September 1, 2013: Nutt, Burroughs and Estefan.

Today is Emma M. Nutt Day. Emma was the first female telephone operator. Prior to Emma boys had been used as telephone operators but their rather less than pleasant customer service had forced the owners to seek other, more pleasant, operators. Ladies still had to be tall enough to reach the top of the patch bays and needed to remain single, all for the princely sum of $10.00 per month based on a 54-hour week. Pop into the candy shop on Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom and look for the old-fashioned telephone, pick it up and listen to some interesting conversations.

Edgar Rice Burroughs was born on this day in 1875 in Chicago, Illinois. Burroughs had a number of jobs before becoming a writer. He wrote over 20 novels recalling the adventures of Tarzan of the Apes and a series of books on the civilizations of Barsoom, his version of Mars. Tarzan became a very successful cartoon for Disney, John Carter, the hero of Barsoom, was a less successful film (although I still think it is much better than its reputation). Visit the great apes at The Animal Kingdom in honor of Tarzan and his creator Edgar Rice Burroughs.

One of the highlights of our last trip to Walt Disney World (June, 2013) was a visit to Bongos in Downtown Disney. I love Cuban food and this is pretty good stuff. Gloria Estefan, the creator of Bongos, was born on this date in 1957 in Havana, Cuba. Estefan has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and won 3 Grammy Awards and 4 Latin Grammys. Get over to Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) and be sure to try the papa rellenas and the Churrasco a lo Cubano. MMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.

August 31, 2013: The Love Bug, Monsters, Inc. and Thomas Edison.

Buddy Hackett is a very funny man and a bonafied Disney Legend (2003). Hackett was born on this day in 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. Hackett was in the extremely successful live-action feature The Love Bug and the voice of Scuttle the seagull in The Little Mermaid. Since they’ve removed Herbie from Lights, Motors, Action, let’s honor Hackett by visiting Under the Sea with the Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom.

Academy Award winner James Coburn was born on this date in 1928 in Laurel, Nebraska. Coburn, a star of westerns and action films, stared as Henry J. Waternoose in Monsters, Inc. The Monsters, Inc. / Monsters University universe is all over Hollywood Studios. Go and wallow in it, it’s fun.

1897: Thomas Edison patented his movie camera. If there were no movie cameras, there were no movies and no Disney Brothers making their animated shorts and starting down the path that leads us to today. Again, Hollywood Studios is dedicated to the movies and the Hollywood that never was. We love it.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.

August 30, 2013: Toasted Marshmallows and Flubber.

Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. A big ole stick, a big ole fire and a bag of fluffy, sweet goodness, it’s a country boy’s dessert buffet. It’s the Labor Day weekend so get out, cook out and toast you some marshmallows. On our last trip to Walt Disney World, the ladies at the Villains’ shop at Hollywood Studios gave me a special marshmallow treat that made me happy, happy, happy.

Fred MacMurray was born on this date in 1908 in Kankakee, Illinois. I always think of Mr. MacMurray as Steve Douglas from My Three Sons but he has a huge Disney resume’: The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, Bon Voyage, Son of Flubber, Follow Me, Boys!, and The Happiest Millionaire. MacMurray was the first recipient of the Disney Legends Award. Honor him by visiting the Imagination Pavilion and ride the Figment attraction, The Absent-Minded Professor is among those honored there.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.

August 29, 2013: Hoyle, Mary Poppins and Michael Jackson.

Established in 1769, According To Hoyle Day is a day to remember Edmond Hoyle who wrote the rules to card games and the instructions to play them properly. The phrase, “According To Hoyle,” has become synonymous with playing fairly and by the rules. Edmond lived in London, England for many years so let’s visit the English Pavilion at EPCOT in honor of Mr. Hoyle.

This one is interesting: More Herbs, Less Salt Day. Many of us have special dietary needs, I am a diabetic with a peanut allergy, and Walt Disney World is more than capable of taking care of those needs. If you need a low salt diet as the name of this day suggests, simply let WDW Dining know when you make your dining reservations and they’ll take care of every detail. Enjoy fine dining that won’t destroy your health.

1958: Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana. Michael Jackson had a long and interesting career. We’ll not judge nor criticize him here but simply say that at one time he was the most popular entertainer in the world. At his peak he made Captain EO, which was shown at Disney Parks all around the world. Captain EO is back at EPCOT and you can enjoy Michael Jackson at this prime in the Imagination Pavilion.

1964: Disney's Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke is released. Based on a series of children's books by P. L. Travers about a magical nanny who comes to work for a cold banker's unhappy family, the film features music by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. The profits from the film are used to develop the braking system for the Monorail at Walt Disney World.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.

August 28, 2013: Football, Armie and Jack.

Just a quick entry tonight: The Louisa Middle School Bulldogs split a pair of football games with Verity Middle School from Ashland. Talk about two evenly matched teams; the first game was decided for Verity 16 – 14 in overtime, the second decided in Louisa’s favor 30 – 22 but was tied 22 – 22 with four minutes to go. Congratulations to both teams.

On this date in 1986, Armand Douglas “Armie” Hammer was born in Los Angeles, California. Armie played the Lone Ranger to Johnny Depp’s Tonto in the Disney’s 2013 movie. Even though it was not well received, my wife and I really enjoyed it. I guess we’re just easily amused. Let’s ride the train at The Magic Kingdom over to Frontierland in honor of Armie.

1917: Jack Kirby was born. Kirby had a distinct style that, in conjunction with Stan Lee’s writing influenced more than a generation of comic book readers. I always think of Hulk and Captain America when I think of Kirby but there are very few Marvel characters he didn’t handle at one time or the other (or DC characters for that matte). The comic book characters are in the park, yet, but there are plenty of places to pick up a few Marvel Comics items.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.