Timeless: Remembering Grandma While Seeing Lucy

It was a trip that with enough reasons for me to laugh for 1000 miles round trip, even as it summoned forth memories from earlier years of my life and bygone years of American entertainment.

I have often found the opportunity in places far away from home to connect with something that resonates deeply with my life.   That was the primary motivation for my recent extended weekend road trip to Jamestown, NY, the birthplace of my favorite actress, Lucille Ball.

Greetings Mural at the Lucille Ball Little Theater in downtown Jamestown, NY

Sign along Main Street, just south of the I-86 interchange

I credit my Grandma Dottie for introducing me to Lucy and getting me hooked on the TV sitcom I Love Lucy.  My Grandma's passing got me thinking anew about our relationship and what we experienced during our times together.  As a way to connect with that aspect of our relationship, I decided to visit Jamestown, NY, and do Lucy sightseeing.

Shortly after 11 AM CDT on Friday, August 26, I loaded into Avila and headed east.  It would be a day's drive of about 500 miles to reach Jamestown, mostly on I-90.  (Please note that most of the times stated in this post are EDT, unless otherwise noted.)

I stopped in Indiana to visit Portage Beach, which is in the photo below, walking around and taking in the views, while feeling the strong northerly winds sweeping off Lake Michigan.   (Please note, as typical with my posts, all photos are mine unless otherwise stated.)

Around 2 PM CDT, I got lunch at Wendy's near downtown LaPorte, IN, including the new Strawberry Frosty.

From there, I got back on the Indiana Tollroad and continued east.  I played an audiobook version of America: Imagine a World without Her.  Upon reaching Ohio, I drove the Ohio Turnpike.  Around 7 PM EDT, near Elyria, I left the Turnpike, and upon reaching the first exit past leaving the Turnpike, I got off I-90 and had dinner at Bob Evan's, a nice restaurant chain I always associate with road trips.  My server was on her first day of the job.

From there, I continued on I-90, and soon drove through Cleveland, with great views of the skyline in the fading daylight.  I drove onward in the nighttime darkness, crossing into northwestern Pennsylvania.  Just past the exits for Erie, I switched over to I-86, and headed due east.  Around 10:30 PM EDT, I entered the state of New York.  I realize it was my first time in the state of New York since our family drove through the western part of the state on the way back to Oak Park from vacationing in Niagara Falls, which was in the final year of the 20th Century.

Around 11 PM, I reached the exit for Main Street in Jamestown.  I wound around town and then arrived at my AirBnb lodgings, a couple of miles east of downtown.  Once settled in, I went to sleep.

The next morning, on Saturday, August 27, I awoke around 8 AM.  I had breakfast and I also took a short walk around the neighborhood.  Jamestown is a small city, but has a prominent feel as the largest city in Chautauqua County, the westernmost county in New York.

Shortly after 10 AM, I set out for my day full of Lucy sightseeing.

First, I drove to the home where Lucille was born on August 6, 1911, which is in the photo below.  

From there, I drove to downtown Jamestown to visit the Lucy-Desi Museum. Below is a photo showing the outside of the museum with the east gallery.  

It has an East Galley, focusing on the I Love Lucy Show, and a West Gallery, focusing on the lives of Lucy and Desi.

The East Gallery begins with a display about the radio show Lucy did before I Love Lucy.  Then came a real highlight for me, seeing a recreation of the set for the Ricardos' second apartment, with both the living room and the kitchen.  Below are several shots.

A fellow visitor got the photos of me above and below posing with the set in the background.  Above is the kitchen. Below is the living room.

View of the living room

View of the living room looking toward the kitchen

View looking from the kitchen toward the living room

Nearby were displays with lots of other props, like Lucy's floral hat she wore in Paris, a dress made from a potato sack that Ricky fooled her into thinking was a Parisian designer dress, and instruments.

This display case shows a variety of props, including the fake designer dress to the far right, and an outfit Lucy wore when posing as a Martian, appearing in the middle.

Lucy's floral hat

Continuing along in the exhibit was a recreation of the Ricardos' hotel room at the fictional Beverly Palms Hotel, when Ricky was out in Hollywood for much of season 4 and a little bit of the beginning of season 5--please see the two photos below.

I was also intrigued to see a diorama of the sets where they filmed the show, complete with the bleachers for the live audience--please see the two photos directly below.  I'm sure that was quite an experience to be present for a live filming of I Love Lucy.  One of the people on the production staff, as quoted in a display, said he would walk alongside the bleachers to listen to the laughing.

