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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

Friday Feedback for December 5, 2014

Jemila, mornings just won't be the same without you. -- Carol Barre

A couple of weeks ago, I read a message from listener Bo, who said he would listen but not longer contribute because he felt that WHQR and NPR are consistently liberal. By the way, in response to inquiries, this Bo is not our old pal Bo Biggs from Lumberton, who is a conservative and a valued supporter of WHQR. At any rate, here’s what Delthea Simmons wrote:

I must confess that when I heard Bo the Conservative on the radio this past Friday, I had to chuckle. Not a day before, I was discussing with some friends how NPR had moved further to the right [in] the last few decades. It's all relative I suppose.

Earlier this week we aired a Fresh Voices commentary on Income Inequality from Hoggard High School junior Alexei Affeman. Alexei wrote about seeing great disparities in wealth while on a cruise to Brazil with his parents. Listener Holly wrote on our web page:

May I suggest he decline the cruise and other travels and donate the money to the less fortunate.

Several people responded to Holly. Listener “Local” wrote:

I thought it was an amazing piece… This young man seems to be one of the few who is intrinsically motivated to educate himself in today's education system. Well done- [Alexei], I can tell you went out of your way to research where your information comes from and I applaud the sources you used.

And Melanie Teague wrote:

The privilege of being able to travel affords one an education that is immeasurable. Our eyes are opened to all sorts of realities, both pleasant and unpleasant. I am impressed and proud that rather than taking for granted the advantages, Alexei realizes that he is not 'entitled' to be on the balcony looking out at the [Brazilian] favelas. In fact, he spends much of his rare free time (due to taking all advanced courses in high school) volunteering at the hospital. I know this because I am his extremely proud mother!

As you can imagine, the big news here at WHQR is our finding out last week that Jemila Ericson will be leaving her daily classical shift as of December 26th. Jemila has been an integral part of the station for 20 years, both on 91.3 and more recently on the new Classical HQR on our HD2 channel and 96.7 FM. In addition to hosting classical music, Jemila has managed our Community Calendar and interviewed thousands of people of every stripe. Here are some tributes that have come in:

Carol Barre wrote:

Jemila, mornings just won't be the same without you. Keep us posted on where we can catch your story-telling and new ventures.

Cynthia Flaisig wrote:

Having just finished reading today's email and learning of Jemila Ericson's departure from WHQR, I felt the need to make an additional contribution this year in honor of Jemila. Her voice, laughter, insights, comments and presence have made WHQR all the more enjoyable over the years. I will miss hearing her wonderful voice on the radio. Wishing her good luck and good health in her next ventures.

Robert Welch wrote:

Rarely is it possible to make a solid impression on anyone with only a voice but simply by listening to Jemila's fluid, flowing voice with all its inflections and nuances and spotless diction, I very quickly came to understand that this woman is worth spending time with. I am personally indebted to her for teaching me composer names and their pronunciations, for explaining details about the titles she played and those who authored them, and for projecting a dignified but often impish take on her beloved music. Jemila, I cannot repay what you have given me but I know as surely as there is a God in Heaven, he has a pair of wings with your name on them. Enjoy whatever you choose to do next - you have earned all the happiness and contentedness you can stand!

We’d love to hear from you on Friday Feedback. You can always leave a message via email to feedback@WHQR.org. Our Feedback Phone is 910-292-9477. And thanks for your feedback.