Marc Tyler Nobleman's Blog, page 9

Interview: Anne Collins Ludwick, writer for “Wonder Woman” (1977-79)

Anne Collins Ludwick (then Anne Collins) was not the first female to write scripts for The New Adventures of Wonder Woman. She was the last. To clarify, she wrote the last five episodes (among others). 
On this list of the 10 best eps of the show, five (including the top four) are Anne’s (one based on a story idea from someone else).
I’ve covered various aspects of Wonder Woman before (from two granddaughters of one of his creators to two people who sang on her delicious theme song).
But I was inspired to find/interview Anne because of this line in a 2019 article: “it isn’t super easy to find out information on her.”
That’s throwing down the gauntlet to me.
Luckily Anne did not throw up her bracelets to deflect me. She kindly agreed to an interview and I excitedly share it here:
How did you end up writing for Wonder Woman?
Somewhere in the process of writing three scripts for Hawaii Five-O in the mid-70s, the show’s Story Editor, Curtis Kenyon, helped me get an agent, John Schallert. Though I was working at a PR firm and living in Denver at the time, John successfully pitched me to the people at Wonder Woman, who were looking for a woman to join its writing staff. So I packed up my VW Rabbit, sublet my apartment, and drove out to LA, fully expecting to return within a month once they discovered how inexperienced and untalented I was. 
But to my surprise, I discovered I could, in fact, hold my own when it came to working with and, frequently, heavily editing the work of the (mostly male) freelance writers to whom the show was giving assignments. The Supervising Producer, Bruce Lansbury, was such a joy to work with and so creative and sooo supportive that I stayed in LA for the next seven years and never looked back.
Did you pitch storylines on your own or as part of a team, or were writers assigned certain premises by producers?
Bruce, the studio and the network had a vision for the show, which in its second season saw it move from WWII into the ‘70s, so there was already an informal list of suggested and approved storylines. At that time TV programs were required to utilize freelance writers. We would contact writers we thought would “get” the show and assign a story area to them, though they were also free to pitch their own ideas if they wanted. I, too, could and did pitch ideas, of course, but as story editor I mostly helped outside writers develop their stories and would rewrite/polish their final drafts if/when necessary.


It looks like you first wrote for the show during season 2 (of a three-season series). Were you already a fan of the show (or the character)?
I never saw a single episode of Wonder Woman before I joined the show. However, my two brothers and I were avid consumers of DC comics growing up so I was familiar with the character, although I must admit, she was not my fave because, unlike Superman, Superboy, or Surpergirl, she couldn’t fly. (Never was a fan of that invisible plane.)

