View from the Cab: Fun at 40

By: Kent Casson

I am officially over the hill.

No, I’m not talking about driving the combine over the high ground or climbing a large mountain. My 40th birthday came and went and I really feel about the same. Even though some say this is a dreaded birthday, I must say my family made it a special one.

Rebecca and the kids showered me with gifts and I was even able to sleep in on the big day since we were in soybeans and didn’t start cutting until late morning. Sleeping in was great since I didn’t return home until 12:30 a.m. the night before from covering a high school football game in western Illinois. They brought my favorite pumpkin bars to the field at lunch although it was a tad windy to blow out all of those candles.

Then, the family treated me to a delicious dinner at a local establishment as I was even able to leave the field a tad early that evening. I guess we make exceptions for turning 40 – that’s a big one! Gifts, cake and time with relatives rounded out the day.

It seems I just turned 30 and here we are 10 years later. They say time just goes by faster as you get older and I truly believe this. I must be having fun because time is flying.

In addition to the birthday milestone, I celebrated another special day this past week which marked my 25th anniversary in radio. How has it been 25 years since that high school freshman took a job at the local radio station when his mom, dad and brother had to transport him to and from work?

Starting out as a part-time board operator on the weekends, I never would have dreamed where my radio experience would take me. I didn’t end up in a big city or big radio market, but I am in the place I call home and that’s all that matters. Thanks to you the listeners for allowing me to be a part of your life each day as you wake up to hear the latest news headlines or agriculture reports.

While plenty has changed in the past 25 years, some things have not. I am still as committed today to bringing my listeners, readers and viewers local news and event coverage as I was back then.

Radio is just in my blood I guess, even after all these years. It is probably something that will always be a part of me – hopefully for the next 25 years as well. I’ll need a few more candles on the old birthday cake by then.