A Year of Gratitude and a Future of Commitment
Joshua Smith
January 01, 2026
As 2025 draws to a close, I’ve been taking time—between holiday events, winter weather prep, and dodging glitter like it’s a seasonal airborne hazard—because one kid’s craft project has now infected three rooms—to think back on the promises we made, and more importantly, the promises we’ve kept.
It’s now been three years since I became the owner of WYKR and nine months since taking on The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case. And while the days have been long and the to-do list rarely short, I carry an overwhelming sense of gratitude for where we’ve come—and the folks who helped pave the road before us.
I’m fully aware I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. Stephen and Teresa Puffer built WYKR into a trusted voice of the region—clear, reliable, local, and truly Your Country. And Peter Kimball built The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case into a cornerstone of community storytelling. To this day, Stephen and Teresa remain actively involved at the station, and I still learn from them every week. Peter continues to be a part of our daily operations at the paper, ensuring the same dedication to quality and consistency readers have counted on for years.
Carrying forward the legacies they created is an honor I don’t take lightly.
Promises Made, Promises Kept
When I purchased WYKR back in 2023, I made a list of things I hoped to accomplish—not just technical improvements, but community promises. Since then, we’ve:
Made WYKR available to stream online
Launched a dedicated mobile app
Brought Bear Ridge Speedway coverage back
Revived high school basketball broadcasts
Expanded live remote broadcasts
Made popular programs available on demand, including the Birthday Show, Stephen’s Friday Morning Show, and The Outdoor Show
In 2026, WYKR will celebrate its 50th anniversary—and we’re already planning a fitting celebration of half a century of serving Northeast Vermont and Northwest New Hampshire.
At The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case, we’ve also kept our word. We brought back mailed delivery. We built a new, modern website where readers can enjoy local columns, stories, and features. And yes—we went full color to reflect the vibrant people and places we cover each week.
Powered by Local Support
None of this is possible without the support of our local businesses. In a world increasingly shaped by large, faceless corporations, our small-town economy remains deeply personal—and deeply local.
There’s strong evidence that communities with their own newspapers and radio stations enjoy stronger small business environments. That’s not coincidence—it’s because local businesses and local media need each other. We grow together.
“The businesses you hear on the radio and see in the pages of the newspaper are the ones who believe in your community. They invest in keeping our towns informed, connected, and supported.”
So I’ll say it clearly: please support the businesses you see in The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case and hear on WYKR. When you shop local, you’re not just buying a product—you’re voting with your dollars for the future of our region. You’re supporting the businesses that support everything from local journalism to youth sports to senior programs.
When we spend a dollar locally, about 80 cents stays right here in our community. That’s what keeps small towns strong.
Looking Ahead
My promise to you—our readers, listeners, and advertisers—is simple: We will continue to grow a strong, vibrant, and resilient local media presence. One that champions small businesses, uplifts community organizations, and reflects the voices and values of Western Grafton County, Southern Caledonia County, and Orange County, Vermont.
I’m incredibly grateful to the staff at both WYKR and The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case for their dedication and professionalism. I’m thankful to Stephen and Teresa Puffer, and to Peter Kimball, for their ongoing guidance, wisdom, and commitment to excellence.
As we look to the new year, I see a strong business community ahead—because we’ll be sure to have strong local media behind it.
Thank you—for listening, for reading, for supporting, and for believing in what we’re building together.
It’s now been three years since I became the owner of WYKR and nine months since taking on The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case. And while the days have been long and the to-do list rarely short, I carry an overwhelming sense of gratitude for where we’ve come—and the folks who helped pave the road before us.
I’m fully aware I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. Stephen and Teresa Puffer built WYKR into a trusted voice of the region—clear, reliable, local, and truly Your Country. And Peter Kimball built The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case into a cornerstone of community storytelling. To this day, Stephen and Teresa remain actively involved at the station, and I still learn from them every week. Peter continues to be a part of our daily operations at the paper, ensuring the same dedication to quality and consistency readers have counted on for years.
Carrying forward the legacies they created is an honor I don’t take lightly.
Promises Made, Promises Kept
When I purchased WYKR back in 2023, I made a list of things I hoped to accomplish—not just technical improvements, but community promises. Since then, we’ve:
Made WYKR available to stream online
Launched a dedicated mobile app
Brought Bear Ridge Speedway coverage back
Revived high school basketball broadcasts
Expanded live remote broadcasts
Made popular programs available on demand, including the Birthday Show, Stephen’s Friday Morning Show, and The Outdoor Show
In 2026, WYKR will celebrate its 50th anniversary—and we’re already planning a fitting celebration of half a century of serving Northeast Vermont and Northwest New Hampshire.
At The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case, we’ve also kept our word. We brought back mailed delivery. We built a new, modern website where readers can enjoy local columns, stories, and features. And yes—we went full color to reflect the vibrant people and places we cover each week.
Powered by Local Support
None of this is possible without the support of our local businesses. In a world increasingly shaped by large, faceless corporations, our small-town economy remains deeply personal—and deeply local.
There’s strong evidence that communities with their own newspapers and radio stations enjoy stronger small business environments. That’s not coincidence—it’s because local businesses and local media need each other. We grow together.
“The businesses you hear on the radio and see in the pages of the newspaper are the ones who believe in your community. They invest in keeping our towns informed, connected, and supported.”
So I’ll say it clearly: please support the businesses you see in The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case and hear on WYKR. When you shop local, you’re not just buying a product—you’re voting with your dollars for the future of our region. You’re supporting the businesses that support everything from local journalism to youth sports to senior programs.
When we spend a dollar locally, about 80 cents stays right here in our community. That’s what keeps small towns strong.
Looking Ahead
My promise to you—our readers, listeners, and advertisers—is simple: We will continue to grow a strong, vibrant, and resilient local media presence. One that champions small businesses, uplifts community organizations, and reflects the voices and values of Western Grafton County, Southern Caledonia County, and Orange County, Vermont.
I’m incredibly grateful to the staff at both WYKR and The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case for their dedication and professionalism. I’m thankful to Stephen and Teresa Puffer, and to Peter Kimball, for their ongoing guidance, wisdom, and commitment to excellence.
As we look to the new year, I see a strong business community ahead—because we’ll be sure to have strong local media behind it.
Thank you—for listening, for reading, for supporting, and for believing in what we’re building together.
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