Sarasota

Back in the summer of 1956 boys and girls of all ages were excitedly awaiting the arrival of “The Greatest Show on Earth.”  For several days the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus had placed advertisements in our local papers.  Downtown stores were selling tickets in advance of the great event.  Moreover, a trainer and a baby elephant from the circus had already arrived in town to entertain at the children’s home.

Unfortunately, the day before the circus was to head our way, the owner decided that traveling to small communities was no longer a profitable proposition.  Therefore, the circus hands packed up their equipment and headed back to winter quarters in Sarasota, Florida.

Since that unhappy time I’ve wanted to travel to Sarasota and see the circus, but unfortunately, that city has not served as  winter quarters for many years.  Still, however, a trip there is well worthwhile.

Located on the southwestern coast of Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico, this city of about 52,000 has miles of beautiful white sandy beaches and more importantly, hundreds if not thousands of friendly citizens.  The warm, sunny weather isn’t bad, either.

My wife Bev and I landed at the local airport at about 1 p.m.  One of the first things to catch my eye was a huge statue of Hernando De Soto, the Spanish conquistador who launched the first European expedition into the southern United States.  I told my wife that the statue seemed to be pouting.

“Why is he pouting?” she asked.

“Because there is no longer an automobile named after him,” I replied. (The De Soto was made by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 until 1961).

Bev rolled her eyes at my lame attempt at a joke and headed for the rental car area.

Upon entering the Mote Marine Laboratory I headed straight for the manatee tank.  Grabbing a brochure, I began to read:  “Did you know manatees are aquatic relatives of elephants?  Hugh and Buffett, Mote’s manatees, are trained to participate in research used to help maintain and protect wild manatee populations.”

Of course, the aquarium featured other creatures, too: “Sea turtles outlived their contemporaries, the dinosaurs, but they need our help against modern threats.

“’Sea Turtles, Ancient Survivors,’ tells about the traits that helped sea turtles triumph in the past.  It also describes the trials they face today, such as exploitation for food, loss of nesting beaches and run-ins with fishing gear.”

Of course, one cannot go to an aquarium without checking out the dolphins: “Moonshine is a pan tropical spotted dolphin, believed to be the only one living in human care in the U. S.  Moonshine came to Mote’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital-where we treat sick and injured animals in order to return them to the wild-after stranding on a beach in the Florida Keys.  He has an ongoing medical condition that prevents his return to the wild.”

After leaving the aquarium we spotted a large statue of a guy embracing and kissing a gal: “The profound joy portrayed in this sculpture was prompted by the spontaneous surrender of the Japanese, thus ending World War ll on August 14, 1945.  Among the celebrants in Times Square in New York City were a U. S. sailor and a nurse embracing amidst the multitude of joy makers.”

With its seemingly endless stretches of white sand and  bluish-green waters, Siesta Beach is advertised as the “Number one beach in America.”  Although we were there fairly early in the morning, perspiration rolled off us as we walked for a half hour.

Next we visited Ca’D’Zan, the home of John and Mable Ringling.  The huge estate was left to the state of Florida by Mr. Ringling in 1936. Of course, I headed directly to the Circus Museum.

The “golden age” of the tented circus was 1919-1938: “In 1928, the Ringling show traveled in one hundred railcars composed of forty-six flatcars, twenty-seven  stock cars, twenty-two coaches, three advertising cars, a dining car, and John Ringling’s private car.”

Here is a typical day’s order  to feed the cast and crew: “*2 barrels of sugar.  *30 gallons of milk  *36 bags of table salt  *50 bushels of potatoes  *110 dozen oranges  *200 pounds of tea and coffee  *226 dozen eggs   *350 pounds of salad  *1,300 pounds of fresh vegetables  *2,220 loaves of bread  *2,470 pounds of fresh meat  *3,600 ears of corn.”

The circus brought excitement to boys and girls of all ages: “Performances inside the big top were astounding sights.  At any given moment action could be taking place in the three rings, on the four stages, around the hippodrome track or in the air above the rings.  In 1926, the program for each Ringling show lasted about two and a half hours, without intermission, and included more than 800 artists performing in twenty-two displays.”

