PBS spotlight shines on area

John McGivern, host of the MPTV show ‘Around the Corner,’ discusses western Kenosha County with County Executive Jim Kreuser before the advance screening of the "Westosha-Western Kenosha Coun-ty" episode at Wilmot Union High School Monday (Photo by Jason Arndt).
John McGivern, host of the MPTV show ‘Around the Corner,’ discusses western Kenosha County with County Executive Jim Kreuser before the advance screening of the “Westosha-Western Kenosha Coun-ty” episode at Wilmot Union High School Monday (Photo by Jason Arndt).

Residents can watch local ‘Around the Corner’ episode online

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Hundreds of people, including elected officials, attended the advance screening of “Westosha-Western Kenosha County” Monday night at the Wilmot Union High School auditorium.

The episode, which is part of Milwaukee Public Television’s “Around the Corner with John McGivern,” highlights several facets of the sprawling western Kenosha County area.

McGivern is an Emmy-award winning host who played the role of Bruce Macintosh in the 2001 film “The Princess Diaries.”

McGivern selected the area, citing his connection with Paddock Lake resident Mary MacDonald Kerr, an actress who has performed in Milwaukee and Chicago for several years.

“She had a house on Paddock Lake and I was excited to have her on the show,” McGivern said.

Both actors starred alongside each other in Waterwalk, produced in 2012, which portrayed a true story involving a family in the Midwest.

The show’s host and crew of three other people, including producer Lois Maurer, explored all communities after receiving feedback from area Chambers of Commerce, local neighborhood associations and business associations.

Additionally, Maurer exchanged ideas with Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth and County Executive Jim Kreuser.

“When you head west of the Interstate, you can feel your blood pressure drop, and simply say it’s beautiful here,” said Maurer, about her conversation with Beth.

When McGivern, Maurer, a crewmember hit the ground in July, they engaged in conversations with members of each community, but a few items stood out in McGivern’s mind.

“The (Wilmot) Speedway was great and I talked to the racers, I had no idea that it was there,” McGivern said. “Bristol Renaissance Fair was a trip, when we had to leave, I didn’t really want to.”

Maurer, a Milwaukee native, said the show offers the audience a different perspective on Kenosha County, where visitors typically veer east of Interstate 94.

She rarely turned west when traveling through the area.

“I had no idea that western Kenosha County had so much here – it is so pretty. It is kind of like country,” Maurer said. “There are beautiful farm fields and we met a lot of friendly people.”

After Monday’s screening, every Public Broadcast System station in Wisconsin viewed the show Thursday, followed by showings in Minnesota and Chicago.

Kreuser is pleased the show opted for western Kenosha County.

“This is absolutely wonderful that Westosha was selected for this, we have an opportunity to showcase a great corner of Kenosha and Southeastern Wisconsin,” Kreuser said.

Those interested in watching the show can access it online any time at www.mptv.org.

See the Feb. 5 print edition of the Westosha Report for the full story


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