Toledo Stories
Views: 731 A WGTE Toledo Stories Highlight: Fort Meigs 
This nationally-important fort, located in northwest Ohio on the banks of the Maumee River, played a crucial role in the War of 1812. Built by General William Henry Harrison to defend the Ohio Country against British invasion, Fort Meigs constitutes the largest wooden walled fortification in North America.
This video is available on DVD at Fort Meigs in Perrysburg, Ohio.
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Views: 558 Adoption: Home, Heart and Hope Meet parents who adopted children with the assistance of the national organization Adopt America Network, based in Toledo, Ohio. Adopted children put into words what it feels like to finally belong to a real family. Their stories are heartfelt and inspiring.
Views: 235 Apple Corps: The Grand Rapids Applebutter Fest It takes a village to raise a festival.
Each year the tiny village of Grand Rapids, Ohio, throws opens its streets and hearts to tens of thousands of guests. Discover the history of the Grand Rapids Applebutter Fest and get a glimpse behind the scenes as it comes together. This celebration of family, art, history, and of course, Applebutter, mobilizes hundred of volunteers... in a small town of less than a thousand.
Views: 471 The Arena: Building Community Thursday, May 24 at 8:30 p.m.
From the moment the first spade of dirt was overturned at groundbreaking ceremonies on October 1, 2007, sports and special event fans in our region were about to enter a thrilling new era.
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Views: 688 Called to Duty This story chronicles the Toledo Fire Department from its inception in 1837 until the present day. Told primarily by firefighters and narrated by Jerry Anderson, the film features historic pictures, video and audio never before seen on television. Learn about technological advances, training, tactics and day-to-day life in a fire station.
Views: 435 Canal Days Explore Ohio's fascinating era of canal boat transportation and take a look back at Ohio's early canal routes, and the lore that rose along their banks. Included are visits to operating canal boats in Roscoe Village and Canal Fulton, Ohio, plus rare, archival photographs and folk songs from this romantic era.
Views: 487 Cornerstones: Holiday Special This program is an exploration of the holiday traditions shared by the many ethnic groups of Northwest Ohio. Whether celebrating Christmas, Chanukah or Kwanzaa, the elements of food, family and festivity unite us all. Don’t miss this memory-filled special, featuring local families who relate their own experiences.
Views: 738 Cornerstones: The African Americans Find out more about Ella P. Stewart, the first practicing black pharmacist in the country; LeMaxie Glover, a nationally-recognized sculptor who taught art in the Toledo Public Schools; and Art Tatum, the legendary jazz musician fom Toledo. The program includes recollections from more contemporary African-American Leaders.
Views: 646 Cornerstones: The Irish They came for the opportunity. They stayed because they had made a home for themselves and their families. The Irish provided a crucial cornerstone in the building of Toledo. This WGTE production celebrates their contribution to our heritage.
Views: 834 Cornerstones: The Germans See how German immigrants helped bring this region to life. Beginning in the 1830s and continuing into the 20th century, thousands of Germans immigrated to northwest and west central Ohio, clearing the land and draining the swamp for farming, establishing businesses, and building churches that formed the hearts of their neighborhoods.
Views: 937 Cornerstones: The Polish Polish immigrants settled in two distinct Toledo neighborhoods, "Lagrinka" in the north and "Kuschwantz" on the southern outskirts of the city. The Poles helped to build Toledo with a sense of pride, rooted in their desire to claim a part of it as their own.
Views: 341 The Creative Life The Creative Life reveals how four extraordinary people used their drive and imaginations to forge long and productive lives. The Arts are at the forefront of each of their individual experiences as Olga Boone and Marie Vogt share their stories and love of dance, Jon Hendricks talks about jazz and Ellen Wilt explains her journey as a visual artist. Although each has a unique background, they all have one thing in common—their passion for their art. Their stories show us how they have created lives that keep them inspired.
Views: 824 Early Years The fascinating story of Toledo's growth and development from a swampy, unsettled wilderness to a major/industrial center. Included is colorful background on the Toledo-Michigan War, and the merger of Toledo's parent communities - Port Lawrence and Vistula - and told by local historians.
