WDAY-Z Alumni & FORUM Friends


Our WDAY & Friends Luncheon on September 22, 2026, was attended by our largest crowd in several years. 14 of us old-timers were in attendance and we had a good visit. Becky, our server at the Fryn' Pan handled our group efficiently and it's always good to see her. And she's come to know us. This luncheon was billed at "The Last Round-up." We had gone from a monthly luncheon to two luncheons a year and this was going to be the last of these gatherings. But because of the strong and enthusiastic attendance on Sept. 22, I told the group I would try to put together a luncheon in either April or May, 2027. I will let you know via email when I put together the proposed date. 

It was especially good to see Barry and his mom, Eldora Dresser! It was Don Dresser who started these luncheons way, way back. This was Al Aamodt's first WDAY Alumni luncheon, and it was good to see him!  I brought along a binder of Mike Notes Reprise newsletters. I produced 31 issues of this publication just before and after I retired from the Blues in 2008. A number of attendees paged through these issues, and I reminded everyone that all of these newsletters are available here on this page, on this blog. Just scroll down and you'll see all the newsletters in PDF form (for viewing, downloading or printing). I gave WDAY-TV co-anchor Kerstin Kealy a DVD of these issues for the station's archive.

Al shot one of our two photos, the one looking vertically down the table, and Becky jumped on a chair and took the full shot of all of us. Those are inserted below. Thanks, Becky and Al!  

I promised I would maintain "the list" - which I just attempted to "clean." There were a good number of old email addresses that needed to come off. Having that list, I will send out any news that would be of interest to the group, like, sadly, deaths and funerals. Or anything that happens with the station, as well as other items that come to my attention from members of the group. So, as they say, "stay tuned." Keep in touch, stay healthy, and we'll plan to see you in the spring. - Larry Gauper 9-25-2026

BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:
Jack Zaleski, Jim Shaw, Terry Dullum (WDAZ), Larry Gauper, Scott Onstine, Al Aamodt, Barry Dresser, Eldora Dresser,
FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT
Dave Wee, Colburn Hvidston III, Jackie Hvidston, Diane Onstine, Jim Hetland, Marilyn Hetland


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John Erling, as you know, continues to produce and do the interviews in his web series called The Voices of Oklahoma. I've mentioned this from time to time. But recently, John himself was interviewed and he talks about his time in Fargo-Moorhead and, particularly, at WDAY Radio. He does a fine job on this "memoir in audio" and the entire Voices series. I highly recommend you check out his own interview at this link John Erling: Tulsa Radio Personality & Voices of Oklahoma Founder  


At the May luncheon in 2024 I captured photos of all of those in attendance. I placed these shots in a PDF and you can view or download by clicking here.

L-R around the table: Me, Scott Onstine, Terry Dullum, Eric Swee,Jack Zaleski, Jim Shaw, Lance Lee, Jim Hetland, Marilyn Hetland, Jackie Hvidston and, not pictured because he was taking the photograph was Colburn! He is pictured below in a shot I took myself when he and Jackie gave that wonderful presentation of stories behind some of his photos:

Colburn Hvidston III - Forum Photo Chief (retired)

As we go through the winter, I will attempt to send "the list" an update as to events, people, etc., and include a PDF of one of my Mike Notes Reprise newsletters, produced between 2008 and 2016. All issues of the Reprise newsletter as well as photographs, some audio recordings, and interviews can be found at this location on my blog at www.Wordchipper.com . To find this place on my blog, simply click on the TAB at the top of the page "WDAY-Z Alumni & Friends." Thanks for attending...keep in touch and adios amigos, at least for a while! 

Scroll down for older items from our archive: 

WDAY Radio's new studios on Fargo's west side along I-29 (north of the Flying J.) To view those photos of an absolutely modern-day radio studio, click here.


For Thomas Evanell's article on the 100th Anniversary of WDAY in a 2-page PDF, click here.   You can make type larger by click + button your keyboard or, on a PC, "Ctrl and the + sign." (Copyright 2022 Forum Communications, All Rights Reserved)


L-R (July20, 2021): Jim and Marilyn Hetland, yours truly, Cole Carley, Jack Zaleski, Lance Lee and his grandson, Eldora Dresser and Barry, Scott Onstine, Howard Campbell, and Jim Shaw.
Photo and item submitted by Larry Gauper 7-20-2021  - 


Click on some photos for larger images
Here's a photo of the April, 2017, attendees:



Well-attended reception in celebration of Howard Campbell's 90th Birthday on April 5, 2017, in the food court at West Acres Shopping Center. Watch Kevin Wallevand's outstanding video coverage of the celebration by clicking here.  It appears Howard had a fantastic day and everybody had a great time!

