Iconic photo of Detroit Bookfest taken by Debbie Maciolek in 2018 (Eastern Market, Shed 5, Detroit)
Native Detroiter, Debbie Maciolek, runs Debography, a local photography company. She expertly photographed some early incarnations of Bookfest for us in the past. And now, thankfully, she’s back!
The quality of her work is superb, and we are immensely fortunate to have her documenting the event.
You will see her running around at Detroit Bookfest taking photos. Please treat her with courtesy and respect.
Debbie Maciolek self-portrait (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
Here’s Debbie:
“I’ve got lots of books to donate. I can’t throw out a book. It goes against everything I believe in.”
“My early years? Wow, well, I grew up on Detroit’s Upper Eastside. I lived on Lansdowne, between Yorkshire and Grayton and attended Guardian Angels at Kelly and Whittier and also Bishop Gallagher.”
“I attended Wayne State University, studying business and have my certificate of Photographic Arts from Macomb Community College.”
“For the past 28 years, my husband Bob and I have lived in Macomb. He’s a Colonel in the National Guard and we’ve owned a software business for 16 years now called Static Line Software.”
Abandoned Detroit building (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
“We have a son and a daughter, Blake and Claire, both finishing up college at Western Michigan and University of Michigan respectively and two furry kids. Our two dogs are Bella – a Lab-Pit mix, and Dexter – a Great Pyrenees-Siberian Husky mix.”
“I come from three generations of Detroit firefighters. My grandfather and father both retired as Chief of the city and my brother is a current Sergeant on the Eastside.”
“When I was young, my dad used to race stock outboard boats all over the state in short courses and marathons. This is actually how I started photography. To this day, I love photographing live sports, especially hockey, and capturing the raw in-the-moment action. Traveling frequently allowed us to camp all over the state. There is nothing like Michigan in the summer, the forests and lakes are incredible.”
“Debography was started November 2016. I was able to leave my job with a software services company and move into being a photographer full-time. I shoot senior photos, lifestyle, off the beaten path type stuff, abandoned buildings, nature photography, events, etc. Not weddings, never weddings.”
Detroit River photo (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
“My camera setup consists of a Canon 5D Mark IV and I use primarily Canon lenses, and Sigma Art lenses. My preferred editing software is Photoshop and I’ve found the absolutely best company for lighting supplies and support – Flashgear.net.”
“My advice for aspiring photographers is to understand the manual settings and remember that lighting is everything, it will always make or break your shots. Take the time to understand how light affects your subject.”
“As for hobbies, I love traveling, seeking out new adventures, experiencing off the beaten path type stuff. I’m an avid reader, mostly mysteries. I belong to a book club that’s…really more of a wine club, but hey, it’s fun. I’ve also been getting back into running, I’ve completed four half marathons and am looking to fit in a fifth one.”
“Michigan is a wonderful state, we love it here; there is always something new to do. My husband and I have a cottage in Gladwin on Secord Lake and have made some fabulous friends up there. I grew up going to Burt Lake and Indian River, which are about a half hour south of Mackinaw City, and will always be one of my favorite spots. The State Park is great and the swimming and hiking can’t be beat. Locally, we love spending time outdoors at Stony Creek Metropark and Dodge Park. Favorite restaurants near our house include Da Francesco’s Ristorante for Italian food and Golden Fleece in Greektown for Greek food.”
“Outside of Michigan, my favorite spot hands down is Ireland. Stunningly beautiful country. I recommend renting a car and driving around southern Ireland, especially the Killarney area. And yes, for some reason, the Guinness really does taste better over there, the rumors are true! It tastes like Irish Magic.”
Castle in Ireland (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
Contact (hire Debbie for gigs here)
[email protected]
Homepage
https://debographyphoto.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DebographyPics/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/debographyphotography/
Photo Art IG
https://www.instagram.com/debographyphotoart/
Owl in the trees (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
Nature photo (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
Fire hydrant encased by tree (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
Photo of a Horse (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
Capturing the Sunset (photo by Debbie Maciolek)
‘Ground for Freedom: Saving Chernobyl’ book by R.J. King
Initially, it sounded crazy. Nine out of ten on the crackpot scale.
However, you read the book, view the results, meet the man, and it still seems fantastically wild but plausible and valid. Perhaps Andrew Niemczyk is the real deal, a sort of modern-day Leonardo Da Vinci or Nikola Tesla.
A mystical visionary Polish polymath inventor in Detroit is helping humanity in ways so profound they could be called revolutionary.
His name is Andrew Niemczyk (pronounced neem-chick) and this is his story.
What exactly is going on here?
RJ King, Andrew Niemczyk, and Frank Muller at Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Detroit author and journalist, R.J. King, has masterfully penned a hot page turner.
“Ground for Freedom: Saving Chernobyl,” his non-fiction biography of Andrew Niemczyk, reads like a futuristic espionage thriller novel, except for one important detail: everything in this book is real.
A book about the necessity of balance and sustainability, it is also punctuated by helpful and informative historical asides. This is a wholly unique story and I found it tremendously inspiring and engrossing. Meeting Andrew personally solidified this and further piqued my interest.
The basic, and by basic, I mean very basic gist of this enormous offering is that Andrew was once a prisoner in Communist Poland.
He escaped to Detroit via Rome, Italy, in August 1984 and settled in Hamtramck, Michigan, where he lives to this day.
Andrew Niemczyk at Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
The reason this was such a profound gain for humanity, and the Detroit area, is that Andrew is not a normal person. He possesses an exceedingly rare brilliance, and once in America he was free to invent unabated, especially now that he’s retired after 24 years from the Rouge Steel Plant in Dearborn.
Currently, Andrew has created over 80 inventions.
Five of those inventions (NEPS, GEPS, NSPS, HAZL, MAZL) are commercially manufactured, and they are revolutionizing entire industries.
NEPS involves better delivery of nutrients to trees and vines by bringing nutrients located deep in the soil to the root systems, GEPS accelerates stormwater infiltration and replaces drainage, NSPS is a ‘de-reactor’ that decontaminates radioactivity, and HAZL and MAZL are highly portable drill rigs.
Furthermore, it should also be noted that once installed, these simple inventions require no further maintenance.
Exlterra logo
Andrew and his Swiss business partner, Frank Muller, run Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan. They also have offices in Geneva, Switzerland, and Tczew in northern Poland.
Andrew is an inventor, not a businessman, and he needs assistance in that regard, which is where Frank comes in.
In 2011, Frank and his family moved from Geneva to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and soon after he met Andrew they became business partners and launched Exlterra. Plus, Frank’s wife has a Ph.D. in biotechnology and is a native of Warren, Michigan.
Right now, according to the reports, Andrew’s NSPS invention is successfully decontaminating Chernobyl in a rapid timeframe.
In fact, Andrew projects that Chernobyl may be completely clean of radioactivity by the end of 2025 because of his invention.
The 19-mile exclusion zone of Chernobyl, Ukraine, is one of the world’s most polluted areas. A few dozen attempts at decontaminating the site have been unsuccessful until Andrew’s NSPS system was installed in a 2.5-acre (hectare) test site near the No. 4 reactor that exploded on April 26, 1985 (due to human error and a faulty design).
(Very) Quick Biography of Andrew
Andrew Niemczyk at Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Born on Nov. 16, 1960, Andrzej ‘Andrew’ Niemczyk grew up in Kietrz (key-air-itch), in southern Poland.
From 1945-1989, Poland was a Communist country. Andrew’s unique creativity was smothered in this environment.
He spent time in 11 prisons (two were repeat visits), was a coal miner 4,000 feet underground, learned karate, military tactics, and after four escape attempts, finally succeeded in 1984.
Assisted by the Tolstoy Foundation, he worked at an auto supplier until 1990, joined Rouge Steel where he worked until 2014, and co-founded Exlterra with Muller in July 2016.
