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![\"Sylvia](\"http:\/\/blog.keloland.com\/lund\/files\/2013\/05\/SYLVIA-AND-ME.jpg\")
<\/a>Sylvia and yours truly at her 90th birthday party.<\/p><\/div>\n
She\u2019s 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 \u201cParty Line\u201d which was filled with information and events of interest to the listening audience. Sylvia, like WNAX\u2019s Wynn Speece, (The Neighbor Lady, another classy broad) was unique throughout the region in that they provided a welcome women\u2019s 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\u00a0 brought Party Line to TV.\u00a0 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\u2019s backside, but\u00a0 was welcomed to the set with open arms, literally. That has always been Sylvia\u2019s style and, thanks to her kindness and mentoring manner, I learned how to relax on the air and just go with the flow.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Also on that image is another grand lady who meant so much to my early career in broadcasting; Gena Hartig.<\/p>\n I\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n \u00a0When 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 \u201cSweety.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Leo and Gena Harting taking a quick lunch break while working at the Keloland Gold Rush in 1961.<\/p><\/div>\n 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\u2019ve carried on their parent’s\u00a0show business tradition;\u00a0working in video\/audio and music production. Tom is a world class jazz saxophonist with loads of credits including \u201cMannheim Steam Roller\u201d<\/p>\n I haven\u2019t seen Gena for several years now, but we keep in touch. She now lives in a retirement home but tells me it\u2019s pretty boring; too many old people, she says. She also keeps asking if I’m still married..heh, heh.<\/p>\n Gena just turned 90 herself \u00a0but, like Sylvia, doesn\u2019t look or act her age..thank goodness. The Omaha World Herald recently featured a fascinating article about Gena\u2019s remarkable life which included a whole lot more than being one of the first women on television in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to read the story just CLICK HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n