SPRING TOUR 2008

<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>SPRING TOUR 2008</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, January 7, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> ST. AUGUSTINE, FL   I began my Spring 2008 travel season with a quick trip to Jacksonville, Florida.  Today was a lovely spring-like day, high temperature about 78.  Spoke at San Juan Del Rio Catholic School at 1:00 PM.  It was so good being back after my winter holiday of about 45 days. Kids were very appreciative of Ben.  They came knowing a lot and really got into the program.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, January 8, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> PALM COAST, FL   Another lovely Florida day.  I drove to St. John's Grammar School in Switzerland.  Students were well-prepared for Ben and the program was pretty thrilling, from my point of view.  Lots of fun.</div> <bR> <div> I had two programs at Flagler County Library in Palm Coast at 4:00 and 6:30 PM.  Great crowds both times.  Super group of seniors attended the first one.  Lively time, many nice comments afterwards.  Met one lady in particular who was so nice.  I happened to mention that I thought she was one of the nicest people I had ever met and she said people were all the time telling her that.  I suppose it would be possible for all of us to be really, really nice if we wanted to.</div> <bR> <div> The 6:30 show featured a bunch of boy scouts and a general mixture of all ages.  Met some very nice people and used a lot of them in the show.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, January 9, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> MOUNT DORA, FL   The big story today was a 70+ car crash on I-4 just south of Orlando.  I was very concerned I'd have trouble making it to my afternoon show at First United Methodist School in Kissimmee.   From the reports I got there were delays everywhere in the area, and in one or two spots all four lanes of the freeway were closed.  Actually, traffic I encountered was light.  Come to find out, the big wreck closed the highway all day.  It is still closed 12 hours after the wreck and is expected to remain closed all night.</div> <bR> <div> Kids at my afternoon program were as good as kids can be.  Ben was warmly received and felt very appreciated.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> I followed directions on my new GPS device, and, amazingly, the machine took me to my hotel in Mount Dora.  Nice!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, January 10, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> MOUNT DORA, FL   Ben met his new friend Ms. Claudia Hooks today.  Ms. Hooks invited Ben to speak to her wonderful history club students at Eustis Middle School.  I say wonderful because these students had to be wonderful to love history, be willing to come see Ben in action before school started in the morning, and be willing to help pay for the cost of the program themselves.  Well, I was inspired to speak for such an audience, and I enjoyed my time with the history club members immensely.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon show was at the Leesburg Public Library.  I spoke there last year, but now they have a fine new library.  After the show I wanted to tell the audience: “You know, you just attended my best program <I>ever</I>.”  They may not have appreciated the significance of that comment.  They may not even have believed it.  Anyway, I felt very good about the way this program went.  </div> <bR> <div> Today someone handed me a nice photo-story that appeared in the <I>Orlando Sentinel</I> Sunday, January 6, 2008.  The picture was taken during my last visit to the Leesburg Library, January 2006.  What's interesting about the photo is that it shows the bottom half of me (shoes and stockings look great) and the faces of four kids sitting on the floor.  Three of the kids look thoughtful and one of them looks <I>mesmerized</I>.  What the story doesn't say is that these kids had been challenged to remember everything I said and that their brains were in use.  The mesmerized kid was not thinking what a great man Ben Franklin was . . . he was probably thinking, “How will I remember all of that?”</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, January 11, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> MOUNT DORA, FL   The last two days it has been nice not having to drive far to my programs each morning.  I'm staying in the Hampton Inn in Mount Dora, and Eustis Middle School and Triangle Elementary are both within five miles.  </div> <bR> <div> My programs went very well at Triangle Elementary this morning.  There were many nice comments afterwards from teachers.  Someone said, “I have never heard our students so <I>quiet</I>.”  Another enthusiastically said, “terrific teaching!” and shook my hand.   These words, and the responses of the students, are what keep Ben on the road and doing his thing.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> My work week is over.  Now, time to relax, recover and read some good books!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Saturday, January 12, 2008  </B></div> <bR> <div> MOUNT DORA, FL   Today I visited Ocala National Forest in Lake County.  Lovely place!  I could live here all the time in an old RV and just hang out.  Hiked through the woods and communed with nature.  Saw birds and ducks and clear spring waters.  You need that sometime!  Stopped off at a flea market and filled my van with fun things to take home.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, January 14, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> WESLEY CHAPEL, FL   I had three programs this morning at Hudson Elementary in Pasco County.  Staff and students were very friendly.  Kids came knowing lots about Ben Franklin.  Pasco is one of the best counties I visit every year from Florida to Pennsylvania for booking programs.  Thanks Hudson Elementary and Pasco County!</div> <bR> <div> This evening I visited Quail Hollow Elementary in Wesley Chapel.  Parents and kids had fun with Ben.  Everyone had a chance to participate in the program and Ben made many new friends.  I had a great time.  Thanks!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, January 15, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> VENICE, FL   I had two morning  shows at Epiphany Cathedral School in Venice.  