Mr. Stink, a magical, heart-warming story (and Lord Grantham like you've never seen him!)

Get ready for an unexpected and heartwarming treat this holiday season, coming to Rhode Island PBS Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Mr. Stink, a feature-length drama adapted from the popular children’s novel written by David Walliams, will air at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. December 24, and at 5 a.m. December 25.

Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville stars as Mr. Stink, a homeless man who is befriended by a lonely twelve-year-old girl named Chloe who invites him to live in the shed at the end of her family’s garden. It’s a role that seems to be about 180 degrees removed from the ultra posh Robert, Earl of Grantham, which is part of the reason it should be so fun to watch.

The film description according to the official press release:

Chloe (played by Nell Tiger Free) sees Mr. Stink every day, but she’s never spoken to him, which isn’t surprising, because he’s a tramp — and he stinks. But before she knows it, Chloe has an unusual friend hiding in her garden shed when it seems Mr. Stink and his stinky dog, Duchess, might be driven out of town.

As Chloe struggles to make sure no one sniffs out Mr. Stink, she also has to cope with an overbearing mum who is more interested in her own political ambitions than her daughter, her put-upon dad who has a secret of his own, her “perfect” younger sister, Annabelle, and the nasty girls who make her life miserable at school.

There is also one other person with an extraordinary secret, as it turns out that there is more to Mr. Stink than meets the eye ... or nose.

World War I Christmas Eve Truce Subject of "Silent Night"

This opera recounts the true story of the World War I Christmas Eve truce. For one magical evening on December 24, 1914, French, German and British soldiers laid down their arms and joined in a spontaneous celebration reflecting the peace, fellowship and humanity of the season.

Based on the Academy Award-nominated film Joyeux Noel, this two-act production was commissioned by the Minnesota Opera and premiered in November 2012 to national acclaim, including a Pulitzer Prize for Music for composer Kevin Puts. With a libretto by Mark Campbell, "Silent Night" is sung in French, English, German, Italian and Latin with English subtitles.

Rhode Island PBS premieres Silent Night at 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, with re-broadcast at half after midnight and again at noon on Saturday, December 21.

Gloria Gemma Foundation Hope Bus Subject of New Documentary

“For the first time in 17 years, you have allowed me to let my breast cancer go. I can now move on with my life,” a breast cancer survivor told the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation’s Maureen DiPiero aboard the Hope Bus.

“And even still, it touches me and that was three years ago,” DiPiero tearfully said of the encounter. “The thought that this bus can have that impact on someone, just takes my breath away.”

Since 2011, the Pawtucket-based nonprofit has used the Hope Bus—a pink 38-foot recreational vehicle—to directly reach thousands of people in all 39 towns and cities of Rhode Island. Free breast health education, awareness, and support programs are offered to the community aboard the Hope Bus, which is a comforting environment where individuals have shared their personal stories and experiences with breast cancer.

Now, the Hope Bus will make its way to Rhode Islanders in their homes when the third installment of Behind the Ribbon, the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation’s documentary series, airs Sunday, December 29 at 6PM on Rhode Island PBS.

In "The Hope Bus" episode, viewers are taken behind-the-scenes and offered access to intimate stories of triumph and perseverance from breast cancer survivors, and learn the approach behind the Hope Bus and how it has become what it istoday. Additionally, viewers join staff and volunteers on the Hope Bus as it travels to locations including South County Hospital in East Greenwich, CVS|Caremark in Woonsocket, Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, and Lincoln High School.

"The Hope Bus" will re-air on Saturday, January 4 at 11PM on Rhode Island PBS. Behind the Ribbon premiered on Rhode Island PBS in March. The first two installments, "Young Survivors" and "Beauty and the Beast," can be viewed at youtube.com/GloriaGemmaVideos.

Giving Thanks to Our Donors and Volunteers

On November 26, two days before families across the country gather for Thanksgiving, WSBE Rhode Island PBS gathered with more than 400 other non-profit organizations and guests across the state to thank outstanding donors and volunteers. As part of National Philanthropy Day, Rhode Island PBS honored Gencorp Insurance Group, and Tia and Ken Scigulinsky for their philanthropy and volunteer service to Rhode Island PBS and its mission.

Rhode Island’s National Philanthropy Day event, held this year at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, has been sponsored by the Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 1987 to honor corporations, small businesses, groups, and individuals who have made a real difference in the lives of men, women, and children in Rhode Island and Southeastern New England.

"We are happy to publicly recognize the dedication and fine work of two of our most generous supporters.  What better time of year to express our gratitude than Thanksgiving?" said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. "On behalf of all the Rhode Island PBS families who benefit from the time and money generously donated by the Padula and Scigulinsky families, thank you."

Since 2005, Gencorp Insurance Group has underwritten business and news programming on Rhode Island PBS. Gencorp has also been a major sponsor of the station’s annual fundraising event, An Evening Uncorked! Each year, the financial and

(l-r) Rhode Island PBS President David Piccerelli with Chad
Bjorklund, Joe Padula, Anne Nicoll, and Bob Padula of Gencorp.

personal support from Gencorp’s Padula family has significantly contributed to the event’s success, and to advancement of Rhode Island PBS’s mission.

Gencorp Insurance Group is a regional, multi-faceted financial services agency serving individuals, business owners, and insurance professionals. Gencorp is headquartered in East Greenwich, with offices in Wakefield and Middletown, RI, and Mansfield, MA. Gencorp's philanthropic commitment to the community is fulfilled through the Gencorp Insurance Charitable Foundation. Among their charitable priorities, Gencorp supports initiatives that offer quality education to children of financially disadvantaged families.  Gencorp’s support of Rhode Island PBS helps provide free educational content over the air as well as online through PBS LearningMedia.

Ken and Tia Scigulinsky of Portsmouth, RI, are true champions of Rhode Island PBS’s mission to engage viewers of all ages through creative educational content development and delivery. Ken retired from the navy in 1979 then worked as a defense contractor for 20 years. He currently volunteers with Junior Achievement, teaching business to fifth graders, and is a mentor at Thompson Middle School. Tia taught history at Rogers High School in Newport, retiring as the department head in 2005. With a deep belief in the value of providing accessible learning resources to all, the Scigulinskys have supported Rhode Island PBS financially and personally for more than a decade. 

Ken and Tia Scigulinsky

"Tia and Ken embrace our organization with unparalleled generosity, warmth and dedication," said Molly Garrison, director of development and external affairs at Rhode Island PBS. "At Rhode Island PBS, we work to educate, inform, enrich, inspire, and entertain our viewers. If you spend an afternoon with Ken and Tia, you learn that they work to do these very things in their daily life," she said.

Tia Scigulinsky served consecutive terms as a member of the Rhode Island Public Telecommunications Authority, the station’s former governing body. Mrs. Scigulinsky currently sits on the Rhode Island PBS Foundation Board of Directors, serving as Board Secretary. She also serves on a number of education-related boards and committees in the community.

During the National Philanthropy Day event, recognition is given to more than 100 Partners in Philanthropy by non-profit organizations who want to honor outstanding volunteers and donors.  Rhode Island PBS is a 2013 media sponsor of the event.