27
Karl Krug ...During World War II, Karl Krug by-passed the Chaplaincy for a job in Canadian army intelligence office with the joint chiefs of staff in Washington. After the war, plain "Karl" Krug-as he likes to be known in the radio-TV world- did a stint at Ottawa in the service of the government; When his health began to slip, he moved to tiny Chesley, Ontario and talked nearby CKNX into letting him conduct a daily, off-the-cuff news analysis programme over its airwaves. With his experience in wartime Washington to back him up, Krug's two o'clock-in-the-afternoon programme became a local hit - despite the hour. Later, he became the programme director of Sing Time. (O-1, 1958) p15.
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Doc's Message to Listeners in 1942 ..."1942 has seen many changes brought about by the prosecution of the war against Adolf Hitler and his gang. It has seen new and stiffer regulations imposed on everyone of us as individuals and as corporations. Manpower has become a problem to you as a farmer and to me as an employer. Taxes have reared their ugly but necessary head in a new form; taxes that you and I would have considered impossible years ago. However, that is the picture and we have to face it. This Christmas finds many of us in the same boat, so to speak. We are not alone in our trials and tribulations, for the peoples of all countries in the world are suffering new pressure and indignities. We must bear our load with thanks, because we are getting off comparatively easy. If we think of the peoples of Russia, England and Occupied France we can appreciate their position a little better. They didn't ask for this war any more than you did. They wanted a chance to plan college educations for their sons and daughters, they wanted to build homes and plant crops the same as you do. But they weren't as lucky as we are. Very few of us have been affected in any serious way by the war so far and that fact is enough to give us faith to believe in Christmas. In spite of the far reaching effects of new wartime measures and decrees CKNX has continued and will continue to be "The Ontario Farm Station," serving you, the Western Ontario farmer, in the best manner possible under the circumstances. We are determined that your problems, your entertainment and your information will always be paramount clauses of our policy. Rest assured that as long as CKNX takes to the air, you will have a champion who feels and appreciates your difficulties and is willing to put himself out to help you in getting a hearing. This Christmas message has taken the form of a sort of pledge to better service and understanding, because it is the policy of this station, CKNX, that understanding the farmer and the small town dweller will be considered above all else. However, the greeting is the same, regardless of world conditions, and I take this opportunity to extend to customers, listeners, Almanac subscribers and friends wishes for a most Merry Christmas in the old fashioned way. May your dreams and prayers be answered this Christmas Eve as you ponder the world's plight. And may you take courage in the firmness of your confidence in our cause. After all, if you as a farmer or country store keeper fail us, who have we left? Therefore, don't be afraid to give 'em the works and see this thing through. (CKNX Almanac-9, 1942)p2
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CKNX was open for tours and lucky visitors often got to meet with W.T. Cruickshank while on tour.1955-1970
CKNX Radio and Television building, Carling Terrace, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
30
Monthly CKNX Magazine ...Commercial manager and shareholder, Howard Bedford, proposed CKNX follow the successful route of the "Standby", the official magazine of WLS radio in Chicago and trace the careers of many of the great stars of their "National Barn Dance". The Standby was not devoted to country music exclusively but was a mixture of farming, cooking recipes and anything else devoted to the home and family image of the WLS family." (BD-2,2001)p.3
"(The Almanac) was a great promotional tool for the station and gave the listener a feeling of close friendship with the people they listened to on a daily basis. They knew when their favourites were on the air from the published schedules in the magazine, and would be sure to listen. When the artists went out on personal appearances, they always drew large crowds with little promotion except for radio and their little magazine." (BD-2,2001)p.3
The monthly promotional paper (items we now refer to as newsletters) was sent out only to CKNX members who paid a fee of 25 cents a year. The idea was approved and in 1942, the CKNX Almanac was born (so named by station manager, Jim Maxwell). Warren "Sparky" Newton aided in the production and distribution of the paper. The informative little paper lasted only a couple of years.
