Flicklives


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Guest Book Shep's fans from all over

Indiana
68 Guests Found

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LaVerna VanDan
Boone Grove, worse than Hammond, Indiana

Joined: September 10, 2004

Shep fan since: 1985
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1309

Comments:
Hooray for Shep! He had to have been a snoop, spying on me as I grew up in the shadows of the big mills. He must have seen my house on Oak street and accompanied me on the playground at Henry S. Evans School. He had to have known my mom (AKA the snowsuit bundler) and my dad (AKA the recipient of many MAJOR AWARDS). I remember the Santa/scene at Montgomery Wards in the Village-- anybody else remember that one?. He had to have been there on Christmas morning with my siblings and I when we unwrapped such notables as Bozo the rockem sockem clown and yes, my BB Gun (really it was an air rifle--my parents really believed that stuff about shooting my eye out, but close enough). He had a keen eye, sharp ear and honest heart! He is my literary hero--the only writer who could possibly make the Calumet Region shine with authenticity! Can't wait for the fest! Hope someone has a copy of My Summer Story on video.

Bonnie Foreman
Bremen, Indiana

Joined: July 22, 2003

Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1014

Comments:
Wish I had heard him on the radio--I would have loved it, too. Don't know which came first--a short story I read or a PBS show. But my husband growing up in Northwestern Indiana and me in Southwestern Michigan gave us the feeling of instant connection for the times and places he talked about. We were just talking about it today and decided to do a little searching.

Michelle Moscato
Carmel, Indiana

Joined: December 30, 2000

Shep fan since: 1990
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 380

norm Bittner
charlestown, Indiana

Joined: May 16, 2006

Shep fan since: 1950
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1665

Tina Pogue
Chesterton, Indiana

Joined: March 20, 2003

Shep fan since: 1983
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 919

Comments:
I teach in Hammond. I was happy to see the Community Center named after Jean. My husband grew up in Hammond and was a friend of Jean's brother. My family loves A Christmas Story! It is such a classic!!!!!

Ken Andersen
Crown Point, Indiana

Joined: December 01, 2003

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 1102

Comments:
I read about your site in the Chicago Tribune this past weekend. The site is fantastic! I first became aware of Mr. Shepherd many years ago watching "The Great American Dream Machine" on Chicago PBS station WTTW. I absolutely fell in love with his story telling, his narrative voice and even the fact that we are from the same area here (Crown Point is the county seat for Hammond, and I grew up even closer that that adjacent to Hammond in Munster, Indiana.) Without question, I firmly believe he was the premiere story teller of our generation. I commend you for keeping alive awareness of his contributions. Thank you for the great job.

Kathie Godfrey
Crown Point, Indiana

Joined: December 26, 2003

Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1169

Comments:
I remember listening to Shepherd on NBC radio as I lay in the backseat of my parents Ford station wagon when I was a little kid in suburban Chicago. Since seeing Phantom of the Open Hearth on WTTW Chicago and reading In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories, I've become a huge fan. I'd love to be able to purchase the WGBH productions of Phantom and other Shepherd titles not yet available.

Joe Majchrowicz
Dyer, Indiana

Joined: November 15, 2003

Shep fan since: 1977
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1095

Comments:
Thanks for rekindling alot of great childhood memories! Your works have allowed me to share them with my children! Wish you were still with us! Merry Christmas(Story!) Forever and For Always (Ho-Ho-Ho!!)

T E Rea
Evansville, Indiana

Joined: November 04, 2000

Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 280

Walter Hackett
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Joined: April 08, 2005

Shep fan since: 1974
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 1460

Comments:
fort wayne used to recieve pbs broadcast from bowling green, ohio. i think it was in the late 70's or early 80's they aired a show with shep driving a packard or a hispano suiza around the indy 500 track. one of the cars had been celebrity owned in the past. i don't find this topic listed.

