WTSR memories
I was prompted to do some creative writing following my recent reading of the September 2011 issue of TCNJ Magazine. The result is a poem about the College radio station, WTSR. One may think of this poem as my “creative echo” of the early days.
Sue Glassey ’82
Radio Days
by Sue Glassey ’82
Beastie Boys. Frampton. Of course,
solid gold Joe’s got Motown pizazz.
Then Silverstein says, “We have
college radio like nobody has!”
Waves, they air from the basement,
91 dot 3. “Listening live to WTSR.”
There’s power in FM. Do you know
of Caiola or legendary Mark DiDia?
In my office now, there’s a free bird,
he played guitar backup to Skynyrd.
You got that right! Sweet home girl,
working with a real-rock lizard.
Still livin’ those radio days!
Now and then, I’m asked, “How did
you ever get to sound so smooth?”
The truth speaks: “Well, in college,
I did some reading of the news.”
Voice-overs, the phones, back end.
If lucky—maybe a music time slot.
Radiothon, all-talk, live sports, or a
news actual. Go, and give it a shot!
Back to Kendall, nothing’s changed.
Studio letters said at top of the hour.
But for us pioneers, back then, we
called it from the bottom of Brower.
And ‘wired’ to those radio waves!
Goes digital now. Opens your mind.
Linkedin. I’m fine with it—it’s best.
Facebook is friend. But, tell me,
Where did they put the vinyl to rest?
In case you have any doubt, about
the power behind our college FM,
post this announcement on the FCC
tower—but, not as a final amen.
Today, my script goes like this:
YouTube, and messaging on-point,
.DOC files, and meetings that run
as live broadcasts all over the joint!
The first “dot”—you know it, WTSR.
Flash in the pan to this digital age.
Yet—somewhere—still, you’re ON,
floating for a moment, in radio days!
Sue is a communications editor for a state agency in Florida. Her “radio days” at WSTR were from 1978–82. She’s getting a greater appreciation of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Fall leaf cleanup
The letters below were received in response to the September issue’s Looking back photo. Click here to view it.
Ed’s note: We incorrectly listed Bill Woodson as being part of the Class of 1964 in the print edition of the magazine. Mr. Woodson was a member of the Class of 1965.
I do not recognize the two people in the center part of the photo, but I most assuredly can identify the four guys with the rakes. They are my classmates and Theta Nu Sigma fraternity brothers (from left to right): Bill Woodson ’65, John Hinds ’65, Jim Hooper ’65, and Ron Schuster ’65. Thanks for the memories.
Tom Miller ’65
I was the photographer for the 1964 Seal. I took this picture during the fall cleanup. The male students in the photograph were all members of Theta Nu Sigma fraternity and are: (L to R) Bill Woodson, John Hinds, Jim Hooper and Ron Schuster. Unfortunately, I don’t know who the female students are.
Robert Forte ’65
I just got the latest magazine from you and I was delighted to see the Theta Nu Brothers who were involved with the fall leaf cleanup. They are from left to right Bill Woodson ’65, John Hinds ’65, Jim Hooper ’65, and Ron Schuster ’65. Every fall, the students would gather to help clean up the great leaf fall we had. I think it was sponsored by the Greek societies. Thanks for the memory.
Joe Calamoneri ’66, MA ’74
The men in the picture were all brothers in Theta Nu Sigma fraternity (Ecce, guys). They are (left to right): Bill Woodson (great jazz bass player as I recall), John Hinds, Jim Hooper, and Ron Schuster.
John Nicol ’67
The girl in the leaves is me, Rosie Hymerling, member of the Board of Trustees. How’s that for a Trustee? Appearing in a photo taken at the new Education Building two pages later in the Alumni publication, you’ll note quite a contrast.
Rosie (Rosen) Hymerling ’67
Left to right :Bill Woodson ’65, John Hinds ’65, Jim Hooper ’65, Barrie Riddle ’67, Rosie Rosen ’67, don’t recognize last person on the right. Picture looks like it was taken near the Alumni Meditation Chapel across from the student union. May be Green Hall in the background.
Maureen (Kennedy) Rusnak ’67
Remembering the “heyday” of jazz on campus
I was fortunate enough to have been at TSC during the “heyday” of the jazz on campus. Most semesters, we had the jazz band play every other week on Monday or Tuesday nights, and in between, Tony DeNicola would bring in professional artists from New York, or other places, including Sal Nistico, Jay Corree, Kenny DaVerne, and even Charlie Ventura. The U.S. Navy Jazz Quartet, from Washington, DC, came in once and had a few of us thinking about enlisting. Also, at Tony’s urging, a few of us formed the TSC Jazz Quintet—a student-run group that featured Mick Rossi (now with Phillip Glass, Paul Simon, and others), Audrey Puzyr, Marie DiPasquale, Jim McDonough, and myself. We played in the Rat about four to five times each semester, and at other places around Trenton. That was a great learning experience for most of us, except Mick who was about a million miles beyond any of us!
The Jazz nights were great for the music students of the time, giving us a chance to actually play in a fun environment. Of course, the lower drinking age did make for larger crowds, as well as tough 8 a.m. classes the follow day, but it was well worth it.
Neil Boumpani ’78, MA ’8