The Ghost at the Train Station is Smiling

Today in this blog

Two worlds collide at the Kurth
PublicEnemiesChicago
The Train Station Gets A New Look
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I'll start with The Train Station.

First I MUST get all the thank yous out of the way and I'll do it in chronological order.

Kim and Sharon were the advanced guard and cleaned the waiting room to prep for the Train Gang and it really helped not having to clean before splashing on paint.

Thank you to the Osterhaus's for providing most of the white paint (all but 2 gallons).

A HUGE thanks to Home Expressions for providing color tint for the paint - GREAT job!!

A very very special thank you to Kris Hardesty for providing Color Consultation - GREAT choices (Kris does Painting, Wallpapering & Design 920-988-1271 and has a great eye for color) and Terry (Left Hand Louie), both did a HELL of a lot of work yesterday and they get a gold star.

Thanks to the Rod who is not me, the wonderful Amtrak train station dude who provided free pizza and drinks for lunch.

Thanks to The Pizza Shack for hand-tossing in a pizza or two - awesome pizza -Grazie.

Thanks to the weather Gods for giving us perfect weather AND in a small bizarre way for creating a flood on the tracks between Columbus and Reeseville which prevented the Milwaukee 261 or ANY trains to stop in Columbus. The Rod who is not me said IF this would had been a normal June 21st there would have been 200+ people using the waiting area on that day.

And lastly thank you to the Train Gang, Kris, Terry, Rianna, Betty, Suz, Sue, John, Cassie, Jordy, Jenny, Robbi, Caralea, Mary, Michelle,Sabra & Chelsea.
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In a perfect example of American efficiency it took seventeen people from four different towns eight hours to complete the task.

Here are the first photos - you can see DJ already starting to stress out. Notice the wonderful colors we were about to change. I think WHITE was the theme the last time the place was painted.

Here you see Michelle and Kris applying the new paint to the walls and Left Hand Louie talking to his agent.
Here is Caralea on her way to becoming a giant paint ball as she becomes one with the paint. She had awesome energy.

And a couple photos I stole from Michelle's blog showing how it looked. For more/better photos of the event make sure you check out Michelle's blog.



Looks way way better doesn't it. BRAVO!!!!!

Stage two will now be collecting STUFF for the walls. The first will be Public Enemies memorabilia. If you have something you would like to have on the walls contact Kim at the Visitor Center. (920) 623-5325

We are looking for framed photos, montages or anything else. 11x14 or larger in a black frame. If you wish to sell the piece you can put a card on it with info. Kim will have details.
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Two Worlds Colliding at The Kurth.

Sounds ominous but all went well. There were two birthday parties. One for Shakenbis and one for Ed. The fun thing was both parties would look at each other and whisper "who are they".

Then we would mingle and both sides got to know the other - it was great to meet new people. We had an outstanding lightning display which many people watched and then calls were made to Chicago to see where Public Enemies were filming and for how long!

BAM - all of a sudden there is a road trip forming and Blaze and Crew drive to Chicago and arrive about 1AM.

First from Marcella

Just got back from the filming tonight... I came down on Congress and saw all the filming to the left at the Auditorium building. Base camp was right across the street. Because of this Johnny walked to the set instead of being driven. We were able to watch him come and go, escorted by police and of course Jerry, from across the yellow line. It was never that crowded from there, and it was a nice view. Marion Cotillard was also there...

A block away on Michigan Ave the old cars were lined up. After watching JD's stand-in in the drivers seat, JD himself appeared. We had a nice view as he got into the car, and drove off with the rest of the cars following. Although we are not sure exactly where they went, the chain of cars passed by base camp twice, the second time stopped there. We watched Michael Mann and Johnny talk for a few minutes, exchange a hug, and them walk into base camp.

Becky has a GREAT video of this... Around 2:45 (I think?) Johnny reemerged from his trailer. Somehow we had completely missed them putting up yellow tape at the other entrance to base camp. Following others rushing towards the corner, we found ourselves feet away Johnny Depp.

