A Day in Our Hometown: Decatur
Production Date: Saturday, October 14, 2000
Volunteer Videographers Film One Day in the Life of Decatur for WILL-TV
Twenty-one residents of Decatur took to the streets with their camcorders in fall 2000 to profile people, places and events in Decatur for a WILL-TV program, A Day in Our Hometown: Decatur. WILL-TV edited the footage into a 50-minute program to air on the station during its Winterfest fundraising drive.
“WILL is doing the editing, but the video and narration were created by Decatur residents themselves,” said WILL promotion coordinator Kimberlie Kranich. “This is their story about their town in their own words.”
Because of Decatur’s history, diversity and presence in the news, it was selected for the pilot documentary in what the station hopes will be a series of A Day in Our Hometown projects. Volunteers attended a workshop to brainstorm about taping ideas, pick an assignment, and get a mini-lesson on videotaping from WILL-TV videographers. Then on Oct. 14, they headed out to capture their city on videotape.
Among the stories in the documentary are a mini-profile of Macon County Sheriff Roger Walker; a look at the history of WSOY radio and its local programming; a visit to the Greek restaurant, The White House; a segment about a 100-year-old study group of women interested in world cultures; and a look at the Decatur Area Habitat for Humanity group. Other stories include features on BabyTALK, the Rock Springs Nature Center, the Decatur Children’s Museum, the Scovill Zoo, the Kenneth Knox Ensemble, the new Decatur bike trail and Decatur Master Gardeners’ landscaping of the area around the old Sears building, now the home of the Decatur Public Library.
WILL-TV producer Alison Davis, who helped train the videographers and is editing the program said she was impressed with the stories captured by the volunteers. “Some people tackled big subjects and did a great job,” said Davis. “But what I like most about this project is that all the participants love their hometown, and this spirit comes across in their stories.”
A Day in Our Hometown: Decatur received a 2002 Preservation Award in Innovative Educational Programs.
The City of Decatur’s Historical and Architectural Sites Commission annually recognizes individuals and organizations who demonstrate appreciation for the preservation of historical and architectural heritage through renovation or restoration projects.
The award presentation took place on Wednesday, May 15, 2002.
Community Participants
Rich Batka, David Boedecker, Linda Brown, Carol Condon, Gail Crookshank, Pat Dawson, Stu Ellis, Debbie Erlanson, Jody Featherstun, Gordon Forbes, Chuck Force, Anna Gerstner, Rhonda Glidewell, Cynthia Good, Jackie Grubbs, Mike Hallam, Jim Jackson, Walter Jones, Jan Mandernach, Elissa McGlaughlin, Kathy Merner, Kimberly Miller, Wiley Moore, Ngozi Onuora, Doyle Parker, Deanna Price, Kim Richter, Bryant Sanders, Renee Saunches, Karen Shriner, Dan Smith, Ken Thoms, Jeff Tish, Kate Wiggins, Kelly Wingard
Underwriters
Decatur Memorial Hospital, First National Bank, Illinois Power
Community Partners
The Macon County Chamber of Commerce
Special Thanks
The African American Voice, The Chamber of Commerce for Decatur & Macon County, Decatur Civic Center, The Herald and Review, Brinkoetter and Associates and the Lincoln Theater, WSOY radio
