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Closer to iHeart

Veteran WAAF DJ Mike Hsu brings the spirit of radio to The Pike

CRAIG S. SEMON

Invisible airwaves are crackling with life at 250 Commercial St., as bright antennae bristle with the energy of The Pike’s newest disc-jockey.

After a six month’s hiatus from the commercial airwaves, veteran WAAF radio personality Mike Hsu is on The Pike 100 FM from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays.

Hsu — who comes to The Pike with more than 20 years on WAAF and additional 10 years of on-air experience prior to WAAF — said he is really psyched to be working in Worcester, not just because of the time chiseled off his daily commute but he loves this city.

And it all started with a friendly call from Bob Rivers and Peter Zipel, better known by the radio moniker “Bob and Zip,” the cohosts of the very popular WAAF morning show in the ’80s.

A month or so ago when they were filling in for some slots on The Pike, Bob and Zip asked Hsu, who hadn’t been in the DJ booth since Feb. 21, if he wanted to sit in with them. Hsu jumped for the chance.

“Bob and Zip, I listened to them when I was in high school. They’re one of the reasons I wanted to get into this business,” Hsu said. “It was a real thrill to work with them. I felt I was 15 years old again, I was a little intimidated but they were really great and I had a great time. And, I guess, somebody heard something they liked.”

That “somebody” was consummate radio guy and corporate radio class act Bob Goodell.

The regional vice president of Cumulus Media (which includes WXLO 104.5 FM, The Pike 100 FM and NASH Icon 98.9 FM), Goodell, who once was WAAF’s regional marketing director, knows radio talent when he hears it.

“As sad as I was to see my alma mater and legendary rock station WAAF go Christian music, it gave us the opportunity to add Mike Hsu, one of WAAF’s best DJ’s, to our staff at 100 FM The Pike,” Goodell said. “Chuck Perks, The Pike’s program director, and I both know and respect Mike’s knowledge of rock music, his roots from living in Worcester and his talent. As the Who said, ‘Long live rock!’”

“Bob Goodell really worked hard to get me on the air and I am very thankful for that. Even if it’s just a couple of hours a week, I’m still back on the air,” Hsu said. “Bob’s an oldschool radio guy. He likes it being live and local. And, I like that, too. It was great working in Boston but I live here in Worcester. Anything I can do to be part of the community and to promote what is going on in this city, I’m just thrilled to do that.”

As with many of us, 2020 will certainly go down as a year Hsu will always remember no matter how hard he tries to forget. And that was even before the pandemic.

In January, Hsu, a diehard Rush fan, had one of the emotionally hardest on-air shifts when the news broke that Rush drummer and lyricist Neal Peart died.

While Peart’s death was tough to handle, it was nothing compared to the heartbreaking news they got on Feb. 18, that WAAF would be no more after midnight Feb. 21.

Hsu had been on-air fixtures at WAAF for more than 20 years and, alongside kindred spirit Mistress Carrie of Leominster (who just announced her engagement last week; congrats!), the two were there to the bittersweet, hell-raising, head-banging end. But it wasn’t easy for either of them, nor their diehard fans.

“I was pretty down about it for a long time. I still get down about it,” Hsu said. “Luckily, I have my lovely wife and my daughter and they have been nothing but awesome during this whole thing and super supportive and helpful. They’ve just been great.”

Then, less than a month later, Hsu and the nation got hit with the harsh reality of the coronavirus. While Hsu has experienced the anxiety and stress that we all have, it wasn’t an easy time for the out-of-work radio personality.

During the downtime, Hsu soundproofed his closet in his home office to record “audio stuff ” and dabbled in a series of podcasts, including a regular guest-spot on “Breaking the Ice,” hosted by former WAAF alum Josh Dolan and Isaiah.

“The podcasts are a lot like a continuation of what we were doing on AAF,” Hsu said. “It’s really brash and juvenile and possibly offensive to many people, but that AAF attitude is in there.”

