What People Say About Us

Regarding President Taft’s visit to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP:

Dale [Liikala] did a fantastic job as William H. Taft and delivered the historic 1911 speech of Taft magnificently.

…I have forwarded your name and contact information to the director of the Robert Todd Lincoln Home in Manchester, Vermont and to the Chief of Interpretation at the William H. Taft Historic Site in Cincinnati, Ohio. I told them that if they ever needed a William H. Taft presenter, you were their man.

- Gary Ferguson, Park Guide, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP, Hodgenville, KY

Recent Solo Appearances

(1) “I had many favorable comments from my group. We found
her [Eleanor Roosevelt’s] childhood to be interesting since so
many of us knew her when she married FDR. All in all, we learned
so much about history through this remarkable woman.”

– written by Georgia Pace, after Linda Laronge presented her
“First Lady of the World” program for the Fifty-Plus Club in Walton Hills, OH.

(2) "You (Bob Hodder) brought history alive for us with your engaging and entertaining performance as Theodore Roosevelt. Your costume completed the transformation that took us into the past. We had a sense of experiencing his life and times and for a little while we were back with him in those turbulent days as he went stumping for votes."—Lou Jerkic, Chardon Library of the Geauga County Library.

(3) “Before the program, ‘Mr. Lincoln’ walked through the library. It was fun to see customers’ reactions.” – Pam at Mansfield/Richland County Public Library

(4) “The president visits are really a highlight for the students.” –

Dr. Richard Hronek, Menlo Park Academy, Cleveland

(5) “Terrific audience feedback following this program [Eleanor Roosevelt: “First Lady of the World”]. Everyone went away very satisfied! –
Martha at Lakewood Public Library

(6) Regarding President Garfield’s visit to the Rose Institute of Learning at Menorah Park, Beachwood, OH, on April 7, 2011: “I came here because I was interested in James Garfield. You are the President!” – spoken afterwards by a gracious lady attending the program

Regarding the “Letters from the Front” program presented by General and Mrs. James A. Garfield at the Euclid Library, Euclid, OH on October 16, 2011:

“It was a great program! Our audience was moved by the poignant topic.”
-- Rebecca McFarland, Community Relations Coordinator

Regarding the “Dinner with the Presidents” events held at Yours Truly Restaurants in Mayfield Village and Mentor, OH:

(1) “A wonderful experience getting to meet the former Presidents and First Ladies. Thank you.”

(2) “The Presidents’ Day celebration was so well done! I heard about this last year and have wanted to attend since then! Can’t wait to come back!”

(3) “We were thrilled at the idea of seeing you all at Yours Truly on Presidents’ Day! The boys had fun thinking of questions to ask you and they were very excited to meet you! I have to admit that I was captivated by the living history all around me. What a super fun family time we all had! -- Mother of two boys from Mentor

(4) “We really enjoyed your stories! It was totally cool that Abraham Lincoln really had papers under his hat!” – Two brothers (ages 8 & 10) from Mentor

Regarding We Made History’s visit to Maple Elementary, Painesville, OH:

(1) “I think what made this so special was the learning opportunity it offered the kids, being able to meet and talk with the Presidents and First Ladies first hand! Wow! …It really did make history!” – Erica Haire, First Grade Teacher

(2) “Thank you for allowing me to participate in a small slice of the Presidents’ Day Program at MES [Maple Elementary School] today. As I spoke with the Presidents and MES students in attendance at the lunch, it was clear that the event was a huge success and truly succeeded in integrating instruction around the theme of American Presidents. Great job to everyone…for your efforts in bringing history alive in our schools!” -
Dr. Michael P. Hanlon, Jr., Superintendent, Painesville City Local Schools

Following the 2011 Dinner with the Presidents at Yours Truly Restaurants

“Wow, it sounds like the living historians knocked a pair of home runs! Great good will and coverage. Thanks to you and all for all that you did.” – Jeff Shibley, co-owner Yours Truly Restaurants

About the performance: Portrait of a Nineteenth Century Marriage, August 2010

“Audience enjoyed the presentation which brought to life Mrs. and Mr. James A. Garfield in easy to follow history class!” –

– Susan Merdler, Beachwood Community Services

"An incredible program! Bob [Hodder] was a complete delight in person and as TR.”

– Marci Reikowski, Milan-Berlin Library

John King’s Abraham Lincoln, July 2010

“John was above my expectations and our guests had many, many positive comments – very enjoyable and informative evening!”

–Mary Jane Talkington, Madison Historical Society, about

About “A Conversation with Eleanor & Lucretia,” presented by Linda Laronge & Debbie Weinkamer, June 2010.

“Wonderful program! Immediately following the meeting, several members stopped to gush about how great the program was and how much they learned. They challenged me to top this event next year.”

– Mary Chase, Western Reserve-Lakewood DAR

About Ed Haney’s and Debbie Weinkamer’s appearance as the Garfields, June 2010.

“Allow me to tell you how delighted I (and the guests at the ‘Taste of History’) am with your presence, your graciousness, and making certain you visited with everyone in attendance.”

– Judith Schwed, Chesterland Historical Village,

Miscellany Club member, Mary Ann Bugno about Debbie Weinkamer,

“We’ve heard others speak as presidents’ wives, but you’re different. You feel it.”

“Mrs. Garfield was able to answer all questions and far exceeded our expectations.”

About Robert Hodder, Theodore Roosevelt, by Brenda Stultz, Volunteer Curator of the Clyde ( OH ) and the McPherson House.

“I know you greeted more than 125 on Saturday and your friendly handshakes, your contagious smile, and your professional expertise helped make our event a super success.”

Overheard at the 2009 “Dinner with the Presidents” at Yours Truly Restaurant:

“They [Presidents Garfield & Roosevelt and First Ladies Garfield & Eleanor Roosevelt] are so knowledgeable and look and act so authentic!”

About Debbie Weinkamer & Ed Haney (from their visit to 2 elementary schools in Georgia as President & Mrs. Garfield)

“Thank you so much for coming to our school. I enjoyed it very much. The acting was extremely realistic. It was like a blast to the past. I savored the story about the little boy and the reporter.” -- Fifth Grade Student, Tyrone Elementary School, Tyrone, GA

“Thank you for the magnificent speech. You must have worked very hard to get all the knowledge you know now about James A. Garfield. You really had me thinking you were really James Garfield.”

“Thank you for dressing up for us. You were so awesome… When I got home I told my parents and my little brother about you.”

From the “Conversation with Eleanor & Lucretia” program at Morley Library, 3/7/09:

“You two seem reincarnated from the real First Ladies.”

About Ed Haney as President Garfield:

“You look just like him!” – from students when comparing a portrait of President Garfield with the “living version.”

About Debbie Weinkamer as Lucretia Garfield: James R. Garfield II, the great-grandson of President James Garfield, used to say,

“If I want to know anything about my ancestors, I ask Debbie.”

About Linda Laronge as Eleanor, after the Perry Library performance a patron declared,

“You became her [Eleanor]!”.

Debbie Weinkamer about Ed’s and her joint programs:

“We know we’ve convinced the audience that we are the Garfields when they ask, ‘Are you married in real life?’”

About Bob Hodder as Theodore Roosevelt, Nancy Kneen, Proprietor of the Lawnfield Inn and Suites states,

“He brings with him the charisma, humor and passion of Theodore Roosevelt. The crowd loves him.”