NHPTV Connections February 2015

As the father of three boys and now the granddad of a smart, energetic and beautiful little girl, I am reminded daily of all that PBS and NHPTV offer to our children, from pre-school through high school. We start early as an education partner for everyone in the Granite State, with resources for parents, childcare providers, educators and kids through PBS KIDS programs, workshops, and special events.

This month, our 21st NHPTV-PBS KIDS Writers Contest got underway. It encourages children to explore the power of creativity by writing and illustrating their own stories, and it promotes reading skills. If you know a child in K - 3 grade, be sure to tell them about the contest!

And, we begin our 31st season of Granite State Challenge this month. It offers NH high school students a chance to team up and compete in an exciting academic quiz show. I’ve had people – a doctor, a politician, even a Jeopardy winner – tell me, “I was on Granite State Challenge and it was an incredible experience for me!”

We’re able to share this love of learning with people of all ages because of your support.

Thank you. Peter Frid, NHPTV President & CEO

Our Valentines, Our Kids

The NHPTV Kids Club invites you to celebrate Valentine’s Day and a love of math with special guests Peg + Cat! There’ll be a special screening of Peg + Cat, along with crafty fun, dancing, snacks and more! The party will take place at the NHPTV Broadcast Center in Durham on Saturday, February 14th. There are two party times: 10-11:30 AM, and 1 - 2:30 PM.

This is a free event but space is limited, so sign up now! To find out more about the NHPTV Kids Club and to register for the event, visit nhptv.org/kids.

NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC TELEVISION • nhptv.orgQuestions or Comments? Call 800-639-8408 or email [email protected]

NHPTV Connections February 2015

Granite State Challenge: Smart Stuff!The top academic teams

from 54 high schools across New Hampshire convened at Plymouth State University in November for the chance to play in the 31st season of Granite State Challenge. After taking a grueling test and then two play-off matches, the top 16 teams are set to compete in this year’s Granite State Challenge, premiering Saturday, February 7th at 6 PM. The winning team will take home the Granite State SuperChallenge trophy, and compete in the NH-MA Governor’s Cup match!

Watch for new angles this season, including a high-stakes round that deducts points from teams with the wrong answer, and video

questions featuring notable people and places.

And, for a third year, the winner of Granite State SuperChallenge will face the winners of WGBH’s High School Quiz Show in a Governor’s Cup match. Last year’s win went to NH’s own Pinkerton Academy!

It takes a winning combination of quick thinking, teamwork, and smarts to play Granite State Challenge. The game emphasizes quick recall of math, science, social studies, language arts and fine arts facts – along with questions about current events, entertainment, sports, and New England. Long-time host Jim Jeannotte poses the Challenge questions to the teams; co-host Lori Warriner goes behind-the-scenes to interview them.

Granite State Challenge is generously funded by lead sponsor Unitil, a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England; additional funding is provided by Markem-Imaje, Heinemann, NEA New Hampshire, DF Richard, Measured Progress, and the NHHEAF Network.

Granite State Challenge • Saturdays at 6 PM • Additional airdates on PRIME & EXPLORE • Online at video.nhptv.org • nhptv.org/gsc

EARTH A New WildTake a fresh look at

humankind’s relationship to the planet’s wildest places and most fascinating species with Dr. M. Sanjayan, a conservation scientist.

Explore how humans are inextricably woven into every aspect of the earth’s natural systems with spectacular footage of wild animals and the people who live and work with them.

The series offers an intimate look at a range of species, from giant pandas to humpback whales and African lions to Arctic reindeer.Wednesday, February 4 • 9 PM on NHPTV PRIME

Shakespeare UncoveredPerforming as a character

in a Shakespearian play is, for many actors, the pinnacle of their career. This series follows actors Morgan Freeman, Kim Cattrall, Orlando Bloom and others who have had this experience.

It explores their efforts to understand the plays and the actors before them, and is a mixture of art, history and investigative journalism, all to learn about the Bard and the craft of acting. Fridays • February 6 & 13 • 9 & 10 PM on NHPTV PRIME

Program Top Picks

For complete listings, previews and more go to nhptv.org

Windows to the WildEvery year, for the last 150

years, the students and faculty of Colby-Sawyer College begin the school year with a hike up nearby Mt. Kearsarge. The annual hike begins when the school bell rings without warning.

It’s a tradition that unites the college with a common goal and experience. Will Lange hikes with a group and

discovers what it means to those involved. Wednesday, February 4 • 7:30 PM on NHPTV PRIME

Nature: Owl Power For centuries, owls have been

fascinating characters in children’s stories and folk tales the world over. What is it that makes them so special?

Using camera technology, computer graphics, x-rays and ultra-microscopes, take a look at owls in more detail than ever before.

Explore the stories of how they hunt, how their vision and hearing work, and how their ability to fly silently are influencing technology and design.