Looking at the sets

The bleachers appear toward the right

The I Love Lucy show used a number of innovative and trend-breaking techniques.  One example is how the crew filmed the scenes with multiple cameras.  They later reviewed the tapes on a large machine--that someone called "the Monster" on first seeing it, which was a name that stuck--and compiled the show together from the best footage.

the "Monster"

And I also learned the secret about Lucy's iconic red hair from this display, showing the various ingredients involved in creating that look:

The east gallery also had a set of Lucy and Ricky bedroom furniture, donated by the family of a local Jamestown resident.  This furniture set was marketed during the 1950's.

And at the end of the East Gallery was a set where people could pose with Vitameatavegamin, as a fellow visitor photographed me below.

The West Gallery had two displays at the beginning that told about the youth years of both Lucy and Desi.  He had a life of privilege in Santiago, Cuba, until Fulgencio Batista's rule began and his family lost much of what they had and fled to the United States.  He eventually started a band.  While growing up, Lucy went to see vaudeville shows, which piqued her interest in acting.  

Above is the display for Lucy's youth, and below is the display for Desi's youth.

In addition to I Love Lucy, she starred in several movies from the 1940's until the 1970's.  One that I am familiar with is The Long, Long Trailer, which I learned was filmed during a summer break for I Love Lucy.  I even found out she did a London TV special for CBS in the 1970's.

I was super intrigued to see her car on display in the west gallery--please see photo below.

At the end was a display with all her Emmy awards, as shown in the photo below.

In addition to visiting the exhibits, I took a look around at the market outside the museum, which took over a block of 3rd Street.

Once I was done perusing the two galleries, I walked a few blocks south, across the Chadakoin River, to photograph the mural of the scene when the I Love Lucy foursome start their journey to California--please see the photo below.

It was around 1 PM by this point, and I was ready for lunch.  I ended up at a place called JWilly's Que and Cream, which was kind of like an outdoor food truck restaurant. I got souvlaki with lamb and a float with cream soda and peach ice cream.

From there, I made a visit to the Prendergast Library, the local public library, and looked around for a few minutes.

I also went back to the museum to take a look at a few areas that I wanted to see again and get some photos.  Once I was done there, I walked around in downtown Jamestown to get photos of the other Lucy murals.

Here's the Vitameatavegamin mural.

This postcard mural is appropriately right by the Jamestown post office.

Here's the scene from Job Switching at the chocolate-packing conveyor belt, when the supervisor yells to speed up the belt.

And then I drove to Lakeview Cemetery to visit Lucille Ball's grave--both sides are shown in the photo below.  I had to wind around a bit to find the entrance where the path to her grave is marked by red hearts.  Her grave is flanked by other relatives going back decades before her birth.

Subsequently, I went to St. James Parish to attend 4 PM Mass.  As someone who is intrigued by church architecture, I was fascinated by the round shape of the sanctuary.  And rather amazingly, for the first time in 2 1/2 years, I partook of the Precious Blood in the chalice.

Inside the sanctuary of St. James

Following Mass, I lingered at the church for a few minutes.  

Then I drove to the nearby village of Celeron. where Lucille spent part of her childhood.  I photographed a house where she lived, on Lucy Lane, complete with the garage painted in the design of her famed polka-dot dress.  

The house, with the decorated garage appearing to the left in the photo

Here's the sign for Lucy Lane. Lucy's childhood home is the bluish house appearing to the left.

Subsequently, I drove to Lucille Ball Memorial Park on the southeast shore of Lake Chautauqua.  There used to be an amusement park there where she worked a summer job.  The park has two statues of her.

Vitameatavegamin statue

Here I am by the Lucy statue in Lucille Ball Memorial Park. I thank the fellow visitor who photographed me here.

It was also peaceful to linger by the shoreline and listen to the gentle lap of the water--please see the photo below.

By 6 PM or so, I was at El Jarocho in downtown Jamestown for dinner.  I ordered chicken and shrimp in a tomato-like chipotle sauce.  It was a good dish.  

Next, on my way to Tim Horton's, I stopped for gas while attempting to turn around to the right side of the street.  (Despite the suspension of the state gas tax, it still surpassed $4, well over prices I saw in Ohio.)  At Tim Horton's--please see photo below--I got a couple of baked goods, enjoying something that seems exotic because it's a Canadian-based company.  

And then I went back to my lodgings to unwind and retire for the day.

I was up between 7-8 AM the next morning. I walked a block away to get breakfast from the Coffee Cup, a small restaurant.  I had French toast, which I brought back to my lodgings.

