Seven Days stories about Turkey Joe & our 50th
In this week's Seven Days, there are two stories I want to draw your attention to.
One is about our 50th year! The other, is about how WGDR/WGDH has helped one of our programmers, Turkey Joe, new Vermonter, find a creative outlet as he also found the safety to be his true and amazing self.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Friends of WGDR/WGDH -
We are filled with gratitude this week for so many reasons.
- For the thousands of you who listen each month.
- For the growing family of programmers who are on the air with us week in and out. (Stay tuned for 5 new programmers joining us very soon!)
- For the hundreds of you who support us with donations each year.
Together, you are building the future of Central Vermont Community Radio, making us more community-centered and helping us capture what it sounds like to live in our local towns and cities here in our beloved state. Thank you for being part of this with us.
In this week's Seven Days, there are two stories I want to draw your attention to.
One is about our 50th year! What it has taken to get us to this milestone and how we've approached the great responsibility of being the new caretakers to keep the station going, under community ownership. Programming Committee member Erica Heilman captured what we're trying to do on the air so well: "These are independently volunteer-produced programs, which means they are inherently idiosyncratic, flawed and utterly unique," Heilman told Seven Days. "As a listener, I am always surprised, and every now and then I catch something that is positively transcendent."
The other, is about how WGDR/WGDH has helped one of our programmers, Turkey Joe, new Vermonter, find a creative outlet as he also found the safety to be his true and amazing self. The article is about so much more than WGDR/WGDH, but we took delight in how folks celebrating him in the community for his great show too. "The punkish, effervescent teen hosts an offbeat radio show with loyal listeners ("You're DJ Turkey Joe?" an acquaintance once asked, incredulously)." You can hear Turkey Joe Fridays at 12pm on the air. Photo of Turkey Joe at the station, by Seven Days.
I won't give it away much more than that. I encourage you to read both pieces. Many thanks to Seven Days for the coverage.
On behalf of all of us a the station, we wish you a warm and happy holiday.
Llu Mulvaney-Stanak, Station Manager
Llu@WGDR.org, 802-276-0365
Give the gift of WGDR/WGDH Swag for the holidays.
Shopping this holiday season? Consider the gift of WGDR/WGDH swag for your loved ones. We’ve got shirts, sweatshirts, bags, and even onesies for the littlest of listeners. Order by December 4 to ensure delivery by Christmas.
Shopping this holiday season? Consider the gift of WGDR/WGDH swag for your loved ones. We’ve got shirts, sweatshirts, bags, and even onesies for the littlest of listeners. Designs range from our very popular 50th WGDR cows, to standard CVCR designs, to throwbacks from past swag eras like “Bob are you there?” (35th year of WGDR), the chicken radio design, and more. There are lots of styles, colors, and sizes to choose from!
We print in batches, so don't delay in ordering if you want it in time for a specific holiday (it takes about 2 weeks to print & ship). Order by December 4 to ensure delivery by Christmas.
One of WGDR’s first programmers back in 1975, Reuben Jackson, still one of our biggest fans!
Ramona, our littlest programmer, signing in for her shift at the program log at the station.
Giving Tuesday Board Challenge
We're participating in this year's Giving Tuesday - a national day of raising funds for non-profits before the end of the year - on Tuesday, November 28. We've got a matching gift of up to $500 from our CVCR board to help challenge donors who have yet to give this year to give on Giving Tuesday. Every dollar you give on this day will be doubled thanks to this match. We’re hoping to raise $1,00 or more!
We're participating in this year's Giving Tuesday - a national day of raising funds for non-profits before the end of the year - on Tuesday, November 28. We've got a matching gift of up to $500 from our CVCR board to help challenge donors who have yet to give this year to give on Giving Tuesday. Every dollar you give on this day will be doubled thanks to this match. We’re hoping to raise $1,00 or more!
As always, we keep the station budget nimble. Everything we raise goes directly into the programming and costs to run the station. Give to WGDR & WGDH before the end of the year or give in honor of someone for their holiday gift. We provide our community with locally made, community-centered, unique, and inspiring content every single day. Gifts of any size go a really long way in helping us keep this up into 2024. Thank you!
