Station Update: We need a new transmitter for WGDR.
Station Update: The WGDR transmitter died and we have 10 days to get back on the air with a new one. We can do this with your help!
Friends of WGDR/WGDH -
Warm greetings from very cold central and northern Vermont. The temperature today is a balmy 11 degrees outside the studio, but sunny!
Late last week, our transmitter at WGDR in Plainfield broke. It was over 15 years old! This took our 91.1 FM signal from 960 watts down to just 30 watts for listeners in this area.
The good news is that we will be back up to full power shortly with a new transmitter. This new gear will also save us money in the long run, by replacing other very old broadcast gear at WGDR.
The last few days are a great example of fantastic teamwork at the station. Thanks to our new engineer, our volunteer tech team at the station, and our board and staff, we went from a broken transmitter on Friday to a brand new one ready to go within a week!
That said, a new transmitter will cost us about $7,500.
This is a large expense we were not expecting for 2022, especially this early in the year. It represents 10% of our total operating budget for the year.
If you are able, we are welcoming donations to help us fund the new transmitter at WGDR.org/donate or by check, made out to "CVCR" and mailed to the station at WGDR, 123 Pitkin Rd., Plainfield, VT, 05667. We are also seeking emergency grant support and other leads for funding, but nothing is a guarantee yet.
As always, we so appreciate all our listeners and supporters, locally and from afar. You are a critical part of our success, every single day. Thank you!
If you have questions or ideas for other resources that can help us with this extra large expense, please reach out to me.
In great gratitude,
Llu Mulvaney-Stanak
Station Manager, WGDR/WGDH
Llu@WGDR.org
802-276-0365
WGDR/WGDH broadcasts at 91.1 FM in the greater Plainfield area, 91.7 FM in the hollows and hills of Hardwick and beyond, and at WGDR.org to the whole world. Our studio is located at the Eliot Pratt Center on Goddard College campus at 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667.
Follow us on social media at on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at @WGDRWGDHVT
Station Update: Thanks
Station Update: Thanks for helping us thrive in our first 6 months of community ownership!
Friends of WGDR/WGDH -
2021 was our biggest year as a station since, well 1973, when we flipped on the on air light for the very first time. Achieving independence from Goddard College made us the largest community radio station in Vermont. We are now one of the few former college stations in the country that succeeded in shifting to community ownership.
Through the hard work and dedication of our founding board and many volunteers we:
- Seamlessly remained on the air during this transition.
- Achieved 501c3 nonprofit status with the IRS.
- Raised $47,000 from hundreds of donors since the summer transition.
- Retained our 30 locally made programs, including 17 that broadcast live weekly safely from the studio and 5 that air on the Pacifica Network, bringing the sound of Vermont to the nation.
- Attracted 22 businesses and nonprofits as underwriters--many are new to the station.
- Hired our first station position, a part-time Station Manager.
This all was possible because of donors and supporters like you.
As we prepare to turn the page to a new year, we wanted to simply say, thank you.
In great gratitude,
The staff, programmers, and board of Central Vermont Community Radio
WGDR/WGDH broadcasts at 91.1 FM in the greater Plainfield area, 91.7 FM in the hollows and hills of Hardwick and beyond, and at WGDR.org to the whole world. Our studio is located at the Eliot Pratt Center on Goddard College campus at 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667.
Follow us on social media at on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at @WGDRWGDHVT
Station Update: Larry Gordon Tribute, our new station manager, and more.
Station update: A tribute to Larry Gordon, a new station manager and non-profit status.
Friends of WGDR/WGDH -
It's been a few months since our last update and we have so much to update you on from the station, so let's get to it.
Community Radio Celebration of Larry Gordon
Earlier this month, beloved musician and Vermont community activist Larry Gordon passed away after a bike accident. As tributes by friends, family, colleagues, and fellow musicians amplified, WGDR/WGDH provided a platform for them to sing out across Vermont, live on the air. Hosted by Joseph Gainza, with board operation by Carl Etnier, the show featured friends of Larry’s telling stories and the music of Village Harmony. You can listen to this show anytime on our new special programming archive here. This show was a beautiful example of the power of community radio, thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of you who tuned in.
