FALL TOUR 2007

<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 2007</I></div> <div> <B>Tuesday, September 25, 2007 </B></div> <bR> <div> ABINGDON, VA  Ben has been working hard this summer and early fall preparing his travel schedule for another school year.  At this point, I have about 110 bookings, or a little more than half of what I expect to schedule this year.  I'm booked in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.  Another fun year of traveling and speaking.</div> <bR> <div> First stop on my Fall Tour, Pleasant Gardens Elementary School near Marion, NC.  Everyone at the school greeted Ben very warmly and reminded him how fun doing these school programs can be.  Thank you, Pleasant Gardens Elementary!</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon program was in the capital of the lost state of Franklin, Greeneville, Tennessee.  Madge Walker was kind enough to invite me to speak at her library (Greeneville-Greene County Library), and she assembled a very nice group of folks for me to speak to.  One boy came in a magician's outfit complete with top hat.  Charlie volunteered for all of Ben's activities and I am sure he has a career awaiting in show business.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, September 26, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> ABINGDON, VA  Took a nice leisurely drive in the country and arrived at Rich Valley Elementary School, near Saltville, VA.  Spoke in the gym to kids who had been well-prepared for my arrival.  <I>They knew a lot about Ben Franklin!  </I>I was able to use about 50 kids in electrical experiments and other activities.  Lots of fun.  The kids were perfect and several teachers and the media specialist had nice words for me after the show.  Thanks!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, September 27, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> SALTVILLE, VA  Lots of fun at Saltville Elementary School this morning.  Mrs. Bobbie Harden the media specialist, a lover of reading and history like Ben, made his visit to the school very memorable.  First there were pictures taken in front of Independence Hall, a huge cardboard model of the famous building Mrs. Harden had specially made for the occasion.  Then, there was a little pep rally before the program to get the kids in a festive mood.  Needless to say the kids knew all about Ben Franklin before I arrived so it turned out just the perfect day for old Ben.  Played the harmonica at the end of the show and the kids stamped their feet to the lively beat.  Nice!</div> <bR> <div> Had two afternoon programs at Meadowview Elementary School, just a short drive back to I-81 from Saltville.  The school has a nice sunken theater with stage that let the kids sits above the performer.  Kids were lively and excited.  This was a special day and everyone really got into Ben's program in a magical way.  Thanks Meadowview Elementary for a great time!</div> <bR> <div> Listened to history CDs all the way home from Virginia, passing through such towns as Bristol, VA, Johnson City, TN, Asheville, NC, Spartanburg, SC, and Columbia, SC.  Arrived home in Summerville a little before 9:00 PM.  My first trip of fall 2007 completed.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, October 1, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> KNOXVILLE, TN  Up early and drove to Sevierville, TN.  Easier said than actually done.  It's about 350 miles and I had to cross a mountain range or two.  I went through the dangerous I-40 gorge between Waynesville, NC and Newport, TN.  The interstate is so curvy there that cars and trucks used to going 80 frequently bounce off or crash into the concrete road dividers.  I expect 20 or 30 people a year die from car accidents in the gorge.  I may be way off, but I'm sure some do.  </div> <bR> <div> Spoke at Sevierville Middle School, the second time in five months or so.  They have a new crop of students each year so I had the pleasure to speak at the school again.  I sometimes think that middle school principals must think their students are too old for Ben Franklin, since I'm not called as frequently to middle schools it seems.  Actually, middle school students seem to really like my show very well, though generally they aren't as demonstrative as younger kids.  Anyway, the four groups I have spoken to at Sevierville have been warm, friendly, enthusiastic audiences.  Thank you, Sevierville Middle School!  After my second program I got caught in the parking lot by crowds of people and cars as school let out.  Several students who had participated in my programs came up and got autographs.  I even got a couple of thumbs up and “you're cools.” </div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, October 2, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> KNOXVILLE, TN  One of my least favorite things to do is drive into the early morning sunrise on an eight lane highway trying to find my way around an unfamiliar town.  Yes, that's what was in store for Ben this morning.  Well, as they generally do, things turned out ok.</div> <bR> <div> Spoke to some wonderful students K-8 at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Knoxville.  