The sun's reflection off the calm river bounced into the eyes of Jack and Els as they inspected preparations for Roseville's first-ever show ski competition.
The two old friends figure they've been hanging around the river for 50 years. Both were glad to have something to do with the big weekend celebration. No one knew how many people might come into town or how much it might help the economy, but it's the first of what everyone is hoping becomes an annual tradition.
"Down there by that big tree trunk... isn't that where we had the tire swinging over the river so we jump in?" asked Els.
"That's right," Jack replied, "I can't say who it was exactly, but someone always made his jump look like he was a big daredevil trying to impress the girls on the beach."
"Aw, come on Jack," said Els, "I never would have gotten a date with my wife if it wasn't for that tire swing."
The two men laughed at the memory. The life-long friendship spanned serving their country in Korea, working for the State Patrol, and for the last twenty years, serving Roseville best they could. This weekend they were giving back.
For Jack, WRSE/WMJM started in his mind the first time he heard an announcer for WGN, Chicago through the speaker of the big radio in his family's living room. It took years of planning, saving, and convincing that Roseville needed their own station.
Els was one of those he turned to for advice and backing. Then last winter, Els approached Jack with the idea of hosting a Show Ski competition. For Els it was a culmination of twenty years work. In the early 1990s Els wanted to find people who shared his love for water skiing and start a club.
The club became the Rose River skiers. Through the years the little exhibitions drew more and more people on Saturday nights until a second show started on Wednesdays. Tourists came to watch their little group barefoot, jump the ramp, and build pyramids on the water. The skiers made to Nationals in Janesville a couple of times, but Els wasn't trying to duplicate the show they put on each year.
His dream, unfolding around him, brought ski teams from Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin together for fun and fellowship while competing for prizes and the opportunity to put on a show while giving something for the whole Roseville area to enjoy.
Behind the press box in the the main grandstand, Kathy was reviewing her weekend timeline and agenda for the meeting in 10 minutes. She knew the guys from the station would be here, just not early.
Jim Lynn, the station's sales manager, came from the upstream end of the beach waving to get Kathy's attention. "Hey, Kathy! Do you have a minute?"
"Sure, Jim," she wondered what he wanted. The sales manager doesn't usually talk to disc jockeys and writers at station remotes.
"Kathy, this is a great idea you had to broadcast from down here."
"Jim, it's really not my idea. Jack brought it up first."
"Yes, yes - I mean you took that idea and turned it into something special. Three days of programming live from a ski show? I wasn't so sure about it, but I wanted to tell you we sold the whole thing out. The whole town's excited. Better yet, advertiser's are excited. I had to turn some down!" He laughed, "You know I don't like doing that."
Kathy knew alright. She recalled when Jim came to the station they were sometimes selling 30 second ads for $2. The little station has come a long way.
Jeff, Steve, and Pete walked up carrying coffee and pastries from Karen's Kandie Kitchen.
Jim continued, "Karen is advertising on the station all weekend, and selling from one of the concession tents. She has every relative and friend from church working, and everyone said they are donating what they earn to the church food pantry."
Kathy pointed to a nearby picnic table and asked the guys to sit. "Kath," said Steve, "we're ready to work. This place looks great. How can we help?"
"Hi guys," Kathy began, "thanks so much. This is a big deal for me. Jim just told me it's big for the station too. You guys don't need me to tell you what to do, but I want to give you the on-air assignments and hand out the programming guide so you'll know what to expect during your shift and be able to promote stuff coming up."
Kathy took a deep breath before she continued. For a station the size of WRSE to do a remote like this requires a lot of teamwork, no vacation time, and a great attitude. These guys were her senior in terms of time at the station and life on earth, but they are buying in to the show. That made her feel even better than Jim's good news.
Back at the station Kevin was doing voice-overs on the station's top of the hour identification, working on bumps in and out of the live shots, and personalizing every bit of programming the station had this weekend. Jeff already recorded his voice for a number of special spots advertisers wanted before coming out today. Steve still had an afternoon shift, he planned to record his spots before his show.
"Well, Pete and I will open the show at 4:45. Steve you'll throw it to us from the station. When the top of the hour news break comes up, you hand the board over to Emjay and come out here where you and Jeff will be our roving reporters.
"If something catches your eye or you see a way to work in air time with an advertiser who is already out here, let us know so we can get you on air. If we can't get it on live - record a short bit and send it over to the board operator on site.
"Ski teams start warming up at 5. The first team performs at 6. We aren't going to do play by play, but we want to keep the flavor of things on the air. There's a weekend's worth of beach and party music we'll play this weekend - it's in order for you right there on the tablet in the remote studio - so do a bit, have fun, and play music.
"After the last team, the Fire Department is getting ready to shoot off the fireworks at dusk from the other side of the river. When that starts, we have a synchronized track ready to play along - I'll be back to coordinate that with the Fire Chief.
"Saturday morning, Pete and Kevin start things up at 10; Steve and I go on at 2; and Jeff you get on at 6 for what we're calling an on air beach party. Sunday's programming starts at 12. Same format as tonight with the exception being we plan to broadcast the awards live between 4:30 and 4:45. Els will let us know five minutes in advance so we can synch up with that from the podium. I didn't want to make the assignments for Sunday myself - what would you guys like to do? I'll fill in whatever's open."
Steve looked up while pulling the notes together and tucked them under a clipboard, "Kathy, this is your show - I think you should be the thread all of Sunday afternoon. How about Kevin, Pete, Jeff, and I just do the roving reporter thing and take turns giving you a break in the studio?"
Kathy smiled and relaxed. She knew the weekend was going to be great.
Chapter 11 is available tomorrow at 9 am.
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