Around 9 AM, I had Avila loaded up and began my journey out of Jamestown.  I swung by downtown to see some other sites on the Lucy driving tour I had missed the day before, and also one of her childhood houses a few blocks north of downtown.  Then I drove north on Main Street to I-86, and headed west.  I got great views of Lake Chautauqua while crossing over it.

Within the hour, I exited New York and entered Pennsylvania.  As I rounded the curved ramp to enter I-90, I got a great view of Lake Erie.

I soon exited I-90 and drove through Erie, PA, to St. Joseph Parish, where I attended 10 AM Mass.  There was a great sense of community at St. Joseph with all the many people gathered for Mass.  Father Larry is a one-of-a-kind priest who is gifted in helping people encounter God.  Many years ago, I accompanied my Dad and attended a Mass Father Larry celebrated in Chicago, followed by a talk on Eucharistic devotion.  Dad has engaged with Father Larry's media for years, so it was meaningful to attend Mass at his parish.

Above is the inside of St. Joseph, by the altar, and below is the exterior.

I lingered after Mass for hospitality.  I had some nice conversation with a couple of parishioners, and I had the chance to reflect on my extended weekend excursion to Jamestown.  I also got the scoop on a local doughnut shop, Mighty Fine Donuts, from which there were donuts for after Mass.  When I mentioned my intent to eat at Cracker Barrel, one of the parishioners I spoke with was kind enough to offer me a Cracker Barrel gift card he had that he thought I could use more readily than him.

Following my time there, I drove to Cracker Barrel, near I-90.  I had beef pot roast for lunch.  Around 1 PM or so, I got back in Avila, and then got on I-90, driving west.

I pulled off at rest stops, and also got off in Cleveland to take some photos around the lakefront area.  

Above is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the waters of Lake Erie appearing to the left in the photo. Below is the Cleveland skyline, opposite from where I got the photo above.

I continued with the Founding Mothers audiobook.  Later, I joined my weekly friends' phone gathering for Bible study and fellowship as I passed from northwest Ohio into northern Indiana.

I arrived back in Oak Park around 8 PM CDT or so.  I went to get dinner and Gina's dessert before arriving home.

This trip was touching in providing me a way to reconnect with my Grandma Dottie.  While I no longer have the opportunity to fulfill my desire to return from a visit to Jamestown and show her photos from there, I still held strongly to my intention to visit Jamestown this past summer, knowing in the wake of her passing, it would be good for me to do personally.

One thing I appreciated about Grandma Dottie was having conversations with her that connected me with the way the world was decades ago.  Given my strong interest in history, I liked being able to hear about the past through someone like her as she shared her lived experience with me.

The great thing about I Love Lucy is that it's still popular even decades after the show reached its conclusion.  New generations can appreciate this wonderful show, just as I have, thanks to my Grandma.

Visiting Jamestown was an opportunity to acquaint myself with the context of Lucille Ball's life, and learn about the show from an insider perspective, especially considering its innovative and groundbreaking aspects.  Seeing the exhibits with various props that were actually used on the show was a fascinating way to get up close and real with it, just like with the recreation of the sets, even as they gave whole new perspective by seeing them in color.

Throughout my sightseeing, I felt a sense of gladness, thinking about a wonderful show I enjoy so much, and also thinking about this aspect of my relationship with Grandma Dottie.  I didn't necessarily feel sadness about her departure from this life, but rather a sense of joy for the good times we had together.  Being in Jamestown made it come alive again, just as the museum and the nearby National Comedy Center seek to help people appreciate Lucille Ball and I Love Lucy and their contributions to 20th Century society in the USA.

Indeed, the love for Lucy persists, thanks to people like my Grandma Dottie who passed it on to me, her grandson, and to those at the museum who help the public appreciate a true classic that is timeless.

I thank the fellow visitor who photographed me by the I Love Lucy heart on display in a window by the west gallery of the Lucy-Desi Museum.

Circling Back in the Spirit

The circle of life returns me to October 15, the inestimable day in 2005 when I became a confirmed Roman Catholic Christian.  Like back in 2005, October 15 is on a Saturday this year as I mark the 17th anniversary, and it enhances a sense of connection back to that day.

The sacramental experience I had that day speaks to how I embraced faith in a powerful way during my middle school years, one of the major reasons why my middle school years were so significant in my life.  While it happened during the initial weeks of my time in high school, the groundwork for the impact of that day was laid in middle school.

