Pete Bowers 3/20/20 Pete Bowers 3/20/20

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Favorite music in no particular order: Beatles, John Denver, Linda Ronstadt, Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkle, Harry Chapin, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Nat King Cole, Guess Who, Madonna, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Carrie Underwood, Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers, Judy Garland, Doris Day, Chicago, Olivia Newton John, Green Day, Weird Al Yankovic, John Lennon solo, Motown Music (various artists), Michael Jackson, Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, Blondel, BeeGees, Grease soundtrack, Big Chill soundtrack, Sound of Music soundtrack, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat soundtrack (Donny Osmond), Kode Lee, Gabriella Quevedo, Alan Jackson, Brandi Carlile, Kelly Clarkston, Ashley McBride and Lady Gaga.

Favorite radio stations in no particular order: WBFH Bloomfield Hills, WJR Detroit, WOMC Detroit, WWJ Detroit, 971 The Ticket, Detroit; WUOM (NPR) Ann Arbor, WGHN Grand Haven, WAWL, Grand Haven, any high school radio station, any college station especially WCHP AM 650. Grew up in Detroit area listening to CKLW The Big 8, Keener 13 and WXYZ Wixie.

Favorite radio air personalities in no particular order: JoAnne Purtan/JJ WOMC Detroit, Scott Anderson 971 The Ticket Detroit, Jake Neher WDET Detroit, Mojo in the Morning Channel 955 iHeartRadio Detroit, Delilah 105.7, Mary Ellen Murphy WGHN Grand Haven, Jesse Bruce also WGHN, Jim “JJ” Johnson (5 Detroit stations spanning 52 years), Nights with Alice Cooper. Casey Kasem, American Top 40. Grew up in Detroit area listening to Big 8 jocks Super Max, Johnny Williams, Brother Bill Gable, Pat Holiday, Gary Burbank, Scott Regen, Ted the Bear Richards and 20/20 newsmen Byron McGregor, Randall Carlisle and Grant Hudson. Bill Bailey WDRQ. Listened to Dick Purtan and Purtan’s People for at least 40 years. Listened to Alan Almond (who I met twice when he came in to WBFH to make a tape) do his Pillow Talk radio show for many years. My Mom always had Detroit radio legend J.P. McCarthy on when I was a kid…heard him on the kitchen radio. Was big fan of A Prairie Home Companion when Garrison Keiller was host. Fan of Paul W. Smith…especially after I met him and watched him do his show from the golden towers of the Fisher Building. Fan of Andover grads who worked in radio: Jyl Jackson (Forsyth), Phil Barry (Baykian) and Peter Carey (Owens).

Favorite sports teams in no particular order: PGA Golf, LPGA Golf, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Detroit Lions, USA Soccer Men’s and Women’s.

Favorite athletes in no particular order: Al Kaline, Pistol Pete Maravich, Clint Dempsey (US men’s soccer), Alex Morgan (US women’s soccer), Lionel Messi, Tiger Woods, Jordan Speith, Viktor Hovland, Bill Laimbeer (met him a few times because his wife was the sponsor for the church youth group Adam was a member of).

Favorite TV shows in no particular order: Schooled, Home Improvement, Wonder Years, WKRP in Cincinnati, PGA Golf, Last Man Standing, Mork and Mindy, CBS Sunday Morning with Jane Pauly, America’s Got Talent, Father Brown, Happy Days, The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Saturday Night Live, Welcome Back Kotter, Ted Lasso, Late Night with David Letterman, Good Witch, Under the Radar, American Pickers, Rock the Park, The Tonight Show, When Calls the Heart, CBS This Morning Saturday, The Good Place, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Monk, Amahl and the Night Visitors, 24, 60 Minutes, Northern Exposure, The Weakest Link, several Hallmark Channel movies.

Favorite movies in no particular order: Meatballs, Groundhog Day, School of Rock, Aladdin, Airplane, The Jerk, Turn up the Volume, Pirate Radio, Caddyshack, Good Morning Vietnam, Somewhere in Time, The King’s Speech, Star Wars, ET, Elf, Vacation, Christmas Vacation, Vegas Vacation, 13 Going on 30, Home Alone, Trains Planes and Automobiles, Mrs. Doubtfire, Sleepless in Seattle, Pretty Woman, Ghostbusters, A Thousand Clowns, All the President’s Men, The Wizard of Oz, It’s a Wonderful Life, Back to the Future, Toy Story-all, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Rocky, The Sound of Music.

Favorite Spotify playlists in no particular order: Pete and Claudia Playlist, Beach Music, Summer BBQ, Mellow Classics, 70’s Road Trip, 70’s FM Radio Rider, American Fireworks, Timeless Love Songs, Feel Good Summer, Smile, Songs to Sing in the Car, My Girl, Easy Christmas, Classic Acoustic, Christmas Peaceful Guitar, Ocean Sounds, Nat King Cole, Happy Days.

Favorite comedians in no particular order: Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Jeff Foxworthy, George Carlin, John Candy, Martin Short, Chris Farley, Jim Carey, Steven Wright, Jack Black, Albert Brooks, Mitch Hedberg, Rodney Dangerfield, Robert Klein, Stewart Francis, Garrison Keiller.

Favorite actors in no particular order: Robin Williams, Bill Murray, Tim Allen, AJ Michalka, Brett Dier, Kaitlyn Dever, Steve Martin, Julia Roberts, Danika McKellar, Jennifer Garner,Tony Shalhoub, Zooey Deschanel, Jason Sudeikis, Jane Seymour, Kristen Bell, Henry Winkler, Howard Hesseman, Jack Black, Chevy Chase, John Candy, Tom Hanks, Janine Turner.

Favorite songs in no particular order:

All the songs on the Pete and Claudia Playlist on Spotify

Evergreen-Barbra Streisand (sang at our wedding by Debbie Kovelle)

Wedding Song (There is Love)-Paul Stookey (played at our wedding)

WOLD, Taxi-Harry Chapin (the life of a DJ)

Evergreen-Barbara Streisand (sung at our wedding and at Claudia’s Celebration of Life)

In My Life-The Beatles (played by Eric and Adam at Claudia’s Celebration of Life)

Rocky Mountain High, For You, The Gift You Are, Perhaps Love, AM Radio-John Denver (plus many more)

Got to Get You into My Life-Beatles (our song) I like many Beatles songs, too many to include here.

Thank you for Being a Friend-Andrew Gold (played at the end of every MOD marathon broadcast)

Don’t Know Much, Goodbye my Friend, Poor Poor Pitiful Me (many others)-Linda Ronstadt

This Guy’s in Love with You-Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass

You Light up My Life-Debby Boone

The Story, You and Me on the Rock-Brandi Carlile

There’s No Me…Without You-Sung by Glen Campbell

Father and Son, How Can I Tell You, Miles from Nowhere (many others)-Cat Stevens

Best Thing that Ever Happened to Me-Gladys Knight and The Pips (aired on the radio a month before I met Claudia…timely!)

Aqualung-Jethro Tull (entire album)

Any song by Karen and Richard Carpenter (The Carpenters)

Emerson, Lake and Palmer-Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, part 2, Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends (song I played to start my Bagley’s Corner radio show)

Three Little Birds (Don’t worry about a thing)-Bob Marley

Since You Been Gone-Kelly Clarkson

Shine Jesus Shine-Graham Kendrick

Get Off of my Cloud-Rolling Stones

LOVE-John Lennon (many others)

You are the Sunshine of my Life, I Just Called to Say I Love you-Stevie Wonder

Beat it, Man in the Mirror, Billie Jean-Michael Jackson

Bolero-Maurice Ravel

Friend Like Me, Prince Ali, A Whole New World-Aladdin soundtrack

Lucky Star, Crazy for You, Burning Up-Madonna

Love is a Battlefield-Pat Benatar

We Need a Little Christmas-Mame soundtrack

Lose Yourself-Eminem

To be Loved-Jackie Wilson

Circle Game-Joni Mitchell

Smile-Nat King Cole version, Judy Garland version

Jesus Christ Superstar (album)

I Love You a Bushel and a Peck-Doris Day

Summer Madness-Kool and the Gang (song used by Alan Almond to close his Pillow Talk radio show)

Sound of Silence-Simon and Garfunkel, Disturbed cover

Old Friends-Simon and Garfunkel (many others)

A Song for You-Kode Lee (America’s Got Talent)

You are the Reason-Calum Scott

Lost Without You-Freya Ridings

500 Miles-The Proclaimers

Hey Look me Over-Wildcat soundtrack (Lucy)

Hello, It’s Me-Todd Rundgren (one of “our” songs…goes back to when I called her the first time in her dorm room at CMU) Also, Brown Eyed Girl (dedicated to Claudia)

Eve of Destruction-Barry McGuire

Nobody but You-Blake Sheldon duet with Gwen Stefani

Say You Won’t Let Go-James Arthur

The Story-Brandi Carlile

When I Fall in Love, Stay as Sweet as You Are, Unforgettable-Nat King Cole

If-Bread

I’ll be Seeing You-Jimmy Durante (The Notebook movie soundtrack)

Behind Blue Eyes-Who

I’d do Anything-Oliver soundtrack

Sultans of Swing-Dire Straits

William Tell Overture, Classical Gas, Dueling Banjos, Galveston, Adios, This Savior I sing of Today-Glen Campbell

Summer of ‘69-Bryan Adams

I Got the Music in Me-Kiki Dee Band

Never My Love-The Association

Where Were You-Alan Jackson

To Sir With Love-Lulu

How do I Live Without You-Trisha Yearwood

Funeral for a Friend, Don’t go Breaking My Heart, I Guess that’s Why They Call it the Blues-Elton John

Perfect, Thinking Out Loud, Shape of You-Ed Sheeran

Let it be Christmas-Alan Jackson

My Life Would Suck Without You-Kelly Clarkson

I want to Know what Love is-Foreigner

This is It, Nightwatch-Kenny Loggins

Live Like You are Dying-Tim McGraw

Just to See Her-Smokey Robinson

To Love Somebody (and many more)-The Bee Gees

It is Well with my Soul

Concerts/shows attended in no particular order: Steve Martin (Pine Knob, Eastern Michigan University Fieldhouse, The Whiting, Flint); Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers (Wharton, MSU); Steve Martin Mull, Steve Martin and Martin Mull (Royal Oak); No Doubt (twice in Pontiac, one at Clutch Cargo’s, two times at Palace of Auburn Hills, once at Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH); Gwen Stefani solo (two times, both at Palace of Auburn Hills w/Adam); Blink 182 (once with Green Day at Palace, once with No Doubt in Ohio); Green Day (Palace with Blink 182); Jethro Tull (Silverdome); Jesus Christ Superstar (Cobo Arena); School of Rock (Broadway show at DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids); Simon and Garfunkel (Palace w/Claudia); Paul McCartney (Palace w/Ryan Fishman); Billy Joel (Silverdome w/Claudia); Carrie Underwood (Breslin, MSU); Bruce Springsteen (Silverdome w/Claudia); Jeff Foxworthy (Fox Theater, w/Claudia, front row seats!); Ron White (Fox, w/Ron); Jerry Seinfeld (Fox); Weird Al Yankovich ( two times, Meadowbrook); Demetri Martin (Meadowbrook w/Adam and Eric, front row!); Jay Leno (Freedom Hill, w/Tom); Beach Boys (Pine Knob); Harlem Globetrotters (Palace w/boyz); George Carlin (once at Central Michigan University, once at Michigan Theater); Steven Wright (Michigan Theater); Ben Folds (Wharton, MSU, w/boyz); Soupy Sales (Detroit); Prairie Home Companion live radio show (Fox Theater); KISS (CMU); James Taylor (CMU); Bob Seger (CMU); Kathleen Madigan (Royal Oak); Madonna/Beastie Boys (Cobo Arena); Lionel Ritchie (Cobo Arena); Guess Who (Pine Knob); Chicago (Pine Knob); Bruno Mars (Palace); Weezer (State Theater w/boyz); Wayne Brady (Las Vegas); Rita Rudner (Las Vegas); Alice Cooper (Cobo Arena); Johnny Ginger/Elvis impersonator (Northville); Howie Mandel (Pine Knob); Salute to America/Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Greenfield Village); Shout (Beatles tribute band, Hickory Grove 40th birthday party); Creed (Pine Knob, first rock concert for Adam and Eric); Ernie the Play (Hockeytown Cafe theater); 2nd City Detroit (Hockeytown Cafe theater…featuring Jackie Purtan); Kenny Wayne Shepard (Michigan State Fair); Movin’ Out (Broadway show at Fisher Theater); Jersey Boys (Wharton, MSU); School of Rock (Devos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids); The Scottville Clown Band (Fruitport park); Woodstock Revival Tribute Band (Coast Guard Festival, Grand Haven); It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play (Grand Haven Community Center); Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me live radio show (Wharton, MSU); 1964 The Tribute…Beatles tribute band (Freedom Hill); Beatlemania (New York, Broadway show); Linda Ronstadt (Pine Knob); Jeff Tweedy (Hill Auditorium w/Eric); Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra Hall); West Michigan Symphony (Frauenthal Center, Muskegon; Tom Chapin (Interlochen); Matt Watroba (The Ark); David Barrett (Andover Class of 1972, Trinity House); John Denver, Harry Chapin, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor (rare concert with all four together, Olympia Stadium, Detroit); The Late Show with David Letterman (in Ed Sullivan Theater, New York, TV show w/Ron…photo op with him on the street on his way in to do show!); Stand up comedians at Catch a Rising Star, Carolines on Broadway and The Improv, all in New York City; Won tickets to Gordon Lightfoot concert at Meadowbrook by calling in to Pillow Talk host Alan Almond’s radio show…on the way to show, it started raining cats and dogs…we decided not to attend thinking it would not be fun to watch a concert in an open amphitheater in pouring rain. One more story…when I was in college I applied for an usher job at Pine Knob Music Theater (now DTE Theater) and was hired. As an usher, I got to see a bunch of concerts even though I was technically working. I remember seeing acts like Andy Williams and Engelbert Humperdinck four nights in a row…it was painful to watch at times. Anyway, they hired too many people to be ushers so one night I was told to report to the theater office (which was a mobile home in the parking lot) and they let me and a few others go…I was “ushered” out of the office, the only job I was ever fired…not because I did anything wrong, but because they screwed up by hiring too many people.

Favorite Books in no particular order (most recent reads first):

Grieving with Hope by Samuel Hodges and Kathy Leonard

It’s OK that You’re Not OK (Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand) by Megan Devine

Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler

The Lives We Actually Have by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie

Healing After Loss by Martha Hickman

I Really Needed this Today by Hoda Kotb

When Life Hurts, a Book of Hope by Wayne Dosick

Encounters with Jesus by J.R. Hudberg

Keep Calm and Trust God by Jake and Keith Provance

How Not to Die by Michael Greger, MD & Gene Stone

When God Doesn’t Make Sense by Dr. James Dobson

Ask Your Developer by Jeff Lawson (former student, billionaire…see Blog about his book)

Let’s Roll by Lisa Beamer (wife of 9-11 hero Todd Beamer)

No Heavy Lifting, Globetrotting Adventures of a Sports Media Guy: Rob Simpson (see Blog about his book which he dedicated to me). Another book by Rob, The Winged Wheel, has great photos of Detroit Red Wings.

Natural Disaster: Ginger Z (met her in Rockford where she signed my book).

Love, Lucy: Lucille Ball

A Book: Desi Arnaz

Dean and Me, A Love Story: Jerry Lewis

One Heart at a Time: Delilah

Are You my Guru?: Wendy Shanker (former student, book is signed)

Soupy Sez!, My Zany Life and Times: Soupy Sales

Born Standing Up: Steve Martin

The Last Lecture: Randy Pausch

One Month to Live: Kerry and Chris Shook

Yertle the Turtle: Dr. Seuss

The Catcher in the Rye: J.D. Salinger

Tuesdays with Morrie: Mitch Albom (signed)

Naked: David Sedaris (signed)

Detroit’s Sports Broadcasters On the Air: George Eichorn

Pistol, The Life of Pete Maravich: Mark Kriegel

America’s Favorite Radio Station WKRP in Cincinnati: Michael Kassel

A Sense of Where You Are, Princeton’s Bill Bradley: John McPhee

When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Harold S. Kushner

From Soupy to Nuts, a History of Detroit Television: Tim Kiska

The Bible

Pete Bowers 3/14/20 Pete Bowers 3/14/20

Kind Words

Eternally grateful for the kind words from the following people…thank you from the bottom of my heart!

When asked in a Facebook group, who was your favorite teacher in high school, Peter Starkel (1987) said: “Out of all the teachers, I would say that Pete Bowers had the most lasting impact on my life. I don’t believe I went longer than a year without being involved with a radio station. I owe much of that to the way Pete guided all of us at WBFH”.

