June 18, 2013: I want to hold your hand (as you sign here, press hard the third cop is yours).

Today is Paul McCartney’s birthday. Paul was born in 1942 and he was in Wings and that little band he started out in, The Beatles. Everything that music is today owes something to Paul and The Beatles. If you go from their first song and follow through to the end, The Beatles left a huge footprint, progressing from simplistic music with wonderful vocals to music that stands up against the best ever written. Check out the British Revolution and you’ll be sure to hear something by Sir Paul.

In 1898 the first amusement pier opens in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The spirit of the Atlantic Coast lives on at The Boardwalk in Walt Disney World. Get to The Boardwalk and have a rollicking good time.

Carol Kane was born on this date in 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio. Carol Kane has played some of the most offbeat characters in the history of film. My personal favorite is the ghost of Christmas present in Scrooged (“Oh look, it’s a toaster.”). She has appeared in our world in Freaky Friday (TV version) and Phineas and Ferb. Let’s go to Hollywood Studios and meet Phineas and Ferb in honor of Carol.

On this date in 1964, Paul Helliwell and Robert Foster meet with the Demetree Family to purchase their land in central Florida. Unknown to the Demetrees the land is being purchased by the Disney Company for a new resort in Florida. You know where it is, go, now.

On this date in 1980, The Blues Brothers featuring Dan Akroyd and John Belushi premieres. Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs), go to the House of Blues, eat, enjoy.

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

June 17, 2013: Stringbean, root beer and Barry Manilow.

Today is Stewarts Root Beer Day. For over 75 years Stewarts has produced Root Beer and a variety of wonderfully flavored sodas. Have your favorite today and, if you are at Walt Disney World, have a visit to Club Cool in EPCOT where you can drink sodas from around the world.

On this date in 1821, John Henry Pepper was born in London, England. Pepper toured the world amazing audiences with his scientific exhibitions. One of his most famous is Pepper’s ghost a series of plate glass and dedicated lighting that allow objects to appear to disappear, transform, appear out of thin air, float or become transparent. Pepper’s ghost is presented on a very large scale in Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. Ride it and remember, it’s all smoke and mirrors (or plate glass and lights).

Oh, Mandy! Barry Manilow was born on this day in 1946 in Brooklyn, New York. Manilow has a long career in popular music and he has even recorded “Ships” written by my hero, Ian Hunter. In 1988 Manilow co-wrote the music for Oliver and Company.  Go to Jellyrolls and ask them to break out some Barry for you (Manilow and White).

Quickies:

1978: Jimmy Buffett peaks at #32 with “Cheeseburger In Paradise.” I love Jimmy Buffett, I saw him live in Lexington, Kentucky about the time that this song came out. I would love to see Jimmy again. All my heroes are getting older but it seems that they just keep chugging along. Go to Typhoon Lagoon. You’ll hear some Jimmy. Trust me.

1915: When I was a kid The Porter Waggoner Show and  Hee Haw were staples on television, Stringbean was one of my favorite performers. Stringbean was born on this day in 1915 in Jackson County, Kentucky. Stringbean sang, played the banjo and did a bit of standup comedy. He always wore an outfit that placed his waist about his knees so he appeared to have a trunk elongated like a stringbean. The Country Bear Jamboree would be a fitting tribute to this great country entertainer.

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

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.