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AETN local production marathon to air Sunday, March 16

Posted 11 Mar 2014

A special afternoon of local programming will air on the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) Sunday, March 16, from noon to 8 p.m.The schedule includes:

• "Cooking on the Wild Side: A Phyllis and John Reunion" at noon. This special marks the return of co-hosts and viewer favorites Phyllis Speer and John Philpot for their first new program in more than four years. During her 20-plus years with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission − and even into her retirement − Speer has travelled across Arkansas and the nation to cook tried and true game dishes for outdoor enthusiasts. Philpot, a longtime regular on Arkansas radio and television programs, continues his service as "official taste-tester" and offers colorful commentary.
• "Up Among the Hills: The Story of Fayetteville" at 1:30 p.m. This documentary, narrated by former President Bill Clinton, tells the story of the character and characters of Fayetteville from the 1800s to present. Fayetteville’s history as a quirky community known for the state’s flagship college and well recognized for its farmers market, town square and off-beat personalities provides interesting fare for this documentary. The film blends artistic images with dramatic voices and recreations to take viewers on a poignant and, at times, humorous trip through the town’s history.
• "Silent Storytellers" at 3 p.m. This AETN original documentary filmed over two years explores the cultural, artistic and personal stories cemeteries provide to the surrounding communities. Guided by author and cemetery researcher Abby Burnett, "Silent Storytellers" visits cemeteries in Boone, Crawford, Franklin, Hempstead, Johnson, Lawrence, Newton, Pulaski, Searcy and Sevier counties and features tombstones with tales of murder, family heirlooms and folk-art inspired carvings. The film features information about the best techniques for preserving, repairing and maintaining tombstones, presented by Elizabeth Norton of Norton Fine Arts Conservation.
• "The Buffalo Flows" at 5 p.m. This documentary showcases America’s first national river, which begins in the Ozark Mountains, flowing through hills and rock framed valleys - a place people fought to preserve.
• "Champion Trees" at 6:30 p.m. Escaping the ravages of nature and man, the champion trees of Arkansas are the largest of their species in the state. With lives spanning hundreds of years, these silent sentinels have watched history unfold around them. This AETN original documentary explores these natural wonders and how they influence and inspire the people around them. Viewers will experience these giants through various seasons in Arkansas, from the magnificent blooms of the champion Southern Magnolia tree in Texarkana during the summer to the snow-covered Northern Catalpa in Prattsville. They will also learn about the rich history associated with the trees, and how they’ve inspired artist Linda Williams Palmer of Hot Springs.

AETN is the premier broadcast venue for Arkansas's independent film producers. The network strives to showcase indie films from and about Arkansans, turning the spotlight to a wide range of topics that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas’s statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).