WIXY's Gone Bananas

I spent the first 8 years of my life in Hinckley, Ohio. With a transfer of jobs for my dad, it was off to Breiningsville(near Allentown), Pennsylvania. A year later, it was a short time living with relatives in Brunswick, Ohio before we moved to Chatham, Ohio. Two years later my mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis and it was back with the relatives in Brunswick. Nine months later, back to Hinckley, where we lived for the next 8 years. After two years living on the west side of Cleveland, I got married and moved to Medina where we lived for two years. We moved up the road to the Val ley City side of Marks Rd. Lived there for a year and a half. After a year living in Chippewa Lake, we moved to Rittman, where we have called home for the past 24 Years. Rittman, Ohio -Population according to the 2000 census 6,314, little change since. Normally a quiet town located off Ohio 57, about 15-20 minute drive to major shopping areas. Located about 5 miles south of I-76/US224, both I-71 and I-77...

The Blogging Star award was created just this week, by a blogger I have mentioned a short time ago, Skittles. I checked out her blog, Skittles Place after she left a comment here. Skittles keeps an upbeat attitude in spite of the struggles she has faced in life. She celebrated her first anniversary as a blogger last week and a few days before that she celebrated post number 2000. I'm a few posts away from 300 . Anyway the award got around and I was awarded it by Mel Kaye. Mr. Monday Morning Power himself. He asked those who were awarded this honor to spread the love and award this to those whose blogs have touched us in a special way....So...In no special order... The first blogging star goes to Cleveland Classic Media . Tim does a great job in turning a hobby of his into a great source of information for us Cleveland radio and tv fans. Next blogging star goes to Ohio Media Watch , our eyes and ears that catches what's happening for those of us that want to know about our fav...

Physically, I have never been farther north than Detroit, Michigan, no farther east than Long Island, no farther south than Birmingham, Alabama, and no farther west than Terre Haute, Indiana. But my blog has been around the world. a look at the site meter tells me that I've been viewed in most states, and many countries. I click on some of the referring url's and I see other blogs referring me as well as many search engines, some in languages I don't read. Last post was about Liquid, a friend I would have never known, had it not been for the world wide web. Because of her, I am now expanding my reach outside of Northeast Ohio. Here are some of my new friends. Pilgrim: He lives in Nova Scotia. His blog, Pilgrim's Scrawl, deals with his everyday life-his family, his job, his interests. Like myself, Pilgrim is a born again Christian who is not ashamed to mention it, or his latest Bible study in his blog. Pilgrim's wife, Virtue, and his children, Little Pilgrim and B...

Cliff Note :Due to some unfortunate changes in Suzanne's life, I have done some editing from the original post. There is a "button" at the top that says "next blog." You click on it and it takes you to another blog randomly. I did this in my pre blog days when I used to check out Ohio Media Watch. You might go to someones political views, to a collection of poems, to a list of new technology, to just about anything. Or since this is the world wide web, you might come across some blogs that you can't read because of the language. About two months ago I come across a blog called "Liquid Cowgirl." I was fascinated by the photographs contained there. I scrolled down and found some humorous stories. Then it dawned on me. this person has the same warped sense of humor that I have. I clicked on her profile and found that "Liquid" had two other blogs. I had to check them out. I left some comments on her blog. She checked mine out. I emailed he...

I would like to thank Liquid for throwing me an online party yesterday, my first anniversary as a blogger. I will be writing a post about this very special person in the next day or so. If you didn't see her tribute to me and my blog, click here . Don't be scared away by the picture of Triv. It's there as virus protection. And a big thank you to those who have wished me a happy anniversary and your kind comments the past few days.

I tell those I come across all the time, "I have a blog." The response is either, "Okay" or "That's great". And sometimes it's "What's the web address?" Here are some of my everyday friends who visit this blog. Mary Ann works in the materials department of the company that I work for. She tells me that she reads the blog everyday. She also is a great source of encouragement and tells me that maybe this fulfills my dream of being in mass communication. Al, right, is the head of the safety department of my company. I serve as his go-fer on occasion and also as his personal spell check. Al is another great source of encouragement. At the left is Bill, the Company President. He doesn't read the blog. To your right is two ladies from the group, which I refer to as the World's Greatest Band Boosters, or WGBB for short. Luann and Brenda have made things more of a joy for me as I perform my labor of love and announce band shows and ha...

