Category: Appearances

The Legend of Pemberton Hall Presentation at Eastern Illinois University

Post author By Michael Kleen
Post date October 20, 2018
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The Legend of Pemberton Hall is among one of the most well-known ghost stories in Illinois. Set at Eastern Illinois University, generations of young women who reside in this residence hall have been telling tales of Mary Hawkins and the ghost of an (allegedly) murdered coed. On October 24, 2013, I explored the facts and the fiction behind the tale at a presentation at MLK Student Union. So many people showed up we actually had to move to a larger room. After many years writing about this EIU legend, giving this presentation on campus was a wonderful opportunity.

Tags Coles County, college, Eastern Illinois University, ghostlore, Illinois

Appearances Video

On 104.9 The X with Kevin and Lori

Post author By Michael Kleen
Post date March 28, 2018
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Last week, hosts Kevin and Lori graciously invited me on their show “The Morning X”, 104.9FM The X in Rockford, to discuss my new documentary Tinker’s Shadow: The Hidden History of Tinker Swiss Cottage, now available on Amazon Video Direct! We talk about what it took to make the film and how everyone contributed to putting together such a great project.

Tags ghostlore, interview, Rockford, Tinker's Shadow

Appearances

Willy Adkins and Justin Romine talk “Headline News”

Post author By Michael Kleen
Post date October 14, 2016
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Back in the dingy DeKalb office building in the summer of 2011, Willy Adkins, director and executive producer, and Justin Romine, directory of photography, paused from filming Headline News to record this interview with me. Headline News, based on my short story “Coed Terror in the Ivory Tower of Doom,” premiered at the Chicago Horror Film Festival on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the Portage Theater. What a walk down memory lane! Check out the interview below.

Tags film, horror, interview

Appearances

Filming Headline News

On a summer day in 2011, I met director Willy Adkins and his cast and crew at an office building in DeKalb, Illinois. We were there to film Headline News, a horror short based on a story I wrote for my book Six Tales of Terror. Jason Sullivan adapted my story into a script. All the cast and crew, especially Michael Schmid, Michael Wexler, James Pusztay, and Kelsey Zukowski, really brought the characters to life. It was a surreal experience, to say the least, to see characters come to life I had previously only imagined! I even got to play a small walk on role, as a crime scene photographer. Here are some pictures from the filming. Tragically, Michael Wexler died after being hit by a car in December 2015. I only met him a few times, but he was a talented actor and seemed like a great guy. I was very sorry to hear about his loss.

Tags film, horror, Illinois

Appearances

150th Anniversary of the Charleston Riot

Post author By Michael Kleen
Post date April 6, 2014
1 Comment on 150th Anniversary of the Charleston Riot

A big thank you is in order to Ann Winkler Hinrichs, David Kent Coy, and the other organizers of the 150th Anniversary of the Charleston Riot event last weekend! For what might be the final time, I was asked to give my presentation on home front dissent in Illinois during the Civil War, as part of a larger series of speakers at the Coles County Courthouse on Saturday, March 29th. The presentation was well attended, and there were a lot of great questions from the audience. Afterwards, I had a book signing at Pensees Bookshop on the square (502 6th St). Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer spoke at the banquet that night, but unfortunately I had to leave before he spoke. I met some very interesting folks that day! Thanks to my friend Becky Guymon for taking these photos of my presentation:

Tags American Civil War, Illinois

Appearances

Secret Rockford Book Release Party

Post author By Michael Kleen
Post date March 5, 2014
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On Saturday, March 1, we had our Secret Rockford book release party at Tinker Swiss Cottage here in Rockford. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and it snowed off and on throughout the day! Never-the-less, we had a good turnout and everyone enjoyed themselves. Several contributors to the book spoke about their articles and short stories, including Kathi Kresol, Stanley Campbell, Scott Farrell, Heath Alberts, Ernie Fuhr, Jim Phelps, and Doug Janicke. I thought all the speakers did a wonderful job and I was very impressed with their passion and ability to speak off the cuff. Hopefully we will have another event like this in the future.

Tags book, Rockford

Appearances

Riley & Scot talk Secret Rockford

Post author By Michael Kleen
Post date March 1, 2014
1 Comment on Riley & Scot talk Secret Rockford

On February 27 at 10:20am, I had the pleasure of doing a short, in-studio interview with Riley & Scot at WROK 1440 AM in Rockford. After the unfortunate and untimely demise of 100.5 FM, this is now one of the only local talk radio shows left in the Rockford area. The other is The Michael Koolidge Show, which is also on WROK. I appeared briefly on Koolidge’s show as well to promote the Secret Rockford book release party at Tinker Swiss Cottage. The studio was comfortable despite the subzero temperatures outside. Thanks, guys!