Kruse

A CHICAGO FIREHOUSE:

STORIES OF WRIGLEYVILLE'S
ENGINE 78

By Karen Kruse

UPCOMING APPEARANCES FOR 2008!:

Saturday August 2, 2008; 10 - 4 pm: After missing this event last year, I'm back at the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show, at I-88 and Randall Rd. behind the Oberweis Dairy, Aurora.

Sunday August 3, 2008; 12 - 6 pm: Come join me for a day of fun at St. Mary's Pork & Corn Roast. I'll be inside the school in the gym, along with other crafters, at St. Mary of the Annunciation, 375 Yorkshire Drive, Mundelein.

Saturday August 9, 2008; 10 - 7 pm: and Sunday August 10, 2008; 10 - 6 pm: Once again, I'll be at the Des Plaines Methodist Campground Country Fair & Craft Show. Come out for two days of fun! Algonguin & River Rd., Des Plaines.

Sunday September 7, 2008; 11:30 am - 5 pm: Please join me at Lutheran Home, 800 W. Oakton St., Arlington Heights.

Saturday October 4, 2008; 9 am - 4 pm: I'm excited I'll be at the Schaumburg High School Fall 2008 Arts and Crafts Fair. Please join me at: 1100 W. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg.

Saturday October 18, 2008; 9 am - 4 pm: come join me at Conant High School for their 19th Annual Arts and Craft Fair, 700 E. Cougar Trail, Hoffman Estates.

Saturday November 1, 2008; 9 am - 3 pm: I'm back at St. Matthew's Craft Fair! Please join me at: 1001 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg.

Sunday November 2, 2008; 9 am - 4 pm: Please join me for the first time at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake Craft Fair, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake.

Saturday November 8, 2008; 9 - 4 pm: and Sunday November 9, 2008; 10 - 4 pm: I'll be at Harper College Craft Fair, 1200 W. Algonquin Rd., Palatine.

Saturday December 13, 2008; 9 am - 4 pm: It will be my first appearance at the Fremd Holiday Craft Fair. Please join me for some great gifts. William Fremd High School, 1000 S. Quentin Rd., Palatine, IL.

Rod Blagojevich, Governor of Illinois wrote to Karen:
"Your book is terrific, filled with heartwarming stories and intriguing facts."

Rick Kogan, host of "Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan," on WGN Radio (720 am):
"Karen Kruse has written a remarkable book... terrific read... interesting book... is Chicago history, talks about cemeteries, talks about famous Chicago locations... it's a full package."

Bob Vorwald, executive producer of Cub baseball on WGN writes on Len & Bob's baseball blog...
"The book is full of interesting stories about the firehouse and the surrounding neighborhoods and features some great historical photos from the area as well."

Larry King, host of "Larry King Live" encouraged Karen to
" ...sell a ton!"

Virginia McCaskey, owner of the Chicago Bears calls the book
" ...a wonderful project!"

Based on the Introduction and a few excerpts, Mayor Richard M. Daley, of Chicago wrote:
"The introduction to your book truly shows the hard work and dedication you have put into creating such a memoir... I am glad to see that you, too, acknowledge their (the Chicago Fire Department's) proud history and importance to Chicago."

Gracious thank you notes were also received from:
Paul McCartney (his dad was a volunteer firefighter),
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (originally from the Chicago area),
former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani,
and others.

Larry Phillips, of Toy Trucker & Contractor says
"The author's words literally became my eyes and imagination..."

John Malecky, of 1st Responder Newspapers says
"The pictures are all black and white... but the chapters are all colorfully written!"

Jeff Schielke, of The Visiting Fireman says
"...well written text...offers a different approach to reporting on the American fire service...refreshing and enlightening..."

Code 3 Collectibles says this is
"...A Little Book that Made a Big Impact"

The Des Plaines Times calls my program a HOT TICKET !

NOTE: Lectures are given at all library locations, but I'm also available to lecture to other groups, with autographed books available for purchase afterward. The Park Ridge Library calls this program "educationally entertaining."

Nominated for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in History!

I'd love to speak to your group, too!
Contact me for availability.

Fire Commissioner Joyce's Retirement Celebration
Here I am with a 1974 Dodge Monaco refurbished into a CFD buggy.
The commissioner rode home after his party in this.
(Photo by Dave Weaver)

AWARDS & HONORS:

Northwest Side St. Patrick's Day Parade - What a Ride! - 03/04/07 - This time I'm in a Pirsch pumper riding as a member of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. I rang the bell (my job) and waved to the crowds, grinning ear to ear! Channel 2 even showed a snippet of me in the parade as part of the evening news. Thanks again to the Fire Museum!

Freedom of the Seas - Acknowledgement Letter - 08/10/06 - My book is included in the library of the Freedom of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. To visit their website and learn more, click

Smithsonian Institution Libraries - Acknowledgement Letter - 08/29/05 - My book has been accepted into the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History Library. It's now a part of "America's Attic," and will be used by researchers, scientists, and visitors as they go about their work. To visit their website and learn more, click:

Visit to Chopper 2 03/04/05 - I had the pleasure of visiting with Kris Habermehl and the staff of Channel 2 (CBS) Chicago.

