Paul Larson TV Producer

SPOTLIGHT: Opera Singer Tanner Knight

2012-01-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

Tenor Tanner Knight of Kessville, New York discusses his career in opera. The singer has performed in many shows across the country, but he says dwindling audiences due to the tough economy are forcing many opera companies to make cutbacks or even close. In spite of the tough times, we managed to talk about his love of music. He also sang for us, accompanied on the piano by Dr. Karen Becker. She is an associate professor at SUNY Plattsburgh.

This "Spotlight" airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday night at 8:30 on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, and Sunday at 10:30am.

"Spotlight" is brought to you, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park.

SPOTLIGHT Encore: Joshua Bell!

2011-12-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the release of "French Impressions," Joshua Bell's new CD of French music for violin and piano, Mountain Lake Journal Extra has an encore presentation of Paul Larson's exclusive interview with the world famous violinist. Bell discusses his career, his passion for the arts, and the mishaps he's had with his 300 year-old Stadivarius, an instrument worth millions.

The "Spotlight" segment on Joshua Bell runs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra beginning January 5 at the following times,

Thursday 8:30pm
Friday 6am and 12:30pm
Saturday 7:30pm
Sunday 6am and 10:30am

"French Impressions," Joshua Bell's first recital program for Sony Classical features the Grammy Award-winning violinist and his longtime friend and recital partner, pianist Jeremy Denk, offering a passionately nuanced interpretation of works by Saint-Saens, Ravel and Franck.

When Bell and Denk performed Saint-Saens Violin Sonata No. 1 in D Minor during their 2010 recital tour, the New York Times raved "Mr. Bell and Mr. Denk gave a passionate performanceThere were plenty of fireworks in the whirlwind of the concluding movement."

Says Bell, "French Impressions is the culmination of my last decade of exploration and performance with pianist Jeremy Denk, and I hope that with this recording we can affect the listener with the same joy and spiritual enrichment that these masterpieces have provided us over the years."

SPOTLIGHT Encore: The Boobie Sisters

2011-12-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

To celebrate our upcoming Holiday Spectacular show and a national award we recently won, the Boobie Sisters story will have a special encore presentation on Mountain Lake Journal Extra. This story, about breast cancers survivors who offer hope through humor, received an award from NETA, the National Educational Telecommunications Association, for outstanding work in public affairs content. The Boobie Sisters, with their funny name and humorous songs, actually sing about some pretty serious issues. Their performances tackle breast exams, cancer treatments, dealing with family issues and changing bodies. This encore"Spotlight" airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday night at 8:30 on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am. Also, the Boobie Sisters will perform some festive music on the Mountain Lake PBS Holiday Spectacular this Saturday night at 7, and I will interview some of them live in our studio.

Olivia Newton-John!

2011-12-13T07:03:00.001-08:00

The singer and actress had a benefit in Albany on Saturday for her Cancer and Wellness Centre in Australia. It's a facility for medical research, treatment and wellness care. So nice to meet Olivia after being a fan of hers since I was nine years old. She is a breast cancer survivor of nineteen years.

SPOTLIGHT: The Reindeer Keeper

2011-12-07T07:39:00.001-08:00

Ogdensburg, New York author Barbara Briggs Ward discusses her first novel aimed at adults, The Reindeer Keeper. She has written books and short stories for children, and this is her first work of fiction geared for the Baby Boomer audience. The project grew out of a chaotic holiday season, during which she lost the Christmas spirit. Writing The Reindeer Keeper helped the author recapture the nostalgic wonder of the season.

You may see the story on the Spotlight segment ofMountain Lake Journal Extra, Thursday at 8:30pm, on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 10:30am.

You're invited to visit the studio of Joel Prevost

2011-12-04T12:31:00.001-08:00

Joel Prevost, sculptor, invites you to the second anniversary celebration of the opening of his studio, gallery and student workshop in Montreal this month. You may recognize sculptures by the Monteral artist, because they decorate the set of "Art Express." The second anniversary celebration will showcase new works by Prevost, as well as pieces by students of his art classes. The celebration begins at 5pm on Saturday, December 10 and lasts until 9. The gallery is located at 1206 boulevard de Maisonneuve E in Montreal. You may learn more about the opening from our Spotlight story: http://video.mountainlake.org/video/2172740531

NUTCRACKER: Pacific Northwest Ballet

2011-12-04T12:29:00.000-08:00

AFTER 28 YEARS, I FINALLY MADE IT TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON TO SEE ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS VERSIONS OF "THE NUTCRACKER" IN THE WORLD!