PB-Mr. Bowers is one of the reasons I actually do the job that I do. He was such a great teacher, so helpful, so funny. He really is an All Star, he’s awesome! He’s constantly looking to the future and helping students find their own path and I think someone who has that talent is so important for kids, to help them find what do I want to do, what do I want to be and how do I do that. Thank you for giving me my start in this crazy business. You changed my life for the better-you are an amazing teacher! The Biff will never be the same! Heather Catallo

Bowco-I can’t thank you enough for the positive influence you were on me in high school and still to this day. The best teacher, mentor, counselor and so on… High school life would have been completely different without you and the Biff. You are amazing! Michelle Conner

Thank you Pete Bowers-truly the only teacher I connected with in all my years in Bloomfield Hills School District. You gave me the confidence I needed just at the right time which has served me well my whole live! Dave McClary

I love Mr. Bowers. Honestly, my fondest memories of high school, hands down, was my time at WBFH and Mr. Bowers, we called him Mr. Bowers of course back then. He did so much to inspire all of us through the radio program and a lot of us have gone into the business. Through the years you've helped mold so many young lives!!! You truly are the best! JoAnne Purtan

Those of us whose lives you touched and molded all knew your fabulous career #1 was like a 12 hour broadcasting day that would eventually end. But that doesn't mean we weren't all hoping it would more resemble Spring Celebration and go on forever. This is equally thrilling and not surprising to any of the thousands of people, especially students, on whom you've had such an enormous impact along your journey. Congratulations and thank you. You are loved and admired across generations and area codes, and your baby will be in good hands. Scott Meach

Pete-You played a major part in so many people’s lives. You’ve given them a glimpse at different career possibilities other than standard choices. You made school fun and interesting. Thanks for touching so many of your student’s lives. You have meant so much to so many. Enjoy your retirement. Heather Monk Doran

Dear PB-You were a huge positive influence on our son Foster. You sparked his interest in radio, gave him a place to belong and hang out, also a creative outlet. We can’t thank you enough. You will be sorely missed. Louise and Aaron Stubbs, parents of Foster Stubbs

Greetings PB! I wish I could be there for your retirement party. One thing that sucks about college is that I can’t stop by the Biff in between my classes. The Biff was always my home away from home in high school and I just wanted to thank you for giving me that special place. It’s crazy to think that there will be someone other than you running the station next year. You truly built up a dynasty worthy of John Wooden’s UCLA basketball teams or even the Roman Empire. The Biff is a testament to your hard work and dedication to students like me. I will never be able to repay you for what you and the Biff meant to me, I was so blessed to have you as my “radio dad.” If anyone deserves a peachy retirement, it’s you. Don’t have too much fun though. Foster Stubbs

No matter how my day is going, Mr. Bowers is always there to brighten up my day with his “Bowersisms” or his amazing humor. So far, some of my best memories of high school have been with Mr. Bowers by my side. Andrew Brown

As debates continue within the business community about how to support education, there is a lesson we can learn from an educator who is worthy of celebration. Pete Bowers is retiring after 41 years as a teacher and, as he is well-known in local broadcasting circles, the station manager of WBFH-FM in Bloomfield Hills, a community radio station staffed primarily by the students he has mentored since the "The Biff" first signed on the air in 1976. "Bitten by the broadcasting bug" as a college student, Bowers channeled that passion into a career, in his hometown, filled with indelible influence. One of the unusual aspects of the communications business is the lack of barriers to entry. There is no state certification, no licensing exams. Would-be entrants just need someone to open the door to a career. For me, that was Bowers. When I was just 11 years old, as a sixth-grader fascinated by media, he gave me a radio show he named "Middle School Spotlight." As a senior in high school, he named me the station's operations manager, overseeing a staff of 30. In between, I learned how to DJ, anchor news, report sports and call play-by-play. In more than four decades, he gave similar career head starts to WXYZ-TV's Heather Catallo and JoAnne Purtan, WXYT-FM's Scott "The Gator" Anderson and WDET-FM's Jake Neher, among dozens of others. Sure, we all grew up in and around Bloomfield Hills, which provided us with multiple advantages. But it was Bowers who created an environment that encouraged teamwork and fresh thinking, invaluable lessons for communicators and others who have enjoyed success in a wide range of professions. At a retirement luncheon June 3 (2017), administrators, colleagues and alumni thanked Bowers for all he has sent into the lives of his students. In a mix of laughter and tears, we spoke on how experiences as a teenager have shaped our lives as adults. All of the comments had something in common — we talked of intangibles, not anything that can be measured by standardized tests. One former student, now an FBI agent, drove 500 miles from Virginia to be there. Another, an internet entrepreneur, flew in from Atlanta. A third, a teacher and debate coach in Florida, flew in to say, "The three biggest positive influences in my life have been my mother, my father and Pete Bowers.” Too often, the word we hear the most in business is negative — "no." Forget about creativity. Just hit your numbers. Make the boss happy. Keep your head down. Don't cause trouble. But with Pete Bowers, the answer to students was always "yes." When I, at 14, wanted to be the first broadcaster, perhaps nationally, to call a middle school basketball game on the radio, he said "yes." Three years later, when I wanted to rack up long distance charges interviewing national media figures on a talk show, he said "yes." Two of many examples of experiences then that built skills used now. Pete Bowers saw his role not just to manage, not just to teach, but also to empower. If we can all figure out ways to say "yes" to career-minded young people, his legacy will long outlast his retirement. Matt Friedman

As the creator, builder and driving force behind WBFH Radio, Pete Bowers championed non-commercial educational broadcasting and afforded our youth the opportunity to establish themselves as communicators, problem-solvers and leaders. His 41-year career with the Bloomfield Hills Schools was remarkable in that he encouraged, coached and empowered many students on to successful careers in the communications industry, be it radio, television or film. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work along side Pete those many years and consider myself lucky to have been part of his team. Ron Wittebols

Paul Gaba: The three biggest positive influences in my life have been my mother, my father and Pete Bowers. There is no way on God's green earth I could ever fully capture what his role as a teacher, mentor, professional supervisor, and - most impor… — Paul Gaba: The three biggest positive influences in my life have been my mother, my father and Pete Bowers. There is no way on God's green earth I could ever fully capture what his role as a teacher, mentor, professional supervisor, and - most importantly - friend has meant to me over that time period. The educational broadcast world will be losing a major voice with his retirement, but there are thousands of voices in multiple professions which continue to make a difference thanks in no small part to his guidance. Thank you, PB, for everything.

It's hard to believe you are retiring, it's also hard to believe it's been 41 years! Congrats Pete Bowers, you deserve it, leaving on your terms and leaving an amazing, lasting legacy for all to be in awe of (I know, ending a sentence in a preposition is poor grammar, but I also said the word "Suck" as a Senior staffer during a speech in front of hundreds at a Share-a-thon for high school radio). This is awesome Pete Bowers, you're in the Hall of Fame! First it was Jack and Tram, now Pete, perfect! Congratulations, you deserve it and continue to inspire through your life after radio, my man! You gave me direction as a 16 year old and I haven't deviated from that path to this day. Thank you so much for opening up this world of broadcasting to so many, you epitomize what teaching is all about! Scott Anderson

Mr. Bowers, you were an AMAZING teacher! The BIFF changed my life! Because of your vision to build a high school radio station that many young and budding journalists began their career on is a testimony of not only your influence, but also the great legacy you will leave behind! Congrats on retirement and also doing an unbelievable job as GM for 41 years at the #1 High School Radio Station in the Nation....WBFH...The BIFF!!!! Brent Hatchett

Pete, hundreds of students can testify to your skills, knowledge, wisdom, and patience. And there are a lot of broadcasting teachers around Michigan who will attest to your willingness to help further the teaching of communication skills. Congratulations! David Legg (former manager of WOVI, Novi High School)

Need some time to figure this out: I always LIKE the programs that are perpetually positive for BHHS, I LOVE Pete and the BIFF, I am SAD that this day must come, I always say WOW at the great broadcasting program that has won award after award, year after year, for individuals and the station as a whole, oh, and now, whew, a tear of happiness for what is to come for Pete. Just wow. Ingrid Day (School Board President)

This is a historic day in Detroit radio history. It was my privilege to be on your WBFH staff from '79-81. Getting to wear so many hats helped me to become an advertising writer, especially in creating and producing commercials for radio. When I remember my days at Andover I remember you. Thanks so much & congrats Pete on one heck of a ride! Chris Hill

Wow... Congrats, PB. I'm so grateful for your guidance and your dedication to instilling in young people a love for radio broadcasting. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing without you. Best wishes in all future endeavors! Jake Neher

Broadcast education will be much the poorer once you have left the scene, Pete. We are most proud to have you as a BCA alum and salute your tremendous contribution to the vibrancy of high school radio! Dr. Pete Orlik (CMU professor)

Best. Teacher. Ever! Andrea Mellon McNamara

Pete, congratulations and welcome to the HOF! I enjoyed being able to congratulate you in person at the award ceremony and to listen to your remarks on your induction. A well-deserved special acknowledgment for a dedicated and talented educator. Steve Schram (HOF)

This is bittersweet news. Your retirement is well deserved, but I can't imagine the BIFF with you. You were one of my most influential teachers. So many lessons I learned from you I still apply today. Thank you for your service!! Staci Daniels-Sommers

Thank you PB. I can speak for all staff alumni when we say you've had a meaningfully positive impact on our lives. Ryan Bloom

It was great to be there as WBFH and Bloomfield Hills Public Schools honored Pete Bowers by naming their studio after him. Pete has an amazing legacy of making the difference in the lives of so many students. It was also great to see David Legg there. Dave also had that same impact at WOVI and Novi High School. I have lots of respect for these two men. Bill Keith (Manager WSDP, Plymouth-Canton)

Congrats! Enjoy your retirement. Thanks for all the wonderful memories and for being such an amazing role model to many students. Trammel, Jack Morris and now you! Congrats Pete on this amazing honor. Ric Blackwell

The greatest thing PB created was the feeling of family among Staff members. Ric Blackwell

Teams of, and teems of, professional broadcasters in the business thanks to Pete. In all different walks of the industry at all different levels, working gigs they love. "find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life". many can say that thanks to Bowers/WBFH. Rob Simpson

PB, thank you for your decades of service to our community and for bettering so many lives along the way. You have been such a positive force in the lives of so many and such a patient and giving teacher. "Someone else" has impossible shoes to fill! Chad Shepard

I think it's time to officially change the station's call name to WPBFH! ;) These comments are a testament to your dedication to education and broadcasting. Chief, you have touched many lives and inspired many students through your work. The ripple effects of your passion for broadcasting are evident all across the country. I've got Jacksonville, FL covered as a proud member of the WJCT Board of Trustees, and it all started in a little studio at WBFH. Thank you! Can't wait to hear what's next! Cathleen O’Bryan Murphy

Congratulations, Pete! If it weren’t for the Saturday Morning Jams program and the opportunity to be on-air in high school, I would have never held the jobs or had the amazing experiences in radio that I did during and after college. I’m sure that I am just one of many that will say this, but having you as a teacher and seeing your passion for broadcasting really did change my life. Best of luck in retirement and thanks for everything! Rob Daitch

The skills and lessons I learned in those old studios come into play each and every day and are a big part of who I am. I'm sure you'll find the most capable hands to take the reigns but it's the end of an era! Congratulations on an incredible career. I'm feeling lucky to have been a part of it! Daniel Muskovitz

Pete - BH and the teaching community is losing an icon. You've made an impact on thousands of students the world is a better place because of your efforts. Best of luck to you! Doug Pfaff

Congratulations Pete on being inducted into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame, this is a well deserved honor, as Bloomfield Hills owes so much to you for all you have done and all the lives you have changed including the birth of " PK Sports" Paul Kolin (School Board member)

Hall of Fame…so well deserved!!! You are & always will be the BEST!!! Celeste Montone

You’re the guy who gave me my first leadership opportunity. Dave McClary

Omg!! You were such an amazing teacher not only during my years at the Biff but for all your students all throughout your career. I find myself falling back on experiences and lessons I learned from you and from being on the air in my everyday life. I am so thankful for you for awarding me along with many other students over the years the opportunity to have our own show and for allowing us to express ourselves through sound, words and music. The BH school district is losing an icon but gaining a long lasting legacy! Enjoy your retirement to the fullest!! Pam Abghari

You have been an important figure in broadcast education and a big reason so many of your students went on to succes. You certainly were a big help to the development of the student outreach of the MAB Foundation's. THANK YOU from the members and board of the MAB & MABF. Karole White (Michigan Association of Broadcasters President/CEO)

PB, congratulations. The progress the biff has made from my freshman year till now is truly remarkable and that is solely due to your hard work. I hope that one day I can be as lucky as you are to wake up every morning with smile on your face knowing you have work today. While I didn't pursue radio in college your teaching and passion has still played a huge roll in shaping who I am. Good luck to you and your first wife Claudia as you navigate your next journey in life. Blake Perlman

I "liked" this post because it's always a good thing when professionals get to make career decisions on their own terms. Those of us who were lucky to live in the right place at the right time will be eternally grateful for the opportunities you provided to us. For me, it was the foundation of my professional life. Think of it this way, the career may be ending in one sense after 41 years but it could continue in another for at least another 41 years. As long as there's a Biffer putting your lessons into practice, you are still, to some extent, on the job. Let this be the beginning of the best farewell tour that radio has even seen! Matt Friedman

PB, your impact on the community and your students can not be overstated. You allowed your students a level of freedom to explore creativity that has been unmatched in my education. Your teaching career may be over, but you have certainly left your mark. Thank you and congrats! Dylan Deitch

You are famous! And not just because you were our Class President! Sue Hartemayer

I truly appreciate the time we were able to spend together preparing you for retirement and getting to know a little bit about Pete Bowers. You are one of a kind-and I mean that in the best way-and I will remember you most for your warmth and humor! Best wishes to you as you ‘drop the mic’ for the last time at the BIFF and begin the next chapter! Karen Healy (Director-Human Resources and Payroll)

BIIIIIGGGGG shoes to fill! I’m a drama and video production teacher because of my experiences at WBFH 1978-81. Thank you Pete for all your inspiration and guidance back in those good old late 70's! I would not be the teacher I am today without YOU as my teacher back then. Thank you for setting the course of my career and life! Peace! David Stein

Congratulations Pete on entering the Broadcasting Hall of Fame! We (the class of '71) and everyone who knows you, are so proud of you. I wish broadcasting was available when we were in high school and I had a teacher like you! Trent Dalrymple

You deserve it Mr Bowers. Words can't express the gratitude we all have for you having been in our lives. George Steven Tunis

WBFH was one of the best times in my life. Pete, you were a remarkable teacher and mentor. Kyle McAdams

Congrats on your retirement! Although I’m very, very happy for you, I can’t help but feel a little sad that WBFH won’t be the same anymore. I know for me, and many others, it was the very foundation of our broadcasting careers and so much of that had to do with you and the learning environment you created. Thank you so much for being so dedicated to a truly special experience-without it I (and again, so many others) would never be a part of this broadcasting world. I will always be grateful that you encouraged me to study broadcasting in college and that you put me in touch with a bunch of Syracuse alums--it really was the beginning of this wild television world that I’m now a part of. I’m sure you are flooded with many others sharing with you some of the same sentiments and because of that, your impact will live on in so many of us who first learned from you. Thanks again and congrats, enjoy retirement-you definitely deserve to! Marissa Boyajian

Having the opportunity to be involved with WBFH was absolutely a highlight of my time at Lahser. Loved getting a chance to put on "The Crock" and learn from you and Uncle Ron! Such great memories and experience that you made possible. I still crack up remembering Theodore Chen and some of the antics from "Mandarine Kitchen". Thank you Mr. Bowers - you are one of a kind! Jeff Bishop

Congratulations PB! You have definitely left a legacy to be proud of! Your years with Bloomfield and The Biff have influenced so many lives (including mine), and will never be forgotten! I still rave to my friends about my amazing radio teacher, and trust me there's much more where that came from! Hope retirement treats you well! Jaron Kirshenbaum

While looking back at my start in radio, none of it would have been possible had I not taken the Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting class in High School. Guy Cacciarelli and I were looking for a class to take together when Anthony D'Errico suggested we take FORBs. Pete Bowers was the instructor and the man most responsible for my passion in radio. He was goofy enough and witty enough (think David Letterman) to make things interesting enough, keeping the students engaged. Those experiences from 5 semesters in High School prepared me for a career in broadcasting. Pete encouraged us all to take chances and that's what I've done since I cracked open my first microphone. I'm still taking chances and will forever be grateful to Pete, who's legacy lives at WBFH at Bloomfield Hills High School and throughout the country with his countless success stories. Thanks for the bug, I hope to have it for a long time! Scott Anderson

“A mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires!” (William Arthur Ward). Thank you for being a GREAT teacher! You have definitely made a difference in the lives of our boys and we are forever grateful! All the best, The Fishmans (Jeremy’s parents)

Albert Einstein said, “I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” This quote seems most appropriate for you! You have opened your door and your heart to our kids, and then you allow them the “conditions” in which they strive to learn! Thank you for providing a safe and nurturing environment where our boys have felt free and confident to thrive! We are most grateful to you and we want you to know how very much we value the relationships you have formed with Cameron and Jeremy! The Billes’ and the Fishmans. (parents)

Congrats and thank you Pete Bowers! You helped make high school fun for so many of us! You inspired us and we are all so thankful for you. Karen Miller Morris

Happy retirement and thank you again for changing the lives of so many of your students from WBFH! Your impact will be felt for generations to come. And thanks for ALWAYS making us laugh!!!!! We all love you!!! Heather Catallo

I had the privilege to attend the retirement party of one of my high school teachers (mentor)... Pete Bowers. The guy responsible for creating my high school's radio station... WBFH 88.1 (The Biff) in Bloomfield Hills. I cannot even begin to tell you what a positive influence he had on his students. So much so that many entered the communications field. And, a number have become incredibly successful. I entered Michigan State as a telecommunications major and eventually switched to a more "reliable" field of accounting. That has been a big regret in my life. My passion was really communications. Mr. B instilled confidence in his students. In a school where pressure to excel filled the atmosphere, it was comforting to have a person and a place (the radio station) to be yourself. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a goof off situation. Mr. B basically structured the radio station as a business. You had to take the FORBs (Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting) class, earn your radio license, and subsequently "audition" by making a DJ tape to then earn your right to be on the air. There were different roles at the station. Operations manager, business manger, etc. You learned how to edit news copy, set-up and perform interviews as well as remote broadcasts. All very business-like. In addition, we learned how to give and care through the annual March of Dimes marathon. At the same time, you could turn to Mr. B and talk with him about anything. During my years there, he was the young hip guy. You'd go into his office...notice the Linda Ronstadt poster and feel he was just a regular guy. You felt at ease and knew he cared about all of his kids. The station was family. It taught us. It comforted us. It bonded us. And Mr. B was the caring "father." Wishing Pete, his wife (Claudia), and his sons all the best as he enters into the next "segment" of life. Enjoy retirement. You deserve it. Thank you for being a friend! Heather Monk Doran

Working for the community and looking out for students at both Andover and Lahser, Mr. Bowers is known as the caring teacher with a great personality. No matter how you are feeling, his smile and greeting puts you in a better mood. He won the Distinguished Service Award for the Bloomfield Hills School District and deserved to win the award. He offers his time to students to make them feel comfortable and has strong bonds with many students, especially the people in the WBFH Staff class. I have had the privilege of having Mr. Bowers as a teacher and have never had a teacher with such a passion for their students. He takes the time to get to know every one of his students and teaches them and provides opportunities they are not usually offered in other classes. Mr. Bowers is a vital contributor to the school district and he provides a positive look at how the community is viewed. Mr. Bowers deserves to be appreciated as a teacher because of all he has contributed. Jacqueline Shandler

Pete Bowers has been more than a teacher to his students, he has been a personal friend and role model. The thing that separates Mr. Bowers from other faculty is his desire to develop a close personal relationship with his students. He teaches radio staff at Andover and Exploring Electronic Media at both high schools. Even when the school hours are over, you can still find “PB”-which is what his students have come to call him-in the station’s studio working hard to keep the radio station running. Even after graduating students constantly return to see PB because he maintains a very close relationship with his former students. Mr. Bowers has a great sense of humor and at times seems like one of us. Every semester, we get closer and closer with him and by our senior year, it is hard to say goodbye. He is never afraid to step in and lend a helping hand whether it is on the radio or in the classroom and that is why he is our favorite teacher. Sean Shepard and Michael Blumenthal

Renee Abraham Letter (Diploma)

The following was a letter written to me by a former student named Renee Abraham who graduated from Lahser in 1979. She hand wrote it on parchment paper like a diploma. It was one of the best gifts I’ve ever received in my 41 years of teaching. I get choked up reading it because it makes everything worth it…and, sadly, Renee passed away in 1994.

