On The Fly

In this episode - An American . . . "We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example." U.S. President, Joe Biden Are you an American? Unlike many of you, my mother and I immigrated to the United States as French Citizens. We were considered Aliens ! How do I know that? Easy, every year we were required to go to our local Post Office and complete an Alien Registration Form. Growing up in a small Midwestern town, like you, my formative school years were devoted to reading, writing, and arithmetic AND learning to speak English.  Also, I vividly remember each morning reciting; "I Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America . . ." As a Cub Scout, we also recited the scout motto; "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." Little did I realize at that time how those time-honored words and traditions would affect my work ethic, my character, my v...

Podcast - A Ballpark Visit . . . “Are the Tigers playing at home?” As an avid baseball fan, a question I’ve asked many times during my Alumni travels preparing to visit Detroit, MI. However, this time I found that question printed in a tattered, yellowing,  newspaper clipping from the Detroit Free Press dated Saturday, September 25, 1948, carefully tucked away in a scrapbook. The ball-club was and two young boys realized a dream, I can only imagine what that was like . . . Let me get you up to speed. While going through a box of old files from Lori’s father I came across an article titled  Youth’s First City Visit . A piece co-authored by 15-year-old Gerald (Jerry) Davies from the farming community of Marlette, Michigan about his experiences visiting Detroit. The photo journal and article was a promotion sponsored by The Detroit Free Press as a student exchange. Gerald Davies from Marlette MI would meet his namesake Jerry Davies from Detroit, together they would visit and work...

In this episode - Just the Way You Are . . . “Childhood lies at the very heart of who we are and who we become.” Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) What are you feeling this New Year 2021? Who are you? Do you feel hopeful, joyful, optimistic, or with the recent news events are you cynical, feeling scared, and ill-prepared for what’s to come?” That’s OK , “I like you just the way you are.” - Mr. Rogers “It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor . . .” I’ll admit in 1969 whenever I heard that song I would jump up from the couch and change the channel on the television. In my kid world, there were more important things to watch on television . . . Batman, Superman, Gilligan’s Island, I Dream of Jeannie, Bonanza, The Rifleman, to name a few. Watch Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, that’s a little kids show - “No way, I’m too old for that.” Huh, was I really? However, until recently, while recording poems and stories for this Podcast I began to wonder, “What type of stories...