Richard Barnes
Gary, Indiana

Joined: February 22, 2006

Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1639

Comments:
NEW! We've located an original photograph of Shep's Warren G. Harding Elementary School ! It was difficult to find since his school was torn down in the 50's... No photos of it in the school office (current school), nor in the office of the Hammond School board. You'll even see the corner street post that says "Cleveland Street"... We have three of them posted ... Please visit: www.hhs59.com/harding.htm and see other links to the Orpheum Theatre ("Leopold Doppler's Orpheum Gravy Boat Riot") and get a glipse of what life was like in "Hohman, Indiana."

John Dickey
Greenwood, Indiana

Joined: December 28, 2000

Shep fan since: 2000
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 368

GLEN BOGANWRIGHT
GRIFFITH, Indiana

Joined: December 26, 2005

Shep fan since: 1992
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1576

Mark Dongu
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: June 13, 2000

Shep fan since: 1975
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 111

Stanislaw Farcas
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: November 19, 2001

Shep fan since: 1934
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 740

Lorraine DePaoli
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: March 15, 2003

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 914

Comments:
My husband knew of shep. We married in 1968 and live only 3 blocks from his home on cleveland st in Hammond,In. Our kids went to Harding School,and so does our grandchildren. I saw him on t.v. I just came from the community center named for him in Hammond,In. I just wish he could have seen it. thanks!

FRANK JANIA
HAMMOND, Indiana

Joined: July 08, 2003

Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1001

Comments:
I WAS IN THE ARMY IN STUTTGART, WEST GERMANY WHEN A ROOMMATE OF MINE, WHO WAS FROM NEW YORK, TOLD ME THAT I WAS FROM THE SAME TOWN AS JEAN WAS. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. HE THEN INFORMED ME OF HIS BACKGROUND, AND I STARTED TO READ HIS SHORT STORIES IN PLAYBOY. AS MY LIFE HAS PROGRESSED TO DATE, I LOOK FOR HIS ARTICLES AND TAPES OF HIS SHOWS. WE EVEN HAD A JEAN SHEPHERD CENTER JUST BUILT IN HAMMOND THIS PAST YEAR IN MEMORY OF HIM. HE SURE HITS NORTHWEST INDIANA TO A TEE.

brenda moran
hammond, Indiana

Joined: November 09, 2003

Shep fan since: 1978
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1090

Comments:
The first time I heard of Jean Shepherd was from a young man I worked with. We had a bowling party and we were to give our guest's name so name tags could be made up. The young man said his dates name was Wandy Hickey. He then told me why. He went to college in New York and use to listen to Shopherd on the radio. Shortly after that my husband and I bought our first house, at 2907 Cleveland street. Yes the very house Christmas Story was based on. My boys were up in the attic and Jean and Randy wrote their names on one of the beams.

Paul Szymkowski
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: November 30, 2003

Shep fan since: 1973
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1100

Comments:
Been a fan for 30 years,and thru stange quirks of life, we moved to Hammond, Indiana a little over a year ago.

Dennis Radowski
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: September 17, 2004

Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1317

Comments:
Started reading Jean Shepard while I ws in the Air Force stationed in Panama City FL. What hit home, from what I remember was the similarity between Shep's days in the Signal Corps somewhere near the Everglades and mine as a communications specialist in Panama City. There was a reference somewhere to grape kool aid, always an alternative to coffee or milk at the chow hall. ...Josephine Cosnowski... also hit home with the unlived in living room and the kitchen in the basement. A lot of that in South Chicago. Need to know where I can buy the DVDs, if available, especially the one about the 4th of July, my birthday. Jean Shepard - all good stuff!!

Julie McCallister
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: September 18, 2004

Shep fan since: 1987
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1318

Comments:
I grew up in Hammond and I also went to school at Warren G. Harding Elementry. I although didn't have as many misadventures as Ralphy. I love "A Christmas Story" I watch it every year, tons of times withs my family and my children. It has always been one of my favorite movies, I hope the gang will make more appearances in Hammond to honor this wonderful man.

barbara moore
hammond, Indiana

Joined: September 19, 2004

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 1321

Comments:
you have very good movie

Paul Szymkowski
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: November 04, 2005

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1541

Comments:
Still here in Hammond haven't taken Shep's advice. It will be very interesting to be at Stardust tonite.

