Talk Radio via Wheeling's Watchdawg

There is a local Wheeling talk radio station that I have grown to love. Though the hosts of the various shows throughout the week are as likely as not to make me scream at the radio in anger-- I once drove around for five minutes yelling things like "That is TREASON! You should be thrown in jail for treason against the government of the United States of America!"-- I still listen at least for a little while each day. There are many reasons why I do this, like, I love to listen to talking while I drive--I prefer NPR in the morning and evening, but when WV public radio switches to classical music at 9 AM, I switch to 1600. More importantly, though, this is the best way for me to hear about what is happening in the Ohio Valley--culturally, economically, politically, etc.

Also, it is really fun to turn on the radio and hear the voice of someone I actually know. Wheeling is a small place, so I know a few of the city council members who are often interviewed. One day, a friend who publishes InWheeling Magazine was being interviewed, and he mentioned Rachel who works for him. At the time she was like 5-6 months pregnant and Dave referred to her as being "big as a house" and "ready to pop" which was funny to me on many levels. The best though, is when someone I know has called into the station to get involved in the conversation and/or contraversy.

Recently, my friend Melissa called in to defend some disenfranchised people against the blanket statements of the afternoon host--good work, Melissa! Of course, the conversation ended with the host asking her about her drink of choice, and her nobility was lost when she was forced to respond to "You DO drink Miller Lite, though, right?" Still, I KNOW her, and she was on the RADIO!

In the last weeks I have TWICE called into the radio to talk on the air about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. I never thought I'd call in. Really. I thought I would listen and occasionally YELL at the radio, but I never thought I'd actually get involved. Both times the hosts have been gracious (even though they are the same people I so often yell at in my car, they didn't hold it against me.) Both times after I hung up, my hands have been shaking and I wish I'd been more articulate. But this is a big deal for me. I've become a person who doesn't take risks, and calling into the radio is a big risk for me. It means risking sounding silly or ignorant or *gasp* inarticulate for even one minute. Putting my thoughts out into public is a big fear for me, and I only write this blog because I believe that only people I know will ever read it, and that makes it safe. (I know I may be delusional, but I'm stickin' with it for now.)

Jenny also loves this station, and we discuss the goings-on with great enthusiasum. Jenny calls in sometimes, too, usually when outraged, though not always. When I was on vacation last year, I called Jenny and we spent a good amount of time discussing the on air conversation and personalities that I had been missing while lying on the beach in NC. Jenny's husband Matt thinks we are ridiculous. He doesn't understand our devotion to "the Valley's watchdawg." I guess, I don't really either, except somehow, I feel connected to these people who I don't know, and through them, to Wheeling.

I like what caring about Wheeling has meant in my life. I like that I've put down roots. I like having a talk radio station that I listen to. I like that this place has become my home in ways that the other places I've lived never were. I like that in a town of about 30,000 people we actually have several radio stations, and at least one that is committed to having local talk about local issues everyday. Thanks, WKKX, for furthering my citizenship here in Wheeling. I want to stay here for a long time, and you're one of the institutions that encourage me to do that.