During its existence, it introduced CKNX listeners to new employees hired to replace the staff who enlisted. It featured recipes, gossip articles, and timetables for the month's radio programs. Radio during the 1940s and 1950s was much like television is today. It had programs that ran at certain times. An example follows of a typical radio schedule for a week in 1942.
31
Radio Schedule for April 1942 ...Please note programming changed per month, not per week. The notes in brackets after the programs, appeared in the Almanac's schedule. They refer to who paid for the program. Local sustaining are programs sponsored by local businesses. Studio sustaining are public service programs that CKNX put on without sponsors. Local commercial were programs created by local businesses and groups. National commercial are programs created & sustained by national companies and businesses. Participating sponsors are desirable spots that can be purchased by various non-dedicated sponsors (i.e. the sponsors change from time to time) Electric Transcription sustaining were programs done by other stations that CKNX bought and aired. Programs from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC), Canada's national station simply are noted CBC.
Sunday - April 1942
10:30 - The Music Box - (local sustaining)
10:45 - Organ Music - (studio sustaining)
11:00 - Church Services - (local commercial)
1230 - Noonday News - (studio sustaining)
1235 - Sunday Singers - (local sustaining)
100 - Freddie Martin Orchestra (local commercial)
115 - Gene Autry - songs - (local commercial)
130 - Melody Time - (local commercial)
145 - Hawaiian Memories - (local commercial)
200 - Cranston Hour - (studio commercial)
230 - CKNX Camera Club - (studio sustaining)
245 - Donald Novis Sings - (Electric Transcription sustaining)
300 - Harold Victor Pym - piano - (studio sustaining)
330 - Lutheran Hour - (electric transcription sustaining)
400 - Ray Kinney Orchestra - (local sustaining)
415 - CKNX Program Gossip - (studio sustaining)
445 - Musical Comedy World - local sustaining
500 - Songs of Elsie Carlisle - local sustaining
515 - Nat Schilkret Orchestra - local sustaining
530 - Lipton Tea Musicale - CBC
600 - Venus Concert - local commercial
630 - Gracie Fields Varieties - local sustaining
645 - Organ Music - studio sustaining
700 - Church Service - local commercial
830 - Silent
Monday - April 1942
730 - Rise and Shine - local commercial
800 - CKNX Breakfast Club - participating sponsors
825 - Overnight News Summary - national commercial
830 - Early Birds - participating sponsors
900 - Voice of Memory - national commercial
907 - Dan Barry - national commercial
915 - Sweethearts - national commercial
922 - "Smilin Jack" - national commercial
930 - Stars of the Week - national commercial
937 - Musical Magic - national commercial
945 - Sammy Kaye Orchestra - local sustaining
1000 - Mid morning news - studio sustaining
1010 - Charlie Kuntz , piano - participating sponsors
1030 - Church of the Air - studio sustaining
1100 - Hawaiian Strings - Dorothy Alt - local sustaining
1130 - Monday Morning Variety - participating sponsors
1200 - The Farm & Home Hour, Noonday News, Toronto Livestock Markets, Entertainment Guide and a musical program - participating sponsors
1245 - Circle Bar Ranch - national commercial
100 - Farm Hour cont'd -participating sponsors
115 - Girls of the Golden West - local sustaining
130 - Jesse Crawford - organ - local sustaining
145 - Marimba Band - local sustaining
200 - Kay Kyser Orchestra - local sustaining
215 - Eddie Duchin Orchestra - local sustaining
230 - Billy Cotton Orchestra - local sustaining
245 - Shep Family Orchestra - local sustaining
300 - Our Family - electric transmission sustaining
315 - Maxwell Stewart - local sustaining
330 - Cecil & Sally - electric transmission sustaining
345 - Frank Novak & His Boys - local sustaining
400 - At Home with the Ladies - participating sponsors
430 - Laura at the piano - studio sustaining
445 - Dick Todd - songs - local sustaining
