I had been wanting to attend ever since I heard about the celebration in the Summer of 1987 when the media began covering the 50th Anniversary of Superman's debut in "Action Comic No. 1" in 1938. This is also when I first learned about the founder of the Super Museum, Jim Hambrick, on Entertainment Tonight and about Metropolis on local news channels. Although I was initially doubtful that I would ever be able to attend the celebration, eleven years later my wife Helen Brockow and I made the journey for my birthday in 1998. Words can't begin to describe the excitement I had that year I remember meeting Mr. Hambrick and wandering through the Super Museum many times.
We also had the opportunity to watch the 3 hour version of "Superman the Movie" hosted by the talented and astute Jim Bowers from CapedWonder.com . I also met actor Lane Smith who starred as Perry White in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman". I was captivated by the friendliness and the magic of Metropolis and couldn't wait to go back again. Our next visit would be 7 years later in 2005. By that time more events had been added to the Superman Celebration. This time a dream of mine came true, meeting actress Noel Neil (Lois Lane from "The Adventures of Superman" starring George Reeves). I also met her manager/autobiographer, Larry Ward, both would become very good friends.
Another dream came true when I met actress Margot Kidder, Lois Lane in the Christopher Reeve, Superman films. I was able to purchase a Christopher Reeve replica cape which she had available at her table. After autographing the cape for me and discovering it was my Birthday, she put it around my neck and sang "Happy Birthday" . This was one of the greatest moments in my life.This year would also mark the first time I participated in and won Superman Jeopardy which is a trivia game show event hosted annually during the celebration by John Rinaldi and Alex Rinaldi from The USA Boxing News. Contestants are chosen from the audience and John, Alex and their sons and daughters ask Superman-related trivia questions with prizes given out to those on stage and in the audience. In my opinion, Superman Jeopardy is the best event during the celebration. John and I have become life-long friends.
We also had the opportunity to watch the 3 hour version of "Superman the Movie" hosted by the talented and astute Jim Bowers from CapedWonder.com . I also met actor Lane Smith who starred as Perry White in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman". I was captivated by the friendliness and the magic of Metropolis and couldn't wait to go back again. Our next visit would be 7 years later in 2005. By that time more events had been added to the Superman Celebration. This time a dream of mine came true, meeting actress Noel Neil (Lois Lane from "The Adventures of Superman" starring George Reeves). I also met her manager/autobiographer, Larry Ward, both would become very good friends.
Another dream came true when I met actress Margot Kidder, Lois Lane in the Christopher Reeve, Superman films. I was able to purchase a Christopher Reeve replica cape which she had available at her table. After autographing the cape for me and discovering it was my Birthday, she put it around my neck and sang "Happy Birthday" . This was one of the greatest moments in my life.This year would also mark the first time I participated in and won Superman Jeopardy which is a trivia game show event hosted annually during the celebration by John Rinaldi and Alex Rinaldi from The USA Boxing News. Contestants are chosen from the audience and John, Alex and their sons and daughters ask Superman-related trivia questions with prizes given out to those on stage and in the audience. In my opinion, Superman Jeopardy is the best event during the celebration. John and I have become life-long friends.
Another great friend that I made in 2005 is Superman actor Scott Cranford who was the official Superman of the Superman Celebration from 2000 - 2007. We have been attending the celebration every year since and have met many celebrities and fellow attendees that have also become life-long friends over the years including Brian Morris and Cookie Morris, Sam Rizzo, Tim Gardner, Kenny Richardson. An event that we also look forward to each year is the annual Superman Super Site Meet & Greet which is hosted by Neil Cole and Jennifer Cole from SupermanSuperSite.com. Helen and I help out with the event each year which features various Superman and comic book themed door prizes. It is a fun event and people get to meet and talk with one another during this time.
