About a month ago, I wrote about Bill Jackson, a Chicago children's
television legend. I emailed him to inform him of the post. Usually I would say it was because I am a shameless self-promoter. In this case, I really just wanted Jackson to know that I appreciated what he did for the NIE program and for all he did for children his whole life.He responded and we exchanged a few emails. He also graciously sent me a couple signed sketches of Blob.
Reconnecting with BJ was a nice experience, especially around the holidays. I have ordered his book The Only Kid on the Carnival and can't wait to learn more about the man behind all of the great creations at the Fun Company.
Last week, I went back to my high school years to wish everyone a Happy New Year in German. After alerting Greg (who was one of the stars of the post), he responded in German. I am pretty rusty, but I managed to translate his response. Greg is a funny guy and should have his own blog, but he probably has better things to do. Either way, he is always welcome to guest blog here.
But wait, the reunion doesn't end there. I also located Andy Livingston, another of the stars of the post (and my high school German teacher). I emailed him and we have exchanged a couple notes since. Livingston is teaching and coaching at Lake Park in Roselle (IL). He and his wife Leland (also a teacher of mine back at Mt. Carmel) have 2 daughters.
I told him how I was much more advanced in German than other students when I took it as a course at DePaul. Students might have been stronger in vocabulary, but I was well ahead of them in stringing it all together. This is a testament to Livingston's teaching. I didn't even realize it at the time.
It was nice reconnecting with him. He's a good guy and a good teacher.
1 comment:
I stumbled on Bill Jackson's web site a few years ago, and ordered one of his tapes of the old Gigglesnort hotel shows for an x-mas present for my brother in law. When it arrived in the typical VHS mailing box (it was before DVD was so prevalent) he had drew dirty dragon on the front box, with his smoke bubble being my address! It was great, having one of his drawings, which he did so famously (at least in Chicago) in my hands. I grew up with Ray Raynor, Bozo Circus, BJ, etc. so having a drawing from him was special.
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