While you may not place the face, chances are you know, and know well, the voice.
For more than two decades, as a morning radio personality for 101.5 CFMP (pre-dating The WOLF) and Oldies 980 CKRUz, Melnik’s distinctive tone helped start the day on the right foot for thousands.
Having first arrived at 980 CHEX Radio in 1977 where he worked alongside local broadcasting icons Graham Hart, Gordon Gibb and Gary Dalliday (and later, Wally Macht) Mike Melnik learned fast, and well.
Returning to Peterborough in 1988 from CKCK Regina, he again took to the local airwaves with CFMP, the FM affiliate to 980 CHEX. When he moved to the AM dial in 1992 with the debut of oldies CKRUz on AM, Mike’s easy and entertaining on-air banter with the late John Badham was the highlight of close to 5,000 morning shows. When Badham retired, Melnik didn’t miss a beat as he, and his new co-host Catherine Hanrahan went together like peas and carrots until Mike’s retirement from the airwaves in 2012.
Away from the studio, Melnik’s philanthropic nature has benefitted numerous causes and events. Besides lending his voice where, and when needed he has always taken an active role in fundraising. A prime example is his 25 years-plus involvement with the Easter Seals Telethon – a huge commitment that not only sees him host the Angel Board segment of the telethon, but also serving as a member of the telethon’s organizing committee.
As chair of Peterborough’s ‘Canada 150’ Anniversary Celebration, Melnik worked with the Downtown Business Improvement Association and Peterborough Musicfest, hosting pop-up performances and a signature concert featuring Kim Mitchell. A founding member of the Three Loonies fundraiser that has raised close to $2 million for Kawartha Food Share, Melnik has also gifted his time and talent to the Boston Pizza Smashed Volleyball Tournament, Pedal For Hope, and the BEL Rotary Polar Plunge, to name but a few of his associations.
But for all his work towards the betterment of our community, Mike Melnik’s capacity to put those he interviews at complete ease remains an enduring hallmark of his persona. Simply put, he was, and remains gifted in terms of helping his interview subjects to feel instantly comfortable and right at home, as his natural curiosity draws out their story.
Owner and operator of Impact Communications, Mike not only helps his many clients achieve success through their marketing acumen, but also continues to volunteer his time to Easter Seals and, more recently, as a board member with the Peterborough Foundation.