Views: 723 Fate of a River: Revisited This story updates the current environmental state of the Maumee River with discussion on the today's health of this important Great Lakes watershed. This program was born from a respect for, and a desire to update the decades-old original film 'Fate of a River' that spurred public interest in saving our Northwest Ohio water resources.
Views: 1102 Fate of a River: Apathy or Action In 1965, the Junior League of Toledo produced this film depicting foaming detergents, raw sewage, industrial discharges, gasping fish and algae-laden streams in the Maumee River Watershed. This film helped citizens throughout Northwest Ohio recognize that their actions were negatively affecting local waterways and proposed actions they could take to clean up the environment.
Views: 322 A Gift of Life: The Jobst Story Thursday, May 17 at 8:30 p.m.
Conrad Jobst, a German immigrant, mechanical engineer and entrepreneur who made Toledo his home in 1913, suffered from vascular disease. Using his expertise, he designed custom made elastic stockings that dramatically improved his condition along with countless others. Upon his death in 1957, his wife Caroline became president of their company which became the largest manufacturer of equipment designed for those afflicted with poor venous circulation.
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Views: 241 Have Nurse will Travel In 1898 Nurse Alice Bowen established the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan. She stated, "I will establish district nursing here or starve in the attempt!" Years later, she recounted, "I did not starve, but I went hungry many times."
Views: 139 Hearts Afire Thursday, March 22 at 8:00 p.m.
Explores the history of eight congregations of women religious in the Toledo Diocese, and reveals the inspiring and sometimes surprising missions of nuns in today's society. Find out why sisters choose to serve and how they go about making a positive difference in the world around them.
Views: 659 Holy Toledo Explores the sacred spaces and awe-inspiring architectural wonders of Toledo's historic places of worship. Join Toledo Stories for a remarkable tour of some of the oldest surviving structures which first served the region’s richly diverse ethnic neighborhoods. The hour-long program showcases our grandest sacred landmarks—marvels of brilliant stained glass, intricate carvings and mosaics, soaring spires and magnificent domes—all monuments to Toledo’s unique heritage.
Views: 710 The Homefront Highlights some of the incredible, yet little known, stories of life in Northwest Ohio during WWII. WGTE looks beyond the strategies and frontlines to examine the heroics of local soldiers and the sacrifice of their families. This collection of individual stories and shared experiences contains humorous, touching, and tragic tales including:
- Port Clinton’s Tank Company who endured the Bataan Death March and 3½ years as Japanese POWs
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Views: 1094 The House that Glass Built Thursday, June 14 at 8:00 p.m.
For a century Toledo has been known as the “Glass City” due to the importance of Toledo as the center of America’s Glass Industry. The influence of glass extended not only to employment and economics of Northwest Ohio, but also to the culture and civic pride of the community. The power of this influence can still be experienced at the Toledo Museum of Art and the new Glass Pavilion.
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Views: 1176 Islamic Toledo Explores how the first Muslim immigrants arrived early in the last century and developed a thriving and established community. Today, more than 20 nationalities live in the Toledo region and have found personal and financial success, a freedom of religious expression, and a new and welcoming home.
TOLEDO STORIES presents an inspirational story told by members of the Islamic Community. A variety of voices and viewpoints are expressed by long-established Toledo families, welcomed newcomers and area historians. The program explores the beauty and history of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, discusses our region's religious diversity and reveals the many fascinating paths that brought many Muslim immigrants to the Toledo area.
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Views: 285 Interesting Places This Toledo Stories retrospective looks back at a variety of WGTE-produced short stories including: the Anthony Wayne Bridge, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, famed Toledo Theatres and the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee.
Views: 6607 Jeep: Steel Soldier Developed for the battlefield during World War II, the Jeep was called the wartime "limousine of Presidents and Privates" and was the vehicle of choice for transport and attack. This remarkable documentary, produced by WGTE Public Media, vividly recalls how the small and mighty Jeep carried men and supplies, acted as a power source for heat and light, served as an emergency ambulance and even acted as an altar for chaplains on the battlefield.
Follow the surprising story of the Jeep's original design, the result of hard lessons learned from the First World War. See the assembly lines at the Jeep's home in Toledo, Ohio, and hear the compelling eyewitness accounts from soldiers, Jeep plant auto workers and female test-drivers as they tell the true story of the vehicle that helped win the war.
