Annie Garde the longtime host of Montana Public Radio’s children’s programs The Pea Green Boat and The Children’s Corner is retiring on October 9th.
To celebrate, she'll have special guests all week at 4 p.m. on the Pea Green Boat.
Tuesday she'll be joined by members of the Missoula Writing Collaborative including Sheryl Nothe and Carolyn Patterson.
Wednesday she will host The Poetry Club with Marcia Dunn and Barbara Theroux.
Thursday’s guest is Kate Davis of Raptors of the Rockies, along with Sibley the Peregrine and Jillian the Great Horned Owl; each had their first program with Annie on Pea Green Boat, over 18 years ago when Sibley was only a baby in a laundry basket.
Annie took over hosting and producing duties for the show in 2003.
“It’s been a dream job—if I can call it a job,” Garde said. “My thanks to the listeners for their support over the years.”
Garde said she appreciates the opportunity to introduce guests such as Kate Davis and her birds, Glenn Marangelo as the Bug Guy, the Poetry Club, and children who came into read their stories or their poems live on-the-air.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what a new host will bring to the show,” Garde said.
Garde started as a music host at MTPR in 1979 hosting a variety of programs including Mosaics, Evening Freeforms, Feminist Forum, and more. She was chosen to host and produce The Pea Green Boat and The Children’s Corner after former host Marcia Dunn retired. The Pea Green Boat is one of the longest-running children’s radio program in the country.
“We’re been so lucky to have Annie on-the-air for Montana children,” MTPR program director Michael Marsolek said. “She’s able to relate to kids with a song, a poem or a story; we’re sad to see her retire. The Pea Green Boat is such a radio refuge for listeners of all ages.”
Marsolek added that children’s programming will continue as the station begins a search for the next host of the program.
“We are committed to children’s programming at MTPR and plan to bring on a new host this fall,” Marsolek said.
Do you have a favorite memory of Annie or The Pea Green Boat you'd like to share?
