They say that "Every picture tells a story". You've heard that old saying and so have I. Well, if that's true, then one look at the T-Shirts in the photo above should give you a strong hint that I've been around! Yup! For 8 weeks this past summer, 3 year-old Trevor Tredaway and his 18 month-old sister Morgan became dear friends of mine, along with their parents Todd and Melinda. This incredible family traveled here to Scottsdale, Arizona from their home in Midland, Texas so that Trevor could receive alternative cancer treatments for an infiltrating Astrocytoma. Trevor will be starting a new clinical trial treatment soon and I encourage you to stop by his website for more details. But most importantly---please leave a positive message for Trevor on his Caringbridge website at:
In recent days, it has become clear to me that the term"Love In Action" needs to have a more Active than Passive meaning.
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Music is a powerful, unifying force. With this in mind, what could be better than a dinner concert that celebrates Trevor's life while raising funds for his medical expenses? This comes at a time when his Mom and Dad really need to be free to focus their collective healing energy on Trevor's condition.
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As we move ahead here in the Phoenix area on the event, I'll keep you updated. We feel that a realistic time table would be March, 2009. In the meantime, here's what Trevor, Morgan, Todd and Melinda need immediately:
Your Thoughts
Your Prayers
Your Peaceful and Positive Meditations
Your Good Vibes
Your Messages of Supportiveness on Trevor's Website
Your Shout-Outs to the Universe
Your Financial help in ANYdenomination for Trevor's medical treatments (a special bank fund in Midland, Texas is listed on his Website).
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All of this matters SO much! But it's time to get to work. Trevor needs us now, and we need Trevor. One look at his photos and you'll get a good sense of what a fun, loving, adorable and energetic little boy he really is. He is a Character who loves to make new friends, giggle and share Playtime with you right away!
Gordon Lightfoot, my favorite songwriter whom I had the good fortune of meeting after a concert.
This Posting is dedicated to my Aunt Nina, who turns 89 this week. She has just returned from my family roots in Eastern Europe. She reads two newspapers: The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. I love her. Second only to my own Mother, she has been consistently the largest supporter of anything I have articulated (or tried valiantly to articulate). It was Nina who has pushed me in recent years to get my proficiency back on my guitar and to sing again. She is politically savvy, adores culture (Museums, Concerts, Ballet). I even blogged about her attending an outdoor concert a few years ago by a Beatles tribute band performing the entire "Revolver" album. She couldn't make the walk back to her car after the show, so a motorcycle police officer gave her a ride to the parking lot on his Harley! That's my Nina! During my last visit with her for an afternoon of hot tea and and conversation, she sliced a lemon into her tea and screamed with delight."Look at the colors! I just love that!", she said. "I always have". I love you too, Nina. Happy Birthday!
Transitions are often very difficult and it is hard to just begin a Blog post when so many of us are grieving and otherwise coming to grips with Gunner's passing. Occasional upsets are inevitable as vivid memories come and go. So too comes the reality that some semblance of normality must resume. And I feel Gunner would agree. So this is a very short departure Blog in that direction.
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Saturday I ran a few errands. I did have some intention of visiting the filming locations in Prescott, Arizona for the Steve McQueen film, "Junior Bonner" (Co-starring Ida Lupino and Robert Preston). Instead, I opted to have the dealership change the oil in my car and picked up a big Halloween pumpkin to carry into my home to carve later. Sunday, I picked up a newspaper and stopped at a quiet breakfast cafe for a small bowl of Oatmeal and walnuts with coffee. Back home, I took out my Acoustic guitar for several hours straight and sifted through some CD's looking for songs I had allowed to go by the wayside for a long time. I actually enjoyed playing and singing them. Last week, I sold a professional grade TEAC cassette deck that I had owned for many years. A shop cleaned the inner workings and replaced the lamps on the V-U meters. It was really kept in fine condition. But since the only cassettes I use are for my magazine interviews with a portable tape recorder (that goes way back with me), the TEAC deck was boxed and stored for a long time and needed a new home. So, I sold it and shipped it off to a guy in the Mid-West. Monday night I was back working out. My routine starts with biking 9 miles a night, and one of the enjoyable aspects of PT is to encourage friends you meet who are rebuilding their bodies as well after a variety of challenges. It is an honor to be associated with such Courageous people. They each have fascinating stories to hear!
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To my pleasant surprise, I also located Perrier mineral water for only the second time since I have been in Arizona, picked up some sushi and coffee and ran some errands before calling it a night. That's all for now. I wish you all a good week!
Gunner's Memorial Service will be Monday, November 3, 2008 at the Calvert City United Methodist Church in Calvert City, KY at 6:00 P.M. A Celebration of Gunner's Life will take place after the service.
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There will also be a Memorial Service near Gus and Janna's hometown on Thursday, November 6th at 6:00 PM Illinois time (7:00 PM Indiana time) at the First Baptist Church, 2625 Wabash Avenue, Vincennes, IN 47591.
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CHANGE:A Celebration of Gunner's Life will take place at the Moose Lodge in Lawrenceville, IL after the service.
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In lieu of flowers,
a contribution may be made to:
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Gunner Gillespie's Magic Train Memorial Fund Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) PO Box 467 Benton, KY 42025
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Please specify with your donation the account to deposit your contribution as there are two funds there. One for Gunner's medical and memorial fund and this new one that has been created to start a non-profit organization to help with research and the many other organizations that have helped the Gillespie's during this journey, as well as other DIPG families in need of assistance.
