#31 - WFPC 2025 Recap

Thanks for joining us in 2025 for WFPC podcasting where we explored the people, information and news right here in Pike County!

I've been blessed with three careers. It started out with broadcasting, transitioned into politics, which transitioned into properties and real estate. They've all kind of worked in harmony together with one leading to the other.

Broadcasting has changed over the years but at the heart of it was communicating with people. And what brought me to Pike County in 1988 was WFPC Radio. The great thing about that was connecting with the people specifically, the people of Pike County and in this area of rural Indiana. As the medium has changed, a new technology has been introduced. Which is very similar to what we did back in the day and that is podcasting. Another blessing has been getting to meet Dylan Query and pitching him the idea which is very similar to what WFPC radio was and that is focusing on and connecting with the people right here. The newsmakers, the one with information about the community and the history and future through its people. So welcome to WFPC podcasting!

A special thanks to Denise my wife for accepting all these projects, my daughters Jayla and Jenna for being a sounding board as well. Friends, our guests, and Angela in the office helping to keep things going in the right direction. Thanks to our sponsors, specifically Kyle Hathaway. Maybe as we grow your business can be a part of sharing in this venture as well. Also a big thanks to you for watching and collaborating. And thanks to God for letting it all happen.

Segment 1

We started this out on May 28 and although it was a bit of a learning curve in that first month, we had some great guests sharing and exploring this story which included Clint Swisher, a photographer from Texas who has taken some old coal mine ground that was turned into a Boy Scout camp and is expanding it into a theme park in Cato, Indiana! We also visited with Steve and Beverly Knight who turned some acreage in Western Pike County into a premier garden spot for the midwest with the Azalea path. Jill Hyneman of the chamber of commerce continues to engage the community in working together to build an even better Pike county. Ashley Polen Willis tirelessly works on growth and economic development to be competitive with our neighbors and we started out with Randall Hedden a renowned artist who built the mural of one of our favorite sons Gil Hodges. In this clip he tells a story that as he was working on this mural in his art studio in Arizona, a friend brought another friend. Let’s watch….

Segment 2

In June, we spoke with Dr. Dunigan who turned 95 this year! He still dabbles at the office but he continues to grow and thrive after 65 years in dentistry right here in Pike County. Brooke Gobel spoke with us about the extension office and the Pike County fair. Sandy Macbeth a historian told us stuff that we didn't know about our history center and we also spoke with Tom Morrison, patriot, a retired teacher, who also talked With us on Veterans Day about his service during Vietnam.

Segment 3

During August, we got to visit with Tony Rothrock an incredible musician who has been making music right here since early childhood. Mayor RC Klipsch explained to us how the Buffalo trace festival, that continues to grow, started. Bob Price in his 90s continues to have an incredible attitude. Sheriff Jason Mckinney gave us an update on his departments and author Mitch Stinson spoke with us about a book highlighting Winslow, Indiana basketball.

Segment 4

For September, we met with two new principles in our School Corporation, Melissa Pancake at Petersburg elementary and David Couchenour at Pike Central. State Senator Daryl Schmitt gave us an update on the legislature, Chris Young explained Pike counties emergency management service from the early days and how it grew into what it is now.

Segment 5

As we got into the fall, Irma Capehart Burch shared memories of Jefferson Township going all the way back to the depression. Denny Weitkamp told us about many of the programs The Pike county veterans services can assist with for our veterans. We had a a great visit with Alene Grubb, who is 95 and thriving. Our Coroner, Nick Henson updated us on that department of county government and Dr. Fenol who has served this community for well over 40 years, talked about his faith and life of service with us.

Segment 6

In November, the guy behind the camera, Dylan Query came and sat in front of the microphone and talked about leaving the big city to start his film company right here at his childhood home in rural Indiana. Pike County Highway Garage Josh Byrd explained how with limited local resources his department continues to grow the 551 miles of roadway that they maintain. Tom Rudolph along with Tony Hinkle a couple of area farmers Explained the goal and purpose of regenerative farming and David Holmes shared with us his experiences of moving to Pike County in the early 1960s.

Segment 7

We rounded out the year with interviews, including Petersburg, assistant police chief Chad McClellan, who also moonlights at Pike Central high school teaching the next generation about criminal justice. Chaze Patrick shared with us what he does to honor those who serve and we visited with Andy Anderson, who has spent a lifetime teaching, coaching, mostly in Pike County while serving in the military

We hope that you have enjoyed this first season of WFPC podcasting and hope you stick around for the next one.

Continue to talk with your friends about WFPC. You may find these full podcasts on our website, Spotify, YouTube, Apple podcasts, and wherever you listen to your favorite media thanks again to our sponsors Hathaway excavating and rock yard, Harris, Real Estate, and Petersburg Car Wash. It's all local.

Join us next year for another season of WFPC podcasting, exploring the people, information and news right here in Pike County!