As I have stated many times, my blogging activity had come from my presence on local message boards, mainly media related. I have added to my list of friends since I started writing this blog one year ago today. Here are some from my local list. Those who have trusted me with their identity, will be mentioned by their forum names. WZZP -Started out on the boards as RIPJoelRose , a name he used as a tribute to the late newscaster. On the boards I didn't know how to take him at first, but once we made email contact he became one of my biggest supporters, and a real help when I had a bout with depression this past winter. We also share an imaginary friend, Levi. BizDecision -We became associated with each other when he found out I had shared the pressbox at times during high school band shows with his former boss. We also share some common interests, such as pro wrestling(from the 80's), American Idol, and working with high school students, as Biz took his love for the media and s...

You missed one!

Liquid has thrown a party in my honor today at her blog, Liquid Illuzion. She has invited us all over for some banana pudding, and posted some photos in the spirit of the 1973 Promotion and jingle of WIXY/1260. All together now-WIXY's gone bananas, join the bunch. I will be posting about this very special friend in the next couple of days, as I continue my year in review.

One year ago today I started posting my thoughts for all to see. To be honest, I didn't think I'd make it one month let alone one year. I've been amazed at all all the encouragement I have gotten since the first week. I just started posting about the things that I know about. |One of my frequent topics has been my family. My readers have gotten to meet my wife, son, daughters, sons-in-law, father-in-law, and mother-in-law. I've posted about one birth, one wedding, and WIXYjr going to college. Now it's time to once again meet my family. Holding the youngest grandchild is my wife, Kathy, known also here as Mrs74WIXYgrad. Our other grandson is sitting to her left. In the left hand side of the photo is our daughter, Martha. Sitting next to her is our granddaughter. Martha has occasionally posted in the comment section as WIXY jrette the 1st. Next we have our daughter Sylva, who had taken photos for the blog in the early days, standing next to her husband of a little mor...

As I move a little closer to the anniversary, I want to say thank you for the well wishes I have gotten so far. Bloggers such as Tim Lones and myself get a lot of satisfaction out of comments because that tells us we're being read. And by all means if you read Tim's blog, Cleveland Classic Media , leave him a comment. I can tell he works hard to give the information he does. Anyway back to the topic at hand. I had started emailing those from the forums that I could get the addresses for. I wanted to see if I could get at least a weekend board operator job and I wanted to know how I could go about it. I emailed folks like Danny Wright, OMW, and others connected with the local media scene. I was even brazen enough to ask newsnomore on the Listening Party board if there was some way to get in touch with him. He first set up a Yahoo account. Then after I established the fact that I wasn't a crackpot, he gave me his cellphone number and told me to give him a call. We had a nic...

One of the contributory factors that birthed this blog was advice I was given in the months leading up to my first post. I was a broadcast school student over thirty years ago, who let life get into the way of a career as a radio personality. As those around me know, the only person I have ever blamed for this is myself. For the past few years I have been posting on forums at cleveland.com, Radio-Info, and Radioinsight. I was starting to make a name for myself on these forums and started to get the itch for wanting to get a part time job at a radio station. I started seeking advice from the other posters, folks such as newsnomore, OMW, Danny Wright, and John Morgan. Anoth er that I sought advice from was Paul Rado. He started to post on the Listening Party Board on Cleveland.com, to defend his coworker, Alison. I had to know if that was really him and emailed him at the station. Paul responded to my email promptly. He later gave me some advice as I was thinking about going to the Ohio ...

It maybe should be, from the hotbox last night, as the first game of the season was played at Rittman sauna, err, stadium. After all the rain we got this week then 90 degree temperatures, it was very hot and very humid. Luckily the football field was in good shape last night, as it was uphill from where most of the heavy storms had hit this past week. The Newton Falls Marching Band is a corps band. They had a drum major. When a guy is twirling in high school, has got to be good, and this young man was one of the best I had seen, and their announcer had told me that he was only a sophomore. Their band was in full uniform and I can imagine that that wasn't too comfortable last night. The Rittman Band was dressed in their band t-shirts last night, so they were at least a little more comfortable than their counterparts. The selections played were Gimme Some Lovin', Paint It Black, Old Time Rock n Roll, and Rock and Roll all Night. The Band did very well in their performance. I ha...

