Two Women

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 92^nd) 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.  

 

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.” 

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 60^th anniversary which will culminate with an hour long special May 20^th.  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.”