The WFIL Stations in 1969

(Click on the photo to see a larger version)

This picture was taken at the WFIL studios at City Avenue and Monument Road in Philadelphia. At that time, WFIL was owned by the Philadelphia Inquirer (Walter Annenberg). They had AM, FM and TV.

This snapshot shows the WFIL Christmas Party in December of 1969. It was held in one of the TV studios. Note the lights at the top of the photo.

PERSONNEL: In the white dress (third from left) is Broadcast Pioneers member Lydia DeGuio. On right in brown pants, black shirt and brown jacket is Broadcast Pioneers member Bob Kravitz. To Bob left, two men are talking. The one facing the camera is Mike Matthews. In the center is a blonde looking sideways. Her name is Harriet Selgrath Holland Wenhold.. To her right is another blonde in a green dress and diamonds on the bottom. She is Anne Vartabedian. These are the only people we have identified. Can you ID others? If so, please e-mail us.

Harriett Selgrath Holland Wenhold, who is seen in this photo e-mailed: After WFIL, I worked for WCAU Radio, WIP/WMMR and back to WCAU until 1989. Also in the picture is Jim Nettleton, next to him in green is Suzanne Greene, Radio Traffic, next to Lydia (in green) is Anita, Accounting. A radio tech, Leroy Akins has his back to the picture. Gladys Dichter, Bill Burns, & Noel Miles I also recognize.

Broadcast Pioneers member Jean Goman e-mailed: I was there (WFIL) at the time and immediately recognized Lydia, Harriet and Bobby, but the gal identified as Anne Vartabedian is incorrectly identified, I believe. Anne had dark hair and it's possible the girl in black, with glasses, next to the girl in "green with diamonds at the bottom of the dress" (who is identified as Anne) is Anne. ...Lydia and I worked in the "Division" (bottom floor) on City Line and Anne worked there as well. It's been soooo long ago that the memory dims, but I'm certain that Anne was not a blonde. FYI -- she is the only person I've ever met who actually lived in Rhode Island!

Chris Rader of KOHO-FM, Leavenworth, Washington, a visitor to our website e-mailed: A friend turned me on to your web site, after hearing I'd worked for WFIL for about 6 months back in 1969 (April-October, as assistant to John Wade and then AM sales). My friend sent me the photo of the Christmas party, which I see you don't have a lot of info about. Neither do I .... but I'm pretty sure the rather short guy with the dark hair and sideburns at the right side of the photo (you call him Bob Kravitz) is Dr. Don Rose, the popular morning DJ for WFIL-AM back then. And my guess for the identity of the guy in the brown suit next to him would be George Michael, afternoon DJ for WFIL-AM (with back turned to the camera). Oh well. It was a long time ago, and I wouldn't put any money on it. I wasn't at the party and must say I don't recognize any of the women.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com