GREAT BARRINGTON - Volunteers at WBCR-LP, the low-power FM radio station headquartered on Main Street, say their ongoing fund drive is the most critical one yet in the station's three-year history.
The community radio station's semiannual fund drive began Oct. 22 and continues through Oct. 28.
The more than 100 on-air programmers, in addition to volunteers who help keep the station running behind the scenes, are counting on this fund drive to generate the needed capital for WBCR-LP's anticipated move from its current studio beneath the Pink Cloud Gallery to the Granary Building on Rosseter Street.
They also seek to raise the funds required to file for and receive a full-power FM license from the Federal Communications Commission, a move, which if successful, would give Berkshire County its only full-power FM station and increase the listenership of Berkshire Community Radio by thousands.
The station broadcasts on 97.7FM and can also be accessed through a live stream on the World Wide Web at www.berkshireradio.org.
WBCR-LP has come to terms with landlord Joan Ackerman and is already paying rent on the Rosseter Street space but requires a successful fund drive to pay for the costs involved in renovating the space and moving the entire broadcasting facility. The new studio will be larger, finally giving the station room to house its substantial music library, meeting space to conduct its business on-site, and handicapped accessibility.
"We want to let people know that that this is a very critical time for this station. We're doing things we've never done before," said Serene Mastrianni, co-chair,am with Laura Checkow of the fund drive and also co-host of the award-winning WBCR-LP discussion program "Radio 2 Women."
"We really want to highlight the critical fact that this is a do-or-die kind of fund drive. There's a sense of urgency around it," she continued.
Another benefit of the new studio space would be the ability to use the Mixed Company theater upstairs for broadcast events.
"We're hoping it'll be like cultural center and attraction for people in Berkshire County and especially South County," Mastrianni said.
The FCC's upcoming move to make additional FM frequencies available for full-power broadcasts is typically a once-in-a-generation opportunity and may not be repeated again in the foreseeable future.
WBCR-LP must spend thousands of dollars up front to apply for a license and, in anticipation of a successful application, is also starting to raise money to upgrade to full power, including acquiring and mounting a new antennae for the radio broadcast, during a set amount of time or else lose the opportunity.
The goal is $21,000, the highest yet for a WBCR-LP fund drive. The most recent drive in March surpassed its goal of $14,000 by raising $18,000 in donations from the community.
"We're going to be really encouraging people to come down to the station," Mastrianni said. "One of the fun things we're doing is if you want to contribute and be part of the program you can come to the station and be part of the action. We're really trying to bring the community into the fund drive and give them the opportunity to go on the air live."
WBCR-LP is the only fully community-supported radio station in the region. One hundred percent of its operating funds come from community donations, with the bulk raised by two fund drives annually and additional income arising from benefit events and concerts as well as the sale of WBCR-LP merchandise, including "WBCR Live Volume 1," a CD compilation of songs recorded live. Listeners who donate $35 during the drive will receive a copy of the CD. WBCR-LP is seeking community organizations that would like to offer "incentive grants" that kick in if and when the station raises its goal of $3,000 on a given day.
Each of the station's previous fund drives have met or exceeded their targets, Mastrianni said.
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.
Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settled neighborhood.
The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries.
"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m.
The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation.
Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call.
"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said.
Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze.
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