Publishing Portal--June 22, 2026

The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.

Tom Dreesen

=So sorry to hear about the passing of Tom Dreesen.

=He was always a great supporter of Eckhartz Press. Tom was interviewed and rates his own chapter in Cubsessions. He is featured prominently in Records Truly is My Middle Name. He offered a wonderful review for The Living Wills. He also championed Randy Richardson's Lost in the Ivy and contributed this for the back cover...

• This book is not just for Cub fans but for all who love a great story. It’s a wonderful read. Enjoy! I know I did.

=He particularly  loved our book Leaving Glory For Greatness about his old friend LaMarr Thomas, and provided this blurb…

• “Lou Macaluso has captured the very soul and spirit of a man that I thought I knew and loved. Now I know so much more and wish I could have my friend back for one more conversation. Some men get to the mountaintop and shout out all the great deeds they have done and shout their name as well. LaMarr Thomas never mentioned his great deeds and would only whisper his name. Thank you, Lou, for taking LaMarr to the mountaintop and shouting out his name. This book is a must read for all who want to know about a great man who only wanted us all to love one another.”

=Our deepest condolences to the Dreesen family. Rest in Peace, Tom. We will miss you.

Sarasota

=We promised it last week. We're delivering this week. Richard Reeder's new novel about baseball in the Jim Crow South is available for pre-order now! Reserve your copy here.

=Who is Richard Reeder? After a challenging and interesting career in Chicago government, social services, and education, Richard Reeder is now involved in teaching adult education classes in literature, organizing and moderating literary events, and writing. Sarasota is Richard’s fourth published book, and his first novel. (Photo: Richard with EP publisher Rick Kaempfer)

This Thursday night might as well be Eckhartz Press night. You've got a chance to meet seven different authors that night. Pick your poison...you can meet David Fletcher, John Owens, Robert Conlon, Rick Kaempfer and Dave Stern at the Chicago History Museum, or Jeff Reiter in Schaumburg, or Vicki Atkinson in Carol Stream. More details below...

Chili Dog MVP

=Exactly one year ago, we asked Eckhartz Press author David Fletcher to tell us a little more about the film they were making based on his book Chili Dog MVP, and here is what he said...

I am currently working on the Dick Allen film that delves into Dick Allen's pivotal role in baseball history, from his offensive prowess to his resilience in the face of racial prejudice, and notably saving the Chicago White Sox franchise with his 1972 MVP season.  The film examines key locations in Dick Allen’s life, including Little Rock, Arkansas, where he encountered significant racial hatred; Wampum, the racially tolerant Western Pennsylvania town where he grew up; and Cooperstown, where his Hall of Fame plaque is set to be unveiled on July 27th. By emphasizing themes of justice, forgiveness, and resilience, the film seeks to rewrite history by capturing the full extent of Allen's impact on both the sport and society. The star of the film is Dick's son, Richard Allen Jr.  I assembled an esteemed production team, comprising executive producer Sharon Pannozzo, producer and writer John Owens, director Andy Billman, and photographer (fellow Eckhartz Press author) Ken Smoller.

 =Well guess what, Chicago. This Thursday is the official premiere of the docu-series they filmed over the last year. It will be at the Chicago History Museum. Unfortunately, it's a sold out event, but Eckhartz Press will be there to take some photos, and sell some books. We'll have a full report next week.

=Next stop on the Dick Allen documentary tour? Would you believe the Baseball Hall of Fame? It's true, they'll be showing two episodes there on August 1.

=And next after that? How about a Dick Allen Bobblehead Night at his former minor league ballpark in Little Rock, Arkansas? Once you see the documentary, you'll understand just how significant this day will be.

Celtic Knot

=Celtic Knot author Robert Conlon will also be at the My Father, Dick Allen premiere on June 25th selling his book (more info above).

=Don't forget he's got a big appearance for the West Suburban Irish Mission coming up in Naperville on July 21, 6:30pm at the VFW in Naperville (908 Jackson Avenue).