“Dear Mr. Pete Bowers:

I hereby would like to issue you an honorary diploma of Thanks! This diploma actually covers a lot of ground. It speaks for the many times I’ve wanted to tell you how much I have appreciated the many things you’ve done this year. Before I leave, I just wanted to put into writing what I could not say as easily. First of all, I must inform you of one honest and simple fact. Out of all the activities I’ve participated in throughout my high school career, not one could compare to the WBFH Staff. Here is a list of things which brought me to my conclusion:

The experience I received in dealing with other people.
The opportunity to apply my own creative ability to projects I never believed I could do.
The room to make mistakes, and the chance to try again.
The learning of many things I will use in the future.
And last but most of all, the wonderful friends I’ve made through the station.

I could go on giving examples to each of these reasons for paragraphs. Yet you know as well as I do, the many events I was involved with this year. I would just like to thank you for giving me the chance that you have.

I’m sure it hasn’t been easy putting up with me in the past. I fully understand that on several occasions I: tried your patience, pushed you overboard, put you through the wringer and drove you up the wall. Now, I would just like to let you know I appreciate what you put up with. No matter what the confrontation was, you listened to me patiently and worked things out fairly. I know most of the time that wasn’t a very easy job to do. You know something? I think through our confrontations, I’ve learned to deal with problems a lot better. This is something I know I will have to do well in the future.

Even though I promised not to, I’m going to point out two very special occasions I will always remember about the station. Both were things you went out of your way to do for me. Each time I didn’t really know how to tell you how much I appreciated what you had done. The first time was during the marathon. Few people had faith in me being able to do the DJ show well. Because of this, I began to believe I could not do it myself. Yet the night of my show as tired as you were, you stayed throughout the whole shift. And just because you cared enough to see that I did a good job, I tried my hardest.

The second occasion happened recently as well. Every year in the middle of May, I receive a letter from the Youth Guidance Committee inviting me to an annual awards dinner. This year I received the usual letter to receive an award for tutoring. When I was called to receive my award and the speaker started reading off my accomplishments through the radio station, I was so honored. I can’t begin to tell you how important that was to me.

Well, now you have new students to face with new challenges in store. I hope that they can get from WBFH what I did. In one way, maybe I can repay you: I only discussed this with you briefly, but I plan to go into some type of communications field in the future. I just want to let you know you’ve inspired my plans by giving me the chance to try. No other teacher or faculty member ever throughout high school ever gave me the faith, encouragement or chances you did.

Thank you

Love

Renee”

Renee Abraham went on to Wayne State University after high school and worked on the campus radio station WAYN. She graduated from Wayne State in 1983 and worked at one time in the public relations department at WDIV Channel 4 TV in Detroit. She returned to Wayne State in 1990 and worked in the office of the Dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts. After her death, the Renee Abraham-Harries Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Public Relations was established to honor her. I am honored to post her letter in her memory.

Eternally grateful to Ron for writing this.

Ralph Martin, Conservatory Education Director/KVCB 100.9 FM Manager, Vacaville Christian Schools, Vacaville CA and Founder/Coordinator of the National High School Radio Network had this to say: “So far I haven’t had the honor of meeting Pete Bowers. His reputation is widely known and it represents some of what’s best about high school radio. It isn’t just in the great quality of his station, but in what I believe to be the single most important step spearheaded for high school radio—National High School Radio Day! Pete created a way for all stations to come together and discuss the challenges and successes that are common with all of our stations regardless of size or financial ability. High School Radio Day brought together radio stations in a non-competitive and supportive way—got us to talk—got us to be excited about what we do and how we’re the same in so many ways—as well as—how we’re different. I love what we’ve done with the National High School Radio Network—but that’s just one project. High School Radio Day is a celebration of all that is High School Radio.

Pete…I could never express the importance of the day you created for high school radio!! It was the first time I had ever thought that there was a vibrant community of excited radio teachers and advisers operating virtually alone before you brought them together. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to suggest that you may have saved several stations across America from going silent. We need you now more than ever to continue High School Radio Day. I really really really hope there’s another High School Radio Day this year! I can’t think of anything more important to our cause—can you?”

Pete Bowers 3/5/20 Pete Bowers 3/5/20

People I Would Like to Meet; People I Would Have Liked to Meet; People I Have Met; Autographs

I’m a FAN of a lot of people. Some people I’m a bigger fan than others. Here’s my list of people I would like to meet and a list of people who I would have liked to me but they have passed.

My two favorite TV teachers from the TV show Schooled which aired Wednesday nights on ABC: AJ Michalka (plays Lainey Lewis) and Brett Dier (plays Charlie (CB) Brown). The show had many elements that mirror my life. Lainey comes back to teach in the … — My two favorite TV teachers from the TV show Schooled which aired Wednesday nights on ABC: AJ Michalka (plays Lainey Lewis) and Brett Dier (plays Charlie (CB) Brown). The show had many elements that mirror my life. Lainey comes back to teach in the school she attended as a youth. I came back after graduating from college to teach in the school I attended…I’m a real life Lainey. Coach Mellor also came back to teach in the school he attended…I’m a real life Coach Mellor. In season 1, episode 11, they bring the school radio station back and ask the custodian, Johnny Atkins, to be the radio station manager. I was the radio station manager of our high school radio station…I’m a real life Johnny Atkins. CB is the hip Superteacher with wild ties and break dances to get the student’s attention. My students called me PB and I was a goofball at times in an attempt to get my student’s attention…I’m a real life CB. Now the bad news…Schooled has been cancelled by ABC (or not renewed…however you want to look at it) as of May, 2020…I’m so bummed!!

Other people I would like to meet…living…in no particular order: Tim Allen, Steve Martin, Linda Ronstadt, Gwen Stefani, Bill Murray, Julia Roberts, Danica McKellar, Christie Brinkley, Jennifer Garner, Zooey Deschanel, Kaitlyn Dever, Erin Andrews, Carrie Underwood, Jane Seymour, Kristen Bell.

People I would have liked to meet…not living…in no particular order: Jesus Christ, Pete Maravich, Al Kaline, Ernie Harwell, Lou Gehrig, Robin Williams, Abe Lincoln, John Denver, Peter the Apostle, John Lennon, Bobby Kennedy.

Celebrities I have met. Got a photo op with David Letterman as he was coming in to work circa 1995. A thrill to say the least!

Met Howard Hesseman (Doctor Johnny Fever) and Loni Anderson (Jennifer Marlow), of WKRP in Cincinnati at a Motor City Comic Con at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, May 18, 2012.

I actually met Gordon Jump (Mr. Carlson) at a radio convention…very cool!

Radio and TV people I have met in no particular order: Mojo, Spike and Shannon (Mojo in the Morning, Channel 955), Dick Purtan, Big Al, Colleen Burcar, Jackie Purtan, Doc Andrews, Wendall Leadbetter (Purtan’s People), Paul W. Smith, Steve Courtney, Frank Beckman (WJR), Blaine Fowler (WDVD), Guy Gordon (Channel 7, WJR), Mitch Albom, Kenny Brown (WJR), The Bushman (WJLB), Jake Neher (WDET), JoAnne Purtan (Channel 7, WOMC), Heather Catallo (Channel 7), Ann Marie LaFlamme (Channel 7), Scott The Gator Anderson (97.1 The Ticket), Paul Gross (Channel 4 weather), Mason (WJLB, Pistons basketball), Ken Daniels (Red Wings TV), Ken Kal (Red Wings radio), Drew and Mike (WRIF), Jim Johnson (WOMC current), Bob Allison (radio and Bowling for Dollars), Bob Hynes (Channel 7, WJR, WYUR), Jimmy Launce (WJR, WYUR), Captain Jay Roberts (WJR), Rich Homberg (WWJ, Detroit Public TV), John O’Leary (W4, WABX Air Ace ‘76-80), Charlie LeDuff (Fox 2), Dan Dickerson (Tigers), Doug Podell (WCSX), Matt Shepard (WDFN, Michigan Basketball), Jyl Forsyth (WYCD), Jim Harper (WNIC), Stoney, Pat Caputo, Terry Foster (971 The Ticket), Dave Fuller and Bill Bailey (WDRQ), Tom Bender (Greater Media), Steve Schram (Michigan Radio), Roberta Jasina (WWJ), Matt Friedman (WDIV, WWJ), Alan Almond (WNIC Pillowtalk), Rick Pluta (Michigan Radio), Art Vuolo Jr. (Radio’s Best Friend), Pete Orlik (CMU), Gary Reid (MSU), Gary Berkowitz (WHYT), Kevin O’Neill (multiple stations), Jesse Addy (NASH FM), Jesse Bruce (WMPA), Theresa Lucas (WNIC), Christopher Conn (WDVD, CBS Radio), Peter Carey (WMGC), Phil Barry (WMGC), David Scott (Channel 50), Jay Towers (WNIC, Fox 2), Kevin Craig (Fox 17), J.P. McCarthy (WJR), Brotha’ Fred (KISS Chicago), John Records Landecker (WLS Chicago), Bob Sirott (WLS Chicago), Dick Biondi (Chicago radio), Joey Reynolds (Chicago), Armen Keteyian (CBS, The Athletic), James Brown (CBS NFL), Ginger Zee (ABC), David Letterman (CBS).

Linda Ronstadt autographed program when she played Mabel in the Pirates of Penzance musical, summer 1980.

Autographs I have collected in no particular order:

Pete Maravich (photo), Ernie Harwell (hat), Linda Ronstadt (program), Joe Dumars (jersey), Mitch Albom (2 books), Dick Purtan, Bill Laimbeer (photo, card), Fess Parker (paper), Ginger Zee (book), Bo Schembechler (book), Chris Osgood (card), Sergei Fedorov (photo), Grant Hill (jersey), Al Kaline (photo), Isiah Thomas (photo), Nick Lidstrom (card), Shaquille O’Neal (piece of paper), Mark Hamill (photo), Harrison Ford (photo), Janine Turner (photo), Mario Andretti (card), Fred Couples (ticket), Ernie Els (photo), Fuzzy Zoeller (ticket), Chris Draper & Darren McCarty (Red Wings shirt), Lindsey Hunter (hat), Alan Almond, Karen Newman (CD), George Romney, Richard Karn (book), Tom Chapin (program), Gordon Jump (program), Matthew Broderick (program), Hal Newhouser (card), Peter Tork Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz (The Monkees CD), Howard Hesseman & Loni Anderson, Ed McMahon (photo), The Ghoul (photo), Jim Harper, Teresa Lucas (photo), Phil Hart, Mel Renfro, Lem Barney, Dave Bing, Joe Falls, Greg Landry (helmet), Pam Eldred (photo), Rick Mount (program), Tony Hawk (poster), Ken Kal (book), Ken Daniels (book), David Sedaris (book), Doug Weight (program), Dave Strack, Johnny Orr, Tim McCormick, Rob Simpson (book), Wendy Shanker (book) and 18 Detroit Vipers players (hockey jersey).

Personalized autographed photo of my childhood hero Al Kaline. See Memorabilia blog for more Kaline stuff!

Peter, Davy and Mickey were performing at Pine Knob. They made a personal appearance at a Circuit City in Pontiac so I took the boyz and got their autographs.

Photo I took of Pistol Pete Maravich playing the Pistons in Cobo Arena…early 70’s. I have this same photo signed by the Pistol in a frame. Atlanta was the first NBA team he played for. He died in 1988 at age 40 of heart failure.

Another photo I took of Pistol Pete Maravich at the Pistons game in Cobo Arena. Got the ball in mid air…pretty proud of that!

Al Kaline display at Comerica Park. I have an autographed photo of Al, personalized!

At Ernie Harwell display at Comerica Park.

Pete Bowers 3/3/20 Pete Bowers 3/3/20

WikiPeteia

I was born on Tuesday, April 7, 1953, the 98th day of the year. My Zodiac sign is Aries. Chinese Year of the Snake.

On April 7, 30 AD, by many scholars’ reckoning, Jesus was crucified by Roman troops in Jerusalem.

1953 Happenings: Hit songs: “How Much is the Doggie in the Window” sung by Patti Page (8 weeks at #1) and Rock Around the Clock; TV Guide debuts; FCC approves first color TV’s (sell for $1,175 1953 dollars); transistor radios appear; National Football League Champions, Detroit Lions (yes, the Lions!); Sir Edmund Hillary first to reach summit of Mount Everest; Dwight Eisenhower sworn in as president, Richard Nixon Vice President; I Love Lucy episode where she has a baby, Little Ricky, is watched by 71.1% of viewers, a record; Disney’s Peter Pan in theaters; Academy Awards broadcast on TV, a first (best movie, From Here to Eternity); Rock and Roll getting popular; Jonas Salk develops Polio vaccine; first Chevrolet Corvette, built in Flint MI; Senator John F. Kennedy marries Jacqueline Lee Bouvier; Tator tots debut; Elizabeth II crowned Queen; Playboy magazine (50 cents) debuts with nude centerfold photo of Marilyn Monroe; Olympian Jim Thorpe dies; Born in 1953 other than me…Tim Allen, Ken Burns, Hulk Hogan, Pat Benatar, Cyndi Lauper, Pierce Brosnan, Matthew Broderick, Rick Moranis and Kim Basinger.
1953 Prices: Average income, $4,011; New car, $1,651; New house, 9,525; Gallon of gas, .20; Gallon of milk, .94; Movie ticket, .70; Average Rent; $83 month; Tuition to Harvard University, $600 per year; Minimum wage, .75; Life expectancy, 68.2 years.

*THE BEST PLACE TO BE IS TOGETHER

*I thought growing old would take longer

*There are times now that I feel like that old Chinese scholar Yung No Mo

This appeared in The Shield May 2011 with title Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Pete Bowers.

*Success

You can use most any measure

When you're speaking of success.

You can measure it in fancy home,

Expensive car or dress.

But the measure of your real success

Is the one you cannot spend.

It's the way your kids describe you

When they're talking to a friend.

*A father considers his wealth not in possessions, but in the happiness of his family.

*Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.

*No male can know the intense love a Dad has for his son until he has one.

*I care about my sons so much that it approaches Dad Nauseam.

*Worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening, it just keeps you from enjoying the good.

*Not to spoil the ending for you but everything is going to be OK.

*Life is just one damn thing after another (Mark Twain)

*Having a dog (or cat) will bless you with the happiest days of your life, and one of the worst days.

*May the work I have done speak for me.

*The idea is to die young as late as possible.

*I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it (Mark Twain)

*My Living Will: Last night, my kids and I were sitting in the living room and said to them, “I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug. They got up, unplugged the computer and threw out my wine.

*I expect more of you than that (Kevin Arnold’s mom to Kevin, in The Wonder Years)

*I touch the future, I teach (Christa McAuliffe)

*A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops (Henry Brooks Adams)

*Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions (unknown)

*Teaching seems to me beyond doubt the greatest of the professions (Theodore Brameld)

*A teacher is one of the most special people in the world, for who else could spend day after day giving of themselves to someone else’s children (Deanna Beisser)

*What matters is not how many high grades you’ve earned, but if you’ve been inspired by what you’ve learned (Jacqueline Schiff)

*Much have I learned from my teachers, more from my colleagues, but most from my students (Tal Mud)

*Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire (William Butler Yeats)

*The essence of education is not to stuff you with facts but to help you discover your uniqueness, to teach you how to develop it, and then to show you how to give it away (Leo Buscaglia)

*Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater (Gail Godwin)

*A Teacher’s Prayer: Dear God, help me to see each of my children as uncut diamonds; needing only enough pressure to knock off the rough edges so that the brilliance You have placed in each of their hearts will always shine through.

*The teachers of this country, one may say, have its future in their hands (William James)

*I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is MY response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized. Haim Ginott from Teacher and Child, 1972.

*Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward. Oscar Wilde

*Be yourself. Everyone else is taken. Oscar Wilde

*Teaching: We’re not in it for the income. We’re in it for the outcome.

*Man is made God’s plaything, and that is the best part of him. Therefore, every man and woman should live life accordingly: Life must be lived as play. (Plato)

*Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. You can always count on Americans to do the right thing-after they’ve tried everything else. I may be drunk Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly. (Winston Churchill)

*You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it, you better never let it go, you only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime (Marshall Mathers aka Eminem)

*When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy”. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life (John Lennon)

*Weddings of former students I attended: Jennifer Purtan, Dave McClary, Jake Neher, JoAnne Purtan, Ed Borus and Jenny Stanczyk (student teacher).

*Students who attended my wedding: Stu Best, Dave McClary, Kathy Martens, Patty McPhee and Jennifer Purtan.

*Funerals and/or shivas of students I have attended: Ken Fish (1980), Scott Booth (2008), Kevin Day (2007), Mark Reedy (2010), Brian Donegan (2005). Other students who died but I was not able to attend their funeral and/or shiva: Renee Abraham, David Lipski, Kristin Oswald (2000), Ted Moore (2019), Kirk Miller (2018) and Larry Barron (2020).

People I have tweeted to on Twitter…and they either liked my tweet or tweeted back to me: Tim Allen, Henry Winkler, Danika McKeller (Winnie), Ginger Zee, Gary Peters, Dylan Dreyer, Adam F. Goldberg, Brett Dier, Joy Bauer, Sheri Jones, Sofi K, Alexi Lalas, Dana Jacobson, Karsch and Anderson, JoAnne Purtan, Jake Neher, Kym Douglas, Laura Hartman, Mark Snyder, George Lessens, Jesse Bruce, Ellen Bacca, Jamal Spencer, Jana, Theresa Lucas, Sarah Makuta, Dave Fuller, Matt Friedman, Ric Blackwell, Nick LaFave, Rob Simpson, Sheinelle Jones, Tom Hillen, Michael Behrens, Justin Barclay, PK Sports, Jerry Funk, Katherine Noel, Aaron Ofseyer, Carly Gendell, Alana Nehring, Last Man Standing.

Teachers who have made an impact on my life in no particular order: Barry Crowe (West Hills Jr. High PE Teacher and Recreation summer camp director; Bruce Chapman (West Hills Jr. High English/Drama teacher; Duane Sheldon (West Hills Jr. High Social Studies Teacher; Don Lytle, Andover High School English Teacher; Mike Kinter (Andover English/Speech Teacher; Dr. Pete Orlik (CMU Broadcast and Cinematic Arts Chair/Professor.

