Hot Seat: Media Monday Mohawk Valley Radio’s Budd Green & Donna Ray, Roger Rebisz and Central New York Role-Playing Game Convention, Central New York Roller Derby & Mariah’s Closet 6-9-2025
This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday is jam-packed with excitement and nostalgia. First up, Budd Green and Donna Ray discuss Mohawk Valley Radio in the 1980s and 1990s, sharing stories about WOUR, KG104, and Rock 107. Then, Roger Rebisz joins us to talk about the Central New York Role-Playing Game Convention. Lily Christopher presents her feature story on Mariah’s Closet, a thrift store that was founded with a purpose, and I have a story on Central New York Roller Derby’s “Triple Header: Half Moon Hustle” and how they are promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity during Pride Month.
Budd discusses his evolution from operating soundboards to becoming a DJ, while Donna recounts her transition from a band member to a morning radio show personality. Both emphasized the precision and skill required in radio work during that era, reflecting on genre-switching and camaraderie.
Roger talks about the upcoming Central New York Role Playing Game (RPG) Convention. He describes the origins and social aspects of games like Dungeons & Dragons, highlighting the cooperative and competitive dynamics that nurture friendships and inclusion. Detailed descriptions of gameplay mechanics and the Game Master’s (GM) pivotal role illustrate how role-playing games (RPGs) facilitate creativity and player agency.
Lily’s feature story is about Mariah’s Closet— a thrift store founded in memory of Mariah Reed, who tragically died by suicide. The store’s mission centers on kindness, community uplift, and sustainability, mirroring Mariah’s values. My story is on the Central New York Roller Derby’s “Triple Header: Half Moon Hustle,” and how roller derby blends athleticism with inclusiveness.
This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday underscores themes of inclusive community building across diverse domains—media, sports, gaming, and local activism—highlighting how shared experiences can foster a sense of belonging and social support.
Donna Ray-Dellano is online at https://www.instagram.com/raydellanno/ and Facebook.com/donna.raydellanno.
Screaming Nurse is online at Facebook.com/p/Screaming-Nurse. The Central New York RPG Convention is online at Facebook.com/events/567206339105228/ and https://tabletop.events/conventions/cnyrpgcon. Mariah’s Closet is online at https://www.facebook.com/people/Mariahs-Closet/61572189119345/?_rdr and https://www.instagram.com/mariahsclosetllc. Central New York Roller Derby is online at https://cnyrollerderby.com/, https://www.facebook.com/CentralNewYorkRollerDerby/, and https://www.instagram.com/cnyrollerderby/.
Jonathan Brooks/ DJ J-Easy is the sound engineer. He is online at Facebook.com/easyatm315, Instagram.com/j_easy315/, and https://on.soundcloud.com/XGKd3e4AZeNtrD2X9
Jim Hale is the photographer and records the show for video and podcast streaming. He is online at Jim Hale (@instanteon) • Instagram photos and videos
Nabil Khan is the entertainment correspondent for Hot Seat: Media Monday. Nabil is online at Letterboxd.com/1andonlynabk/and Instagram.com/instanab.k/.
Brian Lazore and Lazore Photography are online at lazorephotography.smugmug.com, Facebook.com/LazorePhotography, https://www.threads.net/@lazorephotography and YouTube.com/@LazorePhotography. The Off The Record with Lazore Photography podcast is online at Spotify and Amazon Music
Ron Klopfanstein is an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist, news and producer for 95.5 FM “The Heat” broadcast and streaming. He hosts Hot Seat: Media Monday every Monday at 5 pm, broadcast on 95.5 FM and streaming at 955TheHeat.com. Podcasts at: https://open.spotify.com/show/4nbrIF49K56OxbPljuw1Lv?si=7e000e7279f54c2a Like him at Facebook.com/ReadRonKlopfanstein, Follow him at Bsky.app/profile/ronklopfanstein.bsky.social, Threads.net/@RonKlopfanstein, Instagram.com/RonKlopfanstein, Tiktok.com/@ronklopfanstein, and subscribe to his channel at YouTube.com/@RonKlopfanstein. Read all his work at Muckrack.com/ron-klopfanstein.
