Topics: Ball State PBS, College of Communication Information and Media, Ball State PBS

August 14, 2023

Photo courtesy of Aphonic Poetry Images

Anderson, Ind., is a city with a lot of stories to tell.

You can hear many of them on Thursday, Aug. 17, when Ball State PBS airs the next installment in the series highlighting great small towns in East Central Indiana.

“Now Entering…Anderson” premieres live at 8 p.m. on Ball State PBS. It can also be seen online at ballstatepbs.org, and on the PBS App or Ball State Public Media App.

“We are proud to highlight the civic pride and tell the wonderful regional stories of exciting things happening in cities and small towns all over our viewing area,” said Dr. Phil Hoffman, assistant dean of media and general manager of Ball State Public Media.

“Now Entering…” is a video scrapbook of the people, places, and history of towns as seen through the eyes of its residents. Community members collected video footage and still photos to showcase the stories that make their city unique. Then the Ball State PBS production team traveled to Anderson to record interviews with the residents, who serve as the narrators for each of their stories.

On Aug. 17, some of these storytellers will be in the Ball State PBS studios for our live pledge program to talk about their experiences and take viewer phone calls.

“Now Entering…Anderson” takes a look at Anderson’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene, including the Anderson Symphony, Anderson Young Ballet, Anderson Mainstage Theatre, and the historic Paramount Theatre.

The importance of local businesses is featured, including the Flagship Enterprise Center, the restoration of an iconic downtown restaurant, a credit union celebrating 60 years, the importance of two local hospitals, and a local business owner from the West Central Historic District.

The program also highlights stories about a local cartoonist, a non-profit helping with food insecurity, the Madison County Historical Society, Mounds State Park, and the Anderson Road Runners.

And finally, “Now Entering…Anderson” shares some of the stories of the events held to celebrate the city’s history, including the Gaslight Festival, Anderson’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, and the Andersontown PowWow.

The series, which debuted in 2016, has featured Portland, Pendleton, Knightstown, Upland, Alexandria, Tipton, Winchester, Rushville, Hartford City, Fortville, New Castle, Eaton, Cicero, and Yorktown.

For more about “Now Entering…Anderson”, visit ballstatepbs.org/nowentering.