Vol. 4, No. 12: December 2011
Signal
An Online Newsletter from WSIU Public Radio P o w e r e d b y Yo u ®
This Month on Morning Conversations December 13 • SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng December 19 • SIU President Glenn Poshard December 20 • Franklin/Williamson Regional Superintendent Matt Donkin
David Yepsen, Director of the Paul Simon Institute. Photo: Rachel Snow King.
December 6 • Morning Conversation with David Yepsen SIUC Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director David Yepsen will discuss the upcoming Iowa Caucuses, New Hampshire Primary, and Illinois’ election expectations.
Illinois’ Regional School Superintendents scored a victory in the legislature in November when their pay was restored…but the fight isn’t over. Franklin/ Williamson Regional Superintendent Matt Donkin will discuss what lies ahead, the responsibilities of his office, and the options being discussed by lawmakers and Governor Quinn. All Morning Conversations episodes are available online at www.wsiu.org/live. You can also find them on our podcast page and get a calender listing of upcoming events at www3.wsiu.org/radio morningconversation. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
SIRIS Receives Local Support
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he Southern Illinois Radio Information Service (SIRIS), a community service of WSIU Radio and Southern Illinois University, recently received support from two local organizations. The Carbondale Rotary Club awarded SIRIS a grant for $1,000 to purchase radios for listeners in the Rotary’s area of service. Rotary Club members also will participate in delivering the radios to new patrons. SIRIS also received a check for $275 from the Marion Lions Club to purchase radios for the Williamson County area. In mid-November, the Herrin Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility received seven radios to place with residents as needed. Thank you to all who support this much-needed community service!
SIRIS radio. Photo: Katrina Stackhouse.
WSIU Radio Holiday Specials 2011 Fridays • 8-9pm
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Photo: Photos.com
ired of hearing that same old “canned” Rudolph song? WSIU Radio is offering an alternative this year by airing a variety of unique holiday programs. Tune in each Friday this December!
December 9 • Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Club The choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges get together to present a spine-tingling concert program. This presentation features the best works of the last several years. It’s a celebration of the schools’ tradition of singing, with their trademark mix of spirituals and carols. Korva Coleman hosts.
December 16 • Carolina Christmas From Biltmore Estate, with Kathy Mattea Soloists and large ensembles perform a rich variety of songs in this celebration of holiday music. Featuring the lovely voice of Kathy Mattea accompanied by the Carolinas’ premiere choral ensemble, VOX, and the Baroque/Celtic trio, The Beggar Boys.
December 23 • Jonathan Winters’ A Christmas Carol An updated version of a public radio tradition hosted by NPR’s Susan Stamberg. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens’ holiday classic, with a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations. Also featuring Mimi Kennedy.
WSIU-TV Holiday Specials 2011 Thursday December 1 9pm
The Story of Jesus
Saturday December 3 3:30pm
Great Performances: Andrea Bocelli & David Foster, My Christmas (Repeats 12/4, 11pm)
Saturday December 5
9pm 11pm
Christmas with Daniel O’Donnell Candles and Carols
Wednesday, December 21 7pm
Nature: Christmas in Yellowstone(Repeats12/22, 12am; 12/25, 10am&7pm; 12/27, 4am)
9pm Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Straight no Chaser - Live Ghosts of Christmas Eve in New York (Holiday Thursday, December 22 Edition) 7pm The B.E. Taylor Christmas Saturday December 13 Concert 7pm Christmas with the 8pm Jessica Simpson Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Special Featuring David Archuleta 11pm Sounds of the Season in and Michael York (Repeats Southern Illinois 2011 9pm
9pm
12/15, 4am, 12/18, 12am; 12/23, 8pm; 12/24, 1am; 12/26, 4am)
L.A. Holiday Celebration 2010 (Repeats12/18, 1am)
Saturday December 14 7pm
Live From the Lincoln Center: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (Repeats12/15,
12am; 12/16, 2:30am)
Sunday December 15
Friday, December 23 12am
Christmas with the Annie Moses Band
10pm
Northern Light Orchestra: Spirit of Christmas
(Repeats12/24, 11pm)
Saturday, December 24 6am
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (Repeats12/25, 6am)
3:30pm Nonna Tell Me a Story: 9pm Backstage Pass Christmas, Lidia’s Christmas Kitchen Volume 2 4pm Fannie’s last Supper 6:30pm Travelscope: Christmas in Wednesday December 18 Switzerland (Repeats12/25, 8am Prima Princessa Presents 6:30pm) The Nutcracker (Repeats 7pm Lawrence Welk Show: 12/24, 7am; 12/25, 11am) (Repeats12/25, Christmas 1pm National Christmas Tree 4:30pm) Lighting 2011 9pm Christmas at Belmont 2pm Holiday at Murray State 2011 (Repeats12/26, 2am) 10pm Christmas Concert from Monday December 19 Norway 10am Shalom Sesame - Chanukah: The Missing Sunday, December 25 Menorah (Repeats12/20, 9am 1pm America’s Children & 9:30am; 12/24, 8am) Holiday Parade 2011 9pm Radio City Christmas 9:30pm European Christmas Spectacular Starring the Markets Rockettes 10pm Studio A Presents: Zola Tuesday December 20 Van Christmas Carols 7pm Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday Tables & Saturday, December 31 9pm Live From the Lincoln Traditions (Repeats12/22, Center: Bernstein 3am; 12/24, 3am,5pm; 12/25, 2pm) and Gershwin: New Years’s 8pm Christmas at St. Olaf: Eve (Repeats 1/2, 4:30pm) Rejoice, Give Thanks, and 11pm Austin City Limits Special: Sing (Repeats12/22, 4am; 12/23, Coldplay New Year’s Eve
9pm; 12/26, 3am)
SIRIS Volunteer: John Stewardson
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f a lifetime volunteer service award were to be given tomorrow, it’s likely that John Stewardson would be the recipient of the honor. Originally from Shelbyville, Illinois, Stewardson moved to Carbondale in 1969, after returning from Vietnam, to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale. There he studied Asian History – his interest sparked from his involvement in the war – and got his first taste of volunteering at WSIU Radio. “I’ve been volunteering for 40 years,” says Stewardson. “Back in the ‘70s, I started answering the phones for pledge drives.” As Stewardson gained experience, his responsibilities at WSIU Radio grew, and he eventually became one of the station’s board operators. “Before everything was computerized, programs like Radio Reader would be prerecorded on reel-to-reel tapes,” says Stewardson. “You had to set up the reels and start them on time. And if you lost the satellite connection, you had to play
records. You did everything yourself and had to make quick decisions if something went wrong. It was really interesting.” When long-time WSIU Radio staff member Lisa Morrisette asked Stewardson to join the SIRIS advisory board, he jumped at the chance. “The board helps out with events such as the SIRIS Classic Vinyl Sale, which when I first started at WSIU was called the Record Harvest Sale,” he says. Stewardson says what he enjoys most about SIRIS is being able to meet new people and to work with individuals who go above and beyond their regular duties to make SIRIS the best it can be. “SIRIS is an importance service that deserves my best efforts,” says Stewardson. “For some elderly people who are visually impaired, SIRIS is their only contact with the world apart from immediate family. And some people don’t have that much family left or none at all. No one should feel isolated. Listening to SIRIS helps to keep people in touch.”
