SHAWANO, WI – Both the Shawano, and the Leo and Deb Frank Family Farm were featured on Monday’s episode of “American Pickers” on the History Channel.
The show sends the hosts to locations to rummage through items and offer the owners money to take it off their hands.
During each episode, the Pickers follow the owners as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages, and barns.
The production was done at the Shawano farm in October and aired for the first time Monday. It was the first time that the Frank’s got to see themselves and held a watch party with family and friends.
Sounds of cheering could be heard every time Leo or Deb entered the scene or anytime the show made a Shawano reference.
Leo said the first thing that the crew had to do was learn how to pronounce Shawano.
“I wish that they would have showed that part, that would have gotten some laughs,” Leo said.
The show started with the Pickers Danielle and Mike arriving and getting to know the Franks.
“I really did not want to be on there so I just stayed behind them and got to know the crew and had fun watching,” Deb said.
However, she was on quite a bit at the beginning of the show.
Once they started picking, it was mostly Leo, Danielle and Mike having discussions.
“Just play the game and be part of the show,” Leo joked.
Among the items purchased on the show included a tank and an evil-looking cat skeleton that went for $15 dollars.
“Everyone thought we should have gotten more for the cat,” Leo joked.
During the second half of the show. everyone cheered when the vehicle that Leo built, “The Rail” was featured.
“That car is important to us,” Deb said. “It can get up to 80 or 90 miles per hour.”
The show ended with the host pickers taking “The Rail” for a ride.
“Very few people have driven that besides me,” said Leo. “That was our wedding car and I don’t think I even got to drive it, but they could have gotten away with anything,” Deb added.
To get on the show, the Franks needed to go through an application process and it was a neighbor that recommended it. Leo figured it was a long shot.
“I really did not think they would come to my place because I did not think I had the kind of quality of stuff they would want, but they said our place had the look.”
Not only did they come, but they spent at least 900 dollars on items that they bought from the Franks.
“So much that went on was not even shown,” said Deb Frank. “That was a little disappointing,” Leo added.
Leo said they cut the check that day and hauled the items away. “It was like a rummage sale, only better.”
The whole process took about 13 hours, although Leo was surprised how much of it was real interaction and not acting.
“The picking was real-time, but when they came across something, we stopped and positioned ourselves and the cameras first.”
Leo said he tried to be himself for the most part.
“I may have taken it to another level knowing that I was going to be on TV.”
Family and friends watching cheered when they made reference to Leo’s time as a firefighter. One of the items that caught the eye of the Pickers was a plywood Smoky the Bear sign. They called Smokey the Bear the most iconic bear next to Yogi Bear.
Leo ended up agreeing to their deal and said he was a little sad to see it go since it was meaningful.
“It was made of plywood and they offered me way too much for a plywood sign.”
One item that Leo would not let go of was an old Shawano Sun Drop chalkboard that was in the family. Dan Hartwig of Twig’s Beverage has known Leo for quite some time and was watching the show with him and had a special smile on his face when Sun Drop was mentioned.
“I am thinking that he was holding that out, he did not tell me that he has that piece, Hartwig said. “I hope he holds on to that for a long time even though it would look good in the Sun Drop Museum.”
Leo said that was not the only time the hosts were introduced to Sun Drop.
“I did offer them some Sun Drop of camera,” he said.
“Leo drinks it all the time so that does not surprise me,” Hartwig responded. “Leo is a great guy and it is really good to see people come out and give him the respect he deserves. I really never thought he would let anything go.”
Along with the items bought, another part of Shawano left with the Pickers. Leo said Danielle noticed a three-legged farm cat that was on their property and she decided to give it a home.
“She fell in love with the cat and her daughter came up to get it,” Leo said. “She could not take it with her because they left and were on to their next pick.
The Franks said that October day was long but was worth the time and seeing it come together months later was really rewarding.
“It was one of the more memorable days in our marriage,” Deb said. “Thanks for watching, it was fun.”