Jeremy Macon
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: April 25, 2006

Shep fan since: 1995
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1661

Comments:
his movie, a christmas story, is awesome and still watched in my household on christmas day. the jean shepherd center a good place for us teens to hang out and play basketball too.

Donald Hill
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: October 02, 2006

Shep fan since: 1984
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1750

Comments:
I have always been a fan of Jean Shepard!! I can relate to some of the events on "A Christmas Story"! I was born and raised (and still live) in Hammond. It is a great city! I would like to be on an e-mail list to be notified of any events or materials that pertain to Jean Shepard. Keep up the good work!!

Meagan Newell
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: December 10, 2006

Shep fan since: 1983
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1852

Comments:
I am looking for the leg (fragile) lamp form the movie, if anyone can help me out on where too find it, it would be greatly appreciated. contact me at moogow1820@netscape.net

Kyle Krause
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: December 26, 2006

Shep fan since: 1990
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1885

John Galbraith
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: March 17, 2007

Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1952

Comments:
I grew up on the southeast side of Chicago just a stones throw from Hammond. Started reading Playboy at 16 in 1967 and got hooked on Jean's stories (among other things). The books followed and his columns in Car & Driver. I looked forward to and read everything of his I could find. Remember watching his PBS series "Jean Shepard's America" and recall the tinny little theme song it had. Saw "Phantom of the Open Hearth" on PBS as well. Lucked into seeing "Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss" on TV once years ago but it hasn't been on again for many years now. "A Christmas Story" is nearly unavoidable during the holiday's but I still enjoy it. Found a set of 3 tape cassettes Jean recorded in 1988, of readings of some of his Playboy stories. The set is called "Shepard's Pie" and was produced by Dorset Audio. What attracted me most of all of Jean's work were his childhood stories. These took place some 20 years before my time but it was amazing how my life experiences turned out so much like what he wrote. His prom story, "Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories", and His vacations at "Ollie Hopnoodles" were practically the scripts of my similar experiences. My senior prom day was a disaster to a great extent, too, and our family vacations were two weeks each year spent in a drafty cabin in Wisconsin where we had to haul all our own stuff to in a seriously overloaded car. Had the leaky rowboat on a mosquito infested little lake as well. I've reread Jean's books and articles many times most of my life and they have always given me a lift. I wish he could have written more. This past Christmas, the Hammond Times published several articles one Sunday about A Christmas Story and Jean. There were also sidebar stories about the house used in the film and the famous leg lamp. Some of the things written about Jean weren't particularly complimentary, especially about his relationship with his children, but everyone has skeletons in their closets. I meant to save that paper but I'm afraid it got thrown out accidentally. No matter, I still have everything else to remember him by.

Jim Knapp
Hammond, Indiana

Joined: March 17, 2008

Shep fan since: 1985
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 2749

Comments:
I still try to associate Hammond locations with story references. Although urban renewal has changed the 'old Hammond' business district to a large degree and most 40's era retail buidings are gone.

Dan McKern
Hammond (Hessville), Indiana

Joined: March 13, 2003

Shep fan since: 0
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 911

Comments:
I'm looking forward to the Jean Shepherd Community Center opening this Saturday. I'm sure Shep will be there in spirit.

Marenis J. Kansfield Jr.
HESSVILLE (the real town), Indiana

Joined: December 29, 2000

Shep fan since: 1957
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 372

Greg Kaniuk
Highland, Indiana

Joined: August 21, 2001

Shep fan since: 1987
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 680

TERRY RUHS
HIGHLAND, Indiana

Joined: April 08, 2003

Shep fan since: 1975
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 942

Comments:
FANTASTIC SITE. AND I THOUGHT I KNEW A LOT ABOUT SHEPHERD!