SIRIS Volunteer John Stewardson. Photo: Katie Tullis.
In his spare time, Stewardson enjoys listening to old time radio and the WSIU Radio programs Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Radio Reader, and Planetary Radio. Stewardson also enjoys volunteering for the Carbondale Sustainability Commission and, for the past 30 years, the Midwest Café Racing Association. If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities in our area, give SIRIS a try! Find out how you can get involved at (618) 453-2808 or wsiu.org/siris.
Watch Live Saluki Basketball on WSIU-TV This Winter!
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Josh Swan. Photo: SIU Athletics.
is the season for Saluki Basketball sports fans! WSIU-TV is proud to bring you live TV broadcasts of selected men’s basketball games.
Each game will air live on our main channels (WSIU HD 8.1/WUSI HD 16.1) and repeat later the same day on our WORLD channels (WSIU 8.2/WUSI 16.2).
Proudly Sponsored by
* Monday, December 19 7pm SIUC vs. SIUE (home) * Wednesday, January 4 7pm SIUC vs. Bradley * Tuesday, January 24 7pm SIUC vs. Bradley (home) Saturday, January 28 3pm SIUC vs. Illinois State University Tuesday, January 31 7pm SIUC University of Northern Iowa Saturday, February 11 12pm SIUC vs. Indiana State University NOTE: Games marked with an asterisk are confirmed. Schedule is subject to change. Check www.wsiu.org/salukis for updates as they become available.
Dr. Michael B. Clay of S.I. Dentistry • SIU Foundation • Wells Fargo Advisors LLC of Carbondale and Mount Vernon • Wright Do-It Centers of Murphysboro and Sparta • SIU Alumni Association • Cook Portable Warehouses
Host Bryan Kelso Crow. Photo: Rachel Snow King.
Airs Saturday @ 7pm • Sunday @ 6pm December 3 | New Releases Great new CDs keep getting released by Celtic musicians near and far, and we try our best to share some of the most memorable vocals and toe-tapping tunes in our monthly roundup of new releases.
December 10 | Old Favorites Favorite songs and medleys from the past four decades make up this collection of great Celtic music.
“WSIU provides continuing education for lifelong learners.”
December 17 | Celtic Kids Kids of all ages will enjoy some fun songs and lively tunes, if you can get them to put away the gadgets and listen to this week’s child-oriented program!
December 24 | A Celtic Christmas This program features Christmas and seasonal music from England, Scotland, Ireland, and other western European and early American traditions.
December 29 | Best of 2011 Don’t miss this roundup of some of the best Celtic albums of 2011, culminating in Bryan Kelso Crow’s selection of the Celtic Connections Album of the Year!
Thank You, Underwriters! Please join us in thanking the underwriters who recently began, renewed, or expanded their partnerships to make public radio possible:
- John Jackson, Carbondale, IL
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listen to WSIU for news, especially state and local news. My work at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute requires me to be up-to-date, and WSIU certainly helps me to fulfill that need. WSIU keeps people informed about what’s going on in the world, especially in politics and government. News today is polarized and often affected by ideological content. I appreciate that WSIU doesn’t deliver news in that way. I’m John Jackson of Carbondale, Illinois, and WSIU Public Radio is Powered by Me!
Calico Country Sew and Vac
West Frankfort, Carbondale, IL; Paducah KY
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra St. Louis, MO
What do you love about WSIU? Tell us and we’ll share it on the air, online, or in print!
SIU School of Art and Design
Online • www.wsiu.org/you Email • you@wsiu.org
Southern Clay Club at SIU
W S I U i s P o w e r e d b y Yo u ®
For a complete list of WSIU sponsors and information about sponsoring WSIU programming, visit us online at www.wsiu.org or call (618) 453-4286.
WSIU Public Radio Communications Building 1003 - MC 6602 Southern Illinois University Carbondale 1100 Lincoln Drive Carbondale IL 62901 • 618/453-6101 • www.wsiu.org • wsiuradio@wsiu.org
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL