Published June 13. 2023 10:56AM
by Ed Courrier Special to the Bethlehem 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 a hundred volunteers helping to run the station,” says a grateful Karen El-Chaar. “We only have five staff members.”
“This is the first year we are holding it here at South Mountain Grove,” remarks El-Chaar 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, visit wdiy.org.
WDIY Board President Karen El-Chaar and her husband Joseph near the public radio station's booth at South Mountain Grove.
Lehigh Valley-based The Large Flowerheads perform classic songs from the 1960s for attendees to groove to.
Press photos by Ed Courrier Metta Sams dances to the oldies at Groovin' in the Grove. The 3-year-old's family lives in Salisbury Township and they are fans and supporters of WDIY.
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.”
Volunteers Shelly Hever from Bethlehem and Rose Stein from South Whitehall Township sell 50-50 Raffle tickets.
