FALL TOUR 2009

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="040f0f21egerdp.jpg"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="041203c0.jpg" border=0 width="32" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Magic of Reading</B></FONT><B>      |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Magic of Reading"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03ff2f02egerdp.jpg"> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14">    <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14">  <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14">    <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1073bed0.gif" border=0 width="315" height="493" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="042f0f03.jpg"> <div> <I>FALL TOUR 2009</I></div> <bR> <div> Monday, October 5, 2009</div> <bR> <div> COLUMBIA, SC  At Hammond School I asked my audience of third and fourth graders, “Who is the greatest American who ever lived?”  A third grade girl shot up her hand.  I pointed at her.  The girl spoke with utter certainty, like she was answering the simplest question in the world: “Benjamin Franklin.”</div> <bR> <div> Ah, a great start to a new year of fun, kids, learning and travel!</div> <bR> <div> Tuesday, October 6, 2009</div> <bR> <div> AUGUSTA, GA  I drove from Columbia to Augusta, where I was to speak at South Columbia Elementary.  This may sound like a mistake, but I assure you it is not.  Whereas Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina, it is a county in Georgia.  And South Columbia Elementary is a friendly school in Martinez, not far from Augusta.  Staff and students were kind to Ben and seemed to enjoy his visit.</div> <bR> <div> After my program at South Columbia Elementary, I drove across rural South Carolina to Laurens, for an evening library program.  A lively group of senior citizens showed up and Ben had a great time talking about himself, the 100 greatest Americans, history, back pain, and, oddly enough, yoga.  The program concluded with Ben sitting on the floor in the full lotus position.  There was some question whether he would be able to untangle himself.</div> <bR> <div> Thursday, October 8, 2009 </div> <bR> <div> GREENVILLE, SC  I spoke at the Montessori School of Greenville.  I thought I would share with the very little kids a lively tune from my era which I went to some pains to memorize and practice.  This was to be a reward for their attention to my program.  I began to sing . . . “Yankee doodle”-- and they all completed my song for me!  I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and the chance to get to know many of the kids of this school.  Thanks especially to the teachers for preparing the little ones for my visit!</div> <bR> <div> This evening I spoke at the Anderson County Main Library.  Oh what a fine time!   Ben was in wacky form for the adults and kids and media that showed up for the program.  Once and for all he proved that, in fact, Ben Franklin is the greatest American who ever lived.</div> <bR> <div> Monday, October 19, 2009 </div> <bR> <div> ROANOKE, VA  This morning I made a return visit to Mt. Airy Elementary in Pittsylvania County.  Friendly staff and very smart kids!  Lots of fun!  Then it was a very nice drive to Roanoke Valley Christian School in Roanoke.   Fall colors and evidence of approaching mountains made for perfect driving conditions.  Ben was well-received at his second stop.</div> <div> Thanks so much.  What a wonderful school you have!</div> <bR> <div> Down the Shenandoah Valley and up I-81 to Harrisonburg.  Stopped off to see the Natural Bridge but could not find it. </div> <bR> <div> Tuesday, October 21, 2009</div> <bR> <div> HARRISONBURG, VA  After a warm reception and a fun program at Fulks Run Elementary, Ben needed to have his van jump started by the principal!  A little electricity was needed to start the car because my traveling companion left the car turned on while GPS, XM radio and other devices drained the energy away.  </div> <bR> <div> Wednesday, October 22, 2009</div> <bR> <div> HARRISONBURG, VA  A very good time at Waterman Elementary.  Kids were knowledgeable and very well behaved!  Staff very friendly!  During the fast talking segment of my show, I went so fast only one teacher in the entire audience could correctly answer the question.</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon show was at Spotswood Elementary.  I had several nice comments after the show, and old Ben left the school feeling pretty good about himself.  Thanks!</div> <bR> <div> Thursday, October 23, 2009</div> <bR> <div> MARTINSBURG, WV  With the van piled high with Ben's costume and assorted other traveling gear, I imagined as my driver took an internet on-ramp at a too-fast speed the van rolling several times and then Ben popping up fully dressed and ready to go.  We got a good laugh out of the cartoon image of Ben getting dressed accidentally, you might say.</div> <bR> <div> Today I performed at Shenandoah Valley Christian School in Stephens City and Orchard View Intermediate School in Martingsburg, West Virginia.  Great audiences.  Great fun.  Ben could not be happier doing his thing and being rewarded on the spot by the kids and teachers who come to his show.</div> <bR> <div> Friday, October 24, 2009</div> <bR> <div> MARTINSBURG, WV  Spent the night in the George Washington room at Aspen Hall Inn.  Wonderful innkeeper named Charlie told us about the local history.  It is a bit unsettling to have George Washington's eyes follow you around everywhere you go-especially when you are telling everyone GW is the second greatest American whoever lived.</div> <bR> <div> Visited Rosemont Elementary and Potomack Intermediate today.  I was greeted warmly and  had very enthusiastic audiences.  Thanks Martinsburg-Berkeley County Library for sponsoring both school programs.  </div> <bR> <div> Saturday, October 25, 2009</div> <bR> <div> Great fun at the Martinsburg Library!  My visit to the area was in conjunction with a traveling Benjamin Franklin exhibit that culminated today with my 10:30 AM performace.  I thoroughly enjoyed performing amidst the items in the exhibit.  I could just point and elaborate.  I hope I measured up to the quality of the exhibit, which was super fine.  