FALL TOUR 2006

<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 2006</I></div> <div> <B>Monday, October 16, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> PARKERSBURG, WV  Spoke to the 7th graders at Edison Jr. High School.  What a fine audience and great sports.  I had a terrific time and was very appreciative of the response I got from the students.  In my mind, could not have been better.  I told the principal “That was the best audience of Jr. High students I have ever had.”</div> <bR> <div> Jumped in the van, drove to Lubeck Elementary, and had a lively group of super youngsters.  Once again, very pleased at the response I received.  Even the very little kids at Lubeck were great.  I think I am going to like West Virginia!</div> <bR> <div> It was a lovely drive from Parkersburg to Clarksburg.  One thing for sure, West Virginia is the bumpiest state I have ever seen.  And I am not talking about the quality of the roads.  Coming from the flat land of coastal South Carolina were I have spent all summer and most of the fall, West Virginia is all mountains and big hills!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, October 17, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> CLARKSBURG, WV  Up early and headed out into the dark, rainy morning.  Drove down the interstate highway for 14 miles, turned off at the Lost Creek exit, and drove 4.2 miles to West Milford Elementary School.  Ben had a lot of fun with kids who had been reading about him and playing Ben Franklin quiz games.  Very satisfactory!  At the conclusion of the first program, by request, Ben sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”</div> <bR> <div> Drove 4.2 miles back to Lost Creek and spoke at Lost Creek Elementary for my afternoon program.  Once again we had a lot of experts in the audience.  One girl, Mercedes, knew so much I had her come up front and take a bow!  Thanks West Milford and Lost Creek for inviting me to your schools.  Lots of fun!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, October 18, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> CLARKSBURG, WV  Spoke at Gore Middle School near Clarksville.  Kids were friendly and Ben was asked a million questions.  I have decided that middle school kids are ok after all.  They aren't nice little elementary kids eager to please--but they are quite all right if you make some allowances.  In fact, I think I'm beginning to like these big kids.</div> <bR> <div> The afternoon program was at Lumberport Middle School.  Staff and students very friendly.  Six, seven and eighth graders.  Nice auditorium!  A lively audience that responded well to Ben's antics.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, October 19, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> CLARKSBURG, WV  Ben Franklin was very cordially received at Adamston Elementary School this morning.  I had so much fun I sang the entire “Star Spangled Banner” at the conclusion of the show.  This was a first and I hope it won't be the last.  Music is in my soul, it just doesn't come out sounding quite the way I imagined it would.  Anyway, I left Adamston feeling as good as a person can feel--what nice kids, what nice teachers and principal, Mr. Eakle.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon program was at Bridgeport Middle School.  A large group of 6th, 7th, 8th graders.  I received very kind attention from Mrs. Crawford, the principal, who, it turned out, has a school full of friendly and well-mannered middle schoolers.  My program was very well-received and the audience was perfect.  </div> <bR> <div> I drove a few miles north up I-79 for a 4:30 PM visit to Marion County Public Library.  Fairmont, West Virginia looks to be a pretty big town.  I was challenged by one-way streets and the hilly terrain downtown, but finally made it into the library for my program.  If I had to pay, instead of being paid, for my performances, I would owe the Marion County Library about a thousand dollars for the fun I had doing their program.  We had a nice-sized audience with lots of kids, parents, and a teacher or two.  Several times during the program I caught the sight of a librarian who was supposed to be working but who was also checking out my show.  The smile on her face, even though she was not in the audience, warmed my heart.  What a nice person!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, October 20, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> BLOOMINGTON, MD  Bloomington School will be remembered in this record as one of the best programs Ben Franklin ever did.  The school is not large, so pre-K through 8th grade attended.  The kids had studied a lot about Ben Franklin, and that meant they were knowledgeable and that they were looking forward to my visit.  Everyone, staff and kids, were as friendly as could be.  Sound system was perfect.  Kids were comfortably seated--and away we went!!  There was a kid up front whose name was Hunter.  