500 - Blue Barron Orchestra - local sustaining
515 - Tarzan of the Apes - electric transmission sustaining
530 - Kiddies' Carnival - local sustaining
545 - Mitchell Ayres Orchestra - local sustaining
600 - Tune Wranglers - local sustaining
615 - Parade of Bands - participating sponsors
630 - Down the Mall - local commercial
645 - Your Evening News - studio sustaining
700 - Ogden's Hoedown - national commercial
715 - Sport Reporter - studio sustaining
730 - Harry James Orchestra - local sustaining
745 - The Lone Ranger - electric transmission sustaining
815 - Songs by Sarah - studio sustaining
830 - CKNX Ranch Boys - studio sustaining
900 - Fed of Ag Talk - studio sustaining
915 - Dance Time - local sustaining
1000 - Silent
Tuesday - April 1942
730 - Rise and Shine - local commercial
800 - CKNX Breakfast Club - participating sponsors
825 - Overnight News Summary - national commercial
830 - Breakfast Club cont'd - participating sponsors
845 - Hymn Time - studio sustaining
900 - Voice of Memory - national commercial
907 - Dan Barry - national commercial
915 - Sweethearts - national commercial
922 - "Smilin Jack" - national commercial
930 - Stars of the Week - national commercial
937 - Musical Magic - national commercial
945 - George Hall - local sustaining
1000 - Mid morning news - studio sustaining
1010 - Charlie Kuntz , piano - national commercial
1030 - Church of the Air - studio sustaining
1100 - Raymond Scott - local sustaining
1115 - Reginald Dixon - organ - local sustaining
1130 - Tuesday Morning Variety - participating sponsors
1200 - The Farm & Home Hour, Noonday News, Toronto Livestock Markets, Entertainment Guide and a musical program - participating sponsors
115 - John Harcourt - national commercial
122 - Voice of Memory - national commercial
130 - Glad Tidings Hour - local commercial
200 - Benny Goodman Orchestra - local sustaining
215 - Ozzy Nelson Orchestra - local sustaining
230 - Oscar Rabin Orchestra - local sustaining
245 - Xavier Cugat Orchestra - local sustaining
300 - Our Family - electric transmission sustaining
315 - Strauss Waltzs - local sustaining
330 - Cecil & Sally - serial - electric transmission sustaining
345 - Gene Autry - local sustaining
400 - Songs of the West - electric transmission sustaining
415 - Alvino Rey Orchestra - electric transmission sustaining
430 - Harold Victor Pym - studio sustaining
445 - Ray Herbeck Orchestra - local sustaining
500 - Jimmy Davis - songs - local sustaining
515 - Tarzan of the Apes - electric transmission sustaining
530 - Kiddies' Carnival - local sustaining
545 - London Arena Highlights - local commercial
600 - Polka Band - local sustaining
615 - Parade of Bands - participating sponsors
630 - Hyde Tractor Program - local commercial
645 - Your Evening News - studio sustaining
700 - Billy Boyd - participating sponsors
715 - Sport Reporter - studio sustaining
730 - Secret Service Scouts - national commercial
745 - Adventures of Chas. Chan- electric transmission sustaining
800 - Captains of Industry - electric transmission sustaining
830 - Abe Lyman Orchestra - local sustaining
845 - Salute to Empire - studio sustaining
900 - Seaforth Serenade - local commercial
915 - Dance Time - local sustaining
930 - The Friendly Voice - studio sustaining
1000 - Silent
Wednesday - April 1942
730 - Rise and Shine - local sustaining
800 - CKNX Breakfast Club - participating sponsors
825 - Overnight News Summary - national commercial
830 - Studio Roundup - participating sponsors
900 - Voice of Memory - national commercial
907 - Dan Barry - national commercial
915 - Sweethearts - national commercial
922 - Organ Romance - national commercial
930 - Stars of the Week - national commercial
937 - Musical Magic - national commercial
945 - Sammy Kaye Orchestra - local sustaining
1000 - Mid morning news - studio sustaining
1010 - Charlie Kuntz , piano - participating sponsors
1030 - Church of the Air - studio sustaining
1100 - Empire Cavalcade - local sustaining
1115 - Ambroise Orchestra - local sustaining