Exlterra is a 6,000-square foot industrial design and assembly facility in Hazel Park where Andrew is chairman and CTO, while Frank serves as CEO.
Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Andrew’s various inventions have so far proved successful at hundreds of locations across the world, working with public clients such as cities and municipalities as well as private and commercial clients.
He has a photographic memory combined with unique “out of the box” solutions to large-scale problems.
He also has visions and claims to be able to see at both the subatomic molecular level and macro universe-wide levels.
One more thing about Andrew: he designs everything in his head and then builds it from the schematics he envisions.
Throw in an impressive knowledge of global geography, an ability to chat on everything from quantum mechanics to hydraulics and fluid dynamics, and the claim of utilizing 100 percent of his brain and that’s Andrew.
The Conversation
RJ King, Andrew Niemczyk, and Frank Muller at Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
This is a transcript of a rousing conversation I had with R.J. King, Andrew Niemczyk, and Frank Muller in the conference room at Exlterra in Hazel Park in early June 2021. Enjoy!
R.J. King Andrew is unlike any person I’ve ever met or heard of. When I started listening to Andrew’s life story, I quickly realized it could be a great book. He grew up in a Polish working-class family under the Communist regime. His escape through Rome in 1984. What he was able to accomplish on the factory floor in terms of inventions and advancements, then Exlterra, everything is just mind-blowing. His perseverance, dedication, and commitment are examples of how you can succeed in life. You can’t do it alone. You have to work as a team instead of constantly competing. And open your mind to possibilities that do not initially seem realistic.
Andrew I’ve been in the Detroit area for almost 40 years. I have four children. I live in Hamtramck where you have closer to a European feel, very neighborly and social. There are more than seven different nationalities living on my street alone. I don’t go to bars or restaurants too often. My wife Jadwiga (Yaad-viga) cooks our food. I typically hang out in garages, that’s where I work on stuff, that’s where I feel free. I have one garage for cars, one for inventions, and I have an extra side lot attached to my house. I do not have any set routines, just make sure I have eight hours of sleep, and try to control my diet. Mostly I drink water or herbal tea with lemon. There are too many chemicals in processed foods, and many drinks are too overly carbonated, and not good for your body. My inspirations come from real life, finding a way to solve problems.
Frank Muller Andrew reduces the complex to a simple solution to the point where it’s impossible to simplify it more. That’s the key element. His unique ability enables him to deliver beautifully simple and workable solutions for the environment.
R.J. King All of his main inventions are novel and unprecedented and really will help the world in terms of widespread applicability.
Frank Real sustainability is key. To achieve sustainability is the real goal. Not many products can achieve that.
Andrew I want to teach people to understand how nature operates. They don’t see that nature is an entire system and connected to the universe. New thoughts can open new doors. Mathematics is good at approximations, but targeting 100 percent is a difficult to achieve goal. You have to have a positive but can’t forget about the negative, you need to blend and combine them to achieve balance.
Frank Match negative with positive to create neutral. No side effects. Can’t exist without each other. The duality of the union.
R.J. Nature always seeks balance.
Andrew Niemczyk and RJ King at Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Andrew Yes, balance is key. When I was five years old, I realized I was not an average thinker. I thought how am I going to adapt to this world? To this day, I’m still learning to be normal and fit in. The languages, my relationships, the most important thing for me is to deliver the reality of the product.
Frank Nature is always hiding its secrets and always fixing its own problems by constantly rebalancing. Very deep but locked up in layers.
Andrew Nature locked me with an inability to express myself because I’m here for a mission.
Frank He struggles to accurately express himself.
R.J. Through the process of writing this book, Andrew provided me with a second education. You start to look at your place on this earth in the context of the solar system and with special insight.
Andrew I can go beyond infinity, bring it to the solar system, earth, go deep, open up under what you cannot see, a different layer. I see this stuff. I am using almost 100 percent of my brain all the time. Because of this I have learned to lock myself. I can store knowledge in bits in my brain and assemble it when I am ready to use it. All the pieces, in seconds. The HAZL rig, for example, was built in my mind in six minutes. I had the entire picture of how it would function, everything, the hydraulics, everything.
