John Mortara

Web Intern, Webmaster, Social Media, Newsletters

John is a second-year Poetry MFA at UNCW. He grew up in River Vale, NJ and graduated from Pennsylvania State University. After earning his BA in English and Creative Writing at PSU, John relocated to the warmer shores of North Carolina. Now, he is a writer, a teacher, and an independent publisher looking to challenge himself in new environments. John is so very proud to have been trusted with the creation of WHQR's new website and hopes you like what he's done with the place.

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Local
4:58 pm
Thu February 28, 2013

CoastLine: does a Titan Cement plant fit the landscape of the Cape Fear Region?

On this special edition of CoastLine, host Rachel Lewis Hilburn spoke with Coastal Scientist Tracy Skrabal of the NC Coastal Federation, Kate Queram, environmental Reporter for the StarNews, and Dr. Craig Galbraith, Professor at UNCW's Cameron School of Business. The topic: does a Titan Cement plant fit the landscape of the Cape Fear Region? Listen to find an exploration of the potential environmental and economic impacts of heavy industry in New Hanover County.

  • WHQR's CoastLine, 2/28/13: Can Titan Cement be part of a balanced approach to economic development in our area?

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February 28, 6:30 PM
9:31 am
Wed February 13, 2013

STNL: Brent Stimmel

The Soup to Nuts Live! concert series features musicians and bands from a wide variety of musical styles. Please join us Thursday, February 28 for a special performance by local singer-songwriter Brent Stimmel. On-air host George Scheibner will interview the performer during breaks in the show. You'll hear the music and find out about the musician creating it.

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2:52 pm
Tue January 29, 2013

Suspect in custody after standoff; school lockdowns lifted

Lead in text: 
The StarNews reports that officials began lifting the lockdowns at 2:30 p.m.
Shots were fired near an apartment complex Tuesday morning after Wilmington police officers attempted to serve a warrant to a resident, according to New Hanover County 911 Dispatch. Dispatch said the subject ran from the officers and at least three shots were fired.
Special Programs
11:41 am
Thu December 20, 2012

Original Holiday Programs by WHQR

Two fantastic holiday programs have been produced by WHQR this year and distributed nationwide through Public Radio International!

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Special Programs
10:43 am
Tue December 11, 2012

Homemade Holiday Shorts 2012

Did you miss Holiday Shorts this past weekend? Well, you're in luck! We've just posted it in five manageable parts for your listening enjoyment. Happy Holidays from WHQR!

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Midday Interview - Dec. 7, 2012
2:42 pm
Fri December 7, 2012

Phil Furia talks Songbook Live

Top News of 2012
11:40 am
Fri December 7, 2012

Top stories of 2012? You decide!

As WHQR's Webmaster, I spend a lot of time analyzing and evaluating WHQR.org's online traffic. One thing that interested me this year was the amount of views our WHQR News stories were getting.

The list you're about to see is the cold hard data - the top ten most viewed stories by our online audience this January 2012 - December 2012 period (from most popular to less popular).

What I would like to know is:

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Midday Interview - Nov. 27, 2012
2:10 pm
Tue November 27, 2012

Holiday Train Expo

My guests today were Don Huovenin (left) and Farrell Teague (right). Don and Farrell are members of the Cape Fear Model Railroad Society which has created a Holiday Train Expo in the former Gap Store next to Sears at Independence Mall.  It features many exhibits of model trains (O Gauge, HO and G) some of which are interactive.  You can start and stop the train!  You can load coal!  It’s a great family event, and it runs Fridays from 6 to 9 and Saturdays from 2 to 5 through December 22.

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Midday Interview - October 23, 2012
1:00 pm
Tue October 23, 2012

Nosferatu

I talked with amazing organist Dorothy Papadakos, who will show the 1922 film noir classic Nosferatu at 7 pm on Tuesday, October 30 at St. Paul Episcopal Church at 16th and Market.  Dorothy will provide improvisational organ accompaniment for the silent film.  It is quite scary; no children under 12 please.  Come in costume!  Tickets available ahead of time from the church at 910-762-4578 or spechruch.com 

Candidate Forums
2:46 pm
Thu October 4, 2012

Senate District 9 Candidate Forums at 7 PM - listen & watch online!

Tonight at 7 PM, Senator Thom Goolsby squares off with challenger Deb Butler in the race for Senate District 9. They'll take questions from panelists, the studio audience, and even via Twitter. Listeners at home can tune-in to 91.3fm, stream online, or watch the video below!

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