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PBS Wisconsin’s resident Beloiters look ahead to ‘Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Beloit’ premiere
October 16, 2024 Leave a Comment
PBS Wisconsin’s ongoing local history project, Wisconsin Hometown Stories, highlights the people, businesses and events that shaped communities throughout Wisconsin, one town at a time.
The 14th installment, Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Beloit premieres 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 on PBS Wisconsin and will also be available for streaming at pbswisconsin.org and on the free PBS app on all streaming devices.
Ahead of the broadcast premiere, PBS Wisconsin will also host a free community premiere screening, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at The Eclipse Event Center in Beloit.
PBS Wisconsin staffers Samantha Nash and Mary Alice Van Gemert, who both hail from Beloit, sat down to chat about what this spotlight on their beloved childhood town means to them.
Samantha Nash: Mary Alice, how does it feel to know the city where you grew up is the featured Wisconsin Hometown Stories documentary?
Mary Alice Van Gemert: I am just so excited about this! I cannot wait to learn more about the community where I grew up. There’s so much to be proud of. Beloit has a phenomenal history, and I am especially proud to share Beloit’s history with the state and beyond.
Nash: Me too! Both sides of my family are full of Beloiters, and they’re all excited to see the show and learn more about our town.
Van Gemert: I can’t wait for the community premiere — to sit and watch the documentary with everyone and learn more about the community that formed my childhood. I’m especially interested in learning more about Beloit as it relates to the Great Migration. I think that’s so important to understand how it impacted our businesses, our communities and our churches, all for the better.
Nash: I think that is one of the things that really makes Beloit unique and has added to the resilience of the city: that we have this wonderful diversity. We have people who are coming together to work together. I know that it hasn’t always been perfect — and that’s something that I think is discussed in the documentary as well — but it does give me a sense of pride in my hometown.
From left to right: producer Holly De Ruyter, special events coordinator Mary Alice Van Gemert, project manager Samantha Nash and producer Kyra Lyons.
Van Gemert: Growing up, Beloit was a thriving community that unfortunately was hit by difficult economic times. The city has been revitalized and is once again a charming and robust city. Some people may still have a negative impression of Beloit, and I hope this documentary will shed light on all the positive work and engaging activities that are happening in Beloit.
Nash: I agree! I’ve only ever seen Beloit improve, from the time I was a little kid until now. I remember downtown being kind of empty and the mall going out of business. But now, downtown is full of flourishing businesses and the mall has become this really interesting community hub with the library and Community Action and all the other services.
Van Gemert: I’ve always felt that Beloiters will always help one another; it’s an engaged community, and it’s had some hardships, but now it’s on an upward trend.
Nash: There’s so much more to do now than there was even 10 years ago. It makes me wonder where the city’s going to be in another 10 years. I think there’s just going to be more interest, especially as prices rise in places like Madison. Beloit is just down the road …
I know everybody thinks their hometown is special, but I think the cool thing about the Wisconsin Hometown Stories series is how it shows that every town has something that makes it unique. The producers really take the time to envelop themselves in the town; I’m so in awe of the work they do.
Van Gemert: Exactly! Holly [De Ruyter] and Kyra [Lyons] took the time to really talk to the people and get a feel for the community. It seems like they enjoyed delving into what makes Beloit unique which makes me so happy because you want everyone to love your own hometown.
Nash: Yes! I’m excited for everyone to find out what’s special about Beloit.
Jim Perry says:
We spend a number of weekends in Beloit each summer because we race at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit. I was one of those whose impression of Beloit was not particularly favorable because I knew of it from the later 20th century. Wow, has my impression changed! We enjoy the downtown immensely now. The Farmers Market is something to behold.nThere are absolutely first rate lodging and dining opportunities, The new minor league baseball stadium is very attractive. We need to make a trip without the racing to really avail ourselves to all that the “new” Beloit offers.