Lightning strikes WHDD, station gets community support

SHARON — It was one dark and stormy night Marshall Miles will never forget. In July, in the midst of a series of heavy thunderstorms, a lightning bolt hit the studio of WHDD-FM 91.9, which is located on 67 Main Street in Sharon, Conn.

Miles, who heads the nonprofit station’s parent organization, Tri-State Public Communications, with Jill Goodman, walked into the station to find approximately $23,000 worth of equipment destroyed.

Computers, a telephone system, broadcast equipment and satellite equipment were just some of the equipment that literally got fried.

“Lightning is an equal opportunity destroyer,� Miles said. “When I got to the station some of the equipment was literally smoking. I have been in radio since 1971, and I have never seen a lightning strike like this.�

Despite taking many precautions, Miles stressed that nothing could have been done to prevent the damage.

“When you get a direct strike, or a strike that close, there’s nothing you can to do to stop what’s going to happen,� he said. “Lightning rods at radio stations don’t work. You’d need the world’s biggest lightning rod.�

Fortunately, the station returned to the air a few hours afterward. However, all of the equipment destroyed had to be replaced. According to Miles, the station’s insurance policy would not cover the loss.

“We didn’t have insurance for an act of God, like lightning or floods,� he explained. “We do now, but it did not cross anyone’s mind [that we would need it].�

Miles reported that the station was back on the air in limited form within three hours; within 24 hours normal programming had been restored and the station was back to full power and completely fixed in 72 hours. But the cost of the new equipment has come out-of-pocket, and for a small station like WHDD it’s a big loss.

The station is now looking for donations to cover the cost for replacing the equipment. According to Miles, the station has already raised approximately $4,000 thanks to the donations of station listeners.

“If every person who listens to this station can send $10 to $20, we can cover the rest of this,� Miles said. “We need people who love National Public Radio and our local programming to step up to the plate.�

Several people have already taken it upon themselves to see that the community supports the station. WHDD personality “NASCAR Dave� MacMillan and organizer Pat Deneen have already scheduled a corn toss fundraiser, to be held at American Legion in Millerton.

“We want to put the call out to all the nonprofits that Marshall helps and everybody he promotes,� MacMillan said. “The one reason I decided to go with WHDD is their involvement with community affairs and events. He has a good mix of trying to support everybody. He also introduced me to radio. I just think it’s time the community stepped up to the plate.�

The $10 entrance fee will go directly to the radio station. Teams of two will be picked at random, and there will be more than enough boards to have many games going at one time. Hamburgers, sausage and pepper grinders and french fries will be sold, as well as alcohol from the Legion’s bar. A separate doubles tournament (four bags are thrown per hand, getting two in the same turn counts as a double) will be running simultaneously for an additional $2 per player.

The fundraiser will be held on Sept. 20 at Post 178 on Route 44 in Millerton. The event starts at noon; games will begin at 1 p.m. You can purchase tickets at the door or call MacMillan at 914-475-5918.

“It’ll be good for everybody,� Deneen said. “You don’t have to be a great athlete to play. This is just a thing where we thought we could help, since he’s helped out so many other people.�

Despite the loss of equipment, Miles remains hopeful that the community will come through to support the station.

“[The fundraisers] make us feel good,� Miles said. “We are totally listener supported, and whatever support the community gives us would be really appreciated.�

To send donations to WHDD-FM, which are tax deductible, write to: WHDD-FM, 67 Main Street, Sharon, CT, 06069. Make all payments out to the station’s parent company Tri-State Public Communications.