Kruse

A CHICAGO FIREHOUSE:

STORIES OF WRIGLEYVILLE'S
ENGINE 78

By Karen Kruse

SPECIAL NOTE: My beloved dad, Robert F. Kruse, subject of my book, passed away Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011. Dad, I'm proud to have honored you by writing this book, my finest achievement. I'll see you on the other side. My everlasting and eternal love, KK.

UPCOMING APPEARANCES FOR 2020!:

Saturday March 21, 2020; 8 am - 2 pm: Start the year out right! Join us for the first fire event of the year! The 8th annual Fire & Police Swap Meet sponsored by the Peotone Firefighters will be held at the Will County Fairgrounds (same place as last year), 710 West St., in Peotone.

Thursday June 11, 2020; All day: Your favorite author turns 62! Yikes!

Saturday TBD; 8 am - 1 pm: This is my favorite event of the year! Help me celebrate my 62nd birthday! Join me at the 26th annual Swap Meet & Fire Engine Rally at the Quinn Fire Academy (20th consecutive year for me), 558 DeKoven St., Chicago.

Gary T. Stockton, Acquisitions Archivist of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum:
"The stories are wonderful and the photographs are great. At last I know the difference between a fire engine and a fire truck!"

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, former 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, former 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),
Former 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:

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum - Acknowledgement Letter - 01/20/12 - My book is part of the Library's published collection of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, IL. It's an honor to have my book housed in such an important institution. I visited the museum in November, 2011. It's simply spectacular and not to be missed. To visit their website and learn more, click

My Reader Letter printed in "Writer's Digest" - October, 2009 - An article ran in the July/August issue about what not to do when writing a novel, such as opening with a cliche. My response appears below:

My opening paragraph reads: "Once upon a time is the way all good fairy tales begin, but this particular tale is true. It is the story of an American firehouse, the firemen who love her, and the area she serves. The knights on white horses in this epic are actual heroes riding a bright red fire engine when help is needed. This is the story of Engine Co. 78."

Incidentally, my book ends with "happily ever after," as well.

My book mentioned on "190 North" - 04/12/09 - My book appeared on screen and was mentioned as part of a "190 North" episode, hosted by Janet Davies of Channel 7 (local ABC news) on a segment about the Wrigleyville area of Chicago.

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:

Glenview TV - GVTV - 01/20/11 through 01/25/11 - 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm each day - TV Cable Interview for "Off the Shelf: Conversations with Local Authors."

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.

In the interest of space (and loading this page quickly), only events since 2010 (where dated) are displayed below. Believe me, there are a boatload more!

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

05/03/18 - Ravenswood Lake View Historical Association - Chicago

07/17/17 - Bridgeway Senior Living - Bensenville

05/19/16 - Ela Area Public Library - Lake Zurich

11/09/15 - Palos Park Senior Club - Palos Park

10/05/14 - Long Grove Historical Society - Long Grove

09/05/12 - Rolling Meadows Library - Rolling Meadows

05/08/12 - Cook Memorial Library - Libertyville

10/09/10 - Museums at Lisle Station - Lisle

04/30/10 - Reaching Forward Conference - Rosemont

02/24/10 - Itasca Community Library - Itasca

FIRE MUSTERS, CRAFT SHOWS, & OTHER EVENTS:

03/16/19 - 7th Annual Fire & Police Swap Meet - Peotone

10/27/18 - Mundelein Firematic Flea Market - Mundelein

09/29/18 - Jeffco Fire Engine Rally - Herculaneum, MO

09/09/18 - Colona Fire Muster - Colona, IL

09/08/18 - The Great Milwaukee Muster - Oak Creek, WI

08/25/18 - New Haven Fire Muster and Expo - New Haven, IN

06/16/18 - Chicago Fire Academy Muster - Chicago

03/17/18 - 6th Annual Fire & Police Swap Meet - Peotone

10/28/17 - Mundelein Firematic Flea Market - Mundelein

08/26/17 - New Haven Fire Muster and Expo - New Haven, IN

08/05/17 - Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show - Oswego

06/17/17 - Chicago Fire Academy Muster - Chicago

03/24 & 25/17 - Miles Greenwood Flea Market - Cincinnati, OH

03/18/17 - MABAS 7 Fire Investigators Fire & Police Swap Meet - Peotone

10/29/16 - Mundelein Firematic Flea Market - Mundelein

09/10/16 - The Great Milwaukee Muster - Oak Creek, WI

06/18/16 - Chicago Fire Academy Muster - Chicago

03/19/16 - MABAS 7 Fire Investigators Fire & Police Swap Meet - Peotone

10/31/15 - Mundelein Firematic Flea Market - Mundelein

09/26/15 - Jeffco Fire Engine Rally - Herculaneum, MO

08/01/15 - National Police Collectors Show - St. Louis, MO

06/27/15 - The Great Milwaukee Muster - Milwaukee, WI

06/20/15 - Chicago Fire Academy Muster - Chicago

06/06/15 - Spring Grove Cemetery - Cincinnati, OH

05/02/15 - MABAS 7 Fire Investigators Fire & Police Swap Meet - Peotone

10/25/14 - Mundelein Firematic Flea Market - Mundelein

08/30/14 - Warrenville FD 75th Anniversary - Warrenville

06/14/14 - Chicago Fire Academy Muster - Chicago

06/07/14 - Spring Grove Cemetery - Cincinnati, OH

05/16 - 18/14 - National Police Collectors Show - Cleveland, OH

05/03/14 - MABAS 7 Fire Investigators Fire & Police Swap Meet - Peotone

10/26/13 - Mundelein Firematic Flea Market - Mundelein

08/03/13 - Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show - Aurora

07/13/13 - The Great Milwaukee Muster - Milwaukee, WI

06/15/13 - Chicago Fire Academy Muster - Chicago

06/01/13 - Spring Grove Cemetery - Cincinnati, OH

03/09/13 - MABAS 7 Fire Investigators Fire & Police Swap Meet - Peotone

02/08 & 09/13 - 21st Annual AFFI Honor Guard Convention - Schaumburg

11/17 & 18/12 - DuPage Expo Center - St. Charles

11/10 & 11/12 - Harper College Festival of Arts & Crafts - Palatine

10/27/12 - Mundelein Firematic Flea Market - Mundelein

06/16/12 - Chicago Fire Academy Muster - Chicago

06/02/12 - Spring Grove Cemetery - Cincinnati, OH

11/19 & 20/11 - DuPage Expo Center - St. Charles

11/18/11 - Juliet Low Elementary School - Arlington Heights

11/05 & 06/11 - College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn

10/30/11 - Mundelein Firematic Flea Market - Mundelein

10/22/11 - 32nd Annual Conant HS Craft Fair - Hoffman Estates