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--(Updated from this morning's blog post)--Gunner Gillespie earned his wings this afternoon at 1:43 PM E/T. God bless his sweet little soul. He fought a cancerous brain tumor (DIPG) beginning November 30, 2007. He was a sweet little boy who entered my life through a mention in a Blog posted by my dear friends Shannon and Amy Aldridge, who lost their sweet daughter, Sahara on November 5, 2007. The Gillespie's spent the entire summer here in Scottsdale, Arizona where the Good Lord allowed me to become close friends with Gunner, his 5 year-old sister Garlynn and of course, his wonderful parents Gus and Janna. May God Bless Gus, Janna and Garlynn now in their grief so that they may quietly and privately begin the healing process. Your thoughts, prayers, meditations and unconditional expressions of Love and Tender Mercies are very much appreciated by this lovely family. I urge you to consider leaving a word of Love for Gus and Janna at Gunner's website:http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gunnergillespie.
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God Bless All of You who stayed with us through this Journey. Gunner was all about Loving others and now we must Honor his gift to us by continuing to spread his genuine Love, his sincere Concern for others and his Sweet Spirit of Goodwill and Humor to everyone around us who values Peace and Tenderness.
January, 1969: Their Final Performance atop The Apple Building in England
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Good Morning, All! Please forgive my tardiness here. My schedule and priorities have changed with the intense strength building program I am doing 5 nights a week after work, and this just makes for very long days. Plus we are planning on making major changes to my full Website. So, it's been very demanding around here--but in a positive way. Here's what's up: Stop by and visit my dear friend Ellee Seymour in the United Kingdom today over at her Blogsite "Ellee Seymour-P.R.". She is trying to locate people in the United States who may have seen The Beatles in concert. The Boys toured here in the USA quite a bit between 1964 through 1966. Wow! I was but a tot when my oldest brother took in a Cincinnati concert with The Beatles. He recalls that the ballpark crowd at the now-demolished Crosley Field was screaming so loud, you couldn't hear one note from the band. People were fainting all over the place, and it was pretty much pandemonium. No wonder George Harrison was fed up with this scene and chose to quit touring in 1966. Understandable. But if you or someone you know actually saw The Fab Four, stop by Elle's Blogsite and see if you can lend her a hand. She is really a fun Blog-Bud and she always writes with such optimism about making our world a better place. See you on Thursday!
There are two stories here actually. One is about the program you see above, and the other is about my own story involving "Sunday Morning"--all good, by the way. But that is for another time. Good folks in New York who continue a long tradition. I hope your Sunday Morning is getting off to a good start.
Eastern Air Shuttle: The Pioneer New York Air: First Competitor
New York Air Became Pan Am Shuttle
Eastern Shuttle Became Trump Shuttle
Trump Shuttle Became US Airways Shuttle
One of the most unique air travel services launched on April 30, 1961 was the famous "Eastern Air Shuttle" (now known as The "Delta Shuttle" and its competitor, "US Airways Shuttle"). The Shuttle is an American Icon. The Shuttle connects passengers between the sexy "power corridor" of New York (La Guardia)-Boston (Logan Airport)- and Washington (Reagan National) on the hour and half hour. Celebrities, Media Moguls, Bankers and Politicians rubbed elbows with the rest of us. So, if you live in any of the New England states here in the USA, you are familiar with this unique service. Unfortunately, a lot has changed since the heyday of "The East Coast Shuttle" from the 1980's. Today, Internet Conferencing, E-mail, Amtrak's Acela train, and even cheap fares aboard (gasp!) buses has eroded this American Icon. From carrying a peak of 5 million flyer's a year to just 3.2 million over the past 12 months, I believe we're going to see the death of yet another interesting American institution. Here's the story in brief...
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Who would have ever thought I'd be standing in Columbus, Ohio at the rather unkempt grave of World War I flying ace and Eastern Airlines founder Eddie Rickenbacker in 2003? Actually, I was returning from one of many commercial television auditions by car "shuttling" myself between Cincinnati and Columbus and one spring day, I decided to stop and ask where Captain Rickenbacker's Memorial was located. He is a fascinating guy to "Google", by the way.
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While at the helm of Eastern (once the third-largest US carrier in 1980) Captain Eddie unveiled a product in 1961 that was revolutionary at the time: Eastern's famous "East Coast Air Shuttle". It is featured in many movies, including "The Verdict" with the late Paul Newman and Jack Warden. The service began with a dedicated fleet of Lockheed 1049 "Super Constellation" propeller planes carved out from its mainline fleet that were strictly operated for the "The Shuttle". Then, in 1962 the fleet was "upgraded" to Douglas DC-7 aircraft, then Douglas DC-9 twin-jets and eventually the service was standardized using the venerable Boeing 727 Tri-Jets (my personal favorite) by 1965. It was very cool! Passengers had the option of on-board ticketing and no reservations were ever required. While laughable by today's surly service and bad manners most everywhere you go, "The Shuttle" always maintained a backup fleet of aircraft to meet unexpected surges in demand. Eastern had this market all to itself, until Frank Lorenzo--then a little know chief of Texas International Corporation--started New York Air after the airline industry was deregulated under President Carter in 1978. Those of you in "The Big Apple" will recall the bright red painted MD-80's of New York Air and even the famous marketing verve of offering passengers "Nosh Bags" (Red colored bags containing a bagel and cream cheese along with miniature cheese cakes). A silver-apple logo adorned the tail of each plane and fares were $99 for each segment. In December, 1986 Lorenzo merged New York Air into his empire of Continental Airlines, Frontier, People Express, and by now--troubled Eastern Airlines (where the largest and most visible labor war was sadly played out in public for the next 4 years). Lorenzo, unable to cut costs or dissolve Eastern's labor unions began a series of controversial asset stripping from Eastern. He sold off one-third of Eastern and 43,000 employees were reduced to only 18,500 employees by the time a trustee was appointed in 1990 to try and save the company from total collapse. But "The Shuttle" was sold to Donald Trump. This became of course, "The Trump Shuttle". Yes, "The Donald" installed faux marble sinks and gilt painted faucets in the lavatories, served fresh fruit to passengers along with top-rated newspapers and magazines. Trump paid $365 million for "The Shuttle" alone. Meanwhile, back in 1986 soon after Pan Am sold off its entire Pacific Division (with employee jobs intact) to United Airlines, Pan Am purchased New York Air from Texas Air Corporation. This new service was called "The Pan Am Shuttle" and while this gave Pan Am quite a lot of visibility and brought some Class to the marketplace, it did little to address the fact that bi-partisan politicians for decades in Washington denied Pan Am any domestic route authority in the United States. Until The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, Pan Am was THE American International carrier (along with TWA).