The Best of Words on Birds

=Jeff Reiter will be giving a talk about birding at the Schaumburg Public Library (130 South Roselle Road) this Thursday night (June 25) at 7pm. Naturally, he'll also be signing and selling his new book The Best of Words on Birds.

=Perhaps he'll discuss Allen's Hummingbird (photo).

Slivers & Surviving Sue

=Meanwhile, Vicki Atkinson will be at the Carol Stream Public Library (616 Hiawatha Drive) at 6pm Thursday night giving a talk about navigating elder care. Naturally, she'll also be selling and signing both of her Eckhartz Press books, her new novel Slivers, and her memoir Surviving Sue.

=In addition, her Poetry in the Park event from last week was rescheduled due to severe weather conditions. She'll be at the Barrington White House (145 W. Main Street) in Barrington on Wednesday, June 24.  Details are here. 

=Slivers continues to get great reviews. Two more are here.

A few more opportunities to meet Eckhartz Press authors are coming in July. For instance...

40 Years, 40 Films

=Nick Digilio returns to the Lake Theater in Oak Park on Wednesday July 8th. He is presenting that month's Nick's pick, the film Inception, and selling and signing copies of his book 40 Years, 40 Films.

=By the way, Nick has been working hard on the follow-up to his first book. This one features a foreword by Svengoolie, and will be out for the Halloween season. We have the cover...

Sirens in the Loop & The Kiss of Night

=July 11th is the joint appearance of Eckhartz Press authors Jim Elsener and Mark Wukas. They are the yin (non-fiction) and yang (fiction) of the City News Bureau story. They're calling it the "City News Book Gala" on Saturday, July 11, 5-7 pm at the Edgewater Historical Society Museum - 5358 N. Ashland, Chicago. 

  

 Behind the Glass  & Beyond the Glass

=For more than twenty years Randy Merkin was a sports radio producer. In that role he met a Who's Who of sports icons, including this week's birthday boy John Elway (June 28). Randy's John Elway story rates an entire chapter in his first book, Behind the Glass.

=What's in his second book Beyond the Glass? This Q&A will give you a pretty good idea.

    

Everything I Know I Learned from Rock Stars

=Great interview this week with Eckhartz Press author Bill Paige. He is now living in Thailand and explains why...

=Rocker Mick Fleetwood has a birthday this week (June 24). He is featured in a long interview in Bill Paige's book Everything I Know I Learned from Rock Stars.

The Flip Side

=Great article this week about The Flip Side co-author Ken Churilla.

=Laverne and Shirley's David Lander (Squiggy) was born this week (June 22) in 1947. (He passed away in 2020). Lander and co-star Michael McKean (Lenny) made a memorable appearance at The Flip Side at the height of the show's popularity. This photo and story are in the book.

The Sun at the End of the Road

=Another posthumous honor for Tony Fitzpatrick. This one would have made him very happy. It happened in his beloved Humboldt Park this past weekend.

=Here's another anniversary that makes us think of Tony. On June 28, 1998, The Busy Bee restaurant closed. That event sparked an essay by Tony Fitzpatrick, which is featured in The Sun at the End of the Road. Here's a small taste of that...

The Busy Bee was a joint on Damen Avenue in Chicago, and I used to go there on weekend mornings for their hangover cure. It was a borscht-like, soupy kind of stew with a spicy kick that would put you right when your brains were leaking out of your ears. It was a fascinating, neighborhood Polish place that sold a thousand meat, cheese and potato pierogis every week. Sophie Madej bought the place in 1965 and worked there every day—365 days a year—until 1998. It was nestled under the Damen El track, the locus of the Polish community for all thirty-three years Sophie owned it. You name them, that politician stopped in, courting the Polish and Ukrainian vote: the Clintons, Roman Puchinski, various aldermen and women, plus neighborhood luminaries like Nelson Algren, Studs Terkel and one-armed artist and piano player—and survivor of the Abraham Lincoln brigade—Eddie Balchowsky. The Bee was a sweet place, much revered and missed, with stuffed peppers to die for, pierogi that was out of this world and the best meatloaf with pan gravy in existence. It was a bellwether change when it closed. Milwaukee Avenue, known as ‘Polish Michigan Avenue,’ began to experience a tidal change of gentrification.

