Category Archives: U.S. First Ladies & Families

…Uncle Ted…

This morning I woke at 6:15am and pressed the On/Off button on the television’s remote control. There was a video showing the White House silhouetted against the rising sun… but the flag was lowered to half-mast. Within seconds my racing … Continue reading

Posted in Family Life, First Ladies, Fowler, Indiana, Indiana, Parenting, The Haasienda, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | 1 Comment

…SOUTH PACIFIC… and we are off!

Well, last night the production team officially met for the first time to prep SOUTH PACIFIC for Beavercreek High School’s new summer stock production company, Summer On Stage. This production team is on fire, and over the past three weeks, … Continue reading

Posted in Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, Theatre, White House | Leave a comment

…Out of the PAJAMAs and into a… grass skirt?…

Sunday afternoon, the production of THE PAJAMA GAME at Beavercreek High School ended. I am generally a little teary-eyed following a production, but this time I was relieved. April 14th, the orchestra conductor was fired and I was handed the … Continue reading

Posted in Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Family Life, Harry Truman, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Parenting, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, School, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History | Leave a comment

…Two Cathedrals…

This morning, while working at my desk on LOVE IS ETERNAL, a musical about Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln, I watched and listened to my all time favorite television program, THE WEST WING. This morning offered two episodes: the first … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Entertainment, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Inspiration, Movies, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Spirituality, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…South Shore Drill Team…

Thursday, April 2, 2009, I volunteered for the Winter Guard International (WGI) competition at Fairmont’s Trent Arena next to our home. I was working with Carol Dittoe at the volunteer check-in booth, and we heard there was an all-male guard … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Politics - 2008 Election, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Catching my breath…

I feel as though I am finally catching my breath for the first time in a month. Where do I begin? Well, I am vocal director for Beavercreek High School’s production, The Pajama Game. The director and I are up … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Musical Theatre, Parenting, Playwright, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…The Isles of Innisfree…

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day – one of my favorite holidays (and I do not even drink). Eleanor Roosevet on her wedding day. Tomorrow is also the 105th anniversary of Eleanor & Franklin Roosevelt, the 25th Anniversary of my friends, … Continue reading

Posted in Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Friends, Indiana, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

…Now, Sunday…

Another busy week behind us… Beginning last Monday I was not feeling well, and my temperature hovered around 100-101 degrees. My sister-in-law, Stacia, had been taken ill with strep last weekend, and then my brother, Destin, got it this week. … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, Fowler, Indiana, Friends, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Religion, Robert Schuller, School, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…Farewell, Socks the Cat…

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Socks, the cat who won international fame during his years in the Clinton White House, was euthanized Friday after months of treatment for cancer. Socks was adopted by Chelsea Clinton when her father was governor of Arkansas. … Continue reading

Posted in Family Pets, First Ladies, Politics, U.S. History, White House | Leave a comment

…And the weekend is here…

The long week is over, and the weekend is upon us. Most of the week was spent in writing on the Wright Brothers’ musical, teaching, helping Jose with homework, prepping students for college auditions, cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry, building … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Family Life, Family Pets, Friends, Inspiration, Movies, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Ford Theater Reopens

President Obama speaks in front of the box where Lincoln was assassinated. WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama stood beneath the flag-draped box where Abraham Lincoln was shot inside Ford’s Theatre, honoring the “hallowed space” on the eve of the 16th president’s … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Politics - 2008 Election, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

HAPPY 200th BIRTHDAY, MR. LINCOLN!

Yes! This is an exciting day for me. As a child in elementary school I can remember calculating how many years before it would be Lincoln’s birthday, and how old I would be. Well, the day has arrived… 2009, and I … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Blogroll, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Indiana, Politics, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Statehouse party will salute President Lincoln

Ohioans’ views of the man changed greatly from his 1st Capitol visit to last Wednesday,  February 11, 2009 3:31 AM By Alan Johnson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH On his first visit to the Ohio Statehouse, Abraham Lincoln was definitely not a … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Politics, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Counting blessings…

Jose’s youth group had an interesting discussion on how “doubt” is often crucial to faith. The youth were asked that upon waking this morning, count your blessings, and to walk through the next few days in a state of gratitude. My friend, Jeff … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Indiana, Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Religion, Robert Schuller, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…And it's finally the weekend…

I cannot believe Friday is upon us, yet, I am so thrilled it is here.   Last Friday I had breakfast/lunch with Bill Hetzer, and taught the remainder of the afternoon. After teaching, I went in to watch TWO AND … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Indiana, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Parenting, School, The Haasienda, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…Advice from the Bush twins…

I heard the recording of the Bush twins reading their letter on The Today Show… it was beautiful. What great young women these lovely gals have turned out to be. CNN) — Jenna and Barbara Bush know a lot about … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Family Life, Friends, Harry Truman, Parenting, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, The Haasienda, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…The Day of Days…

It is 9:11am, Tuesday, January 20th, 2009. I have been awake since 7:00am watching the beginning of the inaugural festivities. It is my tenth inaugural ceremonies to observe, but my eleventh swearing in of a president. I was in Myrtle … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Ringing of the bells…

Wednesday morning I drove to Columbus to attend the funeral mass of a friend’s father. I met Katie Pfister-Musick in the late 1980’s and absolutely fell in love with this incredible actress. Despite the various moves between the two of … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Christianity, Entertainment, First Ladies, Friends, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Parenting, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Religion, Robert Schuller, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Senator Caroline Kennedy?

 (CNN) — Caroline Kennedy, the 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy, has indicated her interest in filling the New York Senate seat being vacated by secretary of state designee Hillary Clinton. Caroline Kennedy has her eyes on the New … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Congressman helps get OSU band in inaugural parade

By Jessica Wehrman Staff Writer Sunday, December 14, 2008 WASHINGTON — House Minority Leader John Boehner, ever the wiseacre, was quick with a funny when the Ohio congressional delegation started working to get the Ohio State University Marching Band into … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Music - Marching Band, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Mary Todd Lincoln

Today is the 190th birthday of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln. As a girlhood companion remembered her, Mary Todd was vivacious and impulsive, with an interesting personality–but “she now and then could not restrain a witty, sarcastic … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | 3 Comments

Lincoln letter discovered…

DALLAS – A Texas museum hopes a document found in its archives turns out to be an authentic government copy of Abraham Lincoln‘s eloquent letter consoling a mother thought to have lost five sons in the Civil War. The famed … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, First Ladies, Politics, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | 1 Comment

Bright Shining Moments…

I love this air of hopefulness, this air of accomplishment, this air of vision and foreword thinking. In 2000 we missed the feeling of change, the feeling of renewal because of that hotly contested election that dragged on well into … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Inspiration, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | 3 Comments

Bright Shining Moments…

This past week’s election seems to have ignited a multitude of bright shining moments – moments that have touched others in a deep, hopeful manner. This particular story was on Indianapolis’ Channel 8… INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – When President Elect Barack … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Indiana, Inspiration, Politics - 2008 Election, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

One hundred three… and a half!

Tuesday morning, I hurried my morning routine along so I could be out the door by 8:45am to vote. As I was getting into the car, I twisted my back – somehow – and was in great pain. Muscle spasms … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Family Life, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, The Haasienda, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | 1 Comment