Valley Free Radio | WXOJ-LP | 103.3 FM | Northampton, Massachusetts

Steve Curylo, Linda R. Kennedy, Eddie Kennedy, Bob Gardner, Tony Shannon, Matt Dineen, Katherine Reason, Rene Andersen 

Steve Curylo

1985 graduated Conn. School of Broadcasting, Farmington CT -
FCC licensed

1985 WDRC Hartford – morning news anchor during Hurricane Gloria

1985 WMMW Meriden – Sunday morning DJ

1986-89 WCNX Middletown – morning news anchor/voiceover talent

1990-1994 WCAT Athol – morning news anchor/voiceover talent

1995-2007 WFCR Amherst – classical program host/opera host

August 2007-present – WXOJ Northampton – host of Evening Classics

Thanks for your consideration as I hope to become a VFR Board Member.
Steve

Eddie Kennedy – Bio

My name is Eddie Kennedy.  I present ‘Match of the Day the USA Way’ every Wednesday between 4pm and 5pm and co-host ‘The Nightclub Featuring The Late English Breakfast’ with my wife Linda every Sunday between 6pm and 8pm

I emigrated to this country in November 2006 to marry Linda.  We live in a wonderful home in North Hatfield with our three cats, L.D. (Larry David), Jerry and Daisy.  I currently work full-time as a Teaching Assistant at RKF Ryan Road Elementary School in Northampton.

I have been involved with Valley Free Radio since January of 2007.  I am currently the Liaison for the Music Collective.  I have held the position since the early part of this year.

For me, Valley Free Radio is a wonderful thing to be part of.  It has helped me realize a boyhood dream.  This station truly can be a valuable assist to the community as a whole.

When I was unable to work, being part of Valley Free Radio gave me a sense of purpose.  I treated the shows I was involved with (and still do for that matter) with a sense of professionalism.  I strived for them to be educational, entertaining and fun.  Linda and I hold these values very dear to our hearts.  We know the programs we put out show that Valley Free Radio can not only offer a voice for the “underrepresented”, but also can compete with every other station in the area.

If elected to the Board of Directors, I will attempt to bring a degree of professionalism to the organization.  I will try to make a potentially wonderful radio station one of the most valuable assets the Pioneer Valley has.

Linda R. Kennedy – Bio

I am a life-long resident of the Valley, having been born and raised in Northampton, and attended local schools.  My husband, Eddie Kennedy and I presently live in North Hatfield with our three cats, L.D., Jerry and Daisy. 

I was employed at the University of Massachusetts for almost 34 years working my way up through the support staff system to a member of the professional staff as a Program Administrator for the final five years there. I took early retirement in 2003.  I am presently working part time as the Office Manager at the Easthampton Congregational Church.

I have two grown daughters, Jennifer ‘Jenursa’ Adamites (who you may have heard as a guest on ‘The Music of Flywheel’ or on ‘Kibbles and Beats’); and Jessica ‘Fafnir’ Adamites, a local artist. 

For almost two years now, Eddie and I have presented a show at VFR called The Nightclub Featuring The Late English Breakfast on Sunday evenings from 6-8pm.  We love doing the show, sharing our music with listeners, doing research for the show, hopefully educating folks a bit about the tunes and just plain entertaining. 

I have attempted to be an active volunteer for VFR creating the Program Schedule Board in the VFR Studio entrance, handing out flyers, participating in the ‘cleaning crew’, and attending general membership and program committee meetings.

I am willing to offer whatever talents I have, my enthusiasm and positive vision for the progressive future of VFR if elected to the Board of Directors.

BIO

BOB GARDNER

24 PINE STREET

FLORENCE, MA 01062

Personal Information: Long term resident of the Northampton/Amherst area: 18 years at residence in Florence; parent of two daughters.  Long time soccer dad & coach—thus

MassSoccer@yahoo.   Member of original steering committee of station, before we had our first board, and was elected to the first two boards of directors.  Known by co-workers and family as the obligatory flaming radical, and occasional comic.  Rumors put be at assorted peace vigils in the valley thru the years.

Occupation: currently working as a public accountant. 

Relevant experiences: worked in many capacities at CommonWealth Printing Company, an employee owned and operated cooperative based in Hadley Mass (now defunct).  As a founding member, I  participated in writing and wrangling over coop bylaws and business structure.  Similar to Valley Free Radio, the print coop structured itself as consensus seeking, with a Board of Directors, responsible to a general membership.  For two years I served as office manager; at other times I sat on the Board of Directors.   My personal interest in a cooperative printing press stemmed from a desire to promote access to alternative thought and free speech, honed in part as editor of a radical rag out of Amherst called Outfront (in the mid 70’s). 