This was THE St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Chicago - What a thrill to be in the granddaddy of them all! - 03/12/05 - Once again, the trusty 1956 Ward LaFrance pumper was my ride for the classic St. Pat's Parade down Columbus Drive in Chicago.

Northwest Side St. Patrick's Day Parade - Another Great Ride! - 03/06/05 - Once again, in the 1956 Ward LaFrance pumper as a member of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago I rang the bell and blew the siren for the second time in this relatively new St. Pat's Parade on the northwest side. Afterwards, I was interviewed by CAN-TV! Thanks again to the Fire Museum!

Forest Park St. Patrick's Day Parade - A great ride! - 03/05/05 - I got to ride again in the Fire Museum's 1956 Ward LaFrance pumper in the first St. Pat's Parade of the season!

Northwest Side St. Patrick's Day Parade - Ride of a lifetime! - 03/07/04 - I received the priviledge of riding in a 1956 Ward LaFrance pumper as a member of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago in a brand new St. Pat's parade on the northwest side. I rang the bell, waved to the crowd and blew the siren, all at the SAME time! Thanks to the Fire Museum! To see of photo of me with the engine, click here:

Association for Gravestone Studies - Congratulations Certificate - 02/09/04 - "Congratulations on receiving an Honorable Mention in the 2003 AGS Gravemarker Competition!" To learn more about the AGS, click here:

Queen Mary 2 - Acknowledgement Letter - 05/29/04 - My book is also included in the library of the Queen Mary 2, the 2nd largest cruise ship in the world. To visit their website and learn more, click

Glenview Public Library - Certificate of Appreciation - 03/23/03 - "For outstanding community service through her writing." This event was also taped for Glenview Cable TV.

Alexandria Library in Egypt - Acknowledgement - 10/20/02 - My book is included in their collection of world history: "This donation will remain a landmark in enriching the intellectual content of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina." To visit their website and learn more, click

Me, being me!
Photo taken at the Gear Up Foundation's 1st Chicago Convention
at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, St. Charles, IL, September 22, 2007.
(Photo by Phil Wydra)

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES:

PUBLICITY:

Daily Herald "Praise for dad, all firefighters at heart of Schaumburg author's book" written about my book and it's connection to the Schaumburg FD. - 11/12/06 - To read the article, scroll to the bottom of:

Chicago Sun-Times "Five-Alarm Self-Promotion: How firefighter's daughter "shamelessly" pitches book" written by me, Karen Kruse - 06/16/02 - To read my article on shameless self-promotion, click here:

"What it takes to be a Hero" is an article written by me about firemen as the true heroes they are. It appeared in several publications, as follows:

The Booster and News-Star , November 28, 2001.

American Mensa, Ltd's publication The Bulletin , January, 2002

The Hometown Journal , September 10, 2002, as a tribute to those of September 11th, 2001.

Several websites also host my tribute article.
Please visit Emergency Ministries, hosted by my friend Fire Chaplain Skip Straus at:

or Butler Township Fire Co. where my article is part of their mission statement:

INTERVIEWS:

WGN Radio - 720 AM - 02/25/07 - 7:30 - 8:00 am - Radio Interview with Rick Kogan on "The Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan." Visit them at:

WONU-FM Radio Rise & Shine Chicago on 89.7 FM, Bourbonnais, IL - Broadcast 12/18/06 at 7:20 am and again on 12/19/06: - Radio interview with Johnny (a HUGE Cubs fan) from the Rise & Shine Chicago Morning Show. To visit their website, click:

World Talk Radio Be the Star You Are! on 1700 AM (CA) - Broadcast 09/25/06 from 3:20 to 3:40 pm (Chicago time): - Internet Radio interview with Cynthia Brian, speaker and development coach. To hear my complete interview simply visit the world Talk Radio website, then scroll down and look for the Play buttons to hear the program:

WJJG Radio Cop Talk on 1530 AM, Elmhurst, IL - Broadcast 08/27/05 at 10:30 am: - Radio interview with Bill Jaconetti, the most decorated cop in the city. To visit their website, click:

The Salon an author chat - 05/24/05 - 8:00 - 9:00 pm - Special Guest Author on Live Internet chat in AOL's Author's Chat room.

Homeland Defense Radio Firehouse Gourmet on the Internet radio station at www.homelanddefenseradio.com - Broadcast 07/30/04 at :28 & :58 minutes after the hour: - Radio interview with Marlis Majerus on our family's cherry coffeecake recipe, with special mention of my book, A Chicago Firehouse: Stories of Wrigleyville's Engine 78 . To visit their website, click

WNOI Radio R&B Revue on 104 FM, Flora, IL - Broadcast 05/19/04 at 2 pm: - Radio interview with Randy Poole and Brenda Miller on my book. To visit their website, click

CAN-TV - MY CHICAGO CABLE DEBUT! - Shown 03/09/04: 5 pm & 03/10/04: 12 pm (noon) - Chicago Cable TV Interview on CAN-TV, complete with several pictures broadcast. To hear and see the whole interview through Google Video, click

CBS2 TV - 04/07/03 - 11:15 am - TV Interview with Stacia Dubin, complete with photo gallery of pictures, many from the book, held on the day of the Chicago Cubs Home Opener!

