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Tag Archives | listener

Weathering the season

By on January 6, 2013 in Stories

Several additional minutes of sunlight greet us each day as we weather the cold, windy days and nights.

KNOM weather reports help remote listeners prepare for the harsh conditions experienced throughout western Alaska. Our region’s extreme weather means that getting the right information at the right time is often a matter of life or death. KNOM keeps everyone connected with the latest warnings, watches, and reports.

We pass on the thanks of the many listeners who appreciate the support of the entire KNOM family. You are keeping the beacon of faith, hope, and charity burning bright in their lives every day.

Our prayers for you, for your family, and for all you hold dear. Have a happy and healthy New Year!

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A very merry call-in show

By on January 3, 2013 in The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, January 2013

Once a year, we offer a special way for KNOM listeners to offer holiday greetings to friends and family. For seven hours on a Friday last month, our Christmas Call-In Show opened our airwaves for callers to wish loved ones a Merry Christmas (toll-free!).

Every year, the response is very enthusiastic, and it’s possible through your generosity. Thanks so much!

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Our extended family

By on December 30, 2012 in Stories

The cold temperatures and snow have created a frozen wonderland across the tundra and the icy Bering Sea. With about 4 hours of daylight, the horizon is colored with reds and oranges that dazzle. Winter is amazing!

Looking back at 2012, we have seen so many people work to keep KNOM radio a vital mission! Please know that thousands of listeners spread out over 100,000 square miles appreciate the work of the entire KNOM family. They make our ministry possible. We are truly blessed!

Last week a listener called with a simple message, “Thank you for everything you do, and thank you for everyone at KNOM.”

For KNOM listeners, during the hardest times in their lives, the KNOM family is there to help and make a positive difference. Happy New Year!

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Christmas lights

By on December 16, 2012 in Photos, Stories
John and Les

In late 1999, former KNOMer John Albers (dressed in brown) works at the base of the station’s FM transmitter tower alongside volunteer engineer Les Brown (blue jacket). Les is holding the Christmas star that, shortly after this photo was taken, was hoisted back to the top of our FM tower; a star has decorated the tower every year since 1971, shining brightly over downtown Nome.

As we move through the dark days of winter and sub-zero weather, KNOM brings light to the lives of remote listeners throughout 100,000 square miles of Western Alaska.

It is a special time of year for the KNOM volunteers. They are far from their families, yet they treasure the gifts of service that they share with each other, the KNOM listeners, and you!

As in years past, the Christmas star is illuminated, and its tiny, bright lights reach into the darkness, sparkling and twinkling with anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. We continue to witness marvelous signs of the great love and support we have for each other. The familiar aroma of a Christmas wreath in our broadcast studio reminds us that, through the cold and darkness, the hope of a new beginning will bring a great light.

From all of us at KNOM, Merry Christmas!

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Bright colors in the cold skies, and warm thanks from a listener

By on December 2, 2012 in Photos, Stories
Sunrise over Nome

Sunrise over downtown Nome, Alaska on a clear November morning.

The Northern sky has seen a thousand shades of red and yellow as the sun pokes up in the southeast and sinks into the southwest. There have been beautiful auroras streaming in the night sky: like sparkling, swirling curtains of green and red light. God has blessed us with a bounty of beauty, reminding us, every day, to delight in the splendor of His creation.

A local listener called KNOM on Thanksgiving and asked that her message be passed on to all who support KNOM:

Tell everyone thank you. Thank you for my radio station. Thank you to the volunteers who have traveled so far to be with us. Thank you for coming here. Thank you for the music, prayers, news, and announcements. Thank you for being my friend. God bless and quyanna*.

We pass on these thanks to the entire KNOM family.

*Quyanna means ”thank you” in the Alaska Native languages of our region.

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As the snow falls, thanks from a listener

By on November 11, 2012 in Stories

Temperatures – and snowflakes! – continue to fall, and the ground is solidly frozen. Cold mornings and evenings are highlighted by beautifully colorful sunrises and sunsets. We are truly blessed to be a part of this radio mission serving Western Alaska.

