Larry Bailey
Formerly of WHIO-TV
Larry Bailey is an all around entertainer and broadcaster. Mr. Bailey began his career 34 years ago, working on “Summer Time” on WHlO Television. It was a local show featuring acts from around the Miami Valley, and starred Broadcaster Hall of Famer Gil Whitney.
Larry and Gary Mouse co-
It was in 1983 when the beginning of “Summer Nights” kicked off with Larry Bailey as the host and producer of the show along with Gary Mouse. On that show Larry was pleased to introduce wheelchair bound Johnny Wilder, the former lead singer of Heatwave. It was on that show that Larry was able to highlight many up and coming musicians in the Dayton area. That same year Larry competed on National Television Star Search hosted by Ed McMahon as well as making a guest appearance on the soap opera ‘As The World Turns.”
Later in years Mr. Bailey with several other former media and advertising people, started an advertising firm known as Joint Venture.
Larry was one of the original board members of the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame serving as the first BookkeeperITreasurer. During Larry’s career he has taken home eight Emmys for his television production of “Summer Nights” with the show winning 23 regional Emmys. That’s more than any other on-
John "B-man" Beaulieu
WTUE Radio
John “B-
After he graduated in 1977, Mr. Beaulieu continued to hone his skills at the University of Cincinnati. He graduated in 1981 and it wasn’t long before he landed a job with a major radio station, WTUE in Dayton.
What makes this story so unique is that John is still with that station rocking on the afternoon drive show known as “The Traffic Jam” from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
His main stay has also captured the heart of the Dayton community. He is well-
“B-
Jim Bucher
Formerly of WDTN-TV
Jim Bucher LOVES Dayton. He started at Dayton’s Public Access Television hosting a number of shows about his hometown. He loved doing features about Dayton and its rich history. For over 25 years (Buch) has covered every local business, nonprofit, higher education institution and family event across the Miami Valley.
Mr. Bucher was given the opportunity to showcase his talent even more once being hired by WDTN Television where he started a segment on the newscast called “Bucher’s Beat.” It was there where he was able to be a story teller and videographer. Soon he was making numerous personal appearances and on his way of becoming a large personality in the town he loved so much.
He was called to serve on many boards, including his own Neighborhood Association, The Downtown Dayton Partnership and because of his personality and unique style, he was able to make many businesses “well known.”
Perhaps if he had one favorite project among a large list is the Abdullah Scholarship Fund. His death touched Bucher so much that he wanted to do something special in the teenager’s memory. This sparked his scholarship fund initiative to help less fortunate youth excell and go to college.
Jim recently received a “Dayton Original” award from the City of Dayton which recognizes individuals who perpetuate Dayton’s legacy as a home for creative thinkers, doers, believers, and achievers. His many followers describe him as “the guy next door.”
Jim Johnson
WDAO Radio
Jim Johnson is an outstanding example of leadership and a true pattern of a self starter. A popular radio announcer, an entrepreneur, and founder of Johnson Communications, Inc., the parent company of WDAO Radio since June 15, 1988. This historic purchase resulted in Dayton having its first minority owned and operated radio station where he currently serves as President and General Manager.
He is a native of Tennessee and has been in the Dayton community since 1958. Jim Johnson started his radio career in 1970 with Baker Broadcasting in Xenia, Ohio, as an on-
He is truly a people’s person! His motto and guiding principles are, ‘As you believe in your heart so are you,” and “Love is what it does.” Johnson’s commitment was again demonstrated in 1998 when he chose to take yet another leadership leap and relocate WDAO in the historic Wright-
He has won numerous awards including being inducted into The Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and named “Radio Legend” in the “I Hear Music In The Air” Music Awards.
Mr. Johnson has been impacting the quality of life for Dayton residents and the community for over forty years. He has created strong imaginative projects using limited resources and small working budgets.
Over the years, Mr. Johnson has been an invaluable resource for the Dayton community, area community churches, and various organizations where he has been described as a catalyst for building strong community partnerships among the businesses, organizations, and church communities. Jim Johnson is a true broadcast pioneer, entrepreneur, radio legend and simply a “Gem” in the Miami Valley.
David G. McFarland
Formerly of WONE & WHIO Radio
David G. McFarland was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, yet his broadcast career began in Hopewell/Peterburg, Virginia. “David G,” affectionately known by his fans, came to Dayton in 1969 to begin working at WONE radio as Music Director. David also worked the morning shift and WONE Radio quickly became a major country station in the United States. While at WONE, Mr. McFarland had one of the longest running remotes at a local furniture store every Sunday for 12 years.
