Phoenix Community Radio adds Veterans Corner to programming

By PHYLLIS HODGES

When Ruskin’s low-frequency radio station, WPHX 101.9 FM, began operating four years ago, Sandy Council, advisory committee chairwoman, said “We really want to get the word out that we want local shows and would love to have people come forward.”

On Veterans Corner, Bill Hodges (L) interviews guests with information beneficial to veterans, their families and caregivers. Here he is shown talking with James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Executive Director Joe Battle about the new South Hillsborough (SOHI) clinic in Riverview.
PHYLLIS HODGES PHOTO

And they have. The latest to be added to the program schedule is a popular local show — Veterans Corner —also heard on Sun Radio, Sun City Center (WSCQ 96.3 FM) and New Beginning Radio, Wimauma (WKOT 102.1 FM).

Beginning August 5, Veterans Corner, hosted by Sun City Center resident Bill Hodges, will be aired by Phoenix Community Radio on Mondays and Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. In the 18 months since it began, Hodges has interviewed guests representing military organizations — federal, state and local — and others who bring important information benefiting veterans, their families and caregivers. A guest schedule for the 15-minute program is usually published in The Observer News’ first issue of the month.

Dave McElroy, WPHX program director and an Air Force veteran, said that the station takes every opportunity to salute the military. In fact, periodically over the past four years, the station has had special “Salute to the Military” programs.

“We are delighted to have Veterans Corner and to have Bill with his wealth of experience to help us reach more veterans with information they need,” McElroy said. Council reiterated that philosophy and added that she is proud of the collaboration being demonstrated by South Shore’s radio stations on behalf of veterans.

Phoenix Community Radio is a nonprofit, listener-supported radio station that is a project of the Firehouse Cultural Center, a hub for community activities in Ruskin. Programming includes a variety of arts, music, education and information programming that connects people to each other, to ideas, to experiences and to resources. The station broadcasts performances, workshops, visiting artists, music and special events scheduled at the Firehouse Cultural Center, as well as a variety of programming that engages, informs, educates and inspires listeners. The broadcast area is approximately a 15-mile radius of the cultural center.

For more information about the station and volunteer opportunities, call 813-645-7651 or visit the website at www.wphx1019.org.