<div dir="ltr">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:<div><br></div><div>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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<span>
</span>(<i>Mary Vergowven, Reference Librarian, Bedford Branch, Library,Monroe
County Library System)</i><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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. </span> (Britney, Library
Director , Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library )<span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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.</span>
(<a href="http://history.msu.edu/people/faculty/roger-rosentreter/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">http://history.msu.edu/people/faculty/roger-rosentreter/</span></a>) Le
Roy G. Barnett, Grand Ledge MI<span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">We’re going to have Ric
Mixter, shipwrecks expert, do a program on the sinking on the Edmund Fitzgerald
in the fall. <a href="http://www.ricmixter.com/lectures" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">http://www.ricmixter.com/lectures</span></a>.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Our program description
will read:<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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.<span> </span>(Eileen Button, GDL Community Relations Asst.)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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:<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">It was a pleasure speaking
with you this afternoon. You can take a look at my work at <a href="http://www.civilwarnovels.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">www.civilwarnovels.com</span></a> 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.<br clear="all">
Dr. Michael J. Deeb<br>
Author: Duty and Honor<br>
Phone: (989) 245 8656<br>
Website: <a href="http://www.civilwarnovels.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">www.civilwarnovels.com</span></a> <br>
Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-J-Deeb/1168646976" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-J-Deeb/1168646976</span></a> <br>
Blog: <a href="http://civilwarnovels.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">http://civilwarnovels.blogspot.com/</span></a><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">(Nancy L Harper, Library
Director, White Cloud)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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:<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"> <span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">- Russell
Dore, <a href="mailto:doreproductions@yahoo.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">doreproductions@yahoo.com</span></a> (auto,
aviation, and presidential history)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">- Michael
Hauser, <a href="mailto:mhauser@motopera.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">mhauser@motopera.org</span></a> (Detroit
retail and theaters)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">- Joe
Oldenburg, <a href="mailto:zed796@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">zed796@gmail.com</span></a> (prohibition,
Michigan statehood, auto industry)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">- Tobin
Buhk, <a href="mailto:tobin@tobinbuhk.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">tobin@tobinbuhk.com</span></a> (true
crime stories)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">- Gail
Offen & Jon Milan, <a href="mailto:gmoffen@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">gmoffen@gmail.com</span></a> (Grand
River Ave, Ann Arbor restaurants)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">- Tom
Stanton, <a href="mailto:stanton.th@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">stanton.th@gmail.com</span></a> (Detroit
Tigers history) <span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Amy Crockett<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Outreach Services Clerk<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Hamburg Township Library<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">You might try the <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61086-456547--,00.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">Michigan History Center</span></a> in Lansing to see if they have
anyone available. (Cindy Krueger, Marketing & Outreach, Dept. of Natural
Resources)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Al and Dave Eicher are
very good and easy to work with. (Barb King,St. Clair County Library)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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. </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;word-spacing:0px">
<a href="http://hsmichigan.org/resources/storytellers-speakers-performers/presenter-mike-fornes/" target="_blank" style="font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;word-spacing:0px"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">http://hsmichigan.org/resources/storytellers-speakers-performers/presenter-mike-fornes/</span></a><br style="font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;word-spacing:0px">
<br style="font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;float:none;word-spacing:0px">Also, many friends groups at our branches and the local
historical societies have had Ric Mixter, also with good reviews.</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;word-spacing:0px">
<a href="http://www.ricmixter.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">http://www.ricmixter.com/</span></a><span> </span>(Arleen Wood, Iosco-Arenac)<span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">My name is Tim Gleisner
and I am the Head of the Special Collections at the Library of Michigan.<span> </span>I was forwarded your Michlib post on any
possible Michigan History speakers.<span> </span>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)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">We've had Jack Dempsey,
2-time MI Notable Book author, at our library twice over the years. <span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">He was well-received,
especially the Civil War-related program.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Jack is both knowledgeable
and very personable.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Here's his contact info if
you're interested:<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">John M. (Jack) Dempsey<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">9400 Northhampton Dr.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Plymouth, MI 48170<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">734-358-5752<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><a href="mailto:jdempsey@dickinson-wright.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">jdempsey@dickinson-wright.com</span></a><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">This past fall we had Tom
Carr, author of Blood on the Mitten: Infamous Michigan Murders 1700s to
Present.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">True crime remains a
popular genre, and add in the Michigan element and even moreso.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Here's his contact info.
as well:<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Tom Carr<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://maps.google.com/?q=6420+W.+Four+Rd.+Mesick,+MI+49668&entry=gmail&source=g"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">6420 W. Four Rd.</span></a><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://maps.google.com/?q=6420+W.+Four+Rd.+Mesick,+MI+49668&entry=gmail&source=g"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">Mesick, MI 49668</span></a><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">231-409-6074<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><a href="mailto:thomasrobertcarr@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">thomasrobertcarr@gmail.com</span></a><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">(David M. Stokes, Adult
Services Librarian, Milford Public Library)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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. <span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;word-spacing:0px;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">I would suggest
contacting Arcadia Press (<a href="https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Home" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;text-decoration:none">https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Home</span></a>). 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.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;word-spacing:0px;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"> I would
also recommend contacting WSU Press (<a href="http://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;text-decoration:none">http://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/</span></a>). I have had a
lot of luck getting MI history speakers from them too.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;word-spacing:0px;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">(Jillian Baker,
Head of Adult Services, Main Library,Farmington Community Library)<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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. <span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background:white;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">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)<span></span></span></p>
<br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">Margaret Bentley<div>Adult Services Librarian</div><div>Shiawassee District Library--Owosso</div><div>502 W. Main Street</div><div>Owosso, Michigan 48867</div><div>989-725-5134</div></div></div></div>
</div></div>