Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Visiting Presidential Sites…

Since I was very young, I’ve immersed myself in presidential history, and have loved visiting historical sites associated with our nation’s leaders.  Today, my friend, Jeff Carter, and I were discussing our bucket lists of places to visit, and I … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Colonial America, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Morton: ‘Willie’ was second Lincoln child to die young

From The Northwest Herald… Morton: ‘Willie’ was second Lincoln child to die young

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, First Ladies, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…Presidential Funerals…

Video clips of presidential funerals from William McKinley to Ronald Reagan, in order of their presidency.  

Posted in Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Kennedy Family, Politics, Richard Nixon, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War, White House | Leave a comment

…Earliest recordings of Presidents…

This is believed to be the oldest known recording of any U.S. President. It was recorded on an Edison wax cylinder sometime around 1889.

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | 1 Comment

…Frost/Nixon…

“A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.” – Richard Nixon This morning, while relaxing, I watched the movie, FROST/NIXON (2008), starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, and directed by Ron Howard.  I … Continue reading

Posted in Indiana, Movies, Politics, Richard Nixon, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

…39 Years of Collecting Lincoln…

Since March 1973 I have collected books, and other Lincoln memorabilia.  My most prized possession… the bust of Lincoln given to my by my uncle, Ron Barmes, 1973.  Another is a framed card de visite of Mary Todd Lincoln – … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

…Little Eddie…

Edward Baker “Eddie” Lincoln (March 10, 1846 – February 1, 1850) was the second son of Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln. He was named after Lincoln’s friend Edward Dickinson Baker, and the youngest Lincoln son to die.  Eddie died one month … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, History Channel, Inspiration, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Playwrighting, Religion, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

…The King Has Left The Building…

The pure, the bright, the beautiful that stirred our hearts in youth The impulses to wordless prayer The streams of love and truth The longing after something lost The spirit’s longing cry The striving after better hopes These things can … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Christianity, Entertainment, Every day life, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Inspiration, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Private Students, Religion, Single Parent, Spirituality, Teaching, The Haasienda | 2 Comments

Mount Vernon's windows…

For a number of years I have always wondered why the West-front windows of Mount Vernon were off-set.  I found a “Ask Mount Vernon” link at George Washington’s Mount Vernon I sent the following note:  I’ve wondered, for several years, why … Continue reading

Posted in Colonial America, Founding Fathers, George Washington, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…Enter ANGELS, Stage-Right…

Since childhood I have always sensed energizing, protective, and unseen guiding presences in my life.  For several years a lovely lady visited me regularly during my sleep – or at least, what I thought was my sleep.  Today, at age … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Ball Family, Ball State University, Barmes Family, Blogroll, Christianity, Darin's Career, Daugherty Family, Every day life, Family Ancestry, Family Life, Indiana, Inspiration, Joel Osteen, Music - Band, Norman Vincent Peale, Parenting, Playwrighting, Private Students, Religion, Robert Schuller, Single Parent, Spirituality, Teaching, The Haasienda, The Secret | Leave a comment

I Saw Two Clouds At Morning

Epithalamium I SAW two clouds at morning, Tinged with the rising sun; And in the dawn they floated on, And mingled into one: I thought that morning cloud was blest, It moved so sweetly to the west. I saw two … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Blogroll | Leave a comment

…Good Morning, Vietnam: 24 years later…

Growing up in the late 1960’s, I was surrounded with many familiar words, or terms… DMZ (demilitarized zone) KIA MIA Viet Cong Cambodia POW Tet Offensive Ho Chi Minh Trail On the evening news there were television images of helicopters … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Kennedy Family, Movies, Richard Nixon, The Haasienda, The History Channel, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War, White House, World History | Leave a comment

'1776' at Wilmington

‘1776’ – John Adams: “One useless man is called a disgrace; two are called a law firm; and three or more become a Congress.” This afternoon, my 16 year old son, Quintin, and I drove 35 miles to Wilmington, Ohio … Continue reading

Posted in Acting, Actors, Ball State University, Broadway, Colonial America, Entertainment, Founding Fathers, George Washington, John Adams, Movies, Musical Theatre, Netflix, Performing, Playwrighting, The History Channel, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

Sam Waterston's Remarks at Monticello, July 4th, 2007

Sam Waterston�s Remarks at Monticello, July 4th, 2007 It’s wonderful to be here and a privilege, indeed, to congratulate you, the heroes of the moment in the great work of making and sustaining a government that derives its authority from … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Colonial America, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Mary Todd Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Smithsonian Institute, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

What Makes A Good Citizen?

