The work to tell a 46-year story from Michigan’s Great Southwest actually began itself more than six months ago when my friends at WNIT Public Television in South Bend decided to make me the subject of their next Legends of Michiana video documentary series. That work is now complete, and you can see the results for the first time in an hour-long broadcast tomorrow night, Thursday, September 26th, on WNIT-TV.
I tell you this not to brag about being the subject of the program, but because so many people have worked so hard for the past half-year to bring the project to fruition, and because it shines a light on many of the great advancements made in Michigan’s Great Southwest over the past several decades.
The show, entitled: Legends of Michiana: Pat Moody — The Man, the Mic, the Legend, airs for the first time tomorrow night (Thursday) at 8pm local time. It will then air again on Sunday night, September 29th at 6pm, and finally on Monday, October 10th at 10pm.
As you will see in the documentary, I am absolutely humbled knowing that only one other Michigan person has been profiled — millionaire industrialist Merlin Hanson — and the most recent profile is of former Indiana Governor Joe Kernan. There have been thirteen profiles created before mine, and they have done exemplary work on every one of them.
I wanted you to know about it, because there are great stories, photos, video and comments that help tell the story of our region and showcase the great things that haven happened in our midst.
Executive Producer Paul Wasowski and his Videographer Gary Banks have done a masterful job of piecing together hours of video and still photography, and Narrator & Writer Mike Kraft tells the story in a fun and compelling way.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the nearly two dozen friends, colleagues and mentors who appeared on camera to mold the fabric of the story including:
- David Brugger — former President of America’s Public Television Stations
- Pat Butler — current President of America’s Public Television Stations
- Stacey Carlin — Honor Credit Union and Podcaster “Hustlin’ in Heels”
- Rob Cleveland — President of Cornerstone Alliance
- Dave Doetsch — President & General Mgr of Mid-West Family
- Jim Gifford — former Co-Host of the Moody in the Morning Show
- Dr. Bob Harrison — retired President of Lake Michigan College
- Glen Head — Publisher of “MailMax”
- Chris Heugel — former President of the Southwest Michigan Chamber of Commerce
- Paula Kerger — CEO of PBS in Washington, DC
- Paul Landeck — former General Manager of Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant
- Lindsay LeValley — Whirlpool Corporation and former fellow broadcaster
- Carol Moody — the woman behind the curtain…my lovely wife
- Jason Moody — my oldest son from Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Peter Moody — my youngest son from Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Anna Murphy — President & CEO of United Way of SW Michigan
- Jeff Noel — Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs for Whirlpool
- Al Pscholka — Vice President at the Kinexus Group and former State Representative
- Susan Solon — formerly with the City of St. Joseph and SWM Chamber
- Fred Upton — United States Congressman, Michigan’s 6th District
- Greg Vaughn — Chief Operating Officer of Cornerstone Alliance
The comprehensive video documentary would not have been possible without the underwriters and sponsors who made it possible. They include:
- PBS Michiana
- South Bend International Airport
- United Way of Southwest Michigan
- Whirlpool Corporation
- Cornerstone Alliance
- Edgewater Automation
- Hanson Group
- Moody on the Market
- Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council
- Alick’s Home Medical Equipment
- Andy J. Egan Company, Inc.
- Crystal Springs Florist & Garden Center
- Edgewater Bank
- Gallery on the Alley
- Harbortown Interiors
- Holt+Bosse
- Pete Jorgensen
- King Media
- Kruggel Lawton, CPAs
- Lake Michigan College
- Bill & Jane Marohn
- MailMax
- Mid-West Family
- Moersch Hospitality Group
- Perennial Accents
- Pri Mar Petroleum, Inc.
- Priebe’s Creative Woodworking
- Lorrie & Bill Schmuhl
- Silver Beach Carousel
- Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce
- St. Joseph Today
- Starks Family Funeral Homes — Heritage Chapel
- Vail Rubber Works, Inc.
- Jim Visin — Aire Wae Barber Shop
I strongly encourage you to watch WNIT Public Television regularly for quality programming like this, inasmuch as public television station’s are the last locally-owned and operated television operations in America bringing the best into your home every day. Become a member, too, to help sustain that programming well into the future.
For full disclosure, I have been a member of the WNIT Board for a couple of decades, and have represented them in Washington D.C. for more than 10 years at the national level as a member over several terms of office at America’s Public Television Stations.
Mr. Wasowski and friends did a remarkable job, had some fun along the way, and share some great stories from our region, so I hope you enjoy the show in spite of its focus on my broadcast and community service career. Be sure to watch all the way to the end for some great out takes, too!
A special thanks to Mr. Greg Gitzci, the President & CEO at WNIT for the idea that started the ball rolling to make the program a reality.
After the show has run its course on the air, the full program can be watched online at the WNIT website in the Legends of Michiana grouping, where all of the other programs are also archived and showcase for your viewing pleasure at the link below:
