Another Alum Checks In

We have received another post from a WDGC Alum. This time, it is Larry Massingill, from the class of 1968. Below is his post. He was also kind enough to send along a picture from his archives.

More posts are on the way! We've still got 6 shirts to give away to alums who share a memory with us. Email Jwaite@csd99.org to join in.

Larry writes:

"I ran across your blog today and was pleased to see your picture of Fred (as we used to call him behind his back) looking puzzled at all the wires and cables under the Gates Yard console. Fortunately, he had knowledgeable students to keep him from electrocuting himself, or getting his ever present tie caught in a turntable or tape reel."

The process for transforming the carrier current AM station WDGN to a licensed FM station was not without difficulties. First we built the studio which I drew up and Fred built, with a (mostly) sound proof announcer booth behind the glass. I installed and wired the equipment which included the console, two manual turntables and an Ampex 400 console tape deck, which is either hidden behind the turntable on the left, or no longer present when this picture was taken.
I apologize for the rat’s nest of wires Fred seems to be caught in, but tie-wraps weren’t invented yet in 1968, and I was just a wanabee engineer at the time.

I studied for and obtained my First Class Radiotelephone license, required to run an FM station, and helped others gain their first or second class licenses needed to operate a broadcast station. I then helped with the FCC application, which was turned down for both the initially requested frequency and call sign. With the help of a "real" engineering firm we found an acceptable frequency, and since WDGN "Downers Grove North" was already assigned to another station, we choose "Downers Grove Community" WDGC as our call sign. There was no consideration given to including the new uppity South High in the program, but I guess loss of the "N" in the call sign worked out for the best.

We installed the FM transmitter, but I graduated in the spring of 1968 before the license was granted, so I missed the first sign on. I had to be content using my license at the newly established station WPGU at the UofI Champaign/Urbana campus. I maintained the transmitter for two years while I was busy attaining the right to call myself a real Engineer.

Today my only connection to radio is through designing the internals of cell phones, but I have many fond memories of "radio days", both on and off the air.

Regards,
Larry Massingill ‘68"

Cable 99 Presents 99 Now

Tuesday, February 24, Cable 99 presented its February edition of 99 Now, a live television show featuring interviews with school and community members. Guests included South High Physical Education teacher and author Kirk Mango, South High's Caribbean Soul Latin Dance group, Mr. Klamm's Weird Science, an intergalactic musical guest, a cooking segment, and a visit from Master Randy Stigall of the American Academy of Martial Arts in Downers Grove. Thanks to all who made the show a success! Look for reruns on Channel 16.

Another Alum: John Ogren

John Ogren writes:

"I was part of 'DGC all four years (and Cable 99 for three) that I was at DGN. Dave Zarembka and I were heavily involved in the football and basketball radio and TV simulcasts. We would run that cable from the studio to either the football field, or the gym right after school, then spend a couple hours figuring out why it didn't all work right.

Once, we decided to do the DGN/DGS football game, when it was at South (up 'til that time, we had only broadcast football games from North HS). The forecast was for rain, so Mr. Moore decided to get garbage bags to cover the cameras so they could stay dry. We got over there as early as possible, since there were so many extra steps.

Anyway, sure enough, we get everything set up, and it starts to pour. The cameras seemed fine, but we huddled in the press box to stay dry. Finally, the wind picked up enough to knock over one of the cameras. Mr. Moore was mortified! The lens housing was broken, and had to be fixed.

Turns out, the game ended up postponed, and all our time was wasted. We still had a good time, sitting in the press box at South, getting everything set-up and ready to go (and then taking it down in the rain). I remember Dave Zarembka, Cynthia Janetka and Mr. Moore from North being there, as well as a couple people from South I didn't know.

I moved on to Northern Michigan Univ., and eventually Brown College in Minneapolis, where I majored in Radio and TV. I've had jobs around Minnesota, but have been in Bemidji (about four hours north of the Twin Cities) for almost ten years now, doing high school sports."

Thanks to John for writing in! John will be receiving a WDGC 40th Anniversary T-shirt. We have more stories coming, and we still have shirts to give away. If you would like to share your story, email John Waite @ jwaite@csd99.org.

A Voice from the Past

We've had our first alum write in to share their memories of being at the station. John Spotts, of Downers Grove, writes:

"In the fall of 1977 I was tapped to broadcast most of the DGN home football games even though I wasn't really good at play by play. In fact, I was terrible. As the season commenced the weather got worse and worse for every home game (it rained for almost every one of them).

My color man Roger Paulsen always remarked how fortunate we were to be in the nice enclosed fairly warm press box....and we never would let Mr. Moore into the press box!

And to all my comrades during those times in the portable classroom/studio.....Don D'Agostino, Brian Reid, Dave Price, Mel Loving, Timmo Cauley, et al. we had a blast! Who jams galore.

I went on to get a degree from SIU with an RT major and graduated from WDGC to WIDB at SIU, joining Timmo and Don there. I've been in the insurance biz since then.

Happy 40th WDGC!"


For writing in, John will receive a WDGC 40th Anniversary t-shirt. We've still got 9 shirts to give away, so email your memories to jwaite@csd99.org. See the previous blog post for more details.

Help Us Write This Blog!

We are looking to WDGC and Cable 99 alums to help us write this blog. Send us an email with a brief entry about when you were a part of WDGC or Cable 99. Please include a favorite memory of being here as well as what you are doing now, whether it is related to radio or tv or neither. You can also send a recent or old picture of yourself for us to post as well as contact information to post. Messages are limited to 300 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit all entries and post only those we deem appropriate. As an added incentive, the authors of the first ten posts will each receive a free WDGC 40th Anniversary t-shirt. Please mail your posts to wdgc@csd99.org.

A Great Holiday Gift!

If you are a WDGC alum, or if you know and love one, you will want to purchase a WDGC 40th anniversary t-shirt! The shirts are Hanes Beefy T's, 100% pre-shrunk cotton, and they feature District Green, Trojan Purple, and Mustang Blue in a curious pattern to mark the station's 40 years on the air. While some say the design is a bit confusing, we like to think of it as a challenge and a great conversation starter! The picture above is sort of washed out, but rest assured, the colors are dark and vivid.

You can purchase a shirt for only $14 (which includes shipping and handling). If you are interested, please email John Waite @ jwaite@csd99.org. We have all sizes, Small--X-Large.

The King Pays a Visit

Last night at the 40th Birthday celebration for WDGC, The King appeared, live in person. Well, actually, it was Bob West as Elvis, but his performance was so electrifying it was just as good as the real thing! Thanks to Mr. West for appearing. You can learn more about him at http://www.bobwestelvis.com/. You can also watch for reruns of the show on Cable 99, channel 16 in Downers Grove.