Journalist Harry Smith is coming to Montezuma

         It’s not every day that I get call from a celebrity, but that was case last week when my cell phone rang.
         I answered the New York City number and the voice on the other end said, “J.O., this is Harry Smith.”
       Yes, you guessed it, the now retired television journalist Harry Smith of CBS and NBC fame was on the line.
     Debbie and I had reached out to Smith, a graduate of Central College in Pella, where Debbie also graduated, asking if he would come speak at our 12th annual All-Iowa Writers’ Conference this fall.
         I happened to know Jeanette Budding, content specialist with the media relations department at Central, and with her help, we were able to make contact with Smith.
      After reaching out to him, Smith wrote me an email a couple weeks ago and I responded. After not hearing from him, Debbie sent a follow up email last week and that resulted in a call.
       We enjoyed a brief conversation and Smith agreed to headline this year’s conference slated for Saturday, Sept. 21 at Community Hope Church in Montezuma.
        He will speak at 9 a.m.
     Smith is teaching a course this fall at Central College on curiosity. When I mentioned that, he said something on the lines of the importance curiosity has in reporting the news.
         I agree, being curious leads to finding great stories.
       I would love to take his course. What a great opportunity for the Central students who will learn from one of the best in the business. 
        Debbie said I did a great job and didn’t talk too much, one of my many specialties.
        During our brief, yet important call, Smith told me he got the job in television because he could write.
        Debbie and I are both in total awe that Smith is coming to Montezuma.
        He’s done it all in the world of journalism.
       A native of Lansing, Ill., Smith received a BA degree in communications and theater from Central College, graduating in 1973.
    According to Wikipedia, Smith began his broadcasting career in radio and television in Denver and Cincinnati.
    He was a contributor to “The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather,” “48 Hours” and CBS News documentaries. He spent time anchoring the “CBS Morning Show.” He was featured on the CBS Evening news  in a weekly report called “Travels with Harry,” in which he looked at unique people and places around the country.
        He went on to host the A&E Network television series “Biography” and The History Channel’s “Modern Marvels.”
         He went on to serve as a substitute anchor for the “CBS Evening News,” “Face the Nation” and “CBS News Sunday Morning. “He also delivered a daily “Harry Smith Reporting” editorial for the CBS Radio Network.
        He then joined NBC and was a substitute anchor on “NBC Nightly News” and a contributed a weekly story on Sunday mornings on the weekend edition of NBC’s Today in a segment called “Sundays with Harry.”
         He served along with his former colleague Erica Hill from “The Early Show.” And he was part of a rotating group of co-hosts that filled the co-anchor chair after it was vacated by Lester Holt.
         He retired from NBC News in March 2024.
         "I have nothing but gratitude... Every time I would always come on this show, I was always welcomed so generously,” Smith said in retiring. “I've had just this unbelievable array of phenomenal experiences since coming to NBC, and so I'm really full of nothing but gratitude. Every time I've come on, everyone would drop their phones, pay attention to the story and then respond."
           Smith lives in New York City with his wife, sportscaster Andrea Joyce, and their two sons.
         I turn 65 in September and life gets better every day. It’s fun to see where hard work saddled with a “can do” attitude can open doors and make a way to good things.
         Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.