Is there one story about your Wonder Woman days that you tell more than any other?
My hands doubled for Lynda Carter’s in the episode called (I think) “The Man Who Made Volcanoes.”
Oh, and also, I was walking across the lot (Warner Bros. in Burbank) one day for some reason with the show’s producer, Charlie FitzSimons (wonderful Irish guy, Maureen O’Hara’s brother). As he talked I became aware of a guy walking toward us, someone with the most electrically blue eyes I had ever seen in my life. I couldn’t take my eyes off his, and suddenly had no idea, and could not care less about, what Charlie was saying to me. I recognized the guy’s face, but it was his eyes I’ll never forget. Paul Newman, in the flesh.
Any other funny/inspiring/weird anecdotes about your Wonder Woman experience?
There was one Saturday or Sunday early on in my Wonder Woman stint that I absolutely had to get into my office to write/rewrite something (this was eons before laptops, remember). However, to my horror, the key I was given to the WW office suite would not work. Desperate to get to my typewriter, and more than a little pissed at the key, I took the door handle with both hands and shook it in utter frustration. Causing the lock to break and the door to limp open. I went straight to my office and got to work.
Next thing I know, a wide-eyed security guard was peering at me from around the corner of my doorway, hand on his nightstick, ready to use it on whomever had broken into the suite. I apologized for breaking the door but it was an emergency. I just kept working, and he finally went away to get the door fixed. He also filed a report, so that come Monday everyone knew the story and thought it was quite amusing, and appropriate, that a woman employed by Wonder Woman had busted down a door.
What was it like to be a female writer in Hollywood in the 1970s? How did the men involved with the show treat you?
Frankly, so grateful was I to be getting paid for something I absolutely loved to do that I never gave my gender much thought. I never came close to being pressured into sleeping with someone in order to get work, and I never felt like I was being patronized, or that my work was in any way discounted because I was female. When dealing with some of the older male freelancers (and there were quite a few back then that had written for network TV since its inception), I occasionally detected some arrogance and resistance to my notes on their scripts, but I don’t recall any major incidents. I felt like the producers on the show respected me because I could, and did, get the job done promptly and well.
At the time, did you reflect on the number of women vs. number of men writing for the show?
No, because at that time, there were very few women writing action-adventure, and there was also nowhere near the pressure to hire women and minorities back then that there is now. True, I was hired by WW largely because everyone, including Lynda, felt the show could only benefit from including “a woman’s POV,” but I’m not sure my gender ever really had a big influence on the scripts we churned out.
Do you remember any instances where you felt strongly about an idea that didn’t make it on air?
No. Hey, I well understood the perimeters of what we were creating: WW aired at 8 pm on Friday and was considered “family” programming. Which meant no realistic violence, no swearing, no drinking, no depiction of deviant behavior, no adult situations. The network’s Standards and Practices Department scoured every script and finished episode to make sure nothing that could be construed in any way as offensive made it on the air.
Did you interact with Lynda Carter, and if so, what was your impression of her? Did it change over time in any way?
Lynda was a sweetheart. We didn’t hang out, but our interactions were always pleasant and she always came across as genuine. She wasn’t hired because of her acting skills, and she no doubt knew that, which had to’ve made showing up for work every day somewhat terrifying. But by golly she did her best, and I have to say, whenever I happen to catch an episode, I’m struck with how likeable she comes across on screen. Not just because of her considerable physical beauty, but she has a nice, watchable presence. Probably because she is/was basically a sincerely nice person.