I was FINALLY able to get my hug (actually 2 :) ) As well as an autograph. I met a bunch of you guys, in addition to some people whom I had met yesterday hanging around basecamp. Was wonderful to meet you all. Becky and I walking down the street, "Are YOU Marcella and Becky?" Lol

This is JD's Aunt and Uncle - very nice people that drove up from Kentucky!

Here is mail from Blaze and there adventure to Chicago.

Just thought I would write you a little note to say that we had a great time at the Kurth last night, and we finally made it down to Chicago around 1am. It took us a while to get to base camp (go to Osh's blog, or my blog to read that part).

Johnny was there, as well as Marion (although I did not see her). They filmed some scenes prior to us arriving, and then when Johnny exited his trailer at around 2:45am ish, he went off to do some street scenes in his car. He went around the block a couple of times, being pulled by a trailer, and followed by a few more 1930's style cars. Then he returned to his trailer. He came out to meet his fans about 1/2 hour after he returned to base camp, and signed autographs. Osh, and Evan, did a great job making sure that Mary's daughter (Caralea?) got her purse signed by Johnny. I got to briefly utter a few words, but I just left it at that. I had hoped for a photograph, but I think everyone else there was after that as well. Oh well, it's life, and it has been a great ride!

Chicago is no Columbus, that's for sure, but all in all it was a great time. There was some pushing, and shoving by the crowds, and a lot of screaming. In fact, at one point, dozens and dozens of people started screaming, and chasing Johnny's car down the road. I couldn't believe it! I guess I have just never been in a place where this has happened before.

Caralea with signed purse

And one last thing that many many people have commented on and I'd like to share. You are not the only ones to feel this way. In a comment from Becky.

Also... I wanted to share this with all of you.. I'm sure it doesn't make much sense as I am exhausted but there is someone on the IMDB message boards who works on the crew and I don't know if it's just me but he rubs me the wrong way, (a lot of people Becky) he's always making it seem like we are so stupid for trying to see Johnny or any filming of the movie and today I just had it, he left some snide remark to me. Here's just one of his remarks and here is the reply I left....

Him.... told you so... hows that $4.50/ gallon gas treating you? Where in the heck are we? Just wait for the movie to come out...

Me.....Yes... it sucks to pay $4.00 a gallon for gas (it's a bit cheaper in WI) but you know what..... it doesn't matter to me... maybe some people on this board (IMDB) have never truly been a "fan" of someone or appreciated their work so much that they would do just about anything to let that person know how much they affected their lives but Johnny has done that for me...

I am 33 years old and have loved Johnny's work since the first time I saw him in 1984... that is a LONG time to admire someone and to get that chance to let him know that... I'd pay just about anything, all it really cost me was $ for gas, tolls and my time... he has given me far more then that! Johnny is nothing but gracious and humble and he works so hard all day but still takes the time to meet all his fans and when I see him meeting all of us he really looks like he couldn't be happier. It was amazing and I hope everyone who wants to meet him gets a chance.

(BRAVO!!!! well said)

Also.. I have to say that John Michael Bolger is one of the nicest people I have EVER met... he gave us an amazing speech about following your dreams, I got home last night about 4:30am and had to be to work by 9am so I haven't had a chance to put my pics or the video of JMB up yet... but I will and I hope you all enjoy it!
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And now I must go water my flowers and have some breakfast!

Thanks again everyone!!!

OH - the ghost!

It seems a well known Columbus person (who shall remain nameless) was driving past the train station about 10:00 at night and noticed a shadowy figure standing next to the station. He had an old brimmed hat and was looking at what LOOKED like a pocket watch. Like he was waiting for a train or something.

The Columbus person thought this was rather odd and decided to investigate to make sure there was nothing going on.

The stranger just . . . . . vanished not to be seen again. This is hard to do if you know the train station. It's on it's own little island. A person can not just disappear.

hmmmmmmm!


Rod and DJ