The staff was very friendly and helpful, and they put before Ben just about the best kids you could imagine.  Lots of fun!  Thank you.</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon show was at St. Joseph's School in north Knoxville.  I had a wonderful time speaking to kids and staff who warmly received my program.  Several people had kind words for Ben afterwards.  I suppose today I spoke at the two best schools with the best kids in the Knoxville area.  I felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet so many nice people.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, October 3, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> HICKORY, NC  The kids at Lenoir City Elementary were ready for Ben Franklin this morning.  They were well prepared by their teachers, and the two morning programs went just as good as they could have.  Lots of friendly and smart kids.  Thank you for being enthusiastic participants in my program!</div> <bR> <div> Next stop, Hickory, NC.  Jumped on the interstate and headed to Knoxville, then to Asheville, then to Hickory.  Crossed mountains again, and went through several tunnels.  Was very pleased to make it safely through the gorge once again.  Listened to an audio book about history--very, very interesting.  Time flew.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, October 4, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> HICKORY, NC  Made a return visit to Ray Childers Elementary School in Hickory, NC.   Programs at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM were a pleasure to old Ben's heart.  Wonderful school.  Very nice students pre-K to 5th grade.  </div> <bR> <div> The afternoon show was at St. Stephen's Lutheran School in Hickory.  Actually, St. Stephen's invited students from another school to also attend, so we had a large, enthusiastic audience.  The Principal, Mr. Guelzow, was very nice before and after the show.  His words, and the way the kids responded to the program, sent Ben home for the week feeling just great.</div> <bR> <div> It was a dark and stormy drive for most of my 275 mile trip from Hickory to Summerville.</div> <div> Sometimes rain came down so hard even the fast speed of my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.  I listened fascinated to American history on CD  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, October 15, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> CHARLOTTE, NC  Drove from Summerville, SC to Charlotte, NC.  Listened to <I>Team of Rivals</I>, an audio book on CD.  Great history about Abe Lincoln and the people he chose for his cabinet.  Time flew.  I can't wait to get back in the van and listen some more.</div> <bR> <div> Spoke at Back Creek Christian School in the morning and United Faith Christian Academy in the afternoon.  I had lots of fun at these two Charlotte schools.  Everyone was very nice to me.  Smaller sized audiences meant I could interact with the kids more.  Very, very special.  Each program was a unique experience, never to be seen or done again.  I am so lucky to have this joyful and exciting way to share information I care about with young people.  I wish you could have seen the 5-8 graders at Back Creek Christian School.   And the kindergartners at United Faith Christian Academy.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, October 16, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> CHARLOTTE, NC  Nice warm fall day.  It's very dry in this part of North Carolina, but still some nice fall colors beginning to show.</div> <bR> <div> Spoke at Charlotte Latin School in the morning and made a return visit to Metrolina Christian Academy in the afternoon.  I feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to speak at such fine schools where kids really appreciate every aspect of my program.</div> <bR> <div> As Ben approached the front door of Metrolina Christian Academy, a long line of kindergarteners was heading to the same door from another direction.  Just as Ben was about to wave hello, his hat blew off and started rolling on its brim across the parking lot.  It was deja vu all over again.  I remember very clearly the same thing happening at a public school in downtown Charlotte 12 or 13 years ago.  That time the long line of kids happened to be looking in a different direction and never saw Ben.  This time, I wasn't so lucky!</div> <bR> <div> At 2:00 PM I jumped into my van and headed for Asheboro, NC, a trip of about 90 minutes.  Lovely, mild afternoon.  Great driving weather.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, October 17, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> ASHEBORO, NC  This town is famous for two things.  One, having the best zoo in North Carolina.  Two, being the geographical center of the state.  Considering the very odd shape of North Carolina, I find it pretty amazing they can even determine a center for the state.   I know some places way out west in NC are closer to the capitals of Alabama and Kentucky than they are Raleigh.  When you get on the other side of Murphy you wonder how on earth this could still be North Carolina.  On the other hand, Nags Head and Manteo seem like different worlds compared to Greensboro and Charlotte.