WEDU wins 3 Emmys

Posted Dec 8, 2009 by Walt Belcher

Updated Dec 8, 2009 at 02:32 PM

PBS outlet WEDU, Channel 3, won three regional Emmys from the Suncoast Chapter of the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The station had 11 nominations going into the awards, which were presented in Orlando on Saturday,

Winners include the station’s long-running feature magazine show “Gulf Coast Journal” for best “Nostalgia Program” for a segment produced by Colleen Hamilton and Brad Clore. Their story was “Man with a Mission,” and it was about Carl East, “the heart and soul” of a busy community center in the Newtown area of Sarasota. For 30 years, East has made sure the community center is a place where residents can go for a free holiday meal, where kids can find refuge through sports and where seniors can enjoy weekly classes and some camaraderie.

Starting its seventh season, “A Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins” has been a constant Emmy winner every year.

Another Emmy win went to the public affairs program “Smart Health” produced by Angie Moreschi (a former WFTS anchor) and Ellen McVay, formerly of WTVT.

The program covered four topics:

1. Shining The Light On Sunscreen - The American Academy of Dermatology estimates one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. It’s a stunning statistic, especially here in sunny Florida. 
2. Alzheimer’s Research - About five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease, including more than 400,000 Floridians. It’s a progressive disease that destroys brain cells, impacting memory and behavior. 
3. New Breast Cancer Therapy - A growing number of women who are being treated for breast cancer are choosing a new radiation therapy with encouraging results.
4. Toddler Nutrition – What about our children?  What’s their biggest health threat?  Now more than ever, it’s their size.  Obesity in children has tripled in the last 25 years, setting them up for diabetes and heart disease.  Helping them to eat right and stay active has never been more important. 

A third WEDU Emmy for photography went to Brad Core for a “Gulf Coast Journal” segment: Triple J Ranch, about the Holmes family—Jay, Rhonda and their 13-year-old daughter, Morgan, who are world champions at reining, roping and working cow horses. 

“I’m extremely proud of the WEDU employees who work tirelessly to produce educational and entertaining community stories to life through our local programming,” said Richard “Dick” Lobo, WEDU president and CEO. “In these unsettling times, it’s more important than ever that WEDU continue to focus on issues and people that matter most to us in our everyday lives – those in our own communities. It’s an honor to receive these Emmy nominations as an acknowledgement of what WEDU can do best to service our community – tell great local stories.”