Statue Dedication to Mister Rogers by WQED Multimedia and Family Communications, Inc. Showcases Spirit of Holiday Season

Statue Dedication to Mister Rogers by WQED Multimedia and Family Communications, Inc. Showcases Spirit of Holiday Season

High-Definition Broadcast Center Officially Announced as Pittsburgh Market First

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- WQED, the nation's first community- supported television station, and Family Communications, Inc, the producer of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, joined together in the spirit of the holiday season today to dedicate a symbolic dinosaur as a tribute to Fred Rogers and to salute the heritage of public television in western Pennsylvania.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061218/NYM027 )

FREDOSAURUS REX FRIDAY XIII, artist Karen Howell's whimsical view of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, celebrates America's favorite neighbor, Fred Rogers. As part of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's Dinomite Days several years ago, and sponsored by Jenkins-Empire Associates, Howell's enchanting eight foot-tall dinosaur resided first at the Stanwix Street entrance to Fifth Avenue Place in downtown Pittsburgh and then at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Fred Rogers' childhood hometown, before coming to WQED today.

Passersby are sure to know immediately who this dino is meant to honor. Featuring the famous sweater and a pair of grandiose tennis shoes, Mister Rogers' Jurassic persona is highlighted with Henrietta Pussycat and King Friday XIII. A Neighborhood Trolley enhances the caricature by adorning the dinosaur's tail. Among the delights to be discovered is the dental work that softens the T-Rex's toothy smile.

WQED has been the home of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for more than 40 years. "Fred Rogers -- Mister Rogers -- encouraged children to grow into 'caring, compassionate and giving neighbors,' so we thought the holiday season was the best time to give this artwork a permanent home along busy Fifth Avenue so everyone can share in the Mister Rogers legacy," said George L. Miles, Jr., President and CEO of WQED Multimedia.

"As a symbol of Fred Rogers' spirit, this gift will serve the community as a reminder of the Neighborhood values-generous giving and gracious receiving-a timeless message for everyone," added Bill Isler, CEO of Family Communications, Inc.

Mr. McFeely, the "Speedy Delivery" man from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, kicked off the event and welcomed the crowd as he arrived at WQED aboard a trolley. He was joined by students from Turner Elementary in the Wilkinsburg School District. The students were part of the first class of WQED's Education and Community Resource Center program called Stories Start Action. The award-winning program emphasizes character education and the importance of literacy through storytelling. Turner was the first school in western Pennsylvania to participate in this program four years ago.

The Turner Elementary students helped unveil the statue which was wrapped like a big present.

The giving spirit of Mister Rogers then continued when WQED television and radio personalities, along with Mr. McFeely, distributed more than 1000 DVDs of the Emmy-nominated documentary, "Mister Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor" to everyone who walked or drove by the WQED studios.

"This is what the spirit of community is all about," said Deborah L. Acklin, Executive Vice President and General Manager of WQED Multimedia, who also served as co-producer on the Mister Rogers documentary. "It's a day to celebrate the holidays. Today we gathered with children, with many Pittsburghers -- our friends and neighbors who support public broadcasting. And to our neighbors here along Fifth Avenue -- we celebrate our legacy as the first community-supported station by remembering our friend, Fred Rogers, for his gifts and values that he shared with so many across this country throughout the years."

Finally, WQED announced a first for its technological future when it invited reporters for a behind-the-scenes look at final preparations for its new digital high-definition master control and editing suites to be officially unveiled on December 21. The production center is part of WQED's conversion to total high-definition (HD) broadcasting. When studio and control room facilities are also completed early next year, WQED will be the first television station in the Pittsburgh market with the capability to produce in- studio and broadcast in high-definition television.

WQED Multimedia, honored with the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Station Excellence and eight other Emmy Awards in 2006, provides quality products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within its community and around the world. It is the parent company of WQED tv13 (PBS), WQEX tv16,

WQED fm89.3, WQEJ fm89.7/Johnstown, a publishing division that includes PITTSBURGH magazine, local and national television and radio productions, http://www.wqed.org/ and the WQED Education and Community Resource Center.

Family Communications, Inc., a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1971 by Fred Rogers as the production company for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and related projects. Along with supporting the continuing broadcast of the Neighborhood series on PBS, our work has expanded through early childhood trainings, publishing, and new technologies. All our work perpetuates the values and philosophy of Fred Rogers. Respect for healthy emotional, social, and intellectual development is at the core of all we do.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061218/NYM027
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: WQED Multimedia

CONTACT: Rosemary Martinelli, +1-412-622-6433, Rmartine@wqed.org, or
George Hazimanolis, +1-412-622-1366, Ghaziman@wqed.org, both of WQED
Multimedia

Web site: http://www.wqed.org/

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