In addition to airing extensively on Naperville Community Television, the NCTV17 documentaries are also placed in the Naperville libraries and preserved at Naper Settlement for generations to come. The NCTV17-produced documentaries are truly “forever” pieces that provide the community with educational insight into their heritage, instill respect for the spirit of the community that began long ago, and inspire the citizens of today.

COMPLETED DOCUMENTARIES
DOCUMENTARY TRAILERS
Our Story
On May 2nd, in celebration of our 25th Anniversary, we invited Naperville to join us in the making of "Our Story" - a community-wide documentary modeled after Ridley Scott's Life in a Day documentary. And join us you did, as we've received more than 80 submissions including everything from swing dancing to seniors at Mass to toddlers playing in the park.
The NCTV staff were also out for the entire 24 hours recording activities around town. We took our cameras up in a plane, fixed them to the top of cars and also positioned them in a model power boat sent down the DuPage River. We truly tried to tell Naperville's story from every angle!
Kidz Kabaret - The Documentary
Kidz Kabaret - The Documentary gives us an unrestrictive view of the behind the scenes intensity, passion, love and often chaos that is Kidz Kabaret, Naperville's only non-audition children's theatre company. Viewers meet the charismatic director Kandiss Hernandez and discover how she took an idea literally from her backyard to center stage and a thriving theatre.
The documentary is told completely by Hernandez and her troupe. The passion and commitment to one another and Kidz Kabaret is heartfelt and inspiring as Hernandez truly puts every kid center stage. Producer Rick Rysso of Naperville Community Television spent days behind the camera and then edited this remarkable story together, which for him became a labor of love.
Naperville Recollections:
Modern Development
When Naperville stood on the Council-Manager form of government in 1969, they had no idea the city would develop into the economic and residential center it is today. Meeting the demands of the oncoming growth of the region and making decisions based on the quality of life for its residents, the city of Naperville began to operate more like a business, while maintaining true to its small-town roots. Covering subjects like suburbanization, education, housing, and regional economy,
NCTV17 continues its ongoing commitment to the "Naperville Recollection" series with "Modern Development," the story of Naperville's process of becoming the successful city it is today and the progress it took to stand apart in a thriving, hi-tech metropolis.
North Central College. 150 Years. A Promising Start.
As North Central celebrates their sesquicentennial year, they teamed up with NCTV17 to create a five part documentary series that chronicles the College’s 150-year history.

Part One: 1861-1916 - A College is Born

Part Two: 1916-1946 - The Growth of a College

Part Three: 1946-1970 - Challenges of the Post World War Years

Part Four: 1970-1992 - A Student Centered Community

Part Five: 1992-2011 - Moving into the 21st Century

DVDs are available for purchase at the North Central College Bookstore. Call 630-637-5635
Naperville Recollections:
We Are Y
NCTV takes you on a tour of the Kroehler YMCA to discover its past struggles and how it pioneered well-being in its members’ lives in “Naperville Recollections: We Are Y.”

As told by Executive Director R.J. Bartels, Sr. Vice President of the YMCA of Metro Chicago Tom Beerntsen, Executive Assistant Jane Bowers and various members and staff of the YMCA both past and present, the YMCA comes to life as a place where people go to get more than just a workout.
See for yourself how the YMCA first arrived in Naperville, how it adapted through decades of change, and how one organization can make such a big impact on an entire community.

“Naperville Recollections: We Are Y” was partially funded by a grant from the City of Naperville.
Naperville Recollections:
Dick Locher: The Man Behind the Ink
The remarkable career of Dick Locher has been captured in NCTV17's "Naperville Recollections" series. Locher's career begand as a child when his father encouraged him to draw and included more than four decades of political cardoons for the Chicago Tribune,
including one that earned him a Pulitzer Prize. The documentary chronicles how Dick Locher came to be an editorial cartoonist in 1953 and spans his illustrious career.
Family Business
Naperville Recollections:
Family Business
Naperville Recollections: Family Business is the most recent addition to Naperville Community Television’s award-winning documentary series. The documentary features the businesses Anderson’s Bookshops, Oswald’s Pharmacy, Kreger’s Central Foods, Beidelman Furniture and Biedelman-Kunsch Funeral Home. In the 30 minute documentary viewers will hear how the Anderson, Kreger and Beidelman families have successfully adapted over many decades to an ever-changing world, endured throughout a fluctuating economic climate, overcome competition from larger organizations, and worked with multiple generations of family. Family business experts along with the family members themselves highlight the challenges and opportunities unique to a family business.
The production of Naperville Recollections: Family Business was led by Executive Producer Elizabeth Braham Spencer and Producer Matt Peace; the documentary was partially funded by a grant from the City of Naperville.
Family Business
The Band Plays On
The Band Plays On” commemorates the band’s 150th anniversary which they have been celebrating throughout 2009. This entertaining and exciting documentary chronicles the band’s beginnings and shows their growth throughout their long and storied existence in Naperville.

