COMMUNITY
RADIO
A hand
turns the radio dial with the precision of a pilot
aiming
to make a smooth and strategic landing.
While
eagle eyes are glued to the frequency numbers
of
their destination, eager fingers slip and miss their mark,
swerving
into the cacophonous air space of commercial broadcasting.
Bombarded
by canned music, subliminal advertising and
slanted
news stories, the flight is about to meet its end, when it is
saved
by a sudden flick of the wrist that lifts its wings and sends it
soaring
up and over to the next station. With the turbulence over,
there
is an immediate change in the atmosphere. A once plummeting
plane
is now spiraling upward to form figure eights, spinning, gliding
and
skywriting the words Thank You for the listener friendly
sounds
that are being transmitted. Floating on Cloud 9, feeling the
freedom
of expression beneath its wings,
it
puts on an air show of appreciation before slowly wafting its way down
to
make a perfect landing. As its wheels touch the ground and
absorb
the pulse of the planet, the new arrival races down the
runway
to join people from all walks of life
and all
parts of the world who are connected by Community Radio.
They
know how uplifting it is to fly the friendly skies
of
mind, body, spirit and emotions.
Passengers
arriving at the terminal are welcomed by a dedicated staff
whose
members work together as a team to broadcast this labor of love.
A
brand new set of luggage is handed to anyone
wanting
to leave their excess baggage behind.
Each
suitcase that opens contains something of interest for everyone,
complete
with panoramic windows and spacious room for every view.
It’s a
valuable valise that the daily traveler can carry and share
at
home with friends and family, in the carpool or rapid transit
and
then to school, the workspace and all the popular gathering places.
Turn
on and tune into public media that is of the people, by the people
and
for the people. A thirst for knowledge is quenched by gypsy scholars,
freelance
reporters and experts
in
every field imaginable, who refill silver chalices and commemorative coffee
cups.
These
are people committed to serving individual, societal and environmental well
being
in the
worldwide web of life. At one’s fingertips there is instant access to a
wealth
of information, inspiration, education and entertainment.
Enter
the open-minded portals to the present, past and future, where the listener is
transformed
from spectator to active participant, going on location with seasoned
news
commentators, music disc jockeys, talk show hosts and engaging guests.
You
don’t have to be rich to fly with Community Airlines.
Its
supporters help to keep it airborne through their valuable contributions of
time,
money,
energy and enthusiasm; in return they receive up to the minute coverage of
local,
national
and global news stories and cultural events, along with topics to suit every
taste
and
temperament. Here
is where conscientious journalism is still alive and well,
and the arts and sciences
cover all the continents from ancient to modern times.
In
this listener’s opinion, to support Community Radio is to support radio with a
soul.
© B.T.
Brunelle
