Volpe To Take Morning Spot On WPPB

Only days after Bonnie Grice — longtime host of “The Eclectic Cafe” on 88.3 WPPB FM, Southampton’s National Public Radio station — announced her departure, a new morning host has been hired.

Gianna Volpe, a freelance photojournalist who also hosts a popular local podcast and radio show, The Gianna Volpe Report on WRIV in Riverhead, will be starting this week.

It was a shock to many who have followed Grice for the past two decades when the morning radio personality, who also hosted “Media Mavens” and “The Song is You” announced on March 12 that she was moving onward. Grice has been producing and acting in plays through her Boots on the Ground theater company — “The Miracle Worker” and “The Red Badge of Courage” — along with a Victorian Christmas caroling venture, and says more 19th-Century based productions are in the works.

“I’m looking forward to many more adventures,” Grice told the Independent. “My life is up in the air and not on the air, for now. As Ma says in ‘Red Badge,’ ‘You’ve got to move forward Henry. Move forward.'”

Volpe, who was hired on Saturday, March 16, was excited by the news and the new prospect. “It could not have happened at a more perfect time,” said the North Fork resident. “It’s kind of a dream come true for me. I’m particularly excited about starting a few interview series and continuing the ‘Media Mavens,'” she said.

Volpe will be bringing her vinyl collection to the studio and looks forward to “the beginning of an exciting era I can only hope will make Bonnie Grice proud.” She offered her thanks to Dr. Wally Smith for the opportunity, “as I am unbelievably grateful for a chance to make excellent radio.”