Meet Our New Station Manager
Six months into its independence as a community-owned radio station, WGDR/WGDH has hired a new Station Manager, Llu Mulvaney-Stanak. This role will oversee all aspects of the station, as well as provide key leadership for CVCR as a nonprofit. "The Board of Central Vermont Community Radio is thrilled to start working with Llu in their newly added capacity as station manager at WGDR,” said Mark Michaelis, Chair of the CVCR Board. “Llu's extensive experience in both the nonprofit and radio world is a unique combination that's rare to find, and one that will serve our listeners well as we start another new chapter in WGDR's long history. We couldn't be more excited about WGDR's future with Llu at the helm!”
Remember WGDR/WGDH in your end of year giving.
As the year comes to a close, we are filled with even more WGDR-atitude as we thank the hundreds of donors, especially our many sustaining supporters, who have helped us meet every fundraising goal so far this year. You kept us on the air this spring, you ensured a smooth ownership transition this summer, and you continue to keep us going every month, thank you!
We also have big news, we achieved our IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status this fall--in record time!
Please remember us in your end of the year giving online now or by check, made out to "CVCR" and mail it to WGDR, 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667. Consider making your gift recurring monthly and keep your impact happening all year long!
Donate to WGDR/WGDH Today!
WGDR/WGDH's Underwriting Support Grows
22 area businesses and organizations now support the station through air mentions. Learn how you can underwrite the station today and please support those who support WGDR/WGDH!
8 Generations, Plainfield Co-op, First Step Print Shop, Noyle Johnson Group, Onion River Animal Hospital, Guitar Sam, DDY Design, Sarah Brunkhorst (designer), Onion River Outdoors, Hardwick Community TV, East Hill Tree Farm, West Barnet Woodworks, Bear Pond Books, Lost Nation Brewing, Washington Electric Co-op, Rabble Rouser, Green Mountain Crossfit, VSECU, Woodbury Mountain Toys, Buch Spieler Records.
In great gratitude,
The staff, programmers, and board of Central Vermont Community Radio
WGDR/WGDH broadcasts at 91.1 FM in the greater Plainfield area, 91.7 FM in the hollows and hills of Hardwick and beyond, and at WGDR.org to the whole world. Our studio is located at the Eliot Pratt Center on Goddard College campus at 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667.
Follow us on social media at @WGDRWGDHVT.
Donate to WGDR/WGDH
Why are you on our list? You are receiving this email as a past supporter of the station, as a donor, past or current programmer, or as a direct subscriber. If you received this email in error or need to update your contact info with us, please drop us a line at admin@wgdr.org and we will get it all sorted.
PRESS RELEASE: WGDR/WGDH Hires New Station Manager
Six months into its independence as a community-owned radio station, WGDR/WGDH has hired a new Station Manager, Llu Mulvaney-Stanak. This role will oversee all aspects of the station, as well as provide key leadership for CVCR as a nonprofit.
Llu Mulvaney-Stanak brings 20-year career of nonprofit leadership and community radio experience to Central Vermont Community Radio.
Contact: Joseph Gainza, Vice Chair of the Board, Central Vermont Community Radio
jgainza@vtlink.net, 802-454-8550.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 – Plainfield, VT: Six months into its independence as a community-owned radio station, WGDR/WGDH has hired a new Station Manager, Llu Mulvaney-Stanak. This role will oversee all aspects of the station, as well as provide key leadership for CVCR as a nonprofit.
"The Board of Central Vermont Community Radio is thrilled to start working with Llu in their newly added capacity as station manager at WGDR,” said Mark Michaelis, Chair of the CVCR Board. “Llu's extensive experience in both the nonprofit and radio world is a unique combination that's rare to find, and one that will serve our listeners well as we start another new chapter in WGDR's long history. We couldn't be more excited about WGDR's future with Llu at the helm!”
Mulvaney-Stanak (who uses they/them pronouns) got their start in community radio on WGDR/WGDH as a Barre City teenager in the 1990s. For the last 20 years, they have led non-profits, worked in higher education, and managed political campaigns across the state. Their work has spanned a range of community issues including community media, youth advocacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and fostering of arts and culture.
Mulvaney-Stanak has also been on the air on Vermont radio for almost 30 years on community, college, and commercial radio. Known as “DJ Llu,” they hosted 99.9 the Buzz’s long-standing new music show for a decade, helped co-found WBTV-LP, the newest low-power community radio station in Burlington, and have produced the popular weekly show, “Get Fresh with DJ Llu” for 17 years on UVM’s WRUV. Mulvaney-Stanak comes to WGDR/WGDH after consulting for a number of non-profits on strategy and high-level roles in political campaigns in the last year.