Lovely school, great kids, friendly staff.  Ben was treated like royalty, and the programs seemed to go very, very well.</div> <bR> <div> My new GPS unit is directing me from one place to the next very well.  I am saving a lot of time planning my travels, and a lot of worry trying to figure out how to get from one place to the next.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, January 16, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> FORT MYERS, FL   Up early and drove to Venice Middle School.  Two respectful, enthusiastic audiences.   Staff, students and <I>everyone</I> very friendly to Ben.  The school police officer insisted on having his picture taken with Ben.  Nice guy.  Thank you Venice Middle School!</div> <bR> <div> Jumped in the van and drove 60 or 70 miles south to Gateway Charter School in Fort Myers.  Very enthusiastic audience of fourth and fifth graders.  They learned at lightning speed and were eager participants in Ben's activities.  Lots of fun!</div> <bR> <div> Drove back to my motel room at the Country Inn and Suites in Sarasota.  I'm enjoying the cool spell in south Florida.  Last time I was here this time of year it was 80 every day.  Now the temperature is topping out are 72.  Of course, most of the rest of the country is really cold.  I heard the high in Charleston, South Carolina was about 45.  In Minot, North Dakota it was 8.    </div> <bR> <div> Recently Ben had an interesting experience.  For the past year and a half I have been recuperating from a painful herniated disk injury.  I am at risk for continued back problems because of the hours I spend driving, and the hours I spend when home sitting at a desk.  So, I have devised several exercise regimens for keeping a strong, flexible back.  One of the things I do, oddly enough, is squeeze on hand grips and pull on exercise bands while driving.  Now I drive a lot, and do this activity hours upon hours during my travel trips.  </div> <bR> <div> I have noticed in the past few months that my arms do not look the same as they used to.  I have distinctive bulges in my forearms and biceps that, when I first noticed them, actually shocked me.  I thought it might be arthritis but then realized these were muscles!  Well, over the years I have always shaken the hands of people who greeted me to their schools and frequently I would get the worse end of forceful hand shakes.  Recently, a big, friendly, enthusiastic school police officer reached out to give old Ben Franklin's hand a playful yank up and down, and he got quite I surprise, I believe.  We locked hands and for a second I thought we were actually going to see who could out arm wrestle the other.  Ah, I like these muscles.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, January 17, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> SARASOTA, FL   Ben's 302<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> birthday!  Oh, a cloudy, windy, mild, wonderful morning.  Low clouds.  Birds blowing around everywhere in the sky.</div> <bR> <div> I had two programs first thing at Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota.  First program the older kids were very smart and we flew through the things I wanted them to learn.  Second program the younger kids were very sweet and smart.  Lots of fun.  An exciting day!</div> <bR> <div> Between the two shows I stepped out the back door of the building into a kind of alley.  I was looking to get some of the fine, windy air to blow up among my coat and clothes to cool me off a bit.  Outside I held my hat and let the wind blow me around as it wanted.  Nice.  I was having a great time.  I saw a fat dove on a power line also enjoying the weather.  After a while I spied the white breast of a little squirrel in a small clearing in the bushes.  The squirrel was nibbling on something and apparently watching me.  Soon as I spied the squirrel, he looked away and darted into the bushes.  I guess he had never seen anything quite like me before.  I could almost imagine the squirrel blushing as I caught him staring with open mouth at three hundred and two year old Ben Franklin.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, January 18, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> SARASOTA, FL  Wonderful time at Saint Martha's Catholic School in Sarasota.  The first program I spoke to 5-8<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> grade; the second 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> - 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>.  Super audiences.  Ben could not have been happier.  Feeling great I played the harmonica and danced for the second group.  I invited a cute little girl to come forward and played while she danced.  Thank you Saint Martha's!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Sunday, January 20, 2008 </B></div> <bR> <div> CLEARWATER, FL   I am staying at the Comfort Suites in Clearwater.  I've got a million dollar view of Clearwater Beach and the beautiful expanse of water that is part of the Intracoastal Waterway that lies between Clearwater Beach and the hotel.  As I did the last time I stayed here a couple of years ago, this morning I ran from Clearwater to Dunedin.  Oh, it was quite cold and windy this morning, wind chill probably in the 20s.  I know the people in Florida hate to mention when it's cold, but it certainly was today.  High was probably in the mid-50s with a stiff breeze all day.  Tomorrow it is suppose to be very nice, as usual.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, January 22, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> PALM HARBOR, FL  Up early and off to Highland Lakes Elementary School, Palm Harbor.  As I was waiting for the K-2 group to be seated, I listened to a remarkable conversation between two kindergarteners who evidentially had not been informed who would be speaking to them.</div> <bR> <div> “It's a he,” the little boy said.</div> <div> “It's a <U>she</U>,” the little girl said, with determination.</div> <div> “It's a he,” the little boy persisted.</div> <div> “It's a <U>she</U>,” the little girl said stamping her foot.  “And that's final!”</div> <bR> <div> Come to find out the little girl's name was Mia, and she was chosen to help Ben with his program up front.  How could I not?