from All Things Considered and Fresh Air to end his Nancy Brokaw Freelance Writer workday. Then there's the weekend. Ron Dietz WM Putnam Co. David Efaw Doran, Capodice, Efaw & Ocheltree, LLC "I rarely spend a Friday evening without a little time with Delta Frank the Blues Doctor and I always include Tom and Ray from CarTalk in Brad Glenn, Vice Chair BNG Realty my weekend routine," said Hart. *Danny Hajek ISU student, GLT music host Ben Hart, Chair Heritage Enterprises When asked why he has given so much of his time, energy, and money to the station over the years, he said it all comes back to community. Like *Jeff Hartweg Burwood Group many, Ben is concerned about reductions in local news reporting and sees Deb Hoelscher Eastland Chiropractic & Wellness Center GLT as the standard for excellence in both local and national journalism. *Erika Kubsch Downtown Bloomington Association Most importantly, Ben recognizes that strong community support is required *Matt Maloney State Farm Insurance Companies to maintain this caliber of service and is enthusiastic about using his new RobMcDade COUNTRY Financial position as an opportunity to serve the community through GLT. Don Munson GLT music host *Carol Carey Odekirk State Farm Insurance Companies *Cathy Pratt Pratt and Pratt PC *Jon Rosenthal Illinois State University *Carl Sneed State Farm Bank *Dave Snyder Wells Fargo Advisors *Rich Stroyan First State Bank Bill Sulaski Sulaski and Webb, CPAs *Heather VanVoorhis Marriott Hotel & Conference Center Gary Wilson Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center John Winkler Certified Public Accountant Drake Zimmerman Zimmerman & Armstrong Investment Advisors, Inc. *Incoming members November 2009 -4- -5- ILLINOIS The Program Director Sometimes Knows Best (GLT)hree Musketeers at SHAKESPEARE by GLT Program Director Mike McCurdy FESTIVAL The results are in! In the November-December Guide and online One of our favorite events of the year is the GLT Night at the Illinois at our website we asked you to help choose some new programs for Shakespeare Festival (ISF). As it sells out every year, we know it's one of our all-news channel, HD3 News & Ideas (also heard as an online yours, too. This first-class evening begins with a picnic on the shaded lawn stream at our website, wglt.org). The "winning" shows, all added to of Ewing Manor amid the lush splendor of the Genevieve Green gardens. our HD3 schedule in March, are described below. GLT 24/7 Blues on HD2 A delectable boxed dinner from The Garlic Press Market Cafe is accompanied by a live band. Dessert from Carl's lee Cream and your choice of soda or water Of all the programs, PRl's The World received the most first place votes. are included. A cash wine/beer bar will be available, but you are welcome to What didn't do so well was WireTap. Maybe it garnered only one first place carry in your own beverages of choice. vote because of unfamiliarity with the host or the show. Regardless, some- times a Program Director has to make a decision which bypasses listener A performance of The Three Musketeers follows dinner. This action-packed requests and instead relies on instinct. I think you'll like it. That's why swashbuckler by playwright Robert Kauzlaric has been adapted from the WireTap made the cut. Dumas classic adventure novel and is the one non-Shakespearean play in this year's season. (The ISF usually includes one more-contemporary offering WireTap, Sunday, 12:00 pm each season that showcases great works of literature or newer playwrights.) You'll recognize Jonathan Goldstein's signature flair and confessional tone - a style he developed as a regular contributor to This American Your $48 admission includes it all and supports your public radio station, Life.