Ann Rhoton

A wise man once said the more things change the more they stay the same. My husband Scott of 21 years also provided food for thought five years ago with you can never give up enough to get where you think you want to be.

It is wonderful being on the air at WDWS as I have been since October 98. Radio has been so much a part of my life for the last 24 years since graduating from Gridley Senior High School in 1979 (I'm dating myself aren't I). By the way, at that time, my senior class was the largest ever enjoyed by the school at a whopping 42!

Part of the charm of Urbana-Champaign and all of the surrounding communities is the small town feeling I grew up with and came to love so.

Well let's see, I attended Illinois Central College before beginning my career at WPOK, Pontiac as a weekend announcer, news correspondent, and sales representative in 1981. After that I re-located to Rantoul and worked at WRTL AM/FM as a full time announcer and music director for the AM. This is also where I met Scott who hired on and took over the overnight FM shift I was working in November '83 when I went to days. We married in October 1984!

In October 1985, after WRTL was purchased and went to satellite broadcast, it was time for a move east, specifically to WIAI, Danville where I worked full time in sales and as a part time announcer.

Within a year I was hard at work as a full time announcer and as the promotions director. By April of '87 I was working as a full time announcer, promotions director, and music director during a time when I had more fun than a human should be allowed as I met and worked with some of the biggest names in the business of the day. I'd have to say my interview with Bob Hope was the pinnacle of opportunities to speak with one of the greats!

I began writing a weekly column, The Sidney News in July '97 for the Southern Champaign County Today Paper and continue to do so to this day.

I then went into business for myself and participated in small town government for a time, but could just never lose the bug for radio and in October 1998 applied for and was accepted to a job as a part time announcer operator at WDWS AM.

In November of '99 I assumed hosting duties for the Sunday morning program Standard Time and have continued to host the show along with my Friday overnight shift.

Standard Time has provided a wonderful opportunity to bask in the warm memories of days gone by with a listener ship that has been extraordinarily fun to share with. I also very much enjoy hosting special holiday shows for our veterans.

I was overwhelmed on August 13, 2005 when I was presented with a Citation of Recognition from The American Legion for the contribution and support of The American Legion and its many programs in relationship to hosting Standard Time as my husband, Scott was being sworn in as Squadron 71 Commander for his second year at the Urbana Post 71 Installation of Officers. By the way, Scott kept a very good secret!!

The Citation was supported by American Legion Post 24 - Champaign, Post 559 - Champaign, Post 71 - Urbana, Post 287 - Rantoul, and the Illinois and Champaign County Council.

As time passes I continue to look forward to serving in wider capacities as opportunities present themselves at the station I've become so fond of.

Scott and I reside in Sidney with our beagle/basset Annie (believe it or not she was named before we adopted her).

Please tune in Sunday mornings from 6:00 - 9:30 a.m. I would love to hear from you!

Yours in service,

Ann Rhoton