Twas the day before Christmas and all through the region
Listeners wanted the sounds of the season.
Radios turned to KPBX
In hopes that their Christmas Carols would play next.
Jim Tevenan worked at the sound board with care
Prepared for the specials scheduled to air.
When over the air there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our seats to hear what was the matter.
Away to the dial we flew with a panic,
For we knew that nothing would relieve the static.
Miles away through new-fallen snow,
Power lines at our tower had been delt a fell blow.
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
So did trees and branches tear up the sky.
Neesha in snow boots and Jerry in his cap
Drove off towards the tower to fix it a-sap.
When what to their horrified eyes did appear:
A tree 'cross the road in that mountain frontier.
More rapid than eagles their disappointment came
As they skidded in deep snow and did there exclaim,
"But Holiday Specials are waiting to air!
The Concerts! The stories! The Santaland Elf!
We can't reach the generator to get it to go,
And turning around we're now stuck in the snow."
We wish this true tale could be solved with a rhyme,
That a magical man with eight reindeer flies by.
We'd settle for Avista to clear up the way
And reset the power before Christmas Day.
Alas, power crews said we had to lie low,
Thousands needed help in North Idaho.
Any device which the internet will allow
Can visit kpbx.org, click "Listen Now."
Until power returns to our transmission site,
Merry Christmas to all through our near-Silent Night.