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Return home. See our program listing. Our current schedule. Meet the people involved. Test your historical knowledge. Please contact us for additional information. HFK Presents...for the kids at heart.
Photo montage (1). Photo montage (2). HFK Presents....historical portrayal for the kids at heart.
Photo montage (3).
     
     
 
Motivational Programs
 
 
Mistakes Happen
 
 
One Size Does Not Fit All
 
 
We the People
 
     
     
Featured programs.

Meriwether Lewis

Burnham’s Chicago

Teddy Roosevelt

Haunted History

The Legend of St. Nicholas

Early Movers & Shakers

Illinois Inventors

Benjamin Franklin

 
 

“It was a pure joy talking with someone who loves their work and does such an outstanding job. I do hope I get another chance to see another wonderful presentation. ”

– District IV Director
Daughters of the American Revolution

 

“Terry's presentation as
Ben Franklin on Constitution Day lent an uplifting dimension to a day that is too often overlooked by students. Terry was willing to tailor his program to our needs. It was as if we were in the presences of Ben Franklin himself. Students asked to have their picture taken with him. Terry was both historically accurate and amusing in his presentation. He is a must see!"!


-Office of Student Life
Berkshire Community College
Berkshire, MA

 
 
 

"Everyone that I talked to was extremely happy with the performance."

- John Buckler
Masonic Lodge
Naperville, Illinois

 

“Ben Frankin was a great addition to our Constitution Day activities. HFK Presents provided us a great opportunity to learn more about United States history in a fun but meaningful way. Ben Franklin was educational and entertaining, and we look forward tohis return to our campus!"


-Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

 
 
 

“Just a special word of thanks for a spectacular presentation--so well received by all. It made yet another Annual meeting of the Historical Society of Des Plaines memorable. I'm not sure how we can ever top this!”


-Des Plaines Historical Society
Des Plaines, IL

 

“Everyone was pleased with the program. Several asked if there were other programs offered, and if so, please have you back again.”


-Thornton Historical Society
Thornton , IL

 
 

“I always know we have had a good presentation by the amount of members who ask when we can have the presenter back! I had several members find me immediately to offer such praise. We can't wait to schedule Terry for next year!”


-Will County Farm Bureau
Joliet , IL

 
 
 
 
 
     

 

   
Dates Are Still Available for Spring and Summer Programs as Well as Spring Teacher In-Services and Staff Development Programs.
Call or Email for Details
Let the Past Inspire the Future...
 
Terry Lynch
 
Speaker~ Author~ Humorist
 
Speaking to groups of all ages, Terry uses his years of theatrical and improvisational training at Northern Illinois Universtiy, The Second City Training Center, and iO Theatre, to create unique, interactive presentations that are humorous, informative and motivational.
 
Most recently, Terry has co authored Mistakes Happen: An Historical Guide to Overcoming Adversity, and has been an occasional guest on the
"WGN-TV Morning Show".
 
Through humor and storytelling, audience members will learn effective leadership strategies, develop important everyday decision making skills, and discover that even great leaders make mistakes! Terry will work with you to customize a program that will speak to your audience and help them to discover THEIR greatness! Below is a list of the available leadership programs.
 
"Mistakes Happen!"
 
During these uncertain times, we all find ourselves trying to overcome some type of adversity. Who can we look to for guidance? Those who came before us made mistakes., overcame adversity, and are now in the history books as examples of how to persevere in spite of "perceived" failure.
 
Speaker Terry Lynch has had the opportunity to research some of this countries most famous leaders. Through his research, he has found that not everything in the lives of our most prestigious Americans ran smoothly.
 
Did you know...
 

At 18, Ben Franklin was stranded in London without a penny to his name?

 

In George Washington's early military career, he was better known for the
battles he lost than the battles he won?

 

The most famous military battle in Teddy Roosevelt's life started by him going up the wrong hill?
 
Students will not only learn effective leadership strategies, but will develop important everyday decision-making skills.
 
"One Size Does Not Fit All"
 
A leadership program demonstrating that not every organization can buy "off the rack".
 
You may need the:
 
diplomacy of Ben Franklin
 
guidance of Lewis & Clark
 
determination of Theodore Roosevelt
 
to tailor the leader that fits!
 