Over the years, Helen and I have also become very good friends with Morgan Siebert and Adam Siebert who are the co-curators of the Super Museum. They put their blood, sweat, and tears into maintaining the museum. The Super Museum was created by Morgan's father, Jim Hambrick.He starrted a tradition of adding new to the museum every year. A major highlight of the 2009 Superman Celebration would see the ground breaking ceremony for The Noel Neil Statue which was in the planning stages for a long time. The following year would see the official unveiling of statue which was attended by Noel Neill herself as well various news outlets and a large crowd of fellow celebration attendees. It was wonderful to finally see it coming into fruition.
2010 would also see the start of my very own trivia show called "Stump The Superman Expert" which was the result of both John Rinaldi and Helen encouraging me to put together my own show in 2009. The Superman Celebration attendees really like the Q&A events with the celebrities as well as answering questions that the Rinaldi's throw out to the audience during Superman Jeopardy. I came up with the idea to combine the two and make the audience the stars of the show.My excitement went through the roof when Superman Celebration co-chair Karla Ogle reached out to let me know that she was adding my show to the official schedule. I am so happy and grateful that the Stump the Superman Expert Show has been such a huge success and, over the past 14 years, I have heard people saying they look forward to both my show and Superman Jeopardy every year.
Over the years, Helen and I have also become very good friends with Morgan Siebert and Adam Siebert who are the co-curators of the Super Museum. They put their blood, sweat, and tears into maintaining the museum. The Super Museum was created by Morgan's father, Jim Hambrick.He starrted a tradition of adding new to the museum every year. A major highlight of the 2009 Superman Celebration would see the ground breaking ceremony for The Noel Neil Statue which was in the planning stages for a long time. The following year would see the official unveiling of statue which was attended by Noel Neill herself as well various news outlets and a large crowd of fellow celebration attendees. It was wonderful to finally see it coming into fruition.
2010 would also see the start of my very own trivia show called "Stump The Superman Expert" which was the result of both John Rinaldi and Helen encouraging me to put together my own show in 2009. The Superman Celebration attendees really like the Q&A events with the celebrities as well as answering questions that the Rinaldi's throw out to the audience during Superman Jeopardy. I came up with the idea to combine the two and make the audience the stars of the show.My excitement went through the roof when Superman Celebration co-chair Karla Ogle reached out to let me know that she was adding my show to the official schedule. I am so happy and grateful that the Stump the Superman Expert Show has been such a huge success and, over the past 14 years, I have heard people saying they look forward to both my show and Superman Jeopardy every year.
My Lois Lane Helen Brockow with The Noel Neil Statue and Real life legend Noel Neill breaking ground on the now famous statue.
The Superman Celebration keeps getting better as the years have passed. In 2015, I had the opportunity to host the Q&A session with actors Michael Landes (Jimmy Olsen in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" Season 1) and Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen in the Christopher Reeve Superman films). Unfortunately, 2017 was not a good year for me and Helen as we lost my father and much turmoil was going on during that time. The Super Friends of Metropolis, a group of regular attendees poured out their love for us and for that, I will be forever grateful. When we arrived in Metropolis that year Karla Ogle, Lisa Gower, Sassy Ann Shenefield and her mother, Debra Ann Shenefield had a lot of warmth to offer which made us feel better.
2018 was a very special year, both the Superman Celebration and "Superman The Movie" celebrated their respective 40th Anniversaries, The "Adventures of Superboy" television series celebrated it's 30th Anniversary, and it was Superman's 80th Anniversary. Nothing could compare to the fact that during that years celebration my wife Helen reconciled with her and her daughter Joan who she had not spoken to in almost 10 years.
Joan brought two of her grandchildren with her. The magic of the Superman Celebration brought a family back together and Helen and Joan have been talking ever since. We went to the 2019 celebration with Joan and three of our great grandchildren. Seeing how much fun the children were having at the Super Museum and introducing them to all our friends was priceless and I thought that was one of the best celebrations ever. I loved taking our oldest great grandson, Justin, to meet actress Helen Slater (Kara Zor-El/ Supergirl in "Supergirl The Movie") and Erica Durance (Lois Lane in "Smallville").