Seattle, Washington has a real treasure to reveal every holiday season. In the early 1980s, the director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, a Seattle-based ballet company, decided he wanted to set his Nutcracker apart from every other version of the ballet in the country. He asked the famed author/illustrator of the children's classicWhere the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak, to design the sets and costumes for a slightly re-imagined version of The Nutcracker. The result is a ballet extremely faithful to the glorious music of Tchaikovsky, while referencing the darker elements of the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann more than other stagings of the ballet do.

Actually, the least successful aspects of this show involve trying to weave in the rather complicated backstory of the nutracker and his grudge against the mouse king into the production, an effort that includes the addition of a brief opera piece by Tchaikovsky just to allow for more time to tell the story. This awkwardness in narrative can easily be forgiven, thanks to the eye-popping sets, dazzling costumes, and a few special effects I'd never seen before in any version of The Nutcracker. Also, the music of Tchaikovsky never fails to enchant me, and the choreography, by Kent Stowell, is beautiful.

After I saw the Pacific Northwest ballet version and read the tie-in book, the original Nutcracker story illustrated by Sendak, it occurred to me that the narrative of the ballet has never been all the strong. It's simply an excuse to see a big Christmas party, the giving of gifts, a growing Christmas tree, a spectacular battle between soldiers and mice, a lovely journey through a forested winterland, and a series of exotic dances in an otherworldly setting. These are precious images to behold during the holiday season, accompanied by music that is sometimes whimsical, sometimes sensual, often dramatic, and forever linked to Christmas. Whatever the strange story of the Nutcracker is, the ballet just works!

Seeing the sets, designed by Sendak, is definitely worth the trip to Seattle. They resemble a giant, magnificently illustrated pop-up book, complete with moving parts. Because Sendak also created the look of the costumes, colors and patterns blend to create a unified whole.

What's a bit of a shame is that the Seattle Nutcracker seems like a well kept secret. When I told my friends and family that I was seeing the Pacific Northwest Ballet version of the Nutcracker, I had to explain to them why this was so special, and why I would bother to go to Seattle to see a ballet that is in pretty much every city in North America during the month of December. Among fans of the Nutcracker, the Seattle-based show is indeed the most famous, along with the New York City Ballet spectacle, choreographed by George Balanchine. In fact, these two versions of the Nutcracker were both filmed for release in cinemas.

Even though the Pacific Northwest Ballet Nutcracker has toured briefly and minimally, many people who might marvel at its wonders still do not know about it. Perhaps a bigger tour one day will allow Mr. Sendak to share his magical visions with a much wider audience.

At any rate, the option remains to do as I did and make a trip to Seattle. I also enjoyed the Space Needle, the EMP, and some fine dining.

Performance photos by Angela Sterling.

The Phantom of the Opera

2011-10-27T19:22:00.001-07:00

Hosting two programs this week

2011-10-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hosting Mountain Lake Journal

2011-10-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

You'll see me as the anchor of Mountain Lake Journal this week, filling in for Thom Hallock. The roundtable discussion focuses on economic development in the North Country of New York State. My guests include Garry Douglas of the North Country Chamber of Commerce and Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University. They are the co-chairs of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, an organization that is competing with nine other regions of New York for up to 200 million dollars in state aid. You will find more information, and places to submit your own ideas and opinions at www.northcountryopenforbusiness.com

SPOTLIGHT - Robotic Surgery

2011-09-25T15:58:00.001-07:00

Robotic-Assisted Surgery is a relatively new technology at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, New York. As it grows in usage, people who have not experienced it wonder just how much of the "human touch" of the surgeon gets directly involved in the operation.

I enjoyed working on this story, as it was the first time CVPH had allowed cameras in the operating room to let viewers witness this technology in action. We found a willing patient who allowed us to record her hysterectomy, and she also gave us a great interview.