What is your favorite episode that you wrote and why?
“Phantom of the Roller Coaster,” probably because it was such a colorful arena (who doesn’t love amusement parks?) and I have an affinity for Raggedy Man-type stories. It started out as a single episode, but the shoot at Magic Mountain went so well that we made a two-parter out of it, though I forget when in the process that decision was made, or exactly how much more shooting was involved.

What did you do professionally after Wonder Woman?
After WW was cancelled, Bruce Lansbury became the Supervising Producer on Buck Rogers. To repeat, Bruce was one of the kindest, merriest, most creative people I’ve ever known, so when he asked me to come aboard as Story Consultant, I immediately said yes. I was on staff on a couple of other shows after that, and eventually wound up story editing for Matlock while raising two kids in Seattle. I have two fantastic grown-up daughters. 
What are you doing these days?
Living in the PNW, enjoying my WGA pension, and writing, though I’m not sure yet exactly what.
Anne 2022
Are either of your children fans of Wonder Woman?
I don’t think either of them have seen an episode of TV’s Wonder Woman, nor to my knowledge have they read a WW comic book. They both saw and liked the first Wonder Woman movie but passed on the second one (as did I).
Have you participated in any Wonder Woman-related event (comic convention, panel, documentary, etc.)? If not, would you be open to meeting fans and signing autographs?
No thanks. That kinda stuff just isn’t my thing.
Are you still in touch with anyone from the cast or crew?
No. Although I am still in touch with novelist Alan Brennert, the most talented freelancer to ever write for Wonder Woman.
When was the last time you watched Wonder Woman? How did you think it held up?
The last time I caught an episode was probably two years ago. As I said, Lynda was very watchable, but oh my gosh, the production was so amateurish compared to what’s on TV now. The special effects were dreadful, the storyline was simplistic, the dialog was utilitarian, and the characters were one-dimensional. But that was the way episodic TV was back then. The networks had a very low opinion of their audience; we writers were instructed to repeat info important to the plot as often as possible, and to spell things out for viewers instead of relying on them to figure things out. Pretty much the opposite of the way TV is now.
Do you have any mementos from the experience such as set photos, a script, or anything from the set?
I think I have copies of all the scripts I wrote for the show in a trunk somewhere, but that’s about it.
What did you think of the first Wonder Woman movie?
I loved it. It struck just the right tone and it worked. There was one scene—I think Wonder Woman making her way through a battlefield—that was incredibly moving. I didn’t bother to see the second movie after reading the reviews.
What did you think when you first heard my request?
I thought, who the hell would be interested in hearing about my experience on a short-lived TV show that ended more than 40 years ago?
How do you look back on your Wonder Woman experience?
I loved every single minute of it. Needless to say, as a kid originally from Toledo, Ohio, I’d never been on a real movie set before (though I did participate in some student productions during my two years of grad school at UT Austin). It felt good to be part of a major creative endeavor and to have my work appreciated (and well-compensated, though little did they know I would’ve gladly done all that writing for free!).
If the experience changed your life in any way, how?
Though I don’t remember the exact circumstance, I do remember Bruce Lansbury, in response to some expression of self-doubt I’d just made, sternly admonishing me, “You are a writer.” Not sure if he changed my life at that moment, but he definitely defined it.
Anything you’d like to add?
I’ve bored you enough. 
Anne, no you didn’t. If you don’t believe me, put the magic lasso around me…

