Spring Fundrive March 7-23

Two weeks (and a couple of extra days) of extra great programming is coming up starting March 7, running through Sunday, March 23! We’ll have special guests, extended shows, live music, and surprises!

With your support, we will raise $20K in a little over two weeks!

Fundrive donor perks!

• All donors will get a copy of our full-color updated programming schedule.

• A gift of $50 or more gets you a limited edition WGDR/WGDH sticker. Show it off!

• A gift of $250 or more will snag you anything of your choice from our swag shop!

• All donors who give during our two-week drive will be entered to win prizes donated by Vermont businesses and organizations. Plus, we have tickets to shows like:

  • The Simon and Garfunkel Story at the Flynn Theater - Sat. April 26

  • Waxahatchee Presented by Higher Ground at Shelburne Museum - Mon. June 23 

  • Carmen Lagala at Vermont Comedy Club - Fri. & Sat., April 11&12

  •  VT Jazz Ensemble at Highland Arts Center - Fri. May 2 

  • The Lords of 52nd Street: Billy Joel's Original Band at the Barre Opera House - Sat. April 5 

  • Stephane Wrembel Quartet - UVM Lane Series - Fri. April 25 

  • Show incentives: Tune in to hear more!

Cowbell Ringing Fundrive Goals: 

• Raise $20,000 (or more!) to keep the great programming you love and rely on going.

• Meet our Matches! Across the fundrive we will have nearly $5,000 in special "match" days. We are looking for new donors and folks who did not give last year to give on these days and have their gifts matched. If you give $25, it becomes $50. Thanks to our many generous anonymous donors, Black Bear Biodiesel, and Diamantis Construction for being our matches. Tune in for the match days on:

  • Friday, March, 7 - Kick Off Fundrive Day Match. Up to $1,000 will be matched from Black Bear Biodiesel.

  • Sunday, March 9 - Curse of the Golden Turnip Show Match, from 7-10am. Up to $1,250 from a combination of generous donors and Diamantis Construction will be matched that morning. 

  • Midway Weekend Match, Friday-Sunday, March 11-13. Up to $2,000 from two generous donors will be matched.

  • Final Day Station Match, Sunday, March 23. TBD on total match!

• Show Goals! Also new to this fundrive, our programmers will be setting their own show goals to encourage listeners to give during their show. Help make their day (and ring that cowbell!) by giving during the shows you love.

• 10 increasing sustainers. We have 80 current sustainers, and we're looking for 10 of you to increase your monthly donation by $5 (or more).

• 20 new sustaining donors. Think of it as one of your many streaming services. What monthly value do we provide to your listening needs? $10/mo? $15/mo? $25/mo? 

• 50 streamer donors. We see you, streamers! Thank you for listening from near and far online.

• 50 new donors. We love first-time donors! You build our capacity across our listening area.

• 50 returning donors. Did you forget to give to the station last year? Make this drive the one you give again. We miss you and appreciate your support. 

There are lots of fun goals to hit (and ring that cowbell) that you can be part of helping us reach. If you have yet to give to the station this year, this is a really fun way to do it. Learn more and how to give here.

We've also put together a helpful overview of the station, "a case for support," about what we need to put funding toward in the coming months and years. This is another part of our commitment to not just making the station truly sustainable but to our transparency with the community about what running a station takes.

Make a gift today!

Give securely by either:

1. When you give or pledge a check online you can leave us a message about your favorite shows or why you love WGDR & WGDH. This is what you hear programmers read on the air as part of our gratitude for you all!

2. To give online by credit card, PayPal, Venmo, or other digital wallet options. Click the box on the upper right donate button. Pick an amount or enter your own. Look for the tab at the top for "one-time" or "monthly." For digital gifts, when you complete the donation, you will be asked if you want to cover the credit card processing fee or us (optional!) and a tip (to GiveButter, the platform), that tip is optional and does NOT come to us. Click the drop-down box for that and choose "$0." to skip this tip!

3. To give by check, you can pledge on this online platform (so we know it is coming). Choose "check" and enter your information. Then, send that check made out to “CVCR” and mail it to WGDR/WGDH, 123 Pitkin Road Plainfield, VT 05667. Thank you!

4. After you donate, your donation will show up in the community donor scroll at the side of this page. Thank you so very much.

CVCR Contest Rules
Anyone who donated online or by check dated during our Spring FunDrive, March 7-23, will be entered to win one of the incentive prizes donated from local businesses and organizations. You must donate during the fundrive dates to be eligible to win. Per station policy, no paid staff, programmers, volunteers, board, or contractors are eligible to win.

Any questions can be sent to the Station Manager, Llu Mulvaney-Stanak at Llu@WGDR.org or at (802) 276-0365.

Thank you for supporting WGDR/WGDH!

Central Vermont Community Radio (CVCR) is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Donations are tax-deductible under state and federal law.

Spring FunDrive Donor Contest!

We appreciate every single dollar and put it all toward keeping the station sounding great. With your help, we will meet every goal of the 2025 Spring FunDrive, especially that $20,000 big goal.

