Keith's Blog
Buffalo's most senior Anchorman, on the air continuously at Eyewitness News now for 23 years.
Keith began his career in the news business in 1971 at CKLW-TV and Radio in Detroit/Windsor, his hometown. After stints in Detroit, Ottawa, Toronto and Salt Lake City he arrived at WKBW-TV to Anchor Eyewitness News at 5 and within a few years was Anchoring at 6 and 11 as well.
"I can't believe how time has flown by, it seems like just yesterday when i arrived in the Queen City and it felt like home from day one"
Keith has travelled the world to bring Western New Yorkers the news that affects them for decades now. Most notably, with the troops during the Iraq war, Hurricane releif efforts in the Carribean, the political conventions from coast to coast and in Los Angeles from the very beginning of the O J Simpson story. Keith and his wife Linda, along with their dog "Frankie", live in the Village of Lewiston, with three of their four children now grown and the youngest finishing college in Washington DC.
Yes, Frankie has come home to Western New York after his extended winter vacation in Florida. If you are a regular reader of this Blog, then you know what a time I had taking him down there on the plane last New Years day. There was no way I was going to subject another plane load of passengers to that constant whining, barking and howling. There was only one solution.
I worked till midnight last Friday. Got three hours of sleep and then headed for the Buffalo Airport. I took off at 5:45am, arrived in Fort Myers at 10:30, jumped into the waiting car with Frankie and his Mother and immediately hit the highway.
Twenty two hours and fifteen hundred miles later Frank was back home in Western New York. That's right, I drove him all the way home! Have you seen the price of gasoline lately? I could have flown to Europe! Do you think he might be a little spoiled?!
I worked till midnight last Friday. Got three hours of sleep and then headed for the Buffalo Airport. I took off at 5:45am, arrived in Fort Myers at 10:30, jumped into the waiting car with Frankie and his Mother and immediately hit the highway.
Twenty two hours and fifteen hundred miles later Frank was back home in Western New York. That's right, I drove him all the way home! Have you seen the price of gasoline lately? I could have flown to Europe! Do you think he might be a little spoiled?!
I knew it was a bad idea to go to bed at nine o'clock last night. I knew that even though I was tired, I would pay for it later. Sure enough I was up at the crack of three thirty, there was no way I could get back to sleep. So, I decided to turn on the tv and see what was happening. You can imagine my surprise when the first thing I saw was "Breaking News" from ABC, and of course the story was Osama bin Laden.
It's been almost ten years since 9/11 and even though we will never forget what happened on that dreadful day, I think for some, the memory had begun to fade just a little bit. I always believed this day would eventually come.
As I watched the coverage on television there was no question the story was back on the front burner again. Tell me if I am wrong here, but I couldn't help feel a little bit uncomfortable at the "celebration" over people being killed. Don't get me wrong, I think bin Laden got exactly what he deserved, and it was long overdue. I would have gladly done him in myself, if I'd had the chance. I just thought a reaction that was a bit more humble or reserved may have been more appropriate. Maybe it's because of what I do each night, always doing my best to report the news in a neutral and unbiased manner. Even the News Anchors I watched last night seemed to be jumping on the band wagon, there was no question that they too were celebrating. A little too close to the story I think.
One other thought, let's not forget that just because this madman is gone, there is still a terrorist threat out there. Maybe his followers will become even more ruthless, in retaliation to their leader's demise.
I love this country and i feel much better now that bin Laden is gone, but I am not celebrating.
It's been almost ten years since 9/11 and even though we will never forget what happened on that dreadful day, I think for some, the memory had begun to fade just a little bit. I always believed this day would eventually come.
As I watched the coverage on television there was no question the story was back on the front burner again. Tell me if I am wrong here, but I couldn't help feel a little bit uncomfortable at the "celebration" over people being killed. Don't get me wrong, I think bin Laden got exactly what he deserved, and it was long overdue. I would have gladly done him in myself, if I'd had the chance. I just thought a reaction that was a bit more humble or reserved may have been more appropriate. Maybe it's because of what I do each night, always doing my best to report the news in a neutral and unbiased manner. Even the News Anchors I watched last night seemed to be jumping on the band wagon, there was no question that they too were celebrating. A little too close to the story I think.
