Jim: "Since this is the last Christmas of the century, I was curious about those who were around to enjoy over 2/3 of their Christmases in the 1900's. What were they like? I chose three very different people, though two of them happened to be my parents. Somehow I knew the third, Christine Ashby, born in Germany, would have a story, too. Hearing all of them together, a message became clear."

Aside from hosting folk music Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings on affiliate WKSU in northeast Ohio, Jim Blum works on special events, is a festival Emcee, and is often busy conducting interviews. His conversation with Judy Collins won the Public Radio News Director's award for best interview. He also produces an offbeat nature series called "Beyond the Backyard" which won a regional Edward R. Murrow award. He is an avid naturalist, has 5 pets, and lives in a timberframe back in the woods. Jim is also an actor, working predominantly in industrial television.

David Schmoll has been working as an audio producer in the WKSU News Room since January of 1998. A Communications major at Kent State University, David also has a thriving side-business working as a freelance musician, composer, arranger and recording engineer. He performs regularly in Cleveland, providing underscoring music for improvisational comedy shows.