I had a conversation with someone recently and during the course of it, I reflected on the ways I abounded in faith during middle school.  The person I was conversing with asked if I had an "aha" moment during those years.  I responded that I didn't think I really had an "aha" moment.  Confirmation was the point in my life when I realized something marvelous had been happening all along during the previous 3 years--the moment when I realized I had already experienced an "aha".  Indeed, Confirmation was an important nexus point when I entered a new stage of life, living out the call I had received to be something as a Confirmed Roman Catholic Christian, to glorify God by offering the gifts He has given me in service before Him to others.

My time in the community of St. Teresa's in Valparaiso did much to build upon what happened at my Confirmation, and it's only fitting that I was confirmed on the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila.

Certainly, the 200+ current and former students I have taught in RE class have been impacted by what happened 17 years ago, many of whom hadn't been born yet.

I also think about my role in the Knights of Columbus.  I am honored to be part of this prestigious fraternity that calls all of us Knights to put faith into action.

Indeed, my faith keeps building.  It reminds me that earlier this week marked the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Vatican II Ecumenical Council on October 11, 1962.  I watched a video on EWTN in which an expert said that it can take decades, if not centuries, to unpack all that happens at such a council.  So while it happened well before my lifetime, I'm still part of the unfolding of all it has to offer the church as the Holy Spirit continues to move from what happened 60 years ago.

I furthermore realize that even as I grow in faith, I am still called to remain in a childlike state, remembering the great truth of how much value I have because God loves me.  Two weeks ago, to kickstart this special month, I went to the National Shrine of St. Therese in Darien, where I had my Confirmation retreat 3 weeks before the sacrament.  I was back there for a special Mass on the feast day of St. Therese.  I've learned some about her, and the homily at Mass had such an impact on me.  The priest spoke so powerfully about St. Therese's spirituality, focused on the simple, yet marvelous, truth of having deep faith in the reality of God's love, and how she spread that to others.

When we truly believe that truth deep within, we are transformed and radiate it to others.  And it's amazing how God works in such faith constantly through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It's fitting that all this week is the Jewish Festival of Sukkot.  In JOhn 7:37-39, the scene is at the final day of the feast when a priest pours out water.  Jesus uses that ceremony as an image for the flowing of the Holy Spirit moving in those who believe in Him.

Indeed, today is a day I party like it's 2005 all over again.  The Spirit of 2005 is all about how I realized my calling to be who God chose me to be through the Holy Spirit Who is constantly flowing, as He was leading up to that day 17 years ago, and then through those 17 years to today, and beyond, for the greater works Jesus says in the Last Supper discourse in John that those who believe in Him will do.

Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Dad photographed me as I'm about to enjoy some red Jello I made for the occasion of the 17th anniversary of my Confirmation.  In front of me are some red rose petals from a rose that I was given from someone seated near me when attending Mass in honor of St. Therese.  I'm in the same dining room at the same hour on Saturday, October 15, where my family gathered to continue the celebration following my Confirmation Mass.

My Grandparents, Living Fully

The second Sunday of September is a worthy celebration of Grandparents' Day.

I have numerous memories of my grandparents, and on this occasion, I think about one particular memory for each.

In the wake of my maternal Grandma Dottie's passing last May, I recognize how strong her faith was, especially on what was literally a dark and stormy night.  I was in the midst of an overnight visit one summer, likely sometime when I was in high school.  Following dinner in the Savoy Room at her residence, Lexington Square in Lombard, I was in the Hyde Park Room participating in Wii Bowling.  A staff person came in and instructed everyone to return to their apartments because of a tornado warning.  I was spooked because of the lack of details, which my Grandma Dottie acknowledged.  

Yet as we returned to her apartment, and as the stormy conditions continued, Grandma Dottie, aware of the potential danger of the storm, kept calmly stating that if this night was her time, she was ready to go.  She had strong confidence that she was bound for Heaven, because of her deep grasp of faith.  (She was also quick to tell someone who called her to get off the phone because it wasn't safe to talk on a phone in a thunderstorm.  As God would have it, that night was not her time to depart her earthly life.  I knew I would think back on that night when her time came.  In the immediate hours after I learned of her passing, I called a few friends to share the news, and I shared that story with one of them.

Grandpa Martin, husband of Grandma Dottie, passed away almost 20 years ago.  He was the one person I knew really well who was a veteran.  I called him on Veterans' Day regularly each year.  He was often sitting in a room in their house in Wheaton near a telephone, and he typically was the first to answer when it rang.  He had such an elegant demeanor when he answered and offered a greeting, like "Good morning", or "Good afternoon."

