---

WGDR Annual Meeting and Potluck well attended March 22

WGDR’s Annual Meeting was Saturday March 22 from 2 to 5 pm. The meeting and potluck celebration took place once again in the Haybarn Theatre at Goddard College in Plainfield.

We welcomed Ursula Ruedenberg from WBAI in New York City and the Pacifica Radio Network. Ursula works in news and public affairs, outreach, and affiliate relations for Pacifica. Ursula spoke of Pacifica and its network of 130 non-commercial, community radio stations like WGDR.

Also at the annual meeting, WGDR programmers elected new representatives to the Policy Advisory Committee, and the Community Advisory Board members recognized. Goddard President Mark Schulman spoke of his commitment to community radio in general, and WGDR in particular. WGDR General Manager Greg Hooker spoke of the state of the station in general and WGDR Operations Manager David Ferland gave a technology update. All the speakers answered questions from the audience.

The meeting was moderated with much efficiency and aplomb by Judy Cyprian of Plainfield. It was great to see and visit with over 50 programmers, listeners, and station staff. The potluck was great, as usual. Thanks to all who attended, and also those whose thoughts were with us.

Elected to WGDR's 2008 programmer working group, the Policy Advisory Council:

Ed Hutchinson (substitute programmer)
Jeff Lindholm (Geezer Rock)
Padma (Sniggling Eels)
Brian Aust (Wood Warbler's JazzGrass)
Daniel Marcus (Saturday Afternoon Jazz)
Renee Carpenter (Tuesday Morning News and More)
Dana Garden (Fire in the Hold).

Check here on the WGDR website and on the WGDR Forum program (Friday's 11:30am) for info about meeting times, etc.

Acknowledged at the meeting were the current members of the WGDR Community Advisory Board. The members are Wilmer Brandt, Amy Hornblas, Jude Sargent, Joanne Brooking, Mac Lore, Joey Klein, and Paul Brown.


October 2007
Fall 2007 Pledge Drive extended one day
Goal: $15,000
Saturday: $12,556

Station manager Greg Hooker Friday night extended the Fall Pledge Drive through Saturday evening October 27. The one-day extension was to give the community a bit more time to pledge their support for WGDR. The $15,000 goal was set to defray a variety of continuing station operating and development expenses. The remaining amount still needs to be raised.

Friday Night at the Pledge Drive

The Doctor and The Tortoise are looking for calls Friday night during WGDR's Fall Pledge Drive.


The mics are up and WGDR programmers The WoodWarbler aka Brian Aust, and The Tortoise aka Tony Bartold react to Katarina Davis as the Doctor aka Tim White works the control board. They were all on hand to assist in the the Fall Pledge Drive.

Live performances during the Pledge Drive
We thank these fine musicians for contributing their talent, time, and good cheer during our Fall Pledge Drive.

Sunday
Rogue Birds

Wednesday
Colin McCaffrey
Inner Fire District

Thursday
Cody Michaels
Dave dZendron

Thank You to everyone
for calling, mailing, and walking your contributions to WGDR this pledge drive. Thank you for showing your support and appreciation of community radio in Central Vermont.

Katarina Davis on the air at the Pledge Drive Friday night.


September 2007
Spotlight on
Mathew Delorey and The Manna Sound

From time to time we spotlight a different volunteer programmer in this space, and this month we introduce you to Matthew Delorey, host of “The Manna Sound” Mondays from 4 to 6 pm.

A native of Barnstable, MA on Cape Cod, Matthew and his two brothers were raised in a traditional Irish-Catholic household. He says his parents weren’t particularly interested in music, but Matthew was from an early age, listening primarily to soul, funk, and reggae. “I’ve always been connected to the spiritual references in reggae music,” he adds. His teen years were challenging, according to Matthew, in part because of his parents’ deteriorating marriage, so the music was a refuge which “helped me to find myself.”

After going away to school in Connecticut at the age of 16, Matthew’s journeys eventually took him to the South American nation of Peru, where he remembers hearing Toots and the Maytals performing “Country Road, ” and the impact that it had on him. In 2002 he returned to the U.S., settling in Central Vermont and beginning work at both the Littlewood Farm and the Institute for Social Ecology in Plainfield. Those associations led him down the road to Goddard College and WGDR, where he began apprenticing with former programmer Papa Roots.

Matthew’s passion for reggae is reflected not only on his WGDR program, but also in his work as a concert promoter for Rise Up Productions of Mendocino, Calif. In that role, he is helping to put together the Rise Up Vermont Roots and Culture Fest at the Bundy Center in Waitsfield, Saturday Sept. 29. This will be an all day event, noon to 11 pm, tented for rain or shine, and featuring the Midnite Band, Niyorah, Jah-n-I, Dmoja, House of Rastafari, Satta Sound, and much more, including a kids tent and natural and local vendors.

