Throughout our great nation public radio has been respected as providing a voice and programming for the public.
Sullivan County proudly hosts its own public radio station thanks to the hard work of the dedicated volunteers at our award winning radio station WJFF.
WJFF Radio 90.5 FM reaches nearly 100,000 listeners in the Catskills and Northeastern Pennsylvania with an eclectic mix of news, public affairs and music, all produced by community volunteers of all ages and
backgrounds.
WJFF is a non-commercial educational radio broadcaster whose mission is to make available to its community a broad range of ideas and ideals useful to a full and enlightened life.
It also aims to involve the community in preserving and transmitting the community’s cultural heritage and artistic expressions in addition to those of the global community and to promote understanding among people of diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
Sullivan County Community activist and NAACP President Sandra Oxford who is being honored by WJFF this Saturday night at Mr. Willy’s told me that “I am humbled and thrilled to be recognized by WJFF Radio as a Community Ally. I love my volunteer-powered NPR affiliate station by the dam. The creative and dynamic magnetic energy there has connected me to a vibrant community.”
Oxford began listening to WJFF in 1993. “I fondly recall moving to Woodridge and being snowed in the winter of 1993-1994, expecting my second child I discovered the station. I tuned in regularly to learn more about my new neighbors via the local programming.”
“Who knew as a “citizen activist” I would come to rely on this radio station and the powerhouse of volunteers to do “the work”, the homework and the outreach for getting the truth out about matters that were vital to our Beloved Community.”
Oxford said the first time she was on the air on the local public radio station was “with a dear friend who was brilliant and always managed to stay in trouble, Walter Keller Poet Laureate and producer of a political talk show, WJFF’s The People Talk Back. This experience galvanized my relationship to the station.”
“I had the good fortune meet creator and programmer Marco Bocanumenth, his show Panorama a Spanish language news and music extravaganza electrified the airwaves on Sunday afternoons. It was a family affair for four years I served as a guest host monthly with my two young sons in charge of the sound board in master control.”
Oxford said she joined the Community Advisory Board of WJFF to “formalize my volunteer status with the station. Like all Families we have had a variety of seasons. I look forward to making more memories with my WJFF Family. In a rural area community radio connects and informs us in a way that is so essential and necessary. I invite everyone to tune in, become a member and contribute you time and resource to WJFF.”
WJFF Radio will be holding two big events in August and September, celebrating the best in our community.
As I noted, this Saturday, August 20, 2016, the station hosts its first “WJFF Awards Night” at 5:30 PM.
At the special event, WJFF will honor Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Executive Director Elaine Giguere with its “Community Leader Award” and Sullivan County NAACP President and one of the hardest working community activists in Sullivan County – Sandy Oxford – with the “WJFF Community Ally Award.”
A special moment recognizing all WJFF Volunteers will also be included in the program, which will be held at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant in Monticello. Music will be provided by Tony DeCicco and the Inner Urge Trio. Tickets are $50 each and proceeds benefit WJFF Radio Catskill.
In September, WJFF Radio Catskill’s “FOODSTOCK” returns to the Villa Roma in Callicoon, featuring FREE General Admission.
Local food vendors will have free samples and will be selling prepared food, specialty items and more at the September 24, 2016 event at the Villa Roma Golf Clubhouse.
New to “FOODSTOCK” this year will be a Pig Roast, with locally-raised pigs.
Tickets to the Pig Roast are $20 each and children under five eat FREE with a parent. Vegetarians can purchase a “Sides Only” ticket for $15 each and enjoy a variety of side dishes prepared by local chefs. Beer and Wine will be available for purchase by the glass. Proceeds benefit WJFF Radio Catskill.
Tickets for both community events are available online at www.wjffradio.org or by calling 845-482-4141 during regular business hours.
For more information about WJFF Radio Catskill and how to support public radio in the Catskills visit www.wjffradio.org or call 845-482-4141.
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.