Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire ” proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community……
Recently it was World Radio Day, not a holiday by any means, but rather a day for those in the industry, or who once were in the industry, to reflect on the radio industry.
I’ve only worked for 2 radio operations, Telemedia in Midland and Grey-Bruce cum Bayshore Broadcasting in Owen Sound.
So I found it fascinating to touch base with so many connections on World Radio Day that remarkably stretched from Prince George, British Columbia through Halifax, Nova Scotia.
There are many enduring images and stories told by radio people, and among my favorites was the annual Clutch-A-Thon presented by 1230 CKMP in Midland.
During the annual Sidewalk Sale in July, King Street in Midland, the main street if you will, was blocked to traffic and merchants could sell their products on the sidewalk.
CKMP was located at King & Dominion, almost in the heart of the downtown core, and each year they partnered with a local marina and an outboard motor company to offer a 14 foot boat & motor to the contestant who could stand the longest while touching the boat.
What could possibly go wrong with this ?
Well the last time I was there, for the 1984 Sidewalk Sale, the contest stretched 74 hours.
And over that 74 hours there was a postman who walked miles a day for decades dropping out because he couldn’t stand still. Another contestant was eliminated when his wife brought a box of donuts and placed it on the bow of the boat, only to watch in horror as her husband reached for a double chocolate and took his hands off the prize plus Midland Police were called to a wild brawl that broke out when a local establishment let out in the wee hours of Saturday morning and rooting factions for various contestants got overly involved.
World Radio Day.
For Pete’s Autobody, I’m Fred Wallace