Sunday, January 26, 2020

My author interview

An interview I did with authorvoices.com is available here:

https://authorvoices.com/authorvoices-author-interviews/interview-ronn-munsterman/


Here's the first question and answer:



Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I grew up in mid-town Kansas City, Missouri about 2 miles from the famous Plaza. I’m a huge Royals fan and got to see their second game ever, a 17 inning win over the Twins. I was in the sixth grade when the Chiefs came to town and am thrilled they are returning to the Superbowl in 2020. We live in Iowa now.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Go Chiefs!


When I was in the 6th grade, the NFL came to Kansas City. There was a radio contest to name the team, which was of course the Chiefs. I recall being able to get free Chiefs stickers at just about any store in the neighborhood. Naturally, I stuck them on my school notebook. 

A friend of my mom had a color TV, so we watched the first Superbowl at her house. Even though we lost, it was awesome. Four years later, the Chiefs won Super Bowl IV. I was a senior in high school.

Here we are 50 years later. Looking forward to the game a week from Sunday.


The patches






Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!

May 2020 bring you and your family joy and happiness!

Ronn

Monday, December 16, 2019

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Pearl Harbor, December 7th

Remembering Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941

2,403 deaths

Almost 4 years of war







Monday, November 11, 2019

Veterans Day 2019

Honoring Veterans for their 
service, sacrifice, and dedication. 

Thank you!



Saturday, September 28, 2019

Downton Abbey's Highclere Castle, Andover, and the Sgt. Dunn Novels

Life is filled with fun coincidences. Ever travel somewhere far from home only to meet someone who lives in the same city as you do? How could I know 15 years ago that my fictional Camp Barton Stacey would be just a few miles from Downton Abbey's Highclere Castle?

When I started researching the first Sgt. Dunn Novel, Operation Devil's Fire, I wanted to find a location for our U.S. Army Camp Barton Stacey that was not too far from London. Part of the research included finding a small city nearby and I selected Andover after examining several places. I emailed someone who lived there and received some historic background that I was able to sprinkle in the book. Camp Barton Stacey is stated as being about 2 miles northeast of Andover in the books.

Like many Americans, my wife and I are Downton Abbey fans and were excited when we learned a movie was in the making. About a month ago, we bought tickets for the opening day showing on September 20th. To celebrate our 47th anniversary (9/23 - Saunders' and Sadie's wedding date), we went to Red Lobster, had Walt's shrimp, and then went to the afternoon movie. We enjoyed it immensely.

Later that night I looked up where the Downton Abbey home is actually located. Highclere Castle, it turns out, is only about 10 miles northeast of downtown Andover. See map:


Here's the Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)


Here's the Star & Garter Hotel from the Sgt. Dunn books (1939)


Here's the Star & Garter Hotel in 2011

Picture taken by my friend and FIRST READER Steve Barltrop

It's now called the Danebury Hotel.

It still has the wrought iron and Doric columns on the entrance!