May 2018 AETN Magazine

HELP CHOOSE AMERICA’S FAVORITE BOOK MAGAZINE May 2018 100 BOOKS. 1 WINNER. PREMIERES TUESDAY, MAY 22, 7 PM #GreatReadPBS | pbs.org/greatamericanread From the AETN CFO Dear friends and Arkansas students and engaged our young- fellow supporters, est fans with special events at the Museum of Discovery, an Arkansas Travelers game and As I write this I the Mid-America Science Museum, among am beginning my others. We held numerous free public screen- seventh month as ings, including “Command and Control,” the Deputy Direc- “Hamilton’s America” and “Men & Women of tor for Administra- Distinction: Korto Momolu.” tion and Finance and Chief Fiscal At AETN we find ways to maximize every Officer (CFO) at AETN. I am excited to be dollar to the greatest benefit of the state’s back where I spent eight and a half years early citizens, donors and our membership base. in my career and to reunite a few old friend- About 37 percent of our budget is funded ships and to gain many new ones as we work by the state through general appropriations, to continue the great tradition and reputation which are essential to providing the necessary for excellence that AETN has earned. infrastructure to make our broadcasts avail- able to Arkansans. Our events and activities In my role at AETN I am responsible for help- are often funded by grants from partners and ing assure that we have the resources, both other producing stations. You’ll see in the financial and in personnel, to carry on the im- financial report the other sources of revenue portant work that Arkansans rely on AETN to that support our essential services. Notice provide. I also help lead a staff of professionals that we depend on members and donors like that is dedicated to honoring the trust placed you for about 16 percent of our budget. With- in us by the taxpayers, grantors and donors out you and your support we would not be who support AETN and its mission. able to bring you the great programming that has made AETN and PBS so important to you AETN is known throughout the state for our and all of our viewers. wonderful programming, community out- reach, educator resources and impact on early Thank you for your continued support of learning for children. Each year in our annual AETN and its mission. We will work tirelessly report we share with you some of the high- to continually live up to the trust placed in lights of the important work that we do. Our us to provide the services you expect with goal is to be transparent, responsible stewards the highest level of fiscal responsibility and of your tax and donation dollars. integrity. In fiscal year 2017, AETN addressed poverty in the state with local productions and com- Sincerely, munity forums, registered more than 10,000 new users in the ArkansasIDEAS professional development portal for educators and pre- miered the regional Emmy-winning docu- mentary “Dream Land: Little Rock’s West Fred Wiedower 9th Street.” We distributed tens of thousands AETN Chief Fiscal Officer of pieces of summer learning materials to “From exploring the nature of good and evil to discovering a world far away from our own, books have the power to transform, to inspire and to stay with you long after the final page has been turned.” ~ Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS When will the book list be revealed? The book list will be revealed to the public in spring 2018, before the launch episode premieres on Tues- day, May 22. The list will include 100 fictional titles spanning different themes like love, heroes, villains, other worlds and what it means to be an American. When does voting start? Voting will start when the launch episode premieres What is America’s Best-Loved Novel? on Tuesday, May 22, and will remain open through the fall broadcasts. Viewers are invited to vote for “The Great American Read” is an eight-part their favorite book by visiting television and online series designed to spark pbs.org/greatamericanread. a national conversation about reading and the books that have inspired, moved and shaped us. How do I get involved? The series will engage audiences with a list of 100 Follow “The Great American Read” on Facebook diverse books. Audiences are encouraged to read for the latest details about the show and to learn the books, vote from the list of 100, and share their when the book list will be revealed in the spring. personal connections to the titles. Also, be sure to share with your friends, and join the conversation using #GreatReadPBS. You can also “The Great American Read”hosted by Meridith text TGAR to 313131 to get updates throughout Vieira premieres Tuesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. on the series. AETN with a launch special, kicking off a summer of reading and voting. Then in the fall, seven new Throughout the summer, AETN will partner with episodes of the series will air as the quest to find book enthusiasts and organizations in Arkansas to America’s most beloved book moves into high gear. activate and inspire the next generation of readers Episodes from the series will feature appearances through library, education and community initia- by celebrities, athletes, experts, authors and every- tives. Stay tuned to aetn.org/greatamericanread day Americans advocating for their favorite books. for updates. Sunday, May 13, at 3:30 p.m. other people find empowerment in their lives. Little did she know how her son’s story would On September 10, 2012, a young man was out redefine that for her. walking when he was struck down by a hit-and- run driver. He was left for dead in the street. When Grant had his accident, JJ was a 50-year- His parents were told that he wouldn’t make it old, single mother of two, in the middle of through the night…to let him go. relaunching her business. Suddenly she found herself working from her son’s hospital bedside His family was given no hope. They were told while he lay in a coma. not to airlift him, that he wouldn’t survive the airlift to the only hospital in the area that could In her son’s perseverance JJ found a new sense save his life. His family airlifted him. of purpose in herself, in her work and in her relationships with her family. She helped her His family was told he wouldn’t survive the son rebuild his life and focused on growing her surgery. He survived it. His family was told business so she could provide for him and his he wouldn’t wake up. He woke up. His family brother. She was a changed person, and she was told he was going to be so severely brain began changing other people’s lives in more dra- damaged that he wouldn’t be able to function. matic ways than she ever could’ve imagined. Today, he is already 75 percent back mentally and improving daily. This is a story of hope and of possibility. This is a story of beating fear, the fear that destroys His recovery may be a miracle, but it is a miracle dreams. Through first-person narrative and that was hard fought and relentlessly pursued powerful emotional storytelling, this docu- with hope and determination every day. It came mentary will give you a front row seat to a tale from a mindset. His mother’s mindset. of personal triumph in the face of huge odds. It will move you. It will inspire you. It will chal- Grant Virgin’s mom is celebrity nutrition and lenge you to show up for life, even when it is fitness expert, and NY Times best-selling hard, and to do the work that leads to miracles author, JJ Virgin. It is her life’s work to help in your own life. 7,500 = 100,000? That math doesn’t sound right... But it’s no mistake! The AETN Foundation will receive $100,000 if 7,500 new members join by the end of our fiscal year (June 30, 2018) - thanks to the Windgate Foundation’s Challenge Grant. And we’re so close to earning the $100,000, thanks to you! Be sure to tell a friend there is still time to help us earn those dollars for the programs you love! aetnfoundation.org/challenge 1-800-662-2386 LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY We all desire significance - to lead happy and Other Bequest fulfilled lives surrounded by family and friends. Options: IRAs and For many of us, there is a compelling need to Insurance Policies make a difference that leads us to ponder our legacy. What kind of legacy will you leave? A A retirement asset like an IRA bequest is perhaps the easiest and most tan- or 401(k) makes an excellent be- gible way to leave a lasting impact on the people quest to charity. If your IRA were and organizations that mean the most to you. given to your family, much of the value would be depleted through estate and income taxes. By A Bequest is One of the designating us as the beneficiary of part or all of your IRA, the full Easiest Gifts to Make value of your gift is transferred to us tax free at your death and With the help of an advisor, you can include language your estate receives a charitable in your will or trust specifying a gift to be made to deduction. family, friends or charity as part of your estate plan.

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