In their return to the station Mulvaney-Stanak remarked, “I am deeply grateful to WGDR/WGDH for sparking a love of radio in me at such a young age and I’m honored to help the station establish itself as community-owned. I’m excited by the possibilities for future programming and community engagement through the station.”
More information about Central Vermont Community Radio
Central Vermont Community Radio (CVCR) is the new non-profit managing the community-owned radio station of WGDR, Plainfield/WGDH, Hardwick. The station provides a forum for the cultivation of social justice, stewardship of the natural world, and support of the local and independent arts. Programming is intentionally diverse, with over 30 locally made shows focusing on music, stories, news, and public affairs. Through the universal language of music WGDR/WGDH seeks to bring people together in celebration of our common humanity.
The station was built and operated by Goddard College for nearly 50 years as a college/community station. In May of 2021, the station completed ownership transition from Goddard to CVCR. WGDR/WGDH is now the biggest full-power, community-owned and operated non-commercial station in Vermont. More information on the history of the station transfer can be found at WGDR.org.
Station Update: We're proud to be your daily soundtrack in any season.
Station update: Print our new schedule, check out our underwriting rates, and more.
Summertime is short, but sweet here in Vermont. There is just nothing like listening to the radio while you drive down Route 2 to a swimming hole or as you watch the sunset from your backyard. We're proud to soundtrack all your seasons with our local and national programming and look forward to diversifying what and who you hear from in the months to come. Stay tuned!
Listen Locally, Think Globally
Listeners have asked for a schedule redesign that indicates all our 29 locally made shows. Thanks to the donated design work of Dana Dwinell-Yardley, we have a new printable version for your bulletin boards and fridges to reference throughout your day.
We made a needed upgrade to our archive system a couple of weeks ago that has resulted in some shows not syncing correctly. We are working with our Pacifica partners to sort this out and appreciate your patience while we try to restore the missing shows.
As always, thank you all of you wherever or however you listen!
Underwrite the Station
"WGDR/WGDH is generously underwritten by...[your business or organization name]." Imagine hearing that as you drive home from work while listening to "Democracy Now!" or while you are washing the dishes grooving along to your favorite music show. We've updated our underwriting rates to be cost-effective for any sized budget. Underwriters help us keep our programming diverse, which uplifts, connects, and informs the community during these continuing challenging times. For as little as $10/week, you could potentially reach nearly 70,000 households in our listening area and more than 5,000 directly via our digital reach.
Learn more about underwriting WGDR/WGDH today.
Add WGDR/WGDH to your monthly media subscriptions.
Have you taken a look at your monthly media subscription costs? $15 for a music streaming service, $9.99 to stream TV shows...have you considered adding $10 for the great content you value and depend on from WGDR/WGDH?
We are just $7,000 away from hitting our $30,000 fundraising goal this summer and between new underwriters and new sustaining (monthly subscription) donors, we will be on pace to pay for all our operational expenses through the end of the year.
Set up your monthly subscription to WGDR/WGDH online now or by check, made out to "Local Futures" (our fiscal sponsor while our own IRS 501c3 status is pending), and mail it to WGDR, 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667. Thank you!
Curious what it costs for the programs you love to be on the air?
$25 - Funds the cost of one day of WGDH’s power and tower to broadcast across Hardwick and well into the Northeast Kingdom.
$75 - Supports a week of music programming licensing costs.
$200 - Pays for a month of Pacifica programs like “Democracy Now!," "Counterspin," and "Economic Update."
$500 - Backs our operational expenses for a month, including equipment maintenance, archives, and online stream.
$1,000 - Covers the cost of our studio and office rent and utilities in Plainfield.
No matter how much you can give, it goes further than ever for our newly community-owned station.
Donate to WGDR/WGDH Today!
Thanks for reading this far! 😎
You are receiving this email as a past supporter of the station, as a donor, past or current programmer, or as a direct subscriber. If you received this email in error or need to update your contact info with us, please drop us a line at admin@wgdr.org and we will get it all sorted.
In great gratitude,
The Central Vermont Community Radio working group: Suzanna Jones, Mark Michaelis, Jude Sargent, Joseph Gainza, David Ferland, Carl Etnier, and Llu Mulvaney-Stanak
WGDR/WGDH broadcasts at 91.1 FM in the greater Plainfield area, 91.7 FM in the hollows and hills of Hardwick and beyond, and at WGDR.org to the whole world. Our studio is located at the Eliot Pratt Center on Goddard College campus at 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667.