In 1907 the Ringling brothers bought the Barnum and Bailey “ Greatest Show on Earth.”   In 1959 the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey winter quarters in Sarasota were closed.  New quarters were located at Venice, Florida.

Besides visiting the circus buildings, one must tour the house and view the art collection.  The main features found within the twenty-one galleries are European paintings from the 16th to the 20th centuries.  Upon John’s death in 1936 the art, the buildings that house it, and an endowment of 1.2 million dollars were willed to the state of Florida.

The Venice-inspired mansion-named Ca’ D’ Zan- means “House of John,” but in reality it was the “House of Mabel.”  With 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms, the five-story structure was completed in 1926 at a cost of $1.5 million.

This was a great trip.  I especially enjoyed  touring the Circus Museum,   which almost made up for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus skipping my hometown way back in 1956.

Dear Gabby

* Have a problem?  Write to “Dear Gabby.”  She might not be able to help you, but she’ll always have an interesting reply to your predicament.

Dear Gabby: My wife is extremely close to her father.  Once I asked  if her dad and I were both falling out of a plane, and she could only save one of us, which one would it be?  I was hurt to the core when she answered “Dad.”  What should I do?  Answer: Buy a parachute.

Dear Gabby: Ten years ago I met a lady whom I believed was “Miss Right,” but the marriage ended in just two years.  What went wrong?  Answer:  You did not realize that her first name was “Always.”

Dear Gabby:  A friend told me that eating carrots is good for one’s eyesight.  Is that true?  Answer:  It must be.  Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?

Dear Gabby:  What would you call a guy at the office who knows absolutely nothing but is always telling everybody else what to do and how to do it?  Answer: “Boss.”

Dear Gabby:  Alice and I were very happy for the first twenty-five years, but now all we do is fight.  What went wrong?  Answer: You met each other.

Dear Gabby:  It seems as though I’m always forgiving my husband for one thing or another.  Is that wrong?  Answer:  No.  A good wife is always willing to forgive a husband whenever she’s wrong.

Dear Gabby:  My former best friend has stolen my husband.  What would be the best revenge?  Answer:  Let her have him.

Dear Gabby:  How can I get my husband to be more attentive and to listen carefully to everything I say?  Answer:  Talk in your sleep.

Dear Gabby:  I believe that a man is incomplete until he gets married.  Do you agree?  Answer:  Yes.  Then he’s finished.

Dear Gabby:  For the last six months my husband has been acting like he is a chicken.  Should I be concerned?  Answer:  No.  Just enjoy the free eggs.

Dear Gabby:  My wife has been hounding me to take her someplace she’s never been.  Any suggestions?  Answer:  Take her to your kitchen.

Dear Gabby:  I’d like to find a 60 -year -old man who has no major faults. Will this task be difficult?  Answer:  Why don’t you seek something easier, like world peace?

Dear Gabby:  My husband tells me that my teeth remind him of the stars.  Is this a compliment?  Answer:  Yes, if he means that they are bright and gleaming.  No if they remind him of stars because they come out at night.

Dear Gabby:  Since I work at a bakery, I get to take home as many free cookies as I want.  Will they make me fat?  Answer:  Only if you eat them.

Dear Gabby:  I see that there is a new “Divorced Barbie” doll out.  What comes with it?  Answer:  Everything that Ken had owned.

Dear Gabby:  Shouldn’t marriage be when two people become one?  Answer:  Yes, but the problem is deciding which one.

Dear Gabby:  How can I learn about all my deficiencies?  Answer:  Get married.

Dear Gabby:  In this country so much emphasis is placed upon physical beauty.  Is there any benefit to being ugly?  Answer:  Yes.  You don’t have to buy a Halloween mask.

Dear Gabby:  I’ve always wanted to learn about my family history but I don’t have any money to pursue that activity.    What should I do?  Answer:  Run for public office.

Dear Gabby:  I weigh over 400 pounds.  Is my weight problem simply a result of a lack of willpower?  Answer:  No.  Your problem is most likely due to a lack of “won’t power.”

