Unbelievable. That’s how Amy Chiles described her career at WKTN FM. Chiles is on her final lap of a 46 year career at the Kenton radio station as she approaches retirement this week.
Chiles began working for FM 95.3 after graduating from Waynesfield-Goshen high school. Three years later she became Amy in the Morning.
"Started out with two turntables and one old recorder," Chiles said. "We had to manipulate everything just to record commercials."
Station Manager Chad Spencer said he grew up listening to Chiles as a kid while his father worked part-time at the station. He said getting to work with her after listening for years, was surreal.
"She was the connection to the community in the morning," said Spencer. "She gave us news, weather updates, everything. She is the first voice you heard in the morning to start your day."
Chiles received cards and calls of appreciation as she has developed a strong bond with the community.
"The grandmother listened to me. Then the mother. Then the daughter and now her daughter," said Chiles. "I said ‘'Well that’s wonderful, but it really makes me feel old.'"
As for retirement, Chiles plans on spending more time with her two children and four grandchildren. She said retirement will be interesting as she has never not worked. She said her and her husband are thinking of maybe traveling or just sleeping in for once.
So for the last time, Amy in the Morning will sign off around 10 o'clock Friday morning.
