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Amid the deep winter, 5th graders take their turn in KNOM Studios

The frozen tundra sparkles with many shades of blue; the renewed sunlight shines across the snow covered landscape. The Bering Sea is covered with huge chunks of ice, pushed to the surface as the icepack shifts and thickens in subfreezing temperatures. Steam rises from exposed sea water.

Last week, a local 5th grade class visited the KNOM Radio studios. These excited and energetic young students came in to record public service announcements. Small groups of studious children gathered in Studio C, while KNOM producer Dayneé Rosales recorded their voices for broadcast at a later time. It is always a delight to hear these young voices on KNOM.

In the KNOM lobby, the rest of the class quietly studied their lines, waiting for their turn to read their PSA scripts. When it was time for them to leave, each fifth grader smiled, waved goodbye, and said “thank you.”

Thank you to everyone who makes KNOM possible.

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February 2002: Les and a polar bear

Polar Bear on ice

A polar bear on sea ice in northern Alaska.

February 5, 2002:

As he does every morning, engineer Les Brown drives to the remote KNOM transmitter site, walking the final 400 feet through deep snow in the morning darkness. Les is unaware that someone in a nearby cabin spotted a polar bear prowling the area overnight. Thankfully, Les finishes his work and returns to KNOM studios without incident.

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A spotlight on Native music

Lisa Ellanna Strickling in Studio A

Thanks to your support, the KNOM Radio Mission continues to mean so many different things to so many different people.

For many of our listeners, KNOM is a primary source of music: not just popular music but, also, the traditional music of Alaska Natives. Native culture is fundamental both to our mission and to our daily broadcasts, which is why we’re so thrilled to have Nome resident Lisa Ellanna Strickling as one of our volunteer community DJs.

Every Thursday afternoon, Lisa volunteers an hour of her time to play Native music on KNOM. As we detail in our Thursday program schedule, Lisa presents “a cross-section of songs, both contemporary and traditional, from different Native cultures, and she brings a special focus to the peoples of Alaska, the Arctic, and the North.” Native music holds such an important place in the traditional culture of our region, and we know that – thanks to your support! – Lisa’s show inspires countless listeners each week.

For more on Lisa’s show, explore our Thursday lineup (Lisa’s show is at 1pm!).

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One good reason

An inspirational spot from the February 2013 issue of our newsletter, The Nome Static:

Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

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An exciting milestone!

It’s both exciting and humbling to report the continued progress of our campaign for the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios. We’ve just passed a crucial landmark; with donations now approaching $500,000, we have enough funds to build Phase 1 of the project, the outside frame of our studio annex.

The digital studios project will expand our studio space (into the lot pictured) and renovate it: replacing our aging, analog equipment with digital hardware that will be more cost-efficient to maintain.

As we go to press, we’re still eagerly awaiting the beginning of Phase 1 construction, which has been delayed, in part, because of the complications of wintertime weather in rural Alaska (as pictured) and the limited construction workforce in our region.

Also, we continue to seek funds for Phase 2 of construction: the renovation of our existing studios and the purchase of new digital broadcast equipment.

We thank you for your continued support and ask for prayers. Together, we’re moving forward! To learn more, visit our digital studios page.

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A life lived for God

An inspirational spot from the February 2013 issue of our newsletter, The Nome Static:

Nothing is unimportant in a life lived for God.

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A thorough self-examination, with some outside help

Lynette with auditor Justin Satterfield

As we enter our first full year as a reorganized nonprofit – KNOM Radio Mission, Inc. – we’re continuing to seek out new ways to improve our mission’s efficiency and transparency. While KNOM has long taken seriously the need to be cost-effective, open, and forward-thinking, we’re also mindful that – especially with a small charity such as ours – there’s always room for improvement and growth.

It’s with this in mind that, last month, we participated in a thorough and voluntary audit of KNOM: its income, expenses, records, receipts, and other files.

The audit was self-initiated, which meant that we needed to seek out help to make it happen. Our thanks to auditor Justin Satterfield (pictured with business manager Lynette Schmidt), who spent a few days around KNOM Studios and was both cordial and essential throughout the entire audit process.

It’s our goal that this work, alongside many other steps towards greater organization and efficiency, continues to make us worthy of your support.

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A nod for community service

Volunteers holding NAB Crystal AwardsGood news: KNOM has been informed that, in a few months, we will receive a very special award from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)!

NAB’s Crystal Award recognizes radio stations that make extraordinary contributions to the communities in their listening area. This community service award is prestigious, and over the years, KNOM has been honored to win five Crystals. The photo at right shows our current volunteers – Josh, Eva, Dayneé, Lucus, and Margaret – holding our Crystal Awards from 1987, 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2012.

In April, KNOM will be given the capstone Crystal Award, the NAB Crystal Heritage Award; we’ll be the fourth radio station ever to receive it. This award recognizes the commitment to community service that you make possible through your generosity and support. Thank you so much! We’ll have more about our 2013 Crystal in a future issue of the Static.

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Live simply…

An inspirational spot from the February 2013 issue of our newsletter, The Nome Static:

Live simply, so others can simply live.

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Reflections from our volunteers

Lucus in Studio A

KNOM’s full-time volunteers remain hard at work, and thanks to our Volunteer Blog, you can stay up-to-date on all of the ways these outstanding, service-minded individuals are making a difference in Western Alaska. (Among other things, the blog showcases recent photos of our volunteers, a few of which are sampled above and below.)

Josh and Eva on the beachOne recent blog post from volunteer Dayneé Rosales highlighted the spirit of community that informs our mission. An excerpt:

Winter presents unique challenges for life in rural Alaska. Alcohol abuse and suicide are big issues here. It’s hard on a lot of families, but there are also people who want to help.

What I like most about Nome is the amount of courage and love I see in the community… I see how willing people are to share their game, invite you in their homes, and share their stories.

Nome and KNOM are becoming my home… I am forming amazing friendships and learning to appreciate what everyone must do for a city or village to not only survive, but flourish, despite whatever comes our way.

Thanks so much for supporting our volunteer program! Every day, you are truly making a difference.

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