Altoona Area Central Blair BLAIR COUNTY PROUD 2020 Northern Blair

PAGE 1 Altoona Mirror FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 Sales of sweet Southern Blair treats steady Local candymakers surprised by customer loyalty By Patt Keith [email protected] ummer isn’t traditionally a busy time for local candy S producers, but they all say Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Photo illustration by Nick Anna they are grateful for their custom- Matt Lightner (left), owner of multiple Blair County radio ers’ support. stations talks with WRTA Talk Radio’s The Eleventh Hour At Bedford Candies, which has host Doug Herendeen at the Altoona studio. locations in the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center in Altoona as well as in Bedford, Easter sales were strong through their web- site, and while customer counts have decreased this summer, sales of their chocolates and sweet and savory popcorn remain steady, according to owner Lighting up Tammy Wiley. The Bedford location celebrates its 10th anniversary with a vari- ety of specials throughout Septem- ber and the Altoona location will share those specials with Blair County customers. The business moved to its location in the Pleasant Valley the radio dial Shopping Center in 2016 and added a Rita’s Ice last summer. Rita’s offers Italian ice and frozen custard, so if a family visits all Claysburg native carving niche can enjoy a cold treat, a savory popcorn or a chocolate candy. Fall features popular pumpkin in area broadcasting business ice and pumpkin cheesecake fla- vors as well as Halloween-themed treats such as gummy kabobs, By Walt Frank hocus-pocus popcorn and trail mix as well as popcorn in autumn [email protected] spice. lectronics has been a big part “Matt has assembled an outstanding team here of “Our business is good and of Matt Lightner’s life since he industry vets, and we are all focused on providing I am thankful for how good it E was a young boy. is,” Wiley said, adding that foot “I can remember back when I was information, entertainment and helping our and car traffic seemed lighter in elementary school playing DJ on community any way we can.” than usual this summer. When our big Zenith console stereo,” Light- the store was closed in April, ner said. “That thing was the size of a Bob Taylor, operations manager customers used Bedford Candies refrigerator and had a 8-Track player, website to place orders that could record player and AM/FM Radio in it. His first purchase was WTRN-AM — of the pie, Tyrone alone was not large be shipped to them or family My dad (Bill) really got me interested branded as easy favorites 96.9 and 100.7 enough to support the station anymore. members, even though she and in electronics, computers and both WTRN — in 2017. So we had to make some changes, to other candy makers said that the ham radio and commercial radio at “A few friends approached me and still make Tyrone the major focus, but summer heat isn’t conducive to a young age. He actually worked at thought I’d be a good fit to buy WTRN cover a lot of events all over the coun- shipping. WKMC in high school, so I guess I as it needed a complete overhaul to ty.” inherited the radio gene from him. survive,” he said. “It was at extremely Curbside deliveries “I bet he had no idea that his son low power because of equipment fail- Shannon role would actually own the station he ures, and they didn’t want to see it go Across the city at Dutch Hill worked at in high school.” away because of how important it was Long-time broadcaster Dave Shan- Chocolates, 1624 First Ave., owner When he was 15, Lightner started to the Tyrone area. So after some arm non joined WTRN as station manager Jerry Moore said, “We’ve had in February 2018. doing repair work at WJSM-AM in twisting, I decided I’d give it a try.” shorter hours, but we’ve had a “He has given the market more qual- really good summer and been Martinsburg. While in high school, he Among the improvements was an FM ity choices in listening and more ways really busy. I think there isn’t a ended up in a co-op program where he signal that extends the station’s range to listen to the stations he owns. He whole lot to do and people aren’t would spend half a day in school, and further into the region. “From the building being in really hired several key people who under- taking their normal vacations so the other half working as a broadcast they are taking their pleasures poor shape, to the transmitter needing stand the importance of local broad- technician at WVAM in Altoona. where they can. Our sales are up replaced, and all the studio equipment, casting,” Shannon said. “The biggest When he graduated from Clays- part is serving the local community. about 20% this summer.” burg-Kimmel High School, he was it had to be modernized if it was going At Gardners Candies in Tyrone, to survive,” Lightner said. “I think one When you look at the staff we have, we promoted to chief engineer at those have some of the best people you can sales were also higher in July, stations. of the biggest improvements was the compared with the same time addition of the FM signals, as many find in the positions that are import- In the meantime, he also started ant.” frame last summer, according to Lightner Electronics. younger radio listeners don’t really President Joe DeStadio. know what the AM button does.” Lightner’s next purchase was WYUP- “At first, I started doing contract AM — branded as 107.1 JACK-FM — in See Sweets/Page 4 engineering work for radio stations in Lightner admits following the late Cary Simpson, who founded the station Loretto. State College and Johnstown, and then “That station was in a similar con- came employees and work across the in 1955, as owner was a challenge. “Cary was an amazing person and dition as WTRN,” he said. “It needed country,” Lightner said. a lot of love, and I found out we could did so much for the Tyrone communi- apply for a FM translator (107.1) and ty,” he said. “We try hard to continue move it close to Altoona. Then I decid- Spreading wings to air as much as we can for Tyrone ed I was going to pick a music format Today, Lightner has evolved into a that he started, like still covering that I really loved, that I discovered key player in the local radio industry Tyrone football, Tyrone parades, local working for one of my clients. That as he owns six area radio stations. news, the Veterans Day celebrations was the JACK-FM format. JACK-FM “I might have had a slight feeling and local church broadcasts. We did really took off quickly. I had no idea that maybe I’d buy a station some day, have to change some things, which it would be such a hit in our area so but I was happy being the behind the was very challenging. WTRN had to fast. It went from basically zero billing scenes person consulting for other expand to cover all of Blair County when we purchased it to being one of stations,” he said. “I guess the right and beyond to survive. With all the our stronger stations.” Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski opportunity came along, so I figured I’d costs that go into owning radio stations Bedford Candies chocolate give it shot.” today with everyone wanting a piece See Radio/Page 4 treats are displayed at the Pleasant Valley Shopping Cen- ter store in Altoona. Page 4 n Altoona Mirror BLAIR COUNTY PROUD Friday, September 25, 2020 RADIO: Large number of stations helps serve community