</div> <bR> <div> Spoke to a fine group of 1st and 2nd graders at Ramseur Elementary School.  Kids were very friendly and came knowing a lot about Ben Franklin.  Thanks to all the staff who prepared the kids and ensured the success of this program.  Thanks for inviting Ben to your school!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, October 18, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> GREENSBORO, NC  Spoke at Monticello-Brown Summit Elementary School in Guilford County.   My program was well-received and nice words were spoken to me by the staff afterwards.  It was my pleasure!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, October 19, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> GREENSBORO, NC  Spoke at Colefax Elementary in Guilford County and Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.</div> <bR> <div> Friendly people and great kids everywhere I go.  Today Ben brought rain to Greensboro that was much needed.  During my first show at Colefax suddenly we could hear it pounding on the metal roof of the multipurpose room.  It rained hard during my two programs and then quit just in time for me to walk across the parking lot to my van.  Thanks for all the preparation my librarian friend did at Colefax prior to my visit!</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon program at Our Lady of Grace went very, very nicely!  Grades 3-8 were very receptive to Ben and he received kind words afterwards from the principal and the PTO person who arranged his visit.  I walked out the door feeling great.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, October 22, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> BECKLEY, WV  Spent the week at Elkin, NC at a world-class Hampton Inn.  This is the season of the leaf watchers and I was the youngest person at the hotel.  High temp Saturday was about 73 and I went golfing at a lovely course in North Wilkesboro.  Rock Creek Golf Course is the world's best golfing bargain.  I got blue sky, perfect temperatures, turning leaves, mountain views, golf cart, 18 holes of golf for $15.  And, Ben made a hole-in-two on one of the golf holes--a birdie!</div> <bR> <div> Up early and drove about 40 miles from Elkin, NC to Oakland, VA.  My route carried me right up a mountain, and what beautiful country to behold when I got there!  The early morning sky with clouds blowing fast across it, the hills and mountains, and the leaf season in full glory caused Ben to pause a moment to take it all in.</div> <bR> <div> Wonderful people at Oakland Elementary.  They knew I was on a tight schedule to make my next program, and hurried me along even though it was my tendency to hang around since everyone was so nice to me there.  Thanks!</div> <bR> <div> Drove the Blue Ridge Parkway to Gladesboro Elementary School.  A beautiful drive, and Ben followed his carefully drawn map to make sure he found the right turn off.  Thankfully, he did.  Arrived in a timely manner, and Ben had fun with the students and staff at Gladesboro.  </div> <bR> <div> From the parkway to I-77, and then Ben was traveling fast toward West Virginia.  As in North Carolina, as soon as Ben crossed the state line he brought much needed rain!</div> <div>  </div> <div> My afternoon program at Mercer School went very well.  The students seemed to embrace the show and made Ben feel just great.  Rain had subsided by the time Ben walked to his car.  Where to now? was the ever present question.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, October 23, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> BECKLEY, WV  This three week tour I'm in the middle of is shaping up to be The Mountain Tour.  I wonder if most people know how much of the eastern US is covered with mountains?  Seems most of the people live in the flat areas or the oceanside places, but gee there are some mountains in this country.  This week, Ben is in The Mountain State, West Virginia.  </div> <bR> <div> My program today was at Marsh Fork Elementary, about 28 miles into the mountains from Beckley, WV.  A nice curvy drive to a friendly school that made Ben feel very welcome.  The program went very well, and afterwards a third grade girl said to me, “You made my school go wild.”   And she did a little thing with her fingers which I suppose were people jumping up and down and going wild.  Her comment made me feel very good.  I don't suppose people expect Ben to be so lively.</div> <bR> <div> Drove back to Beckley, pointed my van north, crossed the New River Gorge once again, and two hours later was pulling into the new Fairfield Inn in Fairmont.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, October 24, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> FAIRMONT, WV  It rained all night.  It was foggy and rainy and dark when I set out for a trip to Taylor County.  Spoke at Anna Jarvis Elementary School in Grafton.  Very nice kids and staff.  Lots of fun.  Ben spoke to many kids individually between shows.  Someone said after my program I must be a teacher or a preacher!  I guess it was the public speaking fervor that was preacher-like.  And it was the fact that I asked them to remember everything I said that made me seem like a teacher.  </div> <bR> <div> Rivesville Elementary Middle School was the scene of a great time by all in the afternoon.  