New decade, new author headshot

The day after I said goodbye to my forties, I embraced my new decade by getting my first new author headshot since 2015. 
Actually, I’ve used multiple photos across the internet, and while I do like “matching” the profile pic vibe with the platform (e.g. formal portrait for LinkedIn, picturesque travel shot for Instagram, playful pose for Facebook, etc.), I also see the value of a unified presence.
Here are the photos I am replacing (taken in the Washington DC area unless otherwise noted):
Facebook(Milwaukee, WI)
Twitter
Instagram(Machu Picchu, Peru)
LinkedIn
Viber(Taj Mahal, India)
Upwork
The “main” author photo, which I used for sites including Google and Amazon
The new author photo
Thank you again to Karen London for my previous author photo, and National Geographic shutterbug Rebecca Hale for my new one (and for your graciousness in trying various locales).

#KidlitForUkraine: timeline of a benefit—conceived to streamed in three weeks

On 2/24/22, Russia attacked Ukraine. Less than a month later, on 3/22/22, 28 authors of books for young readers shared stories of hope in a virtual benefit to raise money for children of Ukraine (via Save the Children).

In my initial talk with the two people would partner with me on this (see below), I advocated for the show to air as soon as possible; I was nervous to do this because it would mean asking a lot of them within a limited time frame. But the crisis was new and raw and I knew it would be easier to secure donations while the invasion was in the news daily. 
Luckily, those two people saw it the same way.
How did so much happen so fast?
2/24 
inspired in part by a 9/11 TV benefit called America: A Tribute to Heroes, I reached out to Rocco Staino, who had covered past I’ve been involved in, to ask for suggestions on how to produce such an event
3/1 
Rocco said Julie Gribble at KidLit TV was interested; I did not know Julie nor had I ever done anything with KidLit TV, but she seemed reliable and I could instantly tell that she knew her stuff
3/2 
Julie, Rocco, and I Zoomed and began to map out details, many of which remained in place till the end (e.g. the concept of a series of authors each sharing a true story of hope in under three minutes, the hashtag #KidlitForUkraine); at first I suggested that we keep most of the cast secret to build excitement when promoting, but then flipped that when I realized that announcing with (most of the) participant names would likely draw a bigger crowd
3/4 
sent first invitation to an author (who declined)
3/5 
reached out to other authors to explain the event, detail video parameters (e.g. do not introduce yourself, simply start telling the story), provide video tips, and ask for participation; gave submission deadline of 3/14; within an hour I got the first yes; I spent the next few days trying to create a lineup of at least 25 authors
3/8 
first video submitted—which made it start to feel more realreached out to a Ukrainian publisher to ask if they could suggest any Ukrainian authors of children’s books to approach (knowing full well they likely had many other priorities)the first author of Ukrainian heritage signed on (found separately from the publisher)
3/9 
asked Mike Curato if he’d design a logo
3/10 
the Ukrainian publisher sent names/emails for three Ukrainian children’s authors interested in participating (though only one ended up being able to submit)
3/11 
Mike sent a logo which became the logocontacted Save the Children to find out how fundraising for them works16 authors expressed interest so far, but only four had sent videos (throughout the video-gathering process: had to ask authors to reshoot if wasn’t horizontal, wasn’t a story, sound too low, video too long)
3/12 
Julie created graphics for promotion on social medianamed the event Stories of HopeJulie and I agreed to post the show online for no charge at some point after the event, primarily for educational use
3/13 
revealed logo to participating authors and potential authors as enticementthe 2022 Newbery recipient signed ona high-profile author I really wanted said yes if she could submit video later than deadline, I said yeswrote copy about event for KidLit TV sitesuggested we use on-screen to identify authors, and only by name (no book titles or other info) 
3/14 VIDEO DEADLINE
…but only 10 videos in so farthe 2022 Caldecott recipient signed ontold a Ukrainian author who didn’t think she could make a video in time that she could speak in Ukrainian if it would help—and she didcreated and published the event on Eventbrite; until the event, all donations would go via this platformset up a Team on Save the Children for donations after the eventdespite Julie and Rocco’s kind nudge that I make a video, I said I was planning on staying behind-the-scenes
3/15 
Julie designed the lower third (the on-screen graphic that would ID everyone)suggested we start and end with a Ukrainian and mix up the rest (i.e. not run them in alpha order because the uncertainty—including the promise of surprise guests—would build more suspense)the author who got a video extension backed out with regretall but one of the announced cast’s videos had been submittedbegan announcing on social mediathe first post-announcement author signed on (I figured once we went public, we would hear from other authors who wanted to contribute, and sure enough we did)proposed the order for authors to appear in the showannounced to kidlit pressraised $2,000
3/16 
email blast to my kidlit networkeducators and others asked if program will be available after its initial stream for those who couldn’t watch the scheduled eventvolunteer translated the video spoken in Ukrainian into Englishannounced on my neighborhood list servRocco wrote a proposed intro for the showit was again suggested that I do a videoonly one of what would eventually be seven surprise guests had submitted video 
3/17 
Jack Gantos, one of the surprise guests, made a video (shot by a student) while visiting an international school in JordanSchool Library Journal covered the eventused the English translation to create subtitles for the Ukrainian-language videocompiled list of people to thank in the creditssent all participants a comp ticket (had to be done one at a time; Eventbrite, please make it possible to enter all comp tickets at once!)announced via the newsletter of my son’s middle school
3/18 
decided to do—and late at night, filmed—a videochanged a line in the promotional copy from “Storytellers subject to change. Surprises are likely” to “Surprises are guaranteed” (because we’d received videos from authors who had not been announced)edited out intros (i.e. “My name is…and I’m the author of…”) from 10 of the author videos so each video starts with the start of the storyraised $3,500
3/19
Children’s Book Guild of Washington DC announced to its membership 
3/20 
Julie created lower thirds for all participantsraised $5,000
3/21
Julie announced to KidLit TV mailing listsecond email blast to my kidlit networkHorn Book, Publishers Weekly covered the eventJulie created a first draft of the showlast video submitted (file under “nick of time”): Peter Reynoldsraised $10,000
3/22 SHOW DATE
Julie whipped up countdown graphics two hours before the show startedat showtime, had raised almost $15,000
As breakneck a pace as this was, it was surprisingly low-stress. Julie was a dream partner—collaborative, responsive, proactive—and the authors were (no surprise) team players. People went out of their way to pitch in. As a result, we delivered on what I envisioned: entertainment + empathy.