Matthew is appreciative of the privilege he enjoys hosting “The Manna Sound” on WGDR. “I give thanks to my wife, Katlyn, my children Haile, Obediah, and Abigail, and the Satta Sound Family, for letting me be a DJ,” he says.

Hear “The Manna Sound” with Matthew Delorey Mondays from 4-6 pm on WGDR. Learn more also by searching Satta Sounds- Matthew Delorey at www.myspace.com

Mathew Delorey

September 2007
Ferland hired as WGDR Operations Manager

General Manager Greg Hooker announced last week that David Ferland has been named the new Operations Manager for WGDR.

As our listeners know, Dave is a long-time station volunteer who has co-hosted, with his son, the Dave and Tyler Show since 1995. Earlier this year, Dave also oversaw the design and launch of this, the new WGDR website. He also is a veteran Goddard College employee, most recently serving as Technical Services and Systems Librarian. Dave is a 1982 graduate of Lyndon State College where he majored in Broadcast Production.

David Ferland


July 2007
Bert moving on
"Thanks, good luck, and see you soon” to WGDR Operations Manager Bert Klunder. Bert is off to Illinois to enroll in graduate school and pursue his doctorate.

Bert has been a central figure in WGDR’s evolution over the past decade. He enrolled at Goddard College in February 1998 and soon thereafter got involved with the station. He hosted shows on Tuesdays, then Sunday nights, and Friday nights, commuting from as far away as Burlington and Northampton, MA, programming rock and jazz shows primarily. He also co-hosted the Saturday morning children’s show with Britten Traughber -- a partnership that’s stronger than ever, as Bert and Britten together head to Illinois State University for their graduate studies.

Somehow, in addition to earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Goddard, Bert managed to devote even moretime to WGDR. He was appointed Assistant Manager of the station in 2002, later Operations Manager, and twice has served as Interim General Manager. He has contributed tirelessly to the growth and future sustainability of WGDR, and heads west with our thanks. Happily, too, he plans to stay involved with the station in a volunteer capacity, both from afar and on his occasional return trips to his family’s home in the Northeast Kingdom.

Britten and Bert at Bert's Farewell Party.

Bert was presented with gifts showing our appreciation for his years of service
at WGDR and Goddard.

Bert shares some laughs with WGDR programmers Renee Carpenter and
David Ferland at the party. Bert was wearing his new Thunder Road shirt.

Bert, tech man.



July 2007
WGDR Summer Party in July
Potluck - was awesome
No Reason - didn't rain at all
No Fundraising - lost the "d"
No Long Speeches - except with each other

For a long time now, we thought about having a party-- for no other reason than to enjoy a good time together, and to thank WGDR’s listeners and volunteers. The party was Sunday July 29 from 2 to 9 pm.

Music performers:

Pitz Quattrone on didgeridoo

J. Willis Pratt rocked

The Calamity Janes shakedown

The Nobby Reed Project had a cure for the blues.

Unofficial counts ranged from 60 to 100 WGDR listeners, supporters, and programmers.


Nobby Reed


7.4.07 The Dr celebrates 20 years of rock and roll at WGDR
The Doctor, aka Tim White, has been spinning rock and roll classics at WGDR since 1987. He is a former musician who still likes to entertain by sharing great classic Rock 'n' Roll pieces. After 20 years, the Dr. has been around to see new releases become classics.

Four out of five Doctor's recommend the fifth Doctor to bring you classic rock 'n' roll and other selections. It's cool. It's hot. His 20th Anniversary Special Show was aired Friday, July 13th. Congratulations to The Dr and Geronimo.

The Doctor is in with faithful rock n roll consultant Geronimo.

5.04.07 It's standing room only at Montpelier's Unitarian Church for a talk by the investigative reporter and best selling author Greg Palast. The event helps launch WGDR's spring pledge drive, with proceeds benefiting both the station and Vermonters for Voting Integrity.


April 2007
WGDR Staff inspired by New Orleans
The organizers of the NFCB Conference had arranged for two New Orleans “Reality Bus Tours” to give conferees a chance to see the damage from Hurricane Katrina, as well as the status of the recovery efforts. Because of scheduling conflicts, the WGDR group, with help from a local radio intern in New Orleans, arranged for a private tour.


Ruth, Erin and Greg outside the WWOZ
mobile community radio station at the
NFCB conference in New Orleans.
Christine Farren photos.


It was sobering to see how much of the city’s neighborhoods are still in a state of extreme disrepair, and to hear the observations of at least one local who had some scathing remarks to offer in his assessment of the government’s role in the catastrophe.


Paul Rogers explains what happened on
the levee in New Orleans to station
manager Greg Hooker, who recorded
Paul's guided tour. Ruth Wilder and
Erin Costa in back.

The WGDR group left New Orleans inspired by its people, and hopeful that we can be of some help in the city’s ongoing recovery, perhaps in collaboration with an effort spearheaded by New Orleans community radio station WWOZ. We will post additional information and pictures about the conference and New Orleans as soon as they are available.