=It sparked this piece of Tony's artwork as well, which is also featured in The Sun at the End of the Road...

Turn it Up

=Happy birthday to Bob Shannon (June 23). He wrote Turn it Up! for us in 2017. 

 The Unplanned Life 

=Another happy birthday to Roger Badesch (June 24) who wrote The Unplanned Life for us in 2020. 

=Roger is semi-retired, but he co-hosted a show with WGN Radio's Dave Plier around this time last year. Highly recommended. It's all about the history of WGN.

When the Beast Comes for You

=This week in 2022 (June 25), Dr. John Martucci's book was released by Eckhartz Press. It's an important work that we're still very proud of publishing.

    As an anesthesiologist and department chair at a busy hospital in suburban Chicago, Dr. John Martucci never considered the possibility that he may someday have to endure a life-threatening disease like the ones afflicting many of his patients. When he is diagnosed with stage IV mantle cell lymphoma after ignoring his symptoms for months, it upends his world and forces him to accept the unfamiliar role of the patient. John chronicles his year-long battle with lymphoma and his gradual transition from controlling physician to grateful patient. He endures setbacks, emergency surgery, and the consequences of chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation. Seeing illness through a patient’s eyes gives him a perspective that will change many of his hard-earned professional opinions on patient care. His tremendous support team buoys him as he experiences pain, suffering, doubt, and his own mortality. Sometimes humorous, always compelling, his journey to renewed health can teach families of cancer victims and health care professionals the tremendous value they bring to patient care and well-being. His story can also inform and guide cancer patients as they negotiate their own treatment experience.

EveryCubEver

=This week in 2019, author Rick Kaempfer appeared on Garry Meier's show on WLS to promote the book (June 24). He also appeared on-stage at the play about the Cubs, Miracle (June 27). Rick was asked to lead the crowd in "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

=This week in 1984 (June 23), one of the most famous games in Wrigley Field history occurred. The Ryne Sandberg game. Rick was there and told the story in this Just One Bad Century video...

Records Truly Is My Middle Name

=This week in 2017, Eckhartz Press author John Records Landecker was named to the National Radio Hall of Fame. That led to the release of an updated version of his book, Records Truly Is My Middle Name.

=June 22, 1944 is Peter Asher's birthday. Landecker didn't save many souvenirs from his radio days, but he did save a Peter & Gordon autographed 45 RPM record, which he received from the official Peter & Gordon fan club headquarters (look at the stamp below).  He included that photo in the Hall of Fame version of his book...

=Here's an audio memory you can relive: This week in 1978, John Landecker appeared on NPR. It's notable and mentioned in the book because it was the first time that John could remember impressing his notoriously hard-to-impress dad. You can listen to that segment here.

The Loop Files

=This week in 1988 (June 25), Loop morning man Jonathon Brandmeier set an attendance record at the Poplar Creek music venue. The Chicago Tribune wrote about it at the time. That story is also featured in the book The Loop Files.

Mob Adjacent

=One of the biggest fans of the Eckhartz Press book Mob Adjacent is former Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass, who is celebrating a birthday this week (June 25). Here's what he had to say about the book...

• “I love this book. A fascinating account. You’ve got to read this book before the movie.”

  John Kass, Chicago Tribune

Best Seat in the House

=This week in 2014, Bruce Bohrer held the launch party for his book Best Seat in the House at Tavern 60 in Mundelein. Here are a few photos from that memorable day. 

Signature Shoes

=Bob Vorwald is a WGN-TV legend for his many years as the producer of WGN Sports. Bob is celebrating a birthday this week (June 23). He's a big fan of Ryan Trembath's book Signature Shoes. Here's what he said about it...

• “A loose mental inventory has me concluding I’ve owned around 200 pairs of shoes in my life. None will ever stand up to the 1979 white Adidas Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hi-tops I had for my last year of high school basketball. I played better (there was nowhere to go but up) knowing that I looked better. Those shoes were sweet and I thank Ryan for this fun project which sparked this memory.”