Views: 607 Kids in Crisis Explores the problems that youth and their families face in America today. This compelling story is told through the eyes of those facing challenges and the professionals who have dedicated themselves to helping others overcome obstacles. The documentary follows the evolution of the Connecting Point organization in Toledo, Ohio, and their innovative programs.
Views: 410 King of Hobos Ride the rails in this personal story of the glory days of the American Hobo. Oral traditions, folk songs and interviews tell of a time when one could hop a train, find a meal and experience the nation from sea to shining sea - as a hobo.
Views: 2511 Lake Erie: Ohio's Great Lake Explores Lake Erie's impact on the history, economy, agriculture, recreation and industry of communities in Ohio. Using archival film, photographs, and high definition footage, WGTE illustrates how this invaluable natural resource influences virtually every aspect of the lives of those living near the lake. The program examines the geology of how the lake was created, the Native American presence, the settlement of the state, the recreation the lake provides, and the impact of industry, agriculture and human interaction on the lake itself.
This program is supported, in part, by the Ohio Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Views: 706 Legacy of Glass A complete history of the glass making process, from Michael J. Owens' invention of the bottle-making machine to Libbey Glass and Toledo's other great glass manufacturers to the independent artists who turned the medium of glass into one of the most beautiful forms of artistic expression. Learn the behind the scenes processes of glass making and hear the artists own stories about this art form's fascinating past.
Views: 5993 Let's All Go Down to Tiedtke's Inhale, once again, the aromas of the first floor food displays. Thread your way through the crowds to see "the giant" and find a seat in the Seaway Cafeteria for Art Barrie's "Summit Conference" radio broadcast. See where the sidewalks bustle with shoppers making plans to meet at Tiedtke's.
Views: 505 Lourdes College: A Community Moving Forward Founded in 1958 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Lourdes College has played an integral role in the education of Northwest Ohio residents, as well as the region's growth and development. Originally intended to provide educational opportunities for the Sisters, Lourdes College has expanded to include students of all ages, from all walks of life.
Today, Lourdes College is a four-year liberal arts college offering a rich variety of courses. The 2007-2008 academic year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Lourdes College. This half-hour documentary draws a fascinating portrait of the school's mission to provide a unique values-based education, all within a community grounded in learning, reverence and service.
Views: 537 Lutheran Homes Society: A History of Compassion This story documents the very beginnings of the Lutheran Home Society Orphanage, the development of the Old Folks Home and the eventual care organization that developed to serve our area today. Meet people who grew up in its care, historians and those who have spent their lives serving others.
Views: 807 Making Sunshine Thursday, May 3 at 8:30 p.m.
Children born with developmental disabilities had no advocates in the first half of the 20th century. Parents were encouraged to institutionalize such children, and society forgot about them. That all changed in 1950 when Roy and Georgette Engler, the parents of five developmentally disabled children, founded Sunshine Children's Home.
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Views: 656 Maumee Valley Country Day School: Tradition and Transformation For more than 125 years, Maumee Valley Country Day School has pushed the boundaries of education to provide students with a remarkable learning experience. It is fiercely loved by its alumni, most of whom consider their years at the school as a gift and a privilege and the most important time in their lives.
For the first time, WGTE viewers will be able to explore the only independent, non-sectarian college preparatory school in Northwest Ohio, from its earliest days as a finishing school for girls to today’s vibrant academy, preparing a diverse student body for college and to be compassionate, contributing members of a global community.
Views: 1104 Metroparks of the Toledo Area The development and preservation of Northwest Ohio's eight park system is detailed. Relive the history of the parks' creation and find out what each park offers in the way of beauty and recreation. Side Cut, Farnsworth/Bend View, Providence, Oak Openings, Swan Creek, Wildwood, Pearson and Secor Metroparks are profiled.
Views: 218 Perspective Arcade A look at the creation and installation of a monumental sculpture in downtown Toledo.
Views: 397 Prominent Profiles This Toledo Stories retrospective looks back at a variety of WGTE-produced short stories including: Edward Drummond Libbey, Pauline Perlmutter Steinem, John Hardy Doyle and Samuel "Golden Rule" Jones.
