June 16, 2013: Happy Father's Day.

Today is Father’s Day. My father died in September of 1982. Dad was 54 years old. I still miss him. On July 7, I will be 52 and I have been walking, trying to get in better shape because I want to live to see grandchildren and graduations and maybe enjoy a little retirement time. Dad never got to retire even though he had 36 years service with CSX / Chessie System / C&O and B&O. Being a Dad is a wonderful, but sometimes thankless, thing. Take time today to thank your dad, or remember your dad, and express your love in some small way. He already knows but it’s nice to hear it sometimes.

My Dad's senior picture as a member of the last graduating class of Clifford High School.

On this day in 1955, Laurie Metcalf, one my favorite voices from one of my favorite movies was born. Laurie is the voice of Lucille Krunklehorn in Meet the Robinsons (“Bake those cookies Lucille.”). Metcalf also is the voice of Andy’s Mom in all the Toy Story movies and the voice of Sarah in Treasure Planet. You may also remember her as Rosanne’s sister, Jackie. Let’s go to EPCOT and visit Innoventions, a place where the Robinsons would have felt right at home.

This one should make my wife very happy. Deana loves Winnie-the-Pooh and, on this date in 1961, Walt Disney purchased the film rights to the Winnie-the-Pooh stories from Mrs. Daphne Milne, the widow of author A. A. Milne. Five years later the first Pooh story, Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, was released. Pooh and Tigger are about, just look for them.

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

June 15, 2013: Hey, Vern. Know what I mean?

On this day in 1949, Jim Varney was born in Lexington, Kentucky. Varney became famous for his character, Ernest P. Worrell, who continually talked to Vern in a host of commercials. The character became so popular that it spawned a series of movies released by Touchstone. Varney also did work in Atlantis: The Lost Empire and, my favorite, the slinky dog in Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Visit Toy Story Midway Mania in honor of Jim Varney, “Know what I mean?”

There is a theory of relativity. It pays to have a relative in the business. Tom Hanks has a younger brother, Jim, and he was born on this date in 1961. Jim sounds so much like his brother Tom that he has provided the voice of Woody for Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Toy Story Midway Mania and The Buzz Lightyear rides. Hey, my brother, Bob, and I can laugh alike. We’re already visiting Midway Mania, get a Fast Pass and ride it again.

Quickies:

Today is Nature Photography Day. Take some pictures, take a lot of pictures.

Today is the National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement Officers. You don’t have to be at Walt Disney World to get involved with this one. Pray for our cops.

Today is the Worldwide Day of Giving. Give. You’ll feel good.

1836: Arkansas becomes the 25^th state. Go to Dinoland, U.S.A. and look for Arkansas license plates. You’ll understand when you go there.

1869: John Wesley Hyatt patents celluloid. Celluloid was literally the stuff that the movies were made of. It was also flammable to the point of being explosive. Projection booths were once fireproof vaults for that very reason. Go to One Man’s Dream and get a little history.

1956: The Quarrymen perform at a church dinner. While performing, the lead singer of the Quarrymen meets the son of one of the attendees. Fifteen-year-old John becomes fast friends with thirteen-year-old Paul and the partnership of Lennon and McCartney soon follows. Everything has a beginning. Do One Man’s Dream again.

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

June 14, 2013: I can't help it, I'm patriotic.

There are a lot of family members that I love dearly but there are some that have special places in my heart. One of those that hold that special place was John Cooper. John and his wife Mary lived in Cincinnati, Ohio and John was a much older cousin but he had a huge record collection and every time they came home to visit, he brought me an album, usually a kid’s album. A lot of the albums were also folk classics and John had excellent taste in music. One artist that showed up multiple times in my little collection (that eventually grew to over 4,000 albums) was Burl Ives. Burl Ives was born on this date in 1909. Mr. Ives’ Disney credits include So Dear to My Heart (as Uncle Hiram Douglas) and the Summer Magic (as Osh Popham). Mr. Ives also voiced Sam the Snowman from the classic TV special Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Enjoy some truly classic music and classic voices by taking in the Voices of Liberty under an acoustically perfect dome at the American Adventure at EPCOT.

Two hundred thirty-eight years ago, our nation's leaders established the Continental Army, beginning a rich heritage of successfully defending this great country and her citizens. Today, we celebrate the continued strength, professionalism and bravery of our ready and resilient Soldiers in the all-volunteer force. Our Soldiers remain Army Strong with a lifelong commitment to our core values and beliefs. I have not mentioned this one for a bit but in light of the birthday of the Army and Flag Day take a moment at 5 PM at The Magic Kingdom to enjoy the Flag Retreat in Town Square.

The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.