July 4th, 2007, Jose and I were present for the naturalization ceremony that took place on the expansive lawn of Monticello, the mountaintop plantation of President Thomas Jefferson.  It was a poignant moment for me since this was also the … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Colonial America, Every day life, Fairmont High School, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, John Adams, The Haasienda, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

Keith Olberman on Islam Community Center

This was well said – finally, someone has presented the facts… Mr. Olberman also stated what I have been listing for weeks – the other Christian parishes immediately ON Ground Zero!!!

Posted in Barak Obama, Blogroll, Founding Fathers, Politics, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

A Muslim & Jewish White House?

In recent months, President Barak Obama has been needled by underground, or less-publicized media, and individual blogs for his support of Muslims celebrating their faith. I was just reading a passage in First Lady Hilary Clinton’s book, AN INVITATION TO … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Christianity, Inspiration, Politics, Religion, Spirituality, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

Does it really matter?

This has been an amusing several days for news. Lindsay Lohan is sentenced to jail and rehab… Mel Gibson has been acting up, again… Touch Down Jesus will be rebuilt – full body from Indiana limestone… The Barefoot Bandit has … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, Biblical History, Blogroll, Broadway, Christianity, Darin's Career, Disney, Documentaries, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Great Britain, Humor, Inspiration, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Performing, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Royal Family, The Haasienda, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

Just a Thursday…

This morning had me hopping – doctor appointments, pick up prescriptions, and rush back home to teach a 10:30am lesson! Began the day with tons of energy, and by Noon, I was alternating between reading and napping. The heat, even … Continue reading

Posted in Darin's Career, Every day life, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Netflix, PBS, Private Students, Richard Nixon, Teaching, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

A relaxing holiday…

It is Monday, 1:00pm. The end of the restful, and enjoyable holiday weekend is creeping upon us.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were the most perfect days we’ve had in weeks. Saturday was a bit steamy, but not too hateful. Sunday, … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Dayton, Documentaries, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, Founding Fathers, Friends, Harry Truman, History Channel, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Music - Band, Netflix, PBS, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

I belong to a home-town on-line group. The original premise of the group was to keep alumni connected, and to share stories about life in our little Hoosier community. Since the 2008 presidential election I have contributed little to the … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Christianity, Every day life, Inspiration, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Spirituality, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

We… Hold… These… Truths…

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Acting, Actors, Ball State University, Barak Obama, Broadway, Carillon Park, Christianity, Colonial America, Composing, Cox Arboretum, Darin's Career, Dayton, Deeds Point, Disney, Documentaries, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, History Channel, Humor, Indiana, Inspiration, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Museum of the US Air Force, Music - Band, Music - Choral, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Old River Park, Parenting, PBS, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Performing, Playwright, Playwrighting, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Richard Nixon, School, Single Parent, Smithsonian Institute, Spirituality, Teaching, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, The Secret, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, White House, Woodland Cemetery, World History | Leave a comment

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence (Adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776) The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected … Continue reading

Posted in Colonial America, Founding Fathers, George Washington, Great Britain, History Channel, Inspiration, John Adams, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, World History | Leave a comment

WE THE PEOPLE – Vote for Ryan Vallo

I discovered this incredible video by one of Dayton’s own young celebrities – Ryan Vallo. I am adding Ryan’s text for those who may not have Facebook accounts. “It’s 2010 and change is EVERYWHERE: our government, our environment, our economy, … Continue reading

Posted in Dayton, Documentaries, Entertainment, History Channel, Inspiration, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Netflix, PBS, Politics, Spirituality, Television, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, World History | Leave a comment

The Wright Connection: A musical journey

Although I am a passionate historian, I must admit that I was rather lazy in my study of Dayton history. Normally, I am on top of my historical surroundings, and learn as much as possible. However, when I moved to … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Composing, Dayton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, First Ladies, Franklin Roosevelt, Katharine Wright-Haskell, Kitty Hawk, Miami Valley of Ohio, Museum of the US Air Force, Musical Theatre, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, Playwrighting, The Haasienda, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, Woodland Cemetery, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment