About the Film
Synopsis
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.
The Pumpkin Lady of Fond du Lac is a partially animated documentary that explores how one woman’s creativity, along with the dedication of local law enforcement, schools, and residents, turned tragedy into a five-decade tradition.
Blending interviews with hand-crafted animation inspired by the nostalgic charm of 1970s children’s books and the whimsy of The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, the film reveals how communities heal, how memories become legends, and how a single act of creativity can create a lasting legacy of connection and joy.
We are almost to the finish line.
We filmed the bulk of the documentary over Halloween in 2023, with a few other interviews shot in 2021.
We are now in "Picture Lock" and plan to screen it this Halloween 2026, privately in Fond du Lac.
Stay tuned for more details!
About Us
Jean Herbold / Director/ Producer
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 is a proud Wisconsin native and GB Packer fan, even though she has called Washington state home for the past 25 years.
Jean has worked in film/video production, in one form or an
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 is a proud Wisconsin native and GB Packer fan, even though she has called Washington state home for the past 25 years.
Jean has worked in film/video production, in one form or another, for over 20 years.
She currently works as a Special Education Para-educator for Vancouver Public Schools, where she can tell her students stories from the "old days".
John Meyers / Editor
John has been working as an editor for close to 20 years. He has created videos for many large US and global corporations, as well as small nonprofit organizations. Much of his experience has been editing internal communications videos, commercials, TV pilots, fundraising videos, short form documentaries, podcasts, and short narratives. A
John has been working as an editor for close to 20 years. He has created videos for many large US and global corporations, as well as small nonprofit organizations. Much of his experience has been editing internal communications videos, commercials, TV pilots, fundraising videos, short form documentaries, podcasts, and short narratives. An incredibly quick witted and intuitive storyteller, he is a wonderful collaborator on a project like this. He currently lives in Portland and is no longer a Dracula.
Jenny Kincade/ Animator
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 Davis/ Fondy Consultant
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.
Laura Roe-Story Editor
Jackie Weissman / Consulting Producer
Cat Mihos / Consulting Producer
Laura has been working as an editor, media manager, and all-around post professional for many years. She’s proud to have contributed to several films and TV shows set in Oregon, including Wild, First Cow, Shrill, and Portlandia. Laura has worked on several projects with award-winning documentarians Irene Taylor (I Am: Celine Dion, Leave N
Laura has been working as an editor, media manager, and all-around post professional for many years. She’s proud to have contributed to several films and TV shows set in Oregon, including Wild, First Cow, Shrill, and Portlandia. Laura has worked on several projects with award-winning documentarians Irene Taylor (I Am: Celine Dion, Leave No Trace) and Jan Haaken (The Palestine Exception, the Necessity series). She was an Associate Producer on the Emmy Award-winning 2024 Olympics coverage for Watch With Alex Cooper. Currently, she’s the Substack Consultant for season 43 of Jeopardy!.
Cat Mihos / Consulting Producer
Jackie Weissman / Consulting Producer
Cat Mihos / Consulting Producer
Cat is the Senior Vice President of The Blank Corporation where she has 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
Cat is the Senior Vice President of The Blank Corporation where she has 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 Tate / Consulting Producer
Jackie Weissman / Consulting Producer
Jackie Weissman / Consulting Producer
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.
Jackie Weissman / Consulting Producer
Jackie Weissman / Consulting Producer
Jackie Weissman / Consulting Producer
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.