"Winning" with a day off

I stayed up past my bedtime last night to watching "after Lately" It's Chelsea Handlers producers and writers preparing for her upcoming shows and clearly unedited. (It's exactly the kind of sitcom WRFY needs to bring back the days of WKRP) good stuff.

Woke up to a little dusting of snow, Regis and Kelly, coffee, and some errands ( I sound like my parents when I say that) its been a QUIET weekend, and a quiet day off. Rather uneventful.

Taxes complete, bills paid, kids in school, my day oFf. "Winning"

Boring right? Not really. This is how I like it.

RAIN RUN OR REST ?

As I continue my extended weekend I had something special planned for today with my friend Kim H. And Beth F. I was mentally prepared to run a 5K race this morning. I guess I should add physically prepared as well.

7am- woke up no rain, birds singing

7:25 I text kim and tell her its warm, no rain, come on up.
7:28 Kim says " raining in Morgantown, check your radar"
7:29 checking radar ( see a lot of GREEN)

Fall back to sleep

8:03 Beth F texts me "decisions, decisions, we'll see"
8:15 The heavens have opened up.
8:41 cup of coffee and raining cats and dogs.
8:43 Beth texts me and says "big no"
I like to run, really I do. The rain and rest win today over a run.

The Shiver by the River begins at 11am . Maybe the run will be cancelled. Its a simple 3.2 miles. I was ready.


Maybe if Noah text messages me and says "The Arc is in front of your house,let's GO..."
Maybe we will exit two by two from our homestead.

I see this as another sign to continue my weekend of rest.

Enjoy.

Saturday mornings

I really enjoy a Saturday morning when the kids don't have any activities, I don't have to go work and the dogs are as lazy as we are. I mean I'm not a fan of just lying around all day because of the cooking,cleaning,laundry, bill paying, exercising day ahead of me. Although as I sit here under my covers I realize that five hours ago I wouldve been up and going.

I watch Fox and Friends on the FOX news station (you are not allowed to be fat or ulgy to work there) It should be re-named Foxy friends, Saturday mornings in New York with alyson, dave and berks county boy Clayton Morris. You can find. Him tweeting and facebooking...a super huge social networking kind of guy, he also has a podcast and I admire the small town boy for making it BIG:) he has been invited numerous times to be a part of the morning show with Y-102...denied! But I still call him my friend. When he needed information on "fountain lady texter" from our area, I was his go to girl. I know he needs me.

Its a dreary Saturday and I got a good nights rest, a dream about being in high school and forgetting my track uniform at home for the very last track meet. Carol Brady of the brady bunch was in charge and she would NOT let me drive home to get it. I was crying, called her ignorant and she wrote me up. I only had one whipped cream vodka and cranberry last night.

Thank God for our Kuerig coffee maker...prince charming is out in the kitchen as I type making cup number two. I discovered almond joy coffee creamer (heavenly) I will start moving shortly. I love a good saturday morning. Oatmeal and fresh strawberries come next....

GAY, GLEE, GRACIOUS and GRATEFUL

About 8 years ago when I was on the radio I was talking about the weather forecast when I referred to Glenn "Hurricane" Shwartz from NBC-10  as a "fag" I meant absolutely NOTHING by this, it was his bow-tie selection that had me uncomfortable.. Until I thought about "SLANDER" and I until I got an email from a listener who said they had already contacted  Hurricane Shwartz to let him know I was a HOMOPHOBE. seriously me???  So, as it turned out I had to write the weatherman a letter of apology.

I have a ton of GAY friends and guess what.....I love them all. I do not treat them any differently, I do not enjoy them having a "gay" category. I do not like how they are judged. I love them for who they are, what I have learned from them.

I cannot stand the person that judges my Gay friends. They are human, they are fun, they are loving. They have jobs, children, and a future to make a difference in this world. Their every idea matters. They let nothing get in their way.  They are my friends.

When my husband met my gay friends....he loved them from the minute he met them, all of them. It makes me love him more.

At the end of the rainbow there lies a pot of gold for EVERYONE, EVERY RACE, EVERY RELIGION, climb the rainbow.....slide down, climb back up, make it part of your routine. learn to EMBRACE everyone, they are my friends and  I love them.

LETTERS FROM OUR LISTENERS

If you know me on a personal level, you know how sensitive I am. Probably because I am "real" red-head and was teased growing up, "carrot-top", "Big Red" ,"Ginger" ....and then when I graduated high school I became such a rebel, that I decided to become a blonde....and I never went back. Nobody wanted to date a red-head, nobody wanted the "red-head" on their dodge ball team but they sure as hell hit me hard enough with the ball.

Well, because I grew up insecure it has taken awhile to grow out of it.. I feel the need to be a people pleaser ALL of the time. I do get great satisfaction out of it, although sometimes I cant make all 100,000 listeners happy. I thought I would share some of the emails from our listeners....their wants, their needs, their complaints and their praises.

some even get me in trouble.