This documentary includes fascinating and insightful interviews with musicians and experts, including Director Ron Keller and Ann Lord, the Mistress of Ceremonies since 1957. The band’s participation in the Naperville community is larger than life and you will want to see highlights of the band as they march in parades, through re-enactments of earlier days in historically accurate uniforms, concerts in the park,
and footage from their tuxedo-clad indoor concerts. “The Band Plays On” was produced in partnership with the Naperville Municipal Band and partially funded by a grant from the City of Naperville.
The Band Plays On
A Hallmark of Heritage
As part of the Naperville Heritage Society’s 40th anniversary NCTV17 partnered with the Heritage Society to create an entertaining and exciting documentary that chronicles its beginnings and the formation of Naper Settlement and its rise to community and national prominence.

Led by NCTV17’s Executive Director Liz Spencer, the documentary includes the moving of Century Chapel, the story of the Weed Ladies, and the introduction of its first employee Peggy Frank. “A Hallmark of Heritage” will serve as commemorative treasure for the entire community for years to come. Interviews with founding members, past and present board members and presidents, in addition to Naper Settlement staff members and Executive Director Peggy Frank give
insight into the success of the Heritage Society. Rare historical images captured throughout the past 40 years help bring the inspiring story to life and you won’t want to miss it.
A Hallmark of Heritage
Two Brothers, One Beer, and the American Dream
Over a period of fourteen months the Naperville Community Television production team traveled across the county and back to capture interviews for the documentary, “Two Brothers, One Beer, and the American Dream.” The documentary chronicles the story of the Stenger family brewery, which was one of the larger Naperville employers in the mid-1800’s. The documentary was produced in cooperation with the Naper Settlement and brought to the community by descendents Ron Stenger and Paul Stenger.

In the 1840’s, the Stenger family came to Naperville from Germany and began the brewery. Located at Franklin Avenue between Webster and Main, the Stenger Brewery was known to produce up to 17,000
barrels of beer a year. At one point a young Adolph Coors was in a supervisory role before heading west to begin his own brewery. The documentary presents the story of the Stenger brothers John and Nick who settled in Naperville and founded the brewery; a look at the role beer played in society; and how the brewery contributed to the development of Naperville.

“Two Brothers, One Beer, and the American Dream” has been the winner of numerous awards including the Illinois State Historical Society’s Superior Multi-Media Award. Watch this compelling story retold through interviews with family descendents, historical, and industry experts as well as re-enactments, including from the beer tunnels of Wisconsin.
Naperville Recollections:
Les Schrader, Jane Sindt, and the Art of Letter Writing
NCTV17’s new documentary history series, “Recollections” is underway and you won’t want to miss this exciting first installment. Amidst all the excitement of e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook it is important to pause and take a moment and think about the founding idea behind these social networks and how long-distance communication came into existence. In NCTV17’s “Naperville Recollections” among other stories, learn about the history of the Paw Paw Post Office and the art of letter writing.

Interviews with local experts will guide you through local artist and historian Les Schrader’s life as he
created paintings that were almost photographic in detail and historically accurate. You are probably aware of the Naperville Heritage Society, but not everyone knows about its founder and first president Jane Sindt. Sindt helped ensure the preservation of the Century Memorial Chapel. Don’t miss “Naperville Recollections” where you can learn about the events that have helped shape Naperville into the wonderful community that it has become. This project is funded by a grant from the City of Naperville.
Naperville Recollections Paw Paw
A Role of Their Own
What do Clarissa Hobson, Hannah Ditzler, Caroline Martin Mitchell, Matie Egermann, Genevieve Towsley, Peg Price, and Mary Lou Cowlishaw have in common? Each one of these influential women contributed spirit, intelligence, passion, and devotion to the vibrant shaping of Naperville. Naperville Community Television, Channel 17 is proud to celebrate the efforts of these women in their documentary, “A Role of Their Own.”

