Flicklives


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Guest Book Shep's fans from all over

Illinois
57 Guests Found

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Cynthia Calvin
, Illinois

Joined: May 21, 2001

Shep fan since: 2001
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 573

John Stoesser
Barrington, Illinois

Joined: August 19, 2005

Shep fan since: 1980
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1523

Glenn Weiss
Bloomington, Illinois

Joined: October 20, 2000

Shep fan since: 1980
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 267

Keith Pollok
Champaign, Illinois

Joined: October 20, 2003

Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1076

Comments:
I am grateful to you for setting up this website. I have been slowly working my way through his radio shows thanks to Max Schmid, and this is a great addition.

Bob Mueller
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: February 27, 2000

Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 23

Jack Hickey
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: September 26, 2000

Shep fan since: 1975
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 236

WC Mericle
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: October 14, 2000

Shep fan since: 1976
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 259

David Charles White
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: May 04, 2001

Shep fan since: 1959
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 556

Larry Kloth
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: January 17, 2003

Shep fan since: 1999
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 785

Tony Judge
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: July 26, 2003

Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1019

Gloria Czarnik
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: November 30, 2003

Shep fan since: 1972
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1101

Comments:
The Chicago Tribune ran a story on Christmas Story. I had to visit this sight. I have family in NW Indiana and sometimes drive down Kennedy Ave past Flicks. I'm just another Polish girl from East Chicago.

Joe Paszczyk
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: December 01, 2003

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 1103

Comments:
Like the writers below, I saw the article in the Sunday Tribune. It struck a cord. I grew up in Hegewisch, a neighborhood in Chicago right across the border from East Chicago, Indiana. 'Christmas Story' could have been mine-- the neighborhood, the people, the experiences. I have been a fan of Shep for years. I marvel at his ability to tell an engaging story with none of the gizmos we see on TV nowadays. I work in TV. Trust me: his way was better.

Steve Golden
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: June 26, 2004

Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1269

Howard Newman
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: December 31, 2004

Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1420

Comments:
Like so many other fans I discovered Shep as an adolescent. His power seemed to be, in hindsight, the abilty to create a sense of true intimacy between us kids and this hip adult who was giving us the true scoop on how life worked, without expecting anything from us. He was the very essence of radio as a "hot" media that truly envolved and engaged the listener. Who even attempts to create the level of personal communciation that Jean Shepherd achieved for decades?

Gloria Smith
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: July 06, 2005

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1494

Comments:
I'm from East Chicago and Polish. I knew about Flick's tap because one of my friend's father patronized it. Unfortunately, Shep's radio shows were not heard in Chicago. When I was in college in the late 60's, many of the east coast guys I met were familiar with the show. I went to a university with a lot of engineers. What can I say, there were a lot of geeky guys who thought meeting a Polish girl from East Chicago was the high point of their lives. Every woman should be a goddess at some point in her life.

Steven Weiss
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: July 20, 2005

Shep fan since: 1983
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1498

Comments:
I once worked for an eccentric shoe store owner who collected OTR on cassetts. While I worked in the back of the store he would play these tapes for my entertainment. One of these tapes was a JS performance at what must have been a college in the 1970s. How my employer got this tape I have know idea, but I recognized its importance and requested a copy. What an amazing story he weaved about his first day in high school ending with his miraculous algebra class experience. Can anyone tell me the specifics of the JS date? Answer privately please.

Art Tursh
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: November 30, 2005

Shep fan since: 1961
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1519

Comments:
Shep talked me to sleep for many years. I lived for those Limelight shows. I've listened to a lot of talk radio through the years but Shep is still #1. Thank you for putting up this site!

Jan Madia
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: December 31, 2005

Shep fan since: 1975
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1588

Comments:
When I ask people my age (57)if the ever heard of Jean Shepherd they say "Who?" Boy, did they miss out! I really love his humor and how real his experience was. It gives me the feeling that it's all going to be OK! Even today....