First, I want to wish those at 6200 Oaktree Blvd. a good morning. I want you all to have a great day and I hope you find some good reading here. And if Ray Davis is reading this, you should give Paul Rado a motor sports show. With his NASCAR knowledge Paul would do a great job. Tim Lones is continuing to do a stellar job on his Cleveland Classic Media blog. His latest post concerns the NBC/Westinghouse swap which was ordered by the feds in 1965. It makes for good reading. Kickoff time: It's the first Friday night of the high school football season, and I will be in the press box helping to break in the new Rittman public address system. Rittman plays Newton Falls tonight. Kickoff is 7:30pm. Next edition of "From the Press box " will be posted sometime tomorrow. Birthday coming up: That's right. This blog turns one year old this coming Monday and I will celebrate the occasion.

I was having some problems with the WIXY /at&t(formerly Cingular ) phone cam . You see, some of my keypad numbers didn't press too easily. My biggest problem was one of the numbers was "1" and I don't know any language but English. So I call the at&t(formerly Cingular ) 800 number for warranty service and was put through all the trouble shooting routines. I was informed that I would be getting a replacement phone within five business days. It come in three-so far so, good. This re manufactured at&t(formerly Cingular ) phone cam didn't come with a battery or battery cover, so I took the battery out of my old WIXY /at&t(formerly Cingular ) phone cam and put it in the new one along with my Sim card. Things were going well with my re manufactured WI-you know, when the display shown when the phone is closed started going berserk. I stopped that and went to bed. This morning I went to use the phone and the keys were locked. I can receive calls but I...

While surfing around the blogosphere recently, I had stopped to visit the blogs of my favorite Mississippi queen, Liquid . She was also visited by a blogger who goes by the name "Monday Morning Power" , who asked her to link up to his blog. Seeing that I am game to visit new blogs, I went there. If you like motivation, you will find something there. He has a smorgasboard of items all there to help you get a better outlook in life. His latest post is about the 10 Rules of Focus. The blog is called Attitude, the Ultimate Power , and it's listed among my motivational links. Also, speaking of Liquid, go over to her Liquid Illuzion blog and check out the collection of t-shirts she has pictured there. They are good for a chuckle and thought provoking too.

I have a new link on my sidebar. It's a blog called "Being Steve." I was introduced to this blog while reading Pilgrim's blog. Mainly Steve reflects on his life. Mike Dane will like the fact that Steve is a Steeler's fan(but I will forgive him for that). Like Pilgrim, Steve is from Canada. Steve found his way over here through a comment I posted on Pilgrim's blog, also listed on my sidebar. So Steve while you're here make yourself at home. Check out the links on my sidebar and give my friends a visit.

Maybe I went a little overboard, but I proved a point. Few people care who I am, but many care what I do. As JimOhio would say, I punk'd a whole lot of people in the past 24 hours. I got three responses from Clear Channel computers telling me to get over it. I was over it after Triv cut me off the other day, now you guys "get over" to the kitchen and get the talent a cup of coffee and a roll. My only regret is I may have lost some friends at the Listening Party. But as Tim has stated, I didn't kill it. Apathy did. I wasn't looking for my fifteen minutes as it was stated today. I was just trying to ruffle some feathers. I apologize to anyone I offended. A lot of times there it's the same old same old. I enjoy discussing other things, but those usually die on the vine. Someone might try to discuss some music format. Jim gets on and posts "no one here listens to that." Then the Jim bashing begins, instead of the post being ignored. If you want something...

To those of my friends who reside outside of the Northeast Ohio area, let me apologize in advance. The person who is called "the Voice of Cleveland" is not truly representative of all of us who live here in Northeast Ohio. We couldn't be that rude if we tried. The voice in question is a radio personality named Mike Trivisonno. He is on from 3-7:00pm on WTAM/1100. He was also at one time a caller on a sports talk show known as Mr. Know it all. He also reminds me of a television star-Fred Flintstone. He talks about family values in one sentence, and in the next will take the Lord's name in vain. And don't you ever call up and disagree with what he says. He feels that everybody is entitled to HIS opinion. His and no other. If he doesn't like your opinion he will tell you to kiss his (rear).He also eats while his microphone is open. I met two of his producers last summer, Paul Rado and Alison, when they come to my place of employment for a promotion. Those two wer...

As those who faithfully read this blog know, I enjoy watching NASCAR. And anyone who lives around here knows we have had constant rain since Saturday night. Well this week's race was scheduled to be run in Michigan and guess what? They have had constant rain too. At the time I write this the race has been postponed until tomorrow(Tuesday) at 10:00am. I am glad that the only AM radio station I can receive in my office is the ESPN affiliate, KNR2, and they do carry the races. Flood warnings abound: I had heard today on the news where a man was stuck in his car, evidently trying to drive through a car through a very deep puddle. The only smart thing this man evidently had done was use his cell phone to call 911 and have a fireman carry him out of his car into safety. Don't try this at home. About my mower: I had gone to mow my lawn this past Saturday and found my mower somewhat dismantled. I had to call around to get the parts to get my mower. It's a Craftsman, and I couldn...

