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To help welcome refugee families from Afghanistan, Ukraine and other countries, Wisconsin residents and quilters from across the state can help PBS Wisconsin Education’s collaboration with resettlement agencies and other community partners to fill and distribute 500 backpacks to recently resettled children in Wisconsin.

Madison’s own internationally best-selling author Jennifer Chiaverini is the author of the “Elm Creek Quilts” series and ties her love of quilts and Wisconsin into many of her books. She will discuss her quilts and novels at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, Sept. 8-10 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, and an exhibit of 18 quilts from Chiaverini’s novels will be on display.

America’s storyteller – documentary filmmaker Ken Burns – has collected handmade quilts since the 1970s. On loan from his private collection, “Uncovered: The Ken Burns Collection” showcases 26 historic American quilts, dating from the 1850s to the 1940s. This exhibit of delicate artifacts not only tells stories from our history but shares the spirit of people who lived it.

Ainsley Anderson, an eighth grade U.S. history educator at Dodgeville Middle School, has earned the PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification, recognizing PreK-12 educators who demonstrate an ability to help learners think critically about media consumption and creation.

Cindy Bailey, a library media specialist at Laconia High School, has earned the PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification, recognizing PreK-12 educators who demonstrate an ability to help learners think critically about media consumption and creation.