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Donald Trump's empire encountered financial difficulties by 1990. The flamboyant real estate tycoon found himself over-extended with dropping Manhattan real estate values, delays and construction cost over-runs with his Atlantic City properties and a nasty divorce from first-wife Ivana. So, Trump transferred ownership of "The Trump Shuttle" to a creditor's group (headed by City Bank and Banker's Trust) as he restructured over $2 billion in debt. US Airways was contracted to operate "The Trump Shuttle" under the new name, (yes, you guessed it) "The US Air Shuttle" on April 1, 1992. On February 27, 1997, the airline was re-named (what else?) "The US Airways Shuttle". A total of 15 daily round-trips between Washington and New York and 17 daily round-trips between Boston and Washington earned a net profit of $9.2 million for US Airways in 1998. The average one-way shuttle fare back then was $176. But more changes came along.
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Pan Am was sadly mired in financial difficulties and by 1990--like Eastern Airlines--Pan Am filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. On September 1, 1991 Delta Air Lines acquired "The Pan Am Shuttle" (renamed, of course "The Delta Shuttle") along with the bulk of what remained of Classy Pan Am's Atlantic route system for a paltry $416 million--an insult, in my opinion.
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Last week, Delta announced it was adding a "First Class" cabin to its Shuttle flights. The cabins should be reconfigured by late November, but don't be fooled. This is nothing more than an "exit strategy" so that Delta can move planes from "The Shuttle" in and around its main line system. Several years ago, both carriers dropped their service guarantees: (where you'd show up on time and be guarantee a seat even if they had to roll out a backup plane from the hangar to meet the extra travel demand). The 727's were parked as gas-guzzling aircraft and replaced by smaller planes. Then the schedule was cut back on off-hours and weekends. Wow! Talk about a dying relationship. It was journalist Barbara Petersen who 15 years ago called "The Shuttles" ..."the fabric that bound together the Northeast elite, a democratic institution that treated celebrities and working stiffs alike with the same legendary indifference." Forget it!
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Today, wealthy passengers have moved on to use private jets, making New York to Washington one of the most popular routes for corporate aircraft.Then Continental Arlines scored a coup by catering to business travelers who preferred using Newark Airport. Not to be outdone, American Airlines and Jetblue Airways today from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. But wait! It gets worse. Many Washington-area business flyer's find Dulles International more convenient than Reagan National Airport.
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Because I'm a romantic at heart, you'll never find me on Amtrak's Acela train, or a bus. There's just an allure about the "The East Coast Shuttle" that is nostagic to me--however long they keep the operation going. See you onboard!
BRIEF UPDATES ON GUNNER GILLESPIE AND TREVOR TREDAWAY!
August 16, 2008
with Trevor Gunner 2 weeks ago Photo by: Dari McManus
WithGunner on August 10, 2008
For the benefit of newcomers to my Blogsite, very late in 2007 I started corresponding with the family of Gunner Gillespie. Gunner is 8 years old. He has a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)--a cancerous tumor on his brainstem. This past summer, I was very blessed to become friends with the family after they arrived with Gunner to Scottsdale, Arizona to resume new medical treatments.
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When Gunner's condition changed considerably, he returned home to Kentucky on August 10th to be reunited with his friends from school, his teachers and his community who loves him. During September, Gunner's condition worsened. Last night, Calvert Methodist Church sponsored "GLOW FOR GUNNER". This powerful demonstration of Prayer and Love involved the local community lighting a candle at 8:00 PM. A group planned to gather at a park around 7:45 PM with participants bringing a candle, a flashlight or a glow stick before walking to the Gillespie's home to form a powerful circle of Love and Supportiveness around the outside of their house. I'd like to ask you to please keep Gunner, his 5 year-old sister Garlynn and his parents Gus and Janna in your thoughts and prayers. They have meant so much to me and I love them dearly. I know that hundreds of you have stopped by my site, and several thousand have visited Gunner's Caringbridge site as well.
