I grew up listening to the radio more than watching television for two reasons: first we only had one TV, and it was in the living room, and the programming was limited to three channels and two, I had a school bus ride that was about two hours a day that had the radio on for the entire journey. When we were brave enough, we’d sing along.
In my room, I had my stereo and record player. I would listen to whatever music I wanted of my choosing. Nothing against Lawrence Welk or Hee Haw but that music wasn’t anything I could appreciate at the time. Weekly I would listen to Casey Kasem and the Top 40 countdown, sometimes having to stay up late to get to number one so one would compare notes with my friends on the bus the next day. “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”
When I was older, I liked to listen to talk radio. Stories and interviews on the air let you watch the road and keep your mind active. Some music puts me to sleep. I liked Paul Harvey. He would tell you all the inside stories about people you knew or current events. It was a surprise ending with his famous “And now you know the rest of the story.”
There were even television shows about radio shows. WKRP in Cincinnati was the best. My favorite was Les Nessman. His rousing rendition of the news made me laugh out loud. The Thanksgiving Turkey Drop is some of the best TV / Radio comedy out there! “Good day and may the Good News be yours,” was the sign off given by Les.
I have recently been offered a job at our local radio station, KRWP AM 1360, out of Buffalo. I will be doing the new show in addition to the Leisure Time with Sandy and Amy Show we have been doing for about six months. I am excited about this opportunity to develop 30 minutes of programming every week.
Of course, I turn to you, the readers of the column for inspiration calling the show Sandy’s Kitchen Medley. I think it will be a format similar to the column you have been reading for over 10 years. Kind of like a book reading of the stories and the thoughts behind the recipes and then share three recipes a week.
I am a little nervous because this is a solo gig. When doing the two-hour show with Amy, I just have to look at her and laugh. She is so fun to talk to; the show is a real-life conversation between two friends who see each other once a month. I also don’t have a sign off yet! Uggg…I need something unusual and possibly food related. We can’t all have a Burns and Allen Tag line like “Say, Goodnight Gracie”… “Goodnight Gracie.”
Maybe you can help me? If you have the best tag line ever and are willing to share it with me drop me an email at sandyholthaus1010@gmail.com. If I use your suggestion, I promise to send you a jar of salted caramel hot fudge!
“It’s not true I had nothing on, I had the radio on.” ~Marilyn Monroe
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes. You can email her your thoughts and messages at sandyholthaus1010@gmail.com. She would love to hear from you.
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