Hall of Fame broadcaster Willard Parr reflects on winter of 1978

At 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 26, I was awakened by something that sounded like a freight train outside my bedroom window. I got up and looked on the window and it was like looking at a white sheet. I went to the door and opened it and had a hard time getting it shut. As I was on the air at 6 a.m. til 11 a.m. at WSRW and Chet Irwin was on the air was on the air 11 a.m.-3 p.m., I immediately called Chet and told him if he wanted to work today I would pick him up in 15 minutes at his home on Joan Avenue in Hillsboro. I was driving an old 1966 Ford utility truck that had high wheels and large trees (called the Screamin' Demon) on the way to WSRW. You couldn't see out the windshield. We had both windows down to tell where the road was. Near the entrance to the new elementary school (which wasn't there then), Chet yelled "Cut it to the right!" I heard a loud click. It was my rear bumper just touching the bumper of a car stalled in the middle of State Route 247. Chet and I made it to WSRW, where we stayed 3 days and 3 nights. I went on the air at 6 a.m. Chet and I gave what weather conditions we had. At 6:05 a.m., we received a phone call from a very good friend, who kept me informed on whatever was going on in Adams County. I put the fire chief and life squad officer in charge, Willis Stevens, on the air. He stated that this area was in a state of emergency and nothing could move, not even the life squads. They had a lady that needed emergency service but could only be gotten with a snowmobile. He said he was going down to Hazel [West]'s place and get a cup of coffee and would call back at 8 a.m. About that time, I received another call and pledged $100 toward a snowmobile for Seaman and pledges started rolling in. When Willis Stevens called back about 8 a.m., we had enough pledges to purchase two used snowmobiles and two sleds. The money pledges started rolling for snowmobiles for the many departments around. We received money pledges for snowmobiles and related equipment in the amount of $40,000 from 6 a.m. til 12 noon on January 26, 1978. The departments, as well as I can remember, were Seaman, Winchester, West Union, Peebles, Locust Grove, Sinking Spring, Greenfield, Leesburg, Lynchburg, and Hillsboro. Of course, these were for fire departments and life squads, and I was informed that the majority of pledges were fulfilled. And, by the way, some of the units are still being used. 

Will Parr

WSRW AM-FM, Hillsboro

Now WCHO - 105.5 & 1590 M