I am a Pioneer Ancestor since I’m related to Major Oliver Williams who settled in the State of Michigan prior to December 31, 1837. Michigan was admitted to the Union in January, 1937.

I’m a Pioneer Ancestor because I’m related to Jonas Bowers who settled in the State of Michigan prior to December 31, 1837. Michigan was admitted to the Union in January, 1837.

Odd things about me . . . a game played on Facebook…so I played along…
1. Do you put ketchup on hotdogs? No…mustard and relish

2. Choice of Pop? I don’t drink pop anymore, but when I did…Mountain Dew, followed by Coke. I was a Pepsi guy years ago…went to Coke. Used to also drink Squirt, Vernors and Canada Dry Ginger Ale.
3. Do you put sugar on tomatoes? Yes
4. Ever sailed in a sailboat? Yes, we had a Sunfish sailboat we would sail on Lower Long Lake in Bloomfield Hills. Have sailed on my brother Jim’s sailboat (Lightning) on Cass Lake
5. How do you eat your steak? I don’t eat steak anymore but when I did…Medium well.
6.What is your favorite type of food? Seafood (all varieties except raw oysters) and fruit.
7. Ever find pipe bombs in a radio tower? Yes. See Blog entitled 15 Minutes of Fame.
8. What do you drink in the morning? Coffee (hazelnut, Dunkin’ Donuts)
9. Can you stand on your head? Not now, but I did once in my FORB class once as I said to them “I would stand on my head for you”.
10. Favorite season? Summer. Winter is my fourth favorite season.
11. Your favorite animal? Cats, followed closely by dogs. I do get excited when I see a deer.
12. Tattoos? Never have, never will.
13. Ever got bitten by a German Shepard? Yes! 1983 running down a road, training for marathon, dog ran out and bit me on the leg.
14. Do you have a fear? German Shepards with big teeth.
15. Do you have a nickname? PB, Mr. B, Bowco, PBizzle, Peebs, Pistol. Radio Air Names: Nighthawk, Scott Marsh, Dr. Jock, Pepper Brooks.
16. Favorite French impressionist painter? Claude Monet (I have one Monet reproduction in my family room)
17. Ever climb a 14,000 foot mountain? Two…Mt. Elbert and Longs Peak…both in Colorado.
18. Ever been the Best Man in a wedding? No, but I consider myself the Best Man at every wedding I attend…lol.
19. Can you drive a stick? Yes…drove a ‘65 Corvair in high school and a VW bug in the 70’s, both had stick shifts.
20. Electric razor or disposable razer? Used to use electric, not anymore…disposable Gillette Mach 3 now
21. Children? Two boys, the Bowers Boyz! Amazing young men, SO PROUD!
22. Ever get a Masters Degree? Yes, from Madonna University in Educational Leadership.
23. Can you play a musical instrument? No…although I tried playing trombone in 6th grade. My boys have musical talent, I don’t.
24. Where were you born? Detroit (Women’s Hospital…now Hutzel Hospital)
25. Surgeries? Knee (torn cartilage), Appendectomy, Umbilical Hernia, Foot/toes (corrective surgery), skin cancer (Basal cell)
26. Ever run a marathon, 26.2 miles? Yes…see Blog entitled Running a Marathon.
27. Last song you heard? You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me (Gladys Knight and the Pips)
28. Broken bones? Yes (right arm/compound, left arm, finger, collarbone (bike accident), toe
29. Boxers or briefs? Briefs…Hanes long leg boxer brief.
30. Worst pain? Tie between kidney stone #1 and #2, umbilical hernia surgery, and shingles. Those pains went away in time. Pain in my foot following corrective foot surgery is constant…never goes away (thanks to Dr. Stock’s surgery team who made five surgical errors).
31. Morning drink? Coffee…preferably Dunkin’ Donuts coffee.
32. Favorite kind of apple? Evercrisp…A special apple I buy at an apple orchard market in Hart, MI…eat one a day! 2nd favorite: Honeycrisp
33. Do you like to go camping? I did a lot in my youth but not so much anymore. I still have a tent and cot.
34. What do you binge watch? The Wonder Years, Home Improvement, Last Man Standing.
35. Pie or cake? Pie (fruit pies like cherry, apple, raspberry, rhubarb, blueberry).
36. Candy? Tie between Boston Baked Beans, Smarties, Peanut M&Ms, and French Burnt Peanuts.

Employment History’…jobs I’ve had:

*mowing neighbor’s lawn, (teenager, $3 per mow)

*Forest Lake Country Club caddie, summer job (teenager)

*BHSD Recreation Dept. Summer Day Camp Counselor, Summer Day Camp Assistant Director, Summer Day Camp Director; Fall Youth Soccer Coach, Fall Youth Soccer Assistant Director

*Pine Knob Music Theater usher, summer job (one summer)

*WCHP Radio Salesperson, Sales Director (two years while at CMU)

*Horn of Plenty (Birmingham MI), delivery person (seasonal job, one winter)

*General Motors Truck, Pontiac MI, light truck assembly, summer job (one summer)

*WBFH Station Manager, Radio Broadcasting Teacher 1976-2017 (Dream Job, Career, Passion, Legacy)

*Booth Communications, Cable TV Sales (1980). While I was working my day job, I was working nights by selling cable TV service to people in Birmingham. Service had just started so people were excited to get cable TV…worked on commission…quit after a few months

*Wedding Photographer (one wedding)

*BHSD Recreation Dept.: Be a DJ Super Saturday program supervisor (Saturday mornings); Daddy-Daughter Dance DJ (20 years)

*Andover High School Mobile DJ: Homecoming Dances, Daddy-Daughter-Dinner-Dances.

*Lahser High School Mobile DJ: Homecoming Dances, Sadie Hawkins Dances, Proms

*Chaperone for a group of Andover High School seniors for their Spring Break trip to the Bahamas (get them there, get them back)

*Mobile DJ/MC: Three weddings, a Sweet 16 Party, a birthday party, a class reunion and a few graduation parties

*Radio Broadcasting Consultant: Clark County School District, nation’s fifth largest school district (Las Vegas NV), one time consultation

Drawing of me in 1967 by famed portrait artist Gordon Schulte. He lived in White Lake and died in 2005. Drawing was done from my 9th grade yearbook photo, I didn’t sit for him or anything like that. In fact, I’m not sure why this was even done…a mys… — Drawing of me in 1967 by famed portrait artist Gordon Schulte. He lived in White Lake and died in 2005. Drawing was done from my 9th grade yearbook photo, I didn’t sit for him or anything like that. In fact, I’m not sure why this was even done…a mystery to me.

Where have I lived…in order (all in Michigan):

*1953 birth to age 1: Cedardale Ave. in Pontiac behind St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital. (House has been torn down)

*1954-1963: 199 Barrington, Bloomfield Hills (3 bedroom ranch with no basement)

*1963-1978: 3355 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills. Note…lived in Mt. Pleasant for four years 1971-1975 while attending Central Michigan University.

*1978-1979: Woodrow Wilson Blvd, one bedroom apartment in Keego Harbor (first year of marriage)

*1979-1980: Duplex on Waldo St. in Pontiac (a little more space than the apartment)

*1980-1982: 3355 Franklin, Bloomfield Hills (moved in with parents to save money to buy a house)

*1982-1987: 1240 Dorchester Ave., Bloomfield Hills (our first house bought with money saved by living with parents)(Adam born during this time)

*1987-1993: 129 Eileen Dr., Bloomfield Hills (3 bedroom ranch house in the Bloomfield Hills School District)(Eric born during this time)

*1993-2005: 400 Kendry Ave., Bloomfield Hills (bigger house, colonial)

*2005-2017: 2893 Deer Ridge Dr., Milford (moving to the sticks, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath on acre lot)

*2017-2018: Alpine Ct., Spring Lake (condo, rental, noisy, worst place I ever lived)

*2018-present: Arthur Ct., Spring Lake (condo, backs up to cemetery)

This was drawn by a caricature artist at our senior all-night party following Commencement in 1971.

What do I want to be when I grow up?

I found a 3X5 card with what looks like my thoughts on what I would like to be when I grow up…I don’t know how old I was when I wrote it. This is the list in the order I wrote it: Elementary Gym Teacher, Sports Writer, Radio and Television, Politics, Ecologist, Advertising, and Pro Photographer. I did Radio in my first career; I was a Sports Writer when I was in high school and college; I minored in photojournalism in college…had my own darkroom once where I developed film and printed photos of day campers and sold them to their parents; In day camp for eight summers, I played sports and games with elementary kids like an Elementary Gym Teacher would; I did dabble in politics being elected president of grades 4, 6, 9 and 12. In high school, I participated in the Andover Students for Environmental Quality walk on Earth Day; I was Sales Manager at WCHP radio in college where I sold commercial airtime, then wrote the commercials, recorded some too. So the only one I didn’t do at all of the group of careers is Television. I was on TV news once when I found pipe bombs in the base of the WBFH radio tower, but that doesn’t count. Do I still have time to do anything on TV?

People may not know this about me. I’ve made six 8 mm movies, three in high school and three in college. My most popular movie was the one I made at CMU where I convinced Claudia to be the star in it. The plot was strange. She starts to eat a hamburger and the hamburger grows teeth and chases her around her apartment. Then the hamburger eats Claudia. The special effects were awesome…just kidding…they were bad.

Found another sheet…not sure when it was written. The title was “What I Want in Life”:

*A house in the metro Detroit area

*Try a stand up comedy act

*Race go-carts

*Write a book

*Record a comedy album

*Own a restaurant

*Write and star in a movie

*Have my own local kids TV show

*Write songs

*Develop hobby that I can sell

*Get a ham radio license and have my own amateur (ham) radio station

I have this thing with coins. I collect all different kinds of coins and keep them in plastic bags. I have them organized by decade (20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc), JFK silver dollars, Eisenhower dollars, Susan B. Anthony dollars, Sacagawea dollars, Bicentennial coins, Presidential dollar coins, Canadian coins/paper money, other Foreign coins/paper money, Euros, British coins, Liberty walking half dollar, Let’s Roll! quarter, Michigan state quarters, 1953 Franklin half dollar, 1884 Morgan dollar, Indian head nickels, 1864 Indian head penny, $2 dollar bills and special coins by year: 1917 (Mom’s birth year), 1918 (Dad’s birth year), 1947 (Jim’s birth year), 1951 (Tom’s birth year), 1953 (my birth year), 1954 (Claudia’s birth year), 1971 (High school graduation), 1973 (year I started in radio), 1974 (year I met Claudia), 1975 (college graduation), 1976 (Bicentennial and year I started at WBFH), 1978 (marriage to Claudia), 1985 (year Adam and Sarah were born), 1988 (year Cheryl was born), 1990 (year Eric was born) and 2017 (year I retired). I’ll hold up a 1953 penny and say “this penny is as old as me…which one is doing better?” One thing I do just for fun is to give people a coin (usually a penny) from their birth year and say the same thing…this coin is as old as you…it’s your lucky coin…keep it in remembrance of me. It’s weird, I know, but I actually look at the year on the coins I get in change for something I buy. Also weird…I keep a coin in my pocket every day for whoever may be needing attention that day. For example, if it’s Claudia’s birthday, I keep a 1954 coin in my pocket to honor the occasion. On our anniversary, I keep a 1978 coin in my pocket. Etc. etc. Really weird…I’ve learned some coin magic tricks from YouTube videos during the stay at home orders and have tried them out on friends. Amazing!

Non-profits I support financially:

*Central Michigan University (Broadcast and Cinematic Arts Department)

*Central Michigan University (Alumni Gold Member)

*WGVU Public Media, Grand Rapids (Public Radio/NPR, Public Television/PBS)

*Harbor Humane Society, West Olive (pet adoption services)

*Michigan Humane (adopt a pet services)

*Michigan Animal Rescue League, Pontiac (finding homes for pets)

*Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids (pediatric acute care facility)

*Michigan Radio (public radio/NPR out of Grand Rapids)

*American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

I’m a huge fan of Tim Allen. We actually have several similarities: We were both born in 1953; We were both raised Episcopalian; He graduated from Birmingham Seaholm High School, I graduated from Bloomfield Hills Andover High School, both class of 1971, both affluent suburbs of Detroit that border each other; We both attended Central Michigan University after high school, him for two years, me for four years; We both worked at a college radio station, him on WIDR (Western Michigan U), me on WCHP (CMU); We both graduated with a degree in communications specializing in Radio and TV production; He married Laura Deibel on April 7, 1984, I was born on April 7; He’s written two books, I’ve read two books; He’s starred in several movies, I’ve watched all of his movies; He’s on TV, I watch him on TV; He’s won awards from the Golden Globes, People’s Choice, Kid’s Choice, TV Guide and TV Land, I’ve been inducted into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He does the Pure Michigan commercials, I was born in Detroit and have lived in Michigan my whole life, a Pure Michigan kind of guy! He visits Michigan on occasion…I sure would like to meet him.

A What Was I Thinking moment, I bought this 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman 2 door hardtop from a guy in Clarkston. Thought it would be cool to tool around town in it. It wasn’t as cool as I thought once I started to pay for repairs. Sold it for a l… — A What Was I Thinking moment, I bought this 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman 2 door hardtop from a guy in Clarkston. Thought it would be cool to tool around town in it. It wasn’t as cool as I thought once I started to pay for repairs. Sold it for a loss…lesson learned.

Pete Bowers 2/27/20 Pete Bowers 2/27/20

Pete Bowers By the Numbers

By the Numbers

48…number of years he worked for Bloomfield Hills School District: 1969-76 for Recreation Dept. (summer day camp counselor and director, youth soccer coach), August 9, 1976-June 30, 2017 WBFH Station Manager and Electronic Media Teacher

23…how young he was when he was hired to be the Radio Station Manager/Teacher.

362.5...number of sick/leave days in his leave day bank when he retired...basically two school years. Twenty one years of perfect attendance without calling in sick (streak broken by appendectomy).

75...number of Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting/Exploring Electronic Media classes he’s taught in 41 years.

330...number of WBFH Staff classes he’s taught in 41 years.

700...estimated number of Andover and Lahser sports broadcasts supervised (average 20 a year): Varsity and JV football, Boys and Girls soccer, cross country, volleyball, Boys and Girls basketball, Boys and Girls hockey (Detroit Skating Club), wrestling, baseball, softball, and lacrosse. Away games broadcast: Clarkston, Avondale, UD Mercy, Birmingham Seaholm and Detroit Country Day plus Andover vs. Lahser football at Pontiac Silverdome. We also did football finals games live from Ford Field and boys basketball semi-final and final live from Breslin Arena at Michigan State University in Lansing.

270...estimated number of remote broadcasts supervised (average seven a year): Farm Ox Roast, Andover and Lahser commencements, Bowers Farm Open Barns and Corn Mazes, Bloomfield Township Open House, Nature Center (Day in the Sugarbush), Woodward Dream Cruises, Doyle Center (election night coverage), Mr. B's Restaurant, Zoup Restaurant, Bloomfield Township Public Library (art show), Hickory Grove Hickory Holiday, Eastover Ice Cream Social, Pine Lake Carnival, Costco (Teacher Appreciation Night), Way School Intersession, Andover and Lahser Preview Nights and Open Houses, Andover/Lahser Blood Drive, College Night, Lahser Float Building, Andover and Lahser Homecoming Tailgates, School Board Meetings at Lahser, and Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland).

380...estimated number of mobile sound system events supervised (average 10 a year): Bowers Farm Barn Restoration, Andover and Lahser Music at Lunch, Andover and Lahser assemblies, Biffstock concerts, World Language Week, Oakland Rhythmic Gymnastics at East Hills, Welcome Back Day Picnic, Black Student Alliance Lunch Fundraiser, Indian Cultural Assembly, Lahser Prom Preview, 8th Grade Orientation, Lahser Sr. Honors Night, BBCC Ultimate Frisbee, Recreation Family Fun Day, Hickory Holiday, Lahser Variety Show, Hickory Grove Cub Scout meetings, Battle of the Bands (Shain Park in Birmingham), Farm Activity Building, Building With Books Walk-a-thon, Heart of the Hills 5K/10K, SOS events at Lahser, Andover Class of ’71 Reunions, Wing Lake Dedication, West Hills Walk-a-thon, and Somewhere in Time Weekend (Mackinaw Island).

100...estimated dances either DJ’d or supervised: Recreation Department Daddy Daughter Dance (20 years), Lahser Homecoming Dances, Lahser Sadie Hawkins Dances, Lahser Proms, Andover Daddy Daughter Dinner Dances (20 years), Andover Spring Fling, BHMS Fun Nights, East Hills MS Fun Nights, Andover Class of 1960 Reunion, BHMS 8th Grade Party, Jewish Community Center, Lahser All-Knight Party, and Doug Spike’s daughter’s wedding.

15...number of years he ran a Recreation Department’s Super Saturday “Be a DJ” class for elementary and middle school students on Saturday mornings.

660...number of students who were on the WBFH Staff. 274…number of Biff alumni in WBFH Alumni Facebook group managed by Pete.

14...number of students who were accepted into America’s most prestigious communications college, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY

74...number of students who have won 95 state broadcasting awards from Michigan Association of Broadcasters since 2001 (31 1st Place awards).

10...number of MABF Michigan High School Station of the Year Awards since 2001 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016) .

34...number of students who have won 58 national broadcasting awards from the John Drury High School Radio Awards national competition since 2004 (17 1st Place awards).

6...number of 1st Place, Best High School Radio Station awards from John Drury national competition since 2004 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2015).

3...number of Best Radio Station Adviser Awards received in John Drury national competition (1st in 2005 and 2011 and 2nd in 2004).

3...number of Station of the Year Awards won from the Michigan Association of Educational Broadcasters (1990, 1995, and 2003). Estimated that over 100 hundred students have won over 400 performance awards from MAEB award competitions.

29...number of years he has served on the board of the MAEB, serving as president (1984-92, 2011-13), and former vice president, secretary and treasurer.

8...number of years he has served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (elected July, 2009).

6...number of MHSAA webcasts of state finals of girls and boys basketball games at Breslin Arena and state finals of boys football at Ford Field supervised.

8…number of broadcasting conferences he was featured speaker or moderator of panel (New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, Grand Rapids, and Lansing).

4…number of websites he serves as webmaster: www.wbfh.fm, www.petebowers.com, www.highschoolradioday.com and Andover Class of 1971 Google website.

