Podcast Posting: Smart Community Narratives, Media & A Wise Economy

Eric Model and Della Rucker chat about how Community-based narratives can be a powerful tool to communities, businesses, media, and the public alike.

Della has decades of experience in community planning and economic development. Eric has been chronicling the “offbeat, off the beaten path, overlooked and forgotten” for almost 25 years.

They have gotten together to help make the most of stories that tap into a sense of place and a sense of who we are. They are also narratives that can also provide a “customized branded-content opportunity” through a unique radio-based multi-media platform.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=448

Podcast Posting: When Kenora Won the Stanley Cup

Teams have competed for the Stanley Cup for well over a century. But back there in those early days, there was no internet, no network television, and teams were not to be found in outposts such as Florida, Nashville, and Arizona.

And, one year a team called the Kenora Thsitles won the Stanley Cup.

How did the Kenora Thistles become, against all odds, the smallest team and the smallest town ever to win the Stanley Cup?

This famously scrappy hockey team was founded in the rough and tumble town of Kenora, Ontario, at the end of the 19th century. A decade later, playing far away from home, in Montreal, the fiery teenagers whom the Montreal Star dubbed “the fastest that have ever been seen anywhere on ice” out-skated and out-played their older, more experienced opponents to win the coveted hockey championship trophy.

Sports novelist John Danakas and journalist Richard Brignall teamed up in to tell the true story of the ultimate underdogs in this a little-known chapter from Canadian sports history.

In this Journey into Hockey we speak Rick Brignall about the story of Kenora and their Thistles that won the Stanley Cup.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=452

When the Brooklyn Dodgers Played in New Jersey

BY ERIC MODEL
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
JOURNEYS INTO NEW JERSEY

Before Los Angeles, there was Jersey City's Roosevelt Stadium

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/professional/when-the-dodgers-and-jackie-robinson-made-history-in-new-jersey

Confederate history doesn't always travel well (USA Today)

From USA Today:

By Laura Bly, USA TODAY

Pitching Dixie's past during the run-up to next year's 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War could be challenging.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-04-15-civil-war-anniversary_N.htm

Podcast Posting: Lord Stanley - The Man Behind the Cup

One of the most important figures in Canadian history, Frederick Arthur Stanley’s most enduring legacy is not his term as the country’s sixth Governor General but the trophy cup that bears his name.

As the playoffs begin, we speak with author and hockey historian Kevin Shea about the man has name is associated with hockey champions. Shea is author of Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup (Key Porter Books; First Edition edition (June 14, 2007)).

In this Journey into Hockey, we explore with Kevin Shea Lord Stanley’s political legacy — his diplomacy in dealing with the United States, his embrace of Canada’s West, and his nimble handling of domestic crises — fleshing out a man who was far more than just an avid sportsman.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=445

Podcast Posting: A Day Celebrating Louie Louie

April 11 is International Louie Louie Day. It provides an annual opportunity to celebrate a song that has been called by some “the greatest part of song of all time”. It has been recorded more than any other song in rock history (by one estimate more than 2400 times), and was almost declared the state song of Washington.

In this Journey into Hidden America, we speak with Louie Louie enthusiast and entertainer Andy Martello about Louie Louie Day.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=442

Podcast Posting: Baseball Americana

Baseball, the sport that helped reunify the country in the years after the Civil War, is still considered the National Pastime. The Library of Congress houses the world’s largest baseball collection, documenting the history of the game and providing a unique look at America since the late 1700s. Now Baseball Americana (Smithsonian Books, 2010) presents the best of the best from that treasure trove. From baseball’s biggest stars to street urchins, from its most newsworthy stories to sandlot and Little League games, the book examines baseball’s hardscrabble origins, rich cultural heritage, and uniquely American character.

The more than 350 illustrations—many never before published—featured first-generation, vintage photographic and chromolithographic baseball cards; photographs of famous players and ballparks; and newspaper clippings, cartoons, New Deal photographs, and baseball advertisements.

We speak with co-author Harry Katz about the book and how it came to be.

Katz is the former curator in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress and a lifelong Red Sox fan. He curated the Library’s website devoted to historical baseball cards as well as multiple graphic art exhibitions.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=440

Podcast Posting: Recalling the John Wilkes Booth’s Escape

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot and President Abraham Lincoln at the Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. Lincoln died soon thereafter.

A popular area tour just outside Washington is a 12 hour bus ride that takes riders over the route used by Abraham Lincoln’s assassin. We speak with Laurie Verge of the Surratt House Museum about John Wilkes Booth, Mary Surratt (the first woman executed in the United States) and the John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour.

For more info, see: http://www.surratt.org

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=436

Podcast Posting: World Championship Pickled Qail-Egg Eating

They’ve been at it again in Grand Prairie, Texas in a one of a kind event.