My paternal Grandpa Jose owned a tavern for many years.  He learned jokes from the patrons, including one particular one about "brains".  It was a sort of inside joke between the two of us about "brains".  I can still picture him sitting in a chair in the living room, turning red from laughing so hard at a joke.

His wife, my Grandma Vel, is a very cultured person.  She enjoys attending mariachi performances, particularly Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitan.  Back in October 2015, we booked tickets to a performance at Orchestra Hall.  We made our way to downtown Chicago and through throngs of people in the afternoon following the annual Chicago Marathon.  Upon arriving at Orchestra Hall, we found out that the Mariachis were unable to get to Chicago because of something related to their flight itinerary, so their performance was rescheduled.  Grandma recognized she would be unable to attend the new date.  As we walked back to Union Station, she kept repeating over and over this comment Jimmy Carter had recently made about his cancer diagnosis, about taking the vicissitudes of life in stride.  She was sporting such a good attitude about the situation, I actually got fooled into thinking she had no problem with the sudden change in circumstances.  It was only later that I found out from her that she regarded the situation as a "disappointment".  Fortunately, we booked tickets a year later for the group's concert.  And I was amazed to see how immensely she enjoyed the performance in such a genuine way.

These memories, among others, speak to me about how my grandparents have all strived in their own way to live fully, which has been a blessing to me. Thanks be to God!

Two Becoming One

It was a great day 40 years ago today when my parents married.  They came together in love and so much has flowed forth from it throughout those years, including so much of what I've experienced in life.

During the past few months, I have reminisced constantly on memories of summer vacations, which was a custom that we enjoyed as a family while I was growing up.  In my reminiscing, I notice that my Mom was the brains behind those trips.  She has a keen ability to come up with great trip ideas and plan something wonderful.  I think about how my Dad was really good regarding the logistics for those trips, especially since he did so much of the driving, whether it was a road trip from Chicagoland, or from a spot where we rented a car.  Indeed, we had a great quality of time together on those trips, sharing scenic views, meals, relaxation, and visits to special sites like museums, historical sites, and then some.

Those trips are one great reason their marriage is something to celebrate, especially today.  They joined themselves together in a union, and put together their talents and unique abilities to make something remarkable.  All the memories that were created, even as I experienced them, speak to how they both put a special touch on what we enjoyed together as a family, contributing their unique parts, as they poured forth their love to make it something even greater in the life we have as a family.

Blessed be God!

A New Beginning 20 Years Ago

I was part of something momentous 20 years ago today, on Tuesday, September 3, 2002:  I started my first day of 6th grade at Percy Julian Middle School, making history along with all my 6th grade classmates as the first group of students to start at Julian in 6th grade, bound to be there for three years for grades 6-8.  And 3/4 mile west on Washington Boulevard, our counterparts made history doing the same at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School.

Throughout that school year of 2002-2003, I heard people refer to us 6th graders as "guinea pigs", because we were the ones who were part of a new effort that District 97 was launching.  Of course, the unique part about starting at Julian was not only that it was new for the 6th grade students, but also for many of our teachers, who were embarking on a new stage in their careers moving from the elementary schools to working at the brand new middle school buildings.  (At one point after 6th grade, and likely even after graduating middle school, I went back to visit some of my 6th grade teachers, who remarked that they had gotten a new start there at the same time we students did.)

As the first day of 6th grade approached, I knew that I would be part of something momentous as Oak Park District 97 debuted two brand new middle school buildings, which would accommodate 6th-8th graders, blazing teh trail for the middle school experience that hundreds of students would have in the subsequent years.  Yet what I didn't fully realize on that first day of 6th grade was that it was a new beginning not only for the building, but also very profoundly for me, starting a powerful personal transformation, and it became apparent to me by the end of 6th grade that something enormously significant had happened.

As I reflect on middle school, I realize that many aspects of the experience tapped into my reflective nature.

I marvel at thinking that just by virtue of when I was born, I happened to be part of the group that would be first to attend 6th grade at the new middle school.  It's quite an honor, in some respects, for a group of 11-year-olds to have, adding upon what would otherwise be a typical first day of middle school.

I truly became who I am today because of the very particular set of circumstances that converged in my middle school experience, and if one puzzle piece had been out of place, it all would have been different for me.  Among the factors were starting at the time the new middle school was built, being the second of two sons (which gave me a different experience than my older brother had), and coming to middle school in the wake of September 11, a time that caused us to think a lot more intensely about who we are as Americans.  

