03-31-20 Tuesday

WLOB Radio...The Lobster Network

Part 1:  Ray Richardson is all over the place. He starts off with Sen. Susan Collins’s interview and the response it has gotten. She offered hope to small businesses. Ray then talks about the Portland Press Herald running a opinion piece that was just venom. Ray starts listing off all of the hard working unsung heroes that are keeping America going even during the bad times. He names the janitors, custodians, grocery stock people, truckers, cashiers, deli, not to mention the medical professionals, nurses, CNA, the people that clean and sanitize the equipment. Basically all of the people that you don’t think about that actually make your world work. He says be kind and say thank you to those that help. He gives Sea Bags a shout out for their contribution.


Part 2:  Ray and David talk about the contradictory of the reports. On one hand we hear percentages of deaths to people that have the disease and on the the other we hear that we don’t know how many people have the Coronavirus. They take a call from Chris and they discuss the media coverage on the Coronavirus. Gordon calls in to ask Ray about a reporter that had been ask to leave her position.

Part 3:  Ray and David talk about the Pizza Garage in Hollis Maine and how good their pizza. They take a call from Cathy Richardson and she shares an idea to help show President Trump that people support him. Ray says that it is important to support all of our small businesses. He uses Stockhouse Restaurant in Westbrook as an example of some of the things they are doing to continue to provide service to their customers. Buying gift certificates will also help other service providers like nail salons, hair salons, barbershops, massage therapy just to name a few. Also churches shouldn’t be forgotten. Just because you can’t attend service on Sunday, you can still tithe or donate to your favorite charity. Food pantries and banks need donations as well.

Part 4:  Ray and David talk to Garrett Mason. They talk about the Mr. Rogers movie. Garrett brings up Some Good News with John Krasinski. They talk about some of the different companies making a difference. Ray brings up General Motors. They talk about the American Can Do Attitude and how we always step up. They praise Abbott for their contribution of the 5 minute tests. The boys talk about science and data. They talk about how data or lack of data can be used to skew any conclusion. Ray uses climate change as an example.

Part 5:  Ray and David continue their conversation with Garrett Mason.

Part 6:  Ray and David talk to Derek Gause. Derek and Ray share grocery shopping stories, including the quest for toilet paper. Ray explains his need for Cottonelle with vitamin E and Aloe for his toochee. Then Ray brings up Lavender Tea. Ray talks about the Good Life Market and that you can find it there as well. They also have spectacular food and is a great little specialty market. Ray describes some their pastrami and smoked turkey.

Part 7:  Derek stays on the line with the boys and they continue their frivolous conversation so that they don’t have to talk about just the bad things in life. There is also a balance to life. Derek says he doesn’t like cheese either after Ray asks him about pizza.

Part 8:  Ray and David jam to a song. They welcome a call from the Commissioner from the Maine Department of Labor, Laura Fortman to discuss unemployment. They discuss the process of finding jobs, navigating the unemployment paperwork/process, the way the website asks the question about the Coronavirus. She explains some of the additional benefits that WILL be able and to be watching the website. The claims will be retroactive. Ray asks questions that he has received.

Part 9:  Ray talks about the social distancing and how tough it is, but it is very necessary. He quotes Ben Franklin. He and David continue their discussion about unemployment and the new things that will be available, but not quite yet. Everything is retroactive from the day the employee is laid off. The rules and regulations are not in place yet and they are working on it as fast as they can.

03-30-20 Monday

WLOB Radio...The Lobster Network

Part 1:  Ray Richardson talks about President Trump’s press conference. He revised his coronavirus plan or America going back to work until April 30th. Ray gets into NBC’s Chuck Todd and his question “Do you think there is blood on the president’s hands considering the slow response?” Todd asked. “Or is that too harsh of a criticism?” to Joe Biden during an interview. Ray is so proud of how Americans are working and pulling together to help businesses and anywhere else they can, except for General Motors and the American Media.


Part 2:  Ray wants to know what y’all are doing during this quarantine? He stresses that it is really important for the young people to heed the medical professions warnings and practice social distancing and personal hygiene (hand washing) not just for your health, but for those around you.