 
"We the People"
 
The ideas of a farmer, banker, lawyer, printer and silver smith helped to form the foundation of our country. Every voice must be heard! Let the past inspire your future!
 
 
All programs are researched by Laura E. Lynch, certified educator and member of Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who Among Young American Professionals.
 
Are you a principal or curriculum director looking for a great in-service for teachers to obtain those omnipresent CPDUs?
Never fear, HFK Presents is here!

 

Laura & Terry Lynch (HFK Presents)are now
ISBE Approved Professional Development
Providers.
Contact them for info on how to have HFK Presents at your next school or regional in-service!

Presentations available:

 

S.O.S.!! Save Our Social Studies
Planning, Delivering and Engaging Students in
Social Studies Instruction

 

Actions Speak Louder Than Words
How to Maintain Credibilty as a Role Model for Your Students

 

* What Do You Do With People Like That?
Strategies for Effective Collaborative Relationships and Communication

 

All presentations available year round

 

* Programming also appropriate for college orientation programs

 

 

 

Now Available!! The Companion Book:

 

Mistakes Happen:
An Historical Guide
to Overcoming Adversity

 

Learn that everything is on purpose

Don't let little mistakes cloud the
greatness to come.

Great leaders learn from their mistakes!
AND...

Nicholas Comes to America:
The Story of Santa Claus


Discover the origins of:

St. Nicholas characters in various countries.

Popular Christmas Symbols

Worldwide Christmas traditions.

 

$10.00 USD each
Plus S & H

Included are some of the author's favorite Christmas recipes with pages for your own Christmas treats and room to journal your special
Christmas memories!

 

Click here to see the book trailer!

 

 

 

 
Do American's Need to Brush Up
on Their Civics?

 

The answer is is a resounding YES! Lately, it seems the emphasis in the American school system has been on passing standardized tests for funding. What have we lost in the process? Learning!

 

Today, the average American might have difficulty passing the test for U.S. citizenship. Don't believe it? Click on the link below. Newsweek asked 1000 people the following questions from the test... 38% failed.
How do you measure up?

 

Newsweek Excerpts from the U.S. Citizenship Test

 

Just for Fun Video Gallery

 

 
Just a Click Away...
 

 

or for college students:
www.hfkcollegeprograms.blogspot.com

 

 

 


Click the link below for the latest webisode of:

HFK Presents: 5 Minutes of History

on our YouTube Channel!

 

 
Also available:
Historical Portrayal Programs
 
"Let Leaders From the Past
Leads Us to the Future"
 

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin.“The Man Who Thought
Outside the Box”

 

When faced with a situation, it is not always best to attack it straight on. This was one way Franklin became so successful! Look at life from a different perspective, and you may see more than you ever thought possible.

 

 
   

Teddy Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt.

“Lead By Example.”

 

You may not be able to charge up San Juan Hill as Roosevelt did, but develop your leadership skills as you learn how to use Teddy's approach to life and elevate others along with you.

 
   

George Washington: Mount Vernon to Washington D.C.

“A Surveyor of Land to the Leader of a Nation”

 

 

His commitment to his family was as important to him as his commitment to his soldiers, and later a fledgling nation. Learn what brought Washington from a surveyor of land, to the leader of a nation.

 
   

Andrew Jackson, the Story of "Old Hickory"
Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812


 
   

“Our federal union, it must be preserved.”

– Andrew Jackson

Commemorate the 200th anniversary
of the War of 1812 with Andrew Jackson,
our seventh president, and voice of the
"common man" as he tells the tales of his 1812 wartime exploits, his disagreements with congress, and his tumultuous presidency.

 

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“It is just as easy to acquire the habit of
speaking kindly as it is to acquire the habit of speaking unkindly."

 


Are you a Rotarian? Terry Lynch now appears as Rotary founder Paul Harris! What need did Harris see in the city of Chicago? What led him to seek small town fellowship in the big city? Hear about the life of Rotarian founder Paul Harris, as well as the beginnings of Rotary. Included are some of the milestones in Rotary over the past 100 years.

 

 

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The Underground Railroad

 
   

Underground Railroad.““If you’re anywhere in Illinois, you’re not too far from a place where the Underground Railroad operated.”

