Page 6 - Spring Summer 2023

Spotlight on Alumni

Christian (Chris) Putnam, Class of 1981

By Richard Nickerson, ‘81

There’s something special about visiting the place
where you grew up, especially if that place is Houlton.
As you head north on 95, both the anticipation and
speed limit grow. Just north of Lincoln you start to get
a faint radio signal. As it grows stronger, the voices
become more recognizable. The advertisements are
a nostalgic trip through youth...businesses that you
grew up patronizing are still operating. Only recently
did I realize what an important part of my youth WHOU
played. The on-air personalities were larger than life
celebrities and a vital part of our community.

Anyone living in Houlton or listening online would
certainly recognize Christian (Chris) Putnam’s voice.
He is the host of WHOU’s Morning Show, a position he
has held for 9 years. A 1981 graduate, Chris has had
an exciting career in radio full of rich experiences that,
ultimately, led him back to the Shiretown.

He fondly recalls some of the experiences growing up
in Houlton and credits those experiences with helping
him to become the person he is today.

“Some of my fondest memories are all the beautiful days
growing up with no responsibilities. I would ride my
bike all over town to some remote fishing spots or pick
fiddleheads. I had wonderful experiences that gave me time. I had also tried out for the High School musical,
the best base to start life from.” Fiddler on the Roof, that year and Mark selected me to
play the lead role, Tevye, in that production. After being
Chris also worked at the family business, Putnam cut from the basketball team that was about the best
Brothers. At Houlton High School, he was active in thing that could possibly have happened. From there on
athletics, music and drama. He was a member of I knew that I was going to be performing at some level or
the All-State Chorus, All-Aroostook Chorus, played another for the rest of my life.”
percussion in the band and drums in the stage band.
He also played soccer and basketball. The summer after graduation, he travelled through
Europe with a band. Later that year he entered college
When asked which teacher had the greatest impact at Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire. He then went to
on him, he was quick to point out Mark Scally and one work in broadcasting at WHEB in Portsmouth NH. He
significant event that changed his course. moved around the country, working at several different

“Mark Scally probably had the biggest impact on me in radio stations and eventually came back to The County
High School. I was cut from the varsity basketball team to work for WOZI in Presque Isle in the early 90’s.
my junior year and that was devastating to me at the Ultimately, he would return to his hometown as an on-

6 www.houltonalumni.com