PrEview: NPR President Vivian Schiller in Vermont, Blueberry Pancakes, Star Gazing

I haven’t taken a summer vacation yet, but last week I realized that my restlessness had more to do with my desire to break from routine than the need to actually leave town. The result? Over the last week, I started learning to play guitar, experimented with a digital SLR camera, took a mountain biking clinic, studied the reproductive habits of corn, and made delicious use of 14 pounds of freshly-picked blueberries.

I hope this issue of prEview inspires you to do the same. Might I humbly sugest taking your radio outside to identify stars and constellations during tonight’s Eye on the Sky Star Gazing Party, or asking a question of NPR President Vivian Schiller when she’s on Vermont Edition tomorrow. And because you’ll need your strength for all the out-of-the-ordinary fun you’ll be having, try out my recipe for blueberry-ricotta pancakes.

Best,
Michelle Jeffery

PS: Save the date for VPR’s Listener Picnic, Saturday, September 11th at Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock. Meet NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and hear music by Twist of the Wrist, Maple Jam and the Dave Keller Band.

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VPR PrEview: Remembering Daniel Schorr, Summer Gardening Show, Star Gazing Party

Like many public radio listeners, I was saddened to learn of NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr’s death last week. To call him a veteran journalist is an understatement; as Scott Simon put it in a remembrance last Saturday, “no other journalist in memory saw as much history as Daniel Schorr.” I will miss his perspective and experience, but I am grateful for what I have learned from listening all these years.

You can remember Daniel Schorr and his impact on American journalism and history at NPR.org. And we’ll continue working to bring you context and perspective to the news every day. In this edition of prEview, we invite your questions for candidates in our upcoming primary debates, and provide you with details about he upcoming Eye on the Sky Star Gazing Party. Finally, learn more about Performance Today behind-the-scenes visit to Vermont's own Marlboro Music Festival.

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VPR prEview: Win A Hybrid Car, The Long Trail Turns 100, New VPR Classical Stations

The only downside of having a lot of hobbies is that you never get as much time as you’d like to spend on any one activity. It used to be that the only choice I had to make was which trail to hike, but my choices have grown exponentially. Now I ask myself, "do I roller skate or run? Mountain or road bike? Read or write? Visit my farmer’s market or explore a new town?" The possibilities are endless!

I plan to reconnect with the mountains by hiking the Long Trail this summer, just in time to celebrate the trail’s 100th year. Read on to learn about how you can contribute to VPR’s coverage of this anniversary. Also in this edition of prEview, you could win a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid in VPR’s first-ever Summer Car Raffle. Plus, learn more about VPR Classical coming to central Vermont next month.

Wherever the summer takes you, I hope you’ll bring VPR along for the ride.

Happy trails,
Michelle Jeffery

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VPR prEview: Allen Toussaint, Pulled Pork, Summer Festivals

Sunday was the sixth time I’ve run in the Vermont City Marathon, either as a full marathoner or as part of a relay team. Over the years I’ve come to rely on certain landmarks to keep me going: the solitary bagpiper on Pine Street, the Taiko drummers on Battery Street, the raucous block parties in the New North End, to name just a few. All of them help take my mind off my legs and allow me to enjoy the event that, for me, marks the beginning of summer.

We’ll mark the unofficial start of summer in this edition of prEview with VPR’s new summer music festival map and a Vermont Edition conversation about barbeque and grilling, complete with a recipe for pulled pork. Plus, George Thomas interviews Allen Toussaint in advance of the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, and VPR Classical goes “live” in Addison County on June 8.

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(Thanks to Steve Mease for the photo. This was almost at the top of Battery Street!)

VPR prEview: How To Clean Your Desk, VPR Classical In Randolph, Maple Shortbread

I don’t know if it comes with age or if it’s the result of moving too many times, but recently I’ve been ruthlessly weeding out my material possessions. Books went to VPR volunteers to rummage through during the recent membership drive, clothes went to Goodwill. If only I could translate this new ethos to my desk here at VPR, I would be all set!

That’s why on Memorial Day I’ll be listening to “Clearing Your Desk & Your Mind,” a program about finding respite from the chaos of emails, cell phones and in-boxes and focusing in today's world. You’ll learn more in this edition of prEview. You can also sign up to receive daily VPR headlines by email with News Link, and in VPR Cooks, a recipe for maple shortbread cookies made for VPR by some very dedicated listeners.

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prEview: The Moth Returns, No-Knead Bread, StoryCorps In Shelburne

Has this ever happened to you? You start telling a story when suddenly, you realize it’s not very good. It’s too late to just stop, so you forge ahead, only by then you’re completely distracted and self-conscious, which makes matters even worse.

Here at VPR we fancy ourselves storytelling experts (on the radio, at least!), so I humbly suggest that the next time this happens, try channeling your inner Susan Stamberg or Dick Gordon.

We’re celebrating stories that matter this month on VPR, and what better way to kick it off than with a new season of The Moth Radio Hour? You’ll learn more in this edition of prEview. Plus, there’s still room on the bus for VPR’s trip to Fenway Park, and in VPR Cooks, Patti Daniels shares a recipe for no-knead bread.

Michelle Jeffery

P.S. We are in the midst of our May membership drive. When you pledge to VPR today, you’ll be entered into all of the drawings during this drive: airline tickets, $3,000 gift certificate for the Outdoor Gear Exchange, or a luxury getaway to Montreal! Click here to pledge, or call 1-800-639-6391, and thanks!

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