Producer John Nieman lets us know why Oshkosh is "The Place To Be"

Oshkosh Media’s John Nieman

A longtime Oshkosh Media producer and former Oshkosh Media board member is the Your Monthly Community News’s March Producer of the Month.

John Nieman has been volunteering and producing his shows “Helping Hands” and “The Place To Be Oshkosh” for a combined 21 years. After serving on the Board of Directors plus two other committees, John decided to switch roles and become a producer at the facility. “I was on the Board, and the PR and Special Events Committees. Then 21 years ago, I decided upon a new venture and produced my very own show in our wonderful community. My show has been on for 21 years [and] won quite a few awards. [It’s great to have] not just me, but my family has grown up in Oshkosh Media and I’ve been able to cover their fundraising events and parades.”

John says people interested in making shows or getting involved in community media should not worry about it being difficult. “Speak with your local access station. They are so very kind and helpful. It’s a great way to get involved with and support your community.”

Nieman tells us there is now and probably always will be a role for community media across Wisconsin. “It’s so very important to be informed. At Oshkosh Media, we have Council meetings, School Board meetings, County Board meetings, City Manager updates, and then all of our wonderful community shows. They also cover local events and all of our parades. I’ve been very fortunate to be the commentator for the 4th of July parade for many years – just because someone asked me.”

John also says that he really enjoys what he does with Oshkosh Media and is thankful for the opportunity to help get the word out about smaller groups in the area. “I truly love the crew at Oshkosh Media and the passion they have to cover our community. During my 21 years hosting “Helping Hands” and then “The Place To Be Oshkosh” I have been able to offer PR to a lot of smaller non-profits who don’t have the means to get the word out. My show runs 5 of the 7 days of the week for the month. It’s a great way to get the word out and also spotlight all those wonderful groups and organizations in our community.”

Zárate ensures Monona Community Media is "Conectados" with Spanish-speaking community

Our February 2024 Producer of the Month is responsible for a bilingual radio and video show at Monona Community Media.

Shelene Zárate started “Conectados” in August 2023 with her husband Paul Escalante. Zárate told us the show is fully run by volunteers with the intention of bringing diversity to the City of Monona through interviews that share local information, traditions, and perspectives from other cultures and Latin music.  Zárate says she was inspired to start the show to share her language and Mexican culture with the community while learning about the perspectives of the diverse cultures in Monona.

Zárate is pleased to report she has received great response from the community, especially students at Monona Grove High School.  They have a couple of student volunteers helping with the show and the MGHS Spanish class students were members of the studio audience at some recordings. 

Zárate says when creating your own shows, “it’s important to embrace what’s different and create or support spaces that offer connections between different languages, cultures, music and traditions.”

Shelene would like to share “Conectados” to other communities around the area. “I would love to share more about Conectados and what we are doing to create cultural connections in the area. Nothing makes me more proud than to see my children getting excited when hearing their favorite Spanish songs on their local radio station. Representation is so important!”

“Conectados” airs at noon and 3 PM the third Friday of each month on WVMO-LP in Monona. Monona Community Media Director Will Nimmow said the show can also be found on the their YouTube channel and the on the MononaGo app. If your station is interested in airing “Conectados,” it is also available on the Wisconsin Community Media file sharing site Media Share.