Brian Pearson
Highland, 5 miles south of Jean's hometown!, Indiana

Joined: March 27, 2000

Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 74

mgbada joe joe
indiana, Indiana

Joined: January 19, 2006

Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1610

Comments:
this site is very good keep it up

Eric Eric
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: October 04, 2000

Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 245

Bob Clark
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: September 30, 2001

Shep fan since: 1980
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 700

Frank Sinclair
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: May 16, 2003

Shep fan since: 1954
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 973

Comments:
In London, Ontario, Canada, I listened on KYW Philadelphia. I miss him.

Kevin Christel
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: August 06, 2003

Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1036

Comments:
Shep was my favorite entertainer during my teen years. His humor through stories of his youth and his Army exploits were absolutely riveting. His description of the 1964 World's Fair in Queens, NY "New York is a Summer fist fight" is typical of his humerous observations. I'll never forget him.

Ryan Lee
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: December 16, 2003

Shep fan since: 1983
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1140

Comments:
Of course I saw "A Christmas Story" & fell in love with that voice. At The time I was not aware of all he had done & only after he passed did I find out about the radio shows & school tours. But as this site says over & over again, it's as if he were talking to me & me alone.

Bob Clark
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: May 24, 2004

Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1254

Comments:
All *REAL* Americans(and likely others) love Jean Shepherd!!!!! Thank you for this wonderful website..Wish PBS would re-release their series...Boston PBS never even answered my requests..

Nat Pendleton
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: December 16, 2004

Shep fan since: 1981
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1384

Comments:
I first read "Wanda Hickey's Night...." when a friend lent it to me in college. I heard this friend laughing so much (tears were produced) as he read this book and realized I might just be missing something. The names Delbert Bumpus, Grover Dill, Scut Farkus and Flick soon became part of my vocabulary. Then, one fall in 1983 when I was stationed at Monterey, CA as a soldier, I went to the movies. It was a Saturday and Monterey is a small city, without much to do after you've lived there for half a year and still had no car. A movie was in order. I picked a completely unknown movie based soley on the poster. I thought after I entered theater that I made a major mistake: I was the only one in the theater. I thought I must have picked the bomb film of the decade. Oh well, the $3.50 had already been spent, so I should at least try the first 30 minutes. Then, after trailers for films that I wished I was going to see, it started. Quaint snow fell on the house and the narrator (whom I never had heard before) had a cheery and humorous voice. I can't remember when it hit me, but somewhere in the film I realized I was actually watching parts of my friend's hilarious book. The Bumpus hounds assured me that it was indeed "the book." After the film I went back to the Presidio (and my barracks) and attempted to relate to my Army buddies what I had just seen. Alas, I had to stop talking about it or eventually I could have been discharged on the grounds of insanity. It would be a few years later, when TV finally ran "A Chrismas Story," that my strange accounts of Bumpus Hounds and a wild top called the Murderous Marriah would finally be understood. As a footnote, there was a Sergeant Bumpus from Kentucky whom I met in my unit in Germany. He did not enjoy the film. I finally found two of the books (In God.... and Wanda..) at the Indiana State Museum's bookstore. Another Hoosier Hero right up there with James Dean and Dave Letterman! Hooray for Jean Shepherd!

Frank Powell
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: December 25, 2004

Shep fan since: 1983
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1402

Comments:
A Christmas Story has been a tradition in our house for years, thanks to the annual 24 hour TBS showing. As native Georgians, we recently relocated to Indiana and now feel a special connection to the story.

John Burroughs
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: November 05, 2006

Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1818

Comments:
Even though I lived in New Jersey in the early 1960's, I never listened to his radio programs. It wasn't until we moved to Indiana that my Dad gave me a copy of "In God We Trust". All through high school, my friend Ron and I would rush to the store when the new Playboy would be due in, and the first thing we would do was check the back page where the next months contents were listed and see if Shep would have a storey coming up. Now that is dedication in a fan. When I finally had to get rid of all those old magazines, I very carefully sorted out all the ones with the Jean Shepherd stories and carefully stored them away.

