Festival Radio on the air

Ivan Emke is ready to roll with Festival Radio that will be broadcast on 104.7 FM until Saturday, July 26. Anyone interested in seeing first-hand how radio works should contact Mr. Emke or visit the social room at the George Hawkins Memorial Arena where t

Published on July 23rd, 2008

Published on June 28th, 2010

Howard Butt

"Is I on the air now, Mike?"

That question, heard so many times in years past when a certain radio announcer hosted a radio call-in program, may well be asked many times starting today (July 23) and up until Saturday, July 26.

Ivan Emke, a professor out of Memorial University Sir Wilfred Grenfell campus in Corner Brook, was slated to begin radio broadcasting on Wednesday from a makeshift studio in the social room at the George Hawkins Memorial Arena, the operating hub for the Fish, Fun and Folk Festival. Mr. Emke, in a circular letter last week to all residents of the area, explained his reasons for re-instating the radio broadcasts which were so popular back in 2005 during a national conference being held in Twillingate. At that time the studio was at the Lions' den in Twillingate.

Twillingate - "Is I on the air now, Mike?"

That question, heard so many times in years past when a certain radio announcer hosted a radio call-in program, may well be asked many times starting today (July 23) and up until Saturday, July 26.

Ivan Emke, a professor out of Memorial University Sir Wilfred Grenfell campus in Corner Brook, was slated to begin radio broadcasting on Wednesday from a makeshift studio in the social room at the George Hawkins Memorial Arena, the operating hub for the Fish, Fun and Folk Festival. Mr. Emke, in a circular letter last week to all residents of the area, explained his reasons for re-instating the radio broadcasts which were so popular back in 2005 during a national conference being held in Twillingate. At that time the studio was at the Lions' den in Twillingate.

With a couple of assistants, Mr. Emke (with Industry Canada's approval) will be broadcasting from a portable FM transmitter at 104.7 FM. His hope is that local people will supply much of the material to be broadcast and invites everyone to participate. The station will be open from "about" 9 a.m. to 6-7 p.m. - according to the newsletter to residents.

He also suggested that the radio station may be renamed since the last time because prevailing conditions during that period (in the fall) suggested the name "Gale Force" radio. He's suggesting Festival Radio because he's hoping "that it will be a benefit to your enjoyment of the festival."

His letter to the residents expressed an invitation to one and all.

"We are looking for individuals from 2-102, groups, classes, bands, choirs, clubs, whatever combination of folks you can think of. This is an opportunity for your group to get some publicity for an upcoming event Maybe you'd like to play some of your music on the air. Maybe you've written some poetry or stories you'd like to share. Maybe you just discovered a long-lost relative who is now visiting for the festival. There are lots of ways to be involved."

Anyone interested should contact Jennifer Stuckless at 884-2268 or 628-7454 or cell numbers 884-9693 or 640-0869.