“My daughter Amanda and I like to watch America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country here on Wisconsin Public television. Last summer, they deconstructed a recipe for poke cake — an old-fashioned dessert that starts with a white cake, poked with a straw, filled with Jell-O, and covered in whipped topping…”

What does this have to do with Doc Martin and the many reasons you should support Wisconsin Public television? I’m not sure now, but it made perfect sense at the time.

My use of food metaphors during WPT pledge breaks began years ago with a comparison of a budget pie chart and my wife’s yummy strawberry rhubarb pie. It’s since evolved into a running challenge, in which I come up with a new, and increasingly obscure, food reference during every pledge drive. Typically, these come late in the evening when only the most astute viewer might wonder what the heck I’m doing. Clint keeps track of these “Dave-isms” on a hand scratched piece of paper taped to the side of his producer’s desk — my own little wall of fame.

During this pledge break, I had the pleasure of working with Linda, a longtime volunteer who’s a pro at convincing viewers that they really do need a new coffee mug. We were joined by Michelle, whose on-camera delivery is just as polished as her work for Wisconsin Public Radio.

in addition to all the volunteers working the phone bank, and the good crew of people behind the scenes who try to keep the craziness in check, we were also joined by Irv from Morgan’s Shoes — our corporate sponsor for the evening. Watch Irv step confidently into the studio (wearing spiffy New Balance running shoes), speaking with passion about his commitment to customer and community, and you know why this man is a successful retailer.