I’ve had a minor epifanny (as #43 might say) regarding WSEC, the Public Broadcasting System television station serving the Springfield, Illinois area. It occurred the night of July 4 at their fundraiser at Pasfield House.
Two days earlier, a friend invited me to a small gathering of mutual friends convening on the 27th floor of the Springfield Hilton to watch the fireworks displays from on high. I accepted instantly because though I knew about the planned SEC fund raiser, I didn’t have the discretionary income — not with my gas still disconnected — to attend. The afternoon of the 4th, however, Pasfield House owner Tony Leone dropped by my place of employment during a radio remote broadcast. As he posed for a few pictures that will likely appear at The Granite Guy web site, I wished him good luck with the big event. He invited me to come on over with my camera. There would be no admission because he’d call me “a part of the staff.” I could enjoy a decent dinner, meet some good people and see some fireworks from the west side of the Illinois State Capitol building that faces Pasfield House two blocks away.
I had to cancel my plan to attend the Hilton party, and I really hated to do that. Friends like Joe Russel and the Goddess of Cookies and Wine are worth their weight in Corona and lime wedges, so I truly hated to opt out.
Dr. Jerold Gruebel poses with two happy supporters.
That said, the Pasfield House WSEC Fundraiser was everything promised and more. I chatted with many long-time friends and acquantances, met WSEC CEO Dr. Jerold Gruebel and took a bunch of fine pictures. Needless to say, I did not go home hungry or thirsty.
I can’t begin to tell you what a 180 degree turnaround of attitude I experienced toward Jerry Gruebel. Suffice to say here that I found him to be a truly cool and sharp son of a gun. We talked at length regarding the status of the station, his thoughts regarding mis-characterization of the situation at SEC by some media, and — you could probably see this coming a mile away — his interest in Vachel Lindsay, once I started telling him about the poet and what I do in connection with my appreciation of the fellow. I engaged Dr. Gruebel AND Mark MacDonald in major conversation which I hoped would lead to an offer to do an Illinois Stories about Vachel and my efforts on that dead poet’s behalf. As luck would have it, just as JG was calling MMac over (I am SURE to suggest further discussion of such a possibility), someone with nothing to sell or report interrupted our conversation, and the magic moment was lost, I hope to be discovered again soon.
I often write here at Honey & Quinine how much WSEC means to me. Without Charlie Rose, Illinois Stories, The American Experience, coverage of Illinois state politics (The BEST was Ben Kiningham’s Enlightened Conversations) Frontline, Nova, and Nature, I would be a hollow shell of the citizen I am today. Okay, maybe that’s going too far, but I say truthfully, when I am not committed to a recital, performance, a party or neighborhood association meeting, I build my evening around WSEC. Those programs come first. I can work on AeroKNow or write a poem, or practice guitar any time, but it must be time when there’s nothing I want to see on WSEC.
Their bi-monthly program guide (they were giving away copies at the event) is a first class preview of what’s to come, very well done. Their web site — http://www.tkn.tv — is also a fine site worth your visit. It even includes one of the picttures I took at the fundraiser, properly credited to yours truly.
If you have hot water connected and more than a four year old cantelope and a half a jar of Hellman’s in your refrigerator, you may qualify to become a supporter of WSEC “Network Knowledge” television. Visit their web site to learn how to contribute via VISA or MC, and tell them Job Conger’s Honey & Quinine sent you. This posting is how I am demonstrating my support for this most essential community asset. I hope you will support them as well.
Live long . . . . . . and proper.
