WHCP radio had an impressive turnout for its ribbon cutting ceremony on the evening of October 3 in Cambridge. They were celebrating the new location of their studio on Poplar Street, and a who’s who of local movers and shakers wanted to check it out.
Chatting people choked the sidewalk in front of the building, and others spilled out onto the street until someone had to start directing traffic. More visitors were inside the main room of the studio, where clocks along the walls playfully displayed different times for various local communities. Besides refreshments, there was a table with WHCP stickers and literature about the station.
WHCP, which airs at 91.7 FM, calls itself “the voice of the Mid-Shore,” where it is the only non-commercial community radio station for Dorchester and Talbot counties. It covers local news, marine weather, local businesses, and community events, and it offers an eclectic assortment of music. Eighty percent of its programs are produced by local volunteer experts. Importantly, WHCP now carries the National Public Radio programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Its music programs, news, and feature interviews stream to over 50 countries each day.
The 400-square-foot Broadcast Center provides high-quality multimedia facilities and office space with a newsroom and three state-of-the-art studios. The center supports digital live remote broadcasting, on-site video capture, and streaming. WHCP-FM is the only station with studios in both Cambridge and Easton, placing it in two county seats.
“This represents a real home for Mid-Shore Community radio,” News Director Jim Brady told the Spy. “WHCP isn’t renting anymore, and I think it’s fitting to have a more permanent place in Cambridge. It seems like yesterday–and was actually last spring–that we opened our Easton studio. This station is doing mighty things!”
The ribbon cutting was a little late getting started, but finally everyone crammed onto the sidewalk to hear a series of short speeches and comments. The speakers included County Commissioner Mike Detmer, City Council President Lajan Cephas, City Commissioners Jameson Harrington and Laurel Atkiss, former State Senator Addie Eckardt, and WHCP’s Mike Starling and Amanda Tilghman. One person suggested WHCP stands for “We Help Cambridge Prosper.”
“The outpouring of support with the community coming together was amazing,” Starling said later, “and especially gratifying for the dozens of contributors and volunteers who make WHCP 91.7 an important community resource.”
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