Leaving my part of southern Oak Park to interact with others from all over the village was a chance to experience the diversity that is a hallmark of Oak Park.  That was reinforced in many ways, one of which was a unique elective class I had called Arts and Culture.  It was a yearlong class, during which we explored the arts and culture of different countries: the United States, Mexico, South Africa, and Japan.  It was a wonderful way to learn about these different cultures and get hands on by doing artwork related to those cultures.  It was a type of learning that was enriching.

My learning went beyond the classroom to participate in academic competitions, which I did more so in middle school than in elementary school. Beyond just the idea of competing for a prized place was the chance to take academics and engage with it in a more enhanced way, while enjoying it, so that I could feel like I was doing something beyond just studying.  I think about how the National Geography Bee was a way to engage with knowledge of the world in a richer way, beyond just the facts.

Furthermore, in the environment of middle school, I reflected much on who I am through learning about others as I was meeting so many new people.  Among my new friends and classmates, I met many Jewish people who talked openly about their culture.  My 6th grade language arts and math teacher, Mr. Brachman, talked very openly about being Jewish.

I also think about a conversation that my teacher Ms. Kelleher initiated during the opening minutes of our Career Modular Technology elective class one day.  She mentioned that she had recently been at the christening of someone in her family.  She then asked the Jewish students if they had any similar rite in their religion.  At one point, she wanted to steer attention back to focusing on our conservation, remarking, "We're learning about each others' religions [or cultures] here," as she called on me.  I felt the urge to bring up something partially unrelated, as I mentioned the day before was the start of a new liturgical year with Advent.

That kind of conversation defined why middle school was so transformative in my life. It was an atmosphere in which we could freely and openly talk about who we are.  As a result, I reflected more on who I am and came to appreciate my religion, culture, and ethnicity in a deeper way, more than I had ever before in my life.  It was in that frame of mind that I started preparations for Confirmation during 8th grade. Even though the process culminated in my Confirmation after I started high school, middle school still speaks to why Confirmation was so important in my life.  As I've said before, I've brought it full circle by teaching middle school RE.

Indeed, with all the self-reflection I did in middle school, it became the first time in my life I started to deeply focus and reflect on the higher aspects of life.  So school became about more than just going to class, but was a transformative experience that shaped me.  I have so much to celebrate because I still feel the effects to this day.

I'm reminded of Caliban's monologue in The Tempest, which was a play we read in 7th grade language arts class with Mr. Gates.  He starts by delcaring, "Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not."  He ends by saying, "and then in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that when I waked, I cried to dream again."  I was really nervous starting middle school, but there was so much I came to embrace in the experience, and I was wistful when it was done.  It was like a beautiful dream so that when I awoke, I truly wished I could fall asleep and dream it again.  I am fortunate that I have been able to live the dream anew in the 17 years since graduating, especially with my Religious Education students.

Even in my nervousness about starting at a new school in 6th grade, there was something, maybe subconsciously, that excited me about entering a brand new building with a modern design.  One feature that especially stirred me was the atrium where I could look up four floors while walking through the main corridor of the school.  From right outside the entrance of the commons and the auditorium, I could look up four floors and feel inspired that I was in a marvelous place.  The inspiration continued through so many experiences in the next three years, and I still feel it 20 years later today.

On a visit back to Julian in 2012, I photographed the atrium area inside that looks upward to a sort of skylight above the 4th floor, a view that inspired me as an 11-year-old.

P.S. I'm in the process of planning a presentation with the OPRF History Museum on the start of Julian Middle School, scheduled later this month on September 23.  It will be a live program on Zoom at 11 AM, and it should be available for viewing in archived form afterwards on the museum's YouTube channel.

In the Spirit of 1776 and 1783: Through My Own Eyes

September 3 marks the signing of the Treaty of Paris 1783, officially concluding the American Revolution and securing the independence of the USA.

September 2 marks another patriotic day, which happened 20 years ago today, when the PBS kids' show Liberty's Kids premiered on Labor Day, September 2, 2002.

The show has 40 episodes that tell about events of the American Revolutionary era, from the Boston Tea Party to the establishment of the US Constitution.  Viewers see the events through the eyes of four fictional protagonists who reside at Benjamin Franklin's home in Philadelphia.  There are three youths: James, French immigrant Henri, and Sarah, who came from Britain.  There's also Moses, a free African brought to slavery in North America who bought his freedom.  The first two episodes tell their back stories while also narrating the Boston Tea Party and its aftermath in Boston.  As part of seeing the events from their perspective, James is an aspiring journalist who drafts news reports on the events.  Sarah writes letters to her mother back home in England, as she awaits the chance to connect with her father, a British officer who is serving in the frontier of British North America.

