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Motivational
Programs |
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We the People
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Meriwether Lewis |
Burnham’s
Chicago |
Teddy Roosevelt |
Haunted History
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The Legend of St.
Nicholas |
Early Movers &
Shakers |
Illinois Inventors |
Benjamin Franklin |
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“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 |
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“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
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"Everyone that I talked to was extremely happy
with the performance." |
- John Buckler
Masonic Lodge
Naperville, Illinois |
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“Ben Franklin
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 to his return to our campus!" |
-Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL
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“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
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“Everyone was pleased with
the program. Several asked if there were other programs
offered, and if so, please have you back again.”
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-Thornton Historical Society
Thornton , IL
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“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!”
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-Will County Farm Bureau
Joliet , IL
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Let
the Past Inspire the Future... |
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Terry
Lynch |
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Speaker~ Author~
Humorist |
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Speaking to groups of all ages, Terry uses his years
of theatrical and improvisational training at Northern
Illinois University, The Second City Training Center,
and iO Theatre, to create unique, interactive presentations
that are humorous, informative and motivational. |
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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". |
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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. |
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Leadership
and Motivational Programs |
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Mistakes Happen: An Historical Guide
to Overcoming Adversity
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“History is
full of people who threw
up their hands and said 'Now What?'
-- Laura & Terry
Lynch
Today, no one knows what the future may hold! During
these uncertain times, who can the average person look
to for guidance? Let the past inspire the future.
Speaker Terry Lynch has had the opportunity to research
some of this country's most famous leaders. Through
his research, he has found that not everything in the
lives of our most prestigious Americans ran smoothly.
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".
Let the past inspire the future as you learn:
Everything is on purpose
Not
to let the little mistakes cloud the greatness to come
Great
leaders learn from their mistakes
Audience members will not only learn effective leadership
strategies, but will develop important everyday decision
making skills.
Companion book is available for purchase
for $10.00
(back to top) |
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One Size Does Not Fit All
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A leadership program demonstrating that not every organization
can "buy off the rack". You may need the
diplomacy of Ben Franklin, the guidance of Lewis &
Clark, and the determination of Theodore Roosevelt to
tailor the leaders that fits.
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We the People
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The ideas of a farmer, banker, lawyer, printer and silversmith
helped to form the foundation of our country. Every voice
must be heard. Let our past
inspire your future! |
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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. |
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Client Surveys
Have you had a HFK Presents program for your organization?
We value your opinion! Please click the link to download
our Client
Survey.
Fill out the survey and then either email or fax it
back to us. Thank you very much! |
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Teacher
Inservices
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! Download
our brochure.
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 Credibility
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
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Other Workshops Available
Museum or Historical Society Educators, Docents or
Volunteers:
Developing Presentations Skills: Learning
to Read Your Audience
This workshop, developed for museum and historical
society educators, docents and volunteers will help
them develop or brush up on their presentation skills.
How do you keep everyone from grandma to the sullen
teen interested in the information you find fascinating!
Learn some of the tricks of the trade for reading the
patrons of your organizations and making sure they get
the most from their visit. Interactive Workshops are
60-90 minutes long. |
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Now Available!! The
Companion Book:

Mistakes
Happen:
An Historical Guide
to Overcoming Adversity
Learn
that everything is on purpose
Great
leaders learn from their mistakes
Don't
let the little mistakes cloud the greatness to come!
$10.00 USD each
Plus S&H
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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!
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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
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Just a Click
Away... |
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Click
the link below for the latest webisode of:
HFK Presents:
5 Minutes of History
on
our YouTube Channel!
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Also
available:
Historical Portrayal Programs |
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"Let
Leaders From the Past
Leads Us to the Future" |
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Pierre Salinger and the 1000 Days
of Kennedy's Camelot
Commemorate the 50 Anniversary
of the Assassination of
Our 35th President
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“In
1960, when John Kennedy ran for office,
people were not interested in his private life."