– Glennette Tilley Turner

 

Discover the firsthand story of William Hays, conductor of the Underground Railroad in Randolph Co., IL. His mission, to aid in the abolishment fo slavery, assist in illegal transport of runaway slaves, as well as the eventual court trial for his actions.

A wonderful supplement for Black History Month!

 

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Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War--
U.S. Grant: The Hero of Appomattox

 
   

“There never was a time, when, in my opinion, someway could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.”

– Ulysses S. Grant

It has been 150 years since the beginning of the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union army commemorates this anniversary as he reveals how the war impacted the lives of all Americans. The conflict was not restricted to the fields of battle. The war affected the lives of average citizens as the nation struggled to remain united.

 
       
       
   
"A Break From the Everyday
Historical Personalities That Inspire"
 
       
   

The Legend of St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas.

“Santa Through the Centuries” 

This holiday program will educate as well as inspire. How has the Santa Claus figure through the centuries epitomized the adage
"It is better to give than receive"?

New!! Companion book now available for $10.00

 

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Haunted History

Haunted History.“Sit Back and Listen...If You Dare!.”

 

Hear the entertaining and chillling tales of the historical hauntings of the Midwest. Stories of the S.S. Eastland, Brookfiled Zoo, Fort Dearborn Massacre, and John Dillinger (just to name a few) help to guarantee goosebumps, while enjoying a bit of history at the same time! May be adjusted for geographical region.

 

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Edgar Allan Poe

 
   

“Sleep, those little slices of death--how I loathe them."
– Edgar Allan Poe

Literary chills abound in this spine tingling program. Terry Lynch as Edgar Allan Poe will give a brief biographical sketch of his life. The main focus of this program is the retelling of some of Poe's greatest works. Highlights include "The Raven" and "The Tell Tale Heart"

 

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Charles Dickens: A Tale with a Twist

 
   

“Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not your misfortunes of which all men have some"

– Charles Dickens

The great 19th century author Charles Dickens has a big birthday coming up in 2012 - he's about to commemorate the bicentennial of his birth! As this date quickly approaches, Dickens reflects on his life, and discusses some of his best loved works. How did the culture of his time influence his writings? Works discussed may include, but are not limited to: A Tale of Two Cities,
Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol, The Cricket on the Hearth, as well as some of Dickens' short stories and non fiction works. A great intorduction to English Literature!

This program may also be customized for the Christmas season. This option will exclusively include Dickens's Christmas stories of which there are many!

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As co-owner of HFK Presents and Histories for Kids, Inc., Terry has spoken to groups of all ages using his years of theatrical and improvisational training at Northern Illinois University, Second City Training Center, and i.O, formerly known as Improv Olympic, to create unique, interactive presentations that are both informative and motivational. For many years, as owners of HFK Presents, Terry an actor, and his wife Laura, a certified educator have combined their careers to develop programs for students and adults that not only educate, but entertain.

 
HFK Presents is available for year round High School and College Campus Activities:

Orientation, Welcome Week
Constitution Day Programs
Back to School Programs
Holiday Festivities
Greek Life Events
Assemblies, In-class Programs
Student Leadership Gatherings
Student Conferences
Summer Programs
Academic, Athletic, and Club Banquets
Staff Development ...and MORE!

 
Library, Historical Societies
and Seniors Groups
 

Since we began performing historical shows for children, a lot of people have told us that they wish learning about great historical figures could have been this much fun when they were in school. They enjoy our presentations, but they’re for kids, right?

Libraries, historical societies, and senior's groups were left wondering: what about the adults?! Learning isn’t just for children, and everyone likes to have fun. So how could we bring history to life for the “kids at heart”?

 

Look to the top left of this page to the "Featured Programs" for a description of programs for your particular needs. Contact us to find out how your organization can spend an evening with Meriwether, Ben, Daniel, Teddy or George!

 

HFK Presents Corporate

Make your corporate event entertainment a unique experience! Keynote speeches or performances are available from any of the HFK Presents personalities or any motivational speech.

Arrangements and fees are decided on an individual basis. Call for details

For bookings:

HFK Presents
P.O. Box 2337
Orland Park, IL 60462
phone: 708-218-7001 • fax: 708-349-7375
e-mail: info@hfkpresents.com

       
    As Featured On PressExposure.com