This show had an enormous impact on me as a preteen, as part of a perfect coincidence of circumstances.  As I shall post about soon, this show debuted the day before I started 6th grade at Percy Julian Middle School.  My middle school years truly defined the important parts of my character, especially in my understanding of who I am as a citizen of the United States of America, and what that means.  

I started to think more about what it means to be part of the USA in the wake of September 11, just about a year before this show's debut, when we, as a people, rose up to embrace patriotism as a way to help us through the process of mourning and healing.  In that atmosphere, I started to think more about this country and its history and how that informs our identity.  I also felt a sense of patriotism months after September 11, and a month before this show debuted, seeing the US flag draped over my Grandpa Martin's casket and his interment ceremony at Lincoln National Cemetery as part of the honors he received for serving in the US Navy during World War II.

I already had a strong interest in the American Revolutionary time period, so I was eager to watch the show, and it became a regular habit on Fridays each week.  The school day would end at 3:30.  I would walk home, arriving around 4 PM.  After practicing piano and having a snack, I would be in front of the TV at 4:30 to watch the show, which lasted about half an hour.  I enjoyed it as a way to enter into weekend mode.

The show featured an amazing cast of characters from that time period, including George Washington, Thomas Paine, the Marquis de Lafayette, Samuel Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and John Hancock.  Some of these characters were voiced by famous actors: Billy Crystal as John Adams, Annette Bening as Abigail Adams, Ben Stiller as Thomas Jefferson, Walter Cronkite as Benjamin Franklin, Whoopi Goldberg as Deborah Sampson,  Liam Neeson as John Paul Jones, Sylvester Stallone as Paul Revere, Dustin Hoffman as Benedict Arnold, and Warren Buffett as James Madison.

I also learned about other figures with important stories, like Moses Michael Hayes, a Jewish person, although I have been unable to verify if he is a fictional character in the show, or if he truly lived. The series also gave a very nuanced telling of Benedict Arnold's story, as he was an esteemed soldier in the US army, earning even General Washington's admiration, before a souring relationship with peers and Congress caused him to betray the American cause and join the British army.  

Besides Paul Revere's famous night ride was the even longer night ride of Sybil Ludington, the teenage daughter of an American army officer who rode to alert soldiers to prepare for a British attack.

Another story I learned was about Elizabeth Freeman, a Massachusetts enslaved woman who sued for her freedom in court, and won, a sign of changing times in the Revolutionary era.  Phyllis Wheatley was an enslaved woman in Boston, who made a name for herself with her poetry.  She appears in the first two episodes.

I once checked out the complete series from the library, and in the extras, those involved in the making of the show shared how they had some very intentional conversations about how to address slavery in the series. Throughout the episodes, it's clear that the actions of the movers and shakers of this era had wide-ranging implications, and slavery was just one of them. 

The implications of the American Revolution became apparent in the final episode, which focuses largely on the creation of the US Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787.  At the end of that episode, the main fictional protagonists reflect with Benjamin Franklin on the implications of what has just happened, and, even in the face of the challenges present, how much potential there is for the USA.

In the episode about the vote for independence and the Declaration of Independence, James learns an important lesson on the power of words, as he witnesses Thomas Jefferson in the process of drafting the Declaration of Independence.  Indeed, people throughout this era, as throughout all of history, have done their part and made an impact on history through their contributions, especially in written words.

This show resonated with me so greatly because it was an opportunity to see history and thus, appreciate it, which speaks to the title lyrics of the show's theme song, "Through My Own Eyes".  It was performed by two singers Kayla, who also voiced Sybil Ludington, and Aaron Carter, who voiced a private named Joseph Plumb Martin.  They performed it live at A Capitol Fourth concert on July 4 prior to the show's debut.

One of the scenes that stirred me most was President Washington's inauguration, in the final part of the last episode.  Reflecting on that scene, I realize that it was only about 2 1/2 years prior that I watched the first inauguration of President George W. Bush, the first time I had viewed a presidential inauguration ceremony.  That experience gave a certain feel to watching the scene of President Washington's inauguration as a way to see how the presidency got started under the new constitutional government.  It was a pretty exuberant scene, especially with the soundtrack that plays.

