AOTV, WVAO celebrate anniversaries with open house

Athol Orange Community Television (AOTV), the public access station serving the North Quabbin region, is hosting a behind-the-scenes look at its operations as it nears 30 years in the communities it serves.

For 30 years, AOTV has been a local hub for stories, voices and creativity. This year, the station is celebrating that milestone alongside its radio counterpart, WVAO 105.9, which marks 10 years on air.

The community is invited to an open house event on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 163 South Main St. in Athol. Drop-in hours with refreshments, activities and live programming will run from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by a presentation from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Carol Courville, AOTV’s executive director, reflected on the station’s growth.

“I’ve been here since the beginning,” she said. “I was alone for the first five years and now we have two full-time staff people and three part-time.

“We’ve gone from super VHS, SVHS tape, to HD digital formats with stops in between. We added our radio station 10 years ago and we’re always moving into new technology, looking to improve/add things for the community.”

The station’s noncommercial radio allows locals to host their own shows and provides programming for those without cable or internet, including listeners tuning in while driving.

WVAO hosts a wide range of shows from Buddy O’Borne’s “Buddy’s Big Band Blast” to Michael Young’s “Universal Meditation,” which has aired over 200 episodes.

“We’re eclectic. We’re not one genre,” said Courville.

She said the station’s mission is clear – to be “here for the community, by the community.”

Volunteers are central to that mission, and longtime AOTV President Bonnie Benjamin embodies this spirit. Benjamin first got involved because she wanted to help local groups share their stories.

“This was a chance for local community groups to promote what they’re doing,” she explained.

Her very first role at the station was as the “parking elf,” dressed in costume and directing visitors with a smile.

Over time, Benjamin expanded her skills by taking production classes, allowing her to produce shows like “Buddy’s Big Band Blast” and cover community events such as the River Rat Race.

“The shining light of AOTV is that everyone supports each other,” she said. “Whether you’re tech-savvy, good at sweeping floors, or a parking elf.”

Youth involvement is another important part of the station’s community focus. Benjamin shared that high school students come in as interns to gain real-world experience, and younger children often get excited to see themselves featured on local broadcasts.

“They’re so happy to be on camera, it means a lot to them,” she said.

Like many nonprofits, financial challenges persist for the station.

“It takes people, power, and technical skill to make these changes. It takes money. People do it because they love to do it, but fundraising is essential,” said Benjamin.

As AOTV and WVAO mark their respective anniversaries, the open house aims to celebrate the station’s evolution and continued role in the community. The event will offer a behind-the-scenes look at local programming, highlight volunteer contributions, and encourage new participation in both television and radio production.

“It’s truly a place where everyone belongs,” Benjamin said.

Visit https://www.aotv13.org/ for more information.