Mike Haszto
Enter the everyday life of Mickey Miller, who co-owns radio station WVVV, V-103, licensed to North Ridgeville, Ohio. He's married to a successful executive and Southern Belle, Leigh, and they have nine children. He's a very happy and well adjusted person who balances his career with his personal and family life...at least up until now.
Follow the rollercoaster ride that Mickey suddenly finds himself on when things around him begin to change. Station rumors. Media circus. Pressure and tension set in. He makes a few quirky decisions and then the seatbelt loosens on his life over the next six days.
Family issues add to the chaos already created...are the media rumors true that his station is being sold to corporate suits, who have been his stated enemy for years? After all, his love of radio is all about personal ownership and control, that radio is really for the listeners. Those corporate suits have been dominating radio for years since the deregulation laws took shape almost two decades ago.
Follow the path that Mickey takes in uncovering these rumors, and what needs to be done to meet the perceived challenges head-on.
Mike Haszto
Long Island NY native (hometown: Islip)
Now resides in North Ridgeville, Ohio
Writer/poet.
First book published, “Of Dampness and Dreams” is book of poetry generally based on life's experiences through the eyes of two unnamed characters.
Second book of poetry “Pieces Of The Heart”, (First book with AuthorHouse) is a collection of life's experiences depicting detailed emotions.
First novel, “Radio Free Mickey” is complete. It is the story of a mom and pop radio station owner, one of the last of its kind in the industry.
Avid fan of baseball, hockey, soccer. Hobbies include the radio industry.
Still plays hockey and indoor soccer in adult leagues.
Local high school hockey coach, youth hockey coach 17 years.
Parrothead disciple.
Favorite quote on writing…
“Anyone can write, but not many can express. The challenge of poetry is in creating the vision, then finding the right words to express it. I have written for over thirty years and find this to be the most challenging form of communication, and yet the most satisfying.”
"This novel has been quite a challenge. A very fulfilling one. I look foward to writing another."
-Mike Haszto
Leigh arrived home from a long day of client meetings and workshops, longing for a quiet calgon night. She pulled into the driveway just as the sun was setting a stupendous orange. She sighed as she looked skyward to enjoy the colors for the moment, then with a warm smile on her face headed for the front door of the brick split level home. The leaves outside layered the driveway up to twelve inches high in spots, and again she smiled warmly as she reacted to the colors displayed at her feet. Leigh was always positive, and a positive force for anyone she came in contact with. Everyone loved her, she had such a genuine caring personality, and a southern charm that could disarm even the meanest of confrontations.
She put the key toward the front door, and the door popped open without the key actually penetrating the keyhole. She felt a strange sense come over her. No lights were on, and with the daylight leaking away quickly, the whole house appeared very dark. She realized when she pulled up into the driveway that Mickey was not there, however, something was definitely amiss in the darkness of the house. She thought Mickey always leaves lights on. Somewhere. It was a metaphor for life she believed. The more lights left on, the more full of life Mickey was that day and time... the less lights signaled a rough day, or a day where he was exhausted. No lights were...not even a rarity. Mystery overtook her as she opened the door wider. She found a light switch, flipped it on out of instinct, and then screamed.
She screamed a second time, and by the third time she wailed, she was caught by a neighbor nearly passing out. Neither of them wanted to enter the house...Leigh was starting to hyperventilate, and couldn't catch her breath while still shrieking. Their neighbor John flipped open his cell phone and called the police immediately.
"911"
"Hi...I'm calling from outside 376 Juniper...looks like something has happened, door was ajar, blood near the entrance, no sign of Mickey the owner, his wife Leigh is standing outside hyperventilating going crazy...she needs help and a police car please."
"Excuse me, who are you?"
"John their neighbor, we live next door at 372 Juniper. I heard her screaming and ran over."
"Is she calming down?"
"No, can't you hear her? I'm trying to calm her down. Geez, there's blood all over the walls and floor, and Mickey is nowhere to be found." "Leigh...Leigh...breathe."
"They're on their way."
"Leigh...LEIGH....breathe...easy...slow it down...we'll figure it out...they're on their way...
Leigh...Leigh...shhhhhhhhhh..." he held her in an effort to calm her down.
Crying, and still shrieking, she yelled, "Oh my God, where's Kevin? He should be home!"
She went uncontrollable again. The sirens could be heard in the distant, and continued to get stronger with every second.
"Kevin! Mickey! Kevin! Mickey! Oh my God...where are they? Something'