Frank Whenever he invents a product, that’s when he puts everything together in his brain in seconds and minutes.
Andrew Take the past, present, future, fold them together into one. Know the failure rate, the lifespan. I can see it and feel it.
Andrew Niemczyk at Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Frank What Andrew does is he tests everything in his head, so it’s already understood by him. We have faced skepticism until now we have evidence. You must accept the results. Plus, each of these products (NSPS, NEPS, GEPS) are completely different. The only common denominator is they are installed in the ground. This man needs to be helped. His knowledge is for humanity. The whole planet. Most people just see the money. If scientists don’t see a formula on paper, they’re upset. It comes from Andrew’s head, it can’t be written down on paper, this is our struggle.
Andrew The bacteria, the roots, the subatomic world, how everything relates. I told Frank I had 87 inventions in my head, not gadgets, these are just four. Simplicity is important. My visions, this ability to see, I invoke only when I need to use it. I see the entire thing, then zoom in on how each part functions. Not a trance, but a deep focus when developing a product. I transfer myself to the depths to see the whole functioning, which takes a lot of energy.
Frank There’s no other person like Andrew in the world. We are all unique, yes. He just has a rare ability to understand the extremes of largeness and smallness, the macro and the micro, and put them together. One of the most gifted heart surgeons in Switzerland said of Andrew, “I think he is a mutation.” When Andrew starts talking technical stuff and breaking barriers in physics, it’s an overload of information, and a lot for the listener to process cognitively. Andrew will only open his mouth when he knows. No theories. He’s not into theories or hypotheses, only in demonstrating results, real results now. Andrew has no limitations.
Andrew People want to trash what they don’t understand. My world is yes or no, with nothing in the middle. I hate the word “if.” I look at pictures, sketches, the inventions themselves, that’s how I’m inspired.
R.J. It doesn’t seem possible but everything he’s done so far has panned out. Sometimes you have to suspend disbelief and be open to understanding new concepts that might initially seem impossible or unfeasible.
Frank Andrew left school around 13 years old, and yet he can solve big problems in such a simple manner. It’s very difficult to emerge when you know something new. Entire industries will protect established knowledge and try to block new and better ways of doing things. Andrew goes beyond mathematics. It’s about understanding relationships in nature and how to improve and maximize them for the benefit of all.
Andrew We have abundant resources here on earth, that’s not the issue. The issue is the food and water, how we’re managing these resources, they’re currently being mismanaged, that’s the issue. Drainage at houses is good example. Global warming, oceans rising, house rooftops wasting rainwater. Everything is interconnected. Gravity and earth’s magnetic fields play a part. Human population growth is manageable. We have more than enough water. Now, let’s start using everything better. There are nutrients underground, we need to recharge the ground. I want to re-greenify the earth. Make everything green and lush with vegetation, oxygen. Help the chain of the food. We can bring nature back. Give me the tools. Our civilization is the problem. We need to change ourselves, our habits, and recycle more energy and waste to help the planet. We need shorter, real, more practical timeframes for a solution, not thousands or even hundreds of years, we won’t last that long at our current rate. It’s about balancing the system, everything combined correctly.
Frank Currently, Exlterra has no plans for an IPO or going public. What we have is the IP (intellectual property), the proof of concept across the world and what we do is forge relationships with established companies that we partner with to market our various technologies.
Andrew I have no limit. Infinity on both sides. There’s always positive and negative, you need both. Quantum physics is good example, just because it’s not visible to the average person’s naked eye, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Limitless energy exists all around us and within us and we just need to tap into it. There is life in outer space. We are not alone. I have designed a new spaceship (in my head) that uses a totally different type of energy to go much faster than current ships, we just need money to build it. Mathematics is too restrictive, too limited. Humans invented mathematics, it’s a human invention and too linear. I need support, not questions. You’ll see results. Questions are too cumbersome, counterproductive, slow everything down. Just give me a chance to show results, that’s all I ask.