27...number of Spring Celebration marathon radio-a-thons broadcast for the benefit of the March of Dimes (from 24 hour to 77 hour broadcast). 27...number of March of Dimes Walk America walk-a-thons he walked in representing WBFH and the BHSD.

$60,000...estimated amount of money raised through WBFH radio-a-thons for the March of Dimes to help fight birth defects.

14...number of WBFH pledge drive marathon broadcasts supervised.

$35,000...amount of money raised in 14 pledge drives used to underwrite WBFH enhancement expenses.

5...number of years serving on the Hickory Grove Elementary PTO (Market Day Chairperson, Book Fair Chairperson, Hickory Holiday Prize Redemption Chairperson, Burger King Night/Skate Night Chairperson, Playground Improvement Committee Chairperson, and 40th Birthday Party Chairperson)

5...number of years serving as Youth Soccer coach and referee for his son’s Hickory Grove youth soccer team.

8...number of class reunions (’81,’86, ’91, ’96, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016) he has run or consulted as Andover Class of 1971 class president.

154…number of class members in Andover Class of 1971 Facebook group managed by Pete.

5…number of years he served as Cubmaster for his son’s Hickory Grove Cub Scout troop and Assistant Scoutmaster for his other son’s Eastover Boy Scout troop (went on two three-day backpack trips).

6…my Little League baseball number (same as Al Kaline)

11…my number on the Andover varsity soccer team

22/23…my number on the Andover varsity basketball team…we had a home number (even) and an away number (odd).

17…my number on the CMU soccer team

137…my number if I was drafted to serve in the military…I was never called to duty.

7, 30, 24, 29, 18, 10, 26, 31…birth days of immediate family

23…most points scored in a high school varsity basketball game (vs Lahser, we lost 65-61); 27…most points scored in a JV basketball game (vs West Bloomfield)

40…lowest golf score ever, 40 on a par 35 nine hole course called the Heathers (with Paul Sweet as witness)

2…golf trophies I won at Episcopal Church of the Advent’s annual golf outing: one trophy for Closest to the Pin and one trophy for Longest Drive.

256…most pins in one game of bowling, happened at Auburn Hills bowling alley, at kid birthday party.

Pete Bowers 2/27/20 Pete Bowers 2/27/20

Rob Simpson’s Book Dedication

I was honored to have former student Rob Simpson dedicate his latest book to me and another former student Ric Blackwell. His book, No Heavy Lifting, Globetrotting Adventures of a Sports Media Guy, recounts some of his wildest adventures not only in the zany world of radio and TV broadcasting, but other crazy experiences told in a way only Simmer can do! Rob is a hoot and his stories make for a really fun book to read. Rob started his broadcasting career as a sophomore at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School when he enrolled in my radio broadcasting intro class entitled Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting (aka FORBs). After that one semester class, he took my advanced radio class entitled WBFH Staff and worked on our low power, non-commercial, educational FM radio station (WBFH, 88.1 aka The Biff). His senior year (Class of 1982), I selected him to be our Operations Manager, the number one student broadcaster at the station, responsible for the efficient operation of the station, great management training for a high school student. He co-hosted a sports talk show and did play-by-play of our high school’s sports. On the side, he and Ric worked at a commercial radio station in the Detroit area, helping produce a sports talk show hosted by Ron Cameron. He and Ric also were fortunate to receive press passes to cover the Detroit Pistons who played in the Pontiac Silverdome at that time. He has stories to tell about his high school radio career…read all about it in Chapter 3, the Growling, Chapter 6, The Peewee Press and Chapter 14, The Swamp! Thank you Rob for the dedication…SO PROUD!

Rob Simpson with his collection of press credentials!

A must read…The Growling chapter, The Peewee Press chapter, the Swamp chapter…all contain stories of his days working on our high school FM radio station…the launching pad for his memorable career in radio and TV broadcasting!

A media pass used by the Peewee Press to cover the Pistons vs Milwaukee game on December 5, 1981 in the Pontiac Silverdome.

Rob was in town for a book signing and stopped by the Biff to say Hi…2012.

Rob at the HockeyTown Cafe signing his book The Winged Wheel with Ken Kal, radio voice of the Red Wings, and Ken Daniels, TV voice of the Red Wings (Dec. 1, 2012).

Rob has created a Personalized Broadcast Consulting business for those that want to improve one’s broadcasting skills - TV, radio, play-by-play, reporting and on-cam's. Details at simmerpuckmedia.com.

From his website: “Among other things, "Simmer" has been a weatherman in Hawaii, a news reporter in Florida, a national radio host in New York and Toronto, and a sports commentator and play-by-play man for multiple TV networks in two countries.

FULL TIME

Rob has worked full time for NESN, MSG, NHL Network, Sirius XM, and AMI-TV while also working regular side gigs over the years for NBC, CBS, PAC-12 Network, FOX Sports, Rogers Sportsnet, TSN, CBC and local affiliates. He's also had 4 books published regarding sports and media. He's pragmatic, creative and thorough in critiquing and helping others reach their goals.

PLAY BY PLAY AND COMMENTATING

Along with his full time, Simmer remains a go-to for TV networks in both countries as a play-by-play man and analyst, handling "one-timers" with the utmost preparation and professionalism. Learning two new rosters every game? He'll show you how to handle it and how to present yourself.

REPORTING AND ANCHORING

This isn't just sportscasting. If you're a reporter or host looking to improve your writing and on-camera skills, you've arrived at the right place.”

Pete Bowers 2/27/20 Pete Bowers 2/27/20

Tying the Knot

One of the best days of my life…August 11, 1978!

Great story on how we met…you’ll have to hear it sometime! It was May, 1974, and Claudia wanted to leave Central and go to another college. I had one year left and I persuaded her to return to CMU for her junior year, my senior year. We dated for fo… — Great story on how we met…you’ll have to hear it sometime! It was May, 1974, and Claudia wanted to leave Central and go to another college. I had one year left and I persuaded her to return to CMU for her junior year, my senior year. We dated for four years and then I got tired of driving up and down the Southfield Expressway to see her in Allen Park, so I asked her to marry me and she said yes. I mean there were many more reasons I wanted to marry her…not just the drive. The wedding was held at Christ Episcopal Church in Dearborn, a church Claudia had attended at one time, on August 11, 1978, a Friday night. The reception was held at Fairlane Club banquet hall in Dearborn. We stayed over night in a hotel that night, then flew to Toronto for a one night honeymoon because Claudia had to be back at nursing school Monday morning…no they wouldn’t give her any time off, even for her honeymoon. We stayed at the Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto. What a surprise when we got to our room and there were two twin beds. I went back down to the desk and reminded them that it was our honeymoon…we got another room. We were frugal our first year of marriage…we lived in a one bedroom apartment in Keego Harbor. Claudia gave me a jar of pickles for Christmas…just one present.

Engagement announcement in Eccentric newspaper.

Left to right: Alison, bride, Rev. Rice, groom, George.

Left to right: Sheri, Vicki, Vicki McDonell, Nancy, Alison, Claudia, Pete, George, Duff, Tom, Jim and Mark. Renee is flower girl.

To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.

What a unique way to get to the reception…riding in my Dad’s 1909 Renault…fun!

The Best Man toast at the reception…thank you George Poy!

My Dad talking with Reverend Rice at the reception.

On the dance floor…one of the best photos of my Mom and Dad together.

Great photo with my CMU soccer buds, left to right: Bob Olsson, Jim Rock, Duff McAlpine, me and Joe Daiek.

We stayed in the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn on our wedding night. They gave us this momento…engraved with date and name on back.

Claudia in her nurse clothes and hat. She was in nursing school when we got married and our honeymoon in Toronto was cut short because she had to be back for nursing school.

Pete Bowers 2/26/20 Pete Bowers 2/26/20

Station Manager/Teacher…41 Years with Teenagers

How appropriate that the room number for WBFH would be RADIO 101, a great place to start if you want to find out what this radio broadcasting thing is all about!!

https://www.wbfh.fm/history/1976/1976%20News%20Articles/oe8301976.php

1976-2017 Bloomfield Hills School District Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Radio Station Manager/Electronic Media Instructor

Started the Radio Broadcasting program from scratch in 1976. Was hired to be the Station Manager of the school district’s FM radio station and teach the district’s radio broadcasting classes (Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting, changed to Exploring Electronic Media, WBFH Staff).

Supervise a staff of usually between 20-30 students and one full-time adult.

Manage a radio station that is on the air 24/7/365.

Supervised hundreds of remote broadcasts.

Either DJ’d or supervised the DJ for over 100 dances for people of all ages.

Supervised student field trips to educational and professional radio and TV stations in the Detroit area and Lansing area.

Supervised students on field trips to broadcasting conferences/conventions in Lansing, Chicago, New York and Detroit area locations.

Host of weekly community radio show entitled "Bagley's Corner".

Play-by-play broadcaster of Andover and Lahser High School prep sports: Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and hockey.

Supervised a Saturday morning radio program for students grades 3-6.

Administer Facebook WBFH Alumni group with members consisting of at least 80 former students who were/are very successful in numerous fields of media/communications.

Love being a guest on someone’s radio show!

One of the best parts of my day was eating lunch with my brother Tom (and Mark Smak) in the A/V room! I miss UT so much!

PB and PB clone…Pete and Repete were crossing a bridge, Pete fell in, who is left?

What time is it? 12;34! Time to clean my desk in preparation for retirement. Purple chain has that many links on it, one link per day, until the end of the school year, end of my 41 year career.

Biff swag plus the National Guard pen which was given out at a BCBC conference…a pen with a laser pointer at one end. Not a good idea to give students a laser pointer at a radio conference.

Press ID card for 1977-78, our second year of operation.

OBSERVER & ECCENTRIC

August 30, 1976

Andover Grad Named WBFH Station Manager

By Barbara Underwood

The first time Pete Bowers read the news for a radio broadcast he was, by his own admission, terrible and was told to “work on it.”

Pete Bowers, station manager at Andover’s WBFH, ponders a list of needed items, ranging from a reception desk to one of the major news wires.

He was a student at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant and, following his inauspicious beginning, went on to work for three radio stations in the college community. He worked as assistant news director, assistant sports director, disc jockey and production and sales manager.

Now he as been named station manager of WBFH, the Bloomfield Hills Schools’ radio station, which will become operational by Oct. 1.

“I can’t believe it,” Bowers said last week. “I’ve been punching myself all week. Not many students get a job in what they studied.”

Bowers, a 1971 graduate of Andover High School and a 1975 graduate of Central Michigan University, has a degree in broadcast and is vocationally certified to teach.

HE APPLIED for the station manager’s job last year, but plans to activate the station were halted because of school district finances.

WBFH will broadcast from studios at both Andover and Lahser high schools, but the transmitter and tower are at Andover, almost in the center of the district. The station will broadcast with 10 watts of operating power.

Residents within a five-mile radius of Andover should be able to hear WBFH at 88.1 on their FM stereo dial.

The radio mast for the station, which is to become operational Oct. 1, towers above the school.

Before broadcasts begin, Bowers will teach the 66 students who have signed up for the daily one-hour broadcast class Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations, how to run the control board with all its dials and meters and how to be a disc jockey.

“THEY WILL practice all the procedures,” he explained. Thirty-one students at Andover and 35 at Lahser have signed up for the class. Most are boys.

The students will be able to take an FCC test that is given each Tuesday and Thursday to earn their third-class radio telephone operator’s license and later another test for broadcast endorsement so they can operate the station themselves.

Bowers also hopes to have guest speakers at class sessions, including disc jockeys, talk show hosts, music show hosts and others. A supply of records is needed.

“Record companies usually supply stations with current hits,” Bowers explained. “The problem will be getting older records—two years to several years old.” Donations would be welcome, he added.

BOWERS PLANS that the station will operate initially for at least 12 hours daily Monday through Friday.

“Ultimately, it will go as long as possible,” he said. “It will depend on how many students can operate it.” He plans to survey students and others within the broadcast area to see what they like to listen to and will program accordingly.

“It will be mostly current hits, but eventually I hope we can tape school band concerts, have play-by-play of football and basketball games, live entertainment and news,” Bowers said. A national news wire also is being considered.

Bloomfield Hills Students Start Making Waves

By HUGH GRAMBAUM, Oakland Press Staff Writer

October 4, 1976

BLOOMFIELD TWP.—There's a new wrinkle in the sky. Students at Bloomfield Hills Schools start making waves—air waves.

The tally light above the door, outside of Studio A. It lights up when the studio is on the air.

The district’s new 10-watt educational radio station, WBFH, Friday began broadcasting in stereo at 88.1 on the FM dial.

WBFH studios are located in both Andover and Lahser high schools, but the 100-foot transmitting tower and central control board are at Andover, which is close to the geographic center of the district. Live broadcasts from Lahser will be tied in to the transmitter with telephone lines.

The station should come in loud and clear within a five-mile radius of Andover, but reception will vary depending on local terrain. Some persons as far as 15 miles away may get a good signal.

DJ TECHNIQUE—Paul Fisher, a senior at Lahser High, practices his disc jockey delivery at the microphone.

With the rennovation of the studio facilities at both Lahser and Andover, plus the necessary equipment, the station is costing approximately $60,000 to set up, according to June Hamilton, director of vocational education. The state will reimburse part of the equipment cost.

The station marks the fulfillment of plans begun in 1973, when a committee was formed of teachers, administrators and then school board member Larry Howard to study the possibility of starting a radio station to be used for vocational education.

The school board approved plans to open a station last year, but because of an unexpected money crunch, funding for a vocationally-trained teacher was not available until this fall.

AT THE CONTROLS—Peter Bowers, station manager, shows Diane Kraft, a junior at Andover, how to operate the control board at the Andover studio.

In August, station manager Peter Bowers was hired and he quickly began setting up the station for its debut. Bowers received a degree in broadcast and cinematic arts from Central Michigan University in 1975.

He also worked for three radio stations while earning his diploma, serving as disk jockey, assistant sports director, assistant news director and production and sales manager. In the process, he logged more than the 4,000 hours of professional experience required for his vocational certification.

Bowers is no stranger to Bloomfield Hills Schools. He graduated from Andover in 1971. His father is Dr. Charles Bowers, a member of the board of education.

The radio broadcasting program has four objectives: to provide career awareness and exploration; to develop an appreciation of radio as a means of communication and education; to prepare students for the FCC exam for a third class radio-telephone operator’s license with a broadcast endorsement; and to serve as a communciation vehicle for the school district and community.

FOR THE RECORD—Bill Ryan (left) a senior at Andover, and Randy Henney, a junior, go over the radio station’s fledgling record collection.

Students attend classes during the day and after school. Thirty-three Lahser students are enrolled and 28 at Andover. In addition seven students are doing independent studies in radio broadcasting.

Plans call for the station to operate Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m., but that depends on how many students can pass the FCC third class exam scheduled in the Andover Media Center on Oct. 13.

Only students with the license and broadcast endorsement can operate the transmitter.

“We need at least 15 to 20 to work the station during the week,”explains Bowers. “It’s a very tough test. There are three parts. The first two are easy. It’s the last one that’s tough.”

Until the new recruits are available, Bowers will rely on several of the independent studies students who have already passed the required exams.

On Nov. 1, the station’s United Press International news wire will be installed and hourly news and sports reports will begin.

100-foot transmitting tower at Andover.

Besides writing news and sports copy, students in the program will be operating the broadcast equipment, running disk jockey programs, and writing and producing public service announcements for school organizations, clubs, sports teams, music and dramatic programs throughout the district.

Although the control room is at Andover, Bowers emphasizes that there is only one radio station and both high schools will get equal treatment.

“They do have these rivalries between the schools,” he says. “I’m trying to build teamwork. We’re 50-50 in the football games we’ll broadcast and we’ll make sure we get the same coverage at both schools.

What kind of music will the station play?

“That’s the biggest question we get,” says Bowers. “During the day we’ll keep it down to easy listening. After 3 o’clock, we’ll throw in a little more rock and folk rock.”

“You can’t please everybody,” he says philosophically.

The station is contacting record companies to stock its library with new records, but it needs old LPs too. Anyone interested in contributing their oldies can make arrangements by calling 647-8510 during business hours or simply drop them off at the studio at the south end of Andover under the transmitting tower.

“Anything is possible," he said. "That’s what’s kind of great about this.”

Those 41 years as WBFH Station Manager…Those were the best days of my life (line from Summer of ‘69 by Bryan Adams)

Michigan’s powerhouse of educational broadcasting all in one photo!

One cool thing I did as radio teacher was to take my students to non-commercial and commercial radio stations in the state…even a few TV stations. I wanted them to see for themselves the studios that professionals worked at and talk with the air personalities about their radio careers. Here’s a secret revealed…being a radio geek, I scheduled these tours for me too as I was always interested in what equipment the pros used and to pick the brains of those on the air, some of them I had listened to for years and now I got to meet them in person…PEACHY! Here’s a list of the stations we toured:

*Cumulus Media: WJR, WDVD, WDRQ, New Country (Gary Berkowitz, Dave Fuller, Paul W. Smith)

*CBS: 97.1 The Ticket, WOMC, WWJ, WYCD, 98.7 AMP, WXYZ AM (Scott Anderson, Dick Purtan, Big Al, Jim Johnson)

*Greater Media Detroit (now Beasley Media Group): WCSX, WRIF, !05.1 Bounce (Arthur Penthallow, Drew and Mike)

*Bell Media: CIMX (89X), CKLW, CIDR, CKWW

*Michigan Public Radio: WUOM NPR public radio with studios in Ann Arbor (Steve Schram)

*Detroit Public TV: Radio studios originally owned and operated by Detroit Public Schools, now WRCJ.

*Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia): WNIC, Channel 955, WLLZ, Mix 92.3, WDFN, WDTW, WJLB (Mojo in the Morning, The Bushman, Jay Towers)

*Other stations: WDET (Detroit), WPON (Pontiac), WHMI (Howell), WHPR (Highland Park), WSHJ (Southfield), WPHS (Warren), WHFR (Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn), WAHS (Avondale), Spring Arbor College Radio (Spring Arbor), Michigan State University WDBM The Impact (Lansing).

TV: Channel 7, Channel 4, Channel 2, Channel 50, Channel 56.

My last Exploring Electronic Media class, Fall 2016, in the new high school.

