The episodes will air on the BEK News network later this month, but a special premier screening of the shows be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at State Street Theater in New Ulm.

The “My Hometown” series is created by “Ladies of Another View” from the BEK News network out of Bismarck, North Dakota. In each episode of the “My Hometown” series, the hosts spotlight a town in the midwest. Over the last three years, the program has featured towns throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota. It is now Sleepy Eye and New Ulm’s turn in the spotlight.

Patti Armstrong will serve as show host for both episodes. She said it was only a matter of time before the “My Hometown” series covered the two communities. Both towns were on her radar for years.

Five years ago, Armstrong’s daughter Teresa moved to Sleepy Eye with her husband Cole McKeown McKeown works in New Ulm.

Turner Hall Executive Director Andrea Boettger (right) is interviewed by TV host Patti Armstrong for the “My Hometown” series. In each episode of the “My Hometown” series, a small midwest town is featured. Recently show producers visited New Ulm and Sleepy Eye for upcoming episodes. Photo submitted by New Ulm Chamber of Commerce

Armstrong said she and her husband have regularly visited Sleepy Eye to see their daughter, but they also made a point of visiting New Ulm. Over the last five years, they grew to admire both towns.

“[We] have fallen in love with them for so many reasons from the pools, hiking, restaurants and great events,” Armstrong said. “Our other kids and grandkids also love to visit those towns. If it didn’t mean leaving family behind in Bismarck, we’d probably move there.”

Armstrong hopes the episodes will help spread the word about the two towns. She said there are many people in North Dakota who don’t necessarily know about New Ulm or Sleepy Eye, but when they do hear they are generally excited to visit.

“We love Sleepy Eye and New Ulm,” she said. “We’re always singing their praises.”

The hope is the episode will bring more interest to the communities. The main purpose of the “My Hometown” series is getting the word out to more people.

Patti Armstrong (left), host of the “My Hometown” TV series, interviews New Ulm Park and Rec. Supervisor Liz Malloy for an episode on New Ulm. The segment focuses on the parks of New Ulm. Photo submitted by New Ulm Chamber of Commerce

“We do want locals to love the shows, but we want to show other people why the communities are great,” Armstrong said.

Each “My Hometown” episode involves a deep dives into community through a series of interviews. The New Ulm segments include interviews with Turner Hall Executive Director Andrea Boettger; Park and Recreation Supervisor Liz Malloy, Tom Furth discussing German descendants; August Schell Brewery Vice President Kyle Marti and New Ulm Chamber of Commerce President Sarah Warmka.

Sleepy Eye’s episode features interviews with Sleepy Eye Area Historical Society, Executive Director Debbie Joramo; St. Mary’s Development Director Chris Heiderscheidt; Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce executive director Christina Andres; EDA executive director Kurk Kramer and Randy Krzmarzick on area baseball history.

The shows will air on BEK News 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. April 3 for Sleepy Eye; April 10 for New Ulm. The episode will be available on the channel’s streaming app BEK TV+ and their website. However, the shows will be broadcast locally as well.

Armstrong said they received permission to broadcast the episodes on KEYC in Mankato and New Ulm Cable Access Television (NUCAT).

Patti Armstrong (left) interviews New Ulm Chamber President Sarah Warmka for the “My Hometown” series. Warmka was one of five people interviewed by Armstrong for an episode on New Ulm. Photo submitted by New Ulm Chamber of Commerce

The New Ulm episode will run at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 on KEYC-FOX. The Sleepy Eye episode will run 9:30 p.m. Wed. April 24 on KEYC-FOX. Both shows will run as a two-hour block at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20 on KEYC.

NUCAT will air the New Ulm episode at 6 p.m. Friday, April 12 followed by the Sleepy Eye episode at 7 pm.

Armstrong said that because of the extra broadcasts on KEYC and NUCAT, the Sleepy Eye and New Ulm shows will be the most broadcasted “My Hometown” shows.

In addition to the regular broadcast schedule, a special premier screening of the episodes will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at State Street Theater. The watch party is a free event for the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the screening starting at 6 p.m.

Schell’s Vice President Kyle Marti is interviewed by TV host Patti Armstrong for an episode of “My Hometown.” In each episode of the “My Hometown” series, a small midwest town is featured. New Ulm and Sleepy Eye both recently receieved a spotlight episode. Photo submitted by New Ulm Chamber of Commerce