It was no accident, coincidence, fate or chance that I began corresponding with The Gillespies on their Caringbridge website around last November, if my memory is correct. In the middle of this, I received an e-mail from my Pastor of 22 years and his wife who wrote the following. "We are so worried about this young boy. Would you please keep him in your thoughts and prayers?" That boy is 3 year-old Trevor Tredaway and according to his mother Melinda, I first contacted them on January 4, 2008. After my holiday move to Arizona from Ohio, I learned that my Pastor's wife knew of Todd and Melinda Tredaway from a mutual friend. This friend in turn knew a girlfriend of Melinda's who taught school with her. Ironically, The Gillespies are both teachers as well! Like The Gillespie family, Trevor's parents also made the decision to come to Scottsdale, Arizona for Trevor's cancer treatments. Trevor is coping with an Astrocytoma cancerous brain tumor, along with tumors on his spinal cord. I was blessed to have made new friends with The Tredaways--and like The Gillespies, I too love them dearly. Nearly two weeks after The Gillespie's returned home to Kentucky, Trevor returned home with his parents to Texas to enable the family to regroup.
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At this time, Todd and Melinda are evaluating feedback from expert physicians regarding their next step in Trevor's medical treatment plan. Trevor's tumor has grown significantly since this past summer, and his seizures have intensified compared to last October, when they first began. Todd and Melinda are aggressively researching heir options and deliberately moving forward day by day. Your thoughts and prayers for Trevor, his 18 month-old sister Morgan and his parents Todd and Melinda mean so very much. An encouraging word to Todd and Melinda can be sent to Trevor's website at:
Medical care for these precious children is very expensive. Some of you have recently e-mailed me asking for an update on the boys and how you can help financially. No amount is too small. Here is where you can take action towards this end.
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The Trevor Tredaway Fund
Citizens Federal Credit Union
P.O. Box 51070
Midland, TX 79710
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The Gunner Gillespie Fund
Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB)
P.O. Box 467
Benton, KY 42025
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I'd like to express my Love and Appreciation to all of you who have remembered these little boys from my past Blog posts, and certainly with your thoughts, prayers, meditations and shout-outs! All of this is appreciated more than you'll ever know. Thank you for "Being the Difference That Makes The Difference"!
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My Past Blogs on Gunner and Trevor:
August 16th: Trevor August 10th: Gunner July 30th: Trevor July 26th: Gunner June 21st: Trevor June 13th: Gunner (& first of 2 Phoenix NBC 12 Newscasts) June 8th: Gunner May 29th: Trevor May 12th: Update on Gunner April 20th: Meet Gunner Gillespie
FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?"
Well, for any of you still hanging around (or to new visitors) we recently celebrated what sounds a bit muddled when I mentioned this---the fourth season and the 3rd Anniversary of a feature seen here every Thursday at 12:00 AM (Eastern Time) called "Friday Movie Suggestion Night". The feature was launched September 15, 2005 (thus, the reference to an incomplete 4th season and why I refer to THE "3rd (FULL) season"). We have had one hell of a run if you back up and take a look at approximately 170 films I've personally selected and (dare I say it?) okay, "suggested". There. Now you have the title. Let's go "pedal to the metal".
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The last time Elizabeth Taylor made an appearance here on FMSN was in the film "Butterfield 8". Some background: My late buddy Andre" (See my Blog "A Character Named Andre") actually knew both Liz Taylor and Richard Burton; they were regular clients of his limo service in Geneva, Switzerland. Andre' hated Richard Burton and told me of several occasions where he had to restrain himself from pulling the sedan to a stop and literally beating Richard Burton to a pulp whenever it was apparent that he had been beating Liz (she wore very large sunglasses and Andre' was amply convinced this was to conceal bruises from numerous batterings reported in the press). But Andre' loved Liz: "Michael, class all the way", said Andre'. With the recent death of Paul Newman, I have to remind myself that the 1950's brought forward a group similar to the 1990's version of "FRIENDS", albeit, with different characters. They were of course, Liz Taylor,Natalie Wood,James Dean,Rock Hudson,Sal Mineo,Marlon Brando,Dennis Hopper and others too numerous to mention here. With the exception of Richard Burton (1925-1984) the remaining three characters of this film masterpiece are still very much alive and well. Liz has led a fascinating, intriguing and very complicated life. So much so that we often forget that she isn't just a persona who propels the sale of "White Diamonds" perfume; Liz Taylor the Actress sadly seems to have escaped us thanks to the emergence of deplorable television programs such as "TMZ" and it's incessant focus on the shock value of Hollywood's notorious and unhealthy persoalities (no names are required here). So, for tonight, I have selected Liz's Oscar-Winning performance (Nominated for 13 Academy Awards in 1967) in a very brazen and intense film that will raise the hair on your neck in horror, while simultaneously allowing a look at just how great an actress Liz Taylor is. She is a treasure. And there is no film role more demanding than hers in "WHOS'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?"--our selection for tonight. Let me just add (Andre's shared sentiments about Richard Burton notwithstanding) that the emotional dynamic at play so transparent in the teaming of Taylor and Burton is in and of itself the subtext for their real-life turbulent love affair (through two marriages--both of which ended in divorce). Still, there is so much depth here to explore in this film.