</div> <bR> <div> My two shows at Highland Lakes Elementary went very well, and Ben received nice comments afterwards from students and staff.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> I spoke at the Centennial Park Branch Library in Holiday at 1:00 PM.   The past few years Pasco County libraries have been very nice about booking Ben when he's come to Tampa Bay.  Lots of fun today with a mixed group of seniors and home schooled kids.  Many kind comments afterwards.</div> <bR> <div> At 4:00 PM Ben performed at Clearwater Public Library.  I met some very nice home schooled students, and I met another group of enthusiastic seniors.  A very nice mix.  I spoke to a lot of people after the program including a lady who had appeared on Ed Sullivan Show and a nice man who rescues dogs and has a show and website called trickydogs.com.  People who rescue animals are saints, in my book, the best people alive.  People who abuse animals, or kill animals for any reason, are just the opposite.  Hurting animals for sport is the lowest form of human amusement.  </div> <bR> <div> To the lady who appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, “Thanks for the tip about the carpet bag.  I think you are right and I'll see if I can find one!”</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, January 23, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> LARGO, FL  A lot of rain fell over night and huge puddles were everywhere in the morning.  I drove to Country Day School in Largo, about 12 miles from where I have been staying in Clearwater.  Oh, what a fun time I had speaking outside under a large pavilion to 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >_</FONT>8 graders.  Afterwards I saw the horses the school keeps on campus.  They had several other animals in addition to 12 horses.  What a great place to go to school!</div> <bR> <div> For my afternoon show, I drove another 12 miles or so to Our Savior Lutheran School in St. Petersburg.  I spoke to K-8 and the students were an absolutely perfect audience.  After the program I was invited to speak to the older students about how I got into my line of work (Ben Franklin performer) and the various challenges I face each day doing my program.  I really enjoyed sharing this information with the interested and respectful students.   </div> <bR> <div> Afterwards I drove the 20 miles back to my motel.  My 3 week Florida trip is quickly drawing to a close.   I love meeting and speaking to all the interesting audiences I see, but it will be very nice to see my wife Ginger and my cats Ermie, Delphine, and Heidi Ho.  I don't know for sure if my cats have missed me, but I know Ginger has.  We speak every day by phone.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, January 24, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> TAMPA, FL   Up early to beat the traffic, and I did!  Drove from Clearwater to Tampa in the dark and arrived in plenty of time to walk in the door of St. John's Episcopal School at 8:00 AM.   Spoke to an absolutely wonderful audience and had a lot of fun.  After the program I believe I walked pass every student and teacher in the school, and it was like a gauntlet of joy.  Everyone had something nice to say to Ben, and I left St. John's feeling just great. </div> <bR> <div> Afternoon program at New River Library in Zephyrhills.  The branch librarian was very friendly and nice.  We had a mixed audience of seniors and children with a few parents thrown in.   Everyone was very nice to Ben, and all seemed to have a great time.  Many nice comments afterwards.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, January, 25, 2008 </B></div> <bR> <div> DADE CITY, FL  Today was the last day of my three week Florida tour.  I always make a conscious effort to finish my travel schedule on as high and positive note as possible.  As a performer you can never look beyond the show you are doing right now.</div> <bR> <div> I am happy to say the programs today went very well.  Ben spoke to eighth graders at Pasco Middle School in Dade City at 10:15 AM, and then drove to New Port Richey for two afternoon programs at Longleaf Elementary.  The staff at both schools had very kind words for Ben after the programs, and he aimed his van north at 3:15 PM feeling pretty good about the work done in Florida.  Thirty four programs in 22 towns.  Seven hours later I pulled into my driveway in Summerville.  It was 10:15 PM.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, February 4, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> PENSACOLA BEACH, FL  I looked out my hotel window before daylight and saw a sliver of a moon and a star, kind of like South Carolina's state flag.  Later, I saw the sun slowly come up over the Gulf of Mexico.  At first the sun was just a speck of red, then bigger, then bigger, then it burst into sunshine!</div> <bR> <div> At 9:00 AM Ben spoke to a great audience of 8<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> graders at Gulf Breeze Middle School.  Super fun!  Students were great sports and got into my history program quite nicely.  The staff admitted they were pleasantly surprised how well the students paid attention to my show.</div> <bR> <div> At 1:00 PM, about 3 miles away, Ben spoke to the nicest elementary students you will ever want to meet, at one of the nicest settings I have ever spoken.  The audience was Pensacola Beach Elementary School; the setting was Pensacola Beach Community Church.  Oh, what a lovely place.  Kids came knowing so much about Ben Franklin.  I said at the time, “I am in heaven!”  It was simply a wonderful day.  It was truly a pleasure watching the kids walk down the street from the school coming to the church to hear me speak.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, February 5, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> DESTIN, FL   A foggy, misty morning.  From my 3<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >rd</FONT> floor motel room it looked like we were in a cloud, which I suppose we were.  When I went outside, it felt like I was in a boat on the ocean.  I drove to Santa Rosa Beach where I was scheduled to speak to 5<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> grade students at Van Butler Elementary.</div> <bR> <div> I guess I shouldn't always say I have fun and always say the kids were great, or somebody will get the idea I don't have to work very hard.  Well, