New local talk show
joins WLIS and WMRD AM radio line-up
“CT Outdoors”
focuses on
people and nature
across the state
Old Saybrook and
Middletown, CT – AM radio stations WLIS (1420 AM) and WMRD
(1150 AM) have added a new local talk show to their
programming. “CT Outdoors” covers everything in Connecticut
to do with people and nature – from home gardening, plants
and flowers to the many public parks, nature preserves and
events and activities involving natural resources, wildlife
and conservation.
The live show airs
every Tuesday at 12:30 to 1 p.m. and is rebroadcast at 6:30
p.m. on both stations. Host Suzanne Thompson is an avid
gardener and mother who after years of communications work
on Capitol Hill and in corporations is returning to her
first and favorite assignment as a broadcast journalist,
talking about people and plants.
CT Outdoors is a lively
mix of upcoming events, programs and activities revolving
around nature, wildlife, conservation and natural resources
for all members of the family, plus human interest and
horticultural how-to. Thompson talks with gardening and
nature experts and enthusiasts, garden club leaders, Master
Gardeners, local green industry companies, government
agencies and philanthropic organizations.
“Connecticut must have
the most community and specialized garden clubs per capita
in the country,” Thompson says. “If you can grow a plant in
this state, there’s a club, society or association of people
who get together to share their secrets, swap information
and plants, help beautify the state and have a good time
doing it. And every one has interesting stories to tell.”
Thompson is a
horticulturist with a healthy sense of humor. “CT Outdoors”
reflects her philosophy that working with plants is supposed
to be fun, not intimidating, and not everyone has a green
thumb. Thompson and her guests provide entertaining
information for listeners who consider gardening a
“spectator sport,” too.
“Gardening is a social
activity – people like to talk about what they’re growing
this year, favorite plants they remember, or that dream yard
they’ll create some day,” Thompson says. “Even if they only
have the space or time to plant a few containers for their
front door or windows, it’s still their pride and joy. They
stay connected to nature and to other people through the
shared experience.”
As a parent, Thompson
also is concerned children today don’t have enough hands-on
experience with nature, plants and animals. Her guests
include the many nature and wildlife organizations,
government and private institutions that sponsor outdoor
activities around the state for family members of all ages,
from children to senior adults.
“Whether we suffer from
‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ or we’re simply ‘nature-deprived’
because of too many other demands or distractions, it’s time
for people to get outside, relax and get some fresh air and
exercise,” Thompson says. “My goal is to help listeners get
to know – or rediscover – ways to be closer to nature in
this state and enjoy it.”
“CT Outdoors” on
Tuesdays rounds out the weekday line-up of live local
mid-day and early evening talk shows on WLIS and WMRD: Defining
Women with Lisa Biesak and Sally Algiere on Mondays;
Spotlight with Virginia Wolf on Wednesdays; House Calls with
designers Beth Tichacek and Patti O’Shaughnessy on
Thursdays, and Best of the Valley Shore with station owner
Don DeCesare on Fridays.
WLIS 1420 AM in Old
Saybrook and WMRD 1150 AM in Middletown cover the central
Connecticut River Valley region up to the Massachusetts
border and the coastal shore from New Haven to New
London. They are owned by Crossroads Communications. For
more information, go to
www.wliswmrd.net or call 860-347-9673.
For upcoming CT
Outdoors programs and guests and to send announcements and
events to Suzanne, go to
www.wliswmrd.net/outdoors.htm .