Buy RJ’s book ‘Grounds for Freedom: Saving Chernobyl’
https://www.amazon.com/Grounds-Freedom-Chernobyl-RJ-King/dp/B0933NTYDT
Exlterra homepage
https://www.exlterra.com/
Contact
[email protected]
Andrew Niemczyk at Exlterra in Hazel Park, Michigan (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Gordie Howe book by Dr. Murray Howe!
*3 winners will be selected at random. Enter now for your chance to win!*
https://detroitbookfest.com/prizes-give-aways/
The raffle will run from Monday, April 23 to Sunday, April 29.
We are raffling off 3 personalized autographed copies of Dr. Murray Howe’s book ‘Nine Lessons I Learned From My Father‘.
Murray is the son of Gordie Howe and his book is a fun, humorous and thoughtful reflection on the life of his father and the multitude of lessons he’s learned from Gordie.
Dr. Murray Howe
Gordie Howe: Mr. Hockey
Gordie Howe
Anyone familiar with the great sport of hockey, invariably knows the name Gordie Howe. The name Gordie Howe is synonymous with hockey. He is after all called “Mr. Hockey.”
Gordie Howe was even honored by being featured on The Simpsons (executive producer Al Jean is from Farmington Hills and a big Howe fan).
And Cameron Frye wore a Gordie Howe # 9 jersey in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (director John Hughes was from Lansing and Grosse Pointe and a big Howe fan).
Gordie Howe on The Simpsons!
Gordie, # 9, played professional hockey from 1946-1980. He was a right wing forward with the Detroit Red Wings until 1971. He took a few years off due to arthritis in his wrists, then played for the Houston Aeros and Hartford Whalers.
2,400 games. 975 goals. Mr. Hockey is indeed an apt moniker.
Helmet-less, ambidextrous and known for game-winning goals, Gordie Howe was “discovered” by Jack Adams in 1947.
1950, 52, 54 & 55, the Red Wings were Stanley Cup champions thanks to Gordie Howe and the Production Line of Gordie, Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay.
Howe also played alongside Alex Delvecchio, Terry Sawchuk, Marcel Pronovost, Red Kelly, and inspired not only his teammates but entire generations of hockey enthusiasts.
Gordie Howe
“Fans mailed letters to Mr. Hockey c/o Red Wings and the postman would deliver them to my father,” says Murray, “So essentially it was the postman who nicknamed Gordie “Mr. Hockey!“
“In the early 1950’s he lived at Ma Shaw’s boarding house, I don’t know the location. After he married, my parents moved to a home at 8556 Stawell Avenue, near Joy and Wyoming, in Detroit. They met at the Lucky Strike bowling alley. My mom went to Mackenzie High. My parents have written many books and I’m sure most of the specific details are on Wikipedia or in those books.“
Gordie Howe
On June 10th, 2016, 88-year-old Gordie Howe passed away at his son Murray’s house in Sylvania, Ohio.
A few days later they had a Public Visitation at Joe Louis Arena for Gordie where thousands of people came from all over the world to pay their respects and say their goodbyes to the hockey legend.
The next day, Gordie’s funeral was at Detroit’s Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. 900 people were there, including Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Gary Bettman, Steve Yzerman and other hockey luminaries.
A little over a year after that, Joe Louis Arena was replaced by the newly built Little Caesar’s Arena.
“I love the new Little Caesar’s Hockey Arena,” says Murray, “The Ilitch family did an outstanding job. I also think my dad would have loved it. He still has his Howe #9 stall in the locker room. It’s home for him.”
Gordie Howe outside Gordie Howe Hockeyland Ice Arena
Fun Fact:
Gordie Howe’s Hockeyland Ice Arena (33101 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI).
Hockeyland was the USA’s first indoor ice arena when it opened in 1964.