I liked the challenge of a grade 3-8 audience.  Kids were well-prepared and very enthusiastic.  Fun, fun, fun!  Very kind comments by the principal and several of the teachers.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks principals, teachers, and students for making this a great, great day for Ben Franklin!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, October 25, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> FAIRMONT, WV  Spoke at East Park Elementary in Fairmont at 9:00 and 10:00 AM.  Ben was made to feel well at home by the staff, and the two groups were great audiences.  Lots of fun!</div> <bR> <div> At 1:30 PM Ben spoke at Monongah Middle School.  Staff very friendly and helpful.  5-8 grades--a super audience.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> At 6:30 PM Ben spoke at Fairview Middle School, a program paid for and sponsored by the local library.  Over 100 turned out for what I thought was a very special show.  As I approached Fairview the sun came out for five minutes or so and shined on the lovely hills and trees in full fall color.  I do believe this is the only time I have seen the sun since Sunday!</div> <bR> <div> Just a wonderful day.  Everywhere I went today people were very friendly and the programs were just as good as they possibly could have been.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, October 26, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> FAIRMONT, WV  Set out into the rain at 8:00 AM for a 9:30 show at Mannington Middle School.  Having been in the area several days, I'm finally learning my way around pretty good.  Made it to Mannington with no problem.  Again, everyone was very kind to Ben.  Students were super prepared.  Lots of fun, 5 and 6 and then 7 and 8th grades. </div> <bR> <div> Made my way back to the Fairfield Inn after my visit to Mannington.  Listened to Enya on CDs and completed a book I've been reading this trip, Shelby Foot's <I>Victory and Defeat: Five Forks to Appomattox</I>.  A perfect way to end a perfect week in the mountains of West Virginia.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, October 29, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> STEPHENS CITY, VA  A solid frost on the van's windshield this morning.  Headed south on I-81 for 30 or 40 miles.  Arrived at Quicksburg, VA where I spoke to the students at Ashby-Lee Elementary School.  Jumped back into my van and headed back up the interstate 51 miles where I spoke to the students at Sacred Heart Academy in Winchester.  It was a lovely, clear, cool late autumn day!  The kind of day you'd expect to see Canada geese over head.  Thanks to the wonderful students and teachers I met today!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, October 30, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> STEPHENS CITY, VA  Spoke at Bass-Hoover Elementary this morning and again in the afternoon.  Ben was warmly appreciated by the students, and he thought they were just great, too.</div> <div> Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> Drove down I-81 for a 4:30 PM show at Shenandoah Public Library.  I purchased 3 old, fat Bruce Catton civil war books--something to read in my lonely hotel room.  My audience was mostly bright home schoolers and elementary kids, with parents.  A lively group and everybody had a chance to participate in the program.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, October 31, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> ROANOKE, VA  Spoke at Sandy Hook Elementary in Strasburg in the morning, then headed down I-81 to Ottobine Elementary in Dayton.  I saw a clown driving a car as I was heading through Strasburg.  It had a big, big smile on its face.  Programs went extraordinarily well.  I was tickled at the costumes the students <I>and</I> teachers wore at Ottobine.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, November 1, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> ROANOKE, VA  Spoke at Grandin Court, Raleigh Court, Cave Spring and Crystal Spring elementary schools today.  It's probably only happened a few times in my career . . . spoke at four schools in one day!</div> <bR> <div> Ben was very pleased, in fact <I>thrilled</I>, with the way his programs went today.  Students at every school were way, way above average in attention, behavior, and participation.  My thanks to the students, teachers, and principals at each of these schools.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, November 2, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> SUMMERVILLE, SC  Left the Country Inn and Suites regretting that I had never gotten around to going swimming in its very nice swimming pool!  Two super audiences at Roanoke Catholic School.  Everyone very friendly to old Ben.</div> <bR> <div> For the first time ever, Ben Franklin got a haircut while on the road!  I've been traveling for 3 weeks, and, well, I had some time before my afternoon program so I popped into a barber shop.  </div> <div> Very nice!</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon program was at Colonial Elementary School in Blue Ridge, Virginia.  The music teacher had seen me perform at another school in a different county last year.  Kids were very informed about Ben Franklin before I arrived, and excited to see me.  Lots of fun!  Thank you, Colonial Elementary.</div> <bR> <div> It was 309 miles to Summerville from Roanoke, so I loaded up the cd changer with audio books, and settled in for a 5 1/2 hour flight, er drive, home.  Lovely mountain scenery for the first two hours of the trip.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, November 8, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> ANDERSONVILLE, GA  Last summer Ben was contacted by the National Historic Site at Andersonville, GA to perform at Cherokee Elementary School in Americus.  Later, a visit to Southland Academy, also in Americus, was added.  So, Thursday and Friday I spoke at the two schools, and three nights I spent in an apartment on the grounds of the historic site.</div> <bR> <div> Since I love history and read something about the civil war every day, a stay at Andersonville was extremely interesting to me.  Over 13,000 Union soldiers died at this place between February 1864 and May 1865.  I was very, very impressed with the prison site, the museum, and the huge cemetery.  Everything is done solemnly and educationally.  There is no commercialism which, in my opinion, mars Gettysburg. </div> <bR> <div> So, for three evenings I walked the grounds of Andersonville after everyone else had left and the gates had been locked, and at night I read civil war stories.  A wonderful time!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, November 12, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> GREENWOOD, SC  Up early and drove to Batesburg-Leesville, SC.  Spoke at the primary school, elementary school, and middle school.  Three different programs on the same general topic.  It's always challenging for me to switch gears for the different grade levels of my audiences.  Today I used all my tricks and techniques.  Kind words from all three principals.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, November 13, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> AIKEN, SC  Spoke to 7th graders at Westview Middle School in Greenwood, SC.  This was a very satisfying program for me.  I have been told, “you had them riveted.  Or, “you held them spell bound,” or "you had them in the palm of your hand.”   Well, that's pretty tough to do with 7th graders, but Ben related with these students very well.  Very kind words from the staff afterwards.</div> <bR> <div> Drove to Columbia through such towns as Ninety-Six and Newberry.  My afternoon show was at Seven Oaks Elementary.  The very smart kids at Seven Oaks had been prepared well by their teachers, so they were ready for Ben Franklin!  It was a bright, lively audience and Ben had fun interacting with the 2nd and 4th graders.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, November 14, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> AUGUSTA, GA  Made a return visit to A. Brian Merry Elementary in Augusta, Georgia.  The local newspaper showed up with a reporter and camera person, so Ben got to explain before the program exactly what he does in his school assembly programs.  He tried not to brag, but he does feel pretty good about this program that has been 15 years in the making.  Thank you A. Brian Merry for inviting me back to your school and providing such a wonderful audience.</div> <bR> <div> Drove from Augusta to Atlanta.  Listened to Jeff Shaara's <I>Rise to Rebellion </I>which made the time fly.  Spent some fun, educational time with George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, <I>and</I> Ben Franklin!</div> <bR> <div> Completely oblivious to the 5:00 oclock Metro Atlanta traffic, I found myself at the Comfort Inn in Kennessaw at 5:48 pm.  It was a lovely evening, warm, windy, fall colors everywhere, as I set out on foot looking for a Chinese restaurant.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, November 15, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> MARIETTA, GA  Spoke at Marietta Middle School and Lovinggood Middle School in Powder Springs.  At least 1,800 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> and 8<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> graders saw my program today.  This last day of my fall schedule went just about perfectly.  Students at both schools responded very well to Ben and his program.  As if they knew this was my final show for weeks and weeks, the 8<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> graders at Lovinggood gave Ben a standing ovation when the final show was done.  A staff person said, “They loved you.”  Well, for a speaker, this is as good as it can be.  I jumped into my van on a very cool, very windy, blue sky afternoon, autumn colors everywhere at absolute peak, and drove 335 miles to home in Summerville, SC.  </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SPRING TOUR 2008"><U>SPRING TOUR 2008</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SPRING TOUR 2007"><U>SPRING TOUR 2007</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="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Magic of Reading"><U>The Magic of Reading</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>