One other thought, let's not forget that just because this madman is gone, there is still a terrorist threat out there. Maybe his followers will become even more ruthless, in retaliation to their leader's demise.
I love this country and i feel much better now that bin Laden is gone, but I am not celebrating.
My wife has been spending time in Florida this winter. So, I get to cook and eat alone every day. Have you ever looked to see what's really in your freezer?
I began going through that thing back in January. I have been eating out of it now for three months, and it's still not empty! You wouldn't believe what I have found. Steaks, frozen dinners, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, garlic bread, salmon fillets, shrimp, pork chops and just about every kind of vegetable known to mankind. I have to go to the grocery store about once every two weeks, and all I need is half and half for my coffee, Orange juice and the occasional loaf of bread.
So after three months of pulling stuff out of there almost every day, there is still a pile of food in there and I haven't even had a chance yet to get to the freezer out in the garage!
I'm afraid to go into the pantry! From a distance I can see dozens of cans, jars, bottles and packages. I have no doubt that i can easily live for another year without ever having to leave the house!
I began going through that thing back in January. I have been eating out of it now for three months, and it's still not empty! You wouldn't believe what I have found. Steaks, frozen dinners, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, garlic bread, salmon fillets, shrimp, pork chops and just about every kind of vegetable known to mankind. I have to go to the grocery store about once every two weeks, and all I need is half and half for my coffee, Orange juice and the occasional loaf of bread.
So after three months of pulling stuff out of there almost every day, there is still a pile of food in there and I haven't even had a chance yet to get to the freezer out in the garage!
I'm afraid to go into the pantry! From a distance I can see dozens of cans, jars, bottles and packages. I have no doubt that i can easily live for another year without ever having to leave the house!
What a great weekend I had! Was fortunate enough to be invited to the Sabre's game against Atlanta on Saturday night. It's been a couple of years since I attended a game and I had forgotten how much fun it is! Sat up in the Press Box with my old friend John Murphy. It was so good to see so many old friends. Went into the broadcast booth and visited with Rick Jeanneret and Harry Neale. Stood in the 200 level and caught up with Mike Robitaille, as "The Dominator" was being interviewed. What a great standing ovation from the crowd when Dominik dropped the puck for the face off. To top it all off, Buffalo won 8-2! If only I had gone the next night when Nashville came to town. Maybe i could have brought the team a little more luck!
Then on Sunday it was the big St. Patrick's Day Parade down Delaware Avenue. For a change, the weather was actually pretty good. Was so nice walking the parade route and meeting so many great people. Although I think there may be a few of them who don't remember even being there! No shortage of "Green Beer", as is always the case on St. Paddy's Day!
Then on Sunday it was the big St. Patrick's Day Parade down Delaware Avenue. For a change, the weather was actually pretty good. Was so nice walking the parade route and meeting so many great people. Although I think there may be a few of them who don't remember even being there! No shortage of "Green Beer", as is always the case on St. Paddy's Day!
It's been 24 hours but it still really hasn't sunk in. So many of us in shock over the death of one of our beloved Sabre's. He was among the very best to ever wear the jersey. Rick Martin had already retired by the time I arrived in Buffalo in 1987, but I certainly remember watching him play hockey when I lived at the other end of Lake Erie. I might have been a Red Wings fan but I certainly knew of Martin and Gare and Imlach and so many other Buffalo hockey hero's.
In the 24 years I have been here in Western New York now, I had the pleasure of getting to know two members of the "French Connection". It was such a pleasure hanging out with Rick and Rene at so many of the charity golf outings each summer. Two very classy guys. We will miss the never-ending jokes and the big cigars and the ever-present smile, or smirk that Rick always had. You were always left wondering if he knew something you didn't, but should have.
Thanks so much Rick, for the memories.
In the 24 years I have been here in Western New York now, I had the pleasure of getting to know two members of the "French Connection". It was such a pleasure hanging out with Rick and Rene at so many of the charity golf outings each summer. Two very classy guys. We will miss the never-ending jokes and the big cigars and the ever-present smile, or smirk that Rick always had. You were always left wondering if he knew something you didn't, but should have.
Thanks so much Rick, for the memories.
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