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Director Mike Nichol's debut with Edward Lehman's screenplay is an adaptation of Edward Albee's one-set play. Liz Taylor is cast as the psychologically tormented Martha, and her performance in this film is considered one of the greatest in the history of cinema. Martha's father is president of a university where Marth's husband George (Richard Burton) has tenure as a troubled middle-aged professor. The couple is encouraged to by Martha's father to invite a younger couple, Nick (George Segal) and Honey (Sandy Dennis) over for a nice visit. The Taylor and Burton characters arrive home drunk from a party they have just attended. What follows after the young couple arrives is an exasperating sparring between Burton and Taylor who deliver emotional blows that turns the claustrophobic set into a scene from hell. Segal's acting work as a reactive study and Dennis as the "fourth wheel"--left without any control in witnessing the torrent of rage Taylor's character unleashes is a must-see. As a bitter, aging woman bent on detroying a weak-willed and flawed husband in the Burton character, there is but no doubt this film should be required viewing for any serious acting student. At the beginning, there is a seemingly hilarious shock the audience experiences through the Segal and Dennis characters who, initially, are not sure what they have walked into. Taylor and Burton become virtual pit-bulls who evolve only to tear deep into each other with abusive insults that reveal two deeply complex characters, a suspenseful storyline, dark humor and a drama that manages to carry excellent cinematography and a fine musical score by Alex North. To be certain, this is a horrifying film about the dangers of the lies we tell ourselves (along with the caustic mix of alcoholism with marriage).
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At the 1967 Academy Awards ceremony, this film lost out to "Born Free" and "A Man for All Seasons".WINNER:"Best Actress in a Leading Role":Elizabeth Taylor;"Best Actress in a Supporting Role":Sandy Dennis (Neither appeared to accept their awards; Anne Bancroft accepted the Oscar statue for Liz. Sandy Dennis was on-location shooting the film "Sweet November"); "Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White":Richard Sylbertand George James Hopkins;"Best Cinematography, Black-and-White": Haskell Wexler; "Best Costume Design, Black-and-White":Irene Sharaff.
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The Cast:Elizabeth Tayloras Martha; Richard Burton is George; George Segal is Nick and Sandy Dennis is Honey.
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Idid mention "intense" with respect to our final selections of films as we slowly wrap up our 2008 season. This is a towering film not to be missed.Straight up or on the rocks?
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through programs of horsemanship and outdoor education that develop self-worth, independence and active participation in the . community
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Camelot is a multifaceted program that requires tremendous courage and commitment from each student. When the student comes to Camelot, they have said to themselves, "I am ready to manage my own life, I am ready to join the mainstream."
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Here is the conclusion of Mary Hadsall's Letter from the Fall, 2008 Camelot Chronicles Newsletter:
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"Here we are today, 25 years later, honoring the Promise for which we were founded upon. Camelot has provided thousands of horseback riding lessons to horse lovers of all ages who have disabilities, all at no cost. Just as we did in 1983, we continue to work hard to increase our circle of influence so we can gain financial support, as well as volunteer strength. We are dedicated to providing education to our community through one-on-one disability awareness training. And we are devoted to the horses that carry our riders as they embark on their personal dragon slaying journeys.
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"Last lesson season, twenty-seven students rode on a weekly basis. Through public speaking and disability awareness education, we shared Camelot's philosophy with hundreds of people, what an accomplishment! Today, eight horses are housed in our state of the art, 100% wheelchair-accessible ranch where our private lessons are provided under our covered arena and out on our pristine property trails.
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"Lessons vary for each of our riders. Sometimes the focus is on how to correctly sit a halt, or steer through an obstacle course. Maybe the lesson of the day is learning how to clip a horses muzzle and bridle path, and finishing up the beauty shop experience by giving their horse a bubble bath in the wash rack. Sometimes the lesson is simply about trust. Our Dream, our Promise, is for our Students. It's about the people that they are and the people they are becoming. So I'd like to leave you with a short story that encompasses the dream that is Camelot.
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"One afternoon I observed Amy and Michelle teaching two riders. They were working with the "L" sisters, as we fondly call these young ladies. Paladin, our big Percheron cross, was brought out for grooming. The girls love this part of their lesson and set about their chores with gusto. Occasionally, I observed the puzzled glances they would give the instructors and the little smiles playing on their faces as they tried to figure out the day's agenda. There were two of them, and strangely enough, only one horse was being prepared; yet they were both told they were riding today.
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"Soon a bareback pad was brought out and Paladin was saddled and bridled. More confused faces when the blindfold came out. Some of our readers might be thinking. "a blindfold, big deal, I ride blind everyday!" It's not the case for these two. Sister number one was helped up onto Paladin's back, then sister number two was helped up behind her. Before entering the arena, rider one, in the front, was fitted with the blindfold. Things began to get trickier for the girls as they realized it was not their instructors that would be guiding them around the arena, but rather the other sister! Sister one held the reins and could not see. Sister two had no control over the horse, but was responsible for guiding their way.
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"Suddenly the lesson became crystal clear. For this ride to be successful it would require trust, blind trust. Soon, the ride was underway and nervous giggling was replaced by hearty laughter. Quiet and docile Paladin seemed just as pleased as the girls with the fun game, and the girls got an amazing lesson. At the end of the day, a ride in blind faith and trust is, well, a ride at Camelot.
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"Hundreds of lives touched and counting".
Mary Hadsall
Executive Director
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Closing note from Michael:Memorial gifts in any manner are a beautiful way to honor a beloved friend or family member. Camelot is how I choose to remember my late Cousin and those spring time drives to the barn in her shiny red two-seater Triumph convertible sports car when I was a just a kid. It's a memory I visit often. Camelot also welcomes gifts in honor of birthdays or other special events. All such donations are acknowledged with a special card and a mention in the Camelot newsletter. While I have Camelot's logo and Click-On button located on this BLOG PAGE, I want to personally encourage you to visit at http://www.camelot-th.org/. The website has a very cool "Wish List" of items needed. Please visit and get to know the people and horses that are so special in this "Jewel in the Desert". Your heart will be warmed and you will be contributing positively to the life of a child. And at the end of the day, speaking for myself--little else really matters!
