[Michlib-l] Speaker Recommendations Compilation of Responses

Fri May 18 14:42:21 EDT 2018

Thank you to everyone who answered my questions about Michigan history
related speakers.  I received a lot of answers and will be exploring some
of these options further.  For those who asked, this is what I received:

We just had Mike Fornes talk about the USCGC Mackinaw. He gave a very
interesting and entertaining presentation and sold his books at the end. He
also does a Mackinaw Bridge presentation as well as the Edmund Fitzgerald.
If interested, I can send you his contact information. He charges
$250.00  (*Mary
Vergowven, Reference Librarian, Bedford Branch, Library,Monroe County
Library System)*

I have worked with the Eichers multiple times. They do wonderful programs.
That said, they are VERY enthusiastic about promoting their programs. So if
you inquire with them, be prepared for multiple emails and phone calls,
both before and after you book them, and during the next programming cycle.
(Britney, Library Director , Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library )

I’d suggest Roger Rosentreter from the History Department at Michigan State
University.  I find his presentations fascinating.  He usually speaks on
Michigan in the Civil War and/or Michigan Military History.  All his talks
are well illustrated with projected visuals.  See URL below for
biographical sketch. (
http://history.msu.edu/people/faculty/roger-rosentreter/) Le Roy G.
Barnett, Grand Ledge MI

We’re going to have Ric Mixter, shipwrecks expert, do a program on the
sinking on the Edmund Fitzgerald in the fall.
http://www.ricmixter.com/lectures.

Our program description will read:

Learn about the day that the “gales of November came early” and the Mighty
Fitz took its fatal plunge. Shipwreck expert Ric Mixter, who has produced
over thirty programs for PBS, the Outdoor Channel and VisionTV network, is
a captivating speaker who will share his extensive knowledge, along with
underwater video.  (Eileen Button, GDL Community Relations Asst.)

We’ve had Al and Dave for several programs. They do excellent work.  Their
programs are engaging and very well done.  I especially like the Amelia
Earhart program and the orphan train program.  We liked them so well that
we had them produce a documentary film about our own historic Hoyt
Library.  (Kim White, Head of Hoyt Library, Public Libraries of Saginaw)

We were contacted by this person, but we have not used him for a program
yet, probably be this Fall. Maybe he has a presentation relating the Civil
War and Michigan:

It was a pleasure speaking with you this afternoon. You can take a look at
my work at www.civilwarnovels.com In addition to writing, I give talks at
service club meetings and libraries. I can be contacted at this e mail
address or by phone at 989 2458656.
Dr. Michael J. Deeb
Author: Duty and Honor
Phone: (989) 245 8656
Website: www.civilwarnovels.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-J-Deeb/1168646976
Blog: http://civilwarnovels.blogspot.com/

(Nancy L Harper, Library Director, White Cloud)

I haven’t had the speakers you mentioned, but we do a lot of Michigan
history programs here. These are a few of the speakers we have had who have
been good. Most of them have been here multiple times:

-          Russell Dore, doreproductions at yahoo.com (auto, aviation, and
presidential history)

-          Michael Hauser, mhauser at motopera.org (Detroit retail and
theaters)

-          Joe Oldenburg, zed796 at gmail.com (prohibition, Michigan
statehood, auto industry)

-          Tobin Buhk, tobin at tobinbuhk.com (true crime stories)

-          Gail Offen & Jon Milan, gmoffen at gmail.com (Grand River Ave, Ann
Arbor restaurants)

-          Tom Stanton, stanton.th at gmail.com (Detroit Tigers history)

Amy Crockett

Outreach Services Clerk

Hamburg Township Library

I've had Al and Dave Eicher come for two presentations while I've been a
part of the Adult Services Department at the Auburn Hills Public Library
and I know we also used them before I started as well. They are very
engaging presenters and always draw in a crowd for our older patrons who
like to hear about historical topics. We just did When Hollywood Went to
War a couple of months ago and got a lot of good feedback from the public
on it. The only drawback is that Al and Dave can be a bit expensive
depending on your budget. (Joshua Campeau, Adult Services Librarian, Auburn
Hills Public Library)