First, I have a new post on my faith based blog, "Seek Him First" , concerning God's greatest commandment. Check it out if you're interested. Next, I have a new link here. A gentleman from Nova Scotia who calls himself Pilgrim, has a blog called "Pilgrim's Scrawl." He gives some insights into his personal life and visits me on a regular basis and has commented on past posts. Also , check out the blog "Media Matters" in the next couple of weeks(listed in my links) as the school year is about to commence. Struke promises me that he will be highlighting his students and giving some personal reflections once school gets underway. Lastly, in the back of my mind, I am putting together some posts to commemorate the first year anniversary of this blog, which occurs a week from tomorrow. Have a good and blessed week everyone.

Friday night was commencement time at Malone College. Our daughter, Sylva took part in the ceremony, though she will not be receiving her diploma until December when she completes her student teaching. Here are some pictures of Sylva during the ceremonies, along with her husband, Eddie, proud parents and grandparents.

It's time once again for football season, and that means band shows have commenced. It's time also for the peaceful evenings in Northeast Ohio to be interrupted by the following words: Laaadies and gentlemen, for your listening and viewing pleasure.... We take great pride in presenting to YOU.... The sixty ninth edition of the Rittm an Indians MMAAARRRRCCCCHHIIINNNNGGG BAND! You see our band really marches. Thursday night's show at Mogadore Stadium was a result of several weeks preparation for the band, and several minutes preparation for the announcer. Rittman was one of 7 bands performing that evening. Not the largest band there, that was Hudson. Also participating was Akron Garfield, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Streetsboro, Manchester, along with the host band, Mogadore. The show this week was a very high energy show. The band marched on the field playing "Gimme Some Lovin". The Majorette feature was performed to the Rolling Stones hit "Paint it Black....

Due to my arriving home at a later than expected time last night, and our daughter's college graduation tonight, the first edition of "From the Pressbox" for 2007 will be delayed. Look for my account of the Mogadore band show and related notes sometime tomorrow.

Brenda of the World's Greatest Band Boosters(tm) Just reminded me that this is her 21st wedding anniversary. She is going to celebrate by chaperoning the trip to the Mogadore Band Show, as Mr. Brenda has to work. One side note. the Fry's have been married 21 years, which was my age at the time of Elvis' death. Truth is stranger than fiction.

Elvis has left the building-30 years ago today.

Going through the comments today on my blog, I noticed a comment by a blogger calling herself "Skittles". I clicked on her picture, and was taken to her profile. Skittles was born and raised in Florida then in 1978 moved to that state up north. Despite that I will post a link to her blog, called "Skittles Place." Skittles, also known as Barb, has put a lot of work in her blog, including having theme days, and blogging about things she feels strongly about. Skittles Place makes maximum use of widgets provided by Blogger. Barb puts a lot of work into her labor of love. Check it out. Taste the rainbow . You can even rate the posts without posting comments, just by clicking a button below the blog. Oh and Skittles, I was only kidding about your preference to maize and blue, but scarlet and gray are better colors.

A big shot is a little shot who has kept on shooting.-Zig Ziglar

I had read it first over at Ohio Media Watch today, then I heard Trivisonno talk about it on his program. Terry Pluto is leaving the Akron Beacon Journal to become the head sports columnist for the Plain Dealer. Terry Pluto has been for years one of my favorite writers. He went up a few more notches after he professed faith in the Lord and started writing his "Everyday Faith" columns. It was something I saw him do personally that made me even more of a fan, so to speak. It was the Friday before Mother's Day, 2004 and Terry was speaking at the Berean Book Store in Montrose. I I had taken my brother and sister with me to hear him speak. My brother has been in a wheelchair since 1987, and has had a problem with epilepsy most of his life. He's also a big sports fan. Terry was getting chairs for those who were arriving at the last minute, and he made space in the front for my brother's chair. He would introduce himself "Hi, I'm Terry". He appeared very ...

Rittman, Ohio is the only town in the United States with that name.

