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Story Subject Category: Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers
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Orpheum Science Museum by Elif Basar
In college I read somewhere that the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum was looking for volunteers, and they were holding a volunteer orientation. I had never heard of this place, and I was not even aware that a children’s museum even existed in Champaign. I had done previous volunteer work with children and science, so I thought this would be a fun opportunity. I went to check out this tiny museum, which I had passed by several times in the past, and hardly noticed. I was pleased when I walked inside. Who knew at the time that what looked like an abandoned area of downtown held such a colorful and promising place? The answer is, not many people. Apparently, I was not the only one who was unaware of it.
I volunteered for some of their special events’ weekends, which drew in a modest number of people. I had such a wonderful time explaining different scientific concepts to children, and seeing them engaged and actually interested in what I was saying. Children were really enjoying themselves, not even noticing that they were learning at the same time. I have always felt that places like these are very important for our community to have. Many of the surrounding communities have had established children’s museums for some time, and it is only in the last decade that Champaign has joined them. I wanted more people to be aware of this place, and its importance, so that is can continuously grow and improve as planned. Already this has started, as I observed by the crowd it drew in this January at the event Prairie Fire filmed. Children were all over the place, participating in hands on experiments and demonstrations. Trying to film them in action was a bit of a challenge, since they would run as soon as they noticed the camera. Virginia Steffen still managed to sneak up on them, and get some great shots before they noticed.
We had a wonderful time that Saturday shooting this. I really hope more people take notice of this neat little place, and will help to support it.
Segment duration: 08:13
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Producer: Elif Basar
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Science/Nature • Champaign • Champaign County
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Tom Hawk by Shane Pangburn
This was the second video I’ve worked on with Tom Hawk. I don’t even bother counting the plays. Tom works so much, that it was difficult to schedule time for the story. Eventually, I just started following him. I went down to Lerna to his farm. The farm only grows lights, props, sets, and cats, not exactly in that order. Years ago, I helped Tom clean one of his workshops. It was the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life. These shoots were decidedly easier and more relaxed.
It was much more like having a conversation with Tom and than interviewing him. Most of the footage was us just catching up. It made editing interesting, but nobody’s interested in the editing process. I’ll just make one note of thanks to everyone who helped find archival material, particularly Mike Katzenstein, Lynn Leithliter, and Jerry Daniels. Tom has worked for so long and so many places, it was difficult to keep track of them all.
In mid-March, he designed a set for Steel Magnolias at Atwood High School. Laura Arwine directs the Atwood plays and her daughters act and help on set. I’ve been friends with the Arwine’s for years, so it was fun being there while their show took shape. I even helped out a little, mostly just lifting stuff, which is all a videographer is really good for anyway.
Segment duration: 07:29
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Producer: Shane Pangburn
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers
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The Cahokia Mounds story grabbed my interest immediately because I had never heard that there was once a prosperous Native American city in the Americas. Growing up, the TV shows and movies I had seen always portrayed Native Americans as loose collections of people who were constantly on the move. I had never considered that the ancient residents of America had built long-standing, sedentary communities with complex social structures, sprawling community squares, and ceremonial earthen mounds.
Once we arrived in Cahokia for the video shoot, I was shocked to see that the highway ran right through the middle of this historic site. I was also saddened to learn that many of the mounds in the area have been leveled because of farming, construction, or landscaping efforts over the decades. I’m glad that the site is now recognized for its cultural importance and hope that continued research at the site helps increase the general public’s understanding and appreciation for this unique bit of America’s past. The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site has a great Web site (http://www.cahokiamounds.com) detailing the history of this ancient city in the middle of Illinois.
Segment duration: 02:56
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Ethnicity/Culture • Historical Landmarks • History • Landscape • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Native Americana • Parks/Outdoor Recreation
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The B-R-S Baseball Museum began as a small collection of baseballs and photographs that were displayed in a Nokomis restaurant window. The museum moved five times before members purchased a building to house their increasing collection. Now visitors can view photographs, scrapbooks and gloves from a century of baseball. The museum pays tribute to all outstanding players from the Nokomis area, including Hall of Famers Jim Bottomley, Charles Ruffing, and Ray Schalk.
Location: 121 W. State St., Nokomis, Ill.
Hours: 9-11 a.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday
Admission: Free
Segment duration: 06:32
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
Chief Camera - Segment: Ian Mitchell
This segment is filed in these categories: Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Sports
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This church’s parish lost more young men in Vietnam than any other parish in the country. Prairie Fire tells the story of the creation of a memorial mural by artists from the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum. The mural includes portraits of each of the 12 men who died, as well as two helicopters, a cobra and a Huey Medi-vac. They hover over a POW in a prison camp and a medic caring for a wounded man. The mural also includes representation of the equal sacrifice of male and female, Hispanic, African-American and Caucasian soldiers surrounding a white cross. Along the bottom of the mural is a complete listing of Illinois soldiers killed in Vietnam, including the 12 honored by the mural.
Phone: 773-768-0793
Segment duration: 04:07
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Producer: Tim Hartin
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • History • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Military • Chicago
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The B-R-S baseball museum began as a small collection of baseballs and photographs that were displayed in a Nokomis restaurant window. The museum moved five times before members purchased a building to house their increasing collection. Now visitors can view photographs, scrapbooks and gloves from a century of baseball. The museum pays tribute to all outstanding players from the Nokomis area, including Hall of Famers Jim Bottomley, Charles Ruffing, and Ray Schalk.
Segment duration: 06:31
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Antiques/Collectibles • Hobbies • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Sports
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At the ship museum, visitors not only have a chance to see ship models used in movies like Cleopatra, Tora Tora Tora, Ben Hur, Showboat and Tugboat Annie, they also can talk to the collector, Charles Lozar, about where he acquired the models and all the rest of the items in the museum. He started collecting as a child 50 years ago. He eventually became an architect, but he never lost his love of the ocean.
Phone: 217-398-1998
Segment duration: 05:53
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Producer: Martha Diehl
This segment is filed in these categories: Antiques/Collectibles • Arts/Culture • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Sadorus
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Segment duration: 05:24
Producer: Eleanore Stasheff
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Hobbies • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Travel
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Segment duration: 06:17
Producer: Eleanor Stasheff
Chief Camera - Segment: Julius Bolton, Jeff Cunningham, Tim Hartin
This segment is filed in these categories: Architecture • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • University of Illinois
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Segment duration: 10:06
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Antiques/Collectibles • Hobbies • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Monticello
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