WELY celebrated its 55 birthday last week.

But cake and treats for visitors at the radio station were only part of the sentiments. Some of the staff got to reflecting on the station’s history and what makes it unique.

Perhaps one of its most noticeable features is least recognizable to an average listener. Until a couple of years ago, the station had no distinct format. According to General Manager Joany Haag, it was informally called “eclectic.”

“We played music based on whoever was sitting with the headphones on,” she said.

But she clarified someone in the radio world eventually came up with a format that fit the station. It has been officially declared as Triple A—adult, album, alternative.

Its small town persona is what many at the station feel contributes to its charm. Haag said not many small towns have their own radio station any more. They’ve given way to larger, corporate-driven leadership. What’s more, those same stations won’t play requests if they’re not within the station’s format.

End of the Road Morning Show co-host Eli Bissonett said the live nature and free form of the music are part of what enables WELY to make its own choices. Listeners have a significant influence and there’s not as much of a need to conform to industry standards.

Morning Show co-host Gina Vespa added that she felt many of the larger stations don’t put much weight on the community’s opinion and complaints are not taken to heart. But that’s not the case at WELY.

“We listen to what they say and get their feedback,” she said.

Haag explained that WELY goes above and beyond what the FCC requires every station to give back to a community. Listeners can call in about lost dogs. Show hosts talk to kids from the local schools, they broadcast menus for the senior center, and announce community events, obituaries, and personal and emergency messages. They also broadcast Minnesota Twins games.

The station recently conducted a survey to gather listener input. Haag said they’ve taken the time to study it carefully and do what they’re asked.

“We want to be that community radio station everyone has come to love,” she said.

As a result, she said they hope to do more remote broadcasting and interviews. But they’ll also be bringing back some “oldies” in an effort to preserve the history and heritage of the area.

They dug into the archives to resurrect the old Fisherman’s Headquarters “Let’s Go Fishing” reports. Once those shows are transferred to digital from reel-to-reel, Haag said she thinks they’ll play like a timeless hit.

“People will eat it up to hear them again,” Haag said.

But she added there are a couple of things that won’t change as long as she’s general manager. One is maintaining an interesting, community-oriented morning show. Second, they’ll never put screens on the windows, regardless of the mosquitos and bats that might come for a look-see. Finally, the polka show is not going anywhere.

“I will never be the manager who gets rid of the polka show,” she said.

She credits current station owners, the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, for helping them improve their technology and allowing them to be the station people enjoy.

The call letters for WELY were originally WXLT. The first broadcast took place on Oct. 2, 1954. Charles Persons was the owner.