Glenview Cable TV - ANOTHER CABLE TAPING! - Cable taping of the Glenview Author Reception held at the Glenview Public Library, with moderator Jack Mabley, 03/23/03

Library Cable Network - CABLE DEBUT! - 06/13/02 - Cable taping of lecture given at the Park Ridge Library, 01/29/02 - For schedule of future broadcast times and link to site, see above.

AOL Keyword: FIREFIGHTER - 02/28/02 - 8:00 - 9:00 pm - Special Guest on Live Internet chat in AOL's Firefighter Chat room.

WGN Radio - 720 AM - 11/25/01 - 1:20 - 2:30 pm - Radio Interview with Nick Digilio. To hear part of that interview, follow the link:

NBC5 TV - 10/09/01 - 6:51 am - TV Interview with Art Norman and Nesita Kwan.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

09/28/07 - Mather Place at the Georgian - Evanston

07/10/07 - North Shore Senior Center Mens' Club - Northfield

05/23/06 - Edgewater Historical Society & Museum - Chicago

04/29/06 - Obadiah Press Writing Conference - Merrill, WI

09/01/05 - Optimist Club of Des Plaines - Des Plaines

06/21/05 - Maine Township Village Hall - Park Ridge

06/09/05 - Des Plaines History Center - Des Plaines

05/13/05 - Park Junior High School Book Club - LaGrange Park

05/12/05 - Oak Lawn Library - Oak Lawn

04/19/05 - Patty Turner Senior Center - Deerfield

04/07/05 - Glen Ellyn Library - Glen Ellyn

10/31/04 - Mensa's Annual Halloween Event (on the art of shameless book promotion) - Arlington Heights

10/29/04 - Mensa's Annual Halloween Event - Arlington Heights

11/02/03 - Mensa's Annual Halloween Event - Arlington Heights

10/31/03 - Mensa's Annual Halloween Event (on the art of shameless book promotion) - Arlington Heights

08/08/03 - Garden Seniors of Oak Lawn - Oak Lawn, IL

07/12/03 - Intertel - Wood Dale, IL

07/03/03 - American Mensa, Ltd. (on the art of shameless book promotion) - St. Paul, MN

05/03/03 - Wisconsin Regional Writers Assn. (on the art of shameless book promotion) - Milwaukee, WI

02/26/03 - Barnes & Noble, Old Orchard (on the art of shameless book promotion) - Skokie

02/15/03 - Thomas Ford Library - Western Springs

11/21/02 - Chicago Police Department - Chicago

11/09/02 - Blue Island Public Library - Blue Island

11/02/02 - Mensa's Annual Halloween Event - Arlington Heights

10/24/02 - Cook Memorial Public Library - Libertyville

10/23/02 - Austin/Irving Public Library - Chicago

10/10/02 - Downers Grove Public Library - Downers Grove

10/09/02 - Northtown Public Library - Chicago

10/08/02 - Niles Public Library - Niles

10/02/02 - Elmwood Park Public Library - Elmwood Park

09/25/02 - West Belmont Public Library - Chicago

09/18/02 - Fremont Public Library - Mundelein

09/14/02 - Edgewater Public Library - Chicago

09/10/02 - Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch - Oak Park

09/07/02 - Geneva Public Library - Geneva

08/07/02 - Des Plaines Public Library - Des Plaines

07/24/02 - Indian Trails Public Library - Wheeling

07/16/02 - Jefferson Park Public Library - Chicago

07/11/02 - Arlington Heights Public Library - Arlington Heights

07/10/02 - Eisenhower Public Library - Harwood Heights

06/19/02 - Palatine Public Library - Palatine

06/10/02 - Schaumburg Public Library - Schaumburg

06/06/02 - Northbrook Public Library - Northbrook

05/15/02 - Prospect Heights Public Library - Prospect Heights

05/04/02 - Lincoln/Belmont Branch Library - Chicago

05/01/02 - The Officer's Wives Club of Glenview Naval Air Station - Glenview

04/24/02 - The Service League of Northwestern Memorial Hospital - Chicago

04/23/02 - Glencoe Public Library - Glencoe

04/18/02 - Skokie Public Library - Skokie

04/17/02 - Roden Public Library - Chicago

04/10/02 - Edgebrook Public Library - Chicago

03/12/02 - Glenview Public Library - Glenview

03/09/02 - Wilmette Public Library - Wilmette

03/07/02 - Friendship Club - Skokie

01/29/02 - Park Ridge Public Library, filmed by the Library Cable Network - To find out more, click on the link above.- Park Ridge

01/24/02 - Midwest Writers Assn. Monthly Meeting - Glenview

10/28/01 - Niles Historical Society - Niles

10/27/01 - Mensa's Annual Halloween Celebration - Arlington Heights