My Job as Teacher: I tell my students the first day of class that my objective is the same every day. I guarantee that before they leave my class that day, they will learn something new that they didn’t know before they entered the classroom. I try to find out from professional broadcasters what it is that my students need to learn in my class to prepare them for the kooky, crazy, fickle world of broadcasting. I try to pick the brains of my former students who are making a living in the communications field. I even arranged to spend a day at a commercial radio station in Detroit (WDRQ 93.1) to find out what they do and how I can incorporate that into my curriculum. I was a sponge absorbing the real world of broadcasting. I want to be realistic with my students. Should any of them choose communications as a career path, at least they’ll understand what I was telling them in class. I also take into consideration those students who are not going down the communications career path. I want them to be able to use the knowledge gained from my class in their career whatever it may be. I’m a strong advocate of learning hands-on. That’s one of the great things about our radio station. Students learn first hand what it’s like to be a DJ because I put them on the air to gain that experience. More than facts and figures, I think the most important value I can have on my students is to be a positive influence in their lives. That’s something they’ll remember the rest of their lives. PB

WBFH work shirt to commemorate our 20th anniversary in 1996.

Pete Bowers 2/19/20 Pete Bowers 2/19/20

Letter from President Obama

I wrote President Obama a letter telling him about being a radio broadcasting teacher and manager of a high school FM radio station. I informed him about how rare it is to have an FM radio station in a high school…around 200 nationwide. I also wrote about the creation of the annual High School Radio Day which celebrates high school radio stations and the service they provide their communities.

I received a letter back…attached.

The White House <noreply@whitehouse.gov

July 8, 2016 4:23 p.m.

Dear Pete:

Thank you for writing, and for your service as an educator. I want to thank you for your tireless efforts to lift up our next generation of thinkers, dreamers, and doers.

American educators shoulder the great responsibility of preparing young minds for the world they will inherit. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for teachers who challenged and pushed me, who put up with and inspired me—who made me feel like I had something to offer, and saw things in me before I saw them in myself. Educators like you are laying the foundation for our future by recognizing the limitless potential in every young person. As you foster your students’ growth and vest them with the skills and knowledge they will need to reach for their highest aspirations, you’re making a lasting impact not only on the lives of your students, but on the course our country will take.

Please know I’m grateful for all you do, and I wish you the very best.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Pete Bowers 2/14/20 Pete Bowers 2/14/20

WBFH Alumni

WBFH is a few rooms filled with audio equipment, computer monitors, microphones and lots of wires. It’s the people, students and advisers, that made the WBFH experience so memorable. WBFH Staff members past and present are special people who made going to work so fun. They say if you want to be happy, choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life. My dream job happened for me at age 23 right out of college and lasted 41 memorable years. The hundreds of students who went through my radio program became part of the Biff family and I loved them as if they were my own sons and daughters. I was even given the title “Radio Dad” by one of them. I am so proud of WBFH alumni that I love to put the spotlight on them and what they achieved after they graduated from high school.

Attached is a list of Biff alumni and some of the positions they have held over the years in the crazy world of media. The list is outdated and I will work on updating it when I can. There are some alumni who should be added to this list…contact me and I will gladly add you to the list. Congrats to all…I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!

A list of WBFH Alumni can be found at https://www.wbfh.fm/alumni/alumni.php.

Notable WBFH grads (in no particular order)

(A=Andover, L=Lahser, BHHS, Year of Graduation)

Radio/Radio Sales/Mobile DJ/Podcasting

Scott Anderson(A-88): Sports Talk Show Host, WXYT-FM 97.1 The Ticket, CBS Radio in Detroit. His midday show is the number 1 rated show in Detroit for that time slot.

Alex Rusciano (A-04): Internal Communications Coordinator at OSF HealthCare, Peoria; Past: News Reporter at WCBU, 89.9 FM, Peoria Public Radio; News Director, 92.1 FM KRLS/1320 AM KNIA, Knoxville, IA; News Reporter, 91.5 FM WBEZ; Chicago Public Radio.

Jake Neher (A-06): Coordinating producer, audio engineer, Crain Communications, Detroit. Past: Reporter/Producer, WDET Public Radio, 101.9, NPR station in Detroit; Past: State Capitol Reporter at Michigan Public Radio Network, Lansing, MI. Reporter/Host, WFUV Public Radio, Bronx, NY; News Director, KBRW, NPR station in Barrow, AK; News Director, Jock, Modern Rock 91.5 WMHW, Central Michigan University.

Nate Bender (L-03): Audio Producer/Engineer, WDET 101.9 FM; Past: Host of podcast entitled Lets Play: Daily Gaming News; Radio Host at Beasley Esports XP, Detroit area; On-air personality at Checkpoint XP; Past: Social Media Manager, Beasley Media Group; Chief Executive Officer, Limit Break Radio; Board Operator, Greater Media; Producer, 105.1, The Bounce; Production Assistant,WDET-FM 101.9, Detroit, MI; Board Operator/Overnight DJ, CMU Public Radio, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Jennifer Green (L-08): Resident DJ and Radio Host at Virtual Public Network; Radio Host at Greenhaus Radio; Past: Resident DJ/Producer at RWD FM; DJ Assistant, In-studio Hospitality, Front Desk, KEXP, 90.3 FM, Seattle; On-Air Personality on 94.9 FM (Party 934 Radio) Hudson Valley, NY/Chicago, IL. Resident DJ and Radio Host at Virtual Public Network; Radio Host/Manager, Greenhaus Radio; Creator/Writer of Puff Green, a Chicago based music blog.

Martin Anthony (L-92): On-Air Personality, WPON 1460 AM, Walled Lake, MI; Radio Personality, Board Operator, Promotions at Cumulus Media, Lansing, MI. Air Personality, 99.1 WFMK-FM/97.5 WJIM-FM, East Lansing, MI. Guest Services, Palace Sports & Entertainment, Inc., Auburn Hills, MI. Past: Air Personality/Board Op 92.5 WJSZ-FM Krol Communications, Owosso, MI; Air Personality, 98WKCQ-FM MacDonald Broadcasting, Saginaw, MI.

Scott Taylor (L-89): Senior Vice President/Publishers at Katz Digital; Senior Vice President/Operations, Katz Radio Group, Greater Chicago Area.

Kevin Rich (A-03): Market President/Chief Revenue Officer, Director of Sales, General Manager Manager, all at Townsquare Media, Albany, NY. Past: Account Executive, CBS Radio, Seattle, WA; Account Manager, Citadel Broadcasting, Syracuse, NY; Play-by-Play Announcer, Palm Beach Atlantic University; Account Manager/On-Air DJ, 97.9 WRMF, West Palm Beach, FL.

Peter Starkel (A-87): Air Personality, WNMC 90.7 Community Radio, Traverse City, MI. Past: General Manager, WGVU-FM, Grand Valley State University.

Gina (Ratliffe) DeVee (A-91): Success Coach, ginadevee.com and Host, Divine Living Radio Talk Show (syndicated), Montecito, CA.

Michael Moritz (L-88): Air personality on Radio Kampus 97.1 FM/internet in Warsaw, Poland and working in two sitcoms and a movie; Central European Media Enterprises. Teaching broadcasting at Warsaw University. Past: 16 years at Radio PIN in Poland; TVP3 Warszawa; Euronews.

Alex Scharg (A-10): Co-founder/Partner at Flow Video; Future Startup Founder at Bamboo Detroit; Past: Rock Ventures; Producer, Spartan Sports Network (MSU) and WKAR-TV/AM; Videographer at Fox Sports Detroit; Sports Director, WDBM-FM 88.9, The Impact, at Michigan State University.

Max Gun (A-11): Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, Lynchburg Hillcats, Advanced A Affiliate of Cleveland Indians, Lynchburg VA; Freelance Play-by-Play Announcer, Seattle Pacific University; Radio Broadcaster and Communications Assistant, Altoona Curve, WRTM AM, Altoona PA; Post season Runner, Los Angeles Dodgers; Radio Broadcaster and Media Relations Assistant, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Baseball, FOX Sports AM 1350, KTDD, Rancho Cucamonga CA; Radio Play-by-Play Announcer, Cumulus Media, Ann Arbor; Battle Creek Bombers, Radio Play-by-Play Announcer, Battle Creek; Intern, WDIV-TV Local 4; Intern, Sports Talk 1050 WTKA; Student Announcer, The Big Ten Network, Lansing, MI.

Josh Loney (A-10): Big Kahuna at The Absurd, Los Angeles; Co-Founder/CEO at Peyote Catfish Records and Director's Assistant at Film Production Past: Engineer, Spartan Sports Network, East Lansing, MI.

Daniel Ellman (A-01): Communications Specialist at University of Michigan; Past: Copy Editor/Page Designer, Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL. Past: Broadcast Intern, Rockford Riverhawks, Loves Park, IL. Freelance Reporter, Chicago Public Radio, Chicago, IL.

Jon Miller (L-08): Development and Communications Officer, TeenWorks, Fort Wayne IN; Past: Corporate Development Account Executive, PBS Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne IN; Freelancer, SoaringKiteMedia, Detroit, MI. Freelancer, The Social Connection, Ferndale, MI. Past: Promotions Director, WMHW Modern Rock 91.5, Mt. Pleasant, MI. Promotions Intern/River Roadie, 93.9 The River, Detroit, MI.

Stuart Best (A-80): Attorney, Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A., Troy, MI. Past: Represented Detroit radio personality in contract negotiations and syndication deals. Ran mobile DJ company on the side for over 20 years.

Jason Lee George: Events and Entertainment Entrepreneur, Owner: eventtodo.com; Owner, United Productions, a professional event and entertainment services company including mobile DJ services, Keego Harbor, MI. Talent Coordinator, The i Group LLC, Model and Talent Management.

Scott Meach (A-86): CEO, Founder & Fan, Second Ticket and the Mega Pool, a ticket resale marketplace, Atlanta, GA. Past: Station Manager, WJPZ, Syracuse, NY.

Mitch Barratt (L-01): Past: Promotions Team Member (Intern), Greater Media Detroit, Detroit, MI. Production Director, WMHW-FM Modern Rock 91.5, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Jackie Purtan (A-81): Website Content Manager and Comedy Writer/Podcaster at dickpurtan.com; Voice over talent; Works at CBS Radio. Past: Actress/Writer, The Second City Detroit; Writer/Air Personality at WOMC-FM 104.3 (CBS) in Detroit, MI.

Wade Fink (A-07): Attorney at Wade Fink Law PC; Past: Reporter/Intern at 1130 AM WDFN, Detroit. Intern for Sen. Carl Levin. Intern, WWJ, Newsradio 95, Detroit; Radio DJ, WERS, 88.9 FM, Boston area; Radio Talk Show Host, Emerson Talk and Information Network, Boston; Host/MC, Hall of Fame Dance Challenge, a national dance competition traveling to 30+ cities. Roles included helping to organize 1000+ act productions, client communication, and hosting show in front of live audiences and 1.2 viewers online.

Eric Burch (L-77): Creative Director, Milliman, Indianapolis; Past: Communications Director, Indiana State Personnel Department; Past; News Director, WASK, Lafayette, IN. Was one of two DJ’s who went on the air the first day WBFH hit the airwaves, October 1, 1976.

Kerstynn Davidson Glonke (A-97): Past: News Reporter/ Newscaster, WHMI 93.5 FM, Howell, MI.

Ashley Deacon Valles (A-99): Past: Account Manager, WOMC-FM 104.3, Detroit, MI.

Carla Black McCown: Past: Air Personality, KKMJ-FM Majic 95.5, Austin, TX.

Andrew Brown (BHHS 2016): Weekend Graphics, WCIA TV 3 (CBS), Champaign IL; Past: Air Personality, WMHW radio, Central Michigan University; Unrequited Podcast Group.

Tyler Kieft (A-2013): Senior Producer, Programming Director at Civic Center TV, WBLD Program Director; Past Woodward One Media.

Cameron Billes (A-2012): Radio Production Assistant at New Orleans Pelicans (NBA team); Former Broadcasting Intern at Tampa Bay Rays; Former Internship at Athlete Interactive; Former Board Operator at iHeartMedia Inc.; Former Internship at State Champs Michigan; Former Board Operator/Engineer at Spartan Media Network; Former Show Host at Impact 89FM-Sports (MSU).

Justin Spiro (L-05): Producer/Host at Spiro Avenue Productions, Host of sports talk show The Spiro Avenue Show, available on YouTube.

Doug Pfaff (L-87): Contributor to award winning personal finance podcast entitled The Stacking Benjamins Show which is in the top 3% of all podcasts in terms of downloads. His day job is Senior Manager at Plante Moran.

Sharon Savanyu-McDonough (L-81): Past: DJ, WCHP Radio, Central Michigan University; Intern at WSYM-TV, Lansing (writing and producing station promos); Michigan State University graduate, Telecommunications; Sales, WILS Radio, Lansing; National Radio rep firm, McGavren Guild; Sales of video tape duplication and CD ROM and DVD replication in mass quanities, Allied Digital Technologies.

Evan Katz (BH 21): Impact 89FM (WDBM), MSU Student Radio, Michigan State University; MSU baseball beat writer and announcer.

TV/TV Sales/TV Executive/Video Production/Film Production/Web Video/Telecommunications

Larry Barron (L-83): 2/13/65-12/23/2020. Past: Executive Producer (EP), FremantleMedia, Los Angeles. Past: EP, Emogenius; EP Coupled; EP, What Chilli Wants; EP, Full Throttle Saloon; EP, Idiotest; UPN, Vice President, Alternative Programs; FOX, Co-Executive Producer, “Paradise Hotel”; UPN, Network Consultant, “America’s Next Top Model”; CBS, Show Producer, “The Amazing Race”, Producer, Combat Missions.

JoAnne Purtan (A-87): Morning Air Personality, WOMC radio, 104.3, Detroit. Past; Anchor, Consumer Reporter, WXYZ-TV Channel 7 in Detroit. Anchor/Reporter, WRGB TV, Albany, NY. Nominated for over 12 Emmy Awards, she won an Emmy in 2011 for a story she did on her father, radio personality Dick Purtan.

Heather Catallo (A-94): Investigative Reporter/Anchor, WXYZ-TV Channel 7 in Detroit. Heather has won five Emmy Awards, including an Emmy for Best Reporter. She has won the MAB Reporter of the Year for 2007, 2009 and 2010. Past: Reporter at TV stations in Syracuse, NY, and Spokane, WA.

Ric Blackwell (A-82): Owner, Ric Blackwell Productions, a video production company, Jupiter, FL. Past: Anchor/Reporter (24 years), WPEC-TV CBS12, West Palm Beach; Anchor/Reporter, WINK-TV, CBS, Fort Myers, FL.

Jason Horowitz (A-01): Radio Play-by-Play announcer for NFL team Las Vegas Raiders; Studio Host and Play-by-Play announcer (NCAA football and basketball, Final Four, Olympics), Westwood One NY; On Air Talent/Producer, CBSSports.com, NY, NY. Air Talent, SiriusXM College Sports Nation, NFL Draft, Play-by-Play announcer. Past: Host of Aeropostale College Basketball Weekly, Host of MSGNY, and New York Liberty Play-by-Play announcer, all at Madison Square Garden.

Richard Isakow (A-01): Producer (music) at NFL Network, Los Angeles; Past: Producer, MLB Network, Secaucus, NJ; Associate Producer, CBS College Sports, New York, NY; Tape Producer at The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, CNBC, New York, NY.

Sid Eschleman (A-85): Senior Vice President, Brand Revenue & Account Management, Turner Network Sales, Turner Broadcasting System, Atlanta, GA. Past: Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Turner Network Sales; Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, AMC Networks; Affiliate Sales, Discovery Network.

Arturo Santiago (A-83): Chief Editor, Endeavor Business Media, Santa Barbara CA; Owner, Santiago Media (video production company); Freelance Reporter, NBC Bay Area, California. Past: Managing Editor/News Anchor, KCOY Channel 12, Santa Maria, CA; Anchor/Reporter, CBS4, Denver, CO; Reporter/Anchor, King 5 TV, Seattle, WA; Reporter, WEYI-TV Channel 25, Saginaw, MI; News Reporter, WPHM-AM 1380, Port Huron, MI.

Ron Terrell (A-90): Morning News Anchor, FOX23 News Daybreak, Tulsa, OK. Past: Sports Director, FOX23; Sports Anchor/Reporter, KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City; Sports Photographer/Reporter, KOCO-TV; Sports Anchor/Reporter, KTEN.

Dan Bree (A-89): Showrunner/Executive Producer Dan Bree has produced and supervised more than 100 hours of survival, adventure, history and science programming for History, ABC, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, National Geographic Channel, Science Channel and PBS. Currently based in Los Angeles, Dan has produced shows, developed pitches, and managed large production teams in the field and in post, for companies in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and San Francisco. Dan has field produced across the United States, and in Asia, Europe and South America. Showrunner/EP, Robotic Pictures; Past: Series Producer, Part2 Pictures; Powderhouse Productions; Hoff Productions; Scient; Indigo Films.

Guy Cacciarelli (A-87): Vice President, Content Distribution, Madison Square Garden Media, Greater Los Angeles Area, CA. Past: MTV Networks.

Randy Eisenberg (A-89): Writer, CBS in New York. Past: Writer, Comedy Central.

Alan Freedland (A-82): Executive Producer, Producer, Writer, Voice Talent (King of the Hill, American Dad, Impastor, Due Date plus several others). Won one Primetime Emmy, nominated for three more.

Marissa Boyajian (L-04): Feature Producer at NBC Sports and Olympics, NYC; Senior Associate Producer, NBC Sports and Olympics; Executive Assistant to the Chairman of NBC Sports Dick Ebersol, New York City; Past: Programming Coordinator, Executive Assistant to the President of the Network, Bravo Cable Channel, New York City.

Brent Hatchett (L-05): Lead Planter and Pastor-Outlet Church, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. Past: Account Executive, New Age Media (FOX 49 and The CW), Tallahassee, FL. Past: News Anchor, WCJB TV-20, Tallahassee, FL.

George Tunis (A-06): C.E.O., A2A Productions, L.L.C., Van Nuys, CA. A2A Productions create, develop, and produce film and television of many different genres.

Mike Lynn (A-85): President, Black Jewel Films, LLC, Beverly Hills, CA. President, Stage 9 Productions, Inc. Actor, member of AFTRA.

Alex Osten (A-11): Head of Partnerships at The Muse; Variety Magazine's '110 to Watch in Entertainment'; Pace University Alum, NYWICI Scholarship Recipient; Past; Account Manager at Nielsen; Intern at CNN, Universal Pictures, NBC News, Today Show, HLN, CBS, Havas, UBS, and Glamour Magazine; Past: Senior Account Manager and Account Manager at The Muse; Production Intern, Inside Edition (CBS), New York.

Dave Eicher (L-82): Manager, Program Source International, a creative multi-media production company featuring videography, editing and duplication, Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Vickie Chandler (A-84): Digital Media Services Coordinator, BHS-TV, Bloomfield Hills School District, Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Michael Chait (A-02): Director of feature film Wolf Hound; Commercial/Film/Music Video Director at Stage 3; michaelbchait.com/TMU Pictures LLC, West Bloomfield, MI. Past: Assistant Cinematics Director, Midway Games, Chicago, IL.