--Pierre Salinger
This program will not only cover the assassination,
but the 1000 days that made up the Kennedy administration.
It is told through the eyes of one of Kennedy's most
trusted insiders, his White House Press Secretary, Pierre
Salinger. Learn about the close relationship Salinger
had with the President, and his unique perspective on
some of the most dangerous times in our country's recent
history.
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The War of 1812: Mr. Madison's
War
Commemorate the 200th Anniversary
of the War of 1812
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all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps
the most to be dreaded...?
– James Madison
James Madison did NOT want to be involved in
another conflict with the British. He tried every
diplomatic channel to avoid war, and found himself
backed into a corner. Encouraged to declare war
by some very vocal members of Congress, Madison
found himself having to clean up the mess left
to him by his predecessor, Thomas Jefferson.
Also ask about
"James Madison:
Father of the Constitution"
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Stephen A. Douglas
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“Tell
my children to obey the laws, and uphold
the Constitution."
– Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen A. Douglas was a influential
state and national political figure.
This program about the senator from Illinois
may be performed in one of two ways. Hear
about the life of Douglas and his time as
Illinois senator, and the second most powerful
man in the nation. OR Hear the history of
Illinois, the Lincoln years, as seen through
the eyes of Lincoln's political rival, Stephen
A. Douglas. |
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Alexander Hamilton: The American
Rags to Riches Story
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is a reasoning rather than
a reasonable animal."
– Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was born in the Caribbean
and abandoned as a child. How did these humble
beginnings plant the seeds of opportunity for
this founding father? Ironically, he in turn created
opportunities for others by helping to create
a government he could never run as President.
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Benjamin Franklin
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“Be
mindful of the past.”
– Benjamin Franklin
Inventor, statesman, and founding father—he
seemed to do it all! Learn more about the man
who not only harnessed electricity and helped
shape the country that would come to be known
as the United States, but also entertained people
with his satirical writing and adages.
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Illinois Inventors
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“...take
a keen interest in something and luck must be
with you.”
– Marvin Camras
Terry, a 20th-century newspaper hawker, will
give you the inside scoop on these Land-of-Lincoln
legends, and their inventions: Marvin Camras (tape
recorder), Laurens Hammond (electronic keyboard),
Charles Pajeau (Tinker Toys), Levant Richardson
(ball bearing roller skates), Ives McGaffery (vacuum
cleaner) and Whitcomb Judson (the zipper).
(back to top) |
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Mudslinging, Muckraking and
Apple Pie:
Presidential Campaigns, the Great American Pastime
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“I can and do forgive all
my enemies.But those vile
wretches who have slandered her must look to God
for mercy."
--Andrew Jackson reagrding
the
death of his wife, Rachel
In this presidential election year, the campaigns
are getting down and dirty. How did this campaign
craziness get started? Believe it or not, they
have actually gotten more civil over the years!
Don't believe it? In this program, hear stories
of the mudslinging and muckraking of the Jefferson
v. Adams campaign of 1800, the Jackson v. Adams
of 1828, the Lincoln v. Douglas of 1860, and Grant
v. ANYONE! Also covered in this program is the
1912 election of Teddy Roosevelt when he decided
to start his OWN political party. |
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Henry Ford
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“An
idealist is a person who helps other people to
be prosperous"
– Henry Ford
There was more to Mr. Ford than the
automobile industry. Ford hoped to be as big a
success in politics, as he was at running the
Ford Motor Company. Hear how his uncompromising
opinions worked for the auto industry, but did
not make him a man of the people. |
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Teddy Roosevelt
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“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. |
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Burnham’s Chicago
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“Make
no little plans. They have no magic to stir
men’s blood.”