Dorella Phipps
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: November 27, 2006

Shep fan since: 1990
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1838

Comments:
My family has enjoyed watching A Christmas Story for many years. My husband and I can in many ways relate to this movie. We have passed the movie onto our girls who love the movie as much as we do. It has become our family tradition to watch the movie throughout the Christmas holiday with our girls camping out on the family room floor near the Christmas tree while enjoying the movie. We recently went to the Grand Opening of A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio over the Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed going back in time. We also enjoyed watching the movie at the hotel in celebration of the Grand Opening of the house. Thanks to Jean Shepherd for passing on his stories.

Robert Morse
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: April 18, 2008

Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2756

Comments:
Before I went to school and eventually settled in Indianapolis, I was a teenager from NJ listening to Shepherd every night on WOR-AM radio. As George Ade wrote, "There are at least two kinds of education." A central part of my "other" education was listening to Shep's accounts of the real world and his discovery of it in the company of Schwartz, Flick, and Bruner. Often, he and his cohorts came away with the short stick, but some unpleasant truth was usually learned along the way. I saw him at Fairleigh Dickinson ("Fairly ridiculous") in 1968, and in Indy in 1985 and 1988. I still had the ticket stub from the '68 performance. In '88, he signed it for me.

Tommy Myers
Indianapolis, Indiana

Joined: November 30, 2008

Shep fan since: 1984
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 2797

Comments:
Have been talking about the old PBS Series today due to our annual viewing of one of the greatest movies of all time "A Christmas Story". Would like to locate DVD's or VHS's of the PBS shows if they exist for viewing again (and for the first time!) Mr. Shepherd was one of the truly great American story tellers, and will live on for generations to come. ( I do hope there's 'lotsa recorded material out there!) Season's Greetings, everyone, and thanks for this site!-Tommy

Chester Bailor
Indianapolis, (Speedway), Indiana

Joined: November 05, 2008

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 2789

Comments:
Damn Bill Bucko, What a freaking memory! I didn't know you had a girlfriend. Was her name Wanda Hickey? You rascal! I also didn't know you were aware of every dive on Kennedy Ave. This is a huge revelation. Chet Bailor former "Hohman" resident and classmate of William Bucko at OP Morton HS. PS Not that many people actually drag raced on Cleveland Ave. Mr. Shepherd took some literary liberties as I'm sure have been revealed by the careful research of Billy B and others. You can ask Sue Wachel, Bernie Madiera, Marty Popagain, Ray Drake and others. By the way, Bill has written a couple of books himself.

Brandon "Elvis" Howard
Jonesboro, Indiana

Joined: July 31, 2008

Shep fan since: 2001
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 2769

Comments:
I would like to travel to Hammond this weekend to see the sites and visit Flick's Tavern. If there's any way posssible, I'd like to interview those who knew Shep for a report that I'm doing for Indiana Business College.

Jeffrey Stricker
Kokomo, Indiana

Joined: May 11, 2007

Shep fan since: 1977
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2040

Comments:
Jean, first time I heard your voice was on the introduction to the ARRL morse code instruction tape. I wondered who Jean Shepheard, K2ORS, was. Now I know. Now, I'm listening to you every evening...bless your memory and 73's

Fritz Peacock
Lafayette, Indiana

Joined: March 06, 2008

Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2745

Comments:
Crazy as it may seem it was Sheps tails of Hammond and stories of the steel mills that helped me decide to leave Trenton State Teachers College in New Jersey, and move to Indiana to attend Purdue. There is nothing like radio, Shep, Long John Nebel for kids today. If he were alive I can imagine the stories he would tell about cell phones, text messaging, and upperclass white kids who arerap wanna-bees. Oh ya, I'm still here at Purdue almost 45 years later.Thanks Shep!