Last week, we received a phone call from a listener. She thanked us for the companionship that KNOM offers, and she said:

Everyone at KNOM sounds so kind and friendly on the air. It seems like everyone at KNOM is visiting with me in my kitchen. And I love the news, music, stories, and the rest. Keep doing a good job, and thank you!

We wish you could have heard her thankful voice to experience, first hand, her appreciation for everyone in the KNOM family. We pass on her kind comments and thanks to all who serve through our radio mission.

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Prayers for Father Armand, and new ways we’re saving power

By on October 1, 2012 in Photos, Stories
LED light

An example of the LED bulbs we soon hope to install throughout KNOM’s facilities.

We continue to give thanks and celebrate the faithful service of KNOM’s spiritual advisor, Father Armand Nigro, S.J. He has been offering prayers and Masses for the intentions of thousands of KNOM’s supporters, our staff, and listeners. We ask for your prayers for Fr. Armand as he deals with a variety of health challenges. He continues to pray for you and your intentions.

KNOM’s dynamic carrier control project continues to pay dividends in power savings. The latest billing information reveals that we are saving $101.00 per day in electricity costs! Many thanks to the Nautel Company, Chuck Lakaytis, Frank Jazzo, Jack Mullaney, Rolland Trowbridge, Les Brown, and engineers at the FCC.

The quest to find ways to trim the budget and to save money continues with our LED lighting project: a planned initiative to replace the fluorescent lighting fixtures in our facilities with cost-efficient LED bulbs. As always, we are working to save every penny we can! We thank you for the opportunity to serve.

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Signs of winter, a missing girl found, and prayers for Father Armand

By on September 21, 2012 in Photos, Stories
Father Armand

Father Armand Nigro, S.J.

The first dusting of snow has fallen on the hills just north of KNOM. Soon, the tundra will be covered with a carpet of snow and ice. With the change of the seasons, critical weather reports on KNOM can help save lives and keep families safe. We are blessed with this opportunity to serve KNOM’s listeners 24 hours a day, especially during the very trying winter months.

Recently, a 12 year old girl who had not returned home was reported missing to the Nome Police Department. An officer reached out to KNOM with an official announcement detailing her description and contact information. After several hours of frequent announcements on KNOM, the young girl was found. We thank everyone who helps us assist families during their most difficult times.

Father Armand Nigro, S.J. (pictured) has been offering prayers and Masses for many years for the intentions of thousands of KNOM’s supporters. He now needs your prayers. Please join us in prayer for his health and well being.

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September 2008: Amy departs

By on August 25, 2012 in History, Photos
Amy Flaherty Gorn

Amy (Flaherty) Gorn, who served at KNOM Radio for over six years: first as a volunteer, and then as a permanent staff member in the position of public affairs director.

September 1, 2008

After more than six years of service to the mission, Amy Flaherty departs for more urban parts of Alaska. She has produced hundreds of programs and news interviews. Her replacement is Laureli Kinneen, who grew up in the town of Unalakleet, 146 miles southeast of Nome. Her husband Fen was raised in Nome and, like Laureli, grew up a KNOM listener.

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Signs of summer, and letters of appreciation

By on July 22, 2012 in Photos, Stories
Leona Mayac picks salmonberries

A sign of late summer, circa 1990s: Nome resident Leona Mayac scours for wild salmonberries on boggy tundra 15 miles from Nome. (This photo was originally featured in our September 1999 newsletter.)

The temperatures are hovering in the mid-50s, and our region’s families are fishing, hunting, and preparing to gather greens and berries. They are also listening to KNOM. The radio is a constant companion for thousands of Alaskans, and if they could, they would thank all who make this radio ministry possible!

Signs of appreciation – in the form of support letters from organizations and individuals – continue to arrive as we put together our foundation grant requests for construction of the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios. These notes from the people who support, listen to, depend on, and enjoy the KNOM Radio Mission remind us of all the wonderful benefits you help bring to our remote listeners.

Special thanks this week to KNOM volunteer Matt Smith. He was instrumental in getting KNOM back on the air after utility workers shut off power to the AM transmitter site last week.

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