Peace and Love!
Michael Manning
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Credits: Camelot Chronicles is published by Mary Hadsall, Editors: Michelle Harrison & Nancy Smith, Photography by Kristyn Moore & Mary Hadsall.
Note from Michael: Last December 5th at 4:30 PM, I arrived in Scottsdale, Arizona feeling every bit like the Steve McQueen character in the movie "Junior Bonner". An interesting irony, given that this film was shot entirely on location in Prescott, Arizona! From Cincinnati through St. Louis, Indianapolis, Tulsa, Lubbock, Albuquerque and eventually Phoenix, I drove a large Penske moving truck with a flatbed (no, not a horse trailer, unfortunately) that held my SUV. For over 2,000 miles I managed to stay ahead of every ice storm, and battled the same crosswinds that buffeted our tour bus for 7 hours only a year earlier (see Photo Page 3 at www.michaelmanning.tv) across the flat lands of Indiana, portions of Illinois and into Missouri. Behind me, lay a career in network and cable television broadcasting, years spent in radio and at recording studios doing voice overs, attending acting auditions for television commercials, and some local stage acting. But it was time to leave those experiences behind and find something substantive that got me out of my own head for a much needed reality check. A visit to Camelot did exactly that. What I observed (without going into details) was nothing short of one miracle after another. Well, Camelot has just turned 25 and I can think of no finer post to share with my worldwide web readers as I catch up with all of you. This will be in two parts: posted mid Saturday afternoon between a break n my guitar rehearsal, then on Sunday. I hope you find it meaningful. This post is dedicated to the memory of my Cousin who was lost to cancer in 2001, and whose life-long love of raising horses will stay with me forever.
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"For 25 years Camelot has been providing opportunity so that people can follow their dreams. This program has been changing the world one ride at a time, while keeping a very important Promise. This is an accomplishment for Camelot and everyone who is affiliated wit this incredible riding program. The road traveled has not always been smooth, but the journey has been successful. Camelot's formula for long standing success includes hard work and dedication. The other part of the equation is unfailing faith and trust. The economic conditions being what they are today, makes me all the more grateful for the love and support bestowed upon us by our community; a community of friends and partners in this dream called Camelot.
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"All good dreams must be shared so the lessons behind them are remembered. Here is the story of our beginning and the Promise.
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"The dream began more than 25 years ago. In the midst of this dream stood a ranch created without barriers. The people there taught lessons of wildlife and nature, as well as horseback riding to children and adults who had all types of challenges to overcome. This was a ranch where every one's talents and abilities would be capitalized upon. Ideas would be shared and they would grow seamlessly together, creating an environment where every one's voice would make a difference. A philosophy emerged, engrained in the belief that everyone is a masterpiece just as they are and everyone has something valuable to give.
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"In this dream, the students discovered that they were the masters of their domain and had the responsibility to pass their knowledge to others.
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"Out from the mist of this beautiful dream, became the reality of our beloved Camelot.
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"The first stone of Camelot's foundation was based on a Promise made by EilleenSzychowski, Camelot's founder, to her mentor Joseph Rivers, the founder of the Dragon Slayers program in Santa Cruz, California. Dragon Slayers is where Eileen studied horsemanship and learned to ride. Joseph stirred the dust and provided Eileen with two steeds so that she could start her own program. In return, Eileen made a Promise. The Promise was that she would provide all services at no cost to her students, just as Joseph did, so that finances would never be an obstacle in some one's path to Camelot.
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"In the early days, Eileen worked diligently around the clock to promote public awareness, procure funding, acquire equipment and horses, and of course to teach. During this time she was also developing a solid and dependable volunteer base to help her step off the ground and into the arena. Eventually the dream was tangible, a real program fulfilling its purpose. Camelot grew slowly with strength, one dragon slayer at a time".
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(Quotation of Mary Hadsall, Camelot's Fall, 2008 Newsletter)
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All My Loyal Readers Who Rock: Camelot is a nonprofit charitable 501(c)3 organization (Tax ID: 86 0444470). All donations are tax deductible, as allowed by law, and a receipt will follow your tax records. For those of you who are not in the Phoenix area and wish to have Camelot as your Designated Donor Choice recipient, you can receive more information about signing up from your United Way staff member or local United Way agency. Camelot is not a member agency, which means they do not receive United Way funds, but qualified non-member agencies have the opportunity to receive donations from you through the Donor Choice Program.
FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "RACHEL, RACHEL"!
This year on "Friday Movie Suggestion Night", I've managed (without coincidence of any making) to present movies that came to my attention after a poignant post or two were already created. Take this week, for example. We touched upon the subject of "Second Chances". Truth be told, I have held this movie at bay for some time. With Paul Newman's passing, my feeling was simply "If not now, when?"
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In nearly every interview I watched over the years with Paul as a Guest, he always mentioned how proud he was to produce and direct his wife Joanne Woodward in an adaptation of Margaret Laurence's novel, "A Jest of God". The theme of this film is that we are either living our lives or merely existing. Paul relies on sparse dialogue, and I must say only Joanne could lend the tender inner loneliness of a 35 year-old school teacher who remains unmarried and desperately at a dead-end in her life better than anyone else. Confronting what psychologists today refer to as "separation and individuation" issues, Rachel's life revolves around the neurosis of her mother, whom she still lives with. Her deceased father was a small town undertaker in Connecticut. Life beckons when Nick Kaslik, a childhood friend returns for a visit, "looking for some action" and Woodward's character begins to ponder choices. Namely, to sit on the fence or move forward.