john sturdivant
logansport, Indiana

Joined: December 12, 2005

Shep fan since: 1976
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1554

Comments:
I lived in Porter IN> Worked at U S Steel then. I would visit at Flicks Bar in Hammond In. Got to known the owner: Jim Flickinger, who was an actual friend growing up just down the street with Shep. Met Sheps brother there once. Was a fan of Sheps writing in Playboy while I was in the Army in the 70's. Since then I enjoyed all of his works. Met Shep in Sanibel Island shortly before he passed on. He was nice to me even though he did not feel good. Can be contacted thru shep Discussion group John

Steve Czerwinski jr.
Lowell, Indiana

Joined: July 24, 2004

Shep fan since: 1980
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1279

Comments:
I was born and raised in Hammond and could see the influence in the Christmas story movie. I remember shopping at Goldblatt,s. We lived on Sherman st. at that time. It brought back many good memories! I plan on looking into his other movies to see if there are other refferences to that time and area.

Royce Mitchell
Marion, Indiana

Joined: December 25, 2006

Shep fan since: 1989
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1881

Comments:
Just thankful we have Shep with us every Christmas season....Past, Present, and Future.

Terry Volk
Merrillville, Indiana

Joined: August 15, 2004

Shep fan since: 1989
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1289

Comments:
Being from the area he lived in, and still living in Indiana, I was proud. His stories remind me of being a kid in that wonderful, carefree time. Growing up in Indiana was special. I only wish I had discovered Mr. Shepard sooner, I enjoy his sense of humor, and his unique story telling ability.

Bill Bucko
Mt Clemens, Indiana

Joined: August 22, 2005

Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1524

Comments:
Dear Mr Clavin, You are mistaken about the 2 photos purporting to show the former site of Flick's Tap. As I explained in my Guestbook comments, back in February of 2003, when I discovered your wonderful web site, I grew up in Hammond, Indiana. I passed Shep's house every day as I walked to Warren G Harding Elementary School, down Cleveland Street. I attended Harding from 1954-1963; first in the brick structure shown in your photos, the last 2 years in the ancient wooden "portable" building, which must have been the one Shep attended. (I've never found a photo of the portable, which almost certainly was torn down long ago.) Although I now live several hundred miles away, I've been constructing a map of Kennedy Avenue, for sentimental reasons. (I used to walk the most wonderful girl in the world down Kennedy!) I've supplemented my memory with details from the web, or gleaned from the ads in my 1966 Morton High School yearbook. As I said in my earlier comments, during the 1950s and through 1966 (when I went off to college), my family bought groceries at "Pop's," directly across the street from Flick's Tap. As my yearbook reminded me, the actual name of the store was Dick's Grocery, and its address was 6445 Kennedy Avenue. The 2 photos you show, purporting to be Flick's former site, are ACTUALLY photos of the building Dick's Grocery was in. The grocery was in the middle. To its left was a small, dark, empty storefront that I never saw occupied. To the right, on the corner, was a tavern (NOT Flick's). For better photos of this building, which is currently for sale, see: http://huea.net/FrontEnd/BuildingDetails.php?bldID=16 In the photos you are looking at the northeast corner of Kennedy and 165th. Kennedy Avenue is to the left; 165th is to the right. FORMER LOCATION OF FLICK'S TAP: My recent search of Hammond's yellow pages on the web has shown that there's currently a Freddy's Steak House at 6442 Kennedy. This is the ACTUAL site where Flick's used to be. To its left, on the corner of Kennedy and 165th, was a used car lot. To the right was a vacant lot. Flick's was on the WEST side of Kennedy Avenue. The grocery and the photos you show are on the EAST. CURRENT LOCATION OF FLICK'S TAP: When I first saw your photos, I was a little puzzled. Kennedy Avenue looked different; and Flick's was definitely in the middle of the block, not on the corner. But, I thought, it must have expanded, and been remodeled. (As I recall, the original Flick's was of gray brick or stone, and the only window was a long row of glass blocks, high off the ground, to keep curious kids like me from peering in.) I then saw you give the address as 6205 Kennedy. At first I thought you got the address wrong; but I soon realized that Flick moved! The building you show is about 5 blocks north--the former Mabel's Diner, the bus stop to which I walked my girlfriend, in the 60s! It's on the northeast corner of Kennedy Avenue and Janet Place; I was able to clinch the identification by the street sign included in one of the shots. About a block to the west, on 161st, was and still is the headquarters of the Indiana Harbor Belt RR, their old roundhouse and the east end of their teaming, miles-long Gibson yard. The friendly sound of switching freight cars serenaded me all night long, throughout my childhood. Since Shep lived about 6 blocks farther away than I did, he probably couldn't hear them; though I'm sure he heard horns blasting countless times every day. Hammond boasts the highest concentration of railroad trackage of any city in the world (due to the many routes funneling into Chicago, immediately to the northwest). Well, I wanted to set the record straight. This is MY old neighborhood you're talking about! I do hope you'll make the appropriate correction. Please e-mail me if you have questions, or ever want further details, maps, etc. And thanks again for your wonderful web site! Best wishes, Bill Bucko Warren G Harding Class of 1963