Wednesday February 18 • 8 PM on NHPTV PRIME

NOVAThis month on NOVA,

explore the ancient cities of the world and the architecture that defined them. In Colosseum, go to the monument of Roman imperial power and cruelty.

Travel to Jordan and the nearly forgotten society that built the Great Temple in Petra. Then explore the beauty and majesty of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, as scientists try to uncover architectural secrets that keep it from falling despite being on an active seismic fault.Wednesdays • February 11, 18 & 25 • 9 PM on NHPTV PRIME

The Great British Baking ShowThe competition continues with

only six bakers remaining. Having made it through breads, puds and biscuits, watch the contestants as they rise and fall while taking on more complicated bakes.

From baklava to doughnuts and éclairs to a Hungarian Dobos torte, the winning factors are the taste and execution.

The heat and pressure only sweeten the prize of being

deemed Britain’s top baker!Sundays • 8 PM on NHPTV PRIME

NHPTV Is On-Air • Online • In Your CommunityMasterpieceDownton Abbey

Tensions (and love) build as the season continues, leading to a Christmas special finale. Lady Mary grapples with love; Lord Grantham and Cora struggle with their relationship; Edith finds she can’t keep away from baby Marigold; romantic interests bring the Dowager and Mrs. Crawley to common ground; Tom makes plans to leave Downton; Thomas shows vulnerability; and Carson and Mrs. Hughes...will they or won’t they? Sundays • 9 PM on NHPTV PRIME

Watch the season finale at the spectacular Omni Mount Washington Resort with fellow Downton lovers! Join us March 1st for a special screening, desserts and the final episode of Season 5. More at nhptv.org/events

Mystery! Grantchester Sydney Chambers is a young

charismatic vicar in a hamlet near Cambridge in the early 1950s. He loves God, jazz and a strong whiskey, and he struggles with the trauma of having served as an officer in WWII. He also has a certain appeal

with the ladies. When one of his parishioners dies under suspicious circumstances, Sydney becomes an amateur detective. His sleuthing accomplice is gruff, down-to-earth police inspector Geordie Keating. They are an unlikely duo with cases that reflect a changing society. Sundays • 10 PM on NHPTV PRIME

American ExperienceBig Burn

In the summer of 1910, an unimaginable wildfire devoured more than three million acres across the Northern Rockies. The fledgling U.S. Forest Service faced a catastrophe that would define the agency and the nation’s fire policy for the rest of the 20th century and beyond. Tuesday, February 3 • 9 PM on NHPTV PRIME

Forgotten PlagueTuberculosis is the deadliest killer in human history,

responsible for one in four deaths for almost two centuries. Even while it shaped medical pursuits, social habits, economic development and public policy, TB and its impact is poorly understood.Tuesday February 10 • 9 PM on NHPTV PRIME

American MastersAugust Wilson

From his roots as an activist and poet to his indelible mark on Broadway, this program captures the legacy of the man some call America’s Shakespeare. Film and theater luminaries James Earl Jones, Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad,

Laurence Fishburne and others share their stories of bringing Wilson’s rich voice to the stage. Friday, February 20 • 9 PM on NHPTV PRIME

The FUN CLUB for Kids!

NHPTV

nhptv.org/kidsclub

Great Perks For NHPTV Members Who Ski!Love to ski? There are some fantastic deals for ski passes and packages, thanks to your NHPTV PerksConnect card! Our member card offers you savings every day and discounts with over 50,000 merchants in person and online. There are savings at stores and also at events! nhptvperksconnect.com

New Hampshire’s only statewide locally owned and operated television network engages minds, connects communities, and celebrates New Hampshire with programs that entertain, educate and enrich. Beyond its award-winning local and national television programs, NHPTV is a leader in education and community outreach. nhptv.org

268 Mast Road • Durham, NH 03824 (603) 868-1100 • [email protected]

NHPTV EventsThese events support NHPTV’s programs.

Community Cinema: American DenialFebruary 10 - Red River Theatres, ConcordNHPTV Kids Club Valentine’s Day PartyFebruary 14 - NHPTV Broadcast Center, DurhamDownton Abbey Screening & DessertMarch 1 - Onmi Mt Washingon Resort, Bretton WoodsCeltic WomanMarch 17 - Verizon Wireless Arena, ManchesterCeltic ThunderApril 8 - Capitol Center for the Arts, ConcordDETAILS at nhptv.org/events

nhptvperksconnect.comAs a New Hampshire Public Television member, you have access to money-saving discounts across New England and more than 50,000 locations nationwide. Visit nhptvperksconnect.com for full details.Questions about NHPTV PerksConnect? 1-866-671-3322

Questions about your NHPTV [email protected] | 800-639-8408Thank you for your support!

New Hampshire Public Television268 Mast Road Durham, NH 03824

Return service requested

Non-ProfitU.S. PostageP A I DPermit No. xxxx., NH xxxxx

February 2015

CONNECTIONS is printed by

NHPTV CONNECTIONS VOLUME 3, NO. 2