Dr. Dane Larsen, pictured with me, will speak about robotic surgery at "Girls Night Out" on Tuesday, October 11. "Girls Night Out" is a relaxing evening of entertainment and education, with an emphasis on healthy living. It is one way CVPH commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For tickets and times of the "Girls Night Out" programs, head to the CVPH website: www.cvph.org

You may see the story on the Spotlight segment of Mountain Lake Journal Extra, Thursday at 8:30pm, on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 10:30am.

"Author Visits" Presentation

2011-09-25T15:28:00.001-07:00

Our Director of Outreach and Education Jane Owens hosted a meeting of teachers and librarians at the station. She invited me to give a presentation about "Author Visits," our online educational initiative. "Author Visits" takes our pre-existing "Spotlight" author interviews and transforms them into a video series that has uses for classrooms, libraries and book clubs. The project is a collaboration among the production, education and communications departments. Plattsburgh author Amy Guglielmo, a former teacher herself and featured "Author Visits" guest, also spoke to the educators about the uses of "Author Visits" in the classroom, and her Touch the Art book series. Her books may also be used to enhance curriculum. www.mountainlake.org/authorvisits

SPOTLIGHT: Bill Haugland

2011-09-22T10:16:00.001-07:00

For the second time, former CTV news anchor Bill Haugland joined me in the studio to talk about a novel he's written. This time, he discusses his new book The Bidding, inviting us into a sinister world of abduction, murder and demonic cults. Haugland's news reporter protagonist Ty Davis, whose earlier adventures he'd related in the book Mobile 9, returns for a second adventure. You may see the interview on the "Spotlight" segment of Mountain Lake Journal Extra, tonight at 8:30pm, on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 10:30am.

Parade! Battle of Plattsburgh

2011-09-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

The on-air talent of Mountain Lake PBS, including Thom Hallock, Derek Muirden, Aubery Bresett, Jack LaDuke, and myself met many of our viewers as we marched in the Battle of Plattsburgh parade. We also handed out candy to the young people who lined the streets. Director of Education Jane Owens, Development Director Sophie Mitsoglou, and some volunteers joined us for a beautiful afternoon, celebrating an important battle that helped shape our country. During the War of 1812, the battle ended the final British invasion of the northern states. Thanks to viewer Glenn Estes for taking and submitting these photos.

SPOTLIGHT: Justin Hines

2011-09-15T09:26:00.001-07:00

Canadian singer/songwriter Justin Hines came to our studio for an interview. What a nice guy! He's funny too. His album "Days to Recall" is the first of his four albums to be released in the United States, and now he's on tour to promote it. "Days to Recall" features a lot of his original material. His live shows also include songs made famous by James Tayor and Jim Croce. You may see the interview on the "Spotlight" segment of Mountain Lake Journal Extra, tonight at 8:30pm, on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 10:30am.

SPOTLIGHT: Joshua Bell

2011-09-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

Joshua Bell not only plays the violin exquisitely, he can also tell a very funny story. During an interview I conducted in his Manhattan home, he kept me entertained with true tales about his 300-year-old Stradivarius, a violin that has had many adventures during the last three centuries. He also shared some humorous anecdotes about performing on stage and traveling around the world. You may see the interview on the Spotlight segment of Mountain Lake Journal Extra, tonight at 8:30pm, on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 10:30am.

Interview with Andre Monet

2011-09-07T19:42:00.001-07:00

My Trip to England Part 3: Oxford

2011-08-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

My trip to England Part 2: Oxford

2011-07-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

My trip to England 2011 Part 1

2011-07-22T03:56:00.000-07:00

In July I traveled to one of my favorite countries: England.

SPOTLIGHT: Flight Simulators

2011-05-22T19:38:00.001-07:00

I'm really excited about this story, because it's so visually stunning. While I was editing it, I could feel the motion again, as if I were back in the simulator. Flight simulators are large machines that replicate the cockpit of an airplane, with all the instruments in the same place they would be in a real aircraft. The simulator also shows the view outside the windows, projected with high tech equipment. The motion creates a sense of realism too. I could actually feel the small bumps on the pavement below as we taxied on the runway before take-off. I produced the story at CAE in Montreal, the world leader in flight simulator manufacturing and training. You may see the story on the Spotlight segment of Mountain Lake Journal Extra, Thursday at 8:30pm, on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 10:30am.

