Snowball Fights & Stage Fright

By Cindy Hanson, Former KINK Mid-Day Host

I used to go on the air following Les and Rebecca and whenever it snowed they would try to surprise each other at the end of the newscast with a snowball. But each one knew it was coming (and so did the listeners!) I remember nearly driving off the road, I was laughing so hard as I was on my way to work! It was hysterical ! When I got to the studio Les would be frantically trying to clean up all the water from the melted snowballs. He knew how I hated messes, and he was apologizing and wiping up water!

I remember the many events Les emceed. I was inspired by his ease in front of big crowds because I had such terrible stage fright. Every year he emceed an annual benefit for children with cancer. One year he couldn’t make it due to a schedule conflict and he asked me to take his place. I filled in for him, but I remember feeling like I couldn’t possibly come close to his extraordinary stage presence. I asked him ahead of time if he had any advice and if he ever had fright underneath his calm demeanor in front of an audience. He said, “Oh, sure, but it goes away as soon as you start speaking and looking at all the people – they are happy to see you and want you to do well.” That helped me overcome my stage fright. I remember watching him get up in front of kids at a show at the Children’s Fair. He began by shouting, “We’re all gonna have a hootenanny!” The kids went crazy… he made everything so much fun!

It was an event called “Henry’s Handcar Derby,” sponsored by Henry Weinhard’s Beer, from a bygone era when there was a Blitz Weinhard Brewery downtown Portland. Les Sarnoff and I arrived to do our duties as co-emcees for the event. From where we were perched, high above the curb, you could look down on 100’s of “yuppies,” all wearing those large khaki shorts. From our vantage point, you could see up everyone’s shorts! I honestly tried to ignore it, but it became too much and everything I said digressed into the gutter of juvenile innuendo. Les was a perfect gentleman and tried to ignore my juvenile comments, but eventually began to chuckle at my inside jokes, unknown to anyone else.

FYI… this is what he replied to me in an email in January when I heard about his struggle and I emailed him words of encouragement:

“Please excuse the lateness of replying to your message but it’s been a bit overwhelming. I truly appreciate your thoughts, prayers and cherish them all and look forward to when I’m back on the air, sharing them all with you. There is so much kindness and love in this world, and you are an example of what a difference one person can make in another person’s life. Especially coming from a friend like you, Cindy, who I’ve admired over all these years. Much appreciated, Les.”

Cindy Hanson