Thanks to all the very nice people involved in the library, the exhibit, and who came to the show.  A great day!  </div> <bR> <div> October 26-30, 2009</div> <bR> <div> This was a week of fall color:  the yellow honey locusts were especially lovely in northern Virginia and Maryland.  Down south, oddly enough, chinaberry trees were showing off.  </div> <bR> <div> There were some very special people this week.  I rarely mention names of my contact people in my travel journal because I would hate to make a mistake with a name.   Sometimes the person who is so very helpful at the school is not the same one who originally called me.  Anyway, at every school this week there was a special friend or helper to assist me in getting set up and seeing to it that the children were properly seated.  Sometimes this person was the school principal, sometimes a PTA person, sometimes a teacher or staff member.  Whoever it was I want to thank you.  Your efforts did not go unnoticed and unappreciated by me.  If the program was a hit, you deserve a lot of the credit.  You prepared the audience for learning and I thank you for your effort.  It made a big difference!</div> <div>  </div> <div> The following is a list of schools I visited this week in the order in which they came on my schedule:  </div> <bR> <div> Valley View Elementary, Martinsburg, West Virginia, Monday, October 26</div> <div> Damanscus Elementary, Maryland, Monday, October 26</div> <div> Occoquan Elementary, Woodbridge, Virginia, Tuesday, October 27</div> <div> Rock Hill Elementary, Stafford, Virginia, Wednesday, October 28</div> <div> O. B. Gates Elementary, Chesterfield, Virginia, Thursday, October 29</div> <div> Northwood Elementary, High Point, North Carolina, Friday, October 30</div> <bR> <div> After the Friday morning programs at Northwood Elementary, Rich and Ginger enjoyed a lovely drive through central North Carolina and South Carolina, and arrived home a little after 4:00 PM</div> <div> Friday, October 30, 2009.  Three cats were happy to see us, and in a couple of days our outdoor rabbit Wee returned for his twice daily ration of chopped carrots.</div> <bR> <div> Monday, November 9, 2009</div> <bR> <div> COLUMBIA, SC   Began my week with an early morning drive to the state capital.  Performed three shows at Heathwood Hall School, where Ben was well received and appreciated.  Everyone was very friendly and even strangers on campus treated me kindly.  Lots and lots of fun doing the programs!</div> <bR> <div> Tuesday, November 10, 2009</div> <bR> <div> POWDER SPRINGS, GA  Drove through a tropical storm from Augusta to Atlanta.  Little traffic on the highway-everyone had been warned, I suppose.  Well, this was one of my more enjoyable travel experiences to this town.  In fact, the four days I was in the metro this week, I glided about on the highways as if I was the only car in town.  Nice.</div> <bR> <div> Wednesday, November 11, 2009</div> <bR> <div> POWDER SPRINGS, GA   Veterans Day and this veteran did his part by performing for students at Varner Elementary.   Wow, what a library this school has!  Ben thoroughly enjoyed himself spending time and then speaking in the jungle the library is designed to look like.  Lots of fun with the kids, the teachers, the books, the stuff, and the bird! </div> <bR> <div> Thursday, November 12, 2009</div> <bR> <div> MARIETTA, GA   The first grade students astounded me at LaBelle Elementary by arriving at the program knowing  much about Ben Franklin.  I was advised by a staff member to tell the students that Ben Franklin was never president of the U.S.  When I did, one boy said, “We know <U>that!</U>”  I countered with, “Well, do you know why Ben Franklin was never President?”  “Sure.  He was too old!”  Properly chastised by a first grader, Ben proceeded merrily along with the show.</div> <bR> <div> My second stop today was Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, also in Marietta.  What nice people and nice school!  I was greeted warmly and escourted around the campus.  I appreciated being made to feel right at home.  The program for K-8 was a joy!  Thanks so much!</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon show was at Oak Grove Elementary in Acworth.  Ben was introduced to the audience by someone who had been at at least two other Cherokee County schools Ben had visited in the past.  Her kind words were appreciated.  About 160 first graders put Ben through his paces.   Thanks!</div> <bR> <div> Friday, November 13, 2009</div> <bR> <div> SMYRNA, GA  Fun at Nickajack Elementary!  Friendly, helpful staff and large, lively audiences.  Ben could not have been treated better or had more fun.  Excellent!</div> <bR> <div> The five hour drive from Nickajack Elementary to Summerville, SC passed by uneventfully, which is always good.  GPS took me on a short cut which I knew better than to take, but I did it anyway.  Lost some time but saw South Carolina, which was worth it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> November 16-20, 2009</div> <bR> <div> My trip to eastern North Carolina carried me to some places I haven't been to in a few years.  Monday I spoke at Rose-Hill Magnolia Elementary and Warsaw Middle School.  Tuesday, Elmhurst Elementary in Greenville and Martin Memorial Library in Williamston (the program was held at a nearby school).  Wednesday, Jamesville Elementay and Chocowinity Middle School.  Thursday, Beaufort Elementary and Annuciation Catholic School in Havelock.  Friday, Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston and Pink Hill Elementary, two schools I visited last year.</div> <bR> <div> Ben met many people on this trip who helped him along his way in one way or another.  Thanks to the kids, and sometimes they were big kids, who enthusiastically participated in the program; thanks to staff members, PTA folks and other adults who showed Ben around, helped prepare the kids for the show, and otherwise helped make my experience enjoyable and successful.   Well done everyone, well done!</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bens Travel Journal"><U><B>Ben's Travel Journal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Magic of Reading"><U><B>The Magic of Reading</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>