Arts & Life

Spotlight

in The Public Eye

200 Channel 56 supporters party and preview the new season.

RONIT PINTO
Special to the Jewish News

ublic television is one of the
most important causes in
America and one of the best
investments the public can make," said
Frank Fountain, vice chair of the
WTVS-Channel 56 Detroit Public
Television (DPTV) board.
"The U.S. government does not fund
public television like European nations
do," said Fountain, the senior vice pres-
ident of government affairs for
DaimlerChrysler.
"Public TV deserves all our support.
It is an unbiased, independent source of
programming of all kinds, one of the
only kinds of reporting where we don't
have to worry about errant influences."
DPTV, the viewer-supported PBS
member station serving the nation's
10th largest television market, kicked
off its third annual PBS Premier Night
by highlighting its offerings, including
the variety of new local fall program-
ming. The Detroit Athletic Club host-
ed the Sept. 28 benefit.
Steven Antoniotti, president and gen-
eral manager of DPTV, described PBS
Premier Night as a way to "get people
excited about the new season and intro-
duce them to the station.
"It provides an opportunity for
donors, supporters and board members
to see what we're doing," he said. Major
highlights of season include a host of
new local programs. DPTV now broad-
casts seven half-hour programs com-
pared to the solo show last season.
More than 200 formally clad guests
gathered to promote public program-
ming. "It's really gratifying to see so
many supporters out here tonight," said
Dave Devereaux, DPTV vice president
of communications.
Among the guests were Douglas and
Sydell Schubot of Bloomfield Hills, .
who have been strong PBS supporters
since the 1960s.
Guests enjoyed a strolling dinner and
closed the night with Master of
Ceremonies Bill Bonds, the legendary
former WXYZ-Channel 7 anchor, and
Mitch Albom, WJR radio talk show
host, columnist and best-selling author.
The affair also raised money from a
silent auction.

ED

2004

80

Bonds, a loyal friend of DPTV, intro-
duced Albom as "the most widely tal-
ented person I have ever worked with."
Albom highlighted important educa-
tional benefits that public broadcasting
provides. Frivolous reality TV aside, he
said, it's important to learn from public
television. He encouraged continued
support of DPTV to benefit genera-
tions to come.

Mitch Albom

Fountain largely credits Lois
Shaevsky for creating PBS Premier
Night to bring people together. She's
secretary of the DPTV Board of
Trustees and raises money for local pro-
gramming.
DPTV has stood the test of time.
Next year marks its 50th anniversary.
More than 1 million households tune
in each week.

DPTV's Daniel Alpert of Troy

"We have more members than any
other nonprofit in Detroit," said station
manager Daniel Alpert.
The station achieves this by reaching
out to local support groups.
"Part of our mission is to help other
organizations use the power of media,"
Alpert said.

❑

MC Bill Bonds

DPTV's Steven Antoniotti
of Farmington Hills

Marvin Frenkel
of Huntington Woods

Frank Fountain
of Bloomfield Hills

Mark and Lois Shaevksy
of Bloomfield Hills

Steve and Phyllis Strome
of Bloomfield Hills

Sally and Fred Marx
of Bloomfield Hills