Dear Gabby:  Two friends and I were deep-sea fishing when the boat began to leak.  Luckily, we landed on a deserted island before the boat sank.  One of my friends, an attorney, swam through shark-infested waters to get help.  Unbelievably, not one shark touched him.  Can you explain this?   Answer: Professional courtesy.

Dear Gabby:  My wife of twenty-five years left me and took our dog with her.  How will I ever recover from this tragedy?  Answer:  I don’t know.  A good dog is hard to find.

Dear Gabby:  I’ve been told that I have bad breath.  Is this an awful condition?  Answer:  It could be worse; you could have no breath at all.

A Slang Quiz

* You are invited to take this quiz on slang terms from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.  Good luck!

1. BIMBO:  A. A stupid lady.  B.  Any person with a sense of humor.  C. A tough guy.  D. A clown.

2.  BIG HOUSE:  A. Any house with more than five bedrooms.  B. A nickname for Wisconsin’s football stadium.  C. A prison.  D. The White House.

3.  BIG CHEESE:  A. Double cheese on a hamburger.  B. A nickname for Wisconsin’s governor.  C. Any block of cheese  weighing more than a pound.  D. An important person.

4. DRUMSTICKS:  A. Legs  B. Dollar bills.  C. Pretzels  D. Arms.

5.  BREEZER:  A. Any thing that is easy to do.  B. A convertible car  C. Frozen food.  D. Heavy winds.

6.  BUY THE FARM:  A. To die  B. To purchase any rural land.  C.  Buying any kind of farm produce.  D.  Make a bad investment.

7.  MUFFIN:  A. Any kind of tasty food.  B.  Fresh food.  C.  A woman  D.  A stupid person.

8.  DUST OFF:  A. To clean the surface  B.  To argue.  C.  To kill  D.  To rudely dismiss.

9.  DOG SOUP:  A.  Any dark-colored soup .  B. Being in trouble with the law.  C.  Any food that is distasteful  D. A glass of water.

10.  CHICAGO OVERCOAT:  A.  A brown overcoat  B.  Any overcoat resembling the one worn by Al Capone.  C.  A coffin  D.  A straightjacket.

11.  STRUGGLE BUGGY:  A.  Automobile problems  B.  A female down on her luck  C.  An injured bug  D.  Backseat of a car.

12.  SAWBUCK:  A.  A power saw  B.  A side of ham  C.  A $10 bill  D.  A huge man.

13.  JUICY:  A.  Gossip  B.  Runny  C.  Enjoyable  D.  A lie.

14.  JELLY BEAN:  A.  Anything that tastes sweet  B.  An unpopular person  C.  An intelligent person  D.  A good-looking lady.  

15.  ARMORED HEIFER:  A.  Canned milk  B.  A cow statue  C.  A cow with sharp horns  D.  A female knight.

16.  BATHTUB:  A.  A motorcycle sidecar  B.  A large sofa  C.  Any large vat for making whiskey  D.  A coffin.

17.  CHOPPERS:  A.  Axes  B.  Axe men  C.  Karate experts    D.  Teeth.

18.  HEN FRUIT:  A.  Candy chicks  B.  Eggs  C.  Chicken gravy  D.  White meat of the chicken.

19.  LETTUCE:  A.  Nonsense  B.  Money  C.  Any green vegetable  D.  Giving permission.

20.  BUTT ME: A. Hit me.  B.  Give me a cigarette  C.  Don’t mess with me  D.  Be honest with me.

21.BIRD:  A.  A lovely lady  B.  Any flying creature  C.  An odd person  D.  One’s nose.

22.  MEAT WAGON:  A.  An ambulance  B.  A meat delivery truck   C.  Any large truck  D.  Hotdog vendor’s wagon.

23.  OUT ON PAROLE:  A.  Out of jail  b.  Out of school  C.  A divorced person  D.  A retired person.

24.  GIGGLE WATER:  A.  An alcoholic drink  B.  Soda pop  C.  Any fizzy drink   D.  Root beer.

25.  SPEW:  A.  A card game  B.  To gossip  C.  To kill D.  To vomit.

GRADING SCALE:  IF YOU MISSED 0 -2:EXPERT    3 - 5: EXCELLENT    6-7:  GOOD JOB    8 -9:  NOT BAD.


