In March of 1991 I began working for KAJO radio as a part-time receptionist. It soon became full time as I began duties of Accounts Payable, and I was there when Grants Pass Broadcasting decided to put an FM station on the air.

KLDR started broadcasting in July of 1992, and to make a very long story short, I knew I could lend something special to the air talent on KLDR. I spent a few months training with James “Big Jim” Wilson and then found myself filling-in for vacationing announcers.

On July 4, 1993 I signed on at 9am in my very own time slot, and soon became The Lady of the Midday, doing 9am-2pm Monday through Friday. I held that title for over a decade.

In mid-to-late 2003 I began thinking about a career change, a new focus, a challenge, yet I wanted to stay in radio. Suddenly life took a sharp left turn, funny how it does that. It's a long, long story, but next thing I knew I was News Director for KAJO and KLDR. That was March of 2004. And yes, the challenge I was looking for was now mine.

I spent two years in the news room before giving my notice for places and things unknown. It is another one of those very long stories, but I left Grants Pass Broadcasting one day shy of my 15th anniversary here. That was March 17, 2006.

Next, I found myself studying, testing and getting my contractors license. I then helped my husband breathe life back into his fence company Boundaries Unlimited Fencing. (I'm reminded that this was supposed to be a short bio) I took on a couple of other jobs in 2007, but was unsatisfied and felt like my talents were not being used.

I came "back home" to KAJO and KLDR on December 4, 2007. I am doing almost a little bit of everything. I still need to learn the engineering duties ;0) I work the front desk, I help with billing and other office duties. I can fill-in in the News Room if needed. I am PSA Director and I am now back on-air. :) Hip Hip Hooray. My on-air schedule looks like this now: KLDR Monday through Friday from 2pm to 6pm. I am also on KAJO weekends: Saturday's 6pm to midnight and Sunday's 6pm to midnight. I love it here!

I have learned many things about myself and my position in life, but mainly that, 1) I am not in charge of my life, God is, and 2) God placed me here and here is where He wants me.

Continuing with some of my history: I am the oldest of three girls. My birthplace is Washington D.C. I was born to Larry and Dee Bartlett. My dad was raised in Grants Pass but had joined the army and was stationed in Washington D.C. My mom and dad were married 5 1/2 years before I came along. My parents moved back to Grants Pass when I was 9 months old.

When I was 6 years old my dad moved our family to South East Alaska. By this time our family consisted of dad, mom, my younger sister Kari and me. We lived on a floating logging camp; huge logs held together with giant cable, planks placed on top of the logs and then two rows of mobile homes placed on the planks...much like a Mobile Home Park on water. It was a logging camp, with all the men being loggers, and all the women being homemakers. A floating walk-way went from one end of camp to the island and whenever an island had been logged, whether that was several months or a few years, the camp would be moved by tugboat to the next island.

The church and school were in one small building, with Grades K through 12 taught in one room, by one teacher. All of our supplies, groceries and mail were delivered by pontoon plane or boat. Some of my fondest memories are of the mail plane. We would hear it in the distance and run down to the dock to greet it. When the pontoon plane would take off, we would stand behind it as the rush of wind from the plane blew hard on us; our hair and clothes blowing wildly. It was great fun!

All the children were required to wear life jackets every moment we were outside. I will never forget what the camp boss did to every boy and girl who arrived at camp. As soon as we got off the plane he took my sister and me over to his house. (He had one of only two houses on the camp) He knelt beside the crawl space, took a piece of board away from the hole and as the cool, damp air hit my face he said "You see under there? If I ever catch you outside without your life jacket I will put you under there where you will stay with the rest of the skeletons." I NEVER went outside without my life jacket! Of course as the person responsible for us he was just trying to save lives, as a child I was a little afraid of him.

It was a peaceful lifestyle. Instead of going for Sunday drives in the country we would get in dads boat and explore small islands and inlets, glaciers and hunters cabins. I found everything from glass buoys, to bear tracks, to bird's nests. It was a wonderful time! If you walked ashore and around the island to the dump you could watch the bears rummaging for dinner.

We watched beaver build their dams and picked wild Alaskan cotton and steered clear of the Skunk Plant. I was catching Salmon and halibut by the time I was 7. There was a large smoke house on the camp. I can still remember the wonderful aroma coming from inside. I also remember the most wonderful potlucks. All the women would cook their specialty and the whole camp would come together for the meal. My mom usually made homemade pizza. :)

I remember Saturday night game-night. No one in camp had television so we were forced to socialize and play together. What a novel idea! Many games of Monopoly were enjoyed around this kitchen table or that, with homemade Caramel corn or some other wonderful treat.

That peace was shattered when my dad was killed in an airplane crash. I will always remember that day. I was 8 years old and needless to say my life changed forever. My mom, then two months pregnant with my youngest sister, moved us back to Grants Pass. The year was 1971.

I have lived in Milton Freewater, Veneta, Springfield and College Place, Washington, but Grants Pass is my home. I moved my family back in 1984.

I am successfully married to Wendell Stark. We have been together since June 26, 1984. By "successfully" I mean we have good times and bad. We have laughs and tears, we have frustration and anxious days, but we keep on loving each other. Forgiving each other. Growing and maturing. I am a fan of Dr. James Dobson, Child Psychologist, and I read the most awesome article a few years ago on the Bulletin for Focus on the Family: "There are times when even good, loving parents don't like their own kids very much. There are times also in a good marriage when husbands and wives don't like each other for a while. What you should do in either situation is to hang tough. Look for ways to smooth out the problems, to ride out the rough waters, but never give up on your commitment to one another. Keep this in mind during your children's teen years too. Wait patiently for them to grow up. You'll be glad you did."

I have four grown children; Mike was born in August of 1979. Jeremy was born in April of 82. Carlie was born in April of 86 and Larry was born in April of 88 and still lives at home. It's funny his older brothers and sister always teased him that he would never leave home. I'm beginning to think they were right. :) I have 12 awesome grandchildren, including our newest baby girl born in March 2008.

Some of the things I enjoy doing in my spare time are driving through the Redwoods, staying at the ocean, watching a good movie, and peace and order. I love to be with my husband; we talk, we laugh, he is my companion and best friend. I like music from the '70's and '80's. I also love to sing. In fact if I had to name a 'passion' singing would be it. I have recorded three CD's; two with my band Deja Blues and one praise and worship CD.

Jeanette's Pet Peeves:

- People that use their cell phones in restaurants. HELLO PEOPLE!!!??? How rude can you possibly be? Even worse than that...people who use their cell phones in restaurants on Speaker Phone.

- Rude people in traffic, such as red light runners, tailgaters, not using your blinker, and dragsters.

- State Troopers that site you for rolling through a stop sign, and then do the same thing in front of you two days later. (That really happened to me.)

- Service people who don't smile when helping you. (Can we say people-skills?)

- People who talk with food in their mouth (that one makes me want to scream, in-between dodging food particles)

- People who interrupt when you are talking

- People who wear their sunglasses indoors (too bright? Or are you too cool?)

Jeanette's dream car, still: (I must still be dreaming)
  * 65' - 66' Chevy Impala Super Sport
  * Black Cherry in Color
  * Lowered ever so slightly
  * tinted windows
  * really cool rims

Well, that by no means is the complete story of me, but gives you a little idea of where I'm from and what I do.

May God richly bless you, guard and protect you!