First of all, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all of you who qualify. The upcoming holiday got me to thinking about a couple of classy broads who played a significant role in my TV career and who’ve recently celebrated significant birthdays. I know some of you might think the term “ classy broads” may not be very complimentary but I use it with the greatest amount of respect and, if you know either of them, you’d agree the description fits.
First, Sylvia Henkin has chalked up another year (her 92nd) with no noticeable changes physically.. to her energy level..or commitment to projects and causes that extend well into the future and for which, she fully expects to be around.
Sylvia and yours truly at her 90th birthday party.
She’s always been a tireless promoter of Sioux Falls ever since moving here from Sheldon, Iowa in 1944 and marrying KSOO Radio owner, Mort Henkin. Before long she was on the airwaves hosting programs like “Party Line” which was filled with information and events of interest to the listening audience. Sylvia, like WNAX’s Wynn Speece, (The Neighbor Lady, another classy broad) was unique throughout the region in that they provided a welcome women’s voice on the radio that housewives in town and on the farm really appreciated. When Mort added KSOO television to the fold in the early sixties, Sylvia became an even bigger celebrity as she and Ray Loftesness brought Party Line to TV. I was lucky enough to get my first television job at KSOO and, when Lofty left, some lunatic in charge decided to pair me up with Sylvia. I was as green as Kermit The Frog’s backside, but was welcomed to the set with open arms, literally. That has always been Sylvia’s style and, thanks to her kindness and mentoring manner, I learned how to relax on the air and just go with the flow.
My mom, God rest her soul, had put together a scrapbook of my life which she gave me shortly before she passed away in 1995. Among the special things inside was this picture; the only one I have showing Sylvia and me on the set of Party Line in 1972.
Also on that image is another grand lady who meant so much to my early career in broadcasting; Gena Hartig.
I’d known of Gena after years of watching her on Keloland Television doing commercials for kitchen appliances and other products as well as hosting shows of special interest to women viewers. When I joined Keloland TV in 1974, Gena and her husband Leo Hartig co-anchored the Noon show.
When Leo was on assignment one day, I was tapped to be his replacement. I got to be nervous all over again. But, like Sylvia two years earlier, Gena put me instantly at east and even called me “Sweety.”
Leo and Gena Harting taking a quick lunch break while working at the Keloland Gold Rush in 1961.
After Leo died a few years ago, Gena..a wonderful singer and musician..moved to Omaha to be closer to her sons, Geoffrey, Michael and Tom who’ve carried on their parent’s show business tradition; working in video/audio and music production. Tom is a world class jazz saxophonist with loads of credits including “Mannheim Steam Roller”
I haven’t seen Gena for several years now, but we keep in touch. She now lives in a retirement home but tells me it’s pretty boring; too many old people, she says. She also keeps asking if I’m still married..heh, heh.
Gena just turned 90 herself but, like Sylvia, doesn’t look or act her age..thank goodness. The Omaha World Herald recently featured a fascinating article about Gena’s remarkable life which included a whole lot more than being one of the first women on television in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
If you’d like to read the story just CLICK HERE.
On their 90th birthday, Gena and her twin sister sat down to the piano to entertain the guests with a classy classical. Want to see and hear it? Okay. CLICK HERE.
Let’s see..I was going to write some other stuff but it will have to wait until Tuesday. As you may have heard, Keloland TV is celebrating its 60th anniversary which will culminate with an hour long special May 20th. In my next few blogs leading up to the special, I’ll be sharing some personal memories and images from my years with Keloland; “First with the best in the upper Midwest.”
6 Responses
Very nice tribute to two very awsome ladies!!
Sylvia is indeed one “classy broad!” She is a compassionate person too. I was fortunate enough to meet Sylvia in the early 1980’s; the first thing I noticed about her was that you should never try to deceive her, she recognizes BS from a mile away. Be honest with her, and everyone else, and your mistakes are easily forgiven. Try to be deceitful, or dishonest, the mistake becomes 10 times larger. Doug, some years ago there was a mother/daughter luncheon at the church I was attending. Since my mother lived in another state, and I do not have a child(ren,) I was not qualified to go to the luncheon. When I mentioned that I would have appreciated attending, the coordinator said “Do you have a mother?” I replied “Yes,” she then said you qualify. My mother died in 2001, and I still miss her and miss being able to send her a card to thank her for being my mother. Everyone, whether they are a mother or not, has or did have a mother. So, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, and to all those who have, or did have a mother. For those who still have a living mom, let her know that in her own way she has made a difference in the world we live in.
Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day! Flowers, dinners, expensive gifts, etc. etc. Children of the world, it’s time you knew that your conception was probably the result of a bright idea that your FATHER had!!! And what does ol’ pops get for his day??? For his idea???? Maybe a cheap fishing lure….or one of those caps with plastic snaps on the back. Does anyone take ol’ dad out for a huge, thick steak washed down with his favorite brew on Father’s Day? No…Today’s marketers pretend that ol’ dad would like to be out back in the sun slaving over a hot grill preparing beef, pork or chicken for the fruits of his loins. Enough! I think I speak for all fathers…At least for two or three…That we want lots of loot spent on us too!!! Break out the cash kids! You’ve got years and years to make up for! We’re mad as hell…and we’re not gonna take it anymore! Remember….dads everywhere will be making their wills and checking them twice…..We’re gonna find out…who’s…
Dear grouse, try not to worry, there is Father’s Day in June in which you can be as generous as you can afford to be to your father. Or, if your father as died, take your brothers out for a meal, buy them a special gift just for them.
If you do not have any brothers, take any male friend that you have out for a meal, or buy a special gift for. Just as everyone has/had a mother, everyone has/had a father.
Come to think of it, take yourself out for a special treat, or buy that gift you really, really want, but you know that no one will buy it for you for Father’s Day.
Oh Mr Grouse what a small world you must live in to have such jealous feelings. Your mother must have had wonderful Mother’s Days being lavished upon by you with wonderful gifts, trips and jewels from the world over. Very lucky women to have had such a caring son. I am sure she was always there for you even when your father could not be. I am sure she nourished you, healed you and sat by your side guiding you through all the trials the world throws at you. I am sure she stood by you when no one else would believe in you and each and every night said a prayer and hoped that you would turn in to a gentleman that every mother is proud of. You did turn in to that fine gentleman didn’t you Mr Grouse?
jjp…You sound like someone who hates the males of the species. I loved my mom very deeply. She passed away when I was 15. I loved my father very deeply. He passed away when I was 21. You seem to have missed the silly concept of what I wrote. You do understand silly concepts don’t you??? I will try to simplify things for you. Billions are spent each year on Mother’s Day advertising. Father’s Day advertising amounts to 1/8 of that. Thus, mom gets all the glory…while ol’ dad…the founder of the feast and traditional bread winner (whose category I fit into to) gets a fishing lure or a cheap cap with snaps on the back. My father was ALWAYS there for me. Why couldn’t or wouldn’t he be there for me??? While my mother was alive, she was too! I have the utmost respect for loving mothers and loving fathers! You must have been weaned on a pickle…that’s an old joke, but it’s probably all you deserve.