Tuesday night was an exciting time for the region, with celebrations and special local screenings of Universal Pictures' "Public Enemies."

We have plenty of coverage today, from our front page news stories to the cover of our food section today.

Since I devoted my From the Farm recipe column today to a prison recipe, I decided today would be a great day to share some of the local stories from readers who played fellow prison inmates of Johnny Depp as John Dillinger.

"Philip: I'm writing to you about my son Michael Shahbaz, being an extra in the movie. Actually, I took exception to your earlier statement about director Michael Mann casting people in roles that they actually do.?My son was cast as an inmate, but he really isn't one in real life. After scrambling to find something to wear, and having me take pictures, he headed up to the casting call.?While there, Michael had his picture taken several times and they told him to let his hair grow out.? And sure enough, he got a call to come for a wardrobe fitting and was told to report for filming first thing Monday morning.?Michael loved his experience so much that he started taking acting classes in Chicago as Johnny Depp suggested to him. Thanks again, Shelly Shahbaz, a proud mom of an inmate"

"Phil, Just an FYI about my husband, Brian Stage. He was an extra in the film, playing a prisoner while they filmed in Joliet. He marched in a chain gang and was in a break-out scene from the prison. We are looking forward to seeing the movie! Susan Knoll Stage"

"Dear Philip, This is Jerome Lecyk. I am a resident of Crown Point and a student at Indiana University in Bloomington. I was selected, last summer, to be a 'prisoner' extra in Joliet at the Statesville Prison in 'Public Enemies.' I was one of the prisoners marching in the prison line, which you can see in the previews. It was a great experience. The scene is around the time that Dillinger helps to break out his fellow gang member Homer Van Meeter played by Stephen Dorf. Congratulations on your role in the movie. I enjoy reading your articles about the updates for 'Public Enemies.' I have attached a couple pictures from me in my prison outfit and my haircut. Hope you had a good time at the Chicago and Crown Point premieres. Jerome Lecyk"

"Hey Philip, I've enjoyed following all of the write-ups you've done about 'Public Enemies.' I can't wait to see the movie. Well, I was disappointed last year when I heard that I was going to be at school in Wisconsin while the filming of 'Public Enemies' was going on in Crown Point. BUT, being in it while they were?filming at Statesville Prison?in Joliet, made up for it. I was cast as a prisoner in the chain gang in what I'm told is the opening scene of the movie. And to add to the experience, my dad, Brad Wentz, was cast as a prison guard for those same three days of filming. Once?Michael Mann?learned that my Dad had experience as?a firearms instructor with the Crown Point Police Department, he?told?him that he would be the shooter on top of the prison tower. As things played out, he was featured in that particular scene and ends up 'killing' two of the prisoners as Dillinger is helping them escape. Quinn Wentz"

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.

Today's Celebrity Birthdays

Actress Olivia de Havilland is 93. Actress Leslie Caron ("Gigi") is 78. Actor Jamie Farr and actress Jean Marsh ("Upstairs, Downstairs") are 75. Bluesman James Cotton is 74. Cookie mogul Wally Amos Jr. of Famous Amos cookies is 73. Actress Karen Black is 70. Dancer Twyla Tharp is 68. Gospel singer-choir leader Andrae Crouch and actress Genevieve Bujold and country singer Clay Hart ("The Lawrence Welk Show") are 67. Singer Deborah Harry of Blondie is 64. White supremacist-failed political figure David Duke is 59. Actors Trevor Eve and Daryl Anderson ("Lou Grant") and singers Fred Schneider of The B-52's and Victor Willis (the cop) of the Village People are 58. Actor Dan Aykroyd is 57. Actor Alan Ruck ("Spin City") is 53. Singer Evelyn "Champagne" King is 49. Country singer Michelle Wright and Olympic track star Carl Lewis are 48.

Actor Andre Braugher ("Homicide") is 47. Actress Pamela Anderson is 42. Actor Henry Simmons ("NYPD Blue") is 39. Rapper Missy Elliott and actress Julianne Nicholson ("Law and Order: Criminal Intent," "Ally McBeal") are 38. Actress Liv Tyler is 32. Actress Hilarie Burton ("One Tree Hill") is 27. Actors Steven and Andrew Cavarno ("Party of Five") are 17.