Popeye > Blog > Events > Mike & Debbie Brooks, Longtime Popeye Fans, Named Citizens of the Year in Chester, Ill.

by Support King Features | June 25, 2015 | Events, Uncategorized

Spinach Can Collectibles co-owners Mike and Debbie Brooks speak to the crowd after being named the Chester Chamber of Commerce's Citizens of the Year for 2015 during the chamber's annual dinner on Friday, June 19. Photo: Pete Spitler/Herald Tribune
Spinach Can Collectibles co-owners Mike and Debbie Brooks speak to the crowd after being named the Chester (Ill.) Chamber of Commerce’s Citizens of the Year for 2015 during the chamber’s annual dinner on Friday, June 19. Photo Credit: Pete Spitler/Herald Tribune

Mike and Debbie Brooks have been staunch supporters of Popeye the Sailor Man for decades. The couple moved to Chester, Ill., birthplace of Popeye’s creator Elzie Segar, and opened Spinach Can Collectibles, a museum and shop highlighting all things related to the Mighty Mariner.

Mike is a founder of the Official Popeye Fan Club (check out the website at www.popeyepicnic.com/club/main.htm) He and Debbie are deeply involved in the planning and execution of the Annual Popeye Picnic in September.

The Chester Chamber of Commerce surprised the couple by recognizing their commitment to the town and honored them as the Citizens of the Year for 2015 during its annual dinner. The Randolph County Herald Tribune ran a wonderful news article about the event.
(Note: The photo of Mike and Debbie is used here by permission of Pete Spitler, the photographer and the newspaper’s editor.) Click here to check out the story!