Follow us on social media at @WGDRWGDHVT.
Donate to WGDR/WGDH
Station Update: After 48 years, our beloved station is community-owned!
Station Update: We’re community owned! We're celebrating with a new website and asking for your support on the air.
Friends of WGDR/WGDH -
Welcome to our first station update since becoming community-owned last month. Wow! Our last 6 months as a station have been very busy ensuring a smooth ownership transition from Goddard College to Central Vermont Community Radio, the new non-profit managing the station. We are so grateful to our founding board members, a team of volunteer advisors, programmers, listeners, and supporters near and far for helping us get to this point. With your help, we are excited to build upon our 48 years of locally made, socially just, and eclectically programmed radio.
Now, let's catch you up on all the news from our studio in Plainfield, VT.
Community-Owned & Operated
The 
transfer of WGDR/WGDH from Goddard to the community marks a huge milestone nationally for the public and community media industry. In the last couple of decades, many university and college-owned stations sold off their college radio stations to meet budget shortfalls.
“It has been an honor to help this station continue and expand its role and legacy in the community. We hope that this gift to CVCR will sustain WGDR/WGDH well into the future,” Goddard President Bernard Bull said.
“We thank Goddard College for this most generous gift to central Vermont!” said CVCR Board members. “We look forward to working with the entire community to provide lively, dynamic, informative radio along with inspiring, diverse music programs, long into the future.”
Click here to read more about the transition of ownership.
WGDR.org Redesigned
As part of our launch as an independent station, we gave our website a much-needed makeover. In addition to retaining relied upon streaming features like our live stream, schedule, archives, and now playing features, the new website is secured, offers subscriptions for station updates, and overall is more digitally accessible for users.
Take a look around the new site.
100% Community-Owned & Funded
We've set an ambitious goal to raise $30,000 in our first 30 days as a community-owned station. We are about halfway there! These funds will directly pay for our operating costs like utilities, subscriptions, and rent between now and the end of the year.
Our programmers are in the middle of our On-Air Fundraising Drive to help us raise $8,000 from listeners, which will get us to our goal by June 30. Your donation, of any amount, to WGDR/WGDH has a bigger impact than ever now that we are community-funded. Please give today online or by check, made out to "Local Futures" (our fiscal sponsor), and mail it to WGDR, 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667. Thank you!
Passing The Mic: WGDR/WGDH's History at Goddard
"
Entering the Pratt Library on Goddard Colleges’s Plainfield campus, descending to the lower level, and winding around soundproof doors, you’ll begin to hear the sounds of broadcasting that have been transmitting for nearly 50 years.
WGDR/WGDH started as college radio, with a renegade spirit. Yet investment from the local Vermont community was inscribed into its mission since it began in 1972. When Goddard transitioned to a low-residency model in 2002, and students left campus, the station was passed entirely to the locals, with a mission to continue to bring the work of Goddard’s engaged faculty, staff, and students into the fold when possible."
Read more of Goddard College's retrospective on WGDR/WGDH.
Tune In This Summer
Our station has proudly broadcast uninterrupted during the pandemic, with 30 of our programmers seamlessly transitioning to remote broadcast to keep our community connected. As we all emerge this summer, we are slowly transitioning back to live programmers in the studio. Tune in to your favorite long-time show or catch a new one (click the schedule below to stream live or from the archives).
From wherever or however you listen, thank you!
Keep Us Up To Date Too!
There will be much more to share from the station in the coming months and we want to make sure you hear from us on the air, on social media, or from our updates. We inherited a great deal of data about supporters like you from Goddard, but it is not 100% accurate. If you received this email in error or need to update your contact info with us, please drop us a line at admin@wgdr.org and we will get it all sorted.
In great gratitude,
The founding board Central Vermont Community Radio, Suzanna Jones, Mark Michaelis, Jude Sargent, Joseph Gainza
WGDR/WGDH broadcasts at 91.1 FM in the greater Plainfield area, 91.7 FM in the hallows and hills of Hardwick and beyond, and at WGDR.org to the whole world. Our studio is located at the Eliot Pratt Center on Goddard College campus at 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667.
Follow us on social media at @WGDRWGDHVT.