Local broadcaster celebrates milestone in career

AM800’s Patty Handysides is celebrating 40 years on radio. CTV Windsor’s Stefanie Masotti has more.

A familiar voice in the community is celebrating a 40-year broadcasting career.

Well-known local celebrity Patty Handysides of AM800 news.

Over the decades, Handysides was a D.J., news reporter, news anchor, and today – host of the shift from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on AM800 CKLW.

“It’s been such an incredibly exhilarating career,” she said.

A career in radio was never the plan, but one she quickly fell in love with.

“You’d run out the door, you know, with your recorder and you’d go to cover some story. And I just loved the adrenaline,” said Handysides.

She has covered and interviewed local newsmakers, celebrities, several prime ministers, U.S. presidents, and even the Queen.

“She’s extremely professional,” said co-worker Paul MacDonald. “Very creative. And she works great under pressure.”

“I think it’s a it’s a wonderful community. Ups and downs have been crazy over the decades. We’ve had bad times before and we’ve come [out] shining. And so, I expect that that will happen again. It’s tough right now. But you know what? This is a great community that lifts each other up,” she said.

She hopes to help do. just that – every weekday afternoon.