Sadly, our colleague and friend, BOB ARONSON, passed away during 2018. You can still hear a clip from WDAY's "Jay Thomas Show" which features an interview with Bob regarding the Florida hurricane was going on at the time, 10-6-2016. Bob was reached at his Florida home in Jacksonville. He reports on what was happening as he and his family prepared for the hurricane and he banters with his grand niece, Kerstin Kealy, co-news-anchor on WDAY-TV. To hear the audio file of that interesting appearance by Bob, click here


For those of you not on Facebook, where the following post and photos below appeared after the May luncheon, I'll re-post that info here along with three photos:

Our WDAY-Z Alumni & Friends luncheon was held on May 17, 2016, at the Fryn' Pan Restaurant and our gang welcomed a couple of new friends to our fold. In the third photo below, on the left is Colburn Hvidston III, the now retired photo chief at the The Forum; then Conrad Rose, retired WDAY-TV videographer and photographer (a luncheon regular), and, on the right, the subject of numerous photos by those two shutter bugs: retired Fargo Municipal Judge Tom Davies. What a dynamic trio! 


Colburn even contributed a door prize which was by former WDAY-TV newsman and KVRR-TV news director, Jim Shaw, shown in the first photo below (Jim currently writes a column for The Forum and appears on WDAY Radio Friday mornings at 11:00 AM with Sandy Buttweiler). The door prize was a pillow emblazoned with a photo from WDAY Radio's past: (L-R, front) Little Joe Samness, Harry Jennings (former Forum staffer) and in the back row: Warren "Dutchy" Gerrels, Don "Axel" Wardwell, Dorothy "Linda Lu" Fandich and Les "Esty" Estenson. A fun time was had by all. Come back soon, Colburn and Tom, and keep up your excellent record of attendance, Conrad!  (Click on each picture for a larger image).




MORE PHOTOS from today's luncheon will be in the next WDAY-Z Mike Notes Reprise newsletter...possible in the August, 2016 issue.

 Below is a photo showing some of the 21 attendees we had at our March 15, 2016 luncheon. More photos coming in the May, 2016, Mike Notes Reprise.



Below are two photos from our January luncheon, with 22 attendees! Great turnout. In Feburary, the Fryn' Pan moved us to a larger room that's worked out perfectly. Thanks to everyone who attended! Let's keep it up, gang!

Click on picture for larger image.
Click on picture for larger image.
Plan to attend! Maybe you're currently working for a WDAY-WDAZ-TV or WDAY Radio or you're a retired employee OR someone has moved on to another job OR you're involved in media, ad agency OR production work OR work for another media outlet in the region or state, whatever! Join us in sharing some memories each month. I worked at WDAY in the radio copy and commercial production area and did some TV voice-overs from 1967 until 1975.

Lunch is "dutch" - the gratuity is included on your check.  While there is no buffet, as such, there is a "soup and salad bar" that accompanies a sandwich order. Browse the Fryn' Pan's full menu by clicking here.

Note: Unlike our former venue, we must spend, as a group, at least $50 to have the room. So we need YOUR attendance!

I try to produce an occasional PDF newsletter called Mike Notes Reprise. ALL of our monthly newsletters I've produced so far are stored below. You can read them - using Adobe Acrobat Reader which is most likely on your computer - or after you OPEN an issue, note the little "down arrow" at the top of your screen. If you click on that arrow, you will download the document to your computer or other digital device. You'll also find a number of audio files and photo essays, below.

Mike Notes Reprise newsletters:
AUDIO FILES:
Forum article on WDAY Radio's 100th anniversary by Thomas Evanella, The Forum.
Here is link to two-page PDF of the story, copyright Forum Communications 2022, All Rights Reserved. Click + button for larger type or, on a PC, "Ctrl and + sign."
To read the article, click here.


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