What I love about the web is the opportunity to share my thoughts and passions with others. But I also like to hear what others
think and to exchange ideas.
On this page, I'll share some of the comments I've received in my Guestbook and via e-mail.
In some cases, I also may also respond to the comments. Please get in touch!
Here's a chance for you to contribute.
*October 10, 2007 (Probably the best email I ever got)
Dear Mr. Siewert,
Hi. My name is Beth Williams and I met you at the Oz Festival in Chesterton, Indiana
last month. This email is long overdue and I'm very sorry for that. I'm 20 years old and I saw the Judy dresses with
your parents on the Saturday night and then saw them and took pictures with them on Sunday. I'm not sure if that's
a good enough description of me, but, I did meet you. I know you must meet a lot of people at these festivals, so I understand
if you're not exactly sure who I am. I really, really wanted to thank you for the magazine that you gave me with Judy
on the cover. It is a lovely picture and it means a lot to me. I don't have a huge Judy collection, but it's getting
larger, and that magazine is a wonderful piece to add to it. I also wanted to thank you for taking the time to personally
show me all of the dresses and show me the tags with Judy's name in them. I am such a huge fan, and this was truly one
of the most memorable experiences that I've had. I cried when I first entered the room where the dresses were because
I wasn't expecting them to be at the festival and I never thought I would get to see such amazing memorabilia up close.
Thank you for bringing your display to the Chesterton Festival and to other exibits, so that fans can see them. I've loved
Judy since the first time that I saw The Wizard of Oz and I used to drive my baby-sitters and friends crazy because I wanted
to watch Meet Me in St. Louis or In the Good Old Summertime instead of Disney movies and cartoons. I think I still drive my
friends and family crazy because I want to listen to Judy when they want to hear more current music. Oz and Judy have always
been important to me and they always will be. Meeting you, seeing the dresses, and your kindness in giving me the beautiful
magazine are things that I will always look back on with
fondness. Thank you so much for your generosity. Most people
don't understand why I love Judy or Oz so much, and it was nice to finally meet people who feel the same way. I hope to
see your exibit again in the future and I will check your website to see if there are any updates. Thank you once again and
it was a pleasure to meet you and talk with you. I hope to do so again some time. Sincerely, Beth Williams
Of course I remembered meeting Beth. We had a great time together
and I was thrilled to share with her what I did. I loved bringing her behind the ropes and let her touch and see the details
of some of the gowns. What a memorable moment it was for BOTH of us. I do hope to see you again, Beth and thank you so very
much for your email! It surely made my day.
*February
18, 2008
Hi Michael,
I love what you have done with www.judygarland.com.
It looks great. I can't wait
to see you in June in Grand
Rapids.
Keep up the good work!
your friend
Andy Jurss
Andy, thanks so much for your kind email. You were an absolute BLAST in Grand Rapids last
year (walking on chairs in your ruby slippers!). Can't wait to see you again!
*June, 2008
I just returned from a wonderful weekend at the Judy Garland Festival in Grand
Rapids, MN, where I premiered my new show entitled "A Salute to Judy Garland and Friends." I'm happy to say
it was a big success and now I'm really excited about performing the show in London next month. While I was at the
Festival I met a very interesting gentleman named Michael Siewert. He owns a lot of Judy's original costumes from
her movies and travels around the country exhibiting them. You can see his wonderful collection here, but if he's exhibiting
anywhere near you, make a point to see them in person and hear Michael tell their stories.
Richard Glazier
Richard! YOUR show was amazing and I am very flattered by your comments. Thanks so very much!
*July 1, 2008
Dear Mike, I just wanted to say that it was wonderful to meet
you at the Judy Garland Festival. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful Judy collection with everyone,It was such a
wonderful gift to give back to all the fans. Thank you so much for letting me try on Judy's fur coat that will be an experience
that I will never forget. I hope that we can keep intouch with one and another. If you ever come to the Boston area please
feel free to visit my mom and I we would love to see you.
Best Regards.
Mikaela Healy
Mikaela, What a sweet email. You are a very lucky girl to have such
a great mom who would take you to the Judy Fest AND then to the Boston Pops show!!! LUCKY YOU!!! What a treat to get to know
you both!
*July 1, 2008
Dearest Michael,
So sorry I was not able to say goodbye to you on Saturday night. I want
to thank you for all the fun and joy that you gave me this weekend. You know I just adore you! Thank you for spending so much
time with me, you are just one of the funniest men I have ever known. Your smile just radiates.....well I just have to stop
with all these compliments or you might just get a big head......LOL
Please keep in touch with me
so I know where you are and how you are doing and what exciting people and places you are meeting and seeing.
And if it is the good lords will, I hope we will meet again.......The somewhat "little" old lady from MN. Thank
you darling for everything.
Love,
Sharon Stewart
Fruita, Colorado
Sharon.... I adore YOU, too....wanna get married? What fun we had!
*July 15, 2008
Hey there bad boy,
It took me awhile to recover from my
trip. I guess that's what
late night partying will do!! I loved
meeting you and still am in awe at how very generous and giving you
are with all of your Judy costumes. You were absolutely a hoot to
hang with. I'll never forget the night
in your room, it was awesome!!
Keep in touch and let me know if you're ever going to be in the
Phoenix
area.
Lori Terfansky
Lori, Lori,
Lori.....Too MUCH fun!!! Thanks for your kind words.
*SEPTEMBER 20, 2008
I want to mention one of the most amazing things
that happened in Valapariso at the Wizard of Oz Festival and that involves Judy Garland costumes from movies. Michael Siewert
was absollutely the biggest doll on the planet that has ever lived, as he took me behind the velvet ropes and let me handle
Judy's costumes that he had on display. I sat most of the time crying at first, especially the very first touch and once
we got talking about how these garments were made I think I taught Michael a thing or too about Haute Couture Construction
and about the artistry that goes into making those dresses masterpieces besides memorabilia. He was just full of knowledge
about Judy, and so much fun and silliness that it made my first Oz Festival one of the very best experiences of my life. Who
would have thought that this simple "gay boy" who was 2 1/2 years old when Judy died and who has lived the last
17 years with AIDS would ever be graced by being in the sheer presence of his biggest idol ever. Michael, I can not
beign to thank you enough from the depths of my heart for doing what you did for me, you may never know how very much it meant
to me and will mean to me forever--I'll always love you for it! Charlie Dale
Charlie, How ironic that I thought that it was YOU that made my Oz Fest experience such a blast. Your fun energy
and passion for life is contagious. I cannot remember tha last time that I have laughed so much. I am so glad the gowns brought
you such happiness. That is my goal and I know that Judy would be glad that she continues to put a smile on someone's
face...especially someone as special as you. I thank you for your friendship.