– Daniel Burnham
Daniel Burnham, architect of the 1909 Chicago
Plan, leads you through the history of the
city he loved so well. From the Fort Dearborn
Massacre to the Columbian Exposition of
1893; from the Union Stockyards to the city’s
fabulous architecture. Burnham will introduce
you to the people and events that shaped
the “Windy City,” and helped
transform it from the “Wild Onion”
to the “City of the Big Shoulders.” |
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A Day at the Fair with
Daniel Burnham
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“The adage that
" All roads lead to Rome " must,
for the year 1893 at least, be changed to
"All roads lead to Chicago,"
–Rand, McNally &
Co.Handbook of the
World's Columbian Exposition
To commemorate the 120th anniversary of
the 1893 Columbian Exposition, relax for
a day at the fair with Chicago architect
and Director of Works for the Columbian
Exposition, Daniel Burnham. Audiencew members
will learn about the origins of the fdair
as well as the exhibits, people and politics
involved with the creation of the White
City. |
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Historical Illinois
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“If
a country is not worth protecting, it is not worth
claiming. "
– George Rogers Clark
Travel the timeline of Illinois from the prairies
to the urban societies of today. Hear how historical
figures and events helped to meet the people's
changing needs as the population grew. This show
is great for study of IL statehood. It can also
be used as a focus for students studying the Illinois
Constitution. |
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Lewis and Clark
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“The work we are doing now
is, I trust, done for posterity, in such a away
that they need not repeat it.”
– Thomas Jefferson
Terry will regale the audience with the adventures
and exploits of the Corps of Discovery as they
make their way from St. Louis to the Pacific.
Terry will dress and share stories from the point
of view of Meriwether Lewis.
(back to top) |
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George Washington: Mount Vernon to
Washington D.C.
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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. |
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Oh the Humanity!: The Hindenburg Disaster
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“It's
fire and it's crashing!...This is one of the
worst catastrophes in the world!"
--WLS Reporter Herb Morrison
On May 6, 1937, WLS reporter, Herb Morrison was sent to Lakehurst
Navel Air Station in Mew Jersey to cover the first anniversary
of transatlantic passenger service. What he witnessed that
day turned out to be one of the greatest disasters of the
20th century. Hear Morrison, as portrayed by Terry Lynch,
explain the historical significance of the dirigible Hindenburg,
as well as recount the horrific details fo that day.
(back to top) |
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Andrew Jackson, the Story of Ol' Hickory
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“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.
(back to top) |
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Early Movers and Shakers
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“Give
the lady what she wants.”
– Marshall Field
Turn-of-the century period clothing help bring the stories
of these early entrepreneurs to life. Terry will share the
success stories of Marshall Field, William Wrigley, Charles Walgreen,
Ray Kroc and Frederick Maytag. |
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The Underground Railroad
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“ If you're
anywhere in Illinois, you're
not too far from a place where the
Underground Railroad operated.”
--Glenette Tilley Turner
Discover the firsthand story of William Hayes, conductor
of the Underground Railroad in Randolph Co., IL. His mission:
to aid in the abolishment of slavery, assist in the 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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U.S. Grant: The Hero of Appomattox
Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of
the Civil War
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“There
was never a time when, in my opinion some way 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 the average citizens as the nation struggled to remain
united. Perfect for Civil War Commemorations. |
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The Legend of St. Nicholas
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“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
(back to top)
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Haunted History
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“Sit
Back and Listen...If You Dare!.”
Hear the entertaining and chilling tales of the historical
hauntings of the Midwest. Stories of the S.S. Eastland,
Brookfield 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.
(back to top)
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Edgar Allan Poe
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“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"
(back to top)
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Charles Dickens: A Tale with a Twist
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“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 introduction
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!
(back to top)
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Leader of the Band, the March King, John
Philip Sousa
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“The vocal cord will
be eliminated by a process of evolution,
as was the tail of man when he came from the
ape."
John Philip Sousa
As a thirteen year old boy, Sousa ran away from home to join
the circus. From these humble beginnings, he went on to become
the band master of the United States Marine Corp Band and
eventually conducted the President's own Marine Band under
five Presidents. Along the way, he wrote 136 military marches!
An exciting story of ambition and perseverance.
(back to top)
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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!
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Programs for
adult 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! |
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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 |
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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
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