A Word From GPB President and Chief Revenue Officer Bert Wesley Huffman

Hello friends,

Can you believe it’s October already? How many people have said that exact phrase to you recently? If you’re anything like me, it’s pretty much on loop. Time flies when you’re counting down the days to the end of a global pandemic. But seriously, fall is my favorite time of year. While we see spring as a time for renewal and summer a time for vacations and sun — fall is that glorious time for nature to show off one last time just before it slips away for a winter slumber.

I grew up in the north Georgia mountains, and it wasn’t until I had time away that I truly understood the beauty this time of year brings there. If you time your drive through the mountains just right, you’ll see every color of the rainbow on display in a lush canopy of organic fireworks. But the beauty of fall doesn’t end there in Georgia — the plains across the central parts of our state are in full harvest mode and the unrivaled natural landscape of the Georgia coast just after the summer’s feverish humidity breaks is something special indeed.

At GPB, we love the fall because of the exciting new opportunities it brings us to entertain you. Shorter days call for television that warms you and takes you on a journey. Two of PBS’ hallmark series return with new episodes this fall — Call the Midwife and MASTERPIECE’S Grantchester. In the pages of this issue of GPB Next, you can read all about what’s in store for you as these new seasons begin. And, if all this fictional drama leaves you yearning for a true story, you can’t miss American Masters’ take on the life and times of living legend Rita Moreno. Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It airs October 5. Of course, GPB is more than entertaining programming for grown-ups! Make sure to tune in with your children or grandchildren for the premiere of the new PBS Kids program Alma’s Way, beautifully illustrated on the cover of this issue and detailed herein.

This year, October brings us new episodes of Georgia Outdoors and a number of multi-episode stories to keep you company such as the four-part series American Veteran detailing the common experiences of service members across all the branches of the US military. Secrets of the Dead returns too, exploring Magellan’s Crossing premiering October 20. And if that’s not enough, don’t miss the story of The Universe, told only the way NOVA can, starting October 27.

As always, GPB Next doesn’t end with GPB’s TV offerings. Be sure to read up on Story Corps’ return to Georgia in our community engagement highlight, the exciting new resource from GPB Education Econ Express and the premiere of an intriguing new program on GPB Radio simply titled “q.”

All of this and so much more awaits you at GPB this October. Your kind and generous support has magically transformed into entertaining, educational and quality programming of all kinds that, paired with the natural splendor of fall, make Georgia a wonderful place to call home. Thank you for being the most important part of what we do.

Warmly,

Thousands of meaningful conversations between people who know and care about one another have taken place through the StoryCorps Mobile Tour, and now you have the chance to participate. GPB is pleased to partner with VisitColumbusGA and the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries to bring the tour to Georgia October 14 – November 12. Not in Columbus? Not to worry! Record a StoryCorps interview remotely with someone across the state or even across the world with StoryCorps Connect platform and use the hashtag #Georgia.

Visit gpb.org/storycorps to get details and make your appointment.