Views: 751 Oak Openings: Discovering Our Natural Heritage See why the Oak Openings Preserve is truly unique and worthy of preservation. From its' history as a glacial lake shore, to the challenges that commercial and residential development pose in today’s world: the Oak Openings Region is one of the world's last remaining unique environments.
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Oak Openings Fact Sheet
http://www.wgte.org/wgte/oakopen/oakopenpressrelease.pdf
http://www.oakopen.org
Views: 1197 Owens-Illinois: 100 Years In 1903, Michael J. Owens patented the glass bottle making machine, and the world has never been the same since. See how the growth of O-I mirrors the path of American packaging and consumerism, as well as our new-found respect for recycling containers of glass and plastic to "Keep America Beautiful."
Views: 1036 Reverence: Toledo Ballet For more than 70 years, Toledo Ballet has been a vibrant leader in our region's performing arts community. Its acclaimed annual presentation of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, is the longest-running in the nation.
Now, for the first time, WGTE will take viewers into the world of Toledo Ballet, following young dancers as they are diligently nurtured and encouraged to achieve the highest standards of artistic accomplishment. Révérence: Toledo Ballet includes rare experiences onstage and backstage, as dancers and instructors at Toledo Ballet share their creative passion, and bring the joy and inspiration of dance to thousands of patrons and students in Northwest Ohio.
Views: 887 Sale Barn A captivating glimpse into one of the longest-running auction houses in the country, SALE BARN captures the hometown-auction held weekly at the fairgrounds in Hillsdale, Michigan. This century-old, Midwestern, cultural tradition is proof that the practice of farm country auctions has not completely vanished from the rural social landscape.
Views: 612 Stringer Mike Gittinger was a newsreel cameraman, supplying the big film studios and grand movie palaces with exciting stories from Toledo, Ohio. Unlike today's newsmen, however, he not only covered the news - he often created the news! Stringer is Gittinger's reflections and his film footage as he recounts highlights of his career during the early days of newsreels from 1928-1949. This program was broadcast on Public Television nationwide.
Views: 734 Tatum Legacy One of the greatest improvisers in jazz history, Art Tatum also set the standard for technical dexterity with his classic 1933 recording of "Tea for Two." Nearly blind, Tatum's artistic vision and ability made him an icon of jazz piano; a musician whose impact will be felt for generations to come. The Toledo native was mostly self-taught, but did receive some formal piano training at the Toledo School of Music.
Views: 2231 The Storied Life of Millie Benson A complete life story of Millie Benson, this video contains a rare interview with the late Millie Benson who is the writer primarily of the Nancy Drew Mysteries. Learn about Benson's exciting life from her midwestern childhood to big city success. Experts on American literature and those who knew her well tell the story.
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Press Release
Views: 794 Trianon, The Paramount, and Kin Wa Low: The Best Nights of Our Lives For generations of people in Northwest Ohio, downtown Toledo was a hot spot, offering plenty of big city entertainment. Anybody looking for a night out could choose from several movie theaters, supper clubs with floor shows, and dance halls featuring nationally known bands.
Views: 656 Toledo Bar Association Founded in 1878, the history of the Toledo Bar Association is truly the history of Toledo. From the early days of circuit judges, traveling through the Great Black Swamp, through the 20th century and into the 21st, you'll get a new awareness of how the Bench and Bar in our community have contributed to improve the lives of residents living in our region.
Views: 1428 Toledo Hockey History The amazing history of hockey in Toledo is told in an exciting video that profiles Toledo teams including the Mercurys, the Blades, the Hornets, the Goaldiggers, the Storm and the Toledo Walleye.
Historian Dan Saevig hosts this look at the last century of battles on the ice in Northwest Ohio. Producer, Angel Vasquez; original music Mihai Popean.
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Views: 321 Toledo Mud Hens Governor's Cup Championship Season 2005 Relive the joy and magic of the world-famous Toledo Mud Hens 2005 Championship Season! Exciting game footage recaptures the thrill of the Mud Hens triumphant march to victory and the 2005 Governor's Cup. Interviews feature fascinating behind-the-scenes reflections on the 2005 season from players, coaches, fans and team management. Beginning with spring training, follow the fabled Mud Hens as they post the International League's best regular season record and go on to rule the roost by winning the pennant, the Governor's Cup and the hearts of fans nationwide.
