September/October 2024
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO, PAUL GROVE
As we head into a new season, we want to take a moment to thank you for the support you have shown us during a lively and busy summer. None of what we do would be possible without the incredible devotion of our viewers.
This fall, there is so much to look forward to, and we are excited to bring you a diverse lineup of programs. Be sure to catch the new season of Greater: Lakeland, our groundbreaking hyperlocal series where locals share personal stories that highlight the vibrancy and diversity of our communities.
Don’t miss MASTERPIECE: Moonflower Murders and The Marlow Murder Club; these mysteries will keep you guessing and entertained every step of the way. Plus, we honor Latino achievements with the Hispanic Heritage Awards. We also invite you to learn more about estate and planned giving for WEDU PBS.
Whether it be sharing experiences, exploring our history or celebrating stories of vibrant cultures, your membership helps WEDU bring this all to life. Thank you!
Onward and upward.
MASTERPIECE Unveils Riveting Mysteries
Moonflower Murders
Moonflower Murders is the much-anticipated sequel to the literary whodunit Magpie Murders. Like its precursor, this series follows Susan Ryeland, a book editor-turned-sleuth now living in Crete with her boyfriend, Andreas. Their peaceful life is disrupted when a murder from eight years ago resurfaces. A novel based on this murder led hotelier Cecily Treherne to believe the wrong man was imprisoned. With Cecily now missing, Susan must unravel the novel’s hidden secrets to find her before it’s too late.
Moonflower Murders premieres Sunday, September 15, at 9 p.m.
The Marlow Murder Club
The Marlow Murder Club is a thrilling four-part series featuring a quirky trio of amateur detectives. Retired archaeologist Judith Potts stumbles upon a murder while swimming in the Thames. While police are dismissive, Judith teams up with a dog-walker and the vicar’s wife to investigate. Their sleuthing skills eventually catch the attention of the police, leading to an official partnership. As they race to stop the killer, this unlikely team faces danger and uncovers startling truths.
The Marlow Murder Club premieres Sunday, October 27, at 9 p.m.
Watch these programs live or stream anytime with the PBS App.
It Just Keeps Getting Greater
WEDU’s critically acclaimed hyperlocal series Greater: Lakeland is back with five brand-new episodes. WEDU PBS’s short-form video series, Greater: Lakeland, focuses on the fascinating tales that exist right in our own backyards. Featuring intimate and immersive stories, it celebrates the power of the local community in a new way. It does this by showcasing the best of our region and building digital neighborhoods that keep us connected through timely and impactful storytelling.
Follow along as we illustrate Lakeland’s beautiful heritage through present-day personal perspectives. For more information, visit greater.wedu.org.
Survival in the Wild
Embark on a thrilling adventure with NATURE: Big Cats 24/7, which transports you to the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Join an elite team of experts as they stake out across this stunning landscape, providing an unprecedented look into the lives of Africa’s iconic lions, leopards and cheetahs.
Witness the intense drama as these magnificent predators navigate a fiercely competitive environment, striving to raise their families and secure territory in the wild. From heart-pounding chases to tender moments of care, Big Cats 24/7 offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of Africa’s fiercest felines.
Airs Wednesdays, beginning September 18, at 8 p.m.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards
Join us in celebrating this year’s recipients of the Hispanic Heritage Awards! This prestigious event, held at the iconic Kennedy Center, will spotlight the remarkable achievements and cultural pride of the Latino community.
This year’s honorees include fashion icon Carolina Herrera and Beautyblender creator Rea Ann Silva, whose innovative work has influenced their respective industries. The evening features dynamic performances and inspirational stories, emphasizing the community’s past, present and future impact.
The Hispanic Heritage Awards is more than a ceremony; it’s a celebration of cultural pride and a testament to the enduring legacy and bright future of Hispanic Americans.
Airs Friday, September 27, at 10 p.m. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Powerful Stories of Courage and Resilience
In the Rearview follows the harrowing yet heartwarming journey of Polish aid worker-turned-filmmaker Maciek Hamela. Set against the backdrop of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hamela’s minivan becomes a lifeline for civilians fleeing to safety. This deeply moving documentary captures raw and intimate moments as families leave behind their homes and loved ones, offering a profound look at the human spirit’s resilience in the face of war.
