"Good Morning friends and neighbors - welcome to 'On the Records.' I'm Ken Records and we're going to talk about the storms that blew through this weekend and share our own storm stories.
"As you know, some of our neighbors are hurting today. Jake Bauer and Diane Buck are on the road to recovery. Dozens of homes and out-buildings are being rebuilt. It wasn't a big enough storm to qualify for state or federal assistance, so friends, we're going to spend today and the next couple of shows helping each other like always.
"Call in, share your story and give a helping hand. If you can't call in, head to our website and make a contribution. Marberg Implement is already on board, they will match all gifts up to $25,000. The car dealerships in town are providing pick-up trucks to assist with brush cleanup and hauling tools for the roving teams of handymen and women. There's lot of people responding - it's great to see. Let's take our first call...
"Hello, you are on the Records."
"Hey ol' buddy, Ken. Gus and Tom here. We want to start the ball rolling with $5,000. And, when you reach $25,000 by the end of today's show - Gus & Tom's will offer a free large pizza to every dine in and carry-out customer. We know this community, it's a town of open hearts. We're listening down here at the shop and the top three storm stories will get free meals for themselves and their family for a month. Good luck, Ken!"
"Thanks Gus. Thank you, Tom. We have $5,000 in the kitty and the phones are lighting up; we'll be back after this word."
Ken hit the button on the computer to play commercials during the two minute break while he got a refill on his Diet Mt. Dew. Pete Moss came out of the newsroom to chat about the good start to the show and ask about using some of the sound from Gus & Tom during the next update.
After getting his refill, Ken returned to the studio and sat down. All the lines were full.
"We're back On the Records and it's time for another call. Good Morning caller, you are on the Records."
"Hi Ken, our family is going to make a gift of $100 today. We rode out the storm in our basement which is when we discovered our cellar door needs fixing as water poured in. By the time all the warnings were lifted, all four of us were on top of my work bench to stay dry."
"Wow, that's something different. What kind of damage do you have and do you need any help?"
"Thanks, Ken, but no. My boys and I got after it the next day - it wasn't too bad and it made me get some of the junk out of the basement anyway. My wife's been wanting me to do that for years."
"That's a great story, thanks for calling. I'll put you on hold and one of the WRSE staffers will pick up to take care of your gift."
And so it went - call after call and gift after gift - with a half hour left in the show $20,649 dollars was on the tote board. That's when Ken looked up and saw the three bank presidents and head of the local credit union walk in the front door.
"It's not often we get walk - ins here in the studio, but it's my pleasure to introduce Ginger Ramsey from Roseville Credit Union; Tom Erdman from Peoples State Bank; Randy Franklin from First Federal; and Amy Lopes from the Roseville Business Bank. We only have two mikes here in the studio, so you'll have to share. Thanks for coming in - I'm guessing you have something you'd like to add to this morning's conversation?"
"Thanks, Ken," said Ginger, "we're here to help and we're coming together to do it. First, the four of us personally are going to add $4,351 to reach the Marberg match of $25,000. Second, our four financial institutions are going to match Marberg's generosity with $25,000."
Ken just looked at the four banking officers astounded at what he just heard.
Randy spoke up, "So, Ken - we have a couple of motives. We want Gus & Tom to start serving up those free large pies right away, because we're hungry and want to get this storm damage repaired and the put lives back together. Furthermore, if anyone has storm damage that needs more than repair work - the four of us have agreed to pool resources to offer low-interest loans to make people whole."
Ken smiled at the group, "That's just awesome. Thank you. Friends and neighbors - I think we have our supper plans taken care of for tonight thanks to Gus & Tom, who would want me to remind you their offer was for free pizza, not free drinks and waffle fries or dessert. Those boys are generous, but they need to pay their own bills and their employees, so go and enjoy, and make sure you tip generously and get some of the extras to make it a celebratory Monday!"
The music bed came up as he closed out his three hour show with phones ringing and donations coming in.
"Good afternoon, it's coming up on 12 o'clock. After national news at the top of the hour, I'll be back with news on the storm recovery. You're listening to WRSE, Roseville."
Pete shut off his mike as the tone sounded for twelve noon and the start of the CBS radio news. He shuffled through his copy and made a couple last minute edits.
Later today, Pete had promised the guys down at the American Legion he'd help with their annual Memorial Day program. He didn't really have to promise; it was as much a tradition for him as it was for the men at the Legion.
To folks from the big city it might have seemed a little too down home. But with kids from the school band performing and the clear, strong voices from the high school choir it always stirred his heart and brought a tear to his eye.
This year, a young man in sixth grade whose mom is serving in Iraq, will recite President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address before Pete, Ken, Jeff, and Steve take turns calling the roll of veterans from the area who served their country. There are 12 Civil War veterans buried in the town cemetery and three men who survived the Revolutionary War before finding their way to Wisconsin to make a life for themselves.
After the roll is read, one war at a time, two trumpeters from the band will play a haunting echo of Taps.
Even after a busy weekend like the one we just had Pete thought, he knew the Legion hall will be packed. It's the kind of thing that made him glad he never left.
Chapter 8 goes live later today - 3 pm CDT.
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