As I look back over the last 11 months, I’m so proud of the work that we have done this year. Of course, we don’t do it for awards, but I do enjoy when others acknowledge our staff and their hard work.
WHRO Public Media was presented with two unique awards recently. The station won FBI Norfolk’s 2021 Director’s Community Leadership Award. For decades the FBI has worked with WHRO to increase awareness about important programs, such as civil rights and public corruption campaigns. We were also presented with the 2022 Global Diplomacy Award from Norfolk Sister Cities.
At this year’s 54th Annual Public Media Awards ceremony, our Education team took home the coveted Overall Excellence in Innovation award for its Immersive Environmental Learning Van Program. This unique program is a collaboration between WHRO and the Virginia Stage Company. This award is just the latest of many that WHRO staff have won this year including Telly Awards, Emmy Awards and numerous journalism awards. You can see all of this year’s awards at whro.org/awards Congratulations to everyone who has been a part of these great projects this year!
I was thrilled to see so many of you at our events last month. We have another great lineup for you in November. We’re delighted to partner with the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg for a Classical Open Mic in their auditorium in conjunction with their new exhibit, “Making Music in Early America.” Join us on Saturday, Nov. 19, 4-6 p.m. for a fun, casual afternoon celebrating the vibrancy of our local classical music community. Museum admission will be free from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so take some time to enjoy the art while you are there.
WHRO is also once again a sponsor of Smartmouth Brewing’s concert series. The next concerts are happening Nov. 18-20 with a weekend-long Cider Fest and the Nov. 25 Dark Arts Fest. You can find details on all WHRO events at whro.org/events
Music lovers will also enjoy a new program on the Time Machine Radio Network. Paul Shugrue and the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame launched last month. Tune in each weekday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to hear some of the greatest music from artists inducted into the Hall of Fame along with interesting factoids, trivia and memories from some of rock’s most memorable acts. Blues fans can continue to hear Jerry Carter’s Blues Traffic Jam on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7.
Thank you for your continued generous support of local public media. Without you, we couldn’t do the work we do. Enjoy the fall!
Bert Schmidt President & Chief Executive Officer