Thank you again to all involved.

#KidlitForUkraine benefit raised nearly $15,000 for children

At 7 pm EST on 3/22/22, from multiple continents, for an hour and ten minutes, 28 award-winning and otherwise notable authors of books for young people each told a short story of hope as part of a virtual benefit to raise money for young people of Ukraine. 
#KidlitForUkraine: Stories of Hope took place less than a month after Russia invaded Ukraine—an event over 20 days in the making!

The cost of admission to this unprecedented fundraiser was whatever amount a person wished to donate. Every dollar helps!
Number of tickets sold: 356.
Total raised as of showtime: $14,524. 
This will be distributed by Save the Children. You can still donate.
Thank you yet again to the brave participants (special bow/hug to the Ukrainian authors), the generous donors, the countless social media supporters, and KidLit TV for making it possible. Another special bow/hug to Julie Gribble and Rocco Staino for saying yes to my proposal—and the unforgiving time crunch that went with it.
The cast (in order of appearance):
Adrianna Bamber | Адріянна БамберNeal ShustermanCarmen Agra DeedyKathi AppeltDan GutmanDan Stewart, Head of News, Save the Children UKDonna Barba HigueraRita Williams-GarciaJarrett LernerVictoria Amelina | Вікторія АмелінаJason ChinKatherine MarshPeter ReynoldsSamantha BergerPadma VenkatramanNick BruelK.A. HoltRichard MichelsonCharles R. Smith Jr.Tara LazarMinh LêRoxie MunroDuncan TonatiuhNikki GrimesJack GantosJane Breskin ZalbenKate MessnerMarc Tyler NoblemanOlha Kupriyan | Ольга Купріян
Bold names were not announced in advance (i.e. surprise guests).
Special thanks:
Steven ColucciOksana Ziobro at Old Lion Publishing House in UkraineSarah McLoughlin at Save the ChildrenCourtney Nields at Save the ChildrenMike Curato (who designed the lovely logo)Dr. Oleh Kotsyuba at the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard UniversityLidia Wolanskyj (translator)Allyson Hickey at booked Uliana Hlynchak at the Ukrainian Canadian Art FoundationLisa DiSarroSamantha BergerAurielle Kuehl
Coverage:
School Library Journal Publishers Weekly Horn Book





























мир для України.

#KidlitForUkraine: Stories of Hope—virtual author benefit

The day Russia invaded Ukraine (2/24/22), I was moved to try to throw together a virtual benefit for children of Ukraine. My simple vision: an evening of diverse, beloved authors sharing short stories of hope, open to anyone who makes a donation to Save the Children’s efforts for Ukraine. 
Entertainment + empathy.
While I have organized other small events (like the author variety show for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary held two months after the tragic shooting), I had no experience arranging online events, so I reached out to Rocco Staino, who connected me with Julie Gribble and KidLit TV. I was instantly in good hands. On 3/2/22, the three of us met over Zoom. To their credit, they were willing to take on this effort despite the many moving parts and tight deadline. At first we discussed aiming to air in mid-April, but that felt too far off, so even though it would mean a more breakneck pace, we agreed that a sooner date was a) better and b) doable. Nervously, I floated the insanely imminent date of 3/22/22—and they did not hang up on me.
We decided to make the donations open-ended—any amount will help, and any amount will earn admission to the live stream program. People will also be able to donate during and after the event via a link we will provide during the program and afterward on social media. 
On 3/4/22, I hit the ground bolting, reaching out to Save the Children to set up the fundraiser and to a diverse group of authors to build the cast, which ended up including both the Newbery and Caldecott 2022 recipients. We also needed to fast-track a logo (courtesy of Mike Curato), a platform for registration (Eventbrite), marketing, and a ton of technical details from designing on screen graphics to translating videos in Ukrainian for English subtitles.

