Did you know that some kids in the US have never trick or treated on Halloween, especially at night?
The Pumpkin Lady of Fond du Lac shares the memories and stories of children who have celebrated the holiday in a very unique way for the last 5 decades. It also illustrates how this Wisconsin community reacted to a tragic event that led to this annual tradition.
Jean Nickodem Herbold grew up in Fond du Lac, WI. Like most other children in town, she was only allowed to trick or treat during the afternoon on Halloween. Once it got dark it was time to head home to listen to The Pumpkin Lady on the radio. Little did she know this annual event, that she and many other kids loved, was actually created to keep her safe.
We filmed this past Halloween in Fond du Lac and
it was an incredible weekend! We can't wait to share all
the stories we collected with you.
We are currently in post production
with animation coming up next.
Here is a little news story about our time In Fond du Lac: https://www.nbc26.com/news/local-news/do-you-remember-the-pumpkin-lady-local-documentarian-features-fond-du-lacs-resilience-after-tragedy?fbclid=IwAR14C5--dh3S7V5gUjrTrAGryFHLTK2RhoUR09lqtjKyaIqXVf4ZpQ0biyw
Do you have a story about Halloween, trick or treating in Fondy,
or listening to the WFON/ KFIZ radio show?
If so, please send us a note, upload an audio file, or share some Halloween photos from the 1970s-2000s. This is a community story and a love letter to the people who made and continue to make this holiday tradition possible.
If you have a recording of the Pumpkin Lady or Gracie the Ghost- we will be forever in your debt!
A trailer about the documentary
Jean is a creative producer who wears her heart on her sleeve. She loves to root for the underdog and lift the voices of those who are most often overlooked. She also loves to unearth and share a good story. She is a proud Wisconsin native and GB Packer fan, even though she has called Washington state home for the past 22 years.
Jean has
Jean is a creative producer who wears her heart on her sleeve. She loves to root for the underdog and lift the voices of those who are most often overlooked. She also loves to unearth and share a good story. She is a proud Wisconsin native and GB Packer fan, even though she has called Washington state home for the past 22 years.
Jean has worked in film/video production, in one form or another, for over 20 years. Like most other freelance producers she has worked on corporate communication videos, non profit videos, commercials, documentary shorts and a handful of non scripted television productions.
John has been in post production for 20 years, creating videos for companies such as Adidas, Google, Nike and Food Network. He currently lives in Portland and is no longer a Dracula.
Jenny is a Portland, Oregon based illustrator, designer, and animator. For the past 20 years, she has worked on countless animated commercials, but her first loves are documentaries and children’s books. While continuing to design sets and characters for stop motion, cg, and 2d commercial projects, she is also busy illustrating and animat
Jenny is a Portland, Oregon based illustrator, designer, and animator. For the past 20 years, she has worked on countless animated commercials, but her first loves are documentaries and children’s books. While continuing to design sets and characters for stop motion, cg, and 2d commercial projects, she is also busy illustrating and animating people, maps, and abstract concepts for locally produced documentaries.. Jenny is currently collaborating with musicians and performers on a documentary about grief, with an emphasis on accessibility for the visually impaired. She is also illustrating a chapter book about rogue christmas elves at loose in the multiverse. Halloween is hands down her favorite holiday.
Terry grew up in Mt. Calvary, WI. He became fascinated with the radio business and WFON because his sister dated Fond du Lac's very own Johnathon Brandmier. In 1983 he started working part time at WFON, which was when he first met Loula Beckman.
Terry grew up listening to her in the 1970's, and eventually co-hosted the Halloween program
Terry grew up in Mt. Calvary, WI. He became fascinated with the radio business and WFON because his sister dated Fond du Lac's very own Johnathon Brandmier. In 1983 he started working part time at WFON, which was when he first met Loula Beckman.
Terry grew up listening to her in the 1970's, and eventually co-hosted the Halloween program with her in 1987 and 1988.
In 1994 Terry moved to Radio Plus (aka 96-1 The Rock, Sunny 977, Great 98 and FM 93.7 The Source). That same year he married Jennifer Lucas and together they have raised 4 grown children. He currently hosts a radio show on 96-1 The Rock, Sunny 977 and serves as President at Radio Plus.
Carlo is a Wisconsin based commercial director with an extensive range of genre and technique, from highly-stylized pieces, to drama and comedy, with a focus on production value throughout. He is passionate about visualizing stories and capturing the magic in cinematic moments. For him, that emotional connection is the most important part
Carlo is a Wisconsin based commercial director with an extensive range of genre and technique, from highly-stylized pieces, to drama and comedy, with a focus on production value throughout. He is passionate about visualizing stories and capturing the magic in cinematic moments. For him, that emotional connection is the most important part of visual storytelling. Some brilliant philosopher (Plato?) once suggested that without emotion, nothing is learned.
After joining Neil Gaiman's production company,
The Blank Corporation back in 2006, Cat Mihos helped build and oversee their expansive TV and film slate, BBC’s Good Omens, Starz’ American Gods, and the Sandman series at Netflix. Prior to working in film and television, Cat worked in the live music industry an
After joining Neil Gaiman's production company,
The Blank Corporation back in 2006, Cat Mihos helped build and oversee their expansive TV and film slate, BBC’s Good Omens, Starz’ American Gods, and the Sandman series at Netflix. Prior to working in film and television, Cat worked in the live music industry and toured the world with acts such as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Mötley Crüe, Tool, and many more. She is also a published author and enjoys making art out of glass and old comics
Jen has worked her way through the world of media. From student films at Stanford to a documentary about karaoke - from educational videos for Sesame Street to instructional videos for Silicon Valley. She has written, directed, produced and fundraised along the way. She has served as Executive Director of the Portland Area Theatre Allian
Jen has worked her way through the world of media. From student films at Stanford to a documentary about karaoke - from educational videos for Sesame Street to instructional videos for Silicon Valley. She has written, directed, produced and fundraised along the way. She has served as Executive Director of the Portland Area Theatre Alliance, and Producer of Oregon Documentary Camp, and is fully committed to arts & media nonprofits. She brings people together. She makes things happen. And she pushes hard to keep it professional & fun along the way. She co-founded Oregon Media Lab with Jackie Weissman in 2019.Say something interesting about your business here.
For the past 25 years, Jackie Weissman has worked as a media producer, director, editor, and educator. Rock N Roll Mamas, her documentary featuring Zia McCabe of The Dandy Warhols, Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses, and up and coming hip hop mc, Ms. Suad, has shown around the world to sold-out audiences. Her award winning documentary, Th
For the past 25 years, Jackie Weissman has worked as a media producer, director, editor, and educator. Rock N Roll Mamas, her documentary featuring Zia McCabe of The Dandy Warhols, Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses, and up and coming hip hop mc, Ms. Suad, has shown around the world to sold-out audiences. Her award winning documentary, The Gorilla and the Piker, was featured on WNET, Channel 13 in New York, as a part of its Reel New York series. She is a founding board member of Women In Film-Portland and has served as Board President for two years. Jackie is also a founding organizer of Oregon Doc Camp and has been the Director of the program since 2016. She received her MFA in film and video production from Columbia College-Chicago and lives in Portland, Oregon. She co-founded Oregon Media Lab with Jen Tate in 2019.Give customers a reason to do business with you.
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Your contribution will enable us to continue our work on this animated documentary about Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and their unique Halloween tradition. Thanks to everyone who has donated thus far. We are so appreciative of your generosity. We have a long way to go, so everything little bit helps!!
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