WPBS-DT, the North Country’s PBS station, has partnered with the Raquette River Blueway Corridor group for a local campaign and thirty-minute television production focused on the Raquette River and its diverse assets, many people within the 174-mile long river corridor who care for the land and water, as well as promoting its environmental, social, economic and cultural benefits. The documentary will be hosted by conservation advocate Don Meissner, host of WPBS-DT’s travel-fishing program “Streamside”, carried on PBS stations across the nation for 18 seasons, and Coordinator of St. Lawrence County’s FISHCAP initiative.
A vigorous three month campaign titled “Paddle On!” began in June with a thematic schedule of on-air programming to promote the majestic Raquette River Valley region. The campaign is designed to create buzz, awareness and excitement in Northern New York and Eastern Ontario around Raquette River attractions and events. A web component has been launched at wpbstv.org and includes a short teaser-video.
The campaign leads up to the premiere of the all new local documentary produced by WPBS-DT, “The Raquette River Experience”, which will air on WPBS-DT Sunday, July 29th at 6:00pm. Sunday, July 29th at 10:30pm, Tuesday, July 31st at 7:30pm and will also available for streaming online after the broadcast at watch.wpbstv.org.
WPBS-DT is also excited to announce three Community Screenings of the “The Raquette River Experience”, free to the public, to be held in the following locations: Hawkins Point Visitors Center, 12 Commerce Drive, Massena, NY, July 30th at 1:00pm; Clarkson University, The Student Center -Multi-Purpose Room, Potsdam, NY, August 1st at 4:00pm; and The W!ILD Center, Museum Drive, Tupper Lake, NY, August 2nd at 6pm. Don Meissner will be present to answer questions and facilitate a discussion on the documentary, refreshments will also be provided after the screening. Please be sure to join us for an educational and entertaining afternoon celebrating this diverse natural resource in our own back yard.
The Raquette River is the second longest river in New York State running from Blue Mountain Lake in Hamilton County through a scenic and historic corridor into the St. Lawrence River at Akwesasne. As the 174-mile river flows north to the St. Lawrence it passes through natural and man-made lakes as well as many towns and villages with varied connections to the river. The partners of the corridor represent a wide range of stakeholders – towns and villages, conservation and environmental groups, businesses and economic development organizations, museums, historic and cultural organizations, schools and universities, outdoor and recreation groups, lake associations and friends groups, government agencies, and more.
Production funding for “The Raquette River Experience” is provided by Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners, North Country Savings Bank, St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and TJ TOYOTA of Potsdam with additional promotional support from Clarkson University and Potsdam Specialty Papers, Inc.
WPBS-DT is a not-for-profit public television station serving approximately 650,000 households throughout Northern New York and Eastern Ontario. WPBS-DT’s mission is to educate, entertain and inform in order to enhance the lives of those it serves.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2012
Contact: Monica Stadalski
Project Manager
315-782-3142 x247
mstadalski@wpbstv.org
