It's the callers who drive the topic and content-and it's their opinion that counts, not their social class. Those who really want to know what the people of the province think and want, like Premiers and Ministers of the House, keep their ear to VOCM-and they've been known to call in with their opinions as well.

While clearing land and building a sportfishing lodge some years ago, I spent several months living in a tent in the wilds of Labrador. I was removed from the noises of my normal lifestyle-ambulances, cars, radio, doorbells, telephones-and from knowing what was happening in the world outside our tent site. I can't say that I missed all those things, but I did miss conversation. My days were spent on land-clearing matters, and cooking for a crew of five or six people on a two-burner camp stove. At the end of the day conversation was the last thing anyone wanted-flat out on the air mattress with a soft pillow was more appealing! My relaxation was my wee radio and headset, with fingers crossed that the atmospheric conditions would permit reasonable reception of VOCM.

George MacLaren was the regular host at that time, with periodic visits by Bas. No matter who was hosting for the evening, callers would invariably call the host "Bas." I wonder if they still do that for host Linda Swain!

I was a lurker on other people's conversations, and learned a lot. VOCM's "Nightline" broadened my appreciation of the culture of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. And the culture is different in each place. Language, the delightful accent, expressions, humour, matters of significance, customs and values-these are all there for the hearing. It's programs like "Nightline" that help to preserve this culture, too. Wouldn't you hate to meet a Newfoundlander with an Upper Canadian accent? Or a Labradorian devoid of the expressions you sometimes need translated?