Polar Bear Plunge

Weather conditions were perfect for a polar bear on Saturday. West Lafayette had about an inch of new fallen snow and windchills in the teens. With the Wabash River as our backdrop, 15 brave souls took a dip in an inflatable pool to raise more than $5,000 for the Public Schools Foundation.
Above is a picture of me and Annie James from K-105. She was truly blue, head to toe. I sported my 'Jo the Plunger' outfit. I won the Golden Plunger Award for showing the most enthusiasm for the event. I also raised the most money (more than $1,000) Thanks to everyone who contributed! Julie Krizen (fellow WLFI reporter) won best costume. The Florida girl dress as sunshine. Below are a few clips of our plunge. I can't believe Annie went barefoot!

Helen Fashion Show

Helen Magazine held a fashion show last night at the University Plaza in West Lafayette. The event gave the founders a platform to announce that they have a new mission as a non-profit. The bi-monthly periodical will now support two causes: Autism and domestic violence. Local ladies said the glamorous look they sported was a change for many of them, but they were happy to transform their looks for a good cause.

Some female news anchors for WLFI took to the runway. Alyssa Rossomme, Laura Kirtley, Niccole Caan and I participated in the fashion show. Laura and I modeled for The Limited. Alyssa modeled for Juniper and Niccole modeled for Etcetera. It was fun. It was great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd.

Mark & Annie in the AM

Thanks to my friends at K-105 for allowing me to come on the morning show to help promote this weekend's Polar Bear Plunge. Annie Jamie has agreed to join me on Saturday to freeze our fur off for the Public Schools Foundation of Tippecanoe County. The event starts at 2:00p.m. at Tapawingo Park. Annie says she'll be in blue, since she'll be freezing. I think she'll be painting her face blue and wearing a Colts jersey. Since 2008 was such a political year, I thought I would go as 'Jo the Plunger.'
Any last minute pledges would be appreciated. You can drop something off for Annie at the WASK/K-105 studios off McCarty Lane. You can also come watch the fun Saturday.

JA Bowl-a-thon

Two WLFI teams participated in the annual Junior Achievement Bowl-a-thon Saturday at Star Lanes.
It was the last bowl-a-thon for director Jan Koehler. She has done a wonderful job for JA. We wish her well in retirement.
All funds raised from the Bowl-A-Thon go towards Junior Achievement programs that promote entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy in local schools.
Our high rollers were Greg Jones from our production department (240), our receptionist Michelle Kidder (247), and reporter Kristin Crowley (192). Everyone did well and had fun.

Broncho journalists

It was a pleasure to speak to some journalism students in Chuck Herber's class today at Jefferson High School. The students wanted to learn more about job responsibilities in the broadcasting biz. In a small market like ours, anchors do more than just read the news. We all do multiple tasks. Some reporters also produce and shoot video. We hire college graduates. But, you don't have to be a journalism major. Someone with a degree in political science makes a great government reporter.
I shared with the class that our industry is going through a difficult period. Because of the economic downturn, companies are cutting back on advertising. And with less advertising, radio, TV, and newspapers must also cut back. I told them getting a job in journalism will be more competitive than ever before.

Groundhog Day

Monday is Groundhog Day. We will be watching to see if Chuckie Weezer will see her shadow.
In weather lore, if the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return into its burrow and winter will continue for 6 more weeks. If it's cloudy, the the groundhog remains out and Spring is just around the corner.

Chuckie was born in spring of 2006, she was found beside her mom who had been hit by a car and killed. Her eyes had just opened and she was smaller than a can of pop. She has respiratory issues (kind of like asthma) that prevent her from being released into the wild. The volunteers had picked two different names they liked, Chuckles because she made everyone laugh and Wheezer because of her breathing (she wheezes when she plays hard) so we combined them to name her Chuckie-Wheezer.

Our crew will be out at the Wildcat Wildlife Center on Monday to get Chuckie's prediction. Stay tuned--and let's hope for an early spring!

National Girls & Women in Sports Day

I talked to Sharon Versyp, head coach of the Purdue Women's Basketball team, today during our noon news. The coach is promoting National Girls and Women in Sports Day. On Sunday, February first there will be activities from 11:00am to 1:30pm in Lambert Fieldhouse. They are free and open to all ages. Purdue athletes will be interacting with children at different station's. Then, Purdue will play Northwestern at 2:00pm. The 1999 National Championship Team will be honored. She expects former Coach Carolyn Peck and some of her star players from 10 years ago will be there.