One of my favorite interviews for my column “10 Minutes With.”  Secretary Vilsack is articulate and provocative, providing a mind-opening insight into the wonders  and challenges for today’s farmers.

February 16, 2019: I spent two years on the board of the Amelia Island Book Festival.  I highly recommend it.  Come next year!   We bring in the best, high profile authors.  This year, the headliner was Diane Gabaldon.  Last, year, it was Lee Child. Not too shabby! The best aspect of the AIBF is its Authors in Schools program, bring authors into the schools so young people can be inspired. It’s an awesome program.  This year, I was actually part of the Author Expo, and enjoyed pitching my book to the numerous attendees.

At the Amelia Island Book Festival Author Expo

Engaging at the Author Expo, with assistance from my wife Diane.

February 13, 2019: The Dunes Club Villas Women’s Book Club (where I live in northern Florida) invited me to discuss my book.  I was more anxious than ever because this was the first time i would speak to a group of people who read my book. What a dynamic discussion we had.  There were many comments that the McDonald’s journey surprised them; they learned a lot: and the book was an easy, enjoyable one–not too technical.  All music to my ears.

February 4, 2019:  More than 60 people came to a party to celebrate my book and the whole journey of McDonald’s.  Many from McDonald’s past and present were there.  I just love my time at McDonald’s, especially the high caliber, high integrity people that filled my every day there!

Thank you Robert Kozloff for taking this great picture of the fantastic McDonald’s people at my book launch party.

February 3, 2019: Today I had my first book event at the famed downtown bookstore, Anderson’s.  Many friends came.  Most special was George Macko, who hired me into a “temporary” job of saving the McDonald’s polystyrene clamshell back in 1988.  I failed, but I went on to have  career in CSR mostly due to George, who saw something in me. Thanks George!

At Anderson’s, I was interviewed by Brian O’Keefe from one of my Dad’s favorite radio stations, WDCB, most a jazz station.  Brian has a show called First Light. He put together a really good piece on my book.

First Light with Brian O’Keefe

Seeing my book in the Anderson Bookstore window gave me chills!

Nothing beats being with family (my daughter Jenny), Greg and five of my six grandchildren launching my book at Naperville’s famed Anderson Bookstore.

February 2, 2019: I woke up to read a book review from The Economist.  I never imagined this.  And it was favorable!