Today we are taking
the Lawrence County High School Band to Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, just north
of Cincinnati. I don’t know how many times I have been to Kings Island but it
is this park and Camden Park in Huntington, West Virginia that fostered my love
of amusement parks. I first visited Kings Island in 1972, the year it opened
and, like our beloved WDW, it has changed a great deal since that time. Today
is it very much themed toward large thrill rides and is now owned by Cedar
Fair, which also owns another of my favorite childhood parks, Cedar Point. I am
looking forward to riding the Beast and the Diamondback and drinking a lot of
soda from my refillable cup. Hey, it’s not Disney but we’ve never had the money
to make that trip. Maybe… some day.
On this day in 1903,
Bob Hope was born. Bob Hope was such a part of my life growing up that it is
hard for me to realize that there is an entire generation who have little, or
no, connection to Bob Hope. Bob was ubiquitous on television, made dozens of
movies and toured almost without ceasing entertaining troops through the USO.
Hope’s Disney connections go all the way back to 1939 then her presented the
Oscar for “Ferdinand the Bull” to Walt. In 1965 he visited Walt with Jack Benny
and in 1971 he was part of the televised grand opening of Walt Disney World. In
1981 he led a 1000 piece marching band for the tenth anniversary of WDW and in
1989 he was part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Disney-MGM Studios. Go to
the Magic Kingdom, visit Adventureland, and look for Bwana Bob’s, a little
store that is actually a tribute to Bob Hope.
In 1906, T. H. White was born in Bombay, India.
In 1938, White wrote a story about the boyhood of King Arthur titled, “The
Sword in the Stone.” You can try your hand at pulling the sword from the stone
in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, a tribute to Walt’s 1963 movie based on
the story.
John F. Kennedy, the thirty-fifth United States President, was born in Brookline,
Massachusetts on this date in 1917. The youngest elected to office, at the
age of 43, he was one of the 10 wealthiest U.S. Presidents, visit him and
all the U.S. Chief Executives at Disney World's The Hall of Presidents.
1953:
Composer Danny Elfman was born in Amarillo, Texas on this date in
1953. His unique music can be heard in such Disney/Touchstone films as Alice
in Wonderland, Meet the Robinsons (my favorite Disney movie), Flubber,
Nightmare Before Christmas, and Dick Tracy. Elfman led the rock band Oingo Boingo from 1978
until its breakup in 1995 (“Weird Science”). Just wander around WDW, at some
point you’ll hear Danny Elfman’s music.
Today is Put a Pillow On Your Fridge Day.
Putting a pillow on your fridge is supposed to bring prosperity to your
household. Who knows? It might just work, and your cereal will be more
comfortable.
Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for
your dreams to come true.
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