Gordie Howe Hockeyland
*3 winners will be selected at random. Enter now for your chance to win!*
https://detroitbookfest.com/prizes-give-aways/
The raffle will run from Monday, April 23 to Sunday, April 29.
Biography of Dr. Murray Howe
Gordie Howe
Murray grew up in the Howe family household at 28780 Sunset Boulevard West, Lathrup Village, Michigan.
“After completing my radiology training at University of Michigan, a friend of mine wooed me down to Toledo, Ohio, just a half-mile across from border from Michigan. Many of my friends and family remain in the Detroit area, which we also consider home. We visit Detroit at least every other week.”
Gordie Howe and Murray
Dr. MURRAY HOWE is Gordie Howe’s youngest son.
He is head of Sports Medicine Imaging for Toledo Radiological Associates and Promedica Health System’s Sports Care program.
An associate clinical professor at the University of Toledo Medical Center, he also serves on the University of Michigan Medical School Admissions Committee.
He has four decades of experience as a keynote speaker across Canada and the US covering various topics including sports medicine, health and wellness, and hockey.
The author lives in Sylvania, Ohio.
Gordie Howe and Murray
Gordie Howe may have been the greatest player in the history of hockey, but greatness was never defined by goals or assists in the Howe household.
Greatness meant being the best person you could be, not the best player on the ice.
Unlike his two brother, Murray Howe failed in his attempt to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a professional athlete. Yet his failure brought him to the realization that his dream wasn’t really to be a pro hockey player. His dream was to be his father.
To be amazing at something, but humble and gracious. To be courageous, and stand up for the little guy. To be a hero. You don’t need to be a hockey player to do that. What he learned was that it was a waste of time wishing you were like someone else.
The Nine Lessons from #9
Dr. Murray Howe
Murray has learned far more than these 9 core lessons from his father. But this is a good sampling of what to expect in his amazing book.
1. Live honourably
2. Live generously
3. Play hard but have fun
4. Patience, patience, patience
5. Live selflessly
6. Be humble
7. Be tough
8. Stay positive
9. Friends and family are live gold – treasure them
The Gordie Howe International Bridge
Gordie Howe International Bridge (photo by WDIV Click on Detroit)
Few people are honored enough to have a bridge named after them. Gordie Howe is one of those rarities.
Gordie is a native Canadian who spent a considerable amount of time in Detroit and thus, many feel he best represents the mutual friendship of USA and Canada and that is why the new bridge is called the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Later this year, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is starting construction on a $2 billion dollar bridge, which may be completed as early as 2022. The bridge will go from Windsor, Ontario, Canada to the Delray neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan.
“The Bridge project is moving forward. They are also planning to have a bike path on it, which I’m very excited to try out!”
Gordie Howe International Bridge
*3 winners will be selected at random. Enter now for your chance to win!*
https://detroitbookfest.com/prizes-give-aways/
The raffle will run from Monday, April 23 to Sunday, April 29.
Gordie Howe
Nine Lessons I Learned From My Father
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/555245/nine-lessons-i-learned-from-my-father-by-murray-howe/9780735234178/
Dr. Murray Howe
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2148221/murray-howe
Gordie Howe video from the Red Wings
https://www.nhl.com/redwings/video/howe-reaches-1000-career-points/c-53434003
Detroit Red Wings Official NHL homepage
https://www.nhl.com/redwings
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
http://www.gordiehowe.com/
Howe Foundation
https://www.legacyglobalsports.com/howe-foundation/
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (Gordie Howe International Bridge)
https://www.wdbridge.com/
Tour Little Caesars Arena in Detroit!
http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/events/group-sales/little-caesars-arena-tours
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe Rookie Card
Gordie Howe and a young Wayne Gretzky
Gordie Howe and Sons
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
*3 winners will be selected at random. Enter now for your chance to win!*
https://detroitbookfest.com/prizes-give-aways/
The raffle will run from Monday, April 23 to Sunday, April 29.
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