Getting to know ASTV's lineup

Eileen Hutson, better known as MadJon, takes a break from her cooking show to pose for a photo.

In addition to the Aiken Standard newspaper and website, Aiken Standard Television has been a growing effort to bring you, the reader, another avenue to stay on top of local news and events, many live, as they happen.

From Dancing with the Aiken Stars, the Aiken County District Spelling Bee and the Lobster Races to live local crime reporting and sports coverage, ASTV covers a wide variety of programming focused on what Aiken-area readers care about - our own community. ASTV can be found on Atlantic Broadband, channel 95.

Although ASTV is often covering many local live events throughout the week, the station also features many regular shows that bring a good variety of content to the viewer. Here are a few examples of ASTV's regular programming.

Cooking with MadJon and Friends

One of the most popular shows on ASTV features Aiken cook Eileen Hutson and various guests putting together full meals while demonstrating to viewers the joy of cooking.

"I've always loved to cook," Hutson said. "My grandfather was a chef, and his signature dishes were Italian foods. My mom passed on that style of cooking to me. Food is my spice of life - it gives me the chance to pass on all the love I feel for people though food."

Hutson was the owner of MadJon's Bakery and Cafe in North Augusta for three years, during which she took home 37 awards.

All of Hutson's recipes are original.

"I do make up the recipes on the shows; that'is why I call it my 'test kitchen.' When I look at the camera, I feel as if I'm not looking at a lens but rather looking at all my new friends that I have and people that enjoy watching the show," she said. "They've even told me before that they don't even cook; they just like watching me in the kitchen.

" There is one thing we all have in common: We live is to eat. I want to give viewers a laugh and a good feeling about the food they are making and to let them know that anyone can be a great chef in their own homes," Hutson said,

Many viewers wonder where Hutson got the name for her ASTV show, MadJon and Friends. "About 12 years ago, I took the first three letters of each of my grandchildren's name, Madison and Jonathon, and combined them."

Hutson loves to hear from fans, and even more, loves to hear their cooking requests for future shows.

"If you have any special request that I can do for you, please let me know," she said.

Contact Eileen Hutson, better known as MadJon, on Facebook or at her website, cookingwithmadjon.blogspot.com.

Air times

• Always online at aikenstandard.com/astv. Recipes for each show also are featured with each cooking video.

• New episodes of the 2012 season air every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

• Reruns can be found each day on ASTV on: Sundays at 5:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Mondays at 5:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and Tuesday through Saturday. At 5:30 a.m., 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Education Matters with Donna Moore Wesby

Education Matters, founded and hosted by Aiken County School Board member Donna Wesby, brings a variety of educational programming to ASTV each week, featuring different guests on a variety of topics. The one-hour live program is shot in the Aiken Standard's own television studio each Wednesday.

"I thoroughly enjoy producing the programs each week because they give me an opportunity to share with others my passion for education and my love for people in a way that promotes positive communication in our community," Wesby said. "It's also a creative method to disseminate information people need to know."

Wesby also hosts a weekly radio broadcast, "Education Matters with Donna Moore Wesby" on WAAW Shout 94.7 FM radio. She also is the founder and owner of The Greatest Gift, an all-occasion gift business and was honored as the 2006 Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.

Wesby currently works as a subcontractor at the Savannah River Site, where she manages the SRS Employee Association Store. She has lived in Aiken for more than 32 years and is married to Donald Wesby. They are members of Friendship Baptist Church and have three children, Britney, D.J. and Mykal. Wesby also actively serves in her church, as well as with other advisory councils and boards within the community.

Wesby can be reached by calling (803) 507-6793 or by email at donnawesby@aol.com.

Air times

• Always online at aikenstandard.com/astv.

• New program airs live each Wednesday on ASTV at 1 p.m.

• Reruns can be watched each day at 7 a.m., 1 p.m. and 11 p.m.

On the Sport's Front

On the Sports Front is a one-hour, live weekly show shot by ASTV at Coach T's restaurant, located on Whiskey Road. Featuring Aiken Standard sports editor Cam Huffman, sports writer Jeremy Timmerman, host Ed Girardeau and a wide variety of guests, this program focuses on sports in the local, state and national arenas. The show also includes segments including outdoor sports, area horse events and much more.

Huffman has been the sports editor of the Aiken Standard since 2006 and has been one of the hosts of On the Sports Front since the show began two years ago. Huffman is a graduate of West Virginia University and said he's always had a love for a variety of sports. Along with his work on "On the Sports Front," Huffman serves as a play-by-play and color analyst for many of ASTV's Mr. Central Game of the Week broadcasts. Huffman is married to Dawn Huffman and has a newborn son, Carter.

"I enjoy doing the show, because it gives me another chance to talk sports. We're able to highlight athletes and coaches from around the county and touch on many different sports, both locally and nationally. It's just like sitting around at Coach T's Diner talking sports, but we let other Aiken County sports fans in on the conversation. It's a lot of fun."

Sports writer Jeremy Timmerman has a journalism degree from Mercer University and is married to Jessi Timmerman. He has been with the Aiken Standard team for a year and a half and has starred in "On the Sports Front" for a year.

"I enjoy the show because it gives me a chance to meet a lot of people in the community and talk about sports," Timmerman said.

