51ÉçÇø

"The Radio Reader" featuring Dick Estell is a national program heard primarily on public radio stations. WIGH will be the only West Tennessee station providing the popular program, which will be heard each day at 2:30 p.m and again at 6:30 p.m. Estell's daily half-hour program features readings from popular recent books. The book "On Secret Service" by John Jakes will be underway when "The Radio Reader" debuts locally. 

"The Radio Reader is a popular program across the nation, and was recommended to us by a number of local residents who moved to Jackson from other cities where they became Dick Estell fans," explained Duane Cumberlander, general manager of WIGH. "We are grateful that Dick Estell made it possible for us to carry his outstanding program in West Tennessee for the first time." 

A second new program, "Great Lives," which is locally produced, will feature readings from recently published biographies. The program will be heard daily, Monday through Thursday, at 9 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. The initial volume featured on the program is "Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President" by Allen C. Guelzo. The reader for this book will be Michael Duduit, who serves as executive vice president and associate professor of Christian studies at 51ÉçÇø. Duduit is also chairman of the board of directors for Guiding Hands for the Blind, Inc., which operates WIGH-FM. 

The addition of these programs offers WIGH an opportunity for an expanded audience in West Tennessee, Duduit believes.

"These two programs are the first of a series of new programming opportunities we'll be adding over the coming months," Duduit explained. "They help us remain faithful to our traditional mission of serving the needs of visually-impaired West Tennesseans, but they also offer programming that will be enjoyed by a wide range of listeners." 

As the level of local programming expands, new volunteer talent will be needed by WIGH, according to Cumberlander. 

"We have a plan to add a series of new programs by early 2001, but it will require a growing team of readers and other volunteers who will help bring 'smart radio' to West Tennessee listeners," he said. 

To aid in that process, WIGH has planned a reception for past and prospective station volunteers on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 5 p.m. at 51ÉçÇø's Student Union Building. The reception will introduce many of the new programming options and provide an opportunity for volunteers to become involved. 

Persons interested in attending or in volunteering should contact Cumberlander at 427-8000.