The WHRO Voice recently announced that on Fridays at 3:30 pm beginning November 6 there will be readings en español from the Tidewater Hispanic News. This service is a new addition to our WHRO Voice Local Newsstand to keep the Spanish-speaking community informed and particularly to assist those who may not be able to hold or read a hard copy newspaper.
The 30 minute program Noticias en Espanol will be heard on the third hour of the WHRO Voice Local Newsstand each Friday beginning November 6.
"We're excited to offer what we believe is our first foreign language reading on The WHRO Voice reading service for the print-handicapped," said Jim Holzer, WHRO Voice team leader." The WHRO Voice has been working hard to expand its service throughout Hampton Roads and eastern Virginia, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Adding this weekly reading of the Tidewater Hispanic News is a unique opportunity to serve vision impaired individuals in this important segment of our community."
The program was inspired by Voice volunteer reader John Major, who is multilingual. Major will produce the program and serve as host.
"My wife and I studied Spanish together in high school and I went on to receive my bachelor’s degree majoring in Spanish," Major explained. "During a 20-year career in United States Navy we were truly blessed to spend two years in Puerto Rico and four years in Panama during which time we traveled to almost every central and south American country. After retirement from the Navy I taught Spanish locally in Virginia Beach and now in my 70’s I just want to give back to the Spanish speaking community."
Tidewater Hisplanic News is a Spanish English newspaper that started in 1998.
"We look forward to working with The WHRO Voice to keep the Spanish-speaking community informed and particularly to assist those who may not be able to hold or read a hard copy newspaper," said Regina-Fremont-Gomez, publisher for the Tidewater Hispanic News.
All readings on The WHRO Voice are specifically designed for and primarily directed to people who are blind, visually impaired or have other conditions preventing them from reading standard printed material.Individuals who qualify can register for a free listening device (radio or smart speaker) by contacting the WHRO Voice at 757-889-9379 or by emailing james.holzer@whro.org.
Listen to the new program in real time by going to whro.org/voice, or listen anytime via the podcast.