WCAP 55th Birthday Party Report

[Bill O'Neill]

Mark Watson wrote:
>  Last night (Saturday June 10th) the WCAP (980 Lowell) 55th Birthday 
> Party was held. It was a fun, memorable, and emotional evening. Fun as 
> it brought together many WCAP alumni from as far back as the mid 50's 
> to as recent as the late 90's,
What Mark didn't mention is how he was the glue that bound the event 
together! Low-tech won-out last night with a steno-pad and pen being 
passed back and forth between Mark and me on the fly as new guest would 
arrive or chatter points on people who were in the wings. Gary Francis' 
efforts were monumental. From conceiving the idea of the broadcast, 
arranging for dignitaries, presentations,  right down to gathering, 
preparing and decorating the walls of the Gary's Ice Cream restaurant 
location with dozens of WCAP memorabilia. 

After over ten years on this list, I was thrilled to finally meet Donna 
Halper in person. Donna's presentation was wonderful and her perspective 
on local radio set a great tone early on in the broadcast.

Scott Fybush and I caught up on old times, too. As I write this, Scott 
is likely preparing to join Maurice Cohen at the WCAP transmitter 
site/tower farm. I regret that I can't join them due to a family 
commitment.  But methinks my presence there could turn the visit into a 
two day long excursion. 

My former boss and guy who gave me my first break into commercial radio, 
Joe Corcoran, was at the broadcast and it was great to catch up on old 
times and pick up where we left off as if it were yesterday. True with 
old buddy Bill Smith, as well, who was still able to recite, verbatim, a 
radio spot for the now former Mercier's Brothers Car and Van Wash, all 
in the stylings of former WCAP morning guy, and later WKOX broadcaster, 
John Tucker. 

If my memory and notes are right, packed into four hours, we were 
fortunate to be joined on mic by: Scott Fybush, Donna Halper, Mark 
Watson, Joe Corcoran, Dave Faneuf, Mary Blake, Bill Smith, Susan 
Czepiel, Julie Stinneford (Sider), Doug Barker, Mark Adams, Joe Abrams, 
Don & Anita Hill, Fred Faust, Dan Gillette, Ray Tremblay,  Dan Boure, 
Casey Crane,  Barry Pretzel, Pat McCarthy along with WCAP PD Ryan 
Johnston (voice of Spinners and Lock Monsters), Regina Fatacanti, George 
Anthes, John McDonough and Linda Bown.

Bill O'Neill