1130 - Wednesday Morning Variety - participating sponsors
1200 - The Farm & Home Hour, Noonday News, Toronto Livestock Markets, Entertainment Guide and a musical program - participating sponsors
1245 - Circle Bell Ranch - national commercial
100 - The Farm & Home Hour-participating sponsors
115 - Tips & Tess - national commercial
122 - John Harcourt - national commercial
130 -The Musette Orchestra- local sustaining
145 - Denny Dennis - songs - local sustaining
200 - Kay Kyser Orchestra - local sustaining
215 - Eddie Duchin Orchestra - local sustaining
230 - Billy Cotton Orchestra - local sustaining
245 - Shep Family Orchestra - local sustaining
300 - Our Family - electric transmission sustaining
315 - Art Kassel Orchestra - local sustaining
330 - Cecil & Sally - electric transmission sustaining
345 - Songs of Bradley Kincaid- local sustaining
400 - At Home with the Ladies - participating sponsors
430 - Waltz time - local sustaining
445 - Orrin Tucker - local sustaining
500 - Les Brown - local sustaining
515 - Tarzan of the Apes - electric transmission sustaining
530 - Kiddies' Carnival - local sustaining
545 - Bob Chester - local sustaining
600 - George Wade's Cornhuskers- national commercial
615 - Parade of Bands - participating sponsors
630 - Goderich on the Air - local commercial
645 - Your Evening News - studio sustaining
700 - Ogden's Hoedown - national commercial
715 - Sport Reporter - studio sustaining
730 - Crawford's Garage - local commercial
745 - The Lone Ranger - electric transmission sustaining
815 - Laura at the Piano - studio sustaining
830 - Clark Johnson - studio sustaining
900 - Wilf Carter - local sustaining
915 - Barney Groves BBC Star - studio sustaining
930 - Dance Time - local sustaining
1000 - Silent
Thursday - April 1942
730 - Rise and Shine - local sustaining
800 - CKNX Breakfast Club - participating sponsors
825 - Overnight News Summary - national commercial
830 - Breakfast Club cont'd - participating sponsors
900 - Voice of Memory - national commercial
907 - Dan Barry - national commercial
915 - Sweethearts - national commercial
922 - John Harcourt - national commercial
930 - Stars of the Week - national commercial
937 - Waltz Time in Vienna- national commercial
945 - George Hall - local sustaining
1000 - Mid morning news - studio sustaining
1010 - Charlie Kuntz , piano - participating sponsors
1030 - Church of the Air - studio sustaining
1100 - Concert of the Air - local sustaining
1130 - Thursday Morning Variety - participating sponsors
1200 - The Farm & Home Hour, Noonday News, Toronto Livestock Markets, Entertainment Guide and a musical program - participating sponsors
115 - Sunset Times - local sustaining
122 - Tip & Tess - national commercial
130 - Hoosier Hot Shots - local sustaining
145 - Moments with Sigmund Romberg - local sustaining
200 - Benny Goodman Orchestra - local sustaining
215 - Ozzie Nelson Orchestra - local sustaining
230 - Oscar Rabin Orchestra - local sustaining
245 - Xavier Cugat Orchestra - local sustaining
300 - Our Family - electric transmission sustaining
315 - Joe Reichman - local sustaining
330 - Cecil & Sally - electric transmission sustaining
345 - Jimmy Davis - songs - local sustaining
400 - Songs of the West - local sustaining
415 - Mart Kenny - local sustaining
430 - Harold V Pym - organ - studio sustaining
445 - Collins Driggs - Nova Chord - local sustaining
500 - Joe Sudy- local sustaining
515 - Tarzan of the Apes - electric transmission sustaining
530 - Kiddies' Carnival - local sustaining
545 - The Book Review - local sustaining
600 -Gracie Fields Variety - local sustaining
615 - Parade of Bands - participating sponsors
630 - Dinner Music - local sustaining
645 - Your Evening News - studio sustaining
700 - Salute to Brussels -local commercial
715 - Sport Reporter - studio sustaining
730 - Marie King - soloist -studio sustaining
745 - Adventures of Charlie Chan - electric transmission sustaining
800 - Wayne King Orchestra - local commercial
