BRATTLEBORO — There is a reason why Vermont Public Radio will hold its annual listener appreciation picnic in Brattleboro this year.
According to VPR President and CEO Robin Turneau, the Sept. 29 event is designed to coincide with the official sign-on for WVBA-FM 88.9, a new VPR frequency that will serve southeast Vermont.
“We are so excited to be on the brink of serving Windham County with a full-power signal,” said Turneau. “And, by the end of October, our translator signal in Brattleboro will be moved from 94.5 to 94.3 FM, strengthened, and will broadcast VPR Classical.”
Turneau said that the 88.9 frequency should be in operation sometime this week, as engineers are busy with the last-minute details before sign-on.
Completing the improvements to VPR's service to southeast Vermont will be the opening of a new satellite studio in the Marlboro College Graduate Center on Vernon Street.
According to Turneau, the VPR Journalism Fund has awarded up to $25,000 to fund the capital costs to build a recording studio at the Grad Center.
“We have wanted to have a studio presence in Windham County for a long time,” said Turneau. “The primary function of the studio will be to record commentaries and host guests for Vermont Edition and for news and music interviews. In addition, it will be capable of connecting reporters to the Colchester studio through a high-speed uplink and recording capabilities.”
Turneau said Marlboro College will be recognized on-air for hosting the studio.
She said the first year of telecommunications costs for the studio, about $5,000, will be funded by the VPR Journalism Fund grant. After that, VPR's operating budget will cover the cost of the Brattleboro studio in addition to the monthly tower rent payments, electricity costs, and the cost of maintaining the transmission site for WVBA.
As for the picnic itself, Turneau said it will be run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Vermont Agricultural Business Education Center in Brattleboro.
“Our special guest is Lynne Rossetto Kasper of The Splendid Table,” said Turneau. “There will be lots of Vermont foods and live music and plenty of VPR staff who will be eager to meet our listeners. Admission is free and the picnic will go on, rain or shine.”
Food will be available for purchase on site. Parking will be available at the Brattleboro Union High School, and a free shuttle will transport guests to the site. Only handicap parking will be available on the picnic grounds. Visit www.vpr.net for more details.