ANSWERS:  1. C  2. C  3. D  4. A  5. B  6. A  7. C  8. C  9. D  10. C  11. D  12. C  13. C  14. B  15. A  16. A  17. D  18. B  19. B  20.  B  21. C  22. A  23. C  24. A  25. D.        

A Superhero in Action

As a little kid nothing fascinated me more than heroes-the “good” guys who always found ways to defeat the villains of the world.  My cousin Dave and I , thanks to the inventive use of a couple sacks and towels, even created our own super characters.

When the “Daniel Boone Show” hit the airways, like most boys my age, I wanted a coonskin cap, but my pleas fell upon deaf ears.  As a big Superman fan I would have loved to have had a pair of leotards with a big “S” across the chest, along with  a red, flowing cape.  Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, either.  However, I hit pay dirt with Zorro.

The fictional character Zorro had been created in 1919, long before I was even a twinkle in my father’s eyes, but Disney once again popularized him in the 1950s with a weekly program.  One year I whined until I received a model of Zorro sitting atop his black stallion.  One could remove his mask, his sword, and even his cape!  That one simple toy kept me out of my sisters’ hair for hours at a time.

The next year, after a lot more begging, for my birthday I was presented with a black mask, black cape, black hat, and plastic sword.  One could purchase a sword with a piece of chalk on the end so that the wearer, like Zorro himself, could make “Z’s” on everything, but evidently Dad didn’t want that letter all over his porch, driveway, and doors.  Go figure!

Like most superheroes, Zorro had a secret identity.  He was mild-mannered nobleman Don Diego de la Vega.  Like Clark Kent (aka Superman) Don Diego was a wimp.  Of course, that was to hide the fact that in reality he was the dashing man behind the mask who protected the common folks from the nasty and corrupt Spanish government and military leaders in colonial California.

Evidently the TV series made a deep impact.  A few years ago a station began running those old Zorro shows, which I had not seen for over forty years.  My son soon got hooked on these programs, so in an effort to bond, I began watching them with him.  His eyes got as big as saucers whenever I would inform him in detail what was going to happen next in the program.

Actually, I was even more amazed than he was that after so many years I could remember the details of those shows.  On the other hand, I would have difficulty telling you what I ate for breakfast today; actually,  I’m not completely certain that I ate breakfast!

Playing superhero actually paid off in real life.  One winter night the entire family visited our neighbors.  Someone locked our front door.  Of course, Dad was certain that Mom had her key, and Mom was just as sure that her husband had his.

We returned home in the dark a few hours later.  Soon both parents realized that they didn’t have a key.  Perhaps this was a job for Superman, but unfortunately he was nowhere in sight.  After unsuccessfully trying to get in through the backdoor, Dad had an idea: he would call upon his own little Zorro to save the day.

After Dad opened the coal chute I handed my trusty sword to one of my sisters. Then bravely I slid down the pile of coal and into the inky blackness of the room.   After feeling around for the door, I moved into the basement, found a light switch, and ran up the steps.  Within minutes the door was opened so that the family could enter.

 Without my courageous, hero-like actions, no doubt the entire family would have frozen to death on that long-ago winter night.  Of course, we superheroes take an oath to be modest, so I won’t brag.  And remember, if you ever need the assistance of a superhero, get in touch with my cousin and me. We’re retired now, so we have plenty of time on our hands, and besides,  it doesn’t take long to cut eye holes in a sack and pin a towel around one’s shoulders.  