There are lots of ways to give:

• Go to the drive website and donate by credit card, venmo, PayPal or more.

• Or on the drive site pledge a check and then send it made out to “CVCR” and mail it to the station at WGDR, 123 Pitkin Rd. Plainfield, VT 05667.

  Every donor who gives by March 23 will be entered to win a prize or receive a perk!

• All donors will get a copy of our full-color updated programming schedule.

• A gift of $250 or more, will snag you anything of your choice from our swag shop!

• A gift of $50 or more gets you a brand new, limited edition “CVCR Tower” sticker. Show it off! Sticker design by local artist Diana Clark.

• All donors who give during our two-week drive will be entered to win prizes donated by Vermont businesses and organizations. Tickets to shows like:

  • The Simon & Garfunkel Story at the Flynn Theater - Sat. April 26

  • Waxahatchee - Presented by Higher Ground at Shelburne Museum - Mon. June 23

  • Carmen Lagala at the Vermont Comedy Club - Fri. & Sat., April 11 & 12

  • The Lords of 52nd Street at the Barre Opera House - Saturday, April 5

  • Stephane Wrembel Quartet - UVM Lane Series - Friday, April 25

• Show incentives: Tune in to hear more!

We will also have individual show incentives for giving levels. Tune in to hear more!

CVCR Contest Rules
Anyone who donated online or by check dated during our Spring FunDrive, March 7-23, will be entered to win one of the incentive prizes donated from local businesses and organizations. You must donate during the dates of the fundrive to be eligible to win. Per station policy, no paid staff, programmers, volunteers, board, or contractors are eligible to win.

Any questions can be sent to the Station Manager, Llu Mulvaney-Stanak at Llu@WGDR.org or at (802) 276-0365.

Thank you for supporting WGDR/WGDH!

H.307 - A New VT Community Radio Grant Program

Updated February 26:

The Vermont Legislature is considering a new bill to establish a VT Community Radio Network Grant program. This bill would provide one-time state grant funding for all 10 community radio stations in Vermont to help us upgrade our broadcast gear to be ready for emergency response in our areas. This currently is set at $250,000 to be divided amongst the stations as grants, from the Vermont Public Safety Department via the Vermont Association of Broadcasters.

Updated: Wed. Feb. 26: The bill is now in the House, H.307, is under House Appropriations Committee review.  

Now is the time for our listeners and friends of community radio to help lawmakers know how much these stations matter, especially in the more rural parts of our state. From our everyday hyper-local programming to our ability to respond in the moment to emergencies, community radio is made by Vermonters for Vermonters.  

Please consider contacting your local State Representative to ask them to support this funding! No matter where you listen from in Vermont, and make sure they know to look for H.307 and to support this funding as it comes through the House Appropriations Budget process. Find your Representatives’ contact information at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/.

You can also reach out to the House Appropriations Committee and let them know you support this line item for VT Community Radio Grant Program. Information here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2026/9

You can call the statehouse to leave a message for a representative or committee at: (802) 828-2228.

What WGDR/WGDH would use this grant for:

For WGDR, Plainfield, and WGDH, Hardwick, we’d use this funding to move the WGDR antenna to a higher point in Plainfield to increase our FCC-approved broadcast reach into Montpelier, Barre, and other areas we’ve been spotty for 50+ years. For WGDH, we’d replace the antenna line (a key repair!) and upgrade the transmitter, among other needed infrastructure fixes. These are critical upgrades for both stations that would have lasting impacts for many years to come. A very good investment of public funding.

We will continue to update listeners on the status of this bill as the legislative session continues.

Thank you for your support on this!

The community radio stations in Vermont currently on the air are:

·      WBTV-LP, Burlington, 99.3 FM
·      WFVR-LP, South Royalton, 96.5 FM
·      WGDR, Plainfield, 91.1 FM & WGDH, Hardwick, 91.7 FM
·      WMRW-LP, Warren, 94.5 FM
·      WOMM-LP, Burlington, 105.9 FM
·      WOOL-FM, Bellows Falls, 91.5 FM
·      WVEW-LP, Brattleboro 107.7 FM

The new community LPFM stations being built this year are:
● Bristol, WVVT-LP
● Ludlow, WLUD-LP
● Richmond/Underhill/Jericho, WRUJ-LP

Congrats, Station Award Winners!

Last year we started a new tradition at the station recognizing folks who have done outstanding things in the past year to move the station forward. Nominated and voted on by their peers, programmers, and volunteers were awarded in three categories: Best in Show, Niftiest Newbie, and Vitalist Volunteer.

Awarded in late December and presented with custom engraved radio microphone trophies, the winners were presented their awards by the previous year’s awardee. 

Vitalist Volunteer 2024: Mark Michaelis

Awarded for outstanding work on behalf of the station in a volunteer capacity. The nominees were volunteers Charles Rossell, Bill Hahn, Delia Gillen, Mark Michaelis, and Dave Tucker.

Mark was recognized for his four years as CVCR’s first board chair, and volunteer of all trades as Chief Operator, co-Music Director, and lots of things in between. Last year’s winner was Dave Tucker.