To: BURKE, AL
Subject: Morning Show Sports

Hello Mr Burke, I called in this morning on the request line, during the morning show, to find out why Scott wasn't announcing the Reading High Basketball District win last night and their progress to Hershey on Saturday.
I'm pretty sure it was Jackie who picked up the phone and said "we aren't aloud to say that" and hung up.
Why can't you announce Reading High winning a game??? It appears more prejudice then anything.
Thank you for looking in to this matter.

Next we have the classic, please feel sorry for me letter, look, if I could hand out free passes to everyone for every concert, every restaurant, every hockey, baseball, and football game dont; you think I would?

Good Morning Jackie and Scott,

 I just have a comment about the morning mind bender contest.

I feel that if you don't have the time in the morning to run the

contest fairly, you should pick another time to do it.  This morning,

I called in (with the correct answer) and the phone was busy

at first, then rang and rang without being answered.

When you put the contestant on the air this morning, she got

three (3) guesses at getting the answer correct.  This is not the

first time you have given someone multiple guesses or coached them

towards saying the correct answer.

You may think this sounds petty, but it's how I feel and this is why.

I've been trying to win a gift certificate to 3rd & Spruce for a very long time. 

It may not seem like a big deal, but we are on a tight budget.  My husband

is home on permanent disability, and when that happened, I went from being

a stay at home mom to working full time, so it's not like I've worked all my life

to build a career and a great salary, I have a job.  For me to win a gift certificate

for us to go out to dinner is a big deal to us.  So when I'm calling with the correct

answer and can't even get someone to answer the phone, then hear someone get

multiple guesses or get coached, it's a little frustrating.

I love the morning show and have for years.  I just wanted to share with both of 

you how I feel about the morning mind bender contest.  Thank you for listening.

and now, some of the nicer thoughts, questions and comments.

To: Hoffman, Jackie
Subject: american idol

Who’s your favorite?

I think the people are really good this year compared to other years.  Tough decision.

Honestly, I think the younger kids are doing the best. 

And… do you know how much it is to get in the home and garden show?

Last year it was free.. do you know if it still is?

To: Hoffman, Jackie
Subject: comment from this morning

blonde from Heidelberg. Jackie I personally would be more excited running into you or Scott at Giant then her and so would many of my friends.I have heard and seen enough of that woman but we never get tired of you .  Have a wonderful day . Cheryl

To: Hoffman, Jackie
Subject: Hi

Jackie need a new hairdresser. Where do you go?
Have a nice day! Rosie

I literally go through hundreds of emails a week. And if I don't respond it drives me CRAZY. I love 'how demanding  my job is, and yet how simple some of the emails are. And as Al Burke continues to remind me everyday, "you can't save the world jackie" I have to remember that. But I will keep trying.

RADIO DAZE: Where are they now?

First of all Happy Birthday to my Mom! I love you.

25 years ago in Pottsville Pa I had to call my mom on a Sunday morning to help me turn the transmitter on at WPPA-1360 in order for the Church programs to go out over the air. I was crying, I forgot what to do, despite the directions that were written down in front of me. She drove into the "station" and got us on the air. Thanks Mom. and Thank you Kim Douglas (formerly of WZZO Allentown) for believing in me and being my mentor.

Today's blog is about my Past and Present friends in radio. I want to begin with my favorite three. The three stooges, my three brothers, my idols in radio. The three men that grew with me, stayed with me and taught me everything I know in radio. Vince Angelo, Mike Peckman and Mike McGeever (RIP). I love all three equally.

VINCE ANGELO:  who worked at WPPA in the early days is currently working here in Reading with me at WRFY as our Production Director. One of the funniest guys I know. He is a tremendous father of 3 daughters, a loving husband to "his Sue" and very respected in every aspect of life, I admire Vince for going back to college at Alvernia University getting his degree in Business Administration and continuing his dream.

MIKE PECKMAN: is my "go-to guy" we may not talk everyday, or every month, but I trust Mike and know he is always there for me. Mike is no longer in Radio, Is a father of 4, has an amazing wife, and is the Director , Marketing /Public relations at SchuylkillHealth Systems.

SCOTT (SKIP) CARR:  He was the Program Director of WAVT T-102 in Pottsville. He also went on to finish his college education, he currently works in Philly at 102.9 WMGK

SHERRY KALYAN-BUONOPANE  is currently the owner of Specialty Cakes and sweets on Mechaniscsburg. special order cakes, cake sculptures, and handmade chocolates. She is also in Radio working for Clear Channel Station WRVV The River in Harrisburg.  I tasted some of Sherry's creations....amazing!!!

