New History Series on WQCS

WQCS will air a new series of state-wide radio programs on Florida history titled “Florida Frontiers”, beginning in January. History specials produced by Janie Gould of WQCS, along with her popular “Floridays” show that airs every Wednesday at 1:00 pm, will be included as part of the programs produced by the Florida Historical Society. “Thanks to the talents of  Janie Gould and Ted Burrows from WQCS, and public radio reporters around the state, “Florida Frontiers” promises to be a high-quality program,” FHS  executive director  Dr. Ben Brotemarkle said. Florida Frontiers is scheduled to start airing on January 11, on WQCS’s digital channel “HD2” at 1pm on Wednesdays. Five public radio stations besides WQCS have already agreed to carry it, Brotemarkle said.  Other participating stations so far include WMFE in Orlando, WMNF in Tampa, WFIT in Melbourne, WJCT in Jacksonville, and WUWF in Pensacola. As a new venture into the realm of public history, Florida Frontiers will reach, educate and entertain a wide audience.

Oral History Project

Janie Gould WQCS Oral History Project Phone: (772) 462-7822 Cell:  (772) 979-0452 Fax:   (772) 462-4743  jgould@ircc.edu     WQCS’s award-winning Oral History Project operates on the assumption that everyone has a story to tell, and since the project’s inception in 2006, project producer Janie Gould has shown that to be true. She has recorded interviews with more than 250 people who’ve talked about everything from manatee hunting and frog gigging in rural Florida to building the Empire State Building during the Great Depression in New York, among many other topics.  For a list of oral history upcoming events see our Community Calendar, and listen to past specials see our Audio Archive  Janie Gould has used the material to produce radio specials on Florida’s Boom and Bust, killer hurricanes of the 20th century, unusual occupations held by Treasure Coast residents, and a five-year anniversary report on the World Trade Center attacks. She did a week-long series of shows about veterans, which aired around Memorial Day 2007; a series on World War II veterns that aired in September 2007, and a Veterans Day special on Seminoles who fought in Vietnam.  She has produced more than 60 other broadcasts from material collected in the oral history interviews. Some are aired during the popular "Floridays" that is heard every Friday during NPR’s Morning Edition show. Participants are interviewed in the WQCS oral history trailer at special events such as the Vero Beach Book Festival, Bookmania at the Blake Library in Stuart and the Santa Lucia Day in Fort Pierce.  The trailer has also visited public libraries in Indian River, Okeechobee, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Interviews are also conducted at the WQCS studio on the main campus of Indian River College in Fort Pierce. Janie also makes home visits for residents who are unable to travel. Each participant receives a CD copy of their interview at no charge.   The Florida Historical Society presented its Hampton Dunn Award for radio broadcasting to Janie Gould in 2007.   The WQCS project was inspired by Story Corps, based in New York. Story Corps workers have recorded the recollections of thousands of people all across the country. Some of the interview material has been broadcast on NPR and all of it is being archived at the Library of Congress.