President’s message If there’s one thing we at CPTV prize and encourage, it’s creativity. That’s why CPTV has had a hand in producing so many series and specials that aim to inspire creativity in adults and children alike, from Barney & Friends and Angelina Ballerina to the Emmy Award-winning Landscapes Through Time with David Dunlop. So it is especially gratifying for us to be able to help tell the story of Connecticut’s own Dr. Albert “Alby” Hurwit, who has used his own creative outlet to bring joy to others. It all started in 1986, when Hurwit retired from his radiology practice to pursue his dream of writing a symphony—despite the fact that he had no formal musical education. He followed his dream regardless and submitted his first work, "Adagio for Orchestra," to the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO) in 1997. HSO Conductor Michael Lankester selected the work for a concert performance and encouraged Hurwit to finish the full symphony. Hurwit did complete the piece, "Symphony No. 1," in 2002, and the symphony’s third movement went on to become the winning work of the 2009 American Composer Competition. Now Hurwit’s uplifting story will be shared with his Nutmeg State neighbors, as well as PBS viewers across the nation, with the new PBS special Lifecasters, which follows Hurwit and two other Americans who overcame many obstacles in pursuit of their creative goals—including the fact that they began working toward those goals later in life. The portion of the film profiling Hurwit is titled "The Gambling Man," and was produced by Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) and Sunny Side Up Films in association with CPTV, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Lifecasters will premiere on CPTV on Thursday, February 7 at 9 p.m. We at CPTV hope it will inspire viewers and impart the message that with some hard work and a lot of passion, all things are possible. We thank Dr. Hurwit for sharing both his musical gift and his story with the world, and we also thank our members for giving us the ability to help profile people like Dr. Hurwit, who make Connecticut such an interesting and exciting place to live—thank you! Jerry Franklin, President and CEO Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network CPTV—CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS CPTV’s Commitment to Community Involvement and Special Events Takes Center Stage During Its Golden Anniversary Since it first hit the airwaves in 1962, CPTV has been committed to providing high-quality, non-commercial programming to viewers in Connecticut and beyond. Over the years, CPTV has produced or coproduced countless national PBS specials and series, from Barney & Friends to Infinity Hall Live, and has turned the spotlight on the Nutmeg State’s unique offerings in sports, culture and politics. But despite its focus on programming, CPTV has always sought to have a more hands-on connection with its viewers as well. That’s why the station has such a long and exciting tradition of interacting directly with the Connecticut community through unique special events and outreach efforts. These efforts are often designed to supplement what CPTV viewers already love. For example, in 2009, CPTV noticed that many viewers had developed an increased interest in antiques due to the popularity of such programs as PBS’ own Antiques Roadshow. The station thus launched the Connecticut Treasure Hunt Appraisal Fair. This event took place at the Connecticut Convention Center and allowed attendees to have their family heirlooms and antiques appraised by visiting experts. CPTV even broadcast footage from the appraisal fair, which was so popular that CPTV presented the event again in 2010 and 2011. More recently, CPTV noted that the PBS Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey" had amassed a large network of local fans, so it went to work to help those fans come together and celebrate their mutual interest. The result was CPTV’s 50th Anniversary Celebration of Downton Abbey, held January 5 at Torrington’s Warner Theatre. The event featured costumes, an educational presentation and an advance screening of the premiere episode of the series’ third season. In fact, the screening was held a full day before the long-anticipated episode aired on television! And of course, CPTV is always sure to maintain its strong commitment to education, especially when it comes to Connecticut’s children. That’s why the station has organized countless family-friendly events that have emphasized the idea that learning can be fun—events that have included everything from the Family Science Expo to the CPTV Kids' Days at Barnes & Noble as well as the Hartford Hawks, to the recent Steve Songs Pre-Release CD Celebration, sponsored by The Connecticut Science Center. CPTV also often makes special visits to schools, libraries, children’s museums, amusement parks and other venues around the state. Sometimes, however, CPTV special events are organized under more somber circumstances. The recent, unspeakable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, for example, left many children throughout Connecticut—and the nation—afraid and confused about what had happened. CPTV reacted by participating in the Sandy Hook Coping and Caring Express Bus project. Through the project, representatives from CPTV, along with Super Why!, the popular children's show character, traveled to several Connecticut towns to provide comfort for kids, as well as information for parents about how to teach children about scary or traumatic events. CPTV strives to be not just a broadcast station, but an integral part of the Connecticut community, and is grateful to its neighbors for having allowed