Discover this and other POV stories, like Twice Colonized, a film about an Inuit lawyer, Aaju Peter, who tirelessly champions for her people’s rights. Twice Colonized is an exploration of heritage, identity and the fight for justice.
In the Rearview premieres Monday, October 7, at 10 p.m.
Twice Colonized premieres Monday, October 14, at 10 p.m.
Watch these programs live or stream with the PBS App.
Credit: Karen Almond Metropolitan Opera
Timeless Tales by Puccini
Get ready for an extraordinary new season of Great Performances at the Met. La Rondine by Puccini opens the season with an enthralling love story. Magda, a French courtesan in search of a new direction in life, meets Ruggero, a young idealist who offers her an escape from her life of indulgence. Led by Maestro Speranza Scappucci and set against the art deco-inspired staging of Nicolas Joël, it will take you from the bustling nightlife of Paris to the tranquil French Riviera.
Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s tragic tale of an American naval officer and a faithful geisha whose betrayal results in her horrible demise, brings the haunting sounds to their conclusion. Under Xian Zhang’s direction, Anthony Minghella’s vibrant production comes to life with unmatched mastery. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Puccini.
For information on the upcoming dates and times of La Rondine and Madama Butterfly programming, visit wedu.org. Watch these programs live or stream with the PBS App.
Plant a Seed, Leave a Legacy
October 21 through 27 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Estate and planned gifts ensure that WEDU PBS will be available for years to come.
Whatever your stage in life, it is a good idea to think about and plan for how your affairs will be handled. Your estate plan can also be used to support the charitable causes that matter most to you, such as the quality programs and educational services offered by WEDU.
A few simple steps today will give you peace of mind tomorrow. By preparing an estate plan, you’re safeguarding more than just matters of finances and inheritance, you’re also guiding future health decisions, providing for loved ones and creating your legacy.
Visit wedugiving.org to start your personal estate plan, and we hope you will also consider a charitable donation to WEDU.
WEDU is happy to help you plant a seed for the future!
National Estate Planning Awareness Week is October 21-27.
Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ¼ tsp. cloves
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. allspice
- ¼ tsp. salt
GLAZE:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp. milk
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Add the pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to a large bowl.
Mix the wet ingredients until well combined by hand or using an electric mixer. In a medium bowl, add the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients until well combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed until the batter is thick and smooth. Spray a muffin tin generously with nonstick spray or line each muffin space with a baking liner.
Fill each liner with 3/4 cup of batter. Bake for 25-30 minutes until done. When the muffins are cool, prepare the glaze: Mix the powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl with a fork until smooth.
Drizzle the top of each muffin with the glaze.
Every contribution makes a difference.
There are a variety of opportunities to donate and help support the programming you love by considering creative non-cash gifts such as:
IRA Charitable Rollover
Individuals who have reached age 70½ can donate up to $100,000 to WEDU directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA), without treating the distribution as taxable income. Giving from your IRA is a great way to satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) tax-free and support WEDU’s mission to serve the public good and to aid in the creation of an informed citizenry. Talk to your financial or tax advisor about rolling 401(k) monies into an IRA to make a tax-free charitable contribution to WEDU.
Stocks, bonds and mutual funds
Donating stock or mutual funds you have held longer than one year and which have appreciated in value directly to WEDU is a savvy giving strategy to avoid capital gains taxes. Consult with your financial advisor to help leverage your gift for the best tax savings. Remember, sometimes it might be more tax advantageous to sell depreciated stock and give a gift of cash to WEDU with the proceeds — a double tax savings!
Donate your car, motorcycle, boat, RV, kayak or even real estate!
We make donating your vehicle or other mode of transportation simple and convenient with fast pickup and streamlined paperwork. You benefit by possibly being able to reduce your taxable income. Plus, you avoid paying for advertising, loss of privacy and possible security risk. In addition, there is no need to pay for registrations, insurance and repairs to keep your transportation in working condition.
Please contact us for easy gifting of real estate that may have become a burden to own or insure. For more information:
CALL: (813) 739-2959
EMAIL: [email protected]
VISIT: wedugiving.org
