HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — WHTC’s debut on the AM airwaves, at 6 p.m. 70 years ago today, July 31, 2018, happened with military surplus equipment and the commitment of six Holland businessmen: I.H Marsilje; Nelson Bosman, a radio repair shop owner; W.A. Butler; Millard Westrate; Willard Wichers; and P.T. Chef. (See the photo gallery.).
The men chose a swampy area because “the wetness is a good place for AM radio,” Bosman recalled in an oral history. In 1970, the group ventured into FM, deciding on a new building that that time, as the old one was literally, although slowly, sinking into the swampland.
Initially the station featured news updates vis The Holland Evening Sentinel, a farm show and music programming to match meals (Breakfast Symphony,
Former WHTC news director Greg Chandler, whose writing has appeared in numerous publications, including The Grand Rapids Press and The Holland Sentinel, posted his thoughts on Facebook, along with his feeling “thankful to have been part of the station in one fashion or another for the last 30 years.” He is currently heard during the sports broadcasts.
One familiar name, the late Juke Van Oss, spent his radio career at WHTC, until he died in 2016. Along the way, he was inducted into Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame. Though he served in many roles with WHTC, his soothing voice and calm demeanor — similar in many ways to Mr. Rogers — is most associated with Talk of the Town.
“I always say it’s kind of like the back fence of Holland. People talk to people , people talk to me,” he said. “I try to be just the interim. You do the fighting. I don’t want to.”
Van Oss’ voice and memories, preserved in WHTC’s web archives, includes his recollection of being featured in a Detroit Free Press story, then getting a letter from a woman trying to reach a long-lost relative whose last-known address was in Holland. He read the woman’s letter on WHTC and, sure enough, the family members reconnected.
Among the notables who started their careers at WHTC:
- Lupita Reyes, who created and hosted Alegria Latina on WTHC, Holland’s first all-Spanish language show, featuring music, news and information program on After a 1965- 2009 run, the show moved on July 5, 2009 to WHTC’s sister station, 927TheVan, where it continues to this day.
- Detroit sportscaster Al Ackerman started his career here.
- Longtime Congressman Guy VanderJagt was an announcer.
In 2017, WHTC expanded to FM, where it can be heard at 99.7. Listeners can keep up with the latest by streaming the station online at the blissfully pop-up free whtc.com or downloading a dedicated app.
Listening options may have expanded, but one fact hasn’t changed: WHTC is still the audible heart of Holland.
