Tom Kutza in the WISL studio on his final day on the air
For those that lived in Shamokin from the 1960s through the 1990s it was impossible to thinnk that there would be a world where Tom Kutza would no longer be on the radio. However, that day came on May 22nd, 1998. After thirty-seven and a half years of being on WISL Tom Kutza said his final farewell to his WISL family.
WISL AM & FM Logos 1990s
So, Why would Tom Kutza leave WISL after so many years? Times were changing and WISL found itself in a tough position. Shamokin’s economy was not what it once was and owner Mick Haggerty was unable to provide the income and benefits that Kutza needed to continue in his role at the station. It was time to move on.
After leaving WISL, Tom would begin a new chapter in his life as the Tourism Director of Northumberland County. This new role would allow Tom to travel the county sharing the rich history of the area meeting face to face with the the community that he broadcast to for so many years.
For WISL, the post-Kutza years wouldn’t be as happy. After Kutza’s departure, WISL would continue on with a series of syndicated programs. By the fall of 2001, Mick Haggerty’s MJR Media would sell both WISL AM & FM to Clear Channel Communications for $800,000. WISL-AM would be taken dark shortly thereafter and WISL-FM would become WBLJ-FM as a simulcast of WBYL “Bill 95” in Williamsport.
Bill 95 Logo
This was not the end of the line for WISL. In 2010, WISL1480.com began broadcasting Tom once again found himself back on the radio, but this time, internet radio. Tom now enjoys his retirement, doing his weekly polka show, Letter’s To Santa, live broadcasts from the annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts and doing what he loves, connecting to people.
Tom Kutza at The Anthracite Heritage Festival Of The Arts
Now, lets go back to 1998 as Tom Kutza says his final goodbye on WISL.
AUDIO EXHIBIT
WISL (Shamokin) Tom Kutza Says Goodbye May 22nd, 1998
January of 1998 marked the 50th anniversary of WISL radio. By this time the station was owned by Charles “Mick” Haggerty and was suffering the effects of a faltering local economy. Within a couple of years Morning Man and WISL cornerstone Tom Kutza would leave the station and move on as Northumberland County Tourism Director and the stations (AM and FM) would be sold and the AM taken dark.
While tough times lay ahead, WISL was celebrating 50 years and looking ahead with high hopes. To mark the occasion, News-Item Staff Writer Mark Gilger put together a nice write up of the station for their January 16th issue. We feature this article in today’s post.
WISL Radio Marks 50 Years
BY MARK GILGER STAFF WRITER
SHAMOKIN – WISL Radio in Shamokin, which has delighted thousands of listeners through the years with its wide assortment of programming, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The 24-hour, seven-day-a-week station, which is co-owned by Mick and JoAnne Hagerty of Palmerton, is planning several promotions and live broadcasts from various locations during the up coming year. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty, who serve as officers for MJR Media Inc., purchased WISL Radio AM and FM stations on Sept. 4, 1997, after leasing both stations since May 1996. The AM station was purchased from Laurel Broadcasting while the FM station was bought from Northeast Broadcasting of Northumberland Inc.
Charles Petrie first station manager
WISL Radio was founded on Jan. 25, 1948, by Henry Lark at its current location at the corner of Rock and Sunbury streets, which is known as the Lark Building. The first station manager was Charles Petrie, Dick Owens succeeded Petrie as station manager. Other managers through the years have included Bernie “Saks” Friedman, Art Sherman and John Berry.
Tom Kutza, popular longtime radio personality, has worked at the station for 37 of the 50 years it has been in existence. The dedicated disc jockey has witnessed a lot of changes in radio through the years and has many fond memories of his radio work “We’ve carried it all through the years including basketball and football games, heart-a-thons, library Christmas tree projects, the Stanley Coveleskie monument project, numerous live remotes from different locations celebrating special events, live broadcasts in the studio using the old boom microphones, religious shows, news talk shows, sports talk shows with Bernie Romanoski Sr. and many other programs,” Kutza said. Kutza, who has interviewed hundreds of celebrities over the years, added, “My favorite program of all time has been the ‘Letters to Santa’ show. I really love that program.” Kutza, 55, whose name has be come synonymous with WISL Radio, started working at the station after graduating from high school. The “station historian” has many photographs and other keepsakes pertaining to the station. The disc jockey, who resides in Elysburg, said the biggest changes in radio today include more talk shows and updated equipment. “I love doing my talk show “ Kutza said. “That’s the highlight for me because I get to meet so many people. I love coming to work and I’m proud to be a part of this station and area. We have the most dedicated listeners in our community. I’m thrilled I’ve been able to work here so long and it’s really amazing for a small station like WISL Radio to be on the air for 50 years.”
Tom Kutza, seated, disc jockey at WISL Radio in Shamokin for 37 years, and station owner Mick Hagerty relax in the control room. WISL Radio is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. (News-Item photo by Mark Gilger)
Mick Hagerty had nothing but praise for the longtime radio personality. “Tom’s is an institution at WISL. When someone thinks of WISL, they immediately associate Tom’s name with the station. His show is a tradition and we plan on maintaining that tradition for as many years as we can.” Hagerty said plans are being made to have Kutza conduct his talk show from his home to make it more convenient for the radio personality, who has endured health problems in recent years.
Mick Hagerty said various promotions are being planned throughout the year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the station. He said remote broadcasts will be done from different places including the historical Victoria Theatre in downtown Shamokin. Memorabilia trinkets pertaining to the 50th anniversary will be made available during the next several months. The station owner commented, “We plan to upgrade our equipment and hire more sales people and disc jockeys. We want to in crease our power on both stations (1480 AM and 95.3 FM). We also are looking into setting up a booth at Knoebels Amusement Resort so we can do live remotes from the park”
Hagerty said the format for the FM station, which features “oldies” music, will remain the same while the programming on the AM station will be upgraded.
“WISL Radio Marks 50 Years” From The News Item January 16th 1998
It was St. Patrick’s Day 1997 and Tom Kutza’s talk program on WISL hosted a very special guest for the holiday. His name was Joseph Shilpetski but on St. Patrick’s Day he called himself Joseph John “The Polish Leprechaun” and he was live and very much in color in the WISL studios at Rock and Sunbury Streets in Shamokin.
According to a 1991 article in the Allentown Morning Call, Shilpetski was born in Centralia, PA and left the area in 1952 when the last of the mines closed. He ended up moving to Lancaster County looking for work, but Centralia remained very much a part of him.
In the article Shilpetski was quoted:
“There are no other people like the people that came from Centralia, they’ll not be matched, I’m proud of them and this occasion (a reunion of former Centralia residents) fills my heart with joy.”
In this rare, uncut interview we are very privileged to get a glimpse into what life was like in Centralia before the mine fire and the relocation. Shilpetski sings a couple of Irish favorites and has a great time talking with Tom and former WISL owner Mick Haggerty.
“I’d like to tell all my friends up on Paxton Street, that I wish they could be my neighbors once more.”
The highlight of this clip features Shilpetski singing a teary-eyed rendition of “Give My Regard To Broadway,” rewritten as “Give My Regards To Centralia,” full of first-hand memories from one of Centralia’s own.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day we present to you Joseph John “The Polish Leprechaun.
AUdio exhibit
Tom Kutza Interviews Joseph John “The Polish Leprechaun” March 17, 1997
