Perry Hibner thought he was done.
After years as a sports editor and later working in school communications, retirement seemed like the next step. But it didn’t take long for something to pull him back.
It started with a simple story he read about fans visiting filming locations from the TV miniseries Centennial. It caught his attention. Made him curious. Maybe even a little jealous.
“I wondered why no one had really told that story,” he said.
That question turned into something bigger.
After connecting with author Cindy Wilson, Hibner started digging. What he thought might be a short piece quickly grew. His first interview lasted 90 minutes—off one question.
“That’s when I knew there was something there,” he said.
Over the next few months, he talked with about 30 people. Actors. Crew members. Even fans. All of it came together in his new book, Centennial Revisited, an oral history of the series.
Hibner didn’t want it to feel polished or distant. He wanted readers to feel like they were part of the conversation. The good moments. The rough ones. Even the criticism.
“You can’t tell the story without everybody,” he said.
That includes people who only had small roles. In his mind, they matter just as much.
He finished writing the book faster than expected. Now it’s out, and he’s enjoying sharing it with readers. And maybe, adding more to it down the road.
For someone who thought he was finished working, Hibner found out something pretty simple.
Some stories don’t stay quiet for long.
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