  Bob Vorwald, Director of Production at WGN-TV. Author of "Cubs Forever," "What It Means to Be a Cub: The North Side's Greatest Players Talk About Cubs Baseball," and "What It Means to Be a White Sox: The South Side's Greatest Players Talk about White Sox Baseball."

We Have Company

=This is a big week for rock and roll star birthdays, which means it's a big week for Bobby Skafish's book of rock and roll interviews, We Have Company. Each of these June 22nd birthday boys (Steve Page/Bare Naked Ladies, Don Henley/Eagles, Todd Rundgren, and Mike Edwards/Jesus Jones) rate an entire chapter in Bobby's book. Mike Edwards also rates a photo. This was taken at Bill Wyman's Sticky Fingers restaurant in London.

=But that's not all: The Clash's Mick Jones (June 26) and indie-rocker Chris Isaak (June 26) both rate their own chapters in Bobby's great book too. Both were interviewed by Bobby during his days at WXRT.

Your Dime My Dance Floor

=This week (June 28, 1997) is the anniversary of the infamous Tyson-Holyfield fight in which Mike Tyson bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield's ear. Chet Coppock wrote a whole chapter about that fight in his book Your Dime My Dance Floor. This week also would have been the birthday of former Bear Doug Buffone (June 27). Chet and Doug were colleagues and friends. This photo is in the book. (Doug and Chet are the two in the middle)

Ike and Me 

=Rich King has two books that were released by Eckhartz Press, and former WGN-TV main anchor Mark Suppelsa (June 25 birthday) plays a role in both of them. He is featured in this photo, the night the Cubs finally won the World Series in 2016, in the book Ike and Me (Mark is second from left. Rich is far right).

=He also provided this endorsement of Rich's second book Back in the Game.

• I breezed through the pages not only engrossed in the phoenix of Rich’s ‘second life’ with his new bride, but thoroughly enjoyed traversing with him through his memorable career. A truly good man who thankfully for all us chose to tell another good story about his remarkable life.

  Mark Suppelsa, Anchor, WGN-TV News

Cubsessions

=The book Cubsessions is a collection of celebrity Chicago Cubs fans telling their personal stories about loving the team, and what the World Series victory meant to them. One of the stars featured in the book is former Parks & Recreation star Nick Offerman. He's celebrating a birthday this week (June 26) 

Inside Melania

=Who would have thought that this book would have a resurgence after the 2020 election? Well, one big fan, Joe Conklin (WIP Radio/Philadelphia), had a pretty good idea. He's celebrating a birthday this week as well (June 26). Here's what he had to say about the book...

• “Clever and hilarious.”

  Joe Conklin, WIP Morning Show

Always a Pleasure

=In recent years, several of the greats mentioned by Chuck Swirsky in his book Always a Pleasure have passed away. One of the first was his broadcasting colleague Craig Sager.  His story lives on in the pages of Chuck's book.

Transatlantic Passage

=Hey World Cup fans, don't forget that we have a great soccer book called Transatlantic Passage. This week in 2021 (June 24), author Paul Banks appeared on WGN Radio to talk about his book, which chronicles the popularity of the English Premier League in America. You can still listen to that interview here.

Back in the DDR

=There are two big events that happened this week in history, and both play an important role in the novel Back in the DDR. 

=On June 22, 1990, Checkpoint Charlie closed. It had been the border crossing point between East Germany and West Germany during the time of the Berlin Wall. (Photo from 1976). One of the most harrowing moments in the novel takes place at that checkpoint.

=On June 26, 1963, John F. Kennedy delivered his famous "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" speech. Here's the speech delivered by the main character's father Fritz while overlooking the same square in Berlin just 13 years after JFK's big moment, attempting to explain the significance to his son...

