PRAIRIE PUBLIC CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

By Marie Offutt

Photography by Nate Mickelberg www.natemickelberg.com

Some milestones deserve black ties, ball gowns and bubbly.

A festive spirit topped the menu October 25 when Prairie Public celebrated its Golden Gala 50th anniversary at Ramada Plaza Suites. The public broadcast station began in 1964 with more hope than money.

Finances were tight the first 20 years, making the 50-year milestone even sweeter. Thankfully, Prairie Public supporters and staff refused to give up during lean years.

Their can-do spirit has enriched lives with intelligent, insightful television and radio programming.

After all, if you grew up around here with “Sesame Street,” you watched it on Prairie Public. The same is true if you learned home renovation skills via “This Old House,” or make sure your radio’s tuned every day for “All Things Considered.”

At the gala, Prairie Public CEO John Harris toasted 50 years of service. “The people of our region are richer because those who founded Prairie Public and the community that helped it to grow were—and continue to be—committed to respect for the individual and the audience, to lifelong learning, civil discourse, and our regional identity,” he said.

Prairie Public serves children, families, schools and communities in North Dakota, western Minnesota and southern Manitoba.