Jennifer Purtan (A-79): Works at GACO Sourcing. Past: Vice President of Sales, CBS Television, WWJ-TV & WKBD-TV, Detroit, MI.

Alex Zolbert (A-94): SVP, Communications Manager, Bank of America, NY; Past: Supervising Producer, NBC News, NY; Senior Producer/ Correspondent, CNN International, Hong Kong/Tokyo; Producer, CNBC, Singapore; Producer/Writer, NBC News, NY.

Leo Goldman: Sports/News Multi Media Journalist, WSBT-TV, South Bend, Indiana; Past: Sports Anchor/Reporter, KFBB, Great Falls Montana; Sports Reporter, BG Falcon Media, Bowling Green, OH; On-Air Talent, WBGU, 88.1 FM, Bowling Green.

G. Kent Davis (BHHS-15): Reporter/Anchor WBKB Channel 11, Thunder Bay News Network, Alpena, MI.

Brock Appleby (BHHS-15): Senior Account Executive, Premium Sales at Chicago Fire FC; Past: Intern, San Francisco 49ers.

Kristin Kane Novacek: Past: WXIN Fox 59 Morning News, Indianapolis; Central Florida News 13, Orlando; KRIV, Houston; WSFL, Miami; WICU/WSEE, Erie PA; News 12, Westchester NY; internships CBS and WCBS, New York City.

Andrew Laurich (A-01): Works at ContagiousLA, Los Angeles; Past: Film and Television; Nonfiction Unlimited.

Jeff Rogers (A-89): Video Producer/Director/Editor, RogersReel Productions, Orange County, CA; Past: Video Editor, PSB Integrated; Assistant Program Director, Coast Hills Church.

Andy Hecht (A-93): Executive Content Producer, Coordinating Producer, CBS Sports HQ; Account Executive, Citadel Servicing Corporation, Irvine CA; Field Producer, NFL Network; Past: Director of Content and Production Front Office, Cleveland Browns; Executive Sports Producer, Action News WPVI TV6-ABC, Philadelphia; Producer, NFL Network.

Scott Booth (L-82, passed 2008): Was active in freelance video and film production. Worked at Channel 7 & 4 in Traverse City and Detroit Public TV.

Don Stevenson (L-77): Retired Electrical Engineer and Telecommunications Professional, Consumers Energy, Jackson, MI (32 years, 7 mo).

Dave McClary (L-78): Past: Account Executive, WABX, 99 1/2 FM, Detroit.

Imanni Wright (BH-18): Director of Creative Content at MIT Women’s Basketball, Orange CA; Assistant for Chapman University Digital Writer, Chapman Sports Broadcast Network. Past: Intern at Channel 4 in Detroit, sports and feature digital writer; Media and Film student, Chapman University.

Evan Katz (BH 21): Impact Radio, Michigan State University; MSU baseball announcer.

TV/Cable TV/Author/Writer/Consultant

Rob Simpson (A-82): Talk Show Host, SiriusXM, NHL Network Radio; Author of No Heavy Lifting…Globetrotting adventures of a sports media guy; Personalized Broadcast Consulting for those that want to improve their broadcasting skills - TV, radio, play-by-play, reporting, on-cam's…details at simmerpuckmedia.com. Author of three hockey books: The Winged Wheel, A Half-Century of the Detroit Red Wings in Photographs; Between the Lines; Not-So-Tall Tales from Ray “Scampy” Scapinello’s Four Decades in the NHL; and Black and Gold: Four Decades of the Boston Bruins in Photographs. Past: Reporter/Analyst for NESN-TV, Boston; TV Reporter for TV station in Hawaii.

Wendy Shanker (A-89): Wendy is a multi-talented writer, author and creative consultant, hired by the most influential media brands and producers of the world’s biggest televised and live events. Her personal clients include superstars and supermodels; Oscar and Emmy winners; First Ladies and Presidents. In the past year alone you’ve seen her work on The Grammys, the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the GLAAD Media Awards honoring Beyoncé & Jay-Z and Madonna. Wendy spent the first part of her career in television, working at MTV and VH1 in production, series and specials including TRL and the VMAs. After a stint writing and developing women’s programming at Lifetime and Oxygen, she became the head scriptwriter for major live events like Glamour’s star-studded Women of the Year Awards, The National Magazine Awards, and the GLAAD Media Awards, crafting remarks with/for everyone from Oscar winners to CEOs to Olympians to Presidents. Wendy’s byline has appeared in Glamour, Self, Shape, Cosmopolitan, and Us Weekly (The Fashion Police). She has written two books: a humorous, hopeful memoir about women and body image, The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life (Bloomsbury USA); and more recently, Are You My Guru?: How Medicine, Meditation & Madonna Saved My Life (Penguin/NAL). Her latest book, co-authored with Beth Behrs, the star of the CBS hit comedy “2 Broke Girls,” is The Total ME-Tox: How to Ditch Your Diet, Move Your Body & Love Your Life (Hachette Book Group). More about Wendy at wendyshanker.com.

Dr. Sheri Fink (A-86): Author of Five Days at Memorial and War Hospital; Executive Producer/Writer of Pandemic (Netflix-six episodes); New York Times correspondent. Has appeared on PBS NewsHour and ABC 20/20 regarding the coronavirus situation. Staff Reporter, ProPublica, a non-profit news organization. She reports on health, medicine and science in such publications as the New York Times, Discover and Scientific American and on Public Radio International’s The World. She received a Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting for her story “The Deadly Choices at Memorial”.

Public Relations/Advertising/Web Media/Promotions/Social Media/Media Relations/Marketing/Talent Agency/Entertainment Law

Matt Friedman (A-90): Owner, Tanner Friedman-Strategic Communications, Farmington MI, Public Relations firm; Makes numerous appearances on Detroit TV and radio discussing PR issues. Past: Marx Layne, Detroit, Marketing and Public Relations firm; WDIV-TV Detroit, News Producer; WKMG-TV Orlando, News Producer; WSBTV, Atlanta, News Writer/Producer; WWJ-AM Detroit, Various News/Sports Roles; News Director, WJPZ, Syracuse.

Michele Conner (A-86): Freelance Producer at Freelancer; Past: Senior Producer, Leo Burnett (advertising), Detroit, MI.; Doner and GlobalHue (advertising companies).

Jeff Lutz (A-02): Vice President, Corporate Communications and Content, Hart Inc., Toledo, Ohio; Vice President, Airfoil Group, Royal Oak; PR Director, Overit Media, Albany, NY. Past: Senior Account Executive, Airfoil PR, Southfield, MI.

Dave Galens (A-82): Creative, Campell Ewald, Greater Detroit Area; Past: Creative Director, Daniel Brian Advertising; Creative Director, MXM Health; Associate Creative Director, Real Integrated; Creative Director, Big Communications, Ferndale, MI.

Ryan Fishman (A-06): Attorney at the Fishman Group; Past: Vice President, Strategic Consultation, Steward Media, West Bloomfield, MI. Past: Talk Show Host, WSYR 570 AM, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Syracuse, NY.

Jeff Lawson (A-95): CEO & Co-founder of the cloud communications services firm Twilio which raised $150 million at a $1.2 billion valuation at its June 2016 IPO. Twilio is now worth over $19 billion as its share price shot up 66% in 2019 and 146% in the past 12 months. Jeff owns 5% of the company located in San Francisco. Past: Technical Product Manager for Amazon Web Services. Founder executive roles for NineStar, Stubhub.com and Versity.com.

Rob Daitch (A-98): Director, Brand Media, TIAA, NY; Past: Senior Partner, Director, Strategic Planning, Mindshare, NY; Partner, Integrated Planning, UM Worldwide, NY; Associate Strategy Director, p h .d, New York; Media Supervisor, Mullen Advertising & PR; Sr. Media Planner, Doner, Detroit.

Mark Campbell (A-94): Owner-Operator, Turtle Street Photography, Oak Park, MI. Past: Producer, Doner (Advertising), Southfield, MI.

Daniel Muskovitz (A-04): Creative Effectiveness Lead, Google, Chicago; Past: Account Executive, Google, Chicago; AdWords Account Associate, Google, Ann Arbor, MI.

Frank Novak (A-99): Marketing and Public Relations at Southeast Michigan Auto Show; Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Suburban Collection Showcase and the Michigan State Fair LLC. Past: Detroit Lions and Ford Field; Promotions Coordinator, Schoolcraft College, Livonia, MI.

Robyn Berkowitz (A-04): Associate Director, Lester & Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center at Michigan State University; Past: Assistant Director; Director of Engagement & Campus Initiatives; Program Associate; Past: Air Personality, Host of Flashback, Impact 89 Radio, MSU; Promotions Intern, WMGC, Greater Media Detroit.

Dan Lippitt (A-88): Photographer at Dan Lippitt Photography, Detroit, MI. Detroit Pistons Team Photographer. Past: Photographer at The Palace of Auburn Hills and Adrenaline Games Alliance.

Chris Hill: (A-81): Advertising Executive, Doner, Detroit.

Chad Shepard (L-10): Director of Football Communications and Multimedia Production, University of Michigan Athletics, Ann Arbor; Past: Assistant Director, Communications at University of Michigan Athletic Department; Athletic Media Relations Intern at UM Athletic Dept.; Marketing Intern, Warrior Sports.

Rachel Fishman (L-06): Art Director/Eclectic Creator/Intuitive Artist, Host of the Cosmic Creatorcast Podcast, Los Angeles Greater Area; Past: Branding, Art Direction, Senior Graphic Designer, BH Cosmetics, Los Angeles; Co-Owner, Creative Director, She Sees, Los Angeles. She Sees mission is to inspire the next generation of diverse female filmmakers and empower more young women to tell their stories through film.

Harrison Kenum (A-12): Intern, AEFH Talent Agency, Los Angeles.

Scott Swanson (L-11): Multimedia Producer, Mango Languages; Multimedia Coordinator, Mango Languages, Farmington Hills; Advertising Director, MSU Telecasters; Senior Consultant, Language and Media Center, Michigan State University.

Mark Kovinsky (A-83): President, Mark L. Kovinsky PC, Greater Los Angeles, Law practice focused on the representation of clients in a wide variety of entertainment, employment, and intellectual property transactions; Past: Of Counsel, Kleinberg Lange Cuddy and Carlo LLP, LA; Associate Attorney, Litigation and Music, Mitchell Silberberg and Knupp LLC. LA.

Sunil Sinha (A-85): President, ELS Production Services LLC, Portland OR; Past: Tour Director, AEG Live, for musical acts Fleetwood Mac :(2003), Dixie Chicks (2006), Rod Stewart (2004-2007), Neil Diamond (2008-2009).

Tim Cavanaugh (L-81): President/Celebrity Broker, Cavanaugh and Associates, Celebrity Brokerage Firm, Los Angeles.

Jeff Bishop (L-93): Project Manager at The Walt Disney Company, Winter Garden, FL; Facilitator, Walt Disney World, FL.

Corey Berkowitz (A-08): Saban Music Group (Los Angeles), Head of Pop & Urban A&R. Past: Rock Mafia (record production/song writing) Santa Monica, CA; Vice President of A&R; Director of A&R.

Alan Peterson (A-09): Executive Coordinator, 44 Blue Productions, Burbank, CA; Stand Up Comedy with Brian Monarch; Writer/Producer, Alan Peterson Productions (stand-up comedy specials, digital shorts, independent features and short films. I also was the voice and face for The Get Movin' Crew's digital media campaign), Greater Los Angeles area.

Michael Blumenthal (L-13): SaaS Launch Partner | Lead Generation | Go To Market | Business Strategist (self employed entrepreneur). Past: Marketing Analyst-Car Multimedia, Bosch USA, Plymouth, MI; Past: Professional Development Marketing Trainee; IoT Business Development; Marketing Strategy Coordinator.

Media Educator

Paul Gaba (L-82): Debate, Speech & Film Teacher, Wellington High School, Wellington, FL. Past: Reporter and Photographer for The Detroit News, Ogemaw County Herald, and The Marshall Chronicle. Technical Coordinator, WWJ Newsradio 950, Detroit, MI. Assistant Manager, WBFH-FM 88.1, Bloomfield Hills, MI. At Central, he also worked at News Central/MHTV and CM Life, newspaper.

David Stein (A-81): Middle School Theatre and Video Production Teacher, American School of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.

IT/Technology/Software/Animation

Paul Stewart (A-12): President at Summit Technology Group; Past: Former Director of Business Development, North America at Multicam Systems; Former Broadcast Automation Engineer at ENCO Systems, Inc. Past: General Manager, WLBN, Albion College Radio.

Mark Stewart (BHHS): Graphic designer at ENCO Systems, Inc.; Producer/Engineer at Raydon Studio.

Leanna Dixon (BHHS-2016): Cleanup Artist, MOCO Productions, an entertainment content development and animation studio company based in South Carolina.

Patrick Garretson (L-10): Director of the Research & Development team at NCSolutions, a market research joint venture between The Nielsen Company and Catalina Marketing, Greater Chicago Area. Past: Senior Manager, Research and Development; Manager, Delivery and Analytics; Senior Analyst, Delivery and Analytics.

Evan Sacksner (BHHS 2016): IT Support Engineer at Thrive!, New York, New York; Past: IT Support Specialist, Huntington Technology, Bingham Farms; Digital Artist, General Motors.

Note: 15 WBFH students were accepted and attended the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University, Syracuse NY. Newhouse has been ranked as the top broadcast/journalism school in the nation: Larry Barron (TV/Radio/Film, Management ‘87), Scott Taylor (TV/Radio/Film, Management ‘93), Heather Catallo (Broadcast Journalism ‘98), Jason Horowitz (Broadcast Journalism ‘05), Jeff Lutz (Broadcast Journalism ‘06), Marissa Boyajian (Broadcast Journalism ‘08), Matt Friedman (Broadcast Journalism ‘94), Andy Hecht (Broadcast Journalism ‘97), Scott Meach (TV/Radio/Film ‘90), Kevin Rich (Broadcast Journalism, Political Science ‘07), Guy Cacciarelli (‘91), Alex Zolbert (‘98), Ryan Fishman (2010), Erin Kashowlic (transferred) and Alan Peterson (Branier Program-Music and Entertainment Industries ‘13).

Several of my Assistant Station Managers have worked in commercial radio and TV: Dave Sheehan, Mark Brooky Paul Gaba and Ron Wittebols.

WBFH Alumni who attended the retirement luncheon in June, 2017, left to right: Scott Meach, Joan Dodge, Heather Catallo, Chris Hill, Stuart Best, Matt Friedman, Paul Gaba, Scott Anderson, Wendy Shanker and Ron Wittebols. Front row: PB, Ed Borus, Mic… — WBFH Alumni who attended the retirement luncheon in June, 2017, left to right: Scott Meach, Joan Dodge, Heather Catallo, Chris Hill, Stuart Best, Matt Friedman, Paul Gaba, Scott Anderson, Wendy Shanker and Ron Wittebols. Front row: PB, Ed Borus, Michelle Conner and Heather Monk.

Our first Program Director and DJ the first day we went on the air…Eric Burch! Shown here in our Lahser studios with Don Stevenson…both were Lahser Class of 1977.

Photo op with Eric Burch at the WBFH Studios Dedication. I appreciated him coming up from Indiana to be at the dedication as he was one of the two DJ’s who went on the air the first day WBFH hit the airwaves, October 1, 1976! My wife and I went to d… — Photo op with Eric Burch at the WBFH Studios Dedication. I appreciated him coming up from Indiana to be at the dedication as he was one of the two DJ’s who went on the air the first day WBFH hit the airwaves, October 1, 1976! My wife and I went to dinner with Eric and his wife later that day to take numerous trips down Memory Lane!

Scott Marsh was one of the names I used when I was on the radio. I hosted a one hour show playing Adult Contemporary hits, hence the name The Scott Marsh Mellow Hour…ha ha! Scott actually is my middle name. Anyway, I quit doing that show because it … — Scott Marsh was one of the names I used when I was on the radio. I hosted a one hour show playing Adult Contemporary hits, hence the name The Scott Marsh Mellow Hour…ha ha! Scott actually is my middle name. Anyway, I quit doing that show because it was on late at night (10-11 p.m.) and made for a long day. So, because of the “death” of Scott Marsh, we decided to hold a memorial golf tournament in his name to be played at the Pontiac Country Club. You can see it started in 1979 and lasted five years. But it was fun to play with the guys who participated!

Bryan and Denny both won the tournament twice. 75…pretty good Denny!

Pete Bowers 2/12/20 Pete Bowers 2/12/20

Commencement Speaker 1971 and 2003

When my son Adam was graduating from Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School, I asked if I could be the faculty speaker at Commencement held at Baldwin Pavilion (Meadowbrook) June 8, 2003. They let me do it and it was one of the highlights of my life. Plus, I got to give Adam a hug when he went across the stage to accept his diploma!

Being senior class president has it’s perks…I got to speak at graduation…which was held on the football/soccer field June 9, 1971 under the lights. The guy on the right (my left) is my Dad, Charles L. Bowers MD, who was president of the Board of Edu… — Being senior class president has it’s perks…I got to speak at graduation…which was held on the football/soccer field June 9, 1971 under the lights. The guy on the right (my left) is my Dad, Charles L. Bowers MD, who was president of the Board of Education. He appears to be enjoying whatever I just said. The other man is Anne Cole’s father, Ed Cole, president of General Motors and our commencement speaker. The speech is below…scroll down.

