Kathy Jones worked at WRSE/WMJM for years, but really started her on-air just a few months ago. She still wasn't used to people calling her name in public.
"Kathy! Oh, Kathy, I just love you on the radio," She heard the comment this morning walking toward the station's tent from her car.
One woman, Jen Radkey, came up before she could get in the tent and started a conversation, "Kathy, you don't know me, but I don't miss any of your shows. How is your nephew Andrew these days? I remember you talking about him and he sounds like a darling."
Kathy's mind started spinning... 'should I know this person? how does she remember Andrew from a single mention on the radio? does this person have a life? if it's like this for me, what's it like for other bigger personalities?'
"Thank you, uh, Jen, is it? That's very nice of you to remember. I'm so new at this sometimes it doesn't occur to me that folks are out there listening," Kathy gave Jen a fist bump and wave as she headed into the tent.
From the other end of the grounds, Kevin Storm got out of his Prius C to discover two young people waiting for him to close the door.
"Mr. Storm, do you remember me? I'm Adam Olsen and this is my friend Tammy Straus. You came to school this spring and talked to our science class."
"That's right, Mr. Storm," Tammy chimed in, "because of you Adam and I are planning to study meteorology when we go to the University this fall."
Kevin smiled, "Well, thanks for telling me. I'm quite a few years away from my days in college, but here's my card, call me if you think I can be of help. I'll be glad to do what I can."
As the kids walked away, Kevin thought about the couple of dozen folks working in the weather business today he helped along the way. For him, it was a way to pay back the man who gave him a hand-up when he was heading off to college with no direction and no clue. Thanks to Mr. Williams, he went on to live a pretty good life and worked in a vocation he loved.
When Storm arrived at the station location on the grounds, it was full. The whole gang was munching on cinnamon rolls from Karen's Kandies, drinking coffee and Mt. Dew.
"We're going to need go on the air a little early, people." News Director Pete Moss kept talking, "It won't be continuous, but Chief Parrot tells me roads are already clogged back to the county line. The police and Sheriff's department are going to supply us with traffic updates. Show officials have a network of spotters to let us know which parking lots fill up. Emjay came in to keep our traffic map up to the minute, so we can help folks get in and get out of here when the day is over. Sorry, Kathy, this is your show. I just wanted to get this news thing out."
Kathy picked up the baton with a run-down on how the day was going to work. Since the crowds started filling in on the other side of the river, the station was keeping at least one person over there.
After Kathy finished her part of the agenda; Els Brandt came in and sat behind a mic for a group interview. The whole team was part of the interview, but only Brandt's voice would be taped well enough to use on air. Steve was going to cut up the tape, so to speak, since no one actually spliced tape anymore and prepare short lead-ins for the various soundbites that could be used during the afternoon.
As the meeting started to break up, Pete remembered he hadn't told them who the finalists were and knew most of them weren't up when he broke the news at 7 a.m. "Guys," he shouted, "the final three teams today are: the Aqua Jays, Ski Boarders, and..." he paused for effect, "... the Rose River Skiers!" The team cheered, with the home team in it - it would be a day to remember.
Jeff volunteered to go on air with traffic and parking updates every 15 minutes and pulled Emjay on air with parking information after his third report. She was excited when he told her he wanted to switch off doing the reports after that.
The rest of the crew dispersed into the crowd or across the river depending on their assignment. Ken Records tracked down Ken Frisque with the Aqua Jays for an interview about the team from Janesville. Kathy sought out Lisa Kolb with the Ski Boarders and Pete sat down with Dale Fritz and Julie Berg from the hometown team.
Each broadcaster did the interview live to tape, so whoever was on air could introduce the interviewer and get a five-minute break while it aired. Between the performances, there would be times when the tent would need a break and these features offered breathing room.
By the time the team from Marquette, Michigan took to the river, police and sheriff deputies estimated close to 20,000 people lined both sides of the river. Extra police and reserve deputies were called in from neighboring counties just in case, but so far there were just a couple of lost kids and dehydration.
Kathy went live on air after the twelve o'clock news which Pete decided to broadcast himself after a brief network update on world and national news. As far as WRSE was concerned, this event is the lead story.
Music from the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, and the Safari's were interspersed between reports from Kathy and the roving team of WRSE personalities popping in to speak with sponsors, fans, and just about anybody they could grab to capture the flavor of this mega event.
The Ski Boarders finished with a terrific 16 person pyramid topped by the youngest skiers in the competition. The crowd roared.
As the waves came to rest on shore; the Aqua Jay boats appeared from downstream to find their places near the north and south piers. There were 30 minutes between shows and the excitement was palpable. The Janesville team had won National titles in its history. It was a well-known secret this weekend that it was their show to lose.
Ken Frisque told the audience what their team planned. There was a series of jumps, flips, and slaloms and a fly-by of sorts with an amphibious car. The final jump featured 10 skiers flying off the ramp at the same time and they ended the show with a 32 person pyramid rising 12 high.
The crowd made so much noise, Kathy had to let things take over as natural sound for a full minute before she could toss it to Jeff on shore with reaction.
When Jeff threw it back, the music resumed until it was time for Pete's interview with Dale and Julie.
Els Brandt was at the dock as the home-town team gathered around him. Pastor Bob offered a prayer with the team like he did before every show and Els told the group they had nothing to worry about -just go out and have fun.
The Rose River Skiers had changed the choreography for today's show incorporating their best tricks from yesterday's show and last weekend.
As the boats roared to either end of the show space, the skiers grabbed the ropes and were pulled into position wearing costumes representing each skiers favorite cartoon character. The crowd hollered and cheered as the comic opening created the loose mood they wanted.
After the last boat shut down, every skier and their family agreed it was the best show they ever ran. They just didn't know if it was good enough to win.
WRSE and WMJM music played over loudspeakers up and down the shore while reminding the crowd the award ceremony was expected to start at 4:40pm.
Jeff, Steve, and Pete gathered at the podium to test the equipment. It needed to serve as a PA and work to share the proceedings live to the folks at home and by phone lines back in Marquette, Michigan and Janesville, Wisconsin where their fans listened.
On the dot at 4:40, Els Brandt took the stage on time thanking the crowds, all eight teams, the sponsors, and local public servants.
After he announced the winners of the the individual honors it was time to spill the beans, "In third place, with a fantastic show featuring the youngest skiers ever used in national competition, the Ski Boarders."
Steve interviewed the Marquette team captains and sent it back to the podium.
"Before I announce the winner, I want to thank again everyone involved - this show exceeded all of our expectations. It's my pleasure to introduce the inaugural winner of the Rose River Show Ski Spectacular... the Aqua Jays!"
Cheers and moans quickly subsided into sustained applause as the first and second place teams embraced in front of the podium.
Jeff interviewed Ken and other members of the Aqua Jays and then sent it over to Pete with the Rose River squad.
Second place wasn't what they wanted, but they knew finishing second to the Janesville team was a victory for their young team.
Fans started for their cars and the station transitioned into traffic mode again. Emjay handled the anchor chair taking reports over the phone as police and sheriff deputies called in.
After the first full report, Emjay sent it back to the station for music before the next report in ten minutes.
For the first time since late Friday, there wasn't any beach music on the radio.
Come back at 3 this afternoon for chapter 14.
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