Category: Features

Mary Hausch recaps career after 40 years at Gainesville’s Hippodrome Theatre

May 17, 2013

Aired on WUFT May 17th, 2013 https://www.wuft.org/news/2013/05/17/mary-hausch-recaps-career-after-40-years-at-gainesvilles-hippodrome-theatre/ Mary Hausch announced earlier this month her decision to step down from her position as a producing director at Gainesville’s Hippodrome Theatre. Hausch spoke for nearly 35 minutes about topics spanning the theatre’s history within Gainesville, pivotal moments, famous plays and playwrights, and her plans for life beyond … Continue reading Mary Hausch recaps career after 40 years at Gainesville’s Hippodrome Theatre →


UF report: collapse of oyster industry due to drought, salinity (04/26/2013)

April 26, 2013

By  Donna Green-Townsend on April 26th, 2013 The severe drought in 2012 caused an historic collapse of Florida’s oyster industry.  During the past year a variety of state agencies have been working for the Florida Sea Grant Program to try and understand all the causes for the fishery disaster.  The cooperative effort is working toward … Continue reading UF report: collapse of oyster industry due to drought, salinity (04/26/2013) →


Gainesville resident considers Boston second home, reacts to marathon explosions

April 16, 2013

Aired on WUFT April 16th, 2013 The tragedy in Boston really struck home with Gainesville resident and local writer Shelley Fraser Mickle. She lived in Boston for several years while her husband, retired Shands pediatric neurosurgeon Parker Mickle trained in hospitals there. Her husband also ran the Boston Marathon several times. She talked with Florida’s … Continue reading Gainesville resident considers Boston second home, reacts to marathon explosions →


Hippodrome launches ‘Robin Hood’

April 12, 2013

It’s opening night for the Hippodrome State Theatre’s production of “Robin Hood.” The action-packed play brings to life the adventures of the historic hero who is dedicated to taking a stance against injustice. WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with Ric Rose, the lead actor playing Robin Hood, about this family friendly production.


2013 Will McLean Song Contest Winner and Finishers

February 12, 2013

Here are the winner, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers of the 2013 Will McLean Best New Florida Contest. Winner Elisabeth Williamson “F-L-O-R-I-D-A” 2nd place Susan Brown “My Florida” Here’s Susan performing her song accompanied by musician and singer-songwriter Jamie Defrates 3rd place Rog Lee “Florida, No Appointments and a Full Tank of Gas” Back to the list of winners … Continue reading 2013 Will McLean Song Contest Winner and Finishers →


Homestead Air Force Base Debate

January 18, 2013

 (aired nationally on August 21, 1998 on Marketplace)Original Anchor Intro:  Six years ago this month, the country’s most costly storm ever- Hurricane Andrew- put Homestead, Florida on the map.  Before the storm, Homestead was the winter vegetable capital of the U.S. Tourists may remember seeing the city marker on their way to two national parks … Continue reading Homestead Air Force Base Debate →


Tim Tebow conference call before the Heisman Trophy announcement

January 7, 2013

Tim Tebow talking with Donna Green-Townsend during a conference call, November 19, 2007 less than a month before the Heisman Trophy was announced:     Tim Tebow’s apology to Gator fans September 27, 2008: In this feature, which aired in December of 2009, Tebow shared his thoughts about Coach Urban Meyer’s decision to first step back from … Continue reading Tim Tebow conference call before the Heisman Trophy announcement →


Interview with Dan Katz, WSHU morning producer, on the Newtown shooting

December 14, 2012

Aired on WUFT December 14, 2012 WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend spoke this afternoon with Dan Katz, morning producer at WSHU in Fairfield County, Ct., and former WUFT producer. Here are highlights from that conversation, posted in full above. Newtown is a suburban, upper-middle class community. About 50 miles from New York City… It’s a place you wouldn’t … Continue reading Interview with Dan Katz, WSHU morning producer, on the Newtown shooting →


“Come Back, Little Sheba” in Gainesville

December 6, 2012

Originally aired on WUFT on December 6th, 2012 While the Hippodrome State Theatre continues its productions of “A Tuna Christmas” and “A Christmas Carol,” the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre is running its production of the Tony Award Winning play, “Come Back, Little Sheba.”