Hsu has also been doing a Neil Young podcast called “Long May You

Veteran WAAF DJ Michael Hsu can now be found on The Pike.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Young” (a cheeky homage to “Long May You Run,” the 1976 collaboration between Stephen Stills and Young). On it, Hsu and brothers Luke and Russ Condon (of the Americana band Town Meeting of Ayer) amusingly, knowledgeably and affectionately examine a different Neil Young album each episode. The show, which was one of those happy accidents, was an instant hit and was quickly picked up by Pantheon Podcasts (aka “The Podcast Network for Music Lovers”).

One thing Hsu loves more than playing music is talking about music.

“There are not a lot of other people that I can talk music with because I’m such a nerd about it and I get into all the minutia and they start going, ‘OK, he’s out of control. I have to find out how to end this conversation,’” Hsu said. “There are only a few people that I can talk music with that geek out about it as much as I do.”

So the transition from “The Only Station in Boston That Really Rocks” to “Worcester’s #1 for classic hits” is not a hard one for Hsu.

“It’s classic hits. I know all the hits. There’s a lot of stuff AAF used to play back in the day,” Hsu said. “The songs they play on The Pike, I love that stuff, and it’s fun talking about.”

Perks, The Pike’s program director (and, formerly, the WAAF radio personality and heavy metal hairband connoisseur “Mike Wild”), knew Hsu is a big Rush fan, so he allowed him to play Rush’s “Working Man” as his first song on-air at The Pike.

“I was really psyched about that. So I have to thank Chuck Perks for that,” Hsu said. “Chuck’s a great guy. I’m glad to work Chuck again.”

When offered the job, Hsu said the first thing Goodell and Perks said to him were “We want you to be yourself.”

Reflecting on the good times at WAAF, Hsu hopes to play a bigger role at The Pike as time progresses, which includes, possibly, doing a podcast, blog, public appearances and live remotes.

“Stuff like the Indoor Beach Party and Locobazooka, all those big shows WAAF used to put on,” Hsu fondly recalled, “and just hanging with the listeners and getting out of hand and doing endless shots of Jägermeister, I had so many good times, not just the staff but the listeners at WAAF.”

Hsu said he’ll attend the next “Awesome ’80s Prom” put on WXLO, one of the sisters stations of The Pike and broadcast out of the same building on Commercial Street.

“I’d like to think I had a pretty amazing mullet back in the ’80s. So if there is any way to recreate that, I will for the Awesome ’80s Prom,” Hsu said. “My mullet put Bono to shame. I would like to do that.”

Standing against the odds

What drives members of 350 Central Mass in the fight against fossil fuels VEER MUDAMBI

Apredicament many activists face is the issue of “whatabout-ism.” The question of “what about this or that” threatens to become paralyzing and can come from both the public and other activists. Fighting for one cause always seems to be at the expense of another. Invariably, it becomes a value judgment — if you devote your energies to climate change then you’re not prioritizing world hunger, and if you focus on that then you’re ignoring the domestic income gap. All of these problems must be addressed, but which one first?

“Climate change is a crisis that affects everything and will be affected by everything,” said Errica Saunders, a member of 350 Central Mass, a local affiliate of 350.org. While the organizations are for climate activism, their members steadfastly believe that in fact, one can tackle all these issues together. “If climate change affects your food security, then you aren’t going to be able to afford the food to put on your table if we don’t raise the minimum wage.”