SPOTLIGHT: Bridge to Terabithia

2011-04-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

What absolute joy I felt while interviewing Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia. The book, depicting a close bond between young friends of opposite genders, has a special meaning for me, as I had a similar friendship while growing up. This makes the tragedy of the novel hit very close to home. It was fascinating to hear Paterson discuss the inspiration behind the book, as well as her battles with Hollywood as she fought screenwriters who wanted to change her story into something unrecognizable to its author for the sake of a happy ending. The Katherine Paterson interview airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra this Thursday at 8:30pm on Mountain Lake PBS. Immediately following the interview, I will introduce a new online series of interviews called "Author Visits."

SPOTLIGHT: Soovin Kim performs at home.

2011-02-18T16:08:00.000-08:00

Fans of fine music can hear world class performers this week in New York and Vermont. It was a pleasure to once again interview violinist Soovin Kim, artistic director of the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, today. He's based in New York City, so we used Skype. He'll arrive in Vermont next Thursday, and he spoke to me from his office at Stony Brook University, where he serves as a professor of violin.

The topic at hand, two upcoming chamber music performances. The 2011 Winter Encore Concerts feature the work of living composers of three different generations who served as inspiration for each other, as well as music by Schubert. I also spoke with 18 year-old composer Tim Woos. He was commissioned at the age of 15 (!) to write a piece for the orchestra, and they played his composition on a world tour.

The concerts are Friday, February 25 at 7:30pm in the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium at SUNY Plattsburgh, and Saturday at 7:30pm in the Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michael's College in Colchester, VT.

Tickets are available from the Flynn Regional Box Office, 1 (802) 863-5966, Angell College Center at SUNY Plattsburgh, 1 (518) 564-2121, and the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts, 1 (518) 563-1604.

The "Spotlight" segment airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday at 8:30pm on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

SPOTLIGHT: Convento Film Music

2011-02-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

A film about a European monestary has a unusual sound design, thanks to music by a composer from northern New York. Lawrence Dolan of Plattsburgh wanted a unique sound for his first motion picture score, so he turned to objects usually reserved for meditation, Tibetan singing bowls. On Spotlight this week, I interview the musician about his score for Convento, a documentary about an old monestary in Portugal that has been converted into an artist's studio and nature preserve. New York City filmmaker Jarred Alterman directed the film. Convento had its world premiere at a film festival in Poland in December. North Americans get their first chance to see it in Austin, Texas next month, at the South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival. This Spotlight segment airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday at 8:30pm on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

Spotlight: La Diva Renée!

2011-01-10T14:55:00.000-08:00

Renée Fleming plans to enchant a Montréal audience with her famous voice, but not before giving me an exclusive interview about the origins of her career, her surprising political aspirations and her passion for music. Journalists have labeled her "America's favorite soprano," and I found the opera diva pleasantly down to earth. Raised in Rochester, New York and schooled in Rochester and Potsdam, Ms. Fleming is very familiar with the northern New York region, and says she can't wait to reconnect with her fans in the Adirondack region and southern Québec when she sings at Place des Arts in Montréal on January 25. Our interview took place in her Manhattan penthouse, where she talked about her early reluctance to perform and the challenges of being at the top of one's career. The story I am producing about her will feature career highlights, and some of the funny aspects with being so successful in a job in the performing arts. This "Spotlight" segment airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday at 8:30pm on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

SPOTLIGHT: Healthy Humor!

2010-12-07T12:55:00.000-08:00

A hospital stay is often no laughing matter, but health professionals say a little humor goes a long way in the healing process. This week, the spotlight shines on eleven year-old Anthony Grippo, who says he actually enjoyed staying in the hospital when he was founr years old. Grippo gives much of the credit to theresident clowns who kept his mind off the pain. Grippo, a studentat Children's World Academy in LaSalle, Quebec, now enjoys helping other kids get a healthy dose of humor too. That's why he rallied his whole school to raise money to give to the Dr. Clown program. Two school walk-a-thon projects have led to thosands of dollars benefitting kids at Montreal Children's Hospital. This "Spotlight" segment airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday at 8:30pm on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

SPOTLIGHT: The Monkey Bible

2010-11-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

I speak with author Mark Laxer about religion, science, and the origin of the human race. Laxer spent years researching scientific topics to accurately portray what scientists think about evolution. He also has reached out to the religious community to explore the mystical origins of human beings. Laxer says his goal is to bridge the gap between scientists and followers of religion so that people in both communities will feel compelled to work together to solve the problems facing our world and the creatures that live in it, including us! His novel The Monkey Bible presents a fictional story with scientific facts, and offers potential solutions to the problems that plague our world.