David V
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: December 24, 2006

Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1876

Comments:
Lying there in bed at night with the lights out listening to Shep is an indelible childhood memory. While the show was 45 minutes, it seemed like seconds between when the music faded out and then faded in. I really wish a radio station had the courage to find and then run his old tapes at 10pm. The stories were timeless.

Tom O'Connor
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: November 16, 2007

Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 2635

Comments:
Happened across his first Playboy story while looking at other "articles." Listened to his radio rebroadcasts on WBEZ and eventually bought all the books.

Walt Waymond (actor,writer)
Chicago, Illinois

Joined: May 16, 2009

Shep fan since: 1992
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 2858

Comments:
I am working on a script for a new film,not a sequel to A Christmas Story or Summer Story, but entirely different and would also like to do a show based on SHep's stories, email me at mvpwaymond@sbcglobal.net if anybody is interested.

Paul H. Weberling
Chicago(orig.Newark,N.J.), Illinois

Joined: July 26, 2001

Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 652

Mike Joyce
Crystal Lake, Illinois

Joined: June 24, 2007

Shep fan since: 1961
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 2221

Comments:
Heard about this site from a bartender at the Jungle Bar in Evansville, Indiana. Still searching your site, but still have not found my favorite Jean Sheperd radio spot. I heard it in Chicago while driving, maybe in the late 60s or early 70s. Seems like it was the CBS radio network, but could have been NPR. Jean was reminising about summers in Northern Indiana: a plastic radio on the fridge is playing a camp Hawaiian tune (Aloha Oye!). As I recall, he uses this song as a refrain throughout. But the spot is really about going to the beach in Hammond and floating on an old inner tube on Lake Michigan: the soot from the mills drifting down, an empty wine bottle floats by ... It was just fantastic, probably the best modern American audio humor I've ever heard. If anyone who reads this know the title of this exceptional piece, I would be most grateful. Mike

Robert August
Elgin, Illinois

Joined: May 18, 2005

Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1485

Rob Grierson
Evanston, Illinois

Joined: June 07, 2000

Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 104

Jeff Jeff Boarini
Evanston, Illinois

Joined: January 24, 2001

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 418

Dennis Eastman
Forsyth, Illinois

Joined: December 12, 2003

Shep fan since: 1961
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 1135

Comments:
When I was very young, my family lived in a neighborhood in Hammond, Indiana and Jean brought back memories of that place to me and my mom and dad. (The belching coal furnace, the bitter Indiana cold, the Mills (My dad worked @ Lever Bros. in Hammond), the diversity of the neighborhood, etc.) This was a happy time for us and Jean kept lovingly alive in our hearts and minds. When "Christmas Story" came out, it was like looking at old home movies of us.

Patrick Rowe
Glenview, Illinois

Joined: September 10, 2001

Shep fan since: 1986
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 673

Laurie Berg
Hinsdale, Illinois

Joined: September 09, 2004

Shep fan since: 1982
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1308

Comments:
I first say "Fourth of July and Other Disasters" when my father made me sit down and watch it as an eleven year old. It was hilarious. I was later introduced to Josephene Cosnowski, and it was spectacular. Growing up 100% Polish made it even funnier as I could identify with the Polish family. What is frustrating is that I have no way of showing these movies to my children as I have not been able to find them on DVD or VHS.

Steve Coppola
La Grange Park, Illinois

Joined: June 29, 2000

Shep fan since: 1976
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 135

Dave Hayes
LaGrange, Illinois

Joined: February 11, 2005

Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1436

Comments:
I grew up in Whiting, Indiana so could well relate to all of his stories about, "da region." When and where is the next Shepfest?