It’s the world championship pickled quail-egg eating contest in which contestants devour as many of these gourmet delights as possible in the 60 second limit.

The eggs, about the size of an olive, are soaked in jalapeno.

This world-renowned Traders Village contest chomped in at #5 in the Travel Channels Top Ten all-time great eating contest in the world.

We speak with Alan Hughes of Trader’s Village about this unique event, its origins, and about the art of being a championship pickled quail-egg eater

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=434

Podcast Posting: Lakeland – Journeys into the Soul of Canada

Lakeland (Greystone Books, 2009) is a journey of a discovery with a country. In the course of his travels, Allen Casey examined just what lakes mean to Canada.

Interestingly, while many volumes had been written about the Great Lakes, this is a rare book in that it explores Canada’s three million other lakes.

We speak with Allen Casey about the inspiration for his journey, what he found and how it changed him.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=432

Podcast Posting: FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List Turns 60

March 14, 1950 was the date that the Federal Bureau of Investigation instituted the “10 Most Wanted Fugitives” list an effort to publicize particularly dangerous criminals who were at large. From 1950 to 2008, 491 fugitives have appeared on the list; 460 have been located. Generally, the only way to go off the list is die or be capture. The FBI has come to cooperate with the producers of T.V.’s “America’s Most Wanted” to further publicize those fugitives.

In this Journey in Hidden America we speak with Bradley Bryant, Chief of the Violent Crime Unit of the FBI, about the list, its history and just what it means to the bureau.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=430

Marking 30 Years after Terry Fox's Trek (St. John's Telegram)

From the St. John's Telegram via The Montreal Gazette:

By Mallory Clarkson, St. John's Telegram


Thirty years after the original start by Terry Fox to begin his cross-country Marathon of Hope to raise awareness and funds for cancer research on April 12, 1980, under the warm sun, people gathered Monday (4-12-10) around Fox's "0 mile" site — where he took the first steps of his trek — to announce the launch of the Terry Fox Research Institute Atlantic Node.

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Crowds+mark+30th+anniversary+Terry+trek/2877554/story.html#ixzz0kymr9IDF

Hannibal, Mo., is a 'holy land' for Mark Twain fans (Via USA Today)

Via USA Today:

By Cheryl Wittenauer, Associated Press Writer

Last year Hannibal welcomed 300,000 people, 60,000 of them to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum. While the town also offers river cruises, cave tours and enough other attractions for a two-day visit

And officials hope even more literary pilgrims will come this year to mark the centenary of the author's death and see the place that inspired Twain's masterpieces, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-04-04-hannibal-mark-twain_N.htm

Podcast Posting: Stories of The Lake Superior Region & Its People

In The Wolf’s Head - Writing Lake Superior (Cormorant Books, 2008) ,Peter Unwin has recorded the stories of the great Superior and the people who, over centuries, have determined to make it their home.

In this Journey into Canada, we speak with Unwin, who helps lay out the history of the lake and its lands.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=364

Podcast Posting: Uniting Canada through a Guitar - Six String Nation

64 pieces; 6 strings; 1 Canada; 1 guitar.

This is the story of Voyageur, teh Six String Nation guitar, which was built from throughout Canada – it is comprised almost entirely of pieces of Canadian history. Pierre Trudeau’s canoe paddle is the tone bar, Paul henderson’s hockey stick is part of the pick guard; and the sacred Golden Spruce of Haida Gwaii froms the face. Even Maurice Richard’s first Stanley Cup ring adorns the ninth fret.

We speak with project organizor and author Jowi Taylor about Vaoyageur’s story – from concetion through construction through its debut in front of 80,000 people on Canada Day 2006.

As Jowi relates, the story continues to unfold today.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=419

Podcast Posting: A Journey into Hockey - The Pursuit of Hockeyness

These days, it is popular to develope lists of “must do” lists of activities befor one days.

The world of hockey is no exception.

The Pursuit of Hockeyness (Hockey News – Tarnscontinental Books) is a must-do checklist of “everything” hockey fans need to accomplish in their lifetime. There are 99 featured suggestions, each accompanied by a full-colour photo, ranging from interesting places to visit to unique events that have to be experienced to be believed to the colourful people and players that make hockey the game we so love. Items on the list run the gamut of serious, funny, obscure and compelling; and, every NHL team as well as just about every major hockey leagues in North America (and most in Europe, too) is covered.

The Pursuit of Hockeyness celebrates all things hockey by offering fans a compendium of people, places and events that should be seen and/or experienced before the final buzzer sounds (if you know what we mean).

In this Journey into Hockey we speak with project editor Sam McCaig about the book, how the list was made and some of its most compelling activities that hockey fans should experience before they die.