Niftiest Newbie 2024: Stranger & Deininger

Awarded to the most excellent new show to come on the air this year. Nominees were Stranger & Deininger, Spiral Galaxy, Discoverances, Jagler Katz Worm Hole, Listen Up, Soul Joy, and Audio Ergo Sum.

Tosh Deininger’s show Stranger & Deninger won for its infusing of local folks’ life stories through music. A wonderful hour of community radio, every Thursday from 11am-noon. Please note, the show is on a brief radiobattical until May! Last year’s winner was Magpie in the Morning with Delia.

Best in Show 2024: Barndance Bluegrass

Awarded for doing a mighty fine community radio show, bringing the best of what we got to give on the air. The nominees were Barndance Bluegrass, Relocalizing Vermont, Xav Wax, Geezer Rock, the Meltdown, Jagler Katz Worm Hole, Deep Blues, Still Life with Cloud Soda, Boxful of Blues, Future Reflections, Relocalizing Vermont, and Acoustic Harmony.

Barndance Bluegrass is exactly how a week should end and a weekend should start. Mixing family banter, bluegrass, and a different barn location every week into a truly mighty fine community radio show enjoyed from the mountain tops to the valleys and well beyond the borders of Vermont. Last year’s winner was Curse of the Golden Turnip.

Congrats to all our nominees and winners, thanks for all you do on the air and beyond.

Call for new station art!

This is a call for artists far and wide!

We’re looking for art pitches for two station items this year - a new sticker and a limited edition block print design.

We’ll use these stickers all year long as station freebies, thank yous, and more. The limited block print will be part of our fundrive donor incentives, starting in March for the spring fundrive and again in October. This is a nice thank you to donors who give a certain amount. We’re excited to partner with the new print shop, Hard Pressed in Danville on this project.

We will provide a modest artist stipend for the winning pitch for both projects of $100 each. The design will become fair use for the station for any purpose, but the artist can retain use as well (portfolios, etc.). This work will be seen far and wide, and will credit the artist in all the places we use the art!

To submit a pitch please scroll down to see the sticker and, further down, the block print specs.

We’re looking for designs that capture the power of community radio and the uniqueness of WGDR and WGDH. We are particularly looking to uplift visual Vermont artists with this project, so please no submissions from out of state. Cartoonists, block printers, drawers, doodlers, go for it!

Send your one design idea, per project (ex. one sticker design), along with a very brief blurb about you, your work, and any helpful links to Llu@WGDR.org by Friday, February 14. We’ll ask programmers and listeners to vote on the winning designs, via our website, and announce the winning pitches by February 28.

Feel free to reach out to Llu with any questions too and spread the word to your arty friends!

For sticker design ideas: we need a print-ready, digital design. This can be either hand-drawn and well-scanned to a digital copy or a digitally designed graphic. It can be black and white or color. The image should be within a 4” by 4” design area (nothing much smaller than that). It can be a die-cut design (cut out like our 50th edition cows were (see below) or a traditional square or rectangle design. These are meant to be true, fun sticker art and do not need to have our logo incorporated. The sticker does need to include the following text: Central Vermont Community Radio, WGDR at 91.1 FM, WGDH at 91.7 FM, and WGDR.org. Besides that, have fun with it!

For the block print design ideas: these need to be able to be easily hand cut into a print block at the print shop, either by the originating artist or someone replicating the original design by carving. The more intricate, the more we encourage the artist to do the carving too (please!). This can be a one ink print or multiple inks and should also include the basic lettering text of: Central Vermont Community Radio, WGDR at 91.1 FM and WGDH at 91.7 FM, and WGDR.org. We’re looking for a mailable size of a print piece, so something just under the standard 8”x11” would be ideal. See the fabulous print Mary Azarian did for us for our 30th below as one block print example.

What’s up with all the disclaimers?

Hey listeners!

As you know, nationally things are changing at a rapid pace, with various public institutions being challenged, threatened with funding cuts, and more actions. Community radio, by design, is meant to protect free speech and give all of us access to the airwaves, free of censorship or other threats to an individual or a station. And yet, all our stations hold federal licenses from the FCC, which can be pulled for review at any time due to complaints or challenges to a station fulfilling its duties and obligations to FCC policies.

One of the biggest protections we have to protect the license and be compliant with FCC policy is the use of a station disclaimer. This allows a programmer to share their views but does not necessarily represent the station’s position on any matter. A disclaimer is a neutral statement that reminds all listeners - including the FCC in a review - that the station has a neutral position as a media outlet.

So, you will hear us using the disclaimer - “The following (or preceding) program presents the opinion of its participants and producer. It does not reflect the official opinion of WDGR-WGDH or its licensee, Central Vermont Community Radio." - for every show - talk, and music. This will ensure that any potentially objectionable content aired during a show - local or syndicated too - is not presumed to be the position of the license holder, Central Vermont Community Radio.

Thank you for your patience with this new practice on the air. We are trying to keep it mixed up and creatively used during a show - still protecting us, but lessening the potential annoyance factor.

Most importantly, thank you for listening to and supporting this vital public institution of community radio!