“In 1963, John F. Kennedy delivered one of the most famous speeches any American president has ever delivered from this very spot. You’ve seen this town, and how strange it is. How divided it feels. How isolated it must seem. This city was divided into quadrants, with the British, French, and Americans creating West Berlin, while the Russian sector became East Berlin. And then in 1962, when they built the wall, the feeling wasn’t just symbolic anymore. It was real. People of West Berlin felt like they had been abandoned. That’s when President Kennedy came here. His arrival was special enough, but when he said, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ in German, he let these people know that they were part of something bigger, that we respected them as people, and that we stood firm with them. That’s why they renamed this square in front of us John F. Kennedy Platz three days after he died. That’s how you run the world, Rudi. You do it with kindness, dignity, and respect. That’s why everyone loves America.”

Publishing Portal--September 15, 2025

The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW! 

=Two brand new Eckhartz Press books are available for pre-order now! 

=The Sun at the End of the Road: Dispatches from an American Life by Tony Fitzpatrick. This book is a collection of Tony's dispatches, haiku, poetry, collages, etchings and drawings. Designed by Danny Torres and edited by Marika Mashburn.

Tony describes it this way in the introduction:

What follows here is some of what I remember, some of what I have learned and damn near all of what I love—birds, stories, people and dogs. It is all part of a less-than-holy life. Are there any great parables to be gleaned from these dispatches, poems and pictures? I haven’t a clue. What’s most important is all that I learned along the way: that which is for remembering, for not forgetting.

=Tony Fitzpatrick’s works are included in collections at The Museum of Modern Art, New York City, Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, and The Art Institute of Chicago. Previous books of art and poetry include The Hard Angels, The Neighborhood, The Apostles of Humboldt Park, Bum Town, The Secret Birds, Dime Stories and The Wonder: Portraits of a Remembered City. As an actor, Tony’s career includes productions with Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, 16th Street, Collaboraction and other fine Chicago institutions. He has worked on thirty films and starred in two seasons of Amazon’s Patriot. Tony loves birds, dogs and the White Sox.

=Tony already made an appearance on NPR talking about this book.

=South Side Memories is for readers who want to reflect on the influences of their childhood and specifically people who grew up in Chicago. It’s a memoir about the joys and struggles of growing up in an era when family, church and neighborhood were solid anchors. This book remembers the hope for a better life that a family had for themselves and especially their children. The stories recall the daily life from the 50s in a working class Chicago neighborhood, Archer Heights. The parents both work in factories and the little girl is shaped by her grandmother, who watches her every day. As the girl grows up, she recounts her childhood activities: her first day of school, her First Holy Communion, baking with her mother, and continues a slice of life narration until 8th grade. Her life centered around her family, her neighborhood Catholic school and her church.

=Author Gloria Golec was an educator her entire life, teaching high school and college English and is an Emerita Professor of English at College of DuPage. Her Ph.D. is in Comparative Literature from Emory University. She enjoys power walking, gardening and traveling.  She most enjoys being with her granddaughters.

Doin the Cruise

=It's official now. Eckhartz Press author Mitch Michaels is a member of the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We were there to cheer him on.

=Congrats to Mitch. He was inducted alongside fellow rock radio folks like Bob Stroud, introduced by fellow broadcaster Pat Cassidy, and hosted by WGN Radio's Bob Sirott. Naturally there was also some music legends on hand. The Chi-Lites, Richard Marx, Billy Corgan, Disturbed, Head East, and the descendants of Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Bo Diddley. Star-studded event. They even brought up a group of Cubs fan/broadcasters to induct Steve Goodman and sing "Go Cubs Go". Two of those guys were Eddie Volkman and Rick Kaempfer (photo)

 The Loop Files

=This isn't our first rodeo at the Hall of Fame. On September 17, 2023, author Rick Kaempfer was on stage at the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Loop was inducted as a radio station, and Rick was one of the Loopers on hand to accept the award presented by fellow former Looper Mitch Michaels. Also pictured Jimmy Mac McInerney, Wendy Snyder, Bridget Kaempfer.

 

=A few of the contributors to the book are celebrating birthdays this week as well. Bobby Skafish (September 17) is not only an Eckhartz Press author in his own right (We Have Compnay), he's a key figure in WLUP history. There are several photos of Bobby and stories provided by Bobby in The Loop Files. This week in 2016, Bobby was on with Roe Conn & Anna Devlantas on WGN Radio

  

=Mark McEwen also has a birthday this week (September 16). McEwen went on to become a nationally recognized television personality as a weatherman at CBS, but in the early 1980s, he was spinning tunes and jamming on the air at the Loop. That's him on the left in the studio with Sky Daniels. (Photo by Mike Bucek)

The Best of Words on Birds

=Jeff Reiter had another big week. First, he appeared on the Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.