Event 11/18: WORST. SONG. EVER.
In honor of WGDR’s 50th year, the iconic and legendary local event, WORST. SONG. EVER. is giving us half the proceeds from the door this year. Never heard of this event? You are in for a treat.
On Saturday, November 18 at 5pm at the The Canadian Club, 414 E Montpelier Rd, Barre. $3 admission for Canadian Club members; $5 admission nonmembers. Tickets are only sold at the door.
In honor of WGDR’s 50th year, the iconic and legendary local event, WORST. SONG. EVER. is giving us half the proceeds from the door this year. Never heard of this event? You are in for a treat.
On Saturday, November 18 at 5pm at the The Canadian Club, 414 E Montpelier Rd, Barre., locals will gather - musicians and nonmucians alike - to poke fun at their least favorite pop music in a lighthearted competition. There’s an audience vote to award the WORST. TROPHIES. EVER.
The event is $3 admission for Canadian Club members; $5 admission nonmembers. Tickets are only sold at the door.
All info: www.wooo.tv.
Well that was a fun drive, wasn't it?
This was a record-setting drive for the station on every single level. Even with checks still in the mail, the numbers are just amazing.
$13,310 raised (and counting). Our goal was $10,000. This is a 42% improvement from our spring record-breaking drive of $9,500.
140 total donors. Our prior record was 105 donors.
52 new donors, including 8 new WGDH area donors.
7 new sustainers. This brings us up to 67 sustainers, who collectively will fund over 10% of our operating budget next year.
27 out of state donors. Most of these folks are new donors too!
We are so proud of this drive. We are so grateful to all of you.
Updated: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Friends of WGDR/WGDH -
You broke Central Vermont Community Radio FunDrive records!
This was a record-setting drive for the station on every single level. The numbers are just amazing. We surpassed every single goal - most of them by a lot! Thank you all so much.
$14,400 raised (and counting). Our goal was $10,000. This is a 51% improvement from our spring record-breaking drive of $9,500.
155 supporters. Our prior record was 134 donors this past spring.
65 new donors, including 11 new WGDH area donors.
8 new sustainers. This brings us up to 68 sustainers, who collectively will fund over 10% of our operating budget next year.
27 out of state donors. Most of these folks are new donors too!
We are so proud of this drive. We are so grateful to all of you.
All the funds from a drive, including what we raised above our goal, go directly to funding our operating costs. This is especially key this year as we continue to work to fill the fundraising gap caused by flooding for our underwriting, grants, and other areas of donor support.
You stepped up in a big way and we hope you, like us, had some fun along the way.
What I appreciated most was the fun we all had. Programmers, listeners calling in, donors leaving love notes in the donation comments on the drive site, and the community stopping by the station to jump on the air and pitch. Pitches were sung! Trees, baba ganoush, and mixtapes were perked out for giving. Vermont musicians played live on the air and we had dozens of hours of additional live programming fill the air with special guests and content. We hope you felt that this was a drive worth listening to.
Our local programmers in all their big personalities, talents, and quirks are what make community radio so special, and frankly, fun. Our listeners are what make community radio viable. You give us a reason to create shows and the support to keep operating. Together, we make magic.
Lastly, you didn't miss the chance to give! Just know that you can’t be entered to win the prizes. Give securely at WGDR.org/donate or by check to “CVCR” and mail to 123 Pitkin Rd. Plainfield, VT 05667.
As always, thanks for tuning in and supporting community radio in central and northern Vermont!
Llu Mulvaney-Stanak, Station Manager
Llu@WGDR.org, 802-276-0365
p.s. There was some mighty fine radio happening during this drive. I encourage you to go back and listen to our archives to hear live musical guests, extended thematic shows, and other surprises.
Take the Listener Survey
5 minutes of feedback about your listening enters you to win a prize.
📋 We've launched a new listener survey.
This is the first one we've done under community ownership and the first in a long while as a station. We're eager to collect your thoughts on the changes we've made to the schedule, when and how you listen, and any other feedback you'd like to give. It takes just 5 minutes and everyone who participated will be entered to win a prize.