At:http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=417

Podcast Posting: A Journey into Hockey: Farewell to Pittsburgh’s Igloo

Starting next season, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be moiving into one of those new state of the art arenas.

Though the club and fans alikes eem to be lookig forward to the move, this also means the end of the place affectionately known as “The Igloo”.

Now called the Mellon Arena, it was for a longtime known as the Civic Auditorium and Civic Arena. The building was constructed in 1961 for use by the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.

Over the years, The Igloo has hosted multiple concerts, as well as hockey, basketball, tennis, boxing, wrestling, and soccer matches.

Of course, it is best known as home to the Penguins.

Interestingly, the Arena was the world’s first major indoor sports stadium with a retractable roof.

In this Journey into Hockey, we speak with journalist and Pittsburgh Hockey historian Jim Kubus about the Igloo and what it has meant to folks in Pittsburgh.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=415

Podcast Posting: A Journey into Hockey: Greatest Jerseys of All Time

Dark at home – white on the road ? Or white at home and dark on the road ? Third jerseys ?

What do you favor ?

These are but a few of the regular discussions of hockey fans these days when it comes to hockeys jerseys.

Actually, the traditional term in Canada is that of hockey sweater. But to appeal to its readership in the States, the Hockey News creating a “Collector’s Edition” publication called “Greatest Hockey Jerseys of All Time”.

It’s a great work. Its contents range from a history of the sweater (starting with the Montreal Wanderers, circa 1903-18), to other leagues, long lost teams, Olympics and more.

In this Journey into Hockey, we speak with Brian Costello, Senior Editor for the project, about the publication and the story of the hockey jersey (sweater).

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=413

Podcast Posting: A Day’s Outing for Spring

Journeys into Hidden America contributor Elizabeth Muse joins us to chat about some ways to spend a Day’s Outing now that the snow has melted and the winter chill has gone away.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=411

Podcast Posting: Sorry Charlie Day

Back in the 1990’s Cathy Runyan-Svacina was going througha tough stretch. In response, she decided to create a day to recognize anyone who has been rejected and lived through it. That day became Sorry Charlie Day. We speak with Cathy about her inspiration and how it is celebrated. BTW, you can join the “Sorry Charlie, No-Fan-Club-For-You Club” by sending her your best rejection story (along with a SASE) (Her address: 7812 NW Hampton Rd, Kansas City, MO 64152

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=406

10 Great Places for a Baseball Pilgrimage (USA Today)

From USA Today:

With the 2010 baseball season upon us, fans are eagerly anticipating the crack of ball against bat. While big-league stadiums offer baseball-as-spectacle, the nation's 200-odd minor-league ballparks provide a purer form of the game in a more intimate setting. Baseball devotee Graham Knight, who runs the website baseballpilgrimages.com, offers up 10 distinctive minor-league venues. He spoke with Tim Smight for USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2010-04-01-minor-league-ballparks_N.htm

Passing: John Forsythe

Actor John Forsythe passed away on April 2 at age 92.

To most, he is known for his leading role in "Dynasty" and his voice on "Charlie's Angels".

To me, John Forsyth is remembered for his role as leading man in the 195--1961 program "Bachelor Father".

The program would be inappropriate today on many levels. But for its time, it was a sweet view.

Bachelor Father followed the adventures of Bentley Gregg, a wealthy bachelor attorney living in Beverly Hills who assumes the responsibility of raising his niece, Kelly (Noreen Corcoran), after her parents die in an automobile accident. Other members of the Gregg household include houseboy Peter Tong (Sammee Tong), teenage neighbor and Kelly's boyfriend, Howard Meechum (Jimmy Boyd) and Jasper, the dog.

Plots centered on Bentley's adjustments to his new role as an adoptive parent, Bentley's search for the right woman to share his life, Kelly facing the usual problems of adolescence and young adulthood as she goes from high school to college, and, less often, Peter's misadventures with some financial scheme. In its final season, they storylines led to Kelly's impending marriage to Bentley's junior partner, Warren Dawson, portrayed by Aron Kinkaid. The series ended prior to the wedding.

The series' pilot episode was originally presented on General Electric Theater (as "A New Girl in His Life") on May 26, 1957. The program was first telecast on CBS on September 15, 1957. It originally aired on Sunday evenings on alternating weeks with The Jack Benny Program opposite NBC's Sally and ABC's Maverick. The show moved to NBC on Thursday nights in June 1959 and concluded its run on the network in September 1961. The series moved on to ABC on Tuesday nights in 1961 for its final season. The last episode ran September 25, 1962.[1] It was primarily sponsored by American Tobacco (Hit Parade, Tareyton cigarettes) throughout its original run.

In its time, the program was a big deal. But today, it has been all but eclipsed by John Forsythe's more memorable roles in Charlie's Angels and Dynasty.

Except for here.