If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours. A smile is something you can never run out of by giving it away.

from Mississippi... A fantastic photographer... and go by the name "Liquid"... Today's your birthday! Happy Birthday Suzanne! My readers please click here and wish her the same.

Those of my friends who enjoy reading my posts of faith topics take note. I have two new posts on my other blog, Seek Him First .

Since this sometimes is being accessed from media sites, I will take a few minutes to muse about radio. Those who either know me, or have been associated with me from the message boards know that I don't comment a lot about music radio. Being one who has been an avid radio fan since the late sixties, I'm not too crazy about what we have nowadays. I like my disc jockey to visit with me a little bit. But since that's not going to come back on commercial airwaves, I won't waste the cyberspace to complain. On this post. What I enjoy listening to is things that can be beneficial to my personal growth. Most of those I download as a podcast and either will listen on my mp3 player or burn cd's, as the area doesn't have a wide variety of radio programs that would help you in personal growth, except for the Christian stations that air teaching ministries. Once again, this(Northeast Ohio)being the rust belt, it would be great if folks could have free access to some of thi...

This evening I hopped into the MrsWIXYmobile and proceeded to band practice. I was mildly surprised at how well the student musicians were doing at this point. As I have reported earlier, next Thursday, August 16, Will be the Mogadore Band Festival. Here's some photos I took of tonight's rehearsal as Ed Sims and Bec ky Cline directed the band and majorettes this evening.

So here I am, going into a certain big box store to get a few items when I am told to go into the back of the store, as the area was under a tornado warning. It was weird, sorta like I was on a giant elevator. People nervously standing there, looking ahead, afraid to talk to anyone they didn't know. I would try to start conversation, but to little avail. This lasted for about 20 minutes, then it was on to do my shopping. Some announcements..... Next Thursday , Lord willing, the loudest band announcer in Northeast Ohio will be making my 2007 debut as the Rittman Marching Band will be making an appearance at the Mogadore Band Festival. This will be my 8 th season as the "voice" of the Rittman Indians Marching Band. Show starts at 7:30. Yum, yum: Come get yourself some eggs, bacon, sausage, fried potatoes, biscuits, gravy, fried apples, and beverage. Saturday August 11 is country breakfast at the South Main Street Church of God, 261 South Main Street in Rittman . Al...

Look at who I picked up hitchhiking!

This picture was taken in Pax, West Virginia, near the spot where my father-in-law grew up. The pump has become somewhat obsolete, as Pax now gets their water from Beckley. Even in the "holler", where we spent the night last Thursday. I have at least a couple more pictures to share with you in future posts.

Can someone show us how to get to Parma?

My title sorta goes along with my first item. Liquid is a Ghoulardi fan, but doesn't know it. She also takes trips through the blogosphere , including checking out some of my sidebar links. I have seen her comment on Tim's blog, Cleveland Classic Media. Anyway her latest post on her Liquid Illuzion blog has a slice of blue watermelon, which she calls "Liquid Watermelon". I guess that's her way to tell her readers to "Turn Blue". Two new media blogs. While OMW is taking a well deserved break from his labor of love "Ohio Media Watch" two others have decided to fill the gap. Northeast Ohio Radio Report is doing an around the horn report of radio happenings in the area and Canton Radio Watch is covering the hot bed of Stark County. Good luck to both of these folks. Good bye to Johnny Morgan . He told me via e-mail about a month and a half ago, and made it public two days ago. One of our favorite posters, and overnight personalities at the...

Is the place to be...

And put up a parking lot...Along with an evil big box store...

I'm back from my trip to my father-in-law's family reunion. Our journey took us to Gate City, Virginia. Hot weather, good fellowship, good food. I took the WIXYcam with me and I will be posting some photos in the next few posts. Check back this evening for my first shot.

I decided that since I have two days of vacation time left, I would take the rest of the week off. Is this a hiatus post? No, but I will probably be busy taking care of things, so the next time I may post will probably be Sunday evening. Looking around the other blogs: I'm glad some days that I don't have the traffic Ohio Media Watch gets. Inasmuch as I like to write material that is interesting to those who check in every day, I don't feel obliged to report something that will set off some folks so much as to have to carefully monitor the comments. In the 11 months since I started writing this, I've only deleted two comments. One was a misunderstanding, and the other was a comment I posted without thinking. If you're as big a television history buff as I, check out the latest posts on Cleveland Classic Media . Tim shares with us some history he received from the old WJW -TV website. It's good reading. Lastly, remember we are back into Summer for the next few ...