"A Heckuva Farewell: Midday at Night" Honors MPR News' Gary Eichten on Thursday, January 19 at The Fitzgerald Theater

Dec 15, 2011

Former Vice President Walter Mondale will be the program guest, recorded for broadcast on MPR News

Members of the media should contact cschmitt@mpr.org for complimentary tickets

WHAT: Gary Eichten, legendary Minnesota broadcaster and host of MPR News' Midday, is retiring after more than 45 years with MPR's newsroom. To raise a toast in his honor, MPR is inviting the public to "A Heckuva Farewell: Midday at Night" on Thursday, January 19 at The Fitzgerald Theater. The program will be recorded for broadcast the following day, Friday, January 20 at 11 a.m. on 91.1 FM News.

Eichten will welcome former Vice President Walter Mondale as guest to discuss current events, historical figures, politics and news of the day. Please note: audience questions during this portion of the show should be addressed to Mondale only.

After the one-hour interview, APM | MPR CEO and President Jon McTaggart will interview Eichten about his career. Following the program, the public audience is invited to stay for a dessert reception, where they can share well wishes with Eichten and meet other MPR News personalities: Tom Crann, Phil Picardi and Steven John.

More information about "A Heckuva Farewell" can be found at mpr.org/eichten.

More about Gary Eichten
Eichten began his career at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at Collegeville's KSJR, MPR's first station. Among the honors Eichten has received during his career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award for Best Local News Program. He also assisted in the development of two Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, Eichten was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame. Most recently, Eichten was awarded with the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession.

WHEN: Thursday, January 19, 7-8:30 p.m., followed by a dessert reception

WHERE: The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul

TICKETS: $5 for MPR Members, $10 general admission. MPR Members can purchase tickets starting December 22 by calling the MPR Box Office, 651-290-1200. General admission tickets go on sale starting December 29, and may also be purchased through the Box Office.

TUNE IN: "A Heckuva Farewell: Midday at Night" will be recorded for broadcast the following day during Eichten's last Midday as host, Friday, January 20, 11 a.m.-noon. on all MPR News stations, including KNOW 91.1 FM in the Twin Cities. Then at noon, Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer will interview Eichten live on the air about his 45-year career at MPR News.