Linda Burch
Muncie, Indiana

Joined: February 18, 2008

Shep fan since: 1986
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 2735

Comments:
Jean Shepherd, "A BLESSING TO ALL WHO EXPERENCED HIS HUMOR AND WIT" GONE FOR NOW, BUT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

Tom Domasica
Munster, Indiana

Joined: November 24, 2006

Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1833

Comments:
I enjoyed your web site. It's a wealth of information about Jean Shepherd.

Margaret Sabo
Munster, Indiana

Joined: December 25, 2008

Shep fan since: 1969
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 2812

Comments:
I grew up in Hammond. Went to Hammond High. Shopped at Goldblatt's. Saw the Christmas Story at the Town Theater in Highland the year it was released. I knew this would be a magical forever classic story. Jim is right about Mr Shepherd - he told stories that were so personal that you felt included. What a guy.

Dave Orem
Richmond, Indiana

Joined: October 06, 2000

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 249

Tom Moredich
Rolling Prairie, Indiana

Joined: February 25, 2000

Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 18

Nick Mantis
Schererville, Indiana

Joined: November 21, 2008

Shep fan since: 2000
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 2792

Comments:
Jean Shepherd was raised were I was raised Hammond, Indiana and to this day I still see many of the same things Shep talked about, like the Bumpesus and sticking a tounge on a frozen pole....and i can go on and on.....I too have always observed these same human traits and i truly believe that Shep lives on in all of us curious enough to discover who we really are and why we are the people we pretend to be!

Walter Weddle
Shelbyville, Indiana

Joined: November 15, 2001

Shep fan since: 1990
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 731

william albright
south bend, Indiana

Joined: March 03, 2008

Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 2744

Larry Wheeler
Spencerville, Indiana

Joined: August 06, 2003

Shep fan since: 1969
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1034

Comments:
Jean and I talked with each other via amateur radio. He once asked me if I knew where the action is in Indiana. Playing the straight man, I said, "no Jean, where is the action?" He said "Larry, it's all on the Turnpike. He was right and funny at the same time!

Holly Archet
Warsaw, Indiana

Joined: May 28, 2007

Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2084

Comments:
I read In God We Trust years ago.My Mother Grew up with Jean Sheaperd.He drew the BB gun on her dress.He refered to her as Helen Weathers. Her name was actually Ellen Weathers I wonder if the Farcas that visited this site is related to the Farcas from the move or to lefty Farcas?

Neal Kotarski
Whiting, Indiana

Joined: August 10, 2004

Shep fan since: 1985
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1285

Tom Olsinski
Zionsville, Indiana

Joined: April 21, 2005

Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1464

Comments:
shep was a genius and a great entertainer in multi media...he is a part of my memories through the radio then his books then pbs and last the movies. i wish he had been happier in his personal life as i read more......

"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