The organization 350.org was originally founded in 2008 and the name refers to the parts per million of carbon dioxide that the atmosphere can sustain without serious Clockwise from top left: A climate strike in downtown climate consequences. When the Worcester in September 2019 (submitted); environIndustrial Revolution began in 1750, mental activist Errica Saunders (Ashley Green); Rep. Jim the concentration was less than 280 ppm; as of 2019, it’s 409.8 ppm, acMcGovern pledges to accept no contributions from fossil cording to the National Oceanic and That realistic approach, said Saungas leaks are fixed. “It matters to fuel companies in July 2019 (submitted); A 2019 die-in Atmospheric Association. ders, is what spoke to her. someone somewhere,” said Saunders. in Worcester to advocate for addressign climate change 350 Central, headquartered in As a rallying cry, it may leave “That just lights my fire. I want to (submitted). Worcester and serving the Central something to be desired but an uphill make sure kids can breathe easily Massachusetts area, had its first meetbattle generates a special brand of and drink healthy water without havCharlene DiCalogero credits as a member of the Green Rainbow ing in 2014. In Worcester, the group enthusiasm. Every victory is that ing to worry about toxins.” Cason for recruiting her. Having been Party. organized elaborate demonstrations much sweeter, so when Saunders What drove Janet Cason to join active in many social justice issues, Each in their own way, these activincluding a funeral for the planet last feels burned out, she finds solace 350 Central is the fact that, for her, DiCalogero agreed with Saunders ists are fighting social inequities on year, complete with speakers, mournin the movement’s progress. When these are not issues. “Guilt is a big that climate change is an umbrella a systemic level through the lens of ing clothes and a coffin. she originally joined, activists had to part,” she explained, “as a privileged issue. “It’s happening to everything climate change. “A big part of the 350

Addressing climate change as a fight for politicians to even discuss white person who’s well off enough and everyone,” she said. “I’m not sure Central conversation,” said Saunders, social justice issue is the key to buildthe climate crisis. One of her earliest to live in an area with clean air and if that’s inspiring or horrifying.” is about going beyond the basics, ing “an equitable and sustainable activities with the organization was clean water, to see other people DiCalogero appreciates the group’s more than “reusable bags, we’re world for everybody,” said Saunders. joining a group that set up camp suffering and sit by and watch is just simultaneous focus on advocating talking about better building codes,

While this sounds hopeful, it is outside of Boston City Hall, as part of not acceptable.” Cason is an example for new legislation while recognizing divesting from fossil fuels, how more a statement of grim reality that a vigil to incorporate climate change of the intersectionality of activism, the need for public demonstrations. climate change exists in structural drew Saunders to the movement. into the Senate debate at the time. having become involved after attendA strong believer in protesting, she racism. We all have to be given the When she heard 350.org founder Bill Seven years later, “every speech at ing a meeting to remove corporate participated in the 1980s anti-apartsame future.” McKibben speak, it was not encourthe Democratic National Convenmoney from politics. Though she heid protests but knows working 350 Central Mass meets the first aging. He described the threat of tion has mentioned climate change,” claims to have “no idea of real activwithin the system can be just as and third Wednesday of every month climate change, spurred by burning Saunders noted proudly. ism,” Cason has taken part in some potent. Believing the climate moveat Worcester State University; curfossil fuels which emit unsustainThrough advocacy, 350 Central of the nation’s most historic protests ment always needs more advocates rently, the group is holding Zoom able levels of greenhouse gases, as a has brought about tangible benefits as a young woman, including the in the Legislature, she is currently a meetings, in accordance with social struggle “we’re probably not going to on the local level as well, ensuring anti-war and ecological movements candidate for state representative of distancing. win but we have to try,” she recalled. that water is tested more often and of the 1970s. the 12th Worcester District, running

Dammed if they do, dammed if they don’t

Beavers have claimed a popular kayaking and fishing spot, and residents are not happy

VEER MUDAMBI

Texas Pond in Oxford is officially under new management. While the new owners are longtime residents, they are pursuing a development initiative. Locals have raised concerns that such aggressive building will have a negative effect on the pond’s recreational and scenic qualities. However, construction continues unabated, as the developers are protected under Massachusetts law.

Specifically, Massachusetts General Law — Part I, Title XIX, Chapter 131, Section 80A, which prohibits the removal of beavers from an area.

Texas Pond — better known as Thayer Pond — has long been a local favorite for fishing and kayaking. Located on Route 20, the pond is fed by a perennial stream of the French River and supports a vibrant ecosystem with abundant flora and fauna.

The dam building activity of beavers — or “impoundments” — create ponds and wetlands out of watercourses, making beavers the only mammals, aside from humans, that create their own habitat. The problem is when the two species have different plans for the same area. At Thayer Pond, the beavers find this area just as appealing and have made themselves at home.