Western Mass Community Board, Haymarket Foundation: served as chairperson for the Western Mass.Haymarket Board for its first two years [Haymarket no longer has a Western Mass board].  Haymarket funds groups engaged in fundamental social change, especially those programs focused on the needs and concerns of the poor and dispossessed. 

Other consensus organizational experiences: Clamshell Alliance, Coalition for Direct Action at Seabrook (both anti nuke power organizations), and the Northampton Food Coop [earlier incarnation]

 Latin American Solidarity Organizations: was an active member in numerous support groups for freedom & liberation movements in Central & South America.  Was active in establishing the Northampton Committee on Central America in the 1980’s.  I worked as an organizer/coordinator for the Nicaragua Exchange, a group focused on sending Americans to Nicaragua to work on cotton farms and coffee plantations after the Sandinista Revolution in 1979.  Worked on a cotton farm myself in 1984.  We sent hundreds of “brigadistas” to Nicaragua throughout the years, exposing our citizens here to another culture/another reality. 

I returned to the University of Massachusetts in 1997, and received an accounting degree in 2001; have worked since in the accounting field in the areas of general accounting, audit, and bookkeeping. 

Tony Shannon

I have recently served tirelessly on the VFR Board of Directors.

I eat, breathe and….breathe some more VFR, basically every waking day and night.

If I’m elected,

Every man, women and child shall be sporting a VFR t-shirt.

You’ll ask local folks, “How do you get your news and entertainment?”, they’ll respond, “I tune into 103.3 FM!”

I’m always updating the VFR Myspace website. Utilizing the over 700 friends VFR has.

Having a VFR Spotlight Program of the month seems popular.

Letting our VFR MySpace friends know instantly about upcoming events.

If they don’t have have a picture that represents their show, I’ll make one for them.

I had a role in the formation of the Programming Committee and the up to date VFR online schedule.

I put together the pretty up to date VFR member contact list for the Programming Committee.

Regularly update the Program Logs and syndicated checklist.

I’ve had more then my share of fundraising for VFR.

I had a hand in the successful, emergency mailing last year.

Another big hand in the on-air fundrive last and this year.

Create and update the really cool VFR handout fliers.

Try to be the VFR graphics artist when having big events.

I like making PSA’s last minute for people ;)

Always willing to help other programmers any way I can.

Whatever it takes.

My reward is but to see a truly amazing idea, VFR, succeed and grow.

Matt Dineen

Matt Dineen is the host of “Passions and Survival,” a weekly program exploring the collective dilemma of following our passions while surviving in a capitalist society. Matt has served on the VFR Board for the past two years and seeks to serve another term to contribute to the station’s sustainability and success. He has spent the past two years on the Fundraising Committee helping to organize benefits, on air fund drives and has coordinated the establishment of underwriting by local cooperative businesses. Matt believes that independent media organizations like VFR are an essential component of movements for progressive and radical social change.

Oh, would like to continue as the Treasurer of VFR.

RENE ANDERSEN BIO:

Robert Gardner asked me to write a bio to support my nomination for
the Valley Free Radio board. Hmm…a biography of my life as a mother
and grandmother? An advocate for adult survivors of abuse? A woman who
weeps at night in rage at the injustice of the world then awakes to
take action?

Facts:
Born April 10, 1946
Brooklyn, New York
Greek was my first language until I was five. Now I can barely put
together a sentence (in Greek).
Received a master’s degree from Antioch University in counseling and
management.

Relevant Experience:
I have lived in Northampton since 1977. My daughter went through the
public schools. I have served on a variety of committees and boards,
the most notable of which was Neccesities/Neccidades. I was part of
the founding discussions then went on to serve on the first board. It
was a learning experience for all.

I was a member of the Blue Mussels, an affinity group formed as part
of the Clamshell Alliance, to counter the madness of nuclear
proliferation.
When I was 18, I participated in the first demonstration against the
Vietnam War.

I am a passionate advocate for adult survivors of abuse. I do not
believe that the answer is traditional services but rather peer
support, community participation, and valued societal roles.

I believe that community and connection, action and reflection are the
basis of social change.

If elected:
I will work hard. I am a committed worker from helping to draft press
releases to organizing fundraising activities.
I will promote the good work of VFR in many venues. I have a wide
circle of friends and colleagues who have a variety of skills and
talents that can support VFR activities.
I can’t guarantee a chicken in every pot but I am a damn good cook.

Tags: Board of Directors, Latest Station News, vfr

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