Part 3:  Ray does a little chair dancing to James Brown. He talks about the program that Sen. Collins, Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Committee Chairman Marco Rubio $300 billion small business relief plan. He also talks about the banking industry and how they should be moving mortgage payments to the back of the loan not hold three payments and half to pay them all on the fourth month.

Part 4:  Ray says that he just talked to Joe Bruno, owner of Community Pharmacy, and he told Ray that his wife had made 42 masks over the weekend to help the employees of Community Pharmacy.

Part 5:  Ray says that he thinks that our country is doing a great job. That includes the private and public. He can’t understand when it became okay for the media to become so Anti-American.

Part 6:  Ray mentions Maine Distillery and their efforts to help by making hand sanitizer. He continues with there are a lot of companies looking for employees. He says that if you have a company or need a job text him on the Dirigo Partners Text Line (207-409-6172) and he will see if he can connect you both.

Part 7:  Ray welcomes Sen. Susan Collins and they discuss the small business relief plan and some of the other things that she has been working on to try and help America and Maine survive this crisis. There is hope and we just need to calm down.

Part 8:  Ray goes over the discussion he had with the Senator. There is good news and we don’t need to panic. Ray asked several questions and she answered all of them. Ray takes a call from Deputy Communications Director for @GOP, Cassie Smedile (@CMSmedile). They discuss the President’s plan for America’s economy to recover from the Coronavirus crisis.

03-27-20 Friday

WLOB Radio...The Lobster Network

Part 1:  Ray and Joe Bruno are back together. Joe tells Ray about teaching online for the first time. It went well and an hour after his class, the internet went out for an hour or so. He stresses that if we are going to be relevant in the business world, we have to have broadband that works. They talk about  Governor Mills pushing back the Maine Tax deadline, and Chuck Igo. They talk about the unemployment numbers and that they were expected. They weren’t  Today is his last day on the mike at the Rewind heard on 100.9 WYNZ-FM. He is retiring after 40 years in the business.


Part 2:  Ray and Joe are joined by Dr. John Herzog. Ray wanted to address the Coronavirus with a discussion with a doctor and pharmacist. They both say that we need to stay hydrated and wash hands correctly. Joe addresses the medications that have been successfully used to combat Coronavirus. Ray asks the them what are the differences between this and the flu.

Part 3:  They talk about getting Vitamin D.

Part 4:  Joe says that all seniors are not created equal. That like younger people there are healthy and fit and not so much. They discuss the importance of exercise. Ray says that just as he gets back into the gym and getting addicted to the endorphins, the world send a pandemic to sidetrack him. They switch gears and hats from the medical profession to small business owners. They talk about having employees and the federal/state help during this crisis.

Part 5:  Ray and Joe talk about his profession and position as President of the Maine State Board of Pharmacy. They talk about the Maine Legislature and the “crazy” ideas instead of just plain old common sense to see us over during this crisis.

Part 6:  Ray plays a clip from the acapella group Home Free performing God Bless The USA. Joe, Ray and Dr. John are joined by one of President Trump’s Senior Advisers, Corey Lewandowski from New Hampshire. They talk about how many times that he has been on air with Ray. They talk about how anti-Trump the American Media is, including the Portland Press Herald. They talk about the private sector stepping up and re-tooling their companies and everyone pulling together, but the media. The boys talk about the bailing out companies in America first. He isn’t as concerned about the cruise industry that doesn’t pay taxes or have many Americans working for them. Ray and Corey talk about how Congress has used politics to hold the American people for ransom. They talk about steps that have been taken to keep our communities safe.

Part 7:  Ray and Joe talk about the stock market. Ray says that May is going to be an interesting month. He says that people aren’t geared to be coped up and we will come back roaring. Joe brings up the goal that Pres. Trump has of getting back to normal and slacking on social distancing around Easter. Ray brings up the media and setting goals. They talk about how smoking marijuana helps this virus but how does it help society? Ray starts down a path and stops himself.

