Pat Powers poses for a portrait on the job at KQWC and KZWC.

To talk about Pat Powers and his legacy of being the “voice of Hamilton County” through KQWC, one must first talk about his mentor, the man whose voice rumbled through Hamilton County via KJFJ.

The man, the voice, was G.D. Warland.

Warland, a newsman, magistrate and recovered alcoholic, set a standard for the local radio station. You might be interested to know that the FJ stood for Freeman-Journal because the radio station was once owned by this newspaper, the Daily Freeman-Journal.

But that is a side note to this story.

Pat Powers, who arrived at the local radio station 45 years ago, learned much of his radio presence and news skill from Warland. But, too, Powers embraced the same grueling commitment that Warland brought as news manager of the radio station in Webster City.

“G.D. was a wonderful man,” Powers said in response to a handful of questions posed to him.

“He was also a magistrate in Hamilton County, which he continued after he left KQWC. I spent about a half hour watching him at the bench whenever I was at the Hamilton County courthouse. There is a picture of him on the second floor of the courthouse along with previous and current court officials.

“He arrived here at about four in the morning … first newscast of the day at 6:00 … headlines at 6:25 a.m. for Webster City Federal now WCF Financial Bank … another summary at 7 a.m. … a half hour of news each day at 7:30 in the morning … a newscast at 9:00 and, of course, at noon.

“He would leave for lunch after his noon news and come back to the station to record his newscast. G.D. was awesome and I learned a lot from him. I have a picture of the both of us! There will never be another G.D. He was the news to a lot of us growing up.”

Powers stepped into that role 45 years ago.

“I started back here officially on August 14,1978. … Back in 1978 we had a staff of 10 to 12 people, if I recall … everything was done local … no computer or satellite programming at the time.

“KQWC was on the air from 6 a.m. Monday through Saturdays when I started work and at 7:45 Sunday mornings. We signed off at midnight Monday to Saturdays and at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings. KQWC AM 1570 signed off at local sunset time every day but during the summer months we signed off at 6:00 with our sister FM station.

“I have seen a lot of change when it comes to equipment … not like the past and for the better in my opinion. I have worked under seven owners in these 45 years and 11 managers. They are all great people. There have been some rumors as to when I will retire from this … not in the foreseeable future. The day I retire is when Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A and Fareway stores open their doors for business on Sundays,” Powers said.

“It’s great to come to this place each day while the city and county sleeps. This is a special place. I am proud to be part of it and the great people to work with each day.”

Today marks day No. 16,437 of Pat Powers’ voice on the local radio station.

From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today, the local radio station will host an open house to celebrate Power’s 45 years. This is a come-and-go event. The station is located at 1020 East Second St., Webster City. Cookies and punch will be served.