4.24.07 WGDR hosts its second annual Underwriters Reception at the Black Door Bistro in Montpelier, thanking area businesses for their support of community radio in Central Vermont.

4.20.07 The WGDR web site has been updated with a new look and feel. It was developed in-house by longtime WGDR programmer David Ferland, with collaboration of programmers, station management, and interested community members. This focused effort to represent and serve the WGDR community on the web was made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting grant. First thing was to take care of station business on the web, update the air schedule, contact and donate info. Bert and David really tried to squeeze current day realities into the web site Reagan built. That web site, carefully constructed and artistically presented, was a leap forward for WGDR's web presence. We benefited from it and it was well received, even after its creator moved on. And the station continues to change fast, very fast. So David proposed a minimalist approach, giving us the opportunity to grow out in unexpected areas (and a handful of expected areas first). The new website incorporats three basic ideas concepts: responsibility, accessability, and content driven.

2.21.07 WGDR is on the air all night, broadcasting the 10th annual Homelessness Marathon. Produced by listener-supported community radio in Fresno, California, the live broadcast spotlights the continuing reality of homelessness in our country, and one city’s repressive treatment of homeless people.

01.08.2007
WGDR kicks off a new year of remote broadcasting efforts with live court-side coverage of local Division IV boys and girls high school basketball games from Cabot and Twinfield schools.

12.18.2006
Greg Hooker officially becomes WGDR's new General Manager, after more than two decades of service at "The Point"/WNCS.

10.20.2006
At 9:36pm, WGDR exceeded its $15,000 fundraising goal for the season on the last day of the Fall 2006 Pledge Drive - MANY THANKS to everyone who contributed to our success!

10.07.2006
WGDR's 2nd Annual Autumn Leaves & Chocolate Lovers Fling was held at the Vermont College Gymnasium to the delight of chocolate lovers from throughout the state who attended.

08.07.2006
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting approved WGDR's application for a Community Service Grant, making us the second radio station in Vermont to be funded in part by CPB.

06.02.2006
Adam Tendler completes a year-long nationwide solo piano tour in the Goddard College Haybarn Theater with the finale of "America 88x50," a self-directed grassroots effort exposing audiences in all 50 states to lesser-known music by American composers. Learn more by visiting america88x50.com

05.12.2006
After an unprecedented week of fundraising, WGDR reached its $15,000 Spring Pledge Drive Goal, thanks to help from over 100 volunteers, donations from dozens of local businesses and hundreds of listener pledges - MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS COMMUNITY RADIO!

05.09.2006
WGDR's "Woman Stirred" radio program, aired 4pm - 6pm every Thursday and produced by volunteer Merry Gangemi, received a $1,000 grant from the Samara Foundation of VT!

03.29.2006
WGDR held its first Underwriters' Reception in Montpelier, celebrating all of the individuals and businesses who have supported our efforts and helped us with programming costs.

03.11.2006
WGDR completed its second round of remote broadcasts covering all boy's and girl's Division IV High School Basketball Tournament Games live from the Barre Auditorium.

02.26.2006
WGDR's Annual Meeting took place and new members of our Policy Advisory Council were elected, along with members of a new Programming Committee that includes programmers, listeners and a Goddard College representative.

02.17.2006
WGDR completed its first round of remote broadcasts covering 6 regular season boy's and girl's Division IV High School Basketball Games live from Twinfield and Cabot schools.

01.05.2006
WGDR received a $30,000 grant from the Cain Foundation for production studio equipment and renovations!

10.17.2005
WGDR's Fall Pledge Drive (10/8 - 10/14) was a success, thanks to direct contributions and on-location pledges of support at our tent in Montpelier!

10.04.2005
Visit the "Donate" & "Station News" pages on this web site, which are now active and will be updated each week!

10.01.2005
WGDR's First Annual Autumn Leaves & Chocolate Lover's
Contest & Silent Auction Event was held in the Haybarn Theater - and a deliciously sweet time was had by all!

09.16.2005
A free concert celebrating WGDR in the Haybarn Theater:
Madame W.M. Andrews, the "Gospel Queen of Denver" -
one of the First Female Gospel Announcers and a pioneer of the Gospel Airwaves - was joined by a band of local artists.

08.11.2005
The WGDR transmitter (down for 3 days) has been repaired and our nominal power output has been restored!

4.27.2005 Bon Kelly has been hired as WGDR's new General Manager! Bon, who served as GM for community radio station KZMU in Moab, UT, officially begins his new role at WGDR on 6/1/05.

4.16.05 Louie Ducharme, long-time WGDR volunteer programmer and multi-talented assistant, received the National Federation of Community Broadcasters 2005 Volunteer of the Year award! Louie was formally honored in Washington D.C. at the annual NFCB Conference award ceremony.