Part 8:  Ray says that God is there to lean on and is always there for you. Dr. John tells the history of Osteopathic medicine and the differences between the medicine of the Native Americans and the settlers. Ray talks about the media and data and Dr. Burke and the scientific training and models that they are following. Ray talks about the team that Pres. Trump has assembled to fight this invisible enemy and the media’s attempt to undermined them at every turn. For more information about Dr. John Herzog’s services or if you would like to set up an appointment, visit his website, Orthopedic Specialties or call, 1-207-781-9077, their office today

03-26-20 Thursday

WLOB Radio...The Lobster Network

Part 1:  Ray talks about the state of our country. The Stimulus Bill and how it might help the individual and families recover. The press and President Trump’s hope that America is back to work by Easter. Ray talks about how important work is for someone’s psyche. How people loose their will to live when they no longer feel as though they are contributing. Ray also believes that GOD is what we need to rely on in trying times, not GOV. He brings up WWII and how we defeated the most horrific monster, Hitler, that was taking over the world and the was defeated. We can do it again.


Part 2:  Ray briefly talks to Bob Witkowski. Ray asks Bob about his thoughts on the Stimulus Bill. They talk about the price of gas. Ray tells Bob a Hillary Clinton joke. This is a really short segment.

Part 3:  Ray chats with Pat Callaghan of News Center Maine. They talk about the challenges that the Maine media company has been facing. Pat describes some of the positive and negative things. He says that the breaks are really strange because there is this eerie quietness because there is no one to talk to. They talk about hoarding and taking care of your neighbors. Ray tells him about a line out of the movie Remember the Titans. They talk about that is about the compassion of people that inspires them. Pat recalls a story that he covered about a little boy’s birthday. This is about how community has come together and support one another. Ray recalls a story that a former guest Peter Levesque of Dirigo Kids told about Toys for Tots.

Part 4:  Ray and Pat Callaghan continue with their conversation. They both praise Governor Mills in her efforts to keep Maine safe and informed during the Coronavirus pandemic. Pat gives a shout out about the work that Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah as done and his daily briefings. Pat points out that not only is he a physician but also a lawyer.

Part 5:  Ray welcomes Former Portland Police Chief Michael Sauschuck now Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Public Safety. They talk about how Mainers are pulling together and working together to survive this crisis. Ray asks him about the Governor’s 14 day order and what that means as a practical point. They talk about social distancing and personal responsibility. The Commissioner says that it seems that Mainers are doing as they are suppose to be doing and that we have done a good job of self policing and compliance. Ray asks him how the new job as Commissioner is going. He responds saying that he loves his job because he can travel throughout the state and see all of the great work the first responders have been doing.

Part 6:  Ray says to not panic about the unemployment numbers. They are to be expected. We have to stay together, work together and not panic we will all be okay. Ray gives a shout out to Flowfold and they both say that this is happening more and more with companies and citizens stepping up and taking care of each other, the Maine Way of Life.

Part 7: Ray talks to James Morin about his company, Flowfold. Their company make wallets that are super thin, lightweight, and tough as nails. They have retooled their production facility to be able to help with the need of face shields. This is a way for them to help Maine and other part of the country. They can keep their employees working and provide a service. There are a lot of companies stepping up to the plate. They give a shout out to Goodfellows Barbershop and that they are closed and can’t work and Stockhouse Restaurant and other businesses trying to keep their head above water during this time.

Part 7:  Ray says to get out and enjoy the beautiful spring day. He reiterates his offer to help businesses to get set up on PayPal to be able to take payments online. He says that you can sell online gift certificates and give donations to churches to help businesses survive through this time of uncertainty. He talks about his upcoming guest Bob Witkowski of Visit Portland calling back to chat.

Part 8:  Ray talks about not being scared about the unemployment numbers. We need to have faith and know that we can get through this. He calls on the credit unions, bank, and mortgage companies to work with people to move their payments to the back of their loans.  Visit Portland is back, Bob Witkowski is one the line as well as Lynn Tillotson. They talk about what they are trying to do to keep Portland in the eye of the tourist community, yet say don’t come visit right now.

Part 9:  Ray plays Raise a Hallelujah again. He says that this is a time that we need to have social distancing, but that doesn’t mean that we need to be apart from friends and neighbors. There are other methods, Facetime, Facebook and all of the social media platforms out there.