Two Days in Memphis

         My wife Bev and I decided to take a mini-vacation to Memphis, Tennessee.  It is the home of the Blues and was once home to the King of Rock and Roll.  It is a place of both triumph and tragedy.  It is a place worthy of your time.
After partaking of the hotel’s “free” breakfast we drove along Elvis Presley Blvd. At about 10:30 a.m. (EST) we arrived at the famous gates which lead into Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley.  We parked   at an adjacent lot by a café and then bought our tickets.
A pamphlet from the lobby of our hotel implored us to….Explore Elvis’ home and life through exciting videos, personal mementos, displays of authentic clothing, an amazing showcase of awards, and more.
Experience life as Elvis did at Graceland Mansion with an audio-guided tour featuring commentary and stories told by Elvis himself and his daughter, Lisa Marie.  As you explore Graceland, you will learn more about Elvis’ life and the cultural and social barriers he experienced on his way to becoming the most celebrated entertainer in the world.
The Graceland Mansion tour experience includes the Jungle Room, the Music Room, the Hall of Gold with an amazing display of Elvis’ gold and platinum awards, the Racquetball Building, Meditation Garden, and much more.
At the time when Elvis hit it big I was a six -year -old who was more interested in model cars than in music.  However, I literally grew up with his songs because my older siblings played his recordings whenever Dad was not around.
Perhaps like many of his generation, Dad did not like Elvis Presley or his music.  Of course, I detested Dad’s whiny country music, so we were even.  On Presley’s third appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, only the upper half of his body was shown.
Dad believed that Sullivan only had it half right.  Mellowing over the years, he finally conceded that perhaps Elvis wasn't so bad if one didn't have to see or hear him.
After visiting the house and the surrounding grounds we crossed the street to view some of Elvis’ “toys:” Elvis’ personal 1966 Harley-Davidson Chopper is one of several Harley-Davidson motorcycles Elvis owned throughout his life.  For Elvis, the motorcycle was a sign of freedom and it was not uncommon to see Elvis driving around Memphis on one of his bikes.
Presley became famous for collecting Cadillacs and other expensive automobiles: Perhaps the most famous of Elvis’ cars, the pink (1955 Fleetwood) Cadillac was one of the few that Elvis kept after his rise to stardom.  Custom painted pink, this car was first used by Elvis for touring.  He then gave the car to his mom.  He often referred to it as “Gladys’ car” because it was her favorite.
Up the street from Graceland was a  restaurant named Marlowe’s.  Established in 1974, Marlowe’s featured ribs and barbecue.  Our salad, which was smothered with pulled pork, was simply wonderful.  The owner, a nice guy despite being a Steelers’ fan, said that Elvis once visited the restaurant.
Next we headed for Sun Studios: When 18 years old Elvis walked into the legendary Sun Studio for the first time, he was asked who he sounded like.  And he said, “I don’t sound like nobody.”  And he sang “That’s All Right” like nobody ever had, with the honesty and soul of the Blues and the unleashed wildness of an all-night party!
Besides Presley, such artists as B.B. King, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash recorded music in this extremely small structure:  In the early 1950s Sun Records was a small recording studio located here at 706 Union.  Owned and operated by Sam Phillips, Sun Records became nationally known for giving many local area artists, both black and white, their start in the recording industry.
The next stop was the Pink Palace: The Pink Palace was built as the dream home of grocery store pioneer Clarence Saunders.  The 36,500 square foot mansion is made of pink marble shipped in from Georgia.  Saunders named the house Cla-Le-Clare after his three children.  Memphians began calling it the Pink Palace and the name has stuck ever since.
Sadly, Saunders never got to sleep in his dream home.  He lost a monumental New York Stock Exchange battle in 1926 and was forced into bankruptcy.  In 1926 the mansion was donated to the City of Memphis for use as a museum.
Today it houses a museum, an Imax theater, and a planetarium.  Bev liked everything except the planetarium.  She would have fallen asleep if the temperature had been a few degrees higher.  The movie, Under the Sea, was magnificent.  I rather liked the moving dinosaurs.
Saunders made his fortune by opening a chain of self-service grocery stores called Piggly Wiggly.  Many such stores still operate in the southern part of the country:  An innovator of new marketing techniques, Saunders decided to open his own grocery store.  The Piggly Wiggly stores reflected his idea of efficiency and economy.  Customers, supplied with baskets, selected their groceries and carried them to a check-out stand.  One clerk replaced several, service was quicker and food prices were lower.
