Since July, 2013 we are posting at http://www.ericmodelsblog.com....We remain proud of our older stuff and hope you check it our here. For newer stuff (Offbeat, off the beaten path, overlooked and forgotten), though, he hope you visit us at Eric Model's Blog - again, it's at http://www.ericmodelsblog.com - THANKS !

Passing: Bill Skowron (Fox Sports)

Former Yankees first baseman Bill "Moose" Skowron, a five-time World Series champion who played alongside the likes of Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra, died at 81, the team announced Friday, April 27. The six-time All-Star was a .282 career hitter, but continually made his mark in October, hitting .293 with eight home runs and 29 RBI in 39 World Series games. "Moose could flat-out hit ... for average, and he had real power," the legendary Mantle once said. "People used to look at our lineup and concentrate on the guys in the middle of the order. Moose might have been batting sixth or seventh, but he made our lineup deep and more dangerous. You didn't want to give him too much around the plate. He was like Yogi, he could hit bad pitches out and beat you." http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/william-moose-skowron-former-new-york-yankee-all-star-dies-042712

Passing: Dick Clark

Personally, I preferred Guy Lombardo on New Year's Eve and rather enjoyde rock and roll on the rdaio, but Dick Clark nonetheless impacted all of us. His passing is equally impactful. Here is a rememberance in pictures courtesy of a "hometown" paper - The Philadelphia Inquirer. Though born in Bronxville, New York, a graduate of Syracuse University, and a longtime resident of Southern California, Clark got his television start in the City of Brotherly Love thru a local version of what would later become American Bandstand. Though long removed from Philly (1964), many of us old-timers can still recall those Philadelphia days. So, while there are many great tributes to Dick Clark, we chose to link to one from the place that he firts got his start. http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/homepage/Dick_Clark_1929-2012.html http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/148083275.html

Dick Clark and Coming Home

After some months setting new websites, radio features and blogging elsewher we are back where we started - here at Eric on the Road. Strangely, it was the passing of Dick Clark that made us appreciate that months have passed since we had last posted here. Though not necessarily big fans, we were nonetheless touched by the passing of Dick Clark. That someone who so represented a culture of youth (I grew up in the 1950's and 60's)is but a mere mortal has now passed the scene is sobering in terms of my own personal mortality. I guess it is not 1965 anymore. More on Dick Clark in our next posting. In the meantime, it is good to be back. To see some of what I have been busy with, check out our 2012 Journeys into Hidden America beyond the Campaign Trail blog - created in concert with our special feature on SIRIUS-XM Radio. http://www.journeysintohiddenamerica2012.wordpress.com. If not keep yourself at this place. We promise there is more to come.

Seneca Falls as Bedford Falls from It's a Wonderful Life

From CBS News:

By Bill Geist

What better way to spend Christmas morning than a trip with Bill Geist to Seneca Falls, N.Y.? The upstate town proudly proclaims itself the inspiration for the fictional town of Bedford Falls in the 1946 classic "It's A Wonderful Life."

Their hotel has been renamed "The Hotel Clarence," after the film's "angel 2nd class" who tries to earn his wings by saving George Bailey. The cafe is named "The Zuzu" after one of George Bailey's daughters. There's a museum dedicated to the Frank Capra classic, a walking tour of the places residents say are connected to the film, and a festival each December that draws fans from near and far - and which this year featured two actresses who played George's daughters Zuzu and Janie.

As one fan put it, "It's like a Mecca for 'Wonderful Life' fans."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/26/sunday/main6993125.shtml?tag=hdr;cnav

Bourbon's All-American Roar (NY Times)

From The New York Times:


By MICKEY MEECE

Published: December 24, 2011

Five bartenders entered a “shake off” this month at the Kentucky Derby Museum, to see who could work the most magic with bourbon, a singularly American spirit that has turned out to be a singularly American success story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/business/bourbons-all-american-roar.html?_r=1&hp

Book Closes On U.S. House's Storied Page Program (NPR)

From NPR's Morning Edition:


by Selena Simmons-Duffin

The first official pages served in the 1820s, but now emails or tweets can serve the same purpose.


http://www.npr.org/2011/08/12/139482452/book-closes-on-u-s-houses-storied-page-program

After Years Of Research, Confederate Daughter Arises (NPR)

From NPR News:

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. It's of particular importance to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, an organization for female descendants of Confederate soldiers.

The group includes 23 elderly women who are the last living daughters of those who served. One of them is black.

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/07/138587202/after-years-of-research-confederate-daughter-arises

Urban Rangers Quest For The Natural L.A.

From NPR News:

The Los Angeles Urban Rangers are an art collective set on teaching Angelenos how to view nature in their everyday surroundings. Guest host John Ydstie travels with the Rangers on their newest expedition: to explore the L.A. River, a neglected natural resource.

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/07/139062867/on-an-intrepid-quest-urban-rangers-find-the-natural-l-a

See Canada from sea to sea (National Post)

From The National Post:

About the benefits of an auto trip in Canada.


http://www.canada.com/travel/travel/5174333/story.html