The tone of that scene was, in some ways, set in the third to last episode, we see how George Washington deliberately turned away from taking advantage of instability in the nascent American government to seize power for himself.  He instead convinced the officers of his army to cease their intentions of mutiny and show patience to Congress for paying them. Eventually, General Washington resigned his commission, a stunning act that even bewildered King George III.  The scene of that act was stirring to watch.  And by that act, George Washington set a new tone that would influence the nature of the government that the USA launched in the wake of the American Revolution.  Coming at the end of the final episode, the first presidential inauguration of George Washington was a fitting way to cap all the efforts of some many people throughout the American Revolutionary era to launch a new country with a government, unlike anything the world had seen before it.  

Indeed, as I experienced from watching the other episodes, I gained a new sense of what it was like when the USA came into existence.  Experiencing its origins helped me better appreciate what this country is about.  And the scene of President Washington's inauguration, among others, speaks to the impact this show had on me, truly making me feel proud to be a citizen of the United States.

Grand Impressions from a Grand Trip.

I had one of the most significant experiences of the early years of my life 25 years ago this month when my family had a 2-week trip through the western USA via Amtrak.  As I happened 5 years ago for the 20th anniversary, which came right after my May 2017 Pacific Northwest vacation, so I feel stirred in reflecting on that 1997 trip this month once again.

We first boarded the Empire Builder route at Chicago Union Station on August 2, 1997, and rode it to Whitefish, MT, where we arrived the following day, after traveling along the edge of Glacier National Park.  We spent a few days visiting the natural wonders of the park.

Then we boarded the Empire Builder again at Whitefish and rode it to Portland, OR.  After spending a few hours in that city, we boarded the Coast Starlight, and early the next morning, arrived in Sacramento, CA.  We spent some days there, especially touring the historical sites of Old Sacramento.

Subsequently, we boarded the California Zephyr in Sacramento and rode it east to Denver, CO, where we spent some time sightseeing and visiting family.  

We began the final leg of our trip when we boarded the California Zephyr late at night in Denver and rode it east to Chicago, arriving back there on August 15.

This trip was one of my earliest memories of a family vacation. We indeed had a great time being together and sharing so many experiences throughout this trip.

Traveling out west was a great chance to see the wonders of the natural scenery.  It was a wondrous time seeing so much of what Glacier National Park has to offer.  The train gave us views of other scenic areas.  While I don't remember them as well, the train travels took us by the Columbia River corridor and then through the mountainous areas alongside the California Zephyr route.

Visiting Sacramento gave me the chance to appreciate the history of this country, too, with Old Sacramento, and especially the vintage train cars.

I also had my first opportunity to visit Denver and see my relatives there.  I certainly enjoyed spending time at the home of Great Aunt Carmen and Great Uncle Leonard.

It was the longest distance I had ever traveled in my life up to that point as we looped around the northern part of the western USA, and it gave me a sense of the vastness of the United States of America as a country.

That time probably stoked something deep inside of me that I couldn't have fully realized at the time, but surely I feel it now when I ride the rails across the country.  It's a wonder to behold how big this country is, and all that is contained within it.  Riding Amtrak certainly makes me feel proud to be a citizen of the USA, especially as it connects me with America, the Beautiful.

I appreciate how the unique experience onboard Amtrak allows me to see the country in a special way, so that I can appreciate it deeply.  For example, it's enjoyable to board a route with a specific name, which sets the tone for the journey, especially when traveling it over long distances.  This trip involved three different routes.  I'm sure that the 1997 trip on Amtrak is a large part of the reason why I enjoy train travel so much to this day.

During the most recent RE year, as sometimes happens, one of my students asked me about my favorite trip I've been on.  I've had so many wonderful trips, enough to make it a challenge to pick one.  Yet as I reflected on the answer to the question, I realize that the 1997 train vacation left a huge impression on me as a 6-year-old, and it continues to this day.  Even today, when I'm in the downtown Chicago area, and I wander into Chicago Union Station, something stirs in me when I look at the departure and arrival boards, even if I'm not scheduled to board a train.  Seeing the train names causes me to think of all the marvelous journeys to be had onboard those routes.  Indeed, it's a great, big county here in the USA, and it's an incredible experience to go out to see and explore it.

Here I pose in the Great Hall of Union Station on August 14, during the 25th anniversary stretch of our Great Western Train Trip.

On August 15, the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of our trip, I paused by the BNSF tracks at Ridgeland Avenue in Berwyn.  The eastbound California Zephyr rode these tracks shortly before reaching Chicago Union Station where we ended our trip on August 15, just as we had started it there almost two weeks prior.