At the Pink Palace we learned that the Holiday Inn chain began in Memphis:  In 1951 Kemmons Wilson,  his wife Dorothy and their five children took a brief vacation to Washington, D.C.  Kemmons found the motels along the way cramped, uncomfortable, and lacking amenities such as restaurants, air conditioning, and swimming pools.  Worst of all, they charged $2 extra for each child.  He told his wife that he was going to return to Memphis and build a better chain of motels, with a brand name that people could trust.
In August, 1952, Kemmons’ children cut the ribbon to open the world’s first Holiday Inn, on Summer Avenue near the eastern city limits of Memphis. The first Holiday Inn was immediately popular, and eventually became something of a landmark.  It continued to operate at a substantial profit well into the 1970s, and by the time of its sale, the land had increased 25 times its original value.
For only one thin dollar  one may ride a trolley through the town: Why drive?  The trolley connects you to hundreds of great restaurants, shops, downtown hotels, galleries, attractions, sporting events, and more! It’s all on the line, from the Pinch District, to Beale Street, the South Main Arts district, Peabody Place Mall, the Fed Ex Forum, Auto Zone Park, the Riverfront, and more.
So step right up, drop in your fare and off you go.  The trolley is the fun way to get around.
An older gentleman sitting at the back of the trolley told an interesting story about Elvis Presley.  It seems that Elvis went to a local Memphis dealer to purchase a Cadillac.  A lady who was there to simply dream about these automobiles told him how much she admired the particular vehicle he had chosen.  Therefore, Elvis ordered one exactly like it for her.  Like all of us, Elvis had his faults, but he was an extremely generous man.
After the trolley ride we returned to our car and drove across the mighty Mississippi to Mud Island.  The island has a swimming area, restaurants, and a museum, but the best attraction is the one half mile replica of the Mississippi River that winds through the park: Mud Island began to be formed by the Mississippi River around 1900.  By 1916 there was concern that it would grow so far south that it would block access to the harbor, so the island was connected to the mainland and the Wolf River was diverted to run between Mud Island and the mainland to keep the channel open.
Mud Island River Park is owned by the city of Memphis and is operated under the authority of the Riverfront Development Corporation.  Construction began in 1977 and was completed in 1982 at a cost of $63 million.  It celebrates the history and the culture of the Lower Mississippi River and contains a museum, an amphitheatre, shops, restaurants, play areas, canoe, kayak and bike rentals, and a scale model of the Mississippi River which runs the length of the park.
Twice we visited Beale Street, the home of the Blues.  On the second evening we dined at the Blues City Café, which featured barbecued meats as well as steaks.  We shared a 16-ounze “Memphis Strip” steak, a marinated salad, and steak fries.  The signs on the wall were interesting: Steak so good it’ll make a train take a dirt road.   Put some south in your mouth.    Danger: men cooking.
If this bar could talk it would tell you about all the icons of the past it’s seated.  And this tradition continues at Blues City Café.  From Kings of Blues to Presidents…well, you never know who you will run into at Blues City.  So if you see a familiar face, just smile and keep it to yourself.  And know that everyone at Blues City is treated like a star, especially you.
Naturally, I had to copy information from the outdoor markers along the street:  Ain’t nothing like this.  If you want the real thing, the genuine article, you gotta come to Beale Street.  It’s the melting pot of delta blues, jazz, rock-n-roll, R&B, and gospel.  It’s the rich, spicy food of the south.  It’s cold brew and hot music.  It’s the coolest place there is, and it’s only in Memphis.
Along with all these wonderful attractions is a touch of tragedy.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came to this city in April of 1968 to support a sanitation workers’ strike.  He stayed in room 306 of the Lorraine Hotel.  In a boarding house across the street, sitting by the window of his small room, James Earl Ray waited.  When Dr. King finally emerged, Ray aimed his scoped rife and fired.  King was probably dead by the time his body landed on the cement floor, but a simple act of hatred could not destroy the movement for equality.
The hotel continued to operate until 1982, when it was purchased by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation.  Construction of the National Civil  Rights Museum  began in 1987, and it was opened to the public in 1991.  The hotel, including room 306, remains; the museum was built around part of the hotel.  At the end of the museum tour the visitor looks through a glass partition into Dr. King’s room. The scene is quite moving.