Hank remembers:

Though I may have changed careers -- from broadcaster to aquaculturist -- I have remained journalistically involved. For the past fifteen years or so, I have been writing a bi-monthy serial for the local newspaper, The Lubec Light, called Sea Farmer Hank: Aquacultured.

Additionally, here is a tid bit that may be of interest to some of you fellow broadcasters, especially anyone of you that has ever done a radio play. (I think all jocks have been involed in that at one time or another; especially back at college stations). Anyway, I have written a few novels. The first is titled Where is the Messiah (with a setting right here in tiny ole Lubec, Maine -- the most eastern town in the U.S.)

With these books, the reader is encouraged to assign parts and read it as an audio; or radio production. This style of writing for me was a creation from my radio Drama producing days back at KTXT-FM, Texas Tech's College station back in the mid sixties. We wrote and produced many; even did our version of The War of the Worlds. I think every DJ in town was summonsed to do a voice-part in that production.

Reading over my radio history might have evoked a bit of confusion. But in all actuality I was a glutton for punishment, for during my 'hay day' I worked five radio stations at one time, plus I was a full-time student going to Texas Tech. This charade had a life span of about three months and culminated with three days of no sleep for studing for mid term exams, when the end came crashing down. What possesed me to do this? I really can't say, but when you're young the 'foolish factor' often prevails.

This is one of my favorite stories and there are many. This happened in the fall 1967 in Lubbock:

Here was my schedule; going to College at Texas Tech mornings and late afternoon; worked 1) Noon-3 weekdays at KBFM (now KLLL FM); 2) 9pm-11pm Tues and Thurs at the college station KTXT-FM; 3) Midnight-6am weekdays at KLBK; 4) Did sports for KPOS Post, Texas on Friday nights; traveling with the High School football team and recording the play by play on reel to reel tape for playback on Saturdays; and 5) D.J noon to Sign off at KLLL AM on Sundays.

I had been up for three straight days, but just had to get a few winks of shuteye. KBFM carried TSN (Texas State Net) on the hour and about 8 other feeder stations around Lubbock picked up our signal for their news. I spotted the 17-minute version of Hugo Montenegro's Hang 'Em High (how ironic). I put on the album and caught those needed zzzzzs.

I woke up to the buzz of the intercom; and glanced up; the clock on the wall says ten past 1pm and the only audio tone eminating was the telltale "tha thump tha thump". Ten minutess of silence and who was buzzing me? Who else; but my Boss, one Sky Corbin, up there in his KLLL office on the twentieth floor of the Great Plains Building. He says, "Hank, make it up here pronto!" One announcer tried to cover for me telling Sky I was in the Bathroom, but I said, "Sky, I have to tell the truth, I had been up for three days studying and working at five stations, and couldn't take it any more. I just fell asleep. Plain and simple. He says, "I appreciate your honesty, but your fired!"

That was the best thing that could have happended to me; it brought me to my senses; I dropped all the stations except the KLBK midnight to 6am.

The irony of this story is that Sky Corbin knew I was down in Corpus Christi working the summer of 1968 at KRYS; he called me up and said, "Are you coming back to Tech?" I said, "In the fall," and he said, "How'd you like to do afternoon drive at KLLL?" I said, "you betcha!" Wherever you may be today, Sky, thanks for being a great boss.

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