John Patti has a parochial way of describing his collaboration for his upcoming radio program “Christmas in Maryland.”
“It’s pure Baltimore and pure Maryland from two guys who grew up here,” said Patti, host of the five-part story-telling series that will be featured on Baltimore’s “Christmas Radio Station” WLIF (101.9 FM) in November and December.
Patti, who retired in February after a 38-year career as a reporter at WBAL Radio – with producer and engineer Joe Evelius, a high school and college classmate – is resurrecting a series that aired 2006-2014. Evelius and Patti, 1973 Mount St. Joseph High School and 1977 Towson State (now University) graduates, produced the series for Q Productions and then pitched it to WLIF.
The series will take listeners through a Maryland holiday journey, sharing Christmas experiences from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. Along the way, there will be stops at the famous 34th Street Hampden lights display, a ride on a Western Maryland locomotive and caroling in Dorchester County.
The stories will include the unique (a Christmas countdown in East New Market with a special family twist) and the inspiring (a Santa’s helper in Eldersburg who personally responds to letters from hundreds of children).
The stories also will showcase the quirky – tales from movie director John Waters and the creators of “Crabs for Christmas” and “Christmas in Glen Burnie” – as well as special memories from an impressive list of celebrities, including Orioles legends Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell; Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti; and TV host Pat Sajak.
Patti, a father of three and a 30-year parishioner of Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City, even involved his 8- and 5-year-old granddaughters in one of the productions.
“We go from one end of the state to the other to show how people in Maryland celebrate Christmas,” the 67-year-old said.
The veteran radio reporter, who has been married to his wife, Stefanie, for 42 years, said his Catholic faith has always been an important part in his career, making efforts like this that much more special.
“My faith plays into everything I’ve done,” said Patti, who attended elementary school at St. Charles Borromeo in Pikesville. “Faith is people and people have a story to tell, and it’s all about how people relate to faith and family. I love to tell their stories of community, faith and family, and there’s no better time than Christmas to pull us all together.”
Evelius, a retired insurance professional who has “dabbled” in broadcasting since his college days, said he hopes the series provides a little holiday cheer.
“I think it’s full of great content,” said Evelius, a Timonium resident. “It’s family oriented, which you don’t find on the radio much these days, and it should be a lot of fun.
“We’ve gotten a lot of positive response about Christmas in Maryland’s return. It’s been a lot of work and a challenge resurrecting it. We have a vision and we want it to grow.”
The shows also will include music Patti says ranges from Johnny Mathis to Taylor Swift.
In Baltimore, listeners can hear the broadcast on WLIF Radio (101.9 FM) Nov. 20 and 27 and Dec. 4, 11 and 18, at 7 p.m. each of the dates.
Airings also will be available on WNAV in Annapolis (1430 AM and 99.9 FM), WCEI in Easton (96.7 FM), WCBC in Cumberland (1270 AM), WGMD in Ocean City (92.7 FM) and WHGM in Havre de Grace (100.5 FM). The time and dates of broadcasts for those stations will be announced.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore will be one of the sponsors of the Christmas in Maryland series.
“We are happy to play a role in bringing these stories to Maryland during the Christmas season,” said Christian Kendzierski, executive director of communications for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org
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