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Story Subject Category: Livestock/Animals/Zoology
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The Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya borders the famed Serengeti, where the wildebeest migrate. Recently named one of the seven tourist wonders of the world, this territory was once a favorite hunting ground for big game. The elephants, lions, buffalo, hippo and leopards are now protected. But the Maasai tribespeople say they need protection, too. They are being attacked by the increasing numbers of wild animals that roam outside the game reserves. This story takes you on safari to Kenya where you will hear from the Maasai. University of Illinois journalism professor Nancy Benson traveled with U of I law professor Patrick Keenan who is working with the Maasai to write new laws designed to provide compensation when a life, or crop, is lost. This story provides one example of what is happening in many developing countries where tourism is big business.
Segment duration: 07:24
Producer: Nancy Benson
Editor: Michael Koliska
This segment is filed in these categories: Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Travel • University of Illinois
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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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I am interested in rescue groups for animals. I have been to a few humane societies, so I wanted to do a story on a rescue group that did not have anything to do with dogs or cats. I saw Crosswinds on the Internet and realized that it was not far and thought the organization sounded interesting.
Crosswinds Equine Rescue is a nonprofit organization that takes in abused unwanted horses and buys those that are for sale at slaughter houses. The group takes them in and rehabilitates the horses so they can be adopted out to new homes.
If you’d like to help out the organization, you can visit their Web site or call them at 217-832-2010, 8 am-9 pm Central Time. They also accept donations which help pay for the horses’ food and other things that the horses would need. If there is a certain horse that you like, you can sponsor that horse.
Segment duration: 03:40
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Producer: Katie Woodson
This segment is filed in these categories: Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Parks/Outdoor Recreation
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The shoot took two days and was actually a double feature. Douglas County, my home county, offers more than just corn. It also has two agriculture-based amusement parks. The Great Pumpkin Patch and Rockome Gardens are just two miles apart, as the horse pulls.
A fellow producer, Virginia Steffen and I started at Rockome. With movie magic, we hoped to make the gardens look warm, springy and comfortable. In reality, it was cold, windy and miserable weather. Luckily Sasan Shabrou, a Rockome worker and friend, was able to take us around the grounds in a complimentary golf cart. With our transportation problem solved, the equipment moved quickly and so did we.
Day two was colder and possibly windier. Virginia, new recruit Dave Noreen and I worked well into the night, which was actually pleasant. It was just before Halloween and the weather changed for the best, just after the worst part of the shooting schedule.
Despite poor conditions, the Rockome staff was sunny and eager to answer questions. The evening crowd for their treasure hunt was large and in good spirits. The country charm of the gardens warmed everyone. One lucky treasure team left Rockome with $2,500. We left with a delicious meal and two wrapped segments. The second segment will have to wait for another blog and another episode. Stay tuned for part two of our shoot: The Great Pumpkin Patch.
Segment duration: 08:02
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Producer: Shane Pangburn
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • Horticulture • Illinois Culture/History • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Science/Nature
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University of Illinois entomologist May Berenbaum tells Prairie Fire she was pleased to have a luscious entomologist named after her in a 1996 “The X-Files” episode, especially since the character was a great stereotype buster. “Entomologists are usually portrayed as having horn-rimmed glasses and wearing inappropriate clothes like pith helmets,” said Prairie Fire host Alison Davis, who profiles Berenbaum. Davis explores the activities of the real life Berenbaum and the history of her Insect Fear Film Festival, which Berenbaum has been using for 15 years to expose the mythology in insect films.
Davis said Berenbaum actually likes a lot of the films that aren’t scientifically accurate. “In fact, the worse the movie, the more entertaining she finds it. But she does like to point out where the movie differs from scientific fact,” Davis said. Berenbaum, a member of the national Academy of Sciences and head of the UI entomology department, began the festival as a fun way to educate people about insects.
Segment duration: 11:10
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Cinema/Theaters/Film • Illinois Culture/History • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • University of Illinois • Champaign • Champaign County • University of Illinois • Urbana
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Host Alison Davis heads to Petersburg in Menard County, where one of the country’s most influential quarter horses, Peter McCue, was foaled on Samuel Watkin’s farm in 1895. Peter McCue can be found in the lineage of 75 percent of all American quarter horses today, said Davis. “He had a good, but short career as a race horse and then went on to be a stud horse. While in Illinois, he sired three of his most famous sons: Harmon Baker, Hickory Bill and John Wilkins,” she said.
Peter McCue became the first horse ever to be honored with a marker by the American Quarter Horse Association. The marker was erected at the Menard County Fairgrounds in 1995.
Segment duration: 07:01
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Folklore • Illinois Culture/History • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Sports
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Prairie Fire looks at Bloomington-Normal’s history as a winter training center for circus trapeze acts. Never-before-televised footage of the aerialists practicing and performing, obtained from rare personal collections and the circus collection at Illinois State University, brings the Prairie Fire story to life.
From the late 1800s to the 1960s, dozens of world-class circus aerialists trained in Bloomington-Normal during the off season. “It started out when several boys from the area ran off to join the circus,” said WILL-TV’s Ange Albsmeyer, producer of the story. In the winter, they’d come back to Illinois and train in ice houses, tying their trapezes to rafters and falling into sawdust on the floor beneath.
After a new YMCA was built in 1907, an increasing number of aerialists began practicing there. In return for being allowed to use the space, the trapeze artists would put on a circus each year in the facility and give the proceeds to the YMCA, said Steve Gossard, curator of ISU Circus Collections, who provided 8 millimeter film of the aerialists.
The story includes shots of Antoinette Concello, one of the first women to perfect the triple somersault, and her husband, Art, another key figure among aerialists. Others training in Bloomington-Normal included the Flying Wards. The Grand Hotel Restaurant now occupies the space where some of the Ward troupe once lived. A barn on Grove Street in Normal where the Flying Valentinos trained is also still standing.
The Flying Valentinos’ Cherie Valentine still lives in Bloomington and in an interview, gives a fascinating description of circus life. She became part of her family’s act at the age of 3 after her father had a heart attack.
“Sometimes circus performers are seen as just entertainers, but in reality, they were professionals who worked hard at exhausting and dangerous jobs. They were extremely proud of their craft,” said Albsmeyer.
Bloomington-Normal’s ties to the circus continue with ISU’s Gamma Phi Circus, one of the largest collegiate circuses in the country.
Segment duration: 12:30
Producer: Ange Albsmeyer
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Bloomington
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Segment duration: 05:11
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Environment • Hobbies • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Parks/Outdoor Recreation
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Prairie Fire visits the Scovill Zoo in Decatur to see what happens to all the animals in the winter. “We were curious about how zookeepers could care for them when it’s so cold and snowy outside,” said Prairie Fire host Alison Davis.
Segment duration: 06:33
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Science/Nature • Decatur
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Prairie Fire looks at harness racing through the eyes of Bill and Marty Alagna of Seymour, who show viewers how they prepare horses for racing. The Alagnas work their horses at the Champaign County Fairgrounds every night after leaving their day jobs, often working on the track after dark. “We watch the process of how they break the horses and train them by building up muscle and the respiratory system,” Davis said.
Segment duration: 08:01
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Hobbies • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Sports • Seymour
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