Meet The Staff

Our founder Mike was a professional Motion Picture Projectionist and theatre manager for over 31 years, along with owning his own theatre in 1973 - 1975. During his many years in the theatre industry he has been able to meet and become friends with many of the film industries most well known stars and behind the scenes people. Among these are: the late Chuck Jones, and Bob Clampett, who created Bugs Bunny and the other Warner Bros. Cartoon Characters. Three of Disney's "Nine Old Men" animation team, Live Steam Model Railroaders the late Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston, along with the late Frank Thomas, who created the many Disney Classic Cartoon Characters. The late Buddy Hackett, who starred in such classics as "The Music Man", "All Hands on Deck" and "The Love Bug", along with providing the voice for many of the Disney Cartoon Characters (the Sea Gull in "Little Mermaid". Douglas Trumball (Industrial Light & Magic) who was the special effects co-ordinate for the Star Trek, and Star wars movies. The late Gregory Peck - and Bob Hope. Tom Lester (Eb Dawson) and the late Eddie Albert (Oliver Douglas) of the T. V. show "Green Acres". Soupy Sales, Dwayne Hickman (Dobby Gillis), Jon Provost (Timmy) & June Lockhart - of the T. V. show "Lassie", Adam West (original Batman), Motorcycle daredevil the late Evil Kneivel, directors Robert Wise, ("The Sound of Music") and Randal Kliser, ("Grease"), the late Jonathon Harris (Dr. Smith) of the T. V. "Lost in Space", Clint Eastwood, the late George Burns, the late magician Harry Blackstone Jr. , Barry & Stanley Livingston (Chip & Ernie - The T. V. show "My Three Sons"), Butch Patrick (Eddie) of the "Munsters", the late Norman Fell, (Stanley Roper of "3's Company"), animal trainer, Frank Inn & Higgins (a.k.a.) Bengi of the T. V. shows "Petty Coat Junction"& "The Beverly Hillbillies", who performed at his theatre during a promotional tour for their upcoming Mulberry Square release of the movie "Bengi" in 1975 along with producer Joe Camp. Johnny Whittaker, (Jodi) from the T. V. show "Family Affair". Max Baer Jr. (Jethro), Donna Douglas (Elli Mae), and the late Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett) of the T. V. show "The Beverly Hillbillies". Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch of "The Wizard of Oz") who was also a fan of Laurel and Hardy and a member of the group hosting the 1980 Our Gang reunion. (Ollie had played the roll of the Tin Woodsman in the silent version of the Wizard of Oz).

Being an executive member of the Chicago chapter of the Sons of the Desert (the official Laurel and Hardy) fan group, he was chosen to handle the projectionist duties at the OUR GANG (Little Rascals) Reunion which was held in LA in 1980. While there he was able to become a personal friend of the late Hal Roach and the surviving members of the group, along with the late Mrs. Oliver (Lucille) Hardy and Stan Laurel's daughter Lois Hawse. In 1984 he journeyed to Stan Laurel's birth place of Ulverston, England for 10 days to portray "Ollie" in a documentary about the comedy team for the BBC, along with friend, Martin Kalper from Orange County, California, who portrayed "Stan".

While working in several small town theatres during college and following years he became involved with several community groups including Special Olympics which subsequently lead us to enter into the awards and recognition field, due to the extremely limited selection available at that time.

He has been member of Lions International since 1973 and has served as president of the Malta Lions Club twice, along with being the first member from his club to receive the Melvin Jones Award in 1994.

In 1999 as a community service, we began showing classic movies on the weekends for the neighborhood kids in our driveway using his projectors and the garage door for a screen along with his personal collection of several hundred cartoons, comedies and feature films. This was so well received by the children and their parents, that this summer in order to combat the rainy weekends, he built a screening room inside the garage, complete with a fully stocked snack bar. We can probably lay claim to being the ONLY trophy shop which also houses it's own fully working Movie Theatre.

We have been a member of the AWARDS AND RECOGNITION ASSOCIATION since 1989. He is currently enrolled in their certification program. He recently completed his CRS qualification on Ausgust 4, 2004 after attending more than 70 hours of classes and seminars over the past 10 years and is now among fewer than 300 world wide to hold this designation. Through involvement in the ARA, he has been attending many classes to learn how:

1) They can deliver a better product.

2) Day to day operations

3) About new technologies in the business.

He has attended at least one trade show a year. He often comes back with new ideas and new products after these trade shows.

He is the only CRS in the Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, Winnebago, & Boone County, Illinois area. CRS designation is attained when enrollees earn seven CEUs, which is equivalent to 70 hours of qualified instruction in ARA approved seminars. The ARA Certification Program is open to industry retailers, suppliers and their employees. The CEU was developed by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) with specific criteria and guidelines for use of C E Us. One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is awarded for 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. ARA members who earn the designation Certified Recognition Specialist (CRS) have demonstrated their commitment to excellence and professionalism. The CRS Designation is one of the highest honors in the awards industry.

To learn more about the ARA and to learn about Famous Awards click on the ARA logo below.

Mike is also a Founding member of the Prairie State Railroad Club, Inc. having served as their charter secretary. He built his own 1-1/2 inch scale Live Steam Train in the 1980's and is currently in the process of installing a track in the backyard of his home.

These skills enable us to successfully complete the most demanding items.

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