A Remembrance: Marshall Miles

The sad loss of Marshall Miles on June 24 is one that has been strongly felt across the entire Tri-State region. He was an icon in regional media, and worked hard at multiple stations over many years to have local radio be the best it could be here. His voice was so familiar and welcoming to his listeners that he could easily have been considered a family member or a good friend, whether they knew him personally or not.

After Marshall founded Robin Hood Radio in Sharon with Jill Goodman, he approached me and Cynthia Hochswender, then executive editor of The Lakeville Journal, to do a radio show with him weekly. We spent many Thursday mornings with Jill and Marshall in conversation about the news of the Northwest Corner and its surrounding towns as reported in the Journal and The Millerton News. Marshall made it very much a friendly gathering, so there was never any need to be anxious about going on the radio. Many interviewees had that experience of his professional, supportive approach to getting the word out to his listeners.

A number of years ago, when Marshall and Jill often attended area events to broadcast live and draw people out to join them, we were all in attendance at a Big Rig fundraiser for Housatonic Child Care Center in Salisbury. I was working it as a center board member and was taking some photos for the Journal. The day was interrupted by thunderous rainstorms, which definitely kept the crowds at bay, yet he and Jill stuck it out as long as any of us, in the rain under an umbrella. Only lightning and thunder got him to pack up.

That spoke of his commitment to being there for all facets of the communities he served. Who can forget the many times he stayed on the air through bad storms and power outages, keeping us connected? He gave his all through some very challenging times, right up until the end of his life.

Profound thanks to Marshall for his love of this part of the world, where he had deep roots and such a large effect on its community life. His legacy will remain strong for years to come.

Janet Manko

Former Lakeville Journal publisher and editor-in-chief

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