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The film score is by Jerome Moross (with some help by Erik Satie and Robert Schumann). Woodward is transcendent in a role about the choices we make in our lives.
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The Cast:Joanne Woodward is Rachel Cameron; James Olson is Nick Kazlik; Kate Harrington is Mrs. Cameron, Estelle Parsons is Calla Mackie; Donald Moffitt is Niall Cameron and Terry Kiser is the preacher. Produced and Directed by Paul Newman and based on "A Jest of God" by Author Margaret Laurence;Screenplay by Stewart Stern.Academy AwardNominations for 1969: "Best Actress in a Leading Role": Joanne Woodward; "Best Actress in a Supporting Role", Estelle Parsons, "Best Picture": Paul Newman; "Best Screenplay: Stewart Stern; WINNER, Golden Globes Awards:"Best Motion Picture Actress--Drama": Joanne Woodward; Best Motion Picture Director: Paul Newman.
Blog bud Glenn Bishop mentioned in one of his posts that he has been involved in body building and this is improving his health and even his magic show gigs are more enjoyable. Glenn plays a lot of different venue dates as the son of show business parents. It was inspiring to read about his workouts. There are other friends who have worked out for a long time too and I can recall their blog posts on exercise with clarity. Bud Buckley is involved in cycling, kayaking and yoga. Deni Bonet over at "Last Girl On Earth" has always been fit since I've known her, and one of her blog posts introduced me to a term I never knew: "Spinning". Yes, I admit it. I can't remember now if I wound up asking Deni or a woman at PT what it meant. Embarrassing, isn't it? Anyhow, after my workout last night, I informed my Physical Therapists that since we've been rehabbing my body since April with alternating days of 17-station routines and then Cardio nights (sounds like a Sylvester Stallone movie, doesn't it? "Cardio Nights"!) I wanted to go from 4 days to 5 and add some new routines. My PT's are serious cyclists and I'm very lucky to be working with then in the facility I'm at. Curiously, many well known personalities have rehabbed there following injuries. It's a very positive place.
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Guitar lessons are coming along and I'm thrilled that I finally made it back to an instrument I've loved for a long time. I never expected to be getting into blues playing or lead work. But my teacher and I have an agreement. He gives me enough material to work on so that we meet every other weekend. I haven't seen his band yet, but after hearing my teacher play they have to be awesome. The first time I dropped by his house was funny. He wears a back ball cap similar to Mike Myers in "Wayne's' World" (pictured above). As I was packing up after a lesson, I mentioned that one of my PT's went to L.A. recently to see The Who. And I told him I cringe when I see old footage of The Who smashing their instruments after a show. To me a guitar is sacred. My teacher listened to all of this patiently and just shrugged his shoulders, took a sip of java from his Starbucks cup and said "Hey, it's all rock and roll. A little showmanship, right?" Speaking of showmanship...
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We're winding up the year with unique movies on "Friday Movie Suggestion Night". See ya on Thursday...Oh yeah, Happy Wednesday!
Hardly a day passes when I don't hear a song in my head. In recent days, it's been Bon Jovi's"Whole Lot of Leavin" from their "Lost Highway" CD. In my apartment complex here in Arizona, there are two sad posters up in the workout facility with the headine, "Missing Cat". So where is all this going?
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Well, about two months ago at work, someone had unintentionally left behind their college degree on a table. It was placed into the "Lost & Found" box. Then last Wednesday, I found it in the trash. I felt bad that someone's hard-earned degree wound up disposed like that, so I retrieved it and used telephone Directory Assistance to see if I could locate the girl's name listed on the degree. No luck. She wasn't in Phoenix, in Scottsdale, in Mesa, in Tempe, in Chandler---she just wasn't listed anywhere! But seeing the degree in the trash made me remember. Not all that long ago, I was working full time in broadcast management by day and driving off after work for the next few years to three night schools in Texas where I cobbled together the remaining courses I needed to graduate. I was racing to finish before losing my Dad to Parkinson's disease back home. As I've covered in my past Blogs on the subject of my Dad, we realized our dream and he did live to attend my Cap & Gown graduation ceremony in 1999. With those happy memories annealed in my consciousness, I went online to locate and telephone the student's college listed on the degree. It took me two phone transfers, but I finally reached the Office of the Dean and they did a search for her name. It turns out she was still at the school working now on her MBA! So, I told a secretary to pass along my name with the message that I found the missing degree. Last Friday morning, a girl showed up at work and asked to see me. It was the student! I handed her the lost degree. She was so grateful. I listened to her tell me how important it was for her to be reunited with the degree and I just winked and told her I understood.
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It's important to be reunited with what we need in life. This is the subtext of the new Richard Gere and Diane Lane movie, "Nights in Rodanthe" that I saw last night at the movies after PT, and felt it was nicely done. It's all about having second chances in life. In that spirit, I hope the "Missing Cat" posters I saw over the weekend lead to pet owners who are reunited with their Cats, just as the young girl working on her MBA feels today reunited with her B.A. degree. Even if--as Jon Bon Jovi sings: "There's a whole lot of leavin' going on".
Yesterday afternoon I decided to phone a friend of mine from college. This movie clip is pretty much how he described his dating life to me over the phone. I was laughing so hard for over an hour --literally in tears-- listening to one crazy "adventure" after another---you can't imagine! So, this film clip pretty much sums up how things are going for him. I hope you can find humor in this. A Disclaimer: It certainly doesn't reflect my life at all!