Luckily we have received heartening volunteer support, press coverage from School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, and enthusiasm on social media. On the day we announced (3/15/22), we raised close to $2,000. 
Hosted by Rocco, the event features an all-star lineup of 21 award-winning storytellers, including three Ukrainian authors…plus surprises. 
Starring:
Victoria Amelina | Вікторія АмелінаKathi AppeltAdrianna Bamber | Адріянна БамберSamantha BergerNick BruelJason ChinCarmen Agra DeedyNikki GrimesDonna Barba HigueraK.A. HoltOlha Kupriyan | Ольга КупріянTara LazarMinh LêJarrett LernerKate MessnerRoxie MunroNeal ShustermanCharles R. Smith Jr.Duncan TonatiuhPadma VenkatramanRita Williams-Garcia
The stories the authors will share are not necessarily taken from their books. I encouraged them to tell personal stories or stories they have encountered in their travels. The stories did not have to be explicitly about Ukraine but rather for Ukraine, though of course the Ukrainian authors do tie in that connection in a highly emotional way, as do some of the American authors.
Ukrainian Embassy, 3/15/22
Julie Gribble at KidLit TV has been a dream partner: collaborative, responsive, efficient, and connected, not to mention downright nice. She has endured a barrage of emails from me that would flatten even the stronger among us.
If this goes well, I hope to do more events like it—for Afghans, for Syrians, for whoever we can.
If you are reading this before 3/22/22, please spread the word…and please attend!
Click here to register.
To that end, here is a tweet you can copy and paste:
#KidlitForUkraine: 3/22/22 7 pm EST
Virtual benefit for children of Ukraine: all-star lineup of American + Ukrainian children's authors sharing stories of hope. To watch, pls donate: https://www.kidlit.tv/KidLitForUkraine; 100% of proceeds go directly to @SavetheChildren. Hosted @KidLitTV_NYC.
Ukrainian flag over embassy, as seen from canal trail behind building

Michigan, take three

In October 2019, I keynoted the MAME conference in Michigan and after, I booked a potpourri of school visits in the state for March 2020 and beyond.
You might remember what else happened in March 2020.
So one group of schools, in St. Joseph, MI (on the shore of Lake Michigan) rescheduled me for 2021…and then when 2021 revealed itself, the schools rescheduled me again for 2022. 
This trip finally took place the week of 3/7/22…and was more than worth the wait. Students and staff were sweet as cherries. (The sweet kind.)
In an effort to be more environmentally responsible, I now tote a reusable water bottle to visits rather than accept one-time-use plastic bottles. Tip: do not fill your bottle in your layover airport, put it back in your backpack, and stash it sideways in the overhead bin. 
Also not fun: when the car rental company doesn’t know the number of the space where your car is parked and asks you to find it by wandering the lot while pushing the unlock button on the remote till a car’s lights blink/horn honks. Detracting more from the fun: when it’s dark and snowing, and the car is on the far side of the lot, and the car doesn’t blink/honk because (at first unbeknownst to you) one of the rear doors is not quite closed.
But it was all uphill from there. After two invigorating days on the western side of the state, I drove three hours east to visit a middle school in a Detroit suburb. 
A few notable moments there:
Two questions I’d never been asked after a presentation: 
May I have $20? Where do babies come from? 
(You can guess my answers.) 
Though teachers were mortified, I didn’t mind. Both questions, of course, got a laugh from other kids—and there’s value in that. And both kids came up to me to apologize (likely due to an adult’s prodding). One of the two then asked not one but several thoughtful questions.
My favorite moment was during the 7th grade assembly. As I usually do, I said that Bill Finger’s son Fred was gay. Sometimes that fact triggers a reaction that is intolerant by way of ignorance. 
The school produced Bill Finger pins for all 6th graders. Most wore the pin on their shirt...but not Finn.

This school was the first time a group of kids cheered and applauded it. I read the looks on their faces—it was genuine, not mocking. They were jubilant. I was overjoyed. Hope springs eternal again.
Special thank you to Jamie Culver (west; in following photo, on right) and Maureen Watson (east) for taking lead!

