Tag Archives: biography
WHERE DID I COME FROM?
There’s a big trend these days to discover our ancestry. You can go to a site on the internet to find out where you came from and some clues to who you are. I think we all like to know … Continue reading
THE FLIGHT OF THE RED BARON
Most of us have heard of the Red Baron of World War I through the antics of Charles Schulz cartoon character, Snoopy. The persistent beagle dons his leather pilot’s helmet, goggles and white silk scarf, ascends to the top … Continue reading
FATHER FIGURE?
Born on April 5, 1900, in my home town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Spencer Tracy would become a star in the movies. He was the quintessential father figure in my eyes. His kind and compassionate approach to each character he portrayed, showed in his … Continue reading
A SAD LITTLE BOY
On this day in 1853, the fourth and last child of Abraham and Mary Lincoln was born. He was named Thomas. It was a difficult labor for Mary. Many hours of pain and the attendance of two doctors resulted. Little Tad was born … Continue reading
A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME
When I was a child, I found great solace in the literature of the past. Books like RIP VAN WINKLE and THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW held great fascination for my imaginative young mind. The beauty of reading a well … Continue reading
MANY FACETED MEN
Yesterday was Easter, so I didn’t have time to research famous birthdays – however, we should not forget the man who brought many faces to the silver screen through his characterization. Lon Chaney was born on April 1, 1883. I imagine … Continue reading
TOO YOUNG TO DIE
There are so many harsh memories of the American Civil War. Even today, remnants of the pitting of brother against brother seems impossible to imagine. Yet even in times of war, deference to family can take a back seat to … Continue reading
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BIG BOX
Celebrate your success and find humor in your failures. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Loosen up and everyone around you will loosen up. Have fun and always show enthusiasm. When all else fails, put on a costume and sing silly … Continue reading
BREAKING THE LANGUAGE BARRIER
On this day in 1793, the United States was just a fledgling nation with much unexplored land to the west. On that day, Henry Schoolcraft was born in Albany, New York. His father was a glass maker and Henry would … Continue reading
WAR IN BLACK & WHITE
If you tune into the American Hero Channel, you’ll most certainly come across a program relating to World War I or II. Sometimes the film footage has been colorized. Most of the shows are in black and white, which suits … Continue reading
HIDDEN HISTORY
Picture this fellow wearing a worn out fedora, a slightly unshaven face and a whip encircling his shoulder. He wears a leather bomber jacket. He’s fit and strong. His brain is sharp. His sense of adventure stirs him into action. … Continue reading
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
It was 1953 and I was only eleven. I think I’ve mentioned that I spent most of my early childhood at the local movie theater. This particular day, the very handsome, Tony Curtis and his lovely wife, Janet Leigh, were … Continue reading
ARTIST OF DEATH
My father in law became part of the family mortuary business which his father established before him. He had a keen eye. He was able to restructure faces which had been mangled or disfigured by disaster – burned – cut – bruised – suffering … Continue reading
ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES – YOU’RE OUT!
Here in Minnesota we have the Twins as our representatives in Major League baseball. Not since their big World Series win, in 1991 against the Atlanta Braves, has there been so much excitement for the team. Yet when spring training starts, … Continue reading
THERE’S NO BIZ LIKE IT
There’s no people like show people They smile when they are low Even with a turkey that you know will fold You may be stranded out in the cold But still you wouldn’t change it for a sack of gold Let’s … Continue reading
ADVENTURES OF THE OLD WEST
Several years go, I wrote a play for my children’s theater about the old west. It was called, WILD WEST WOMEN & A FEW GOD MEN. The play spun a story of many of the women of the west, which required … Continue reading
DON’T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOYS
I’ve always liked cowboys. I married one. He never branded a cow or roped a steer, but he happens to be an 1800’s kind of a guy. Cowboys and outlaws and men of the west were always considered to be quite … Continue reading
ANOTHER VOICE
Is the If you grew up in the Baby Boomer era, there is no excuse for not knowing about Fractured Fairy Tales or the Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle. These characters ruled the air waves and became part of our … Continue reading
KING OF COMEDY
When I teach young students about comedy, I often reference this man. Most of them have never heard of Jerry Lewis. He was a star when I was growing up. A time when comedy was ridiculous, slapstick, funny. It took … Continue reading
SINGING THE BLUES
We all have days when we feel like singing the blues. It’s like pouring your heart out, laying all your sins on the table and bemoaning your plight. Lightnin’ Sam Hopkins felt like that music was part of him. He knew … Continue reading
