.png)
The 812's Kenzie Ogden sits down with the station
Story written by The 812’s Kenzie Ogden and originally appeared in the June edition of The 812 Magazine:
(GREENSBURG, Ind.) - From hosting a young David Letterman and showcasing grand champion 4-H exhibitors to covering high school basketball and dealing with tornadoes and snowstorms, WTRE has served as a backbone of support to the Greensburg community for over 60 years.
A Brief History
WTRE first went on-air in 1962 as an FM channel. The AM side was later added in 1968.
The 107.3 FM station split off in 1983 and relocated to Columbus, Indiana, becoming a regional station known as WRZQ.
The standing station was purchased in 2010. Soon after, the owners also acquired 104.3 FM.
Today, WTRE remains as a country music radio station as 1330 AM.
Building the Team
While the WTRE staff has shifted slightly over time, many of the same people have left and returned to the station.
The team of eight each bring a unique skill set to the group that helps bring ideas to life.
“Every event that we do, it literally takes all of us,” said Billie Jo Banks. “It takes everyone to do some piece of it. It has to be executed right.”
The staff expressed their appreciation for one another and how they each individually contribute.
“Everybody here kind of compliments the other person in trying to put the pieces together and make it work,” Kathy Verseman said.
A Bridge for Community
Every summer, the radio station plays a vital role during the Decatur County 4-H Fair.
Beginning in 2020, WTRE started live broadcasting livestock shows. While the livestreams began as a way for people to watch the shows from home during Covid-19, the live broadcasts continue to allow loved ones to watch from afar.
Schofield recalls an encounter that she said still sticks with her years later.
“There was a guy that was an uncle of a girl who won grand champion rabbit and they came up earlier in the day and were like, ‘what do you guys do?’” Schofield said. “The show ended. The guy came back over and told them that they were really, really excited because his brother got to watch his daughter win grand champion rabbit… he was over in Afghanistan.”
Along with 4-H shows, WTRE has broadcasted high school sports. Much like the fair, loved ones can also tune in to sporting events.
WTRE also shows up for the community through various parades throughout the year as well as appearances at various fall festivals.
The staff prioritizes recognizing veterans through a Memorial Day service at South Park Cemetery and Veteran’s Day program. As part of Military Appreciation Month, the staff also asks people to submit names of veterans to be recognized.
A Need For Radio Over Time
While the need for radio has shifted over time, the staff offers examples of when locals relied on live radio coverage as opposed to turning to other sources for news.
“I find that it’s still very vital that you have the local stuff because what’s happening here is here and we can report that versus a broad spectrum,” Emily Verseman said.
From snowstorms, tornadoes and floods, WTRE’s Morgan Schofield said that local radio is important when managing the aftershock of extreme weather.
“Last year, the businesses downtown had no idea what to do with the amount of snow that they had,” said Schofield. “We had the mayor and the street department... being able to know what to do after the fact… I think that helps a lot.”
When a tornado touched down in Greensburg in May 2011, the WTRE staff were able to provide enough power through radio waves for a woman in need of oxygen.
“We were here and power was out everywhere. So we had a generator system but she needed electricity. She needed help because she was on oxygen,” Emily Verseman said. “Oddly enough, through radio on the air, we were able to get that for her.”
The staff also addresses their adaptability when changing with technological advancements.
“I think radio could easily die if you do not… consider what radio is now and that includes things like live streaming,” Schofield said. “While it may seem that you’re just streaming on YouTube, we're using audio on the radio. We’re using clips from it.”
Incorporating live streaming and seeking new ways to cater to the community has helped provide new opportunities for the station.
“As long as you evolve with radio, radio will not die,” Banks said.
A Stepping Stone for the Big Names
American television host and comedian David Letterman gained radio experience at WTRE early on in his career.
In the mid ‘90s, Letterman’s mother, Dorothy, released a cookbook, “Home Cookin’ with Dave’s Mom.” She visited Walmart for a book signing, courtesy of the New Point Kiwanis. At this event, WTRE had a chance to interview Letterman’s mother.
WTRE’s Sandy Biddinger said that the interview led to a story about David’s father driving him to Chicago to get an FCC license in order to go on the air in Greensburg.
Biddinger accredits her colleague Kathy Verseman for some of the other household names that the station has interviewed. Some of the interviewees include CBS’s Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes, singer-songwriter Carole King, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Annually, the station also hosts a women’s luncheon. This gathering has brought in comedian Heather Land in the past.
A Thank You to the Listeners
For 20 years, WTRE has been putting on their Attitude shirt campaign.
Emily Verseman’s idea turned into a growing tradition at the fair.
“I just said listen, let’s do these ugly shirts, and it’ll say ‘attitude,’ and that’s what we’re looking for,” Emily Verseman said.
During one of the final nights of the fair, the station invites people to come wear any attitude shirt for a chance to win a prize.
As the staff sought ways to recognize some of their older listeners, Emily Verseman said that there are parts of the t-shirt designs that honor loyal listeners who have passed.
One year, a t-shirt design featured a fishing pole. On the reel, the initials of two late listeners were displayed.
Last year’s t-shirt was a hippie theme with a dedicated listener’s name on the license plate of a Volkswagen Bug.
“We’ve seen changes over the years… we’ve lost some wonderful people throughout the years, but besides our community, we’ve got to give credit to the good Lord and to the people here that have stood by us and supported us along the way,” Kathy Verseman said.
Looking Ahead
The WTRE crew continues to prepare for the 2024 Decatur County 4-H fair, which will be held July 11-17.
Livestreams of the livestock shows will be available on WTRE’s YouTube channel with links and updates available on the station’s website.
“We love radio. We love being on the air.” Emily Verseman said. “So we just keep evolving and hope that people continue to evolve with us.”
