‘Edwin V. Johnson Newsroom’ to be Formally Dedicated Wed., Nov. 18 
Ceremony to be Recorded for Broadcast Nov. 24

Pat Johnson, widow of Edwin V. Johnson who passed away in 2003, will unveil a permanent metal plaque Wednesday during the formal dedication of the “Edwin V. Johnson Newsroom” at the new WHAV studios in Ward Hill. The event will be recorded for broadcast over WHAV at 6:05 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Mrs. Johnson of Haverhill will be joined by announcers such as Phil Christie of Andover, who worked with Mr. Johnson at WHAV during the 1950s and who is still heard daily on the station. Former Haverhill High School colleagues, including Elinor Curtin Cameron, and students such as Merrimack Valley Hospital’s Mary O’Neil and local public access television fixture Larry Seaman will also participate in the ceremony. Mayor James J. Fiorentini, whose father worked with Mr. Johnson, is also expected.

WHAV’s Longest Serving Employee

“Ed Johnson was WHAV’s longest serving employee, beginning only a few years after the Haverhill Gazette placed the radio station on the air. Over a 34-year career – and three station owners – he demonstrated a commitment to objectivity, accuracy and truth in reporting,” said WHAV President and General Manager Tim Coco who received his start at WHAV in 1978 with the encouragement of Mr. Johnson.

“Mr. Johnson nearly simultaneously inspired several generations of students as instructor of English and public speaking at Haverhill High School from 1953 to 1989. He is credited with launching the careers of a number of students, including Tom Bergeron,” Coco said.

The dedication ceremony will take place during a private luncheon at the studio.

Mr. Johnson went to work for WHAV in June, 1951, immediately after graduating from Emerson College. He and his future wife, Pat Sprague, met at WHAV and together they hosted the Friday Night Shoppers. Their marriage was recorded on transcription disc and presented over WHAV in installments. Soon after, they hosted a program called the Newlyweds.

Interviews Included John F. Kennedy

Mr. Johnson interviewed John F. Kennedy during the future president’s campaign swing through Haverhill.  Later, he would have the solemn task of reporting the assassination on his 6 p.m. newscast. He pioneered local talk show programming and was the first host of the Open Mike Show.  He interviewed personalities such as Danny Thomas and Frankie Fontaine. Broadcasts of today’s iteration of the Open Mike Show with Jack Bevelaqua will emanate from the new Edwin V. Johnson Newsroom.

The WHAV call letters have been associated with local broadcasting since 1947. For five years, the WHAV call has been heard on the Internet at www.WHAV.net and a number of public access cable television stations in Andover, Groveland, Haverhill and Methuen. Low-power AM radio service at 1640 and cell telephone service at www.WHAV.mobi were also recently inaugurated.

To listen, or for more information, visit www.WHAV.net.

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