Susi Elkins

I was taking a look at our Stay Tuned program guide and was excited to see some of the specials we have, beginning with a back-to-back Beatles evening tonight (Friday). This Great Performances double-feature looks at the Beatles' film "Magical Mystery Tour" and then offers the film itself. 

Our annual December pledge campaign wraps up on December 10 and I just wanted to take a minute to thank those of you who have contacted us already with your renewal, new pledge or additional gift. Your dollars really do make a difference to what you see on WKAR-TV and how we can serve you. Thank you so much.

About a week ago I had the chance to step into Linda Hundt's kitchen at Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe. While we taped a wonderful cooking special that premieres Saturday, December 1, at 10 a.m., I also soaked up everything I could about making a perfect pie crust, pie, gingerbread men and a coffee cake to die for!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday. I know that as I was giving thanks for my family and all the other things that matter in my life, I couldn't help but thinking of WKAR and the many thanks due from us to you.

Thank you for your gifts of support that allow us to bring you the best public broadcasting programming available into your home each and every day of the year.

Thanks to our volunteers who tirelessly answer phones and help us in so many ways.

It may seem early to talk about the holidays but here at WKAR, we get a head start on everything! So, this week I'm headed on location to record some video billboards promoting WKAR's involvement in the annual Silver Bells in the City Electric Light Parade. I'll be announcing along with Mark Buzzita and Michael Patrick Shields and we'll be airing the parade live on November 16 from 6-8 p.m.

Every month I meet with our programming team and look ahead to some of the new programs or initiatives coming up for WKAR-TV. I thought you might enjoy hearing a few things on our radar.

WKAR is doing so many things this month, it is hard to keep up! One I am particularly excited about is the second in our series of Community Cinema screenings and follow-up community discussions.

When I hear the words "Teddy Bear Picnic" I think of the delightful children's song. But the Teddy Bear Picnic that I'm most looking forward to isn't "in the woods at night," but right here at MSU during the middle of the day.

Did you know that this week WKAR's Public Media Facebook page is hovering at nearly 2,000 friends who "like" the page? This is by far our page with the most "likes," but it certainly isn't our only one!

You may have noticed that WKAR's fundraising campaign began on Thursday. We're trying something new this year. Instead of having our regular 16-day campaigns four times a year, we are hoping to have those events go only eleven days.

You might say, "Don't you need the money?" and the answer is "Yes! We do!" Our goal is to do a better job of reaching out to more WKAR viewers with the opportunity to become WKAR supporters -- making WKAR and public broadcasting stronger in our community.

It's been another busy week for us, both in the studio and out! On Thursday we recorded the only debate that U.S. Senate candidates Pete Hoekstra, Clark Durant and Randall Heckman will hold before the primary. This Off the Record Special was moderated by Tim Skubick and with the no-rules format, it made for some lively conversation.

Every day I am more and more impressed with the incredible talents of people who live right here in our mid-Michigan community.

Earlier this week, WKAR welcomed Molly Fillmore as our guest for an "Evening at WKAR." Two years ago, Molly appeared on BackStage Pass with some of her colleagues from the voice faculty at MSU's College of Music. Little did we realize back then that we were working with a woman who would appear on one of the great stages of the world — the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

On July 1, WKAR celebrated its first anniversary as part of the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at MSU.  During a staff meeting this week, Dean Pamela Whitten and Gary Reid, WKAR's general manager, congratulated the staff on an amazing year of hard work and major accomplishments.  As they gave us a snapshot of how far we’ve come in just twelve months, it struck me that each point of pride was in direct relation to how much we have opened ourselves up to our community.