Dolores Langlois
Lagrange Park, Illinois

Joined: January 14, 2005

Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1424

Comments:
I have a tape of a talk he gave in Chautauqua, NY that is priceless. It was done in 7/31/84. And of course his movie Christmas Story. I was hoping to get more tapes or CD's

Kevin Dafler
Lombard, Illinois

Joined: December 17, 2003

Shep fan since: 1969
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1142

Comments:
I'm one of those kids you ention who used to lay in bed in the dark and marvel as Shep spoke to "me" via my sub-pillow transistor radio. A sixth-grade classmate clued me in to not only the radio show, but also "IGWT;AOPC", which I read many times as a pre-teen, and loved completely. I can still vividly picture in my mind, from Sheps wonderful descriptions, the old woman in the Horn and Hardart cafetia with the beet juice running down her chin! Anyone else remember the "Year One" poster Shep promoted and sold via his radio show? I got it, wish I still had it... Great site, thanks for rekindling so many great memories!!

Mark Linke
Morris, Illinois

Joined: December 31, 2003

Shep fan since: 1983
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1183

Comments:
I'm of the generation that wasn't around during Shep's radio days, but of course I was hooked with "A Christmas Story" and always wanted to read the books it was based on. Every year on Christmas for the last decade my Brother-in-Law and I would watch the movie and argue about the location and the exact time of the real story (I said Hammond because of the Goldblatt's and 1939-1940 due to the Wizard of Oz characters)and then I finally read "In God we Trust..." What I discovered through the book and confirmed on this website was that Shep was actually talking about my late Father's elementary school and neighborhood in Hessville, their homes being only 2 or 3 blocks apart (my Dad grew up on Marshall Avenue). While Shep was a few years older than my Dad, they travelled the same streets and visited the same haunts! Now that my Dad is gone and his parents home was sold back in 1995, I have an even greater connection to a time and place I will never hear my father describe again. But it means the world to me that I will be able to hear it through Jean Shepherd.

Whit Downer
Morton Grove, Illinois

Joined: June 22, 2005

Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1491

Comments:
Not my first time at this site - but I sure do enjoy coming back! Thanks for being here! Whit

Larry Williams
Mt Vernon, Illinois

Joined: March 13, 2003

Shep fan since: 1978
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 910

Comments:
Jean Shepherd is one of the greatest storytellers and writer in American literature. I believe he is the Mark Twain of twentieth century America.

Larry Williams
Mt Vernon, Illinois

Joined: September 06, 2004

Shep fan since: 1973
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1306

Joe Enochs
Murrayville, Illinois

Joined: January 15, 2004

Shep fan since: 1972
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1201

Comments:
I saw the Phantom Of The Open Hearth when I was a teenager. Later, while watching the Christmas Story I recognized the narrator. Now, at 40+ years, I am still trying to find an affordable copy of the movie The Phantom Of The Open Hearth.

Sue Ekkebus (Henning)
Naperville, Illinois

Joined: December 02, 2003

Shep fan since: 1990
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1105

Comments:
Read the November 30th article in the Chicago Tribune, and came to this site. My Mom, then Phyllis Livingston, was born and grew up in Hammond and graduated Hammond High, class of 1927. Her Aunt and Uncle lived in Hessville. I, too, was born in Hammond in the late '50s, and grew up in Lansing, Illinois, just across the border from Indiana. My husband's favorite movie is A Christmas Story.

Keith Kalemba
Oak Park (formerly Toms River, NJ), Illinois

Joined: October 13, 2000

Shep fan since: 2000
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 258

stan pedziwiatr
orland hills, Illinois

Joined: June 17, 2004

Shep fan since: 1974
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1300

Bill Carney
Palatine, Illinois

Joined: November 28, 2006

Shep fan since: 1979
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1841

Comments:
A friend of mine in 1979 told me about re-broadcasts that were being broadcasted around the time we left the office each day. One listen, and I was hooked. Often I would arrive home and wait in the car to the displeasure of my wife and kids, just to finish listening to his stories. While I am a lot older now, still a music fan, I am always reminded during The Christmas Story or this great story teller. I miss that experience and wish it was available again.