“It’s like a fortress,” said longtime resident Kathy Doiron, describing the dam, “it’s ruining the pond.” The water level of the pond has fallen dramatically and residents have noticed the absence of the once-flowing current. Residents believe the enormous beaver dam to be the cause.

Doiron has lived beside Thayer Pond for over two decades and can see a difference from even five years ago, as the area becomes more swamplike. An avid kayaker, she said getting to the river requires dragging a kayak over the dam, which may soon be impossible.

Kayaking isn’t the only curtailed activity. As herbivores, beavers don’t compete with anglers for fish, but the two are traditionally at odds. Beavers are famous for slapping the water with their tails to alert the colony of possible threats and any fish are scared away — along with any hope for a decent catch.

“The beavers are horrible,” said John Bottcher, who fishes regularly at Thayer Pond. “The damming there is really bad. It can definitely affect

Fisherman John Bottcher makes note of the low water level at Thayer Pond. The water typically comes up to where Bottcher is standing.

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fishing.” When beavers impound an area, changes to water depth and temperature can impact the type of fish there.

The beavers have always been there, Bottcher explained, but “it seems like lately they’ve been putting in extra work.” While true that beavers are a natural part of New England waterways, over the last couple of centuries, they have had an intermittent presence in Massachusetts.

When European colonists first arrived in North America, the beaver was a common sight on lakes and rivers. The demand for beaver pelts ensured that the animals were almost wiped out. By the late 1700s, they were essentially extinct in Massachusetts.

It wasn’t until the 1930s that efforts were made to reintroduce them to New England. Protections and hunting regulations were implemented, most recently the Wildlife Protection Act of 1996. Now the population has been able to rebound, but the landscape has changed since they’ve been gone.

“When beavers came back, they got right back to work and found we had built in places where they like to impound water,” said Colin Novick, executive director of Greater Worcester Land Trust, leading to what he referred to as a “user conflict.” Novick makes no pretense of neutrality, saying that the landscape was initially “managed by beavers,” who are taking up their original role in the ecosystem.

From an ecological perspective, that role is vital — beavers are considered a keystone species, having an outsized benefit to the environment relative to their population. Through impoundment, they create ponds and wetlands that foster biodiversity by providing habitats for various plants and wildlife. The fallen trees make a submerged canopy that gives fish a place to hide from predators as well as potential spawning areas.

A multitude of species, including humans, benefit from the presence of wetlands, as they control flooding damage by slowing water release. Wetlands also improve water quality by removing toxic chemicals and filtering out sediment.

For the residents of Oxford, this is all well and good except “they’re creating dry lands, not wetlands,” said Doiron, citing the drop in water level. However, not everyone believes the beavers to be the culprit.

“We are in a protracted drought and water levels are dropping where they haven’t in decades,” said Jennifer Warren-Dyment, of the Oxford Town Manager’s office, describing a level two drought, with below average rainfall and above average temperatures. State reports indicate the drought began in late June, coinciding with the water level changes in the pond.

She said neither the Town Manager nor the Department of Public Works has received any complaints about beavers.

Regardless of the cause, residents are still concerned about the pond’s current stagnancy and the effect on their property values. Oxford resident Sandra Murphy said the waterview is the reason the “condos sell like hotcakes — you put them on the market and they’re sold within hours and it’s because you’ve got this gorgeous view that overlooks Texas Pond and French River.”

Besides the issues with recreational use of the area, residents have voiced health concerns due to the stagnant water, namely mosquitoborne viruses such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis. However, Novick clarified that it takes a special habitat for the mosquito that carries Triple E — “a cedar swamp, which is not going to magically appear just because beavers move in.”

The situation at Thayer Pond reflects a larger debate about when and how wildlife should be reintroduced to an area. In the case of beavers, they are an integral part of an ecosystem that may become dysfunctional without their contribution. However, in bringing back a species, we also have to live with them, striking the balance between serving as stewards of the natural world and co-existing with it.

Novick understands why residents may not be happy about the beavers. “Any time there’s a part of the landscape people have imprinted on,” they will resist change. He equates it to being the “same as when a historic building is knocked down or a field developed,” but in this case, the change is not so much a loss but enrichment of the habitat.