88.1 the Park Celebrates 50 Years of Serving Canton and Plymouth – The Big 5-O

Published February 14, 2022

88.1 the Park is celebrating a milestone birthday. The station signed on the air February 14, 1972. “Back in the Day” we were ten watts of power and at 89.3. The station was on the air for six hours that first day. A lot has changed over the years including a switch to 88.1, power increases, going stereo, a switch to 24 hour/7 day per week broadcasting and so much new technology. But one thing has remained the same – the impact on the lives of students.

We hosted an Alumni On Air Day on Saturday February 12, and in the midst of all the music programs we had two alums create a great interview program reflecting on the station. Bill Collins is Plymouth Salem Class of 1976 and Tom Smith is Plymouth Canton Class of 1977. Bill has gone on to be a Ford Motor Corporate Exec in Public Affairs and Tom Smith has had a long career in radio. They interviewed former students and former station advisor John Seidelman. Some may remember John for his years as a P-CEP counselor and English Teacher. You can listen to their interview program here.

The station is also part of an exhibit at the Plymouth Historical Museum. “Connecting at the Speed of Life” looks at communication changes in Plymouth and includes a tribute to WSDP’s 50th Anniversary. It includes a small studio with some of the early equipment from the station and a bunch of memorabilia. It will be up through June and is worth checking out.

And if you know a WSDP Alum we are planning a reunion for Oct. 1, 2022 at Schoolcraft College. We have more information on that evening at our website.

On behalf of our alums, we thank the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools board members, administration and staff that kept the station on the air through some very challenging years. Your work allowed students to learn, prepare and thrive. Thanks to all of the students that have been part of the station. Thanks to our former Station Managers including Bonny Dore, Mary Phyl Godfroy, John Seidelman, Jeff Cardinal, Andrew Melin and Dave Snyder. And thanks to the Plymouth-Canton community for listening and supporting 88.1 through the many changes. We’re proud to be Plymouth and Canton’s Radio Station.