Throughout the documentary, the stories of these women are artistically woven together through common themes such as education, war, love, motherhood, politics, and the preservation of Naperville’s history. While they all shared a love for
Naperville, each carved her own unique position that would make a significant impact still felt today.

The women of past generations are brought to life through re-enactments in the period that they each lived. Peg Price and Mary Lou Cowlilshaw give insight themselves into the challenges and reward of their considerable leadership efforts. Along the way, the words and actions of these influential ladies will encourage both men and women alike.

“A Role of Their Own” is funded by a grant from the City of Naperville and features original music by Apocalypse Cow Productions.
A Role of Their Own
Moments in Time
The community of Naperville and The Century Walk has both undergone a captivating journey and as a result Naperville residents can be proud of this city and how artwork has brought everyone together. Watch “Moments in Time” and pay homage to The Century Walk’s artwork that tells the story of Naperville’s significant people, places, and events of the 21st century.

Century Walk Founder Brand Bobosky provides fascinating details about how the pieces came to be chosen, funded, and uniquely crafted. You’ll get to see how some of the sculptures are actually made and peek into the thoughts of the artists. Art enthusiasts including Jini Clare, Rita Harvard, Steve Hyett, and
Stephanie Penick share insight about the artwork and its role in Naperville’s inspirational character.

NCTV17 has captured several of the pieces as they were unveiled. In “Moments in Time” you’ll see the “Veterans Valor” sculpture as it was uncovered before the very World War II veterans it honors. Everyone will smile when they see “Officer Friendly” unveiled by the beloved original, Mayor Pradel. NCTV17 was fortunate to be there to catch these everlasting moments. Produced in cooperation with the Century Walk and funded in part by a grant from the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise Foundation, the documentary will give you an even deeper appreciation for the artwork enjoyed by the community and visitors.
The Naperville Riverwalk:
The First 25 Years
This is more than a story of a linear park; it is the story of the spirit of Naperville and how its citizens came together to celebrate its first 150 years, and turned the
city’s eye sore into its crown jewel. Produced in partnership with the Riverwalk Foundation and is partially supported by a grant from the City of Naperville.
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow: The Martin Mitchell Mansion Story
This 30 minute documentary tells the story of the Martin family, their family business, and Caroline Martin Mitchell’s generous bequest of the Mansion and the surrounding 212 acres to the City of Naperville. In addition, the documentary showcases the recent meticulous restoration of the mansion. This documentary was funded in part by The Rotary Club of Naperville Fund for the Arts.
Martin Mitchell Mansion
Community Building on the Great Frontier: The Story of Joseph Naper & the Founding of Naperville
The first feature documentary produced about our City’s founder sheds light on Joseph Naper the man; his vision, struggles, and triumphs; and how he helped build the community we know today. “Community Building on the Great Frontier” was funded by a grant from the City of Naperville.
One in a Million: The Cock Robin and Prince Castles Story
In 1931, Walter Fredenhagen and his boyhood friend, Earl Prince opened the first of five Prince Castle Ice Cream Shops in Naperville, IL. Their partnership was sealed with a handshake and would lead to many ice cream innovations such as the multi-mixer shake machine, see-through ice cream containers and the square ice cream scoop. Businessman Ray Kroc later entered the scene and eventually would become the head of sales operations for the Cock Robin and Prince Castles organization. On behalf of the organization Kroc was selling the innovative multi-mixer shake machine to the McDonald brothers. In 1954 Kroc would go on to purchase the small-scale McDonalds Corporation, for the sum of 2.7 million dollars.
This documentary is the story of a man, his dreams and the simple pleasure of ice cream. One in a Million: The Cock Robin and Prince Castles Story was awarded the Crystal Communicator Award of Excellence by the National Communicator Awards in 2005.