Published May 31. 2023 01:25PM
by Ed Courrier Special to The Press
WDIY 88.1 FM celebrated 28 years with Groovin’ in the Grove at South Mountain Grove in Salisbury Township May 20.
The public radio station’s volunteers, members, supporters and underwriters were treated to WDIY’s Family Fun Day at the park co-owned by Joseph El-Chaar and his wife, Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasting Association (WDIY) Board President Karen El-Chaar. Opened in 2021, the 20+ acre retreat has one open and one enclosed pavilion.
Lehigh Valley-based “The Large Flowerheads” provided lively oldies to dance and groove to.
Besides providing live music, plenty of food and drink, children’s activities and a raffle, the anniversary celebration provided recognition for their volunteers and community partners.
“Our volunteers do so much! We have over 100 volunteers helping to run the station,” Karen El-Chaar said. “We only have five staff members.
“This is the first year we are holding it here at South Mountain Grove,” Karen El-Chaar said about the annual appreciation event.
The listener-supported public radio station and NPR station premiered on the air in 1995. It is based in the Flatiron Building at 301 Broadway, Bethlehem.
For more information, visitwdiy.org.
WDIY Board President Karen El-Chaar and her husband Joseph stand near the public radio station's booth at South Mountain Grove.
Press photos by Ed Courrier Metta Sams, of Salisbury Township, dances to the oldies at Groovin' in the Grove.
WDIY volunteers Steve Aaronson and Rosalie Viscomi enjoy the station's Family Fun Day. Aaronson hosts “Folk Classics” and they partner in presenting “Swing Sunday.”
From left, volunteers Shelly Hever, of Bethlehem and Rose Stein, of South Whitehall Township, sell 50-50 raffle tickets.