SPOTLIGHT: Kate Messner, author

2010-09-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

As the weather cools, the air feels crisp, and the leaves change color, Kate Messner and I sit down for a chat about her book The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. Her book paints an evocative picture of autumn, while relating the story of a seventh grader who struggles to finish a science project of collecting and naming leaves from twenty-five different kinds of trees. The award-winning writer from Plattsburgh finds much inspiration in her own life, and in the lives and adventures of the students she teaches as a middle school English instructor. Kate and I talk about the revision process, choosing a good title, target audience concerns, and how her students both learn from her experiences and help her out. "Spotlight" airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday night at 8:30 on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

SPOTLIGHT on the Boobie Sisters

2010-09-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Boobie Sisters take center stage on Mountain Lake Journal Extra. Seriously! Far from being an X-rated burlesque act, these women promote a healthy attitude through the healing power of humor. The Boobie Sisters, with their funny name and humorous songs, actually sing about some pretty serious issues. Their performances tackle breast exams, cancer treatments, dealing with family issues and changing bodies. "Spotlight" airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday night at 8:30 on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

SPOTLIGHT SPECIAL

2010-08-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

This week, Mountain Lake Journal Extra devotes a half hour to "Spotlight." "Spotlight," produced and hosted by Paul Larson, illuminates our diverse community with stories about the arts, education, technology and health care.

PLATTSBURGH STUDENTS: Thirty-five students from Plattsburgh schools take center stage to sing with violinist Andre Rieu and his orchestra at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

BETH WADLEIGH: Her therapy dog Pepper can helps raise confidence and reading skills in students. Pepper's life with Wadleigh is a happy chapter filled with books, kids, and lots of attention, after his life began under sadder circumstances. For more information about Therapy Dogs of Vermont, the website is www.thearpydogs.org

HEIDE MESSING: Women in contemporary society populate the sculptural world of artist Heide Messing. Using stone and bronze, the Montreal-area sculptor celebrates women as business professionals, mothers, romantics,and free spirits. Her work ranges from very small pieces to monumental outdoor displays. The internationally acclaimed artist has exhibited in
many countries, but draws most of her inspiration from close to home. She often bundles her women and children up to brave the Canadian winter. Paul Larson shows us how the medium of stone drives Messing to create, and how she uses art as therapy to work through some serious
family issues. For more information, go to www.heidemessingmcdonald.com

SPOTLIGHT this week

2010-08-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

It was fun interviewing Victor Micallef and Clifton Murray of the Canadian Tenors. They take their music seriously, but not themselves. You may learn about how the group was formed, how two pop voices blend with two operatic voices, and a little about what to expect when the Tenors perform in Montreal this December. "Spotlight" is a feature of Mountain Lake Journal Extra, and this segment premieres Thursday at 8:30pm. Repeat times include Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 6am and 10:30am on Mountain Lake PBS.

Heide Messing

2010-07-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK: Women populate sculptor Heide Messing's world, women and children. The Montreal-area artist documents the many roles of women in contemporary society, including business professionals, mothers, romantics and free spirits. Messing also delights in childhood, showing kids at play and in awe of the world that surrounds them. Messing sculpts in both bronze and stone. You may see her monumental pieces in outdoor settings near Montreal, and she displays her smaller works in galleries and exhibitions in the Canada, the U.S., Japan and Europe. Although she enjoys attending art shows featuring her work throughout the world, the inspiration for her art originates closer to home. Her sculptures often depict people bundled up, ready to brave the chill of a Canadian winter. Her mother/daughter sculptures allow her to work through some painful issues found in her own family life. "Spotlight" airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra this Thursday at 8pm on Mountain Lake PBS. Repeats include Friday at 6m and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 6am and 10:30am.

