An advertisement on one of the Norwich radio stations caught Jim Sargent's ear some 25 years ago.

It was for a part-time evening worker. He didn't really know what he'd do or what training he needed. He had a degree from Syracuse University, had taught music for over a decade and knew that he loved to listen to the radio.

The station's general manager took the application and hired Sargent on the spot. He started as a production assistant for commercials. He changed the music reels at night, a task was phased out with computers. He even had a live evening show on the Chenango County's most powerful station, WKXZ.

He's been a vital station resource since he started and is now the Norwich news director, reporting on everything from Hillary Clinton's visit in 1999 to the floods of 2006 and 2011.

Hospice of Chenango County will honor Sargent for his years of dedicated service to the area at its annual Hospice Heroes dinner on Nov. 1 at the Canasawacta Country Club.

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