KNOM: The Nome Static, June 2007

MELT: (left) KNOM program director Kelly Brabec checks out the Bering Sea ice in the second week of May.

There’s some water close to shore, and the dark line at the horizon indicates that the ocean is ice-free a half-mile or so out.

Often, the ice edge is home for walrus and seals, and with binoculars, you’ll see locals subsistence hunting there.

MORE EXPENSIVE THAN GASOLINE: We reported that in a few villages, gasoline is almost seven dollars a gallon right now. KNOM business manager Lynette Schmidt, who feeds a family of eight, points out that in Nome, a gallon of milk last month cost $7.34.

For many years, cost of food and supplies in the Alaska bush has been the highest in the United States, since everything must be shipped in by either air, or by oceangoing barge during the brief Arctic summer.

This year, it’s compounded by the high cost of fuel for that shipping, as well as for heating oil and for diesel, which is the only source for generating electricity.

As a result, the price of everything is spiraling upward.

As of mid-May, our cost for powering the 25,000 Watt AM transmitter this year was 26% higher than it was just last year. Ouch!

A CAPITAL IDEA: In May, news director Paul Korchin sent volunteer reporter Jesse Zink (left) 1,106 miles to Juneau for “local” news: covering western Alaska issues in the Alaska legislature. Using Associated Press reports, he’s been our legislative correspondent for almost two years.

“My eyes were immediately opened to how much goes on behind the scenes and off the record,” Jesse said. “Being there, you’re able to gain that context, and my reporting benefited from that.”

Jesse interviewed Governor Sarah Palin in her office, and spoke with many of Alaska’s doers and shakers.

Incidentally, Jesse just elevated to Emergency Medical Technician 2, which is the second level of four. It includes “a couple of crucial additions to skills,” he says. The two-month Saturday course was taught by Mark Hunt, RN, who volunteers for KNOM a few hours a week.

The oldest Catholic radio station in the United States — working hard, thanks to you.

INSPIRATIONAL SPOT: Have you ever wondered whether what you’re doing is right or wrong? We all do. It’s not always easy to figure it out. That’s why I pray to the Lord every day.

INSPIRATIONAL SPOT: Dear God, I don’t know where You are leading me. I don’t know what the next day, or the next week, or the next year will look like.

As I try to keep my hands open, I trust that You will put Your hand in mine and bring me home.

Quianna.* Amen.

* pronounced kwee-AH-nah, it’s a universal Eskimo word for “thank you.”

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KA-ZAP! (left) General manager Ric Schmidt inspects a battery-powered Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) that keeps critical gear powered during electric outages.

In May, Nome’s power company moved to a new generating station, and during the switchover, there were many sudden drops in power, causing loud zapping noises throughout the entire studio building.

During that time, several UPS’s like this one loudly complained with screeching warning beeps.

Fortunately, everything held and KNOM’s signal was not affected.

One casualty was a computer printer, for which the utility will reimburse the station.

From Albany, Oregon, Ric was a KNOM volunteer in 1984. The founding general manager of Portland Catholic station KBVM-FM, he returned to Nome in 1995 as program director.

Two years ago when 30-year general manager Tom Busch stepped down to take the roles of fundraiser, financial director and occasional engineer, Ric was promoted to his present position.

He’s past president of Nome’s Rotary club and the Alaska Broadcasters Association, and is the Nome vice-chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

APPLY TOPICALLY: Subjects covered by KNOM’s public affairs programs this past month included:

hunger
vaccinations
domestic violence

spring break-up

dog care and abuse

Native Youth Olympics
reindeer husbandry
artists' residencies in rural schools
city annexations and
a new marine advisory program.

The department is headed by Amy Flaherty, who celebrates five years with KNOM this month.

RECENTLY SPOTTED: Educational spots this month covered topics including:

discipline
anti-violence
alcohol abuse
volunteering
rabies
bear precautions
Alaska Native wisdom
adoption
art
job opportunities
dangers of methamphetamine
science
Alaskan animals
hearing problems
foster care
“Today in History”
all-terrain vehicle safety and
child abuse

among others.

Thank you for making these repeating mini-programs possible.

WILLFULLY: Please consider adding missions like KNOM to your will. We prayerfully place all bequests into funds that are used only for major improvements and to keep the mission alive through emergencies.

INSPIRATIONAL SPOT: Even with Faith, we can have problems. Triumph is right over the hill from tragedy. We have Someone Who loves us just the way we are, as we climb the hill to triumph.

INSPIRATIONAL SPOT: Lord, guide my steps in ways of grace, that they may ever be in harmony with the music to which You have set this world.

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LONELY SENTINEL: (left) It’s an interesting thought that an installation at such a lonely and sometimes forbidding spot brings comfort and companionship to thousands of people.

Three miles down the coast from Nome, the KNOM-AM transmitter site still had plenty of snow as May began.

(By mid-May, the tundra was beginning to emerge near the ocean, though a few miles inland, the wilderness remained snowy.)

Built in October 1970, the sturdy tower is rated to withstand 150 MPH winds.

“I’ve been out there in whiteout blizzards when it was probably blowing 120,” Tom Busch remembers with a shiver.

Beside the tower is the transmitter shed, and a generator shed is at left.

30 YEARS AGO: In June 1977, Father Paul Macke, SJ is in Nome to help the radio station during the summer.

Two years later, he returns as temporary executive director, and later is assigned as pastor to St. Joseph’s parish.

(Left) Father Macke visits KNOM Studio B in 1997.

THE GOSPEL: When Father John Hinsvark was pastor of Nome’s parish, Lynette Schmidt recorded him reading every week’s Gospel for all three years of the Church’s cycle. Several times a day on KNOM, you’ll hear the upcoming week’s Gospel, as an inspirational spot.

(Left) Father Hinsvark begins recording the series in Studio C in 2002.

17,000: That about how many inspirational spots KNOM has broadcast since January first, as well as the same number of educational ones, thanks to you.

We do need your continued help and your prayers, more than we can express. Every day, we pray for you, your intentions and everyone you love. Thank you so very much. God bless you!