William Penn Life, 2018 (53. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2018-09-01 / 9. szám
Tibor s Take with Tibor Check, Jr. 1 Can you find ‘Souvenirs’ online? THE MOST FREQUENTLY asked question I am asked by the dedicated readers of Tibor's Take is: "Is your family's Hungarian radio program available on the internet?" I could answer this question with one word, but where's the fun (or Take) in that? So, here's the long answer.... For many years, the "Souvenirs of Hungary" has been broadcast via FM radio at the frequency of 90.7Mhz in the northeast Ohio area. Being that the broadcast tower is located in a valley not far from the Mahoning River in Struthers, Ohio, the signal usually travels within a radius of about 40 miles, which is a far cry from the optimal FM broadcast range of nearly 100 miles. And unlike AM radio, for which the signal is sent in the direction of the upper reaches of the earth's atmosphere and then bounces back to earth, FM radio travels as far as a line of sight. We have sent many dozens of CD recordings of our programs to WPA members who have asked for samples of what our broadcast is all about. Every person who has received a recorded copy of the "Souvenirs of Hungary" radio show has told me that they wish there was a program like this where they reside. Generally, the show features continental/Roma music, classics by Magyar composers, Hungarian opera and tánc ház/dance house-style folk music. For each broadcast, we add a bit of Magyar trivia and history to spice up the program. We have attracted a group of steady listeners, and we send out birthday and anniversary greetings. The studio does have a phone for incoming calls, so listeners can contact us for a special dedication or request. We gladly showcase any non-profit event. Over these many years, we have informed local listeners of events from as far away as California and western Canada. We believe that our American-Hungarian audience likes to hear about things going on in other places, even if the probability of one of our listeners traveling such a great distance is remote. I think it is nice to hear that others are still sponsoring great Magyar gatherings in far-off locales. As an example, Judit Ganchuk at the WPA Home Office continuously updates us on events and affairs in the Pittsburgh area, and Vice Chair of the WPA Board of Directors Katherine E. Novak keeps us abreast of events in the Photo © Can Stock Photo Inc/Spectral Youngstown, Ohio, and New Jersey communities. In a few months, my family will be celebrating 40 years of broadcasting the show. Five generations of my family have been involved in various segments of programming. The first two generations—Emerencia Vaskó Silvers, András Cseh Sr. and Jeannie Cseh-are now in Hungarian heaven; the remaining three generations continue to proudly broadcast to the listening public. It is more than 50 miles from my parents' home to the studio. The journey is often an extremely treacherous one in the dark and stormy winter months. The "Souvenirs of Hungary" benefits greatly from its other team of hosts. Several years ago, Frank and Maria Schauer, along with Elizabeth Cibulas, began to share the broadcasting duties with us. They present the audience their own special take on Hungarian music and culture. Nowadays, WKTL-90.7 FM is in partnership with WAPS-91.3 FM from Akron, Ohio. The two stations share programs and technologies on a 24/7 schedule. For six days of the week, the Akron studio provides an eclectic mix of programming. On Saturdays, WKTL becomes the area's epicenter for great ethnic programming, with a total of 10 different 90-minute programs featuring various nationalities, including the "Souvenirs of Hungary." Each program is truly a labor of love. Many of our listeners tune their radios in on Saturdays beginning at 7:00 a.m. and keep them on until the last show ends about 11:00 p.m. Several of our long time listeners are not Hungarian but still enjoy our music and the information of upcoming events. Those same listeners patronize American-Hungarian events and spend plenty Point to Ponder.... When my family hosts the Souvenirs of Hungary radio show, we broadcast primarily in English for several reasons, but mainly because most of our listeners are first-, second- or third-generation Hungarian-Americans. Do you believe that such ethnic programming should be broadcast only in the native language of the nationality a show celebrates (that is, a show celebrating Hungarian music and culture should be broadcast only in Hungarian)? Let me know your thoughts on the matter. - Tibor 6 ° September 2018 ° WILLIAM PENN LIFE