Views: 257 Toledo Mud Hens All-Star Week 2006 Toledo and the Toledo Mud Hens played host to the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Week culminating in the All-Star game at Fifth Third Field. Get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to prepare for such an exciting week of baseball.
Views: 446 Toledo Mud Hens: 2006 Governor's Cup Championship Mud Hen's Ball Club players and coaches speak candidly about the thrilling 2006 championship season. Hear their stories, get a behind-the-scenes look at the team's triumphs and heartbreaks and relive the amazing plays that won the championship. Great game footage, extensive interviews and an insider's look at this Toledo tradition all add up to a don't-miss show. Celebrate this region's "hometown team" and see how they won the Governor's Cup for a second record time!
Views: 1104 Toledo Mud Hens Story Join the Mud Hens for a look at their humble beginnings to today. This one-hour long documentary chronicles the history of the Toledo team. Archival footage, photographs and interviews help tell the story of the Mud Hens, including a special appearance by Toledo native Jamie Farr.
Views: 680 Toledo Museum of Art: A Centennial Portrait Toledo celebrates over 100 years of The Toledo Museum of Art in this program that explores the museum’s beginnings at the turn of the 20th century, and chronicles its growth in the community. The people who made it happen are profiled, the remarkable buildings are remembered and the world-renowned collection is highlighted.
Views: 1214 Toledo on the Air Interviews with John Saunders, Jim Rudes, and Frank Venner, all successful radio hosts who made the transition to television personalities. You'll see early (and often hilarious) television spots, Romper Room's Miss Connie and the most memorable moments from Toledo broadcast history.
For a membership gift DVD, call 419-380-4600
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Views: 683 Toledo Symphony Orchestra: Music Among Us A revealing look at the Toledo Symphony Orchestra's remarkable history. Viewers will find out how the Orchestra came into being, and more importantly, how the orchestra and its musicians invigorate the cultural life of Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
A soundtrack featuring live Toledo Symphony performances along with poetic narration and striking visual images come together to explore why a resident orchestra is vital to the life of our region.
Views: 705 Toledo Zoo: A Living History Would you believe it all started with a woodchuck? In the spring of 1900, Toledo businessman Carl Hillebrand heard that park officials were interested in starting a zoo in Toledo. He offered an overgrown woodchuck to Peter J. Mettler, then superintendent of Walbridge Park. From this solitary animal, The Toledo Zoo was born.
Views: 3610 Undefeated: The Chuck Ealey Story WGTE looks at the history and the legacy of the '60s and '70s through the inspiring life of UT Quarterback Chuck Ealey. Experience the joys and the highs, the electricity and the love, the pains and the sorrows, the perseverance and fight for equality. Take a journey with us, Chuck Ealey and his UT Rocket football team members as we travel from Portsmouth Notre Dame High School in southern Ohio to the University of Toledo and on to the Canadian Football League.
Views: 582 Whatever Happened to Paint by Numbers? Thursday, April 19 at 8:30 p.m.
Explore the 1950's craze from its beginnings as a post-World War II hobby to its current resurgence as a collectible by enthusiastic fans. Narrator Dan Robbins started it all as an artist for the Palmer Paint company, which later became known as Craft Master. His concept for a fill-in-the-spaces paint set became one of the biggest fads in history.
Views: 364 Wheels For 150 years, Toledo's economy has been interwoven with the manufacture of all kinds of vehicles. Some Toledoans are familiar with the Jeep Corporation's early beginnings as Willys-Overland. Perhaps fewer still are aware of the dozens of 19th century carriage and wagonmakers in our area or, that at one time, there were eight bicycle manufacturers in Toledo. Wheels shares the story that the wheel has played in Toledo's history.
Views: 438 Young at Art An exploration of the importance of arts education in the public schools. Teachers, administrators, parents and students make the connection between higher test scores in math, science and reading to proficiency in the arts. Students create paintings, sculpture and mixed media works for a juried art show. Follow their progress and success.
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