=Then he appeared at this past weekend's Urban Birding Festival in Chicago. Jeff (and fellow Eckhartz Press author Tony Fitzpatrick) were well represented in the silent auction. They were raising money for a good cause, Bird Friendly Chicago, a coalition of local bird organizations working to support a safer bird environment. You can still donate here if you'd like to contribute. Thanks to everyone who came out and said hello. (Photo: Jeff with Wayne Klockner, executive director of American Birding Association)

Celtic Knot

=Another opportunity to meet and hang out with Eckhartz Press author Robert Conlon is coming this weekend (September 19-20). He'll be appearing in the culture tent at the Naperville Irish Fest. You'll find his entry in the culture tab. That about sums up our cultured Mr. Conlon. 

=He should be there in time. He's slowly making his way back to the Chicago area as you read this.

Mob Adjacent

=Another promotional video from the fellas...

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Life Behind The Camera 

=Happy birthday to Eckhartz Press author Chuck Quinzio (September 17). Chuck's book about life in the local TV news business is a must-read for anyone who has an interest in the subject. He has some incredible inside stories about some of the biggest names in Chicago TV history.

 

=This week in 2014, Chuck was on with Rick Kogan talking about his book.

Patty & the Stump

=One of our children's books is anti-bullying tale called Patty & the Stump. Co-author Tim Clue is also celebrating a birthday this week (September 20). Tim isn't just an author for us, he's an educator, and a gifted stand up comedian. Here's a good podcast example of that.

Behind the Glass

=And finally, a fourth Eckhartz Press author birthday, Behind the Glass author Randy Merkin (September 17). A little birdie told us Randy might be putting the finishing touches on his second book. Consider that a teaser for now.

Surviving Sue

=Another week, another excellent review of Surviving Sue from a fellow author. This week's review comes from author Pia Mailhot Leichter (Welcome to the Creative Club). Here's what she wrote...

“A story told to heal intergenerational trauma, honoring Vicki’s journey and giving her daughter the chance to write a new one. It was inspiring to witness Vicki’s rise from dysfunctional ashes and see how she turned pain into purpose – how it fueled her career and life choices to make an impact in the lives of others.”

The Scar Dance and The Most Beautiful Place in Hell

=William Mansfield has written two books for Eckhartz Press, The Scar Dance and The Most Beautiful Place in Hell. One is a novel and the other is a memoir. But writing isn't his day job. William is a gifted artist as well. He'll be doing an art show at Old Town Triangle Association Art Center 1763 North North Park Avenue in Chicago on Saturday October 11th. Find out more about that here.

Back in the Game

=This week in 2014 (September 15), Rich King staged a launch party for his second book, Back in the Game. It was a star-studded party at Volare in Chicago. The book is no longer in print (because Rich has a newer one out now--Ike & Me), but it had a good run. Do you recognize any of the attendees below? (Mark Suppelsa, Jackie Bange, Jerry Reinsdorf, Johnny Morris are a few of them)

 

 

 The Daly News

=When Joel Daly turned in the first draft of his book The Daly News, he had a single line in there about hanging out with the Beatles for a day. We said..."Joel, you have to tell us more about that story!" So happy he did. You can read it here as a free excerpt. It happened 61 years ago this week (September 15, 1964). 

Nose Over Toes

=This week in 2019 (September 15), Eckhartz Press was out in force for the Brain Aneurysm 5K. It's a yearly event to support brain aneurysm research. Considering that a portion of the proceeds from Janet Sutherland's book went to the same cause, and that Janet was deeply involved in the organization, and that Janet's book was about her own recovery from a ruptured brain aneurysm, it seemed like a no-brainer.

Gruen Weiss Vor!

