February 2010; Volume 28, Issue 2
|
|
 |
|
Volunteer Profile: Curt Bennett
by Barbara Paris, Volunteer Associate Editor Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Curtis Bennett graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis in 1960. He received his AA from Long Beach City College (CA) in 1963, was drafted in 1964, joined the Marine Corps and went through flight training. He received his Navy Wings in 1965. Orders to Vietnam came in 1968, where he flew 201 missions of close air support in six months. He was then assigned to the Korean Marines (ROKS) as an Air Liaison Officer, returning home in 1969 as an instructor pilot in the Marine Corps Reserves while finishing graduate school. He received his BA in Radio/TV from Long Beach State (CA) in 1971, and his MA (with Honors) in Instructional Media/Education in 1973. Quite a busy life crowded into 31 years! Still, the most exciting thing Curt remembers as a child is playing high school football in St. Louis during a Father's Day event. He scored three touchdowns, and his Dad told him he "couldn't be any prouder than he was that day." Curt said, "It feels good when Dad is proud of you." Curt met Jill in 1978. They "instantly clicked" and enjoyed thirty wonderful years before his wife died in 2008. "She was the best thing that ever happened to me and was my best friend and the love of my life." Curt has one son, Scott (now 38) who works for the government and in the Army Reserves, scheduled to go to Afghanistan sometime this year. Jill had three children from a previous marriage, two of whom live and work in California; the other lives in Texas. Curt worked for CBS and Viacom International in TV on such shows as "All in the Family," "The Carol Burnett Show," "The Don Rickles Show," "Bob Newhart" and "Sonny & Cher." He then went to work to introduce "Showtime" for Viacom when satellite television became a reality. He chose this as a career because he liked the idea of taking an idea, interpreting it through a medium, and conveying a message via mass media. "However," he adds, "I think today mass media tends to influence people's opinions and to dictate beliefs rather than letting people evaluateinformation and Reach their own conclusions and opinions." Curt is proudest of becoming a Marine Jet Fighter Pilot, combat flying in Vietnam and surviving the war. He has written of his war experiences and his life experiences, and has dabbled in poetry. His philosophy about the Vietnam War is that it was "probably the most historical event [he] witnessed as a participant." Audio Reader reviewed his writings, which detailed the death experience, war experience, politics and war, and a book on flying titled God Don't Fly Airplanes. These were accepted into the Audio Reader Library and are now on file with Audio-Reader. "Audio Reader presents a unique opportunity to take the words from books and put them down in another media, recording the words from the written page. I am proud to be a part of Audio-Reader. The people who work there are the finest anywhere, and all are dedicated to helping others less fortunate and providing them with a service they cannot get anywhere else." |
|
CondolencesMichael Combest, husband of Audio-Reader volunteer Hannes Combest, died on January 16. We offer our most sincere condolences to Hannes and the rest of the family, and we hope they will find comfort in their memories of Michael and from friends and family as they support each other through this difficult time. Volunteer DeployedAudio-Reader volunteer Emily Alley is being deployed for the next four months to help in the aftermath of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake. We will remember you, Emily, during this time of service, and we appreciate your willingness and desire to serve. Call us when you get back! Showtime!Lawrence Comm-unity Theatre's next production features the talents of two Audio-Reader volunteers! Jocelyn Buckner will play the part of Becca in LCT's upcoming production of Rabbit Hole. Volunteer Mary Ann Saunders is Assistant Director. Performances will be held February 25-28 and March 4-7. For ticket information, call Lawrence Community Theatre at 843-7469. Biography of Local Interest Available-- Free!Local author Jim Cap- linger has donated several copies of his book "From Darkness to Light: Through Other's Eyes, A True Story of Tuesdays with Oliver" to Audio-Reader. Oliver Burns was an Audio-Reader listener and supporter from Topeka who worked as a massage therapist at the Topeka YMCA. If you want a copy of this book, please see Lori. Picture PerfectTwo on the Aisle host Cindy Haines checked one off her bucket list recently. She met Beatle Paul McCartney during a trip to the Critics Choice Movie Awards in Hollywood last month! Contact UsIf you have questions or comments about Audio-Reader or Closed Circuit, please contact us. Kansas Audio-Reader Network
Phone: (785) 864-4600 |
||
|
|
|
){kind=link}
){kind=link}