815 - Dick Todd - songs -local sustaining
830 - CKNX Ranch Boys - studio sustaining
900 - Old-Time Varieties -local sustaining
915 - Frank Masters Orchestra - local sustaining
930 - Dance Time - local sustaining
1000 - Silent
Friday - April 1942
730 - Rise and Shine - local sustaining
800 - CKNX Breakfast Club - participating sponsors
825 - Overnight News Summary - national commercial
830 - Early Birds - participating sponsors
900 - Voice of Memory - national commercial
907 - John Harcourt - national commercial
915 - Anne Shelton - songs - national commercial
930 - Stars of the Week - national commercial
937 - Waltz Time in Vienna - national commercial
945 - Sammy Kaye Orchestra - local sustaining
1000 - Mid morning news - studio sustaining
1010 - Charlie Kuntz , piano - participating sponsors
1030 - Church of the Air - studio sustaining
1100 - Hawaiian Strings - Nelson Eddy - local sustaining
1130 - Friday Morning Variety - participating sponsors
1145 - Wellington & Bruce C.A.S. - local commercial
1200 - The Farm & Home Hour, Noonday News, Toronto Livestock Markets, Entertainment Guide and a musical program - participating sponsors
1245 - Circle Bell Ranch - national commercial
100 - Farm Hour cont'd -participating sponsors
115 - Sunset Time - national commercial
1122 - Voice of Memory - national commercial
130 - Dick Liebert - organ - local sustaining
145 - Lawrence Welk - local sustaining
200 - Kay Kyser Orchestra - local sustaining
215 - Eddie Duchin Orchestra - local sustaining
230 - Billy Cotton Orchestra - local sustaining
245 - Shep Family Orchestra - local sustaining
300 - Our Family - electric transmission sustaining
315 - Elsie Carlisle - songs - local sustaining
330 - Cecil & Sally - electric transmission sustaining
345 - Carson Robison's Pioneers - local sustaining
400 - At Home with the Ladies - participating sponsors
430 - Laura at the piano - studio sustaining
445 - Jan Savitt Orchestra - local sustaining
500 - Music by Victor Herbert - local sustaining
515 - Tarzan of the Apes - electric transmission sustaining
530 - Kiddies' Carnival - local sustaining
545 - Vincent Lopez - local sustaining
600 - George Wade's Cornhuskers - national commercial
615 - Parade of Bands - participating sponsors
630 - Your Wingham Review - participating sponsors
645 - Your Evening News - studio sustaining
700 - Hoosier's Hot Shots - local sustaining
715 - Sport Reporter - studio sustaining
730 - Secret Service Scouts - national commercial
745 - The Lone Ranger - electric transmission sustaining
815 - Henderson's Old-Timers - local commercial
830 - Gully Jumpers - studio sustaining
900 - Your House of Dreams - electric transmission commercial
930 - Jean, Harold & Scotty - studio sustaining
1000 - Voices of Victory - CBC
1030 - Silent
Saturday - April 1942
730 - Rise and Shine - local sustaining
800 - CKNX Breakfast Club - participating sponsors
825 - Overnight News Summary - national commercial
830 - Breakfast Club cont'd - participating sponsors
845 - Hymn Time - participating sponsors
900 - NBC Chamber Music Society - local sustaining
915 - King Sisters -local sustaining
930 - Kiddies' Studio Party - studio sustaining
1000 - Mid morning news - studio sustaining
1010 - Charlie Kuntz , piano - participating sponsors
1030 - Dedicated to Shut-Ins - studio sustaining
1100 - Saturday Morning Frolic - participating sponsors
1145 - Morning March Past - local commercial
1200 - The Farm & Home Hour, Noonday News, Toronto Livestock Markets, Entertainment Guide and a musical program - participating sponsors
100 - Walkerton & Hanover Review -participating sponsors
115 - The Westerners - local sustaining
130 - CKNX Music Hall - local sustaining
200 - All English Review - local sustaining
230 - Les Allen - songs -studio sustaining
245 - Marak Weber Orchestra - local sustaining
300 - Western Serenade - local sustaining
330 - Songs For You - local sustaining
345 - Teddy Powell - local sustaining
400 - The Shut-In Hour-local sustaining
430 - Marching Time - local sustaining
