Scene & Heard: WYPR 10th anniversary

Bill Nerenberg, Andy Bienstock and Dotty Nerenberg<br>
<br>
<HR><br>
<br>
A few dozen WYPR supporters gathered in Center Stage's mezzanine for a VIP reception giving them a jump start on an evening celebrating the public radio station's 10th anniversary.<br>
<br>
"We're going to just have fun tonight," said Tony Brandon, WYPR president/CEO. He was referring to a special edition of "Stoop Storytelling" later that evening that would feature <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="ORNPR0000040" title="NPR" href="/topic/economy-business-finance/media-industry/radio-industry/npr-ORNPR0000040.topic">NPR</a> and WYPR personalities sharing stories along the theme "Ten: Stories about the Perfect Number" -- something that several hundred WYPR fans would be attending.<br>
<br>
"We made it. This is not an easy journey to make," said Gil Sandler, "Maryland Stories" writer/performer.<br>
<br>
"I can't believe it's been 10 years. It seems like yesterday [that we started]. The way we've grown has been phenomenal. We've had a lot of fun and it's been a great team," said Barbara Bozzuto, founding board member and its second chair.<br>
<br>
"It's very exciting to be celebrating the accomplishments of the last 10 years," said Jack Machen, WYPR board chair.<br>
<br>
"It's been a fabulous 10 years. I'm looking forward to the next 10," said Andy Bienstock, WYPR program director.<br>
<br>
Ken Rudin, NPR's "Political Junkie," marveled at the devotion of public radio fans in general.<br>
<br>
"Wherever I go, I love the fact that people say, 'I can't live without NPR.' In my 10 years at <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="ORCRP000009600" title="ABC (tv network)" href="/topic/economy-business-finance/media-industry/television-industry/abc-%28tv-network%29-ORCRP000009600.topic">ABC</a> News, that never happened," he said.<br>
<br>
Meanwhile, the friend he had come to honor, Sheilah Kast, said she felt she was getting four years of undeserved credit for the station's success. The show she hosts. "Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast" had only been on-air for six years.<br>
<br>
"I'm getting a freebie here. I get to celebrate more years than I've actually been here," she said with a chuckle.<br>
<br>
<I>-- Sloane Brown</i>

bal-bs-ae-parties-wypr1520120531084410

( Photo by Karen Jackson, Special to The Baltimore Sun / May 23, 2012 )

Bill Nerenberg, Andy Bienstock and Dotty Nerenberg

A few dozen WYPR supporters gathered in Center Stage's mezzanine for a VIP reception giving them a jump start on an evening celebrating the public radio station's 10th anniversary.

"We're going to just have fun tonight," said Tony Brandon, WYPR president/CEO. He was referring to a special edition of "Stoop Storytelling" later that evening that would feature NPR and WYPR personalities sharing stories along the theme "Ten: Stories about the Perfect Number" -- something that several hundred WYPR fans would be attending.

"We made it. This is not an easy journey to make," said Gil Sandler, "Maryland Stories" writer/performer.

"I can't believe it's been 10 years. It seems like yesterday [that we started]. The way we've grown has been phenomenal. We've had a lot of fun and it's been a great team," said Barbara Bozzuto, founding board member and its second chair.

"It's very exciting to be celebrating the accomplishments of the last 10 years," said Jack Machen, WYPR board chair.

"It's been a fabulous 10 years. I'm looking forward to the next 10," said Andy Bienstock, WYPR program director.

Ken Rudin, NPR's "Political Junkie," marveled at the devotion of public radio fans in general.

"Wherever I go, I love the fact that people say, 'I can't live without NPR.' In my 10 years at ABC News, that never happened," he said.

Meanwhile, the friend he had come to honor, Sheilah Kast, said she felt she was getting four years of undeserved credit for the station's success. The show she hosts. "Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast" had only been on-air for six years.

"I'm getting a freebie here. I get to celebrate more years than I've actually been here," she said with a chuckle.

-- Sloane Brown