CPTV into their lives. For more information on upcoming CPTV events—including special 50th anniversary Red Carpet Series performances featuring music groups Celtic Woman, Brit Floyd and Under the Streetlamp; the Sid the Science Kid Feature-Length Movie Premiere at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford; or the CPTV 50th Anniversary Gala Event that will be held June 8 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown—log on to CPTV.org. Lifecasters AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKERS HIGHLIGHT INSPIRING PROFILES OF SECOND CHANCES FOR LIFECASTERS— Premieres Thursday, February 7 at 9 p.m. on CPTV Lifecasters is an innovative public television program that unites fiction and documentary filmmakers to tell the stories of Americans who have discovered creative ways of realizing their dreams—a bit later in life. Each of three segments featured in the video is directed by pairs of award-winning filmmakers from different professional backgrounds, giving each team a platform to tell an inspiring story in their own voice. Hollywood filmmakers Adam McKay (Anchorman, Funny or Die) and Shira Piven (Fully Loaded) produced and directed "The Beast and the Angel," a short film profiling former MC5 guitarist and punk pioneer Wayne Kramer, chronicling his journey of finding hope and comfort through the gift of music. Oscar-nominated filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert (The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant, A Lion in the House) created "Sparkle," the story of African-American dancer Sherri “Sparkle” Williams, one of the oldest female professional dancers still practicing in the United States. Emmy-nominated filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly (The Way We Get By) produced "The Gambling Man," a portrait of Albert "Alby" Hurwit (pictured above), a retired doctor from Hartford who could not read or write music, yet composed an award-winning symphony. “There are so many talented individuals across the country finding ways to inspire, help and motivate others to achieve their full potential in life. We hope Lifecasters will be a model for supporting creative, innovative endeavors and allow others across the country to take a chance on themselves,” explains Pullapilly. For his whole life, Alby Hurwit heard music in his head, but when he failed a college music theory exam, his dream of music died. Instead of pursuing a life in music, he became a Harvard- and Tufts-educated doctor—a doctor who healed people throughout his career. Then, after almost seven decades of listening to the music in his head—over and over again—he decided he had to do something with it. He retired from his successful practice and bought a roomful of computers and keyboards. He decided that even if he had no formal training, he would teach himself how to use these new pieces of technology to somehow translate what was in his head into something that could be heard in the world. At the age of 80, he didn’t just write a song—he composed an award-winning symphony. The music in his head was the story of his family—a Jewish family persecuted in Europe that fled to America with the hope of living the American dream. It is the immigrant story and a story of never giving up hope when everyone around you already has. Many composers might scoff at the idea that someone who still can only write and read music at a fifth-grade level could succeed in the world of classical music. Alby’s peers in the medical field—many whom also have a love and dream of making music—are filled with envy at his drive and determination. So even though he has achieved one goal, there is much more to prove. The odds are against him, but as his story proves—you’re never too old to dream. Newman’s Own Foundation Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network Receives $125,000 Grant From Newman's Own Foundation The Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN) has been awarded a $125,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman. The grant to CPBN will be used to provide workforce development training to returning veterans who face one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. The award also reflects the ongoing commitment of Newman’s Own Foundation to organizations serving military service personnel, veterans and their families. Jerry Franklin, president and CEO of CPBN, stated, “Although many veterans face unprecedented challenges as they reintegrate back into civilian life, CPBN is committed to making a difference by providing training, certifications and employment placement opportunities.” CPBN's program will launch in February 2013. It will provide education and training workshops as a pathway to receive certifications in digital media (web and graphic design and video editing) to increase students' academic proficiency with industry software as well as employability skills in an authentic workplace environment. “We are proud of the men and women who have made innumerable sacrifices in service to our country,” said Robert Forrester, president of Newman’s Own Foundation. “For nearly 20 years, we have been supporting the organizations that help our nation’s troops and their families. This funding is intended to further the impact that our grantees are having in the lives of individuals and families in their time of need.” Paul Newman established the Foundation in 2005, as a means of continuing his pledge to donate to charity all net profits and royalties from the sale of products from Newman’s Own, Inc. Since the food company’s founding in 1982, Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have donated more than $350 million to thousands of charities worldwide.