(Continued from Page 1) us and say they loved coun- at once, and it’s changing tions in our market. This successful, not only in the Growth continues try music back when coun- every day with COVID-19, “I feel local allows us to streamline broadcast industry, but also try was country. They were but we are looking forward advertising packages and in audio/video systems for In 2019, Lightner took referring to the major shift to airing four teams this radio is going operational consistency area churches and busi- over four other area country music had starting year.” to put out a great product nesses. The two businesses stations — WRTA-AM, to be here for around 2005 or so, where Without a doubt, he said, across all our stations.” compliment each other WKMC-AM, WBXQ-FM and a very long artists took some influence the pandemic has been Lightner, who also serves in many ways. Matt has WBRX-FM. from hip hop, hard rock Lightner’s biggest chal- time.” as chairman of the State He also faced challenges assembled an outstanding and electronic music and lenge as an owner. Emergency Communica- team here of industry vets, with those acquisitions. changed the sound of coun- “When buying the addi- Matt Lightner tions Committee and serves “Technically, it was very and we are all focused on try music. This is some- tional four stations back in on the board of directors challenging to keep the providing information, times referred to as ‘Bro October, no one could have would put the kind of local of the Pennsylvania Asso- stations on the air while we entertainment, and helping Country.’ So we thought foreseen COVID and the focus on them he has. Most ciation of Broadcasters, is were doing so many techni- other radio broadcasters our community any way we there was a major hole in huge effect it would have on optimistic about the future cal improvements to both are eliminating staff and can.” our area for a slightly older local businesses, including of local radio. the studios and transmitter local programming,” Taylor Doug Herendeen, host country music format. ours,” he said. “I expected “I feel local radio is going facilities,” he said. “On the said. “Matt and all of us of WRTA’s The 11th Hour, “So far, judging from to be doing more local news to be here for a very long sales side, we took a much the response, it has been respect and try our best to serves as midday announc- different approach than the and have some more local continue the values of for- time,” he said. “Radio is er on WTRN, and after- a major hit. HANK-FM programs on than air than changing, with audio con- past and had to work on mer WTRN-Tyrone owner noons on HANK-FM, said (WKMC) plays country what we are doing now, but tent available on the inter- many new packages and Cary Simpson who demon- Lightner’s impact on local music from the ’80s to 2000s we have to be very careful net and satellite radio. That promotions that cover all strated that serving the radio is just beginning. and even throws in some as the revenues are down, is why it’s going to be more our stations. Programming real classics at times.” communities we operate in “He’s a local guy who wise, we had to do a lot of like most businesses. is of the utmost importance, about content and produc- “Second to that, I’d say ing local programming to wants to keep the stations’ changes to the formats to and we strive to maintain focus on quality local pro- make them a little more Sports options is finding enough time to those values. The rich his- engage local listeners. How- devote to the stations. I own ever, traditional radio is gramming,” Herendeen competitive. So it’s been Lightner hopes to add tory of WRTA and its com- said. “He’s already expand- challenging, but so far the Lightner Electronics, which not going away. It’s reliable more local sports program- mitment to local informa- ing what Dave Barger and changes are very success- ming to his stations. takes a great deal of my tion is important to Matt, and just works when you every previous owner of ful.” “With the pandemic limit- time since I’m so involved and he’s made it clear to us want to hear it.” Lightner recently ing the amount of people in in many of the technical that growing in that respect Taylor agrees the future WRTA has built. He’s start- returned WKMC -- now the stands, our plans to do aspects of that company.” is important to him.” is very bright. ed bringing more people branded as 1370 AM and some more local sports got Bob Taylor, Lightner’s Lightner feels good to be “These stations have into the stations, like Jim 96.1 HANK-FM -- to a coun- put on a fast track,” he said. operations manager, said an owner. the best owner they could Price returning to Q94 and try music format, which “This year, we are doing his boss is the perfect “I’m very happy that have,” he said. “Matt is so Danice Bell joining Mix it played back in the 1970s football from Altoona, Bish- owner for the local stations. everything came together knowledgeable not only 94.7. Now that he has a larg- and 1980s. op Guilfoyle, Hollidaysburg “Of the prospective buy- to allow us to do this so in all aspects of broadcast- er group of stations, he can “Country music is huge and Tyrone. It has been a ers of all of the stations close to home,” he said. “I ing but in business. His really serve the community in our area,” he said. “We big logistical puzzle to try Matt has acquired, he was feel we are in a much better other company, Lightner and its listeners even bet- had a lot of people come to to coordinate doing all that likely the only one that place having a group of sta- Electronics, is highly ter.”