Hunter encouraged me by laughing uncontrollably at everything I said.  What can I say?  </div> <bR> <div> KINGWOOD, WV  Back in West Virginia.  Spoke to fourth and fifth graders who got a whale of a social studies lesson.  At one point I explained carefully why I thought Ben Franklin was the greatest American who ever lived.  I defied anyone to tell me different!  After the program a boy came up and said:  “I don't think Benjamin Franklin is the greatest American who ever lived.”  I said, “Well,” I said defiantly, “who do you think is?”  He said, “my dad!”  That is an answer I not only accept but applaud.  I wish every boy could feel that way about his dad.</div> <bR> <div> So ends the first week of my 2006 travel schedule.  I drove the curvy mountain roads back to Clarksburg and checked into the new Wingate Inn.  Several days ago when I arrived at Clarksburg it was warm and lovely, now it was drizzling rain, windy, and cold.  The last of the fall leaves, I'm afraid, will be on the ground by Monday.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, October 23, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> ROANOKE, VA   Drove from my motel in Lexington to Effinger Elementary School.  The 10 mile drive was scenic to the max!  Mountains, autumn foliage, curvy roads!  It turned out there was even a wonderful mountain river (complete with whitewater and rocks!)  beside the road for a few miles leading to Effinger Elementary.</div> <bR> <div> Things could not have been better for my morning program.  Everyone, including the principal, was very friendly and nice to Ben Franklin.  The kids were as good as can be.  I just had a lovely visit to a lovely school in a beautiful location.  Heaven.</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon program was at Eagle Rock Elementary.  This was a 20 or 30 mile drive south, depending whether you took the long, sure way or the short cut.  I chose the long, sure way.  Eagle Rock Elementary already had a place in my heart because of the fine time I had had there several years before.  Plus, the kids on my earlier visit had given me two wonderful posters which have been given prominent exposure on my web site, and are framed over my desk at home.</div> <bR> <div> The kids at Eagle Rock, I am glad to say, are still just about perfect!  Ben had a great time, and received two more posters!  Thank you, Eagle Rock, for remembering me.  I certainly will not forget you.</div> <bR> <div> After my Eagle Rock program, I jumped onto Highway 220 and headed south to Roanoke.  I stopped at a roadside stand and bought $8.00 worth of apples.  Boy, all of a sudden it was very cold and windy out.  When I got to my motel, in Salem, VA, the weather channel was predicting snow showers for the morning!  Oh!! </div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, October 24, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> LYNCHBURG, VA  I paid $5.00 extra for a room with a view at the Wingate here in Lynchburg.  Looking out from my fifth floor window I see purple mountains majesty.  Very, very nice!  </div> <bR> <div> This morning's program at Fairview Elementary in Roanoke was fun for Ben.  The kids were very friendly and polite.  I got a week's worth of hugs afterwards.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> Had a pretty long drive to my afternoon show at Central Elementary in Amherst.  It was a lovely drive on a cold, windy day.  A couple of times I thought my van was going to be blown off the highway and into the trees!</div> <bR> <div> Staff was very friendly and helpful at Central.  The kids were lively and enthusiastic.  I made some friends and collected some more hugs.  My thanks to everyone who helped with the program, which means just about everybody.  Very nice people!</div> <bR> <div> I drove back to my hotel in Lynchburg and checked into my penthouse room at the Wingate.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, October 25, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> FOREST, VA   Ben Franklin spoke at Thomas Jefferson Elementary, a rare delight!  The school was large and very nice.  The principal was friendly and helpful.  The assistant principal was also very nice to me.  In fact, I saw her sitting among the little kids in the first program and her smile gave me great encouragement.  Thank you, Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Forest, Virginia!</div> <bR> <div> Drove about two miles, maybe less, for a rendezvous with 3-5 graders at Forest Elementary.  Wow!  Kids could not have been better.  Lots of fun.  </div> <bR> <div> Jumped back on the highway and drove to my 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> program in Bedford County on this day.  The principal at Montvale Elementary made me very at-home and comfortable.  The school was so orderly and well-run.  It was a pleasure to watch the preparations for my program.  The custodian who set the kids deserves a gold star!  </div> <bR> <div> Drove from Montvale, through Roanoke, down Hwy 220 to Collinsville.  Checked into the Hampton Inn and did just like all those business people in the TV commercials:  kicked my shoes off and tumbled onto the bed EXHAUSTED.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, October 26, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> COLLINSVILLE, VA   Ben Franklin spoke to all the third, forth, and fifth graders in Henry County today!  The three programs were held at Bassett High School, in their nice auditorium.  This was a special treat because the kids were bussed in from all over the county.  A large number of kids in each program came upfront and helped Ben.  Since the audiences were large and were comprised of kids from several schools, it made the experience just a little more special.  When it came time for the students to answer questions about everything Ben said, the kids could root for the students from their class or their school.</div> <bR> <div> I was very impressed with the kids from Henry County.  I had fun and I think they had fun and learned a lot.  It was a great, exciting day!</div> <bR> <div> I was pretty tired when I left Collinsville.  I took 220 Business to Hwy 57 and somehow found my way to Chatham, Virginia.  I checked into An Inn for All Seasons and almost immediately began to make friends.</div> <bR> <div> The innkeeper, John Hudert, was a very nice guy who showed me the huge oak trees, the dogwoods in full color, the wonderful B&B where I would stay.  John, it turned out, has many of the same interests I do:  history, performing.  He was a Revolutionary War re-enactor, and he had also performed as Elvis!</div> <bR> <div> I spoke at Watson Memorial Methodist Church for the Pittsylvania County Friends of the Library.  The 7:00 PM show had a nice attendance of very nice people.  I have seldom felt more at home more quickly than I did in Chatham.  John Hudert attended the show which made me feel great.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, October 27, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> CHATHAM, VA   Elizabeth Whitehead of the Friends of the Library accompanied me to my three programs in Chatham:  the church program Thursday evening, the programs at Chatham Elementary and Woodlawn Academy on Friday morning.  Turned out Liz had also been a performer!  She had spoken at many schools in the past as Lizzy the Litterbug!  What a nice person!  </div> <bR> <div> My experiences at all three Chatham locations were special, different, and enjoyed totally by me.  Thanks to the Friends of the Library and Pittsylvania County Library System for making my visit to your wonderful community possible.</div> <bR> <div> It was a bleary, rainy morning as I drove down Hwy 29 toward North Carolina.  Soon I was in Greensboro, then I was in Charlotte, then I by-passed Columbia, South Carolina, then I was pulling up into my drive way.</div> <bR> <div> Wow!  My two week adventure to West Virginia and Virginia (and Bloomington School, in Maryland) was over. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>November 6-10, 2006 </B></div> <bR> <div> My North Carolina trip November 6-10 included visits to the following schools and libraries:  </div> <bR> <div> Tanglewood Elementary, Lumberton; Village Christian Academy, Fayetteville; Trinity Academy, Raleigh; Wiley Elementary, Greensboro; Gunn Memorial Library, Yanceyville; Person Library, Roxboro; Redeemer School, Winston-Salem; Mt. Pleasant Elementary, Emerson; Bridges Charter School near Elkin.</div> <bR> <div> My thanks to the principals, head masters, PTA folks, and librarians who invited me to speak to their audiences.</div> <bR> <div> As usual, this was a fun, hard driving week.  After my program at one school a teacher said he had prepared his students for my visit by challenging them to find questions I would not be able to answer.  I guess it is possible to stump Ben Franklin, but it doesn't happen often!</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday of this week, I drove from Wilkes County to Boone to visit my “little brother” Phil who is studying at Appalachian State University.  We have been pals since he was six years old.  Now, Phil has his own apartment off campus, and I was delighted to see it filled with musical instruments!  My own special room at home has a keyboard, drums, guitar, mandolin, and several harmonicas.</div> <bR> <div> Ben Franklin, of course, invented the Glass Armonica, a rather strange musical instrument that Motzart played. Ben also enjoyed playing the guitar.</div> <bR> <div> <B>November 13-17, 2006 </B></div> <bR> <div> My Tennessee/North Georgia trip November 13-17 included visits to the following schools and libraries:</div> <bR> <div> Bel-Aire Elementary, Tullahoma, TN: Hickerson Elementary, Tullahoma, TN; Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts, TN;  Fannin County Library, Blue Ridge, GA; Gilmer County Library, Ellijay, GA; Emerson Elementary, GA; RT Jones Memorial Library, Canton; East Newton Elementary, Covington, GA; Nancy Creek Elementary, Atlanta; Sims Elementary, Conyers; Oak Hill Elementary, Covington.