In 1975, he was chosen by WDTN, Channel 2, to host the local edition of “Bowling For Dollars.” The show aired five nights a week at 7 p.m. for two years. Everybody, from music legend James Brown to Talk Show Host Phil Donahue, popped through the sliding doors to surprise David and the studio audience. The summer after “Bowling for Dollars” went off the air, David began hosting a local talent show called the “TV-
In spite of David’s huge broadcasting career, it was community service work that he loved best. He served on the Board of the United Cerebral Palsy for a number of years, hosting the first UCP telethon on Channel 2 and later co-
In 1985, David left the airwaves and opened his own video store. David G’s Video Carryout in Englewood and it was very successful. When the video boom subsided, David took a job in 1990 as the afternoon talk show variety host at WHIO-
Cheryl McHenry
WHIO-TV
Cheryl McHenry says working at WHIOTV is now a dream come true. From the time Cheryl came to Dayton when her father was transferred to Wright-
Mrs. McHenry is a graduate of the University Of Cincinnati and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcasting. She received her first job working as an intern at WKRC Radio, and for three years. Cheryl worked at WING radio in Dayton before landing a reporter’s job at WHIO-
Cheryl covered the Dayton Police and Montgomery County Courts beat reporting and various kinds of stories from the local criminal justice system. Cheryl has won four Emmies for her broadcast talent. In 2007, Cheryl was named the “Best News Anchor” by the Associated Press and she was inducted into the Ohio Radio/TV Hall of Fame.
Ed Krahling
WHIO-TV
* In Memoriam *
Ed Krahling was a local broadcasting fixture for 32 years in the homes of many Dayton and Miami Valley residents. Mr. Krahling began his career in sports only to become one of the most recognized faces in the Miami Valley on WHlO Television News.
A native of Alliance, Ohio, he spent two years in the Navy before enrolling at Mount Union College where he was an English major. Little did he know at the time that working at a radio station in Alliance would charge his mind. He spent 12 years in Alliance as a Broadcaster prior to coming to Dayton. Broadcasting was in his blood. Krahling came to Dayton in 1961 as Sports Director for WONE as News Director. The big break for him came in May 1967, when he joined WHlO RadioITV News.
Mr. Krahling made a name for himself through his reporting of the news and he was an excellent writer. Ed did not just facilitate the news (eliminate extra words ) he also walked a news beat talking to sources and gathering stories.
It was not long before Ed got the biggest break of his career working along side news’ Icon Don Wayne, co-
Ed won numerous awards including several Emmy nominations. He retired in 1993.
George Wymer
formerly of WING Radio
George Wymer comes from a broadcast family. His Dad, Jack Wymer, was a well known Dayton personality hosting “Man On The Street,” a program broadcast on WlNG radio for many years.
Although Mr. Wymer had broadcasting in his blood, he still worked hard to be successful. He started his broadcasting career in high school joining Junior Achievement, but it was his stint at WlNG radio in 1965 that ignited his career. George did odd jobs just to get his foot in the door. He worked as a part time disc jockey and news reporter. It was not long after that he was noticed. He became a full time reporter at WlNG and from there his career began to blossom. George became Manager of Operations combining his talent to oversee two radio stations, WlNG and its FM station WGTZ or Z-
While at WING George also hosted several TV shows at WKEF television such as the “Morning Movies” with a number of celebrities as guests. His expertise took him to many areas of broadcasting from General Manager to Account Executive at many stations. He worked at University of Dayton, WVUD, Miami Valley Communications in Englewood, Liggett Broadcasting in Dayton and WDTN Channel 2 in Dayton. George has come full circle and has shown he’s a man of all talent. He retired from broadcasting in 2011. While serving his community and giving back, George was President of the Old Time Newsies Association which raised thousands of dollars for charities through its annual professional motorcycle race and bowling event. He was a board member of Big Brothers-
Community Service Award
Judge Bill C. Littlejohn
Bill C. Littlejohn was elected to the Dayton Municipal Court as Judge in 1991serving until his retirement in 2009. During his tenure on the bench he became very involved in the Dayton community.
In 2012, Judge Littlejohn presided over the 14th Annual Dayton Juneteenth festival which took place at the W.S. Mclntosh Park in West Dayton. The event became a community success where families could come and enjoy food, music, and poetry free of charge. In a effort to help beautify the strip along Salem Avenue and Good Samaritan Hospital he invested in the North River Coffee House & Eatery. This was a place for business leaders and community friends to meet and greet.
His late wife, Gail Littlejohn, served as President of the Dayton School Board and was instrumental in overseeing the construction of new, long overdue school buildings in Dayton. Judge Littlejohn attained his Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University College of Law also taking several courses at Payne Theological Seminary at Wilberforce University. He later attended and graduated from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.
Judge Littlejohn served as Assistant City Prosecutor for the City of Dayton after serving one year as Assistant Public Defender for Montgomery County. He was former President of Mary Scott Nursing Home making the facility very successful through its fund raising efforts, and with hammer in hand, he helped to fix homes for Habitat for Humanity while serving as its President. Judge Littlejohn moved to Houston, Texas, three years ago where he serves as a board member of the Houston Foundation and member of the Independent Oversight Board.