MIKE EBERSOLE:  Such a quick witted individual who worked at Y-102 in the 80's

Public Address Announcer for LVC Sports and E-town HS Basketball. T-102 FMOn Air Radio Personality · Pottsville, Pennsylvania. WQIC AND WLBRMorning show side kick and mid days on WQIC and Morning sports on WLBR. FM 97 WLAN On-Air Radio Personality Nights then moved to afternoon drive. HOT 105.7Afternoon Drive Air Personality · 1990 to 1994. Bayou 104 KBIU On air personality and Music Director Lake Charles Louisiana · 1987 to 1989 Tune in to Mike for the Lunchboat! 100.1 WQIC

                                                                            

JEFF JORDAN:  So full of energy! worked at Z100 NY as the Assistant Promotion Mgr and then Q-102 on air and as Promotion Director, Jeff is a husband, a father and currently works for the Salvation Army as Seasonal Services Program/Inner city Ministries Chaplain. Jeff, you are a gift.

MANIAC MATT: ( MATT BRACELLI) I met Matt and just "gushed" as my heart would RACE everytime I would hear him or see him. Mary Frew won! Matt is the OWNER of HOLA Spanish  radio , 2 stations in the Lehigh Valley.

GEORGE STODDARD: We had a love/hate relationship, such a trouble maker! BUT, he grew up and moved forward. Summer of 2002 he  lost a bet and moved from his home, 2 blocks off the beach in Margate to the mountains of NEPA. he lives in Laflin (“upscale Wilkes-Barre”) with his wife, Sue (known to ALL as the SAVIOR) and their daughters Alexa and Giana.he is  the Regional Operations Director for a NJ based restaurant company. He  presently operates 2 Red Robin locations, 4 Fuddruckers and a new concept coming soon, Sonoma Chicken, which is a Northern California restaurant chain that we are bringing east. I always knew just how successful George would be.

and at last The Man whose place I took on the Y-102 Morning show. He is irreplaceable, people told me, you will NEVER  have the following David did, he is the best. I knew what a talented person he was/is but once you read this you will understand why I wish to be just like David Stein.

DAVID STEIN: After he hosted the National Morning show at FOX Sports radio, David began his own show. A celebration of Life, syndicated on 80 radio stations around the country weekdays (or nights) 2-6am.  In April, David took the talk show to a new syndication company and will continue broadcasting nationally from the sticks of North Georgia where he serves in a local church. However, the best thing that EVER happened to David and the thing that matters to him occurred Sept 26th 2006 when God turned his life around.  David says, " I now know that while I was running away from him my entire life....he was pursuing ME all along. He continues to share his faith and beliefs with others AND is getting married! Congrats to you Dave in your continued success and blessings.

There are so many others including  Gene Werley, Mike Coyle, Pat Devine, Joe Hoak, Bobby D. and to my past co-workers who remain in the VILLE  RC, JZ, JK Levan, Les Blankenhorn. Our bonding as a family in radio will never end, our friendships will remain and as I tell EVERYONE radio is not a job, its a lifestyle, its hard to drain the passion for radio once its in your blood. We all have a gift, a talent, a dream to make a difference in someone else's day with the simple request of a song.

Perhaps someday my dream of becoming a narrator of childrens books will become a reality, until then HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR SEUSS.....I will continue to read even when no one is listening :)

My fab Four Survivors

Survivors......We all know them, We admire their strength, their faith,  their desire and passion to make a difference. No, Not Charlie Sheen or Linsday Lohan, they will NEVER be survivors.

Survivors.....they are true heroes.  Debt, Divorce and broken bones do not count. In my line of work I have Run a marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I have walked for The Relay for Life and The American Cancer Society, spoken on behalf of Breast Cancer Awareness....there are others, but it is in these categories  you meet the Survivors. That's the most rewarding part of my job.  I have a fab four of friends that come to my mind when I think Survivor. Allow me to share and at the end of today's blog I urge you to add your survivors name to this blog.

Cindy Castner:  A TWO time breast cancer survivor. The most colorful and vibrant person that has crossed my path, we became friends quickly when  moved to Berks county. She has had a bilateral Mastectomy and breast reconstruction. She is never without a smile.

Kenny Miller:  Reading Express Assistant Football Coach.  Loss of Salivary gland, Lymph nodes are gone , some hearing in his left ear. clearly a long haul with chemotherapy. Another unbelievable story and survivor. A family man, friend and incredible coach, and now speaks out against the use of smokeless tobacco products.

                                  

Dena Dietrich :  One of my very best friends. Aneurysm. I still remember where I was, what I was doing, and how I reacted. Its like a gunshot. You cant do anything about it. The next thing I knew Dena was being life flighted to Philly. It was a long process of recovery and it scares you to death to know people just die suddenly with no rhyme or reason. You just never know. Dena looks awesome and is back to work. When I went to visit with Dena I passed out in her hospital room and had to be admitted. Quite the story. We should save that for another day.



Stacy Brown:  The light in my darkness :) Aneurysm. Stacy is AMAZING. Owner of Sunshine Wellness Resources and mother of 3, friend of many. We have laughed together and cried together. When I see her dedication to everyone else it just makes me realize her determination to make others grow in faith is great.


survivor - one who lives through affliction.

Celebrate the Survivors, we learn from them, we grow from them. Life's many detours turn into perfect journeys.

shout out your Survivor today!