A well-known Regina-based broadcast journalist drove into Kamsack on October 21 to fulfill a promise that he had made to himself when he penned his book The Harasen Line: A Broadcaster’s Memoir.
When Lorne Harasen finished writing his book, he said, he felt sure that the best way to promote the book would be to visit venues in smaller centres, do readings and connect with his audience.
Harasen calls Kamsack “home.” He lived here until he graduated from high school in 1956, but moved to Regina to further his career in the early 1960s and remains there to this day.
At the age of 11, in the fifth grade, Harasen said he knew he was going to be working in the field of broadcasting journalism. He was determined to accomplish this goal, so much so that as he was finishing high school, he wrote a letter to CJGX Yorkton offering his services at minimum wage with the addition of “sweeping floors” added to seal the deal.
He did not do well during his first audition at CKCK radio in Regina, exhibiting such extreme nervousness that it was a “worse case of nerves than when I got married,” he remarked to the approximately 18 people who had assembled at the Kamsack Public Library on Friday to meet Harasen. Licking his wounds, he said he was filled with determination to do better next time.
He was told by the then managers of radio and television stations that they were “no longer hiring inexperienced journalists,” but he was not ready to give up. In 1956 he was hired by Yorkton radio station CJGX, just two weeks after having graduated from high school in Kamsack in 1956. So began a career in radio and television that spanned more than 50 years.
Harasen’s parents wanted him to follow in his father’s footsteps and secure a job with the Canadian National Railway in order to have security and the benefit of a union. He did not divulge to them, until much later, that his first job in broadcasting paid a mere $135 per month and had no union backing.
Retired from his media journalism career in 2006, Harasen was often told by friends and family that, because during his career he had the privilege of interviewing such a variety of individuals, from royalty to the criminal element, he should recount these events in written form. He was finally motivated to begin writing the book, entitled The Harasen Line: A Broadcasters Memoir. Taking approximately 15 months from inception to completion, the book was released in September.
“When I published this book I knew that Kamsack was one of the places that I wanted to come to showcase my literary endeavor,” he said. “Smaller venues, like the Kamsack Public Library, are perfect to do a reading and connect with my audience.”
“And I want to say thank you to all of my listeners over the years. They have been responsible for giving me an interesting and rewarding life.”
Harasen refers to a segment of his book as “name dropping.” During his 50-year career he has interviewed a varied cross-section of people, from politicians to criminals, including: Alvin Karpis, a career criminal who spent time with Al Capone in Alcatraz prison; W.O Mitchell, often referred to as Canada’s Mark Twain; Eugene Whelan, Canada’s most notable Minister of Agriculture; who famously said “A cow is only human;” Don Cherry, a man with heart; Colin Thatcher, and Patsy Cline.
In a segment of the book, Harasen recounts interviews he has done with notables. One in particular with Bing Crosby has given him an enduring bond with not only Crosby himself, but with his surviving widow Kathryn; this bond continues to the present day.
In addition to his career in broadcasting, Harasen has found time to
devote to public service as well, serving six years with the board of the Regina Catholic Schools and six years with the Regina Public Library board and through the Knights of Columbus.
The Harasen Line: A Broadcasters Memoir is available for purchase in both soft and hardcover at Coles in the Yorkton Parkland Mall.