Mirror photos by Patrick Waksmunski Bedford Candies owner Tammy Wiley of Bedford puts together a custom box of chocolate treats in the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center store in Altoona. At left, Wiley bags caramel and milk chocolate gourmet popcorn.

SWEETS: Customers buying more

(Continued from Page 1) half gallon. Customers pay my mind,” Cumming said. “We didn’t expect that at online and select a pickup She also plans to offer all. We took a big hit at Eas- time. delivery service closer ter time so it was a pleasant MarCias Chocolates, 122 to the Christmas holiday surprise. We have a good Greenwood Road, will open because it proved success- core of loyal customers who in late September, after tak- ful for the Easter season. are buying regardless,” he ing its traditional summer “We’re a small shop and said. The Tyrone location break, said owner Marcia make chocolate using my has an ice cream parlor, Cumming. grandmother’s recipes,” but to comply with restric- “This fall we are plan- she said, noting the shop’s tions, employees are taking ning to re-open and offer seasalt caramel, peanut but- online orders and deliver- curbside pickup,” she said. ter meltaways and nonpa- ing curbside. During the spring season, reils are their most popular “The ice cream business she said she noticed people sellers. “Our seasalt cara- has been a nice shot in the were buying larger quanti- mel is smooth and soft and arm,” DeStadio said. Gard- ties per visit. doesn’t stick to your teeth,” ners’ website features pho- “Customers who would she said. “We do a smaller tos of different sundaes and normally buy a 2-pound box line, but we do this because ice cream concoctions as were buying 6 pounds to 7 these are the recipes that well as the option to buy a pounds. The volume people people like and we stick to flavor by the pint, quart or were buying was blowing what we do well.”

Music & Muskets Fundraiser Concert Altoona’s own Matt Pletcher Band & bluegrass band Haystack Lightnin’ from State College $15 advance ticket purchase $20 at Gate October 3 • 4-7 PM Emerson Garrison Guest Presenters Bob and Kate Emerson Featuring Fort Life During American Revolution October 24-25

Choose Your Own Halloween Adventure Friday, October 30 from 7-10 pm