Alan's Italy: The Birth of a Television Show (Paperback or Softback)

In the spring of 2011 it was suggested to me that with the thousands of photos which had been taken by my artist wife, Laura Gurton, during our many trips to Italy, that I produce a program in my hometown on Woodstock Public Access Television. Having been to Italy twenty times in an equal number of years, with many stories of my experiences, and friends I have made over the years, it seemed logical that a large number of people would be interested in seeing our images and hearing about my recollections. I agreed to begin to put together a show for weekly broadcast on the local television station. After months of preparation interrupted by some serious physical illnesses, I began to host Alan’s Italy weekly at 5 PM on Friday evenings.

That was the beginning of many adventures with broadcasting live on a station that was strictly maintained by volunteers, many of whom had a very substantial technical understanding of the workings of the studio. It was at first suggested to me that it would be impossible to produce a weekly show for very long, since there were a finite number of photos available to me. As it turned out the show became a multifaceted presentation of all things Italian with several guests to interview. The audience grew, and with my involvement with Youtube, blogs, and local continuing education programs, my reputation grew.

Alan’s Italy: The Birth of a Television Show is the story of my quest to create, produce, write, perform, and maintain a weekly show. It is a very personal account of all the trials and tribulations that I experienced during the year and a half since the project began. Having had a career of forty one years in Mathematics Education, with no experience with television production the many challenges I have faced make for a fascinating true life story of how an idea suggested to me, out of the blue, on a spring day became a local sensation.

For the forty one years of my professional life I served as a high school mathematics teacher, assistant principal, and adjunct lecturer in mathematics at a college. It was an extraordinarily rewarding career which ended in 2010 with my retirement. I have since endeavored to pursue other avenues of intellectual stimulation and challenge by immersing myself in my hobbies and passions, one of which is traveling in Italy. I first journeyed there in 1992 and have continued spending vacations there ever since. I have always found Italy to be a marvelous place to visit filled with art, history, fine food, gorgeous scenery, and wonderful people. During my twenty visits there I have had great experiences and have wonderful memories of spectacular events.

About a year and a half ago, I began producing and performing a weekly show on Woodstock Public Access Television, which is called Alan's Italy. The show focuses on my photos, memories, and knowledge of Italy and its extraordinary culture. The show, my two blogs, my lectures, and now my books have given me the opportunity to share my love for Italy with hundreds of people in my hometown of Woodstock, New York, and all over the world.

In my spare time I enjoy swimming, guitar playing, and reading. I live in upstate New York with my wife, Laura, who is an accomplished artist, and the photographer and videographer of most of the images that are broadcast on my television show. I have a daughter, Jennifer, who is an attorney along with her husband, Robert. My granddaughter, Sofia is adorable and lovable. Laura two wonderful daughters, Lily, and Anna who are very special to me.