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks to all the nice people who invited me to speak to their audiences!</div> <bR> <div> The most memorable event of this trip was a wild ride across a mountain!  I followed the signs (not always a good idea) from Chatsworth to Blue Ridge, Georgia.  Very quickly I found I had inadvertently chosen the scenic route.  Well, I had time, no sense in turning back.  So I headed up up up and around Fort Mountain.  I was about half way to Blue Ridge going over the mountain, when I saw two cops in the road ahead talking to drivers.  They said the road was closed.</div> <bR> <div> Wow!  How can you close a road with no warning, forcing people to drive hours out of their way!  There was no alternative route but to drive back to Chatsworth, and go the long way around by Ellijay to get to Blue Ridge.  I arrived at my program a few minutes late, but it was a miracle I made it at all.  I have never missed a program due to accident or getting lost or traffic or road closures:  knock wood!</div> <bR> <div> Oh, yes, there was another adventure later in the week.  Atlanta got a huge soaking, a torrential downpour that lasted all day.  It is tough enough getting around the Big A when everything is perfect.  Mix in the mother of all rain storms and you have a real mess.   Rather than continue driving in the rain and traffic, after my 4:00 PM program in Canton, I found a hotel and camped out until 4:00 AM.  By then the rain had stopped and the traffic had dwindled to nothing!  I had no trouble driving through the heart of Atlanta on I-75 at 4:45 AM.</div> <bR> <div> <B>November 27-December 1, 2006 </B></div> <bR> <div> My Virginia-West Virginia trip November 27-December 1 included visits to the following schools:</div> <bR> <div> Luther Memorial School, Richmond, VA; Harrison Elementary, Disputanta, VA; Pleasant Valley Elementary, Harrisonburg, VA; Garden City Elementary, Roanoke, VA; Thaxton Elementary, VA; Preston Park Elementary, Roanoke, VA; Monterey Elementary, Roanoke, VA; Oakland School, Roanoke, VA; Rainelle Elementary, WV; Rosedale Elementary, Oak Hill, WV.</div> <bR> <div> The late fall weather was lovely this trip.  70s every day!  The only problem came on Friday.  There was a lot of geography and weather on the 33 mile trip from Rainelle to Oak Hill, West Virginia.  First, there was a mountain to cross.  Then, there was heavy rain to contend with.  Then, when the rain ceased there was the world's greatest gorge to cross.  And, so happened, the wind picked up to almost hurricane force.  For your next project, look up the New River Gorge.  Read about this long bridge over a deep gorge.  The bridge has no visible means of support and you feel like you are driving on air, with nothing holding you up.  Then, imagine driving over it right after a downpour with hurricane winds trying to take your high profile van and send it over the low railing.</div> <bR> <div> If you think I am exaggerating the winds, school was let out early at Rosedale Elementary in Oak Hill that afternoon because of wind!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>December 4-7, 2006 </B></div> <bR> <div> My Georgia-Alabama trip December 4-7 included visits to the following schools:  </div> <bR> <div> Poole Elementary, Dallas, GA; Ashford Park Elementary, Atlanta, GA; Ficquette Elementary, Covington, GA; Barfield Primary, AL; Lineville Elementary, AL.</div> <bR> <div> This was the final week of my fall travel tour.  The weather, for once, was not an issue.  Geography was not a problem.  I don't even think I got lost or had to call for directions one time this week.</div> <bR> <div> When I close my eyes I can see a thousand faces, I can see mountains, and winding roads, and interstate highways, and trucks by the millions.  I see birds flying in formation.  I see little kids sitting on the floor.  I see schools and libraries from Lineville, Alabama  to Bloomington, Maryland.  I see hotels and gas stations and kids in cafeterias.  I see these myriad images and I know I have had fun and adventures and have lived the best that I possibly could have these past few weeks.  It is Christmas Break now, and I will take care of body, mind and spirit so I will be ready to commence my spring travels on January 7.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SPRING T0UR 2006"><U>SPRING T0UR 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Magic of Reading"><U>The Magic of Reading</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Bens Travel Journal "><U>  Ben's Travel Journal  </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Album"><U>Photo Album</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SPRING TOUR 2007"><U>SPRING TOUR 2007</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>