Plattsburgh Students Take Center Stage

2010-07-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

SPOTLIGHT: A month ago, 35 choral students from Plattsburgh, New York never dreamed they would sing at a major concert venue before an audience of 10 thousand people, but Mountain Lake PBS helped make this unlikely scenario a reality. The adventure began when Andre Rieu, nationally renowned violinist and orchestra conductor, needed 35 local kids to back up one of his singers during a concert at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Mountain Lake PBS called Plattsburgh choral directors, who chose 35 talented kids to appear in the show. The students had three weeks to rehearse, and were thrilled to receive a standing ovation. More surprises awaited them the night of their performance. You can experience the elation with them during an in-depth "Spotlight" segment this week. The piece also features my third exclusive interview with Andre Rieu.

Watch "Spotlight" on Mountain Lake Journal Extra. Airdates: Thursday at 8:30pm, Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 6am and 10:30am on Mountain Lake PBS.

The Summer of Walter Hacks

2010-06-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Vermont dairy farmer George Woodard discusses his first movie The Summer of Walter Hacks with me on "Spotlight" this week. His film impressed audiences earlier this week at the Lake Placid Film Forum. It tells the story of young Walter Hacks, an eleven year-old who must behave and work as a responsible man after tragedy strikes his family, all while keeping his cowboy fantasy world alive. "Spotlight" airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra this Thursday at 8pm.

The Canadian Tenors

2010-06-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

We welcomed two of the Canadian Tenors into our studio this week for a live interview during our pledge broadcast of The Canadian Tenors: Live in Toronto. I also interviewed them for an upcoming segment on Mountain Lake Journal Extra.

Photobooth Art!

2010-05-16T14:55:00.001-07:00

SPOTLIGHT this week: At one time or another, most of us have closed the curtain in a photobooth to have our picture taken. Americans have used photobooths since the mid 1920s. In those days, most people did not own a camera, so the photobooth provided an inexpensive alternative to visiting a professional photographer. Now a photo collector in Vermont is lending some of her treasures to the Fleming Museum in Burlington. Artist and collectorNakki Goranin has gathered more than three thousand photobooth images from flea markets, yard sales and auctions. The photos range from silly to sad, and showcase a wide variety of American attitudes, fashion trends, and relationships.

Tiffany Glass

2010-04-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

SPOTLIGHT this week: The Tiffany glass exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts began as a project to showcase eighteen Tiffany windows recently acquired by the museum. The institution inherited these treasures when it purchased the church next door. The church will eventually become part of the Canadian Art Pavillion, and will house the restored Tiffany windows in its music hall. In the meantime, Canadians and travelers have the rare opportunity to view these marvelous works of leaded glass up close, much closer than one could see them high up in the church environment. The "Tiffany Glass, A Passion for Color "exhibition grew to include Tiffany works housed in France, Russia and the U.S. For me, the highlight was the extrememly rare sight of two works hung side by side: A Toulouse Lautrec watercolor hosed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, hanging next to the Tiffany window based on the watercolor, housed in Paris. That window usually does not cross the ocean, and seeing the two together becomes an art "event." The exhibition lasts until May 2 of this year. "Spotlight" airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra Thursday night at 8:30 on Mountain Lake PBS. It repeats on Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

Therapy Dog

2010-04-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

SPOTLIGHT this week: Therapy dogs have become welcome visitors in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. Now educators have opened schools to the dogs as well, saying dogs can enhance the learning process. I interviewed Bath Wadleigh, a volunteer with Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Her pet Pepper makes a great listener for good books. The Dalmatian has a spotty past, but his life has recently improved thanks to all the affection he gets from his new owner and the students at Holland Elementary School in Holland, Vermont. I was curious how reading to a dog could actually benefit students. I asked teachers about the educational rationale for therapy dogs in school, and got opinions from 3rd and 4th grade students as well. See the story this week on "Spotlight," a segment of Mountain Lake Journal Extra. The program airs Thursday night at 8:30 on Mountain Lake PBS. Repeat broadcasts: Friday at 6am & 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

