This year commemorates the 70th anniversary of when Beaver County’s first radio station, WBVP, was heard over the airwaves for the the first time on May 25, 1948.  To mark the historical event, each week, another “70th Anniversary Moment” will be showcased on the airwaves and published on the station’s online feeds.

Election night is this coming Tuesday, and there are several fascinating races that have captivated Beaver County residents’ interest this year. On election night, November 6th, local people will have many options to view election results almost instantly as they are tabulated, thanks to modern on line, digital technology.  But, it wasn’t always that way. Long before internet browsers, social media sharing and cable television feeds, Beaver County would pull an “all-nighter” with an ear close to the radio to follow election results.  Listeners would focus in with the same anticipation and anxiety of tuning in to a live sports broadcast.  The “blow by blow” commentary would be relayed from  live broadcasts on WBVP and WMBA originating from the Beaver County Courthouse.

One of the announcers that would broadcast live from the Beaver County Courthouse in those olden days of election night coverage, is current Pennsylvania 16th district state representative, Rob Matzie.  Matzie worked for WMBA in the late eighties and early nineties.  In March of this year,  Matzie was interviewed in preparation for the publishing of, Behind The Microphone, The History Of Radio In Beaver County, PA.   The following is an excerpt from the book:  “Covering politics usually meant a trip to the Beaver County Courthouse, located on Third street in Beaver.  Prior to internet browsers, Beaver County had Chester Zuhrley. Reporters would gather in the commons area of the courthouse and off and on throughout election night,  According to Rob Matzie, Zuhrley would come bounding up the basement steps, “Every once in a while, you never knew when” said Matzie, and tape pieces of paper on a board with updated results. Heaven forbid you would ask Zuhrley for a second copy or additional information.  He had one sacred piece of paper for all the media to gaze at upon being affixed to the board. So feverish and fast was this system, that Zuhrley donned a headband for the night because for him, this was ‘The Big One”.  This was indeed the big dance for the director of elections in any county prior to online data gathering methods. WBVP and WMBA would always have a couple two or three reporters on scene, hanging out in the courthouse waiting for Zuhrley to deliver the news from a secret room in the basement.   The two competing stations would be set up on opposite sides of the room like two prizefighters set up in their respective corners of the ring getting ready to stage a twelve round heavyweight bout.”

In the early days, election night was one of the few times of the year when WBVP would stay on the air all night.  Prior to the late 1960’s, when station management decided to stay on the air 24 hours a day , The Beaver Falls station would sign off at midnight, but the first Tuesday of November was an exception every year.  Jim Roush is retired these days, but back then, was a young engineer on the staff at WBVP and offered this observation about the special occasion when the transmitter vacuum tubes at WBVP were kept glowing red hot to broadcast  election results all night long.

“We would set up in the courthouse in Beaver and we would broadcast from there, (at) that time it was Jim Ross’ office.  He was the head Commissioner.  And he gave us his office to use and we’d set up our equipment in there. (WBVP show host) Chuck Wilson would come over and he and I would stay on the air all night.”

70th Anniversary Moments” is presented by  Abbey Carpet and Floor,  Albert’s Heating, Cooling and Plumbing,  Aliquippa Giant Eagle, The Beaver Falls Municipal Authority, Beaver Valley Auto Mall, Beaver Valley Sheet Metal, Castlebrook Development, The Community College Of Beaver County,  Farmers Building and Savings Bank, Freedom United Federal Credit Union, Hank’s Frozen Custard and Mexican food, The Health Huts, Kitchen City, Laughlin Insurance Agency,  Rochester Manor and Villa and Young’s Jewelry and Coins