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!).

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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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.

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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Nothing is unimportant in a life lived for God.

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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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.

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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Good 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.

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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Live simply, so others can simply live.

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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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.)

One 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.

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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KNOM Radio has touched the lives of so many people, including its volunteers and staff. This month, volunteer-turned-general-manager Ric Schmidt shares the many ways KNOM has changed his life:

In the summer of 1984, I said “yes” to KNOM, and from that day forward, I was swept into an intense, active ministry that serves so many people on so many different levels. KNOM was such a blessing that, nearly 30 years later, I still find myself working here, serving listeners of all ages and backgrounds.

Along the way, I’ve met lifelong friends and fell in love with a fellow volunteer: KNOM’s news director, Lynette Berger. She fell for me, too, and in December 1985, we were married. We were blessed with six children and the opportunity to work together at the same radio ministry where we met. In a life full of ups and downs, we have been given the chance to weave a quilt of service to each other, our children, our church, our community, and Western Alaska. Over the years, we have said goodbye to too many friends and family, but we have also welcomed the births of new members of our KNOM family and honored those who have made significant sacrifices for us and our communities.

Today, the KNOM family makes a difference in the lives of thousands of families every day, whether it is in the studio, in an Alaskan village, or in countless places around the world, with supporters praying for and contributing to our mission. I am honored and privileged to be a part of our incredible radio ministry.

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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Christ helps us to face the music, even though we may not like the tune.

This article is part of the February 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static.

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