Author Biographies

Born in Pennsylvania in 1955 and now living in Southern California, Joe Ekaitis is the middle child in a family of seven. His father William is a retired steelworker and his mother Frances retired from the founding staff of the library at California State University, San Bernardino. He acquired a strong work ethic from his father and a love of learning from his mother.

Joe discovered early in life that he enjoyed entertaining others. He entertained college students as the on-air personality "Jojo Scappezzi" at KVCR-FM, San Bernardino, California, and appeared as a six-foot singing raccoon on Chuck Barris' The Gong Show. Today, he maintains business communications systems for a Fortune 500 financial institution — but he hasn't lost his love for entertaining. He is currently the lead male soloist for the St. Mary's Catholic Church choir in Fontana, California, whose director is his wife, Cathy.

And Joe writes! With the publication of Collinsfort Village, he joins the ranks of American storytellers, a fellowship that includes such notables as L. Frank Baum, E. B. White, and Frank Stockton. He looks forward to the day when his writing and storytelling will stand beside theirs.