445 - Songs of the Islands - local sustaining
500 - Reginald Dixon - organ - local sustaining
515 - Glenn Miller Orchestra - local sustaining
530 - Tango Tunes - local sustaining
545 - Concert Album - local sustaining
600 - Larry Clinton Orchestra - local sustaining
615 - Parade of Bands - participating sponsors
630 - Wilf Carter - local commercial
645 - Your Evening News - studio sustaining
700 - Sports Report -studio sustaining
715 - NHL Hockey Players - CBC
730 - Marshall Hatchery - local commercial
745 - Songs of the Prairie - local commercial
800 - CKNX Barn Dance - P. national commercial
930 - Silent
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Radio controls for 920 CKNX radio1940s
920 CKNX, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
Wingham Professional Businesswomen's Association
33
Church of the Air ...Part of CKNX's commitment to community broadcasting included religious broadcasts. It was CKNX 's philosophy that as religion should be a motivating factor and a driving force in our daily lives, so religion should make up an integral part of a community broadcasting station's schedule. Ever since the outset, CKNX has endeavoured to present every shade of religious opinion pertaining to its area. Doc later described how they achieved this philosophy - "On Sunday we always did a service from one of all the churches. At that time it meant that we had to connect up all the churches in town with a telephone line. We brought a great lot of wire and strung it on top of buildings and everything else, from the studio over to one of the churches. We did that for years before anyone thought there was any other way of doing it.
One of the first church broadcasts began at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, but it was by no means the only church participating in the programming. Radio broadcasts of the Wingham United Church's Sunday morning services began around 1939 and continued for more than 50 years. The United Church's Triple V men's chorus was regularly featured on CKNX radio. (100 Yrs, 75,76)
Thus it was only natural that in those early years Doc Cruickshank would offer free time to the local churches. Every Sunday, the Wingham churches took to the air with their 11:00 am church services on a rotational basis. At the beginning it was St. Andrews Presbyterian (Doc's own church) and the Wingham United Church. Later, St. Paul's Anglican and the Baptist church came on stream and became part of the Sunday schedule. Telephone lines were installed to each church, terminating with a jack under the pulpit. At some point during the week, a CKNX technician would visit the church that was scheduled to broadcast the following Sunday, and he would set up a small amplifier under the pulpit and a microphone on top. These would be switched on by the minister shortly before the church service began so the signal could be checked back at the radio station and there would be no unpleasant surprises. (Carbert essay, 1995) p. 13
Wingham was blessed at that time with two of the great "preachers" in the profession, Rev. Dr. Alexander Nimmo at St. Andrews, and Rev. Dr. Beecroft at Wingham United. They had splendid voices, they were articulate, their sermons were moving and the services were top notch. Not only did these two gentlemen raise the awareness of the listening public from Manitoulin Island in the north to points as far away as Orangeville, Woodstock and London. It was good for their own image, and one could justifiably argue that this exposure, this experience, was a major factor in catapulting each of them, later in their careers, into the highest position their respective churches could offer in Canada, for in later years they both became in turn, moderators for all Canada. (Carbert essay, 1995) p. 13