Sadly, the 2020 Superman Celebration was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic but did return in 2021, albeit at later date and on a smaller scale. It was like going back in time to how the celebrations use to be. The event featured the opening of Hidden Gems; a unique gift store owned and operated by Morgan and Adam Siebert. I'd like to thank Sam Rizzo from Superboy Legacy, He helped Helen and I meet actress Stacy Haiduk and actor Ilan Mitchell-Smith who portrayed Lana Lang and Andy McAlister on the "Adventures of Superboy" television series which ran from 1988 - 1992.
The 2022 Superman Celebration was back to normal and it was a very good. I was able to meet my friend Sam Rizzo for dinner and just to hang out, We also had dinner with actors Michael Manno and Douglas Meyers who portrayed Lex Luthor's best friend, Leo and Bizarro on the "Adventures of Superboy" television series. 2023 was another great celebration. I had the opportunity to host Sam's Q&A session with actor Sam J. Jones who played the title role in the 1980 cult-classic film "Flash Gordon Helen and I were able to have breakfast with Sam J. Jones before the event. Someone else who makes our trip to Metropolis worth while every year is Ericca Arthur. She owns and who owns and operates Bliss Body Works.
As the 2024 Superman Celebration approaches, I am certain that it will be just as exciting as all the celebrations from years past. I want to thank Karla, Lisa, Morgan, Adam, Jim, the Rinaldi's and everyone at The Metropolis Chamber of Commerce for all the hard work and dedication to make the Superman Celebration something extra special.See all of you June!
2018 was a very special year, both the Superman Celebration and "Superman The Movie" celebrated their respective 40th Anniversaries, The "Adventures of Superboy" television series celebrated it's 30th Anniversary, and it was Superman's 80th Anniversary. Nothing could compare to the fact that during that years celebration my wife Helen reconciled with her and her daughter Joan who she had not spoken to in almost 10 years.
Joan brought two of her grandchildren with her. The magic of the Superman Celebration brought a family back together and Helen and Joan have been talking ever since. We went to the 2019 celebration with Joan and three of our great grandchildren. Seeing how much fun the children were having at the Super Museum and introducing them to all our friends was priceless and I thought that was one of the best celebrations ever. I loved taking our oldest great grandson, Justin, to meet actress Helen Slater (Kara Zor-El/ Supergirl in "Supergirl The Movie") and Erica Durance (Lois Lane in "Smallville").
Sadly, the 2020 Superman Celebration was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic but did return in 2021, albeit at later date and on a smaller scale. It was like going back in time to how the celebrations use to be. The event featured the opening of Hidden Gems; a unique gift store owned and operated by Morgan and Adam Siebert. I'd like to thank Sam Rizzo from Superboy Legacy, He helped Helen and I meet actress Stacy Haiduk and actor Ilan Mitchell-Smith who portrayed Lana Lang and Andy McAlister on the "Adventures of Superboy" television series which ran from 1988 - 1992.
The 2022 Superman Celebration was back to normal and it was a very good. I was able to meet my friend Sam Rizzo for dinner and just to hang out, We also had dinner with actors Michael Manno and Douglas Meyers who portrayed Lex Luthor's best friend, Leo and Bizarro on the "Adventures of Superboy" television series. 2023 was another great celebration. I had the opportunity to host Sam's Q&A session with actor Sam J. Jones who played the title role in the 1980 cult-classic film "Flash Gordon Helen and I were able to have breakfast with Sam J. Jones before the event. Someone else who makes our trip to Metropolis worth while every year is Ericca Arthur. She owns and who owns and operates Bliss Body Works.
As the 2024 Superman Celebration approaches, I am certain that it will be just as exciting as all the celebrations from years past. I want to thank Karla, Lisa, Morgan, Adam, Jim, the Rinaldi's and everyone at The Metropolis Chamber of Commerce for all the hard work and dedication to make the Superman Celebration something extra special.See all of you June!