Veteran Broadcaster Marks 60 Years at 1320 AM WATR

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Happy 60th Work Anniversary to the venerable WATR broadcaster Barbara Davitt, who takes her listeners on a daily "Coffee Break."

WATR 1320 AM presented a very special three hour radio program on Thursday to honor the radio pioneer’s 60th year on local radio.

WATR Director of Operations and Programming Christopher Fortier organized the celebration of another remarkable anniversary, the contents of which were kept secret from the veteran broadcaster. Fortier’s morning show co-host Allison Demers kept the show moving behind the scenes. During the broadcast, Fortier acknowledged Davitt as the “foundation of [his] professional career.”

The three hours program was barely enough time to include all of the accolades from callers and in-studio guests that wanted to wish the veteran broadcaster the best. The tribute featured representatives from local organizations, interspersed with vintage clips of interview memories and carefully chosen music that Davitt loves.

Davitt started at WATR in 1963 on the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. She began her career there by mailing out gifts, and moved up to being a "weather girl." Her long-running morning show “Coffee Break” debuted in 1965 and she continues to host her half-hour program at 9:30 am on weekdays. Davitt will celebrate her 90th birthday next month.

Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary was one of the first to call into the station to speak with Davitt on his final day in office. Prospect Mayor Robert Chatfield (above) came with Davitt’s close friends Patty and Paul Spillane to honor the Prospect resident with a beautiful plaque. Chatfield had named Davitt Prospect Italian Mayor of the Day in March of 2020, since her mother and grandmother were of Italian lineage.

Fortier organized a recorded message from Davitt’s daughter Melissa Davitt Smith and her family and her grandson Sam, dubbed “My Sam” by his grandmother, called in live. One listener stopped to present the “Coffee Break” host with a bouquet of flowers.

Other call-in guests included the now retired Paula Griffin and Trish Torello, former Waterbury mayor Michael Jarjura, Verdi Restaurant owner Tony D’Amelio, WTNH meteorologist Gil Simmons and Davitt’s fellow Campership Fund board member Anne Karoli.

Tom Hill III was in the studio to open the program, as were the Palace Theater’s Sheree Marcucci, Robert “Bobby” Sagendorf, Jay Crawford, President & CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber Lynn Ward, Diane Ploch, Phil Maiorano, and State Representative Leslye Zupkus. Marcucci told listeners that the Palace Theater marquee was displaying a photo of Davitt congratulating her “for 60 years on the air at WATR.”

The recently retired WATR General Manager Tom Chute returned to the studio from his home in Florida to completely surprise his beloved co-worker. He recalled driving the former Outer Critics member into New York City to catch a Broadway show, referring to it as “Driving Miss Daisy.” Chute is in Waterbury in order to rehearse for his upcoming role as Santa in the “Elf” at Seven Angels Theatre.

“Babs Davenport,” as Chute often referred to her, discusses a variety of topics on “Coffee Break,” which she broadcasts on Monday through Thursday mornings.

Because I was invited to be in the studio midway through the broadcast, I made sure to thank “BD” for her work during the pandemic. At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Davitt called into the station from her home in Prospect so that her show could go on. Chute dubbed it “Coffee Break Light.” She was her usual cheery and wise self as she spoke with the station manager on the air during that time of isolation. Davitt had often been known in the past to call into the station to make a point during Chute's morning drive-time program.

The lobby of the radio station was decorated with photos and memorabilia of Davitt’s career in broadcasting. At the end of the three hours, Selim Noujaim (reportedly wearing a blond wig) brought his wife Linda and daughter Brigette to talk about his friend.

WATR may be heard at 1320 AM or 97.7 FM or at watr.com