Make A Difference Minute: Bringing Stories to Life

Make A Difference Minute: Bringing Stories to Life

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Ashley Chewning with Alabama FilmWorks as she shares how a career in film is about far more than what happens in front of the camera. As production coordinator for Houdini the Magical Dog, Ashley helps keep everything running behind the scenes. From securing filming locations and coordinating logistics to arranging meals for the cast and crew, finding background actors, and building relationships throughout the community, her work connects people and keeps a production moving forward. Ashley began her journey as a background actor in Alabama and Hawaii before expanding into theater, acting, and eventually production. Today, she says one of the most rewarding parts of filmmaking is the relationships that develop along the way. By the end of a project, the cast and crew have become like family. Her story is a reminder that every successful production depends on people whose work often goes unseen, but whose impact is felt in every scene. Follow Alabama Filmworks on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. This MADM is brought to you by Bama Estate Planning by Attorney Harlan D. Mitchell, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong. Real stories. Real people. Real impact. News That Unites!™️

Behind The Magic: Bringing Houdini the Magical Dog to Athens, Alabama!

Tonight, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a movie being filmed right here in Athens, Alabama! Tune in as I talk with actor and producer Branscombe Richmond, actor Mark Beltzman, young Alabama actress Gabby Davis and her mom, Megan Davis, actor and stunt performer Bro Richmond, legendary stuntwoman Barbara Anne Klein, veteran Hollywood hair and makeup artist Ramona Fleetwood, production coordinator Ashley Chewning, and director Brian Herzlinger. We’ll hear how Houdini the Magical Dog is doing its part to bring the film to North Alabama, the opportunities filmmaking creates for local communities, what it takes to make a family movie from start to finish, and the stories behind the talented people bringing it to life. Real stories. Real people. Real impact. News That Unites!™️

Make A Difference Minute: A Library Without Limits

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Charlotte Goodman, children’s coordinator at the Leighton Public Library and Civic Center, as she shares how the library is opening young minds to a world of possibilities. For children growing up in a rural community, opportunities to experience different places and cultures can sometimes be limited. That’s why Charlotte and the library created “Leighton’s International Airport,” complete with passports, TSA officers, visits to countries around the world, international food samples, and even a globe for each child who completed the journey. The inspiration behind the experience came in part from Leighton native and former professional basketball player Leon Douglas. Charlotte remembers hearing him share how, as a young boy, he would crawl under the covers with a flashlight and a map, point to places around the world, and dream of someday visiting them. Through books, those faraway places became real to him long before he ever had the opportunity to travel. Charlotte wants the children of Leighton to understand that same powerful lesson. Where you come from doesn’t determine how far you can go, and the books inside a library can open doors to an entire world waiting to be discovered. This MADM is brought to you by Bankston Motor Homes, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong. Real stories. Real people. Real impact. News That Unites!™️

Make A Difference Minute: Facing the Unknown Together

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have firefighter Brett Thomas as he shares his brother Jamey’s unexpected journey after what first appeared to be a routine medical emergency. When Jamey suffered a seizure in May, his family had no idea it would lead to the discovery of a brain tumor. Brett immediately left work to be with his family, helping care for Jamey’s young daughter while his sister-in-law remained at the hospital. Following surgery, Jamey began the difficult process of recovering from weakness on his right side and challenges with speech. While those abilities are steadily improving through therapy, further testing revealed that the tumor was more serious than doctors first believed. Jamey was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Jamey's story is a reminder that life’s biggest battles often arrive without warning, but no one should have to face them alone. Through faith, family, friends, and the support of a caring community, hope continues to shine even in the face of uncertainty. This MADM is brought to you by Hydration Lounge, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong. Real stories. Real people. Real impact. News That Unites!™️

More Than Books: Building Community at the Leighton Public Library

From birthday celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary to international travel adventures without ever leaving town, the Leighton Public Library and Civic Center is redefining what a community library can be. On tonight’s special on-location edition of The Mark White Show, I sit down with Library Director Miranda Ball and Children’s Coordinator Charlotte Goodman to talk about inspiring children to read, serving families through innovative programs, partnering with the Food Bank of North Alabama, preserving local history, and creating a place where everyone feels welcome. Their passion for helping others is evident in everything they do, from summer reading adventures and educational activities to assisting residents with job applications, housing paperwork, and everyday needs. It’s a conversation about service, community, and the power of people working together to make a lasting difference. Real stories. Real people. Real impact. News That Unites!™️