When a donor from Olds told us that she listens to CKUA in her tractor, wearing a radio ear protector headset, we knew we had to meet her!
Wilma VandenDool says, “I started listening to CKUA in my teenage years. My parents mostly had CBC on, but once I had my own radio and car, I had it on CKUA and CBC. I still mainly listen to these two stations.”
A fan of classical, folk, older country, jazz, and blues, VandenDool says, “I like The Road Home, Far Out, Twilight, The Celtic Show, Roy’s Record Room, takahki, and Wide Cut Country.”
She began donating when she got a credit card and could give online, saying, “I am making up for years that I didn’t donate by paying for an hour of a show. I like donating to Far Out for the range of music Amy plays, and because I am queer, so going with the name of the show: Far Out.”
VandenDool appreciates the variety of musical styles played on the station, saying, “What I enjoy about CKUA is the wide range of music that is played, picked by multiple people. I like it that CKUA plays local, Canadian, and international music.”
As for the companionship CKUA provides while she works, she says, “I work in Horticulture at Olds College, so when I’m on the tractor or just out in the field weeding, I will put on my earmuffs with a radio built in and listen to CKUA.” She adds, “If I work in our greenhouse, I have a radio in my area and will leave it on CKUA for the plants to listen to.”
VandenDool hopes listeners will donate what they can to support CKUA. “People should pay a bit for every hour they listen to. Or maybe $1 per day. That’s cheaper than a chocolate bar!”
Thanks to Wilma and to all who donate to keep the music playing. If you would like to support CKUA with a donation, you can give at ckua.com/donate
We asked Wilma to choose a song to send out to the CKUA audience, and she chose “Identity” by Kate Reid.
Park Power
