Buffalo, NY – Unique historical and cultural attractions are highlighted in WESTERN NEW YORK A TO Z, WNED’s latest television production premiering on Tuesday, December 1 at 8 pm. Through a series of “video postcards,” the program profiles diverse sites or regionally significant events ― one corresponding to each letter of the alphabet (see complete list below).

From the amusing to the profound, viewers learn about nearby places they can visit to experience kazoo-making, view pop art by Andy Warhol, learn the plight of escaping slaves and review Theodore Roosevelt’s first moments as President. One-of-a-kind items featured include the world’s oldest working fireboat (the Edward M. Cotter) and Mark Twain’s original manuscript for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The best part of producing this special was getting to see all the great places in this region — from well-known locations like the Buffalo Zoo and Albright-Knox Art Gallery to unknown gems like the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum and the Original Kazoo Company,” said Andy Grant, who produced the program with WNED’s Chief Program and Production Officer John Grant. “It was wonderful to have this opportunity to discover all the things Western New York has to offer.”

“This program is just one more example of WNED’s commitment to using the power and resources of public broadcasting to share our community treasures,” said WNED President and CEO Donald K. Boswell. “I am particularly proud that so many of the museums and activities in “A TO Z” offer a special appeal for students and families with young children. Working together as a community, we can help instill a sense of pride and connection to place for future generations.”

Major funding for WESTERN NEW YORK A TO Z is provided by the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, Beechwood Continuing Care and the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation, with additional funding provided by KeyBank.

“The Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau is thrilled to once again partner with WNED on a production of exceptional quality and value to our community,” said Edward J. Healy, Vice President of Marketing for the CVB. “WESTERN NEW YORK A TO Z is just the most recent in a long line of community-minded productions that explore Buffalo’s cultural richness. We are proud to support WNED’s efforts to tell these stories to the large and receptive public television audience.”

WNED’s recent productions include several highlighting the significance of the region [for example, Elbert Hubbard: An American Original (2009),Remembering Crystal Beach Park (2008); Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buffalo (2006), Niagara Falls (2006), The Adirondacks (2008) and Fort Niagara: The Struggle for a Continent (2004)]. Projects on the Chautauqua Institution and The War of 1812 are currently in development.

Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright and Well TV, Classical 94.5/WNED-FM and WNED-AM 970 The Information Station, the member-supported WNED Buffalo/Toronto provides high quality programming and services that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate Western New York and Southern Ontario communities. Additional information about WNED can be found at www.wned.org.

— List of sites follows —