On June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, planned appropriate ceremonies for the children of his school, and his idea of observing Flag Day was later adopted by the State Board of Education of New York. On June 14, 1891, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day celebration, and on June 14 of the following year, the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution, celebrated Flag Day. See the previous note about the Flag Retreat at The Magic Kingdom.

While we are on a patriotic run, on this date in 1954, President Dwight David Eisenhower signs the order adding the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of The United States of America. That gives you three reasons to attend the Flag Retreat.

Today is National Bourbon Day. Bourbon is made in America, more specifically it was invented in Kentucky where whiskey picked up some unique characteristics from the limestone water from which it was created and the charred oak barrels in which it is aged. To pin it down even further, most Kentuckians would argue that bourbon must come from Bourbon County, Kentucky. Even those of us who are not drinkers respect the tradition. If you are at Walt Disney World and you are imbibing a few potent potables, please support the fine state of Kentucky and tradition.

On this date in 1895, Cliff Edwards was born in Hannibal, Missouri. Hannibal, Missouri was the stomping ground of Mark Twain and he was a bit of a skeptic and there is some degree of skepticism about the exact date a location of Mr. Edwards’ birth. Cliff’s claims to fame are pretty impressive as he was the voice of both Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio and Jim Crow in Dumbo. Let’s make this a Magic Kingdom double header by riding Dumbo and staying late for Wishes, the fireworks spectacular.

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

June 13, 2013: Elementary

Basil Rathbone was born on this day in 1892 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Rathbone is most famous as the classic Sherlock Holmes but he also served as the narrator of “The Wind in the Willows” portion of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. Let’s visit The Haunted Mansion at The Magic Kingdom and look for the final resting place of Mr. Toad.

Mary Wickes was born in St. Louis, Missouri on this date in 1910. Mary has a host of television, stage and movie credits. Her Disney association begins with her services as the live-action model for Disney animators as Cruella DeVil. Later, she served as the voice of the gargoyle Laverne in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Perhaps my favorite memory of Ms. Wickes was as Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act. As we often do, let’s go in search of Cruella DeVil about the parks. I think we’ll find her, especially during early morning extra magic hours at The Magic Kingdom.

Tim Allen was born in Denver, Colorado on this date in 1953. Allen has performed a number of roles for Disney from Home Improvement to The Santa Clause but our favorite is his turn as Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story movies. Sounds like a good excuse to visit Toy Story Midway Mania at Hollywood Studios and, hey, we’re all about excuses.

Paul Lynde was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio on this date in 1926. Paul was the beloved Uncle Arthur on Bewitched  and a constant guest on Hollywood Squares. In 1963, he played a sportscaster in Flubber. I can’t help but believe that he would have made a great Streetmosphere performer at Hollywood Studios. Slow down, take a minute, and enjoy the little comedies that are put on at a moment’s notice.

Quickies:

1943: Malcolm McDowell was born. He’s famous for Clockwork Orange but he’s also done Phineas and Ferb. Visit Phineas and Ferb at Hollywood studios.

1986: Ashley Fuller Olsen was born.

1986: Mary Kate Olsen was born.

Most of us remember Full House but did you know that they did at least two books for Disney? Disney’s Once Upon a Time with Mary Kate and Ashley and Mary Kate and Ashley’s Adventure at Walt Disney World. The first is a collection of princess stories so let’s visit the princesses at Town Square in The Magic Kingdom.

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

June 12, 2013: It's a small world... again.

On this day in 1890, Junius Matthews was born in Chicago, Illinois. Matthews was the original voice of Rabbit for the Winnie the Pooh and the voice of Archimedes the Owl in The Sword in the Stone. For fun, let’s try to pull the sword out of the stone in front of the carousel in The Magic Kingdom.

Bush 41 was born on this date in 1924. George H.W., the father of George W. (Bush 43) appeared at EPCOT in 1991. Visit the Hall of Presidents, that shouldn’t shock you.

1928, Richard Sherman was born in New York. Richard and Robert wrote many classic Disney songs including the earworm of all earworms, “It’s a Small World.” Go ride it and sing along the rest of the day.

1959: John Sidney Linnel, one half of rock duo They Might Be Giants, is born in New York City. Disney credits include the albums Here Comes the ABCs and Here Comes the 123s and the soundtracks Disney's Return To Never Land, Disney's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Meet The Robinsons (my favorite Disney movie). Hit Peter Pan’s Flight.

1849: Lewis Haslett of Louisville, Kentucky patented the gas mask. The gas mask came in handy during World War I. Walt served as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross during World War I. Let’s enjoy One Man’s Dream at Hollywood Studios where you can see a picture of Walt during his ambulance driving days.

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