Pete Bowers Commencement Speech 6-9-1971

I would first like to welcome the relatives, friends and guests to this, the Commencement exercise. This is the big night and I’m sure the graduating seniors here have looked forward to this night for many years. We’ve all wished that it could have come a lot sooner in some instances, but now that we are here receiving our diplomas, I sometimes think it went to fast. As far as this school year goes, I would have to consider it a very successful year for the senior class. We finally put together a winning float in the annual Homecoming float building competition. Our powder puff girls retained their championship by defeating the junior girls in that final game. And the senior class came out on top in the week of Winter Carnival activities held this last March. But as I look around at this group seated here in front of me, I see a different bunch than what entered this school three years ago. Longfellow put it this way: “All things must change, to something new, to something strange.” But what has really changed? This school definitely has. Yes, during our three years here, we have seen many changes take place. Besides the spacious pool that was built in 1967, the area that we now sit was quite different then. Those goal posts weren’t there or neither was this beautiful all-weather track that is used by more Bloomfield Hills students than any other athletic facility in the school district. We watched and waited as the workers put in the lights that we are now under and the sound system last spring. And just two short months ago, those bleachers that you people are now sitting were nonexistent. Through student involvement, the dress code that stood for so many years was abandoned in our sophomore year. The school also recently expanded its Audio-Visual Department with purchases of video tape equipment for school wide use. Besides the many teachers that have come and gone, this class has also seen a change in superintendents from the retiring Eugene Johnson to our present chief Dr. Fred Thorin, who in his first year as superintendent we feel has don a commendable job. These are just some of the changes that have been completed in our stay here. There are several others that have just been instigated this year and will go into effect or be completed for this upcoming school year. As far as building changes go, there will be three major differences. First, construction will soon be completed on a large library and media center to meet any and all of the students needs and desires. Secondly, plans have been proposed for a large area on the third floor to be built into a desperately needed student lounge as a place for students to sit and relax and converse with friends. The third bit of construction has already been put to use in that some of your cars are presently parked on one of the proposed two new parking lots. It’s too bad that we won’t be around to utilize some of these additions but the important thing is that they have arrived and we, as students can feel proud in the fact that we had some say in the planning of these projects. There is one other change that will take place this summer and it’s the first time a thing like this has ever occurred. The first that I am referring to deals with the retirement of our principal, Richard J. Speiss, who has served this school district as teacher, coach and principal for some 35 years. We could talk all night about this man and there probably isn’t enough words of gratitude that could be expressed about him. You could consider this night Mr. Speiss’ graduation also and if you could give him a diploma, it would be a thank you and a wish for good health and sunny days for both he and his wife. To go back to what I said earlier is to say that we haven’t changed. I recently attended a Hickory Grove Elementary 6th grade reunion and upon talking to my old classmates and visiting with my third grade teacher, I came to the conclusion that we are the same people as we were back then. What we have done, though, is to grow in body and mind. The line between change and growth is a thin one but yet very distinct. We have grown in many ways. Our hair is a little longer than it used to be. And our clothes have kept up with the times. Though appearance is more noticeable to the eye, attitudes and prejudices have also grown. We’re a little more confidant behind the wheel than we used to be and we’re beginning to accept more and more of the adult responsibilities that lie ahead. With the future in mind, Albert Einstein once said, and I’ll never forget it, “I never think of the future, it comes soon enough”. My only wish for those graduates here tonight is the word PEACE. By that I not only mean peace from all wars but for peace of mind because that is the real task at hand. As Adlai Stevenson once said “The pursuit of peace is complicated because it has to do with people, and nothing in this universe baffles man as much as man himself”. In closing, I would like to recite a poem written by our good friend Max Ellison who graciously visited our school one day this past April…it’s called Success:

I’ve learned to say my name, and speak

The year, the month, the day of week,

Please and thanks with some small grace,

To know myself within the race

Of human beings where I walk

I’ve learned to read, to write, to talk

To cipher numbers one to ten.

I drop them there and start again,

I’ve learned the quiet of an hour.

I’ve learned the beauty of a flower.

Thank you.

Notice Adam sang the Star Spangled Banner…very cool! Notice also that I was the second faculty address. The first faculty address caused quite a stir which was editorialized in the Detroit News on June 10, 2003 below.

Pete Bowers 2/8/20 Pete Bowers 2/8/20

Woodward Dream Cruise Remote Broadcasts

One of the more fun remotes had to be from the corner of Woodward Ave. and Square Lake Rd. as we broadcast live during the Woodward Dream Cruise held the third Saturday in August. We started broadcasting this remote in 2000 and did it for many years. It was not only fun to broadcast, it was a big promotional event for the Biff getting out in public along with a million other people watching 40,000 cars cruise up and down Woodward Ave.

Matt Friedman giving me a video of the Newhouse School of Communications, Syracuse University.

Two fans of Dream Cruise supporting our broadcast: Tom Bowers and Jim Bowers!

Our family had a car like this, a ‘57 black and white Chevy Nomad…a car we drove to Disneyland in California in 1958.

Having fun in 2010 watching cars and people.

With UT (Uncle Tom) and Adam Bowers enjoying the sunny day!

I interview a lady who was a waitress at Ted’s Restaurant back in the 60’s.

Ted’s Restaurant was Michigan’s first drive in restaurant tele-tray car service. Ted’s was on Woodward Ave. near Square Lake Rd. in Bloomfield Hills. My parents took us to Ted’s as a treat but we would eat in the Dining Room, not in our car.

Pete Bowers 2/8/20 Pete Bowers 2/8/20

Be a DJ Saturday Morning Program

I was asked by the Recreation Department if I wanted to run a radio program during their Super Saturday programs held at Andover on Saturday mornings from 9-noon for grades 3-6. They were going to pay me (not much) and it looked to be a good way to provide younger students in the school district an opportunity to experience going on the radio. One thing Be a DJ spawned was an interest in broadcasting that would lead some Be a DJ’ers to enroll in my Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting class when they got into high school. One in particular, Matt Friedman, would not only end up running WBFH, but would move on to Syracuse University and get quite active in broadcasting at the college level. That would lead to a career in broadcasting and public relations. Read his article on the retirement blog…so cool!

I did Be a DJ through the 80’s and then turned it over to another staff member. I’m still in touch with some of the students who did Be a DJ, not just the ones who became Biffers.

Students in the Be a DJ program show off our vintage 88 Rock satin jacket!

Pete Bowers 2/4/20 Pete Bowers 2/4/20

Broadcasts from Silverdome, Ford Field, Breslin Center (MSU) and O’rena (Oakland University)

I was able to obtain opportunities for my students to broadcast (or webcast if not over the air) from the Silverdome (Andover-Lahser football games), Ford Field (high school football finals), and the Breslin Center (boys and girls basketball semi-final and final games).

With Foster and Greg in the pressbox at Ford Field.

Calling the last Andover-Lahser basketball game from the O’rena at Oakland University in Rochester.

Greg, Foster and Uncle Ron at the O’rena!

Broadcasting Andover vs Lahser football game live from the Silverdome in Pontiac.

LaRhonda and Imanni broadcasting from the Breslin Arena on the campus of Michigan State University.

Pete Bowers 2/4/20 Pete Bowers 2/4/20

Broadcasting from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland

I heard that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has radio studios and they let outside groups broadcast from their studios. I thought that would be the coolest field trip ever and so educational! We stayed overnight and did the broadcast the next day, December 14, 2001.

Pete Bowers 1/27/20 Pete Bowers 1/27/20

Youth Soccer Coach/Referee East Hills 8th Grade Soccer

I was involved in Bloomfield youth soccer as an assistant coach, head coach, league treasurer and referee:

*When I was in college, I worked for the Recreation Department as a coach and assistant director of a Saturday youth soccer league. I coached a team and set up a game schedule for games played on Saturdays in the Fall.

*I served as assistant coach for my son Adam’s youth soccer team in the Bloomfield Youth Soccer League. I attended team practices and games and helped the head coach in various capacities.

*I served as head coach of my son Eric’s youth soccer team in the BYSL for grades K, 1, 2, 3, and 4. We had one practice a week and games were played on Sundays. The kids were great and I enjoyed watching them grow as players…and spending quality time with Eric. We didn’t win very often but we had great end-of-the-season parties!

*While coaching Eric’s team, I served as treasurer of the Bloomfield Youth Soccer League writing checks for all the league referees.

*I took a referee training class and was certified to referee youth soccer games. I did the referee thing for a while but it didn’t pay very much and took time away from my family on weekends so I let that go.

*I also coached Eric’s East Hills 8th Grade team when the coach had surgery and they asked me to fill in for the rest of the season.

A team I was asked to coach because none of the parents of these kids knew soccer enough to coach the team. We’re talking late 70’s.

My son Eric in his soccer gear ready for game time!

A gift from my team, Team 907 1996. Very cool!

Coaching another of Eric’s Youth Soccer team.

Adam youth soccer photo. I was assistant coach for Adam’s teams.

The Recreation soccer team I coached. We had the best record in the league and played in the championship game under the lights at Andover High School…exciting! And to top it off, we won the championship…note the trophy!

Another Recreation youth soccer team I coached. They were pretty good too…number 1!

When Eric’s 8th Grade soccer coach had surgery, they asked me if I could take over coaching the team through the rest of the season. I thought that would be a good way to spend more time with Eric so I said yes. A good bunch of kids, I had fun! Eric… — When Eric’s 8th Grade soccer coach had surgery, they asked me if I could take over coaching the team through the rest of the season. I thought that would be a good way to spend more time with Eric so I said yes. A good bunch of kids, I had fun! Eric was number 11.

My uniform when I was a youth soccer referee.

Pete Bowers 1/25/20 Pete Bowers 1/25/20

Running 5K, 10K and Marathon (26.2 Miles)

I was running some 5K and 10K road races and enjoying it. Someone asked if I would ever run a marathon, a race that’s 20 miles longer than a 10K. I decided to run one just so I could say I did it. I ran the Detroit Free Press International Marathon October 9, 1983, My time was 3 hours, 40 minutes and 26 seconds…placing 1655 overall position of finish and 399th Place Men 30-34. The run is “International” because it starts in Windsor, Canada and finishes on Belle Isle (US).

Got past “the wall” and getting near the finish line on Belle Isle. They say the best thing about running a marathon is when it’s over.

With Donna and Mike Shelly who joined Claudia for Team Pete support group. Photo taken on Belle Isle after finishing the marathon.

The large one upper left is the Heart of the Hills 5K race which was held at Andover High School. The red, white and blue ribbon was for 3rd Place in Manistee 10K 7/5/82; Several are JayCees Junior Champ: two 3rd Places, two 1st Places; medal with g… — The large one upper left is the Heart of the Hills 5K race which was held at Andover High School. The red, white and blue ribbon was for 3rd Place in Manistee 10K 7/5/82; Several are JayCees Junior Champ: two 3rd Places, two 1st Places; medal with guy hurdling…2nd Place Shuttle Hurdle Relay at Oakland County Meet; two Special Olympics medals; one 1986 8K Race at Andover.

Some of ribbons and patches for races I ran. Allen Park one is near where Claudia lived. NAF stands for National Asparagus Festival held in Shelby, Oceana County. I did a race in Milford…didn’t know at the time I would be living there in the future.… — Some of ribbons and patches for races I ran. Allen Park one is near where Claudia lived. NAF stands for National Asparagus Festival held in Shelby, Oceana County. I did a race in Milford…didn’t know at the time I would be living there in the future. I did a Bike-A-Thon for the American Cancer Society…good cause.

Trophy (not pictured): Birmingham-Bloomfield Eccentric Track and Field Relays: Shuttle Hurdle Relay, 1971 Champion.

Trophy (not pictured): Discover Northville Rotary 10K Run: 3rd place in 24-29 age group.

Lions Run for the Blind 10K, 10/5/1980

Fire Cracker Run, July 4, 1983, 6th in the 30-34 group, 38.49

Peach Festival Run, Romeo 9/5/83

Lions Run for the Blind 10K 10/10/82 39:03

Farmington YMCA Fox Trot 10K, 23rd overall, 2nd in division, 38:19

Fox Trot, Farmington, July 21, 1984, 41:01 (splits 6:30, 13, 19:45, 26:30, 33:45, 41:01)

Michigan Week 10K, 5/17/81, 38:29, 11th in division (splits 5:30, 11:34, 17:54, 24:00, 30:00, 37:00 38:29)

Pistons 10K, Silverdome, 3/22/81

Got my picture in the paper Oct. 6, 1983…I’m the second guy from the right…in Boston Marathon hat given to me by Bob Seif, a friend who worked at Andover and is the guy to my right. The first guy on the right is John Hansen, a teacher at Lahser. Two… — Got my picture in the paper Oct. 6, 1983…I’m the second guy from the right…in Boston Marathon hat given to me by Bob Seif, a friend who worked at Andover and is the guy to my right. The first guy on the right is John Hansen, a teacher at Lahser. Two-mile run? No, try 6.2 mile run.

Ribbons from Hickory Grove Elementary plus track and field ribbons from high school era. Most were relay team events. The two I’m most proud of are the two 3rd Place finishes in the Wayne/Oakland County League in the 440 yard dash (White ribbon and … — Ribbons from Hickory Grove Elementary plus track and field ribbons from high school era. Most were relay team events. The two I’m most proud of are the two 3rd Place finishes in the Wayne/Oakland County League in the 440 yard dash (White ribbon and yellow ribbon). My best time was 51.9 for the 440 yard dash…they don’t do the 440 anymore, it’s gone metric to the 400 meter dash.

Pete Bowers 1/24/20 Pete Bowers 1/24/20

Air Personality (Scott Marsh, Nighthawk, Bagley’s Corner and Other Voices)

I love being on the radio! So I did radio shows on WBFH over the years, some late at night and others at 3 p.m. on Monday. I would try to do what I call community radio as a service to our community and as an example for up and coming broadcasters. And hey, I wanted to have just as much fun being on the air as my students…and I did it for all my fans who tuned in…both of them! (Bowersism)

*The Scott Marsh Mellow Hour (circa 1977): Mellow or soft rock music from 10-11 p.m. Started show with Olivia Newton John’s song Have You Never Been Mellow. Show title was play on words…actually, Scott is my middle name.

*Nighthawk (circa1979): 10-11 p.m. Wednesdays, started show off with Kenny Loggins’s song Nightwatch which is 7:53 long, long enough to get organized before going on the air. The song ends with sounds of wind blowing so I would come on before the song ended and start making a wind sound like I was flying in from the sky…like a hawk…Nighthawk…get it? I would take phone calls and put them on the air live because I didn’t have anyone there at 10 o’clock at night to screen phone calls. Risky, I know, but most of the callers were WBFH Staff members and you know they would never drop an F bomb on the air. Sign off at 11 p.m., get home and go to bed, get some rest before getting up and off to school for my first hour 7:25 a.m. FORB class. Crazy!

*Voices I would do on those late night shows included weatherman Winchell Factor, sports announcer/DJ Dr. Jock (who spoke in a Big 8 Top 40 DJ kind of voice), station engineer Shurewatt Ohms and Boss, the “station manager” who was always yelling at me for screwing up something. There were a few sound effects I could do to spice up the show: wind blowing, dentist drill/air, Biff helicopter (pound on chest ala Les Nessman WKRP), sound of audio tape fast forwarding, speaking into cup “2X2L calling CQ”, cow moo prop (use when talking about Charles Bowers Farm, etc.

*Morning Show. When my wife and I moved to a duplex in Pontiac, I quit doing a late night show and decided to get up early every day and do a morning show before school started. It was the only live morning show the Biff ever had. I’m not a morning person and I decided to let that go after awhile…not sure if anyone missed it.

*FALROT (circa 1982): FALROT was acronym for Friday Afternoon Live Recorded or Taped. The show aired Friday afternoon and consisted of me and several Staff members just having fun being on the radio. I would compare it to the Zoo format many morning shows use.

*PB and Jay (not sure when it aired): We had a time slot to fill one semester so I asked radio pro/Assistant Manager Randy Carr to co-host a show and he agreed. Randy is a true professional with a great sense of humor and a great radio voice. So I was PB, obviously, and Randy was Jay…PB and Jay…get it? (another Bowersism)

*Bagley's Corner is the name of the radio show I hosted on WBFH, Mondays at 3 p.m., circa 2012-2017. The Biff is Bloomfield Community Radio where Community is our middle name. Therefore, Bagley's Corner was community radio at it's best (I tried). I focused on events happening in our community. I'd like to say that I had my finger on the pulse of Bloomfield.

I named the show Bagley's Corner because that was the original name of Bloomfield Hills. Don't believe me? Google it! Actually, Amasa Bagley built a tavern and inn at the corner of Long Lake Rd. and Woodward and it became a stop for people heading north on the Saginaw Trail (Woodward). So I talk about things that people are talking about at Bagley's Tavern. Hey, I lived and worked in Bloomfield Hills for 64 years! I would start the show off with the song Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Pt. 2 by Emerson, Lake and Palmer (Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, We’re so glad you could attend, Come inside, come inside). Ended show with the song Summer Madness by Kool and the Gang, song used by Alan Almond to close his popular Pillow Talk radio show on WNIC. Side note: I met Alan Almond. He needed to record a tape and contacted us asking if he could use our recording studio. I said SURE! He came in and we talked radio and he got his tape done. Weeks later, he made a donation of $1000 to WBFH…how cool was that? BTW…no one ever saw a photo of Alan Almond and he didn’t make personal appearances. But I know what he looks like!

I also filled in as sports play-by-play/color announcer when needed in the following sports: football, soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, baseball and softball. Sometimes I used my name and sometimes I used the air name Pepper Brooks which I stole from the movie Dodgeball…Pepper Brooks was color announcer played by actor Jason Bateman.

Interviewing Barb Radabaugh on Bagley’s Corner, this one in our studios at Lahser.

Calling a football game with my son Eric in the Lahser pressbox.

In our Andover studios before we had to move the entire station to the Lahser location.

Calling the last Andover-Lahser boys basketball game live from Oakland University’s arena.

Pete Bowers 1/24/20 Pete Bowers 1/24/20

Professional Memberships/Conventions

Organizations I’ve been associated with over my career and conventions I’ve attended.

Michigan Association of Educational Broadcasters: A charter member of this organization since its inception in 1977. Members of MAEB were high school and college radio and TV programs in the state. Most high school members had a radio station in their school, low power, non-commercial FM stations. I served as president for two terms (1985-92, 2011-2013), vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Instrumental in organizing annual conference, student achievement awards, and honors ceremony.

Michigan Association of Broadcasters: I attended their annual conference each year and attended their summer sessions as well. Actively participate in awards competitions.

Was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the MAB Foundation in July, 2010. Re-elected to a second term in 2014. Served on the Broadcast Career Builder Conference Committee several times. Served as BCBC Chair once.

National Association of Broadcasters: Active member for many years. I attended both the NAB Radio Show in New Orleans and the NAB Annual Convention in Las Vegas in 2006 and 2007.

Broadcast Education Association: Individual member. I attended their annual convention in Las Vegas in 2006 and 2007.

Intercollegiate Broadcasting System: Joined in 1977 and attended numerous IBS conventions in New York City, most recently in 2016. Attended IBS regional conferences in Chicago hosted by Columbia College several times and was featured speaker at several sessions.

College Broadcasters Inc.: Attended national conventions in Orlando, Atlanta, San Antonio and Seattle. Speaker at several sessions during conventions.

Loyola National Radio Conference: Attended their conventions in Chicago 1978-81.

Great Lakes Radio Conference: Attended their conventions in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan starting in 1979.