The Glass Menagerie

2010-04-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

"The Glass Menagerie" at the Laura Pels Theatre is a heartbreaking but humorous revival of the Tennessee Williams play. What impressed me first was the theatre staff themselves. They seemed genuinely concerned about the quality of their patrons' viewing experience. I was generally happy with my seat in the front row, off to the side, but because a stage prop sat right in front of me and would have obstructed my view of some brief moments of the play, an usher reseated me to the front row center section. Seeing the dream-like Tennessee Williams drama unfold right in front of me held me spellbound. Before arriving at the theatre, I had been slightly disappointed to learn the setting of the play had been changed from the small St. Louis apartment of the characters, to a hotel room where the character Tom sits at a typewriter, creating the play in front of the audience. Now, having seen the production, I'd call this change of venue a brilliant move that gives the play yet another rich layer of meaning, linking the writer Tom to Mr. Williams, the playwright himself, whose first name really is Thomas. Although a fictional story, Williams had based the characters on people in his own family, and this production plays like a melancholy biography of the author. I'm not a theatre critic, but I will say the performances both inspired laughter and moved me to tears. I had the feeling I was witnessing something truly special. After the show, during a question and answer session with the audience, someone stood up and said she'd seen the original production on Broadway. She said although that had been a magical experience for her, what the actors did in this staging at least equaled the impact of the Broadway show sixty-five years ago. Actress Judith Ivey as Amanda, the faded southern belle mother, is giving what some critics call "the performance of a lifetime." She said afterward she knew that character and based her eccentricities and humor on many of her close family members. She added she'd always wanted to play Amanda on stage, and now she's "old enough to do it." Patch Darragh says a research trip to Tennessee Williams' old haunts in St. Louis and New Orleans informed his portrayal. That's dedication. He even based his southern accent on Williams' own speech patterns after studying them from a documentary. I enjoyed his brotherly rapport with sister Laura, played by Keira Keeley, which made the ending all the more devastating. The play lasts nearly three hours, but I never felt restless during it, only entranced. Photos © 2010 Joan Marcus

Animal Illustration

2010-03-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

SPOTLIGHT this week: Author and illustrator Sheri Amsel has kissed a bear and snuggled up to a skunk! She says she writes books to open kids' eyes to a world of wonders right in their own neighborhood. Amsel has written many popular books about the Adirondack Park, including A Wetland Walk, Adirondack Alphabet, and Adirondack Nature Guide. She has a master's degree in anatomy and biomedical illustration, and the knowledge she has about animals helps her create highly detailed illustrations for the books she writes. See our interview this week on "Spotlight," a segment of Mountain Lake Journal Extra. The program airs Thursday night at 8:30 on Mountain Lake PBS. Repeat broadcasts: Friday at 6am & 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

Visiting Educators

2010-03-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Today I spoke to some visiting educators.

Ghosts of Clinton County

2010-03-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

SPOTLIGHT: I shine the spotlight this week on the darker corners of Clinton County, with a bone-chilling interview with TV and radio personality Gordie Little. He came to our studios to talk about his book Ghosts of Clinton County. Little has had a fascination with ghosts since he was a child.

"I was afraid of the dark, petrified of the dark," he told me during our interview. "My parents tried to tell me there were no threatening things that went bump in the night, but I begged to differ."

Little got over his fear and soon embraced all things paranormal. He has spent his life collecting ghost stories from his friends and acquaintances in Clinton County, New York. Now he has published a book of the spookiest anecdotes. I am a skeptic myself, but I must admit one of his stories sent a chill down my spine during the interview.

As an admirer of the arts, my favorite story of his involves a piano teacher who would serenade her family on moonlit nights, after she'd passed away. People who live in Clinton County should recognize many of the locales in Little's stories.

See our interview this week on "Spotlight," a segment of Mountain Lake Journal Extra. The program airs Thursday night at 8:30 on Mountain Lake PBS. Repeat broadcasts: Friday at 6am & 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am.

2010-03-07T09:11:00.001-08:00

Hudson River Photography

"SPOTLIGHT" this week: Photographer Croswell Bowen of upstate New York captured the people, architecture, and way of life along the Hudson River in pictures during the 1940s. Now his daughter Lucey Bowen replicates his journeys, taking photos in the very same places her father stood 70 years ago. Lucey gave a great interview at the Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls, New York, before we took our camera out to the river to see where her father took his historic pictures. Travel along the Hudson this week on "Spotlight," a segment on Mountain Lake Journal Extra. Thursday at 8:30pm. Photos: (top) Sunnyside by Croswell Bowen, (bottom) Sunnyside by Lucey Bowen