But CKNX served the religious needs of its listeners, not just on Sunday, but every day. Through a co-operative program arranged by the local Ministerial Association, CKNX offered a daily "Church of the Air" broadcast from 9:30am to 10:00 am from Monday to Friday. These programs originated in the studios on Main Street, often using live talent from the church of the functioning minister, or if this was not available, they used music from the station's extensive library of records and transcriptions. Ministers from all across the broadcast area were featured on these programs, and fair weather or foul they would journey to Wingham to take their place at the microphone to deliver their morning message to the public. When it was simply too stormy for anyone in the country or outlying area to make it to Wingham, it was usually Dr. Nimmo or Dr. Beecroft who filled the gap. (Carbert essay, 1995) p. 13
Of a more secular nature, CKNX presented many recorded periods of religious music such as The Community Chapel, which took listeners away from the work-a-day world for a few minutes of reflection.In regard to religious broadcasting there were also denominational broadcasts like The Lutheran Hour, All Aboard for Adventure and Family Theatre. An innovation of recent years is the annual broadcast of Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, which now has become an integral part of its broadcasting schedule.Naturally, there was many different hues of religious colouring over such a wide listening area. And naturally too, there were times when problems arose in regard to these broadcasts, which were always solved by the cooperation of everyone interested in this work. Ever since the inception of the station, religious broadcasting was a popular feature on the schedule every day of the week. It expanded so that every church in Wingham was equipped with line facilities for direct broadcasts, and anniversary and special services from distant points of origination were also featured. (CKNX 25th Anniv, 1951)
The interest on the part of the participants themselves reached the point where the Wingham United Church played host to a one-day broadcasting school for the ministers involved in the Church Of The Air broadcasts. Comments from both participants and listeners over time revealed that the CKNX religious features met, not only with general approval, but also filled a great need in the lives of many people. (CKNX 25th Anniversary, 1951)
34
Wingham's United Church Triple V Men's Bible Class sang on CKNX radio on occasion1940s
Wingham United Church, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
Wingham United Church, Wingham, Ontario
35
1941-51 - At Home with the Ladies ...It's often been said that a housewife's work is never finished. Be that as it may, CKNX has been endeavouring to lighten the burden of these ladies who keep the home fires burning. Through the medium of eight programs a week, Western Ontario housewives are discovering shortcuts in their daily routines, new consumer products and ways to handle and ease their household budget. There's really nothing new in this since it's been going on for 10 years. The CKNX Women's Editor has just celebrated her tenth year as hostess on the daily half hour feature At Home With the Ladies.
Margaret Brophy is the girl in question and she has seen many changes in women's programming during the decade. Studio musicians have been added over the years, along with studio interviews with such outstanding personalities as Dr. Leslie Bell, Eileen Seigh, International Ice Revue star and Miss Belle Hetzel, Flying School Teacher of Omaha, Nebraska as well as specialists in the varied phases of the homemaking arts in Western Ontario. Above all, the object of these programs is to provide a neat balance between information and entertainment, and the result has been one of the "homiest" programs on the air. The consensus might be summed up in one of the letters received during the past ten years. "It's one of the chit chat programs" the writer says "but it's loaded with local news and good music." The local aspect of the program receives a boost, thanks to the organization of a string of correspondents throughout the CKNX area.