You might try the Michigan History Center
<https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61086-456547--,00.html> in
Lansing to see if they have anyone available. (Cindy Krueger, Marketing &
Outreach, Dept. of Natural Resources)

Al and Dave Eicher are very good and easy to work with. (Barb King,St.
Clair County Library)

Our local historical society and friends have had Mike Fornes speak on the
history of the Mackinaw bridge and also he did his Gordon Lightfoot tribute
program.  He gets good reviews.
http://hsmichigan.org/resources/storytellers-speakers-performers/presenter-mike-fornes/

Also, many friends groups at our branches and the local historical
societies have had Ric Mixter, also with good reviews.
http://www.ricmixter.com/  (Arleen Wood, Iosco-Arenac)

My name is Tim Gleisner and I am the Head of the Special Collections at the
Library of Michigan.  I was forwarded your Michlib post on any possible
Michigan History speakers.  I just wanted to make you aware that myself and
Matt Pacer, both of the Library of Michigan, present on Michigan Historical
and Genealogical topics throughout the state at libraries and societies.
Our fee is free since this would be through our work at the Library of
Michigan.Please feel free in contacting me if you are at all interested.
(Tim Gleisner)

We've had Jack Dempsey, 2-time MI Notable Book author, at our library twice
over the years.

His MI Notable books were: 2012's  Michigan and the Civil War: A Great and
Bloody Sacrifice, and Ink Trails: Michigan's Famous & Forgotten Authors in
2013.

He's published a sequel to Ink Trails since then, as well as a book
about Michigan at Antietam (the single bloodiest day of the Civil War), and
a book on Capitol Park in downtown Detroit.

He was well-received, especially the Civil War-related program.

Jack is both knowledgeable and very personable.

Here's his contact info if you're interested:

John M. (Jack) Dempsey

9400 Northhampton Dr.

Plymouth, MI 48170

734-358-5752

jdempsey at dickinson-wright.com

This past fall we had Tom Carr, author of Blood on the Mitten: Infamous
Michigan Murders 1700s to Present.

True crime remains a popular genre, and add in the Michigan element and
even moreso.

Here's his contact info. as well:

Tom Carr

6420 W. Four Rd.
<https://maps.google.com/?q=6420+W.+Four+Rd.+Mesick,+MI+49668&entry=gmail&source=g>

Mesick, MI 49668
<https://maps.google.com/?q=6420+W.+Four+Rd.+Mesick,+MI+49668&entry=gmail&source=g>

231-409-6074

thomasrobertcarr at gmail.com

(David M. Stokes, Adult Services Librarian, Milford Public Library)

I've worked with Al and Dave in the past. They did a presentation on the
orphan train in Michigan which was great. They are a bit pricey. I seem to
remember them charging about $500 for their presentations.

I would suggest contacting Arcadia Press (
https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Home). They publish the "Images of
America" series and have a lot of books on MI history. I have worked with
them many times. The authors are wonderful and I can usually get a speaker
for $75-$100.

 I would also recommend contacting WSU Press (http://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/).
I have had a lot of luck getting MI history speakers from them too.

(Jillian Baker, Head of Adult Services, Main Library,Farmington Community
Library)

I am new to this position but my staff have strong opinions about Al and
Dave Eicher.  They do not recommend them.  While the content is factual the
presentation is not interesting and doesn’t capture the audience’s
attention very well.  Sorry to say.

We have recently had Derek Blount, Vice President of the Oakland County
Genealogical Society give a talk on finding out about ancestry through ship
manifests and other voyage documents.  He was very well received and
interesting.  Don’t know if that fits with Michigan history that you’re
looking for but he may be open to discussing it. (Terrie, Midland)

Margaret Bentley
Adult Services Librarian
Shiawassee District Library--Owosso
502 W. Main Street
Owosso, Michigan  48867
989-725-5134
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