=It was a big week for Green White Soccer Club. Our book about 60 years of Green White is approaching it's 10th annivesary, and the club is still going strong. In fact, another person mentioned in the book, Kurt Melcher, has been named to the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be on November 1st. Congrats to Kurt who joins his father Horst in the Hall of Fame.

=Helmut Schoen was the coach of the West German men's national team that won the World Cup in 1974. The following year he visited a touring group of Green White Soccer Club players barnstorming through West Germany. The photo of that meeting is part of the great history of the club, and is obviously included in the book...and below. Helmut was born this week (September 15) in 1915.

Transatlantic Passage

=As long as we're talking about soccer, America's best soccer player Christian Pulisic is featured in Paul Banks' book Transatlantic Passage. Paul even got close enough to snap this picture of this week's birthday boy (September 18)

Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind

 =Vicki Quade was pretty excited when Chicago Bon Vivant Don Rose decided to blurb her Eckhartz Press book. Here's what he had to say...

• “Call Vicki Quade the anti-quotidian. There is nothing ‘everyday’ about her experiences, her interactions and especially her keen, well reported observations. She is an oddity magnet. More odd things unfurl before her on almost every outing than happen to most of us in a season–funny things, sad things, sometimes even dangerous things, or just plain odd things. That’s in part because she is a hyper-curious buttinsky, often launching conversations with strangers our mothers warned us against, emerging with priceless stories and anecdotes. You will find yourself amazed, amused or just drop your jaw but it’s all true. I swear it is.”

  Don Rose, veteran political consultant, Chicago journalist, food writer, jazz aficionado.

 Your Dime My Dance Floor

=Two of the people who contributed to Chet Coppock's book Your Dime My Dance Floor have birthdays this week as well. Former Bears linebacker Otis Wilson (September 15) contributed this testimonial...

I have known Chet for nearly forty years going back to my rookie season with the Bears in 1980. He is truly a great guy, whose sports knowledge is just amazing. You will love this book! Chet Coppock is a great friend and one heck of a great person.

• Otis Wilson, legendary Chicago Bears linebacker

 =Former Bears lineman and Hall of Famer Dan Hampton (September 19) contributed this photo...

=And this week in 2018, Chet appeared on Steve Dahl's show on WLS to celebrate the release of his book. Steve & Chet worked together at the Loop in the late 80s/early 90s. (Photo below, L-R: Steve Dahl, Chet Coppock, Rick Kaempfer, Dag Juhlin, and Brendan Greeley)

=Chet passed away in 2019, and we still miss him. 

A few other tributes to those we have lost...

Ryne Sandberg

=This week would have been the birthday of recently departed Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg (September 18). Ryno appears in three Eckhartz Press books, including Behind the Glass by Randy Merkin (photo of Ryne and Randy) 

=Of course Ryno also appears in EveryCubEver, and makes an appearance in Chuck Swirsky's book Always A Pleasure

Records Truly Is My Middle Name

=This week in 2013, legendary WLS morning man Don Wade passed away. Don was a kind contributor to Records Truly Is My Middle Name. He told some stories about John Landecker, and Landecker in turn, told some stories about Don. Those are presented here as a free excerpt from the book. Below is a photo of Don (on the right) during his days at WIBG-Philadelphia.

Chili Dog MVP

=The book is primarily about White Sox great Dick Allen, but because the book chronicles the entire 1972 White Sox season, it also includes at least a passing mention of every single player who played for the Sox that year. Including Lee "Bebe" Richard (born September 18).  Richard sadly passed away last year (August 6, 2024).

 

Death of the Angels

=Eckhartz Press author Alex Burkholder passed away a year ago this week at the age of 84. Alex wrote the incredibly well researched book Death of the Angels, which was about the famous Our Lady of the Angels fire in 1958. At our first meeting, Alex arrived with a box of cassettes filled with interviews of dozens of people who were there the day of the fire. It was really a life-long passion of his to get to the bottom of that tragedy. He finally did it with the publication of his book in 2018, on the 60th anniversary of the fire. The veteran TV producer was a founding member of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. He was also a heck of a guy. Alex is missed by us all.