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By the way, I featured "Skin Deep" twice on "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" over the past few years and received very little response. Who knows why? But this much I can tell you. When this movie premiered, my best buddy and I went to the theater during an afternoon Matinee. I always sit in an Aisle seat just like I do on an airplane. But since my buddy is 6 feet 7 inches tall he asked for the Aisle seat. We busted out laughing throughout the entire movie and he was laughing so hard in the theater that he fell out of his chair into the aisle. There were only about 5 people in the theater at the time. Nevertheless, the theater manager showed up with a flashlight and issued us a warning to try and "compose ourselves" or we'd have to leave the theater. Really? I mean, have you ever tried 'composing' yourself at a Blake Edwards comedy? I don't know how many of you have ever seen this movie, but it is John Ritter at his best. May all of your dates be good ones!
STARS YOU MAY (OR MAY NOT) SEE ON THIS YEAR'S REMAINING "FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT" SCHEDULE!
Ali MacGraw
(Quick Note: Thanks again for so many kind messages left here on Tuesday, September 23rd. It's always a blast to have some nice things happen! I was lucky. And while I caught up with each of you who commented, I hope to get caught up with all of you on my Blogroll as soon as I can!).
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As we move into "high gear" for the final months of"Friday Movie Suggestion Night" for 2008, I thought a "Teaser" might be fun to feature in photos. You may very well see some (or all) of these actors in the months ahead. Then again, you might not...After all, this IS a "Teaser"! ...
The incomparable Orson Welles...
Robert Mitchum: A good friend of mine once sat next to him during a commercial flight on...(to borrow a line from James Bond) "PAN AM, of course"...
Gregory Peck ... Do I still have a thing for Michelle Pfeiffer? (Is it that obvious?)
Warren Beatty may be along...
Mel Gibson? "The jury is stil out" So, we'll see...
FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "COUNTRY"!
Ordinarilly, I'm not one who likes to look back a lot. However, as dusk is my favorite time of the day--always has been as far back as I can remember--I wonder what might have become of me had I been selected as a Co-Host of the now defunct television entertainment program "PM Magazine" ( predecessor to "Entertainment Tonight"). This was a topic I discuss in my videotaped interview from 2007 over on my REEL Page (at www.michaelmanning.tv). And I bring that up for this post because my very first agent (when I was 22) telephoned me and said "Better pack your bags. You're going to Waterloo, Iowa". Wow! I was at once excited and scared. I had taken a huge leap and relocated from Ohio to Texas, and here I was ready to pack up again to move off into my first broadcastng break in of all places--Iowa! At the last minute, a TV weather anchor with experience was properly hired. Had I relocated to Iowa, I would have likely produced a story about the film I have chosen for tonight, "COUNTRY". Fiming took place in Black Hawk County, Iowa and Readlyn, Iowa. Who knows? I might have interviewed Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard! Truthfully, that is one of the few "what if's" I allow myself to engage in.
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The timing of my choice for tonight's film coincides with the turmoil that is playing out in our financial markets with the tragedy of a Greek opera. However, it is poignant that this film is our feature! The founding of "Farm Aid" began in earnest after the FHA and banks encouraged farmers to expand their operations (in a highly speculative move bereft of any common sense). The consequense of this tragic mis-step materialized into over-reaching financial commitments just as grain and livestock prices dropped dramatically. This is a portion or the film's subtext with the human drama of Jewel Ivy (Lange) attempting to hold together her family.
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The relationship of the Ivy family (Lange and Shepard) is a sensitive portrayal. Also, my feeling in making tonight's film selection was that we haven't seen enough of Jessica Lange over the years. I had considered featuring her performance in "Frances" in recent years (as the late actress Frances Farmer), but I simply felt it was too jarring after reading the late actresses autobiographical account of her life (not for the faint of heart). So, tonight we have before us a well balanced and very believable film that I feel will move you. Nominated at the 1985 Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role: Jessica Lange.Directed byRichard Pearce and Written byWilliam D. Wittliff."Country" was released September 29, 1984 in theaters worldwide.
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I hope you enjoy it!
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Would you please keep my dear friend 8 year-old Gunner Gillespie in your thoughts, prayers and meditations today? This is a sweet little boy I have blogged about from May through August. He has DIPG (a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) which is a non-operable tumor on his brain stem. For more than 3 months, Gunner and his wonderful family, Janna and Gus (his Mom and Dad) along with younger sister Garlynn, age 5 resided up the street from me here in Scottsdale while Gunner received cancer treatment. They have added so much Joy to my own life and I know many of you have been following Gunner's updates over on my Blogroll.
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Please send Gunner a message for Janna to read to him. Gunner's story has reached and inspired so many. His favorite movie is The Polar Express and he absolutely loves Trains! Gunner also enjoys the cable TV series "Icebreakers"--about the men who drive 18-wheeled trucks over frozen rivers in The Arctic to deliver fuel and supplies to others. He has a wonderful sense of humor (believe me when I tell you this--he is funny) and Gunner loves making new friends! Your thoughtful, and positive note to this young man will means a lot to him. As previously reported here, a British Airways Flight Crew continues to keep up with The G-Man! Let's reach out and do so as well. He is wonderful friend of mine whose friendship I heartily recommend to anyone of Love and Goodwill !
Basically, I'm a Public Relations Consultant with a background in Broadcast News. I've worked as a Reporter and Anchor with PBS, ABC, CBS & NBC affiliates and in Cable Television. I'm active in Radio & Television Commercials, Guest Speaking engagements and I enjoy writing, music and sports.