Women's organizations of Western Ontario also add to the local file of news items. Club Women Report heard thrice weekly keeps the ladies informed on local meetings, memberships, social events and new organizations. Following the slogan of "Community Service", the Women's Department has been expanded to include visits to local women's groups and Margaret Brophy is a frequent visitor whenever and wherever women get together in this section of the country. Addresses of outstanding speakers at these meetings are recorded and are broadcast later for the enjoyment of all homemakers. Margaret Brophy is variously called upon to speak at women's meetings, act as commentator at local fashion shows, and occasionally fills the roll of judge at district Junior activities. Following general policy, week by week, month by month and year by year the homemaker's service continues to grow and will keep on growing through the ensuing years as the demand calls for it. (25th Anniversary, 1951)
36
CKNX staff - Clint Godwin, Johnny Brent, Margaret Brophy, Brian Nordlund and Warner Newton1950-1970
CKNX Radio and Television, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
37
Kiddie Programming ...During the early stages of "Kiddies Frolic", the children arranged their own programs, selecting their own Master of Ceremonies. This pattern was dropped in 1944, with the present (1951) pattern being adopted. The children are taught Microphone Technique, and except for two months absence during the summer months, the program is heard each Saturday morning over CKNX from 11:15 to 11:45. Now, however, the program title has been changed to "Kiddies Studio Party", and boys and girls from towns and villages over three big counties gather for this program of songs, recitations and dialogue for children, by children.
Another special feature pertaining to the younger listeners, may be heard each Sunday morning from 9 through 9:30. The program features the reading of funnies, plus recorded children's stories. This program has changed in format, wherein it was at one time based on a "Father and Son Angle", with a studio audience in attendance. (25th Anniversary, 1951)
38
Margaret Brophy and Johnny Brent hosting a children's party - some were children of CKNX staff1955-1970
CKNX-TV studios, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
39
CKNX's Farm Department ...Although the CKNX Farm Department came into being per se after my appointment (Bob Carbert) as Farm Director in the spring of 1949, CKNX had been providing many farm services for years prior to that. Market reports were included from those early days of the wire service, the noon hour farm program had for many years included auction sales and farm meeting reports, commercial messages on farm equipment, feeds, seeds and other items. (Carbert essay, 1995) p.10
For many farm families in CKNX's listening area, the morning and noon reports were very important. Families would gather around the radio at breakfast or lunchtime to listen to the market report. The market report included the prices that commodities like wheat, barley, oats, corn and other farm products (sheep, beef, pork etc) were selling for. A farmer was and still is akin to a gambler, waiting and choosing the day he takes his produce to market. Many used the morning or noon report to decide if they were going to market to sell their crop that day or the next. When you've spent a season growing a crop, you needed to make sure you got the best price for it.
During the war, one of the biggest problem that farmers faced was a shortage of labour. Many men able to fight stayed home to farm because they were needed to raise and harvest the crops that feed the country and soldiers, not to mention the British people under seige and their allies. Although farming was an honourable profession, during war and regular times, many a healthy young man was accosted in the dark days of the war by strangers demanding to know why they were not fighting. Then as now, people forgot it took a workforce to grow the food that magically appeared in their stores and on their tables. In 1942, the CKNX Almanac ran the following article - In a short piece on the need to pay sons a wage to keep them on the farm. it noted "From now on for the duration, farm boys are going to stay put. The law says so. No more calls on farm boys for selective service; no more jumping the farm for the attractions of a city job. No law was ever more welcome; what a shame it didn't come sooner." (CKNX Almanac, May 1942)
Here's a letter from 1942 about the crops that year ...
Letter(CKNX Almanac - Aug 1942)
Echo Bay, Manitoulin Island - August 1942 edition
CKNX Cheerio,
I am just writing a few lines to say how much we appreciate your broadcast, the farm and home hour. We are quite interested in hearing the news of all the old home towns. The crops in this north part of Ontario are very good and everything is two or three weeks ahead of previous years. Yours truly has potatoes in blossom and we are situated 20 miles east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. (CKNX Almanac-5, 1942 p.2)
40
CKNX letterhead1950s
CKNX Television & Radio station, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
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