In Greensburg

Larry Hatteberg, left, and M.T. Liggett with the sculpture that honors the longtime KAKE photojournalist.

KAKE’s Larry Hatteberg, the master storyteller, talked to our group this morning. He showed the video he made right after the tornado in Greensburg. It is true Hatteberg, an exceptionally emotional piece even two years later. One woman from Greensburg working in the adjacent church kitchen paused to watch the video and got teary-eyed later when she talked about it.

The best advice Hatteberg offered was to quit talking and listen. That’s a good tip for people in general, not just journalists. Let the people tell the story, he told the students. Don’t get in the way.

Afterward, we talked Hatteberg into going 10 miles west to Mullinville to get a photo of him with highway sculptor M.T. Liggett, who created a piece honoring the skilled photographer in the 1990s. We got the photo, along with a fresh batch of Liggett’s political quips.

Today, Liggett — obviously a KAKE fan — was working on a sculpture of morning anchor Jemelle Holopirek. When finished, she will be placed next to the sculpture of Bill Clinton, who has a padlock on his zipper. Holopirek will be holding the keys to the padlock, Liggett said.

Also in the works are sculptures of President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Satomayer, and Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security secretary. Liggett isn’t fond of either political figure. True to his crusty nature, Liggett quipped that Napolitano “has a big butt and is built so low to the ground that when she farts she blows gravel into her shoes.”

The man is crude, but certainly up-to-date on his current events.

Check out Larry Hatteberg’s video that ran on KAKE shortly after the tornado.