Girardeau holds a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from the University of South Carolina. He also owns Aiken Appraisal and Real Estate Services and currently works for WKSX 92.7 FM radio.

He said hosting On the Sports Front has been a good experience.

"I enjoy getting to meet the players and coaches of the various local teams away from the field and court, and I enjoy getting to work with the crew of ASTV," he said.

Girardeau also is the play-by-play announcer for ASTV's Mr. Central Game of the Week.

Air times:

• Always online at aikenstandard.com/astv.

• New program airs live each Thursday on ASTV at 7 p.m.

• Reruns can be watched each Sunday at midnight, 9 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. and Monday through Saturday at midnight, 9 a.m and noon. You can also catch the show Thursdays at 6 p.m., which air just before each week's new live broadcast.

Gentle Stretch Yoga

Gentle Stretch Yoga is a one-hour regular ASTV program featuring Nancy Hansen, a lead yoga instructor for many years at the H. O'Dell Weeks Activities Center. One of the first two South Carolina teachers to obtain the American Council on Exercise fitness certification, Hansen is ACE-certified, as well as certified with the national SilverSneakers exercise program. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher-200, and holds a master's degree from California State University at Fullerton and a bachelor's degree from Boston University.

In addition to different types of yoga, Hansen also teaches Fit 4 Ever, line dancing and SilverSneakers.

"I'm passionate about the benefits of exercise, and I believe that staying in motion is essential for our health and well-being. Being able to move is a gift and a privilege and nourishes the body, mind and spirit," Hansen said.

"We can do something - however small - every single day. I particularly love yoga for the physical benefits of improving our range-of-motion, its emphasis on improved breathing techniques and balance, as well as its calming and soothing effect. Yoga can put everything back in perspective," she explained.

Hansen is a longtime Aiken resident and is married to Jerry Hansen. The couple have four grown sons, Adam, Logan, Damon and Conner, and two grandsons, Alex and Kyle.

Besides Hansen's teaching schedule, she is active with the Aiken Community Playhouse, working with the Youth Wing in particular. She has directed and acted in numerous plays throughout the years, as well as serving on the ACP Board of Directors. She chaperoned for the NYC Broadway Bound students last year and will go again this April with this year's group. Hanson said in addition to yoga, she's very passionate about the importance of the arts in the development of local teenagers. "It can be life-changing," she said.

Air times:

• Always online at aikenstandard.com/astv.

• New programs air on ASTV Sundays at 6:30 p.m.

• Reruns can be watched each Sunday at 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays at 6:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Thursdays at 6:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Horse Tales

Horse Tales is a weekly, half-hour television show meant to take the viewer on a journey of discovery about the different breeds of horses and the people who ride, love and care for them.

The show, hosted by David Grant and Blaire Grant, covers many aspects of horse-related events, horse care and all things equine. The South Carolina-based syndicated show is new to Aiken television, and Richard Perdue, co-owner and producer of Horse Tales, said he is very excited to have the show air now regularly on ASTV. Perdue plans to branch out to Aiken for shows, as well.

"Its been a pleasure working with the ASTV staff, and the exposure we've since received has been tremendous from the horse community in Aiken. We are always looking for new ideas for upcoming shows and plan to be in Aiken very soon to do a show."

Perdue welcomes ideas for the show and can be reached at the television show's website, horsetalestv.com.

Air times:

• New programs air Mondays on ASTV at 11:30 a.m.

• Reruns can be watched Sundays at 5 a.m. and 3 p.m.; every Monday at 5 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 10:30 p.m., and every Tuesday through Saturday at 5 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Mr. Central Game of the Week

ASTV, along with sponsor Mr. Central (Heating and Air), strives to bring viewers a live local high school or college game each week. In the past few years, ASTV has covered games at almost every school and college in the Aiken and North Augusta area. A particular viewer favorite is the ASTV live Friday night football games, where viewers can watch the action on our website or on television in the comfort of their own homes. ASTV also covers volleyball, baseball, basketball, equine events and much more.

Ed Girardeau, who also hosts ASTV's On the Sports Front, serves as the main play-by-play announcer for Mr. Central's Game of the Week, along with Aiken resident Ken Brace as the main color commentator for football games.

Girardeau has worked for various radio stations, is the co-owner of Vintage Recording Studios, located on Park Avenue and also spends his spare time spinning tunes as a disc jockey for parties and wedding receptions.

He said he's very passionate about covering live ASTV games.

"I went to USC with the idea of becoming the play-by-play voice for the Gamecocks someday. It is my first love, and I get to do that on the Mr. Central Game of the Week."

Air times:

• Always online at aikenstandard.com/astv.

• Varies depending on game coverage.

Church services

Currently, ASTV airs hour-long services weekly from Heights Church, as well as First Baptist Church in Aiken. As a vital part of the Aiken Standard's community, ASTV strives to bring church programming to those who may not be able to make it to a service. ASTV also is looking for more church services to air. Contact Melissa Hanna at mhanna@aikenstandard.com or at (803) 644-2364 for more information on airing church services.

Air times

First Baptist Church

• New services run each Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Heights Church

• Always online at aikenstandard.com/astv.

• New services run on ASTV each Sunday at 11 a.m.

• Reruns can be watched at 10 p.m. each Sunday.