Today is a very difficult day. With the heaviest of hearts we at the CLNS Radio family are mourning the loss of another dear friend and colleague. It was only one year ago, we said goodbye to CLNS family member, Alex Mazollini (AEM). As the wounds of Alex loss are still just mending for our staff and community at CLNS, Tuesday we lost our racing superstar and dear friend, Kate Moss.
To the CLNS and racing community, Kate Moss was known as the host of Race Talk Live. Kate also reported for CLNS at her favorite race tracks. Just this past weekend, her bubbly personality was on the track at Pocono Raceway. She wrote this column for CLNS on Sunday evening.
In addition to her contributions with CLNS Radio, Kate appeared as a regular guest host on PA Live on WBRE TV. She also was the regular host of Northeast Current on the ION TV Network. I had the privilege of co-hosting with Kate many times on Northeast Current. We were scheduled next week to film a show from one of her favorite local restaurants, The Beaumont Inn. Just when you thought there was no time left in the day, Kate started hosting midday on The Nash FM 98.7 for Cummulus [terrestrial] radio.
Outside of Kate's public life, she had an impact on my life since 1992. In our rural northeast PA, "Kate" was known as Holly; a gentle, kind, hardworking warm-hearted human being. Holly and I got to know each other in the summer of 1992. That summer, eighty 8th graders piled into Seton Catholic Freshman orientation. We, as Freshmen, came from several different "feeder" grade schools and few had pre-existing relationships. Understandably, we were all nervous. I can remember thinking to myself, "just say nothing and look at to no one and you won't make a fool out of yourself." I think many of the High School newcomers felt similar to me that day.
Not Holly though.
Holly's impact was already taking shape. She was saying hi to everyone. Her smile was infectious. Her laugh was contagious. Her personality was compelling. Even at the tender age of 13, it was clear Holly was destined for something bigger, something more public. Maybe a star of some sort.
Though we were friends in High School, we did not really get close until she joined CLNS Radio in 2012 as our racing coordinator. We spent a lot of time together on the phone, text, email and face-to-face visits. We were meeting to talk podcasting, blogging, journalism, TV and radio- all the stuff I so frequently do in production-type consults. With Holly though, the conversation never seemed to stick with that boring stuff. Our discussions often drifted to High School, the past, relationships, dreams for the future and just general gossip-type stuff that long-term friends do. For those that know me, and knew Holly/Kate, we are both very energetic people who get bored quickly; it was evident in our "production consults." We were a very unfocussed combination. Funny thing is, looking back, in those unfocussed "production consults," some of the more creative ideas were born. Our collaborations of Northeast Current were born there. Her introduction to the culinary/chef community was born there. Her desire to work in radio were discussed there. Above all else her uncanny way of using her "unfocussed" creativity to help others in charity and just kind acts were certainly evident in those visits.
In addition to being "Kate Moss," Holly was a teacher in the Dallas Area School District where she was adored by her students. I remember saying to Holly once, "Why do you work as a teacher? Your talents and passions lie with radio, TV, sports, etc..." Holly's response was quite simple, "I'm addicted to seeing kids smile. To making a difference in their lives." Again, making an impact, I won't ever forget her saying that. That statement proved the selfless nature of Holly's existence; she lived to bring a smile to other people, to warm their hearts- she certainly warmed mine.
I didn't always realize how much she warmed the hearts of people all over the country.
As stated above, Holly and I were close. I knew Kate Moss had a strong love for NASCAR racing, and sports in general. I used to watch the hundreds of "likes" and comments on her Facebook and Twitter accounts and was quite impressed- I have no shame admitting, a bit of friendly jealousy may have even existed; she and I teased about it often. I knew Kate Moss was quite popular on social media. However, it wasn't until the news of her passing Tuesday, that I really realized just how popular and loved she was.
CLNS Radio receives a lot of Twitter interaction, Facebook messages and mailbag entries on a daily basis. In my 7 years working with CLNS, I NEVER remember receiving the amount of messages, comments, shares, tweets, emails and texts as I did yesterday. Our sympathy post on the CLNS Facebook page was viewed by over 10,000 people. My phone went off with signs of affection, disbelief, concern and speculation alerts all day long yesterday, and they continue this morning. Her family released an official statement to her friends and fans on her Facebook fan page for Racetalk Live last night. You can view that statement and show your love here.
Kate Moss left us yesterday but Holly Golembiewski's constant bursts of optimism and her great life impacts will remain with us forever. Her infectiously positive personality will be sorely missed by her friends, fans and her family here at CLNS Radio.
As when we lost Alex Mazzolini, CLNS Radio will observe a 24-hour blackout on our official company social media accounts. Our company branding has been removed and replaced w a photo in memory of Kate/Holly. All shows broadcasting today will be in Kate's honor. A special edition of Racetalk Live will broadcast at 7 pm ET tonight. Her dear friend and co-host, Stephen Conley, will host the show in her honor. They will share their fond memories of Kate and then do what Kate would have wanted them to do... Talk racing! You can listen to the live broadcast tonight at 7 pm ET here.
Our thoughts, prayers and love are with Holly and the Golembiewski family in this difficult time.
With heavy hearts,
Nick Gelso and the Staff of CLNS Radio
NOTE: The tributes to Kate Moss continue to pour in. Here's one that made me smile and cry at the same time.
