|
A lively autobiography by the host of
television's longest-running variety program
For
many Carl Pellonpaa has been an icon in both America and Finland as the
host of the 50-year-old "Finland Calling" television program.
But there are other facts of Carl's life that his fans
will find fascinating. Born on the onset of the Great Depression in
Ishpeming, a hard scrabble iron-mining town in Upper Michigan, Carl
shared close quarters in a drafty old house with his parents and
three siblings.
As a youngster, sports were his passion. He became an
accomplished ski jumper, and his fastball was so extraordinary that in
his teens he attracted the attention of the major league Boston Braves.
Fresh out of high school, 17-year-old Carl got a job as a
radio announcer, often struggling with words he had never seen or heard
before. Before and after his military stint in Korea in the early 50's,
he labored underground in local iron mines. In 1961 he landed a job in
television. Like radio, early television was live, and on-air mistakes
weren't accecptable. But blunders happened and over the years Carl
experienced them all, some embarrassing, some hilarious. In
March, 1962, Carl and Eugene Sinervo, the TV station's marketing
director, were tasked to come up with a Finnish Language variety
program for television. The two decided to call the program "Finland
Calling." The rest is history.
The book is the story of Carl Pellonpaa's life. Oh, but it
should be mentioned that he's not through with it yet.
"One of Michigan's
all-time favorite personalities is a fascinating story-teller as
well-from his Great Depression boyhood to his major league baseball
prospects, to his career on television, Don't miss this one!"
Larry Chabot, author of "The U.P. Goes to
War" and "Saving Our Sons."
"In this book we've learned
the story of "Finland Calling," but also the story of great man-a real
friendship ambassador between Finland and the United States. Thank you,
Carl!"
Markuu
Kauppinen, Finnish Ambassador
|
To Place Orders; click on
|