The Radio

Over the past week, I have realized that my Land Cruiser has a radio that does, in fact work.  While I will not admit to how I came to the conclusion that it didn't, I am glad that it does. Now, for most of the trip into Whitehorse, I have company and am able to catch up on news around town. (There are a few radio-less spots....)

So far, I have found three stations - CBC (well, I haven't found it, but I know it exists), a country station and CKRW The Rush, which might be described as playing classic rock plus many other things. Radio in Whitehorse is, truly, community radio, and for anyone who has travelled to PEI, what I am about to say may not be surprising. In addition to terrific coverage of local events, meetings, AGMs and conferences, Whitehorse radio plays many, many public service announcements - such as community meetings to discuss potential flooding and information on key community funerals/memorial services. The radio also has regular time slots set aside for bingo and for people to call in and advertise the stuff they have for sale. 

I think my favourite segment is the radio equivalent to heritage minutes. Throughout the day, the radio broadcasts several minute segments talking about important historic figures in Yukon history - be they former commissioners or hockey players that made the Canadian Olympic team (but didn't actually play a game until the post-Games European tour), each segment tells me something that I would probably never have learned. All in all, while the music may be pretty bad, I can't help but feel more engaged in the community.  Now, to learn how to actually PLAY bingo via radio!

p.s, as promised, here is a photo that proves there is a town, with buildings, called Whitehorse.