Author Archives: Wright Flyer Guy

I have been a devoted student of presidential history since I was in first grade. I love reading biographies and all sorts of books on the presidents, their families and the White House. I have always been a particular fan … Continue reading →

What have students learned about music? These are stories and test questions accumulated by music teachers in the state of Missouri. MUSIC EDUCATIONAgnus Dei was a woman composer famous for her church music. Refrain means don’t do it. A refrain … Continue reading →

Since childhood, I have always loved collecting quotes. I decided that I shall keep this particular entry fresh, adding quotes to the top of the list so that readers will not have to wade through tons of already read quotes. … Continue reading →

What an evening! One of my former students, Benjamin Magnuson, a graduate of Kettering Fairmont High School and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music & Theatre, made his Broadway debut tonight in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeny Todd, starring Patti LuPone. Benjamin is not … Continue reading →

Another fun, interesting week of being a father. The joy and hilarity never cease in this home. Matt came in a few weeks ago and asked if he could go to the homecoming dance on October 1. A girl from … Continue reading →

I have always been a major fan of authors Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller. Recently, my cousin from Texas told me about this new church opening at the Compaq Center in Houston. I began following the build-up to the … Continue reading →

When Matthew first arrived in 2002 as a little scrawny 12 yo boy, I helped him unpack his clothes from foster care, most of which were faded or dingy, and put them away. Between my mother, Aunt Dena and myself, … Continue reading →

Monday night, I was having a wonderful piano lesson with one of my eighth graders, Jackson Lockhart, a family friend, and good friend of Jose’s. With my private students who are in band, orchestra or choir, we work a little … Continue reading →

Wow! I could not have enjoyed my birthday weekend as much as I did this 41st year. As of Sunday, I officially began my forty-second year by celebrating my forty-first birthday. And what a celebration it was. The best part, … Continue reading →

Well, today began the round of birthday lunches and greetings. One of my dearest friends, Debbie Allen, the mother of one of my students, took me on our annual birthday lunch outing to the wonderful French bistro, Cest Tous (pronounced … Continue reading →

This evening we had our dinner at 9:15pm… Monday and Wednesday nights I am teaching when Matthew leaves for show choir, so we have a snack around 5:00pm, and eat supper together when he returns home from rehearsal. That is … Continue reading →

Do you remember when customer service was a priority and you did not have to pay extra for it? Even at forty, I can easily remember clerks or store owners going to the ends of the earth to accommodate customers. … Continue reading →

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other. THREE. Don’t believe all you hear, … Continue reading →

This is not the daytime talk show led my Ms. Barbara Walters (who celebrates her birthday the same day as me!) but a beautiful story sent by Matt’s former Texas case worker who is still a wonderful family friend… Two … Continue reading →

I was leaving the post office today and noticed a sign indicating holidays when the post office is closed. I laughed out loud when I saw Columbus Day is still a holiday. I have not thought of Columbus Day in … Continue reading →

This morning we took off about 9:00am and headed south towards Cincinnati – destination: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens. What a beautiful place this is. I highly recommend it to everyone. Rather than create two separate sites, they masterfully combined … Continue reading →

Well, a year ago tonight Matthew and I stood in the concourse of the Dayton International Airport, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Jose. Our first telephone call was September 3rd and I had a nice 30 minute chat until Matt … Continue reading →

Matt started his new job this past Tuesday, working in the dining hall of the posh, reputable One Lincoln Park – a retirement community across the street. I had several students work there throughout the years and have provided a … Continue reading →

Last weekend when my eldest son, Matt, was dealing with some issues, he commented that I was always pushing him to make friends. The boy went through fifteen foster homes, and was never in any one school and entire year … Continue reading →

It is already the middle of September. Yesterday was the first part of June… and somehow I lost several months. The summer was delightfully busy and for the first time in years I was fortunate to have some fun time. … Continue reading →

Friday evening the boys, Flyer and I piled into the car and headed west towards Elwood. It was an uneventful drive, but excitingly since I knew I would be home with family. We arrived shortly before 8:00pm and pizza was … Continue reading →

Whew… it is Monday night and the weekend has finally passed. And what a weekend it was. Friday night, Brian drove to Mason to stay at the Best Western across from Kings Island. The boys had an early supper – … Continue reading →

The boys woke Tuesday morning and it was not any different than any other week day except they were off to a new start of another school year. Throughout the summer they rose at 7:00am, unlike many other teenagers who … Continue reading →

What a fun weekend! FRIDAY, at 2:00pm, we packed our overnight bags and packed the car. One of my seniors agreed to stay with Flyer for the weekend, and we headed east for Columbus. By 4:30pm we were checked in … Continue reading →

Last night, my very dear friend, Brian, who lives in Massillon, Ohio, called to see if I would be interested in going to a concert with him in Cleveland. I have been to Cleveland a few times and I was … Continue reading →