Flood Stories - Dennis

KCCK remains on the air during the flooding crisis in Cedar Rapids. While we don't have the resources for the kind of wall-to-wall coverage a full-time news station could provide, we're working hard to make sure that our listeners receive the information they will need to stay safe.

I'd like to acknowledge particularly the work of George Dorman, who has been putting in 15 hour days as our lead anchor and coordinator. Thanks also to Mark Yother, Bob Stewart, Gordon Paulsen and John Heim, who have struggled through flooded streets and bumper-bumper traffic on the few roads that remain open, to hold down their regular shifts.

Thanks to all the public safety workers, volunteers and our fellow media workers, who are doing outstanding work during this crisis.

Brush with Greatness-Dennis

Do you remember the episode of "Happy Days" where rock star Flash Cadillac stays with the Cunninghams for a few days but Richie can't tell any of his friends?

We had a similar experience this week when a call came from an LA ad agency, asking if they could rent our production facilities for a taping session with Masters champ and Cedar Rapids native Zach Johnson (pictured with Gordon Paulsen). Zach and his family have been home for several days visiting his parents.

I'd like to say it's because the reputation of KCCK for quality is nation-wide, but I suspect it was more because when you search the phone listings under "radio station" in Cedar Rapids, guess who's first in the alphabet? Try it.

Of course, since he was not here for a promotional appearance, but to work, we were asked to keep a low profile.

And we did.... more or less. After he completed his recording, we had to make a little fuss, of course. Zach exhibited the graciousness that the world now knows him for, posing for a couple of pictures and signing an autograph.

He's warm, funny and still just a little nonplussed, I think, when people make a big deal out of his showing up someplace. He's done a lot for Cedar Rapids and for Iowa, just being himself.

I'm proud to say I met him.