Every which way to zoom

I spent the week in Las Vegas, speaking at eight schools for Nevada Reading Week.
The last time I was here was in January 2020…AKA shortly before the world screeched to a halt. So it felt almost poetic that one of my first author trips since author trips have resumed was back here.
One positive of the pandemic is that it forced authors to diversify (and, to trot out an overused word of the COVID era, pivot). Before the pandemic, I’d spoken in schools (indoors). Now:
I’ve spoken at schools outdoors. I’ve spoken via Zoom to kids who were distance learning (i.e. all of us were home). I’ve spoken via Zoom to kids who were in school (i.e. one screen for each class).I’ve spoken at schools where some kids were in the room with me while others were on Zoom from elsewhere in the building. 
And as of this week, I’ve now spoken at a school where all the kids were on Zoom from elsewhere in the building and the librarian and I were alone in the library. 
Sandra Abston Elementary
Next: I will be alone in the school and all the kids will Zoom from my house.
Thank you to all the kind librarians who hosted me. Extra special good vibes to Jen Jiron at Kenneth Divich Elementary, who coordinated all eight schools/eleven talks—a task that can be stressful at any time and is even more admirable during a pandemic!
with Nikki Bylina-Streets at Abston
with my excellent host Jen Jiron (narwhal costume for “Dress as a Children’s Book Character Day”)

Best of the blog 2021

This blog launched on 2/19/08.

Every February 19, I share the posts of the previous 12 months that I feel are most worth a look.

This year's contenders:
a year under COVID-19supporting people who lost out when a children’s books festival was canceled due to anti-LGBTQ+ policya short film I storyboarded in college...but filmed 28 years laterasking a Tennessee school board to reverse its ban on the Holocaust graphic memoir Mauschanging a cartoon depicting an Indigenous ceremonythe first picture book on the creation of Wonder Womana non-Jewish German baker bakes us his first hamantaschenvisiting Beatles sites in Londonformative moments from my time in the Jewish youth group BBYOschool visits 2019 vs. during COVID-19

Bill Finger’s birth hospital and first address (in Denver!)

Bill Finger co-created Batman (and lived most of his life) in New York. But Bill was created in Denver...at this address. 

(That house, at 1526 Lowell Boulevard, was built in 1980. Fingers crossed I can find a photo of what stood there in 1914...) 
It is around the corner from this synagogue-turned-church (a situation I also saw in the Cleveland neighborhood where Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman).

How did I find out the address where Bill’s family was living when he was born?
From Bill’s birth certificate (what Colorado calls a testimonial letter)—which I first requested in 2013 and did not receive till 2022. (There were several requests and setbacks during that period.)
It also indicates that Bill was born in Mercy Hospital, which opened in 1901 and was seemingly demolished in 1966. Photos courtesy of Denver Public Library Special Collections:
sometime between 1901 and 1910
1917
According to Dr. Jeanne Abrams, Professor and Director, RMJHS and Beck Archives at the Center for Judaic Studies and University Libraries at the University of Denver: 

1526 Lowell was then in the heart of the West Side Eastern European Jewish community. The area was filled with small Orthodox synagogues, Jewish-run businesses including grocery stores and bakeries, etc. Around that time, [future Israeli prime minister] Golda Meir lived in the neighborhood in a typical West Side duplex for about a year and a half. She had run away from her parents so she could continue her schooling. She was staying with her married sister, who had moved to Denver because she had tuberculosis. Denver featured two Jewish TB sanatoriums that were national in nature of support and patients.

This is not the first time that chasing Bill has led me to other notables.

Great school parking lot sign on first author trip to NC

I've been to close to 30 states to visit schools or present at conferences, and the latest to join the list is North Carolina. On February 2-3, 2022, I spoke to students at three NC schools (two elementaries and one university).
One of the elementaries, Marshville, has not one but two signs/displays that must be amplified.
One is bedecking a stall door in a bathroom, and it echoes a message I share at the end of my presentations.

The other is at the exit of the parking lot. No, not the one about left turns.

Thank you again to Melanie Keel at Wingate University for organizing this trip!