Ernest Johnson
Peoria, Illinois

Joined: May 27, 2000

Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 210

Bob Quick
Peru, Illinois

Joined: May 18, 2001

Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 570

Buz Hodges
Plainfield, Illinois

Joined: August 14, 2001

Shep fan since: 1982
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 661

john connell
rockford, Illinois

Joined: December 27, 2003

Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1174

Comments:
I first discovered Shep in 1966 when I bought "In God We Trust..." as a birthday present for myself. Every year since my 16th birthday I would purchase a hardcover book as a "gift to self". I had read a review in the Chicago Trib and decided that this was a "must read". While in the army I read his stories from Playboy (why weren't these reprinted?). Twenty years later a friend from New York told me of Shep's radio program and listened with envy to his glowing praise. Often the Chicago station (WBBM or WMAQ) would air a short commentary. Then came the movies , the PBS films, an his series for PBS. Yep, I've been a fan for over half my life! Time well spent! john

John Connell
Rockford, Illinois

Joined: December 31, 2005

Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1587

Comments:
My son recently married a wonderful girl from Australia. To show her family what the typical middle-class, middle-American, family is like we sent them a copy of "In God We Trust..." and "A Christmas Story". We all felt that Shep could explain us better than anyone else!

Joel Gruizenga
Rolling Meadows, Illinois

Joined: January 12, 2005

Shep fan since: 1985
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1422

Comments:
If you haven't already, you need to read his books. They are excellant.

Peter Borgia
Sherman, Illinois

Joined: July 12, 2006

Shep fan since: 1962
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1691

P M
Urbana, Illinois

Joined: February 21, 2006

Shep fan since: 1978
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1638

Comments:
Unknown #8 - 'Romantic Music' - 4-29-66 Show Is from Schwanda the bagpiper

Kevin Hussey
Wheaton, Illinois

Joined: December 03, 2004

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1365

Comments:
I'm interested in getting a copy of Phantom of the Open Hearth.

Gary Foltz
Wheeler, Illinois

Joined: December 25, 2003

Shep fan since: 1972
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1160

Comments:
I loved his short stories, and I watch The movie every Christmas.

Richard Kennedy
Wheeling, Illinois

Joined: November 12, 2005

Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1547

Comments:
I got turned on to this site less than 24 hours ago when I got an email from an old high school buddy that I recently reconnected with. It was a business related e-mail but at the very end of it he mentioned this site. Naturally I checked it out immediately. We had both been at the Shep press conference at the Overseas Press Club in New York in March 1970. I remember as Shep came into the room that day I played "Hail to the Chief" on my kazoo. Shep referred to my rendition that night on his show on WOR. It's still the only 50,000 watt mention I've ever gotten. I grew up on Long Island and listened to Shep every night while I was in high school from 1968 through 1972. My dad used to listen to Shep and I got the habit from him. I still vividly remember the day I picked up my copy of In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash at the local book store. I now live in the suburbs of Chicago. I'll have to make the trip over to Hammond to check out Flick's Tap. Jean Shepherd was definitely a big part of my formative years.

bob wojnarowski
willow brook, Illinois

Joined: December 24, 2003

Shep fan since: 1972
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 1157

Nancy Munsell
Witt, Illinois

Joined: May 08, 2000

Shep fan since: 1998
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 193

James Mostowski
Wood Dale, Illinois

Joined: December 19, 2003

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1150

Comments:
Started with Car& Driver articles staring in 1970, read whatever I could find, discovered the radio show in 1974 on Chicago's NPR (WBEZ) station. Been a lifelong fan ever since. What a guy! The epitome of a Raconteur! I especially remember his broadcasts regarding his military experiences on the mobile radar!

John Vrett
Woodstock, Illinois

Joined: June 26, 2000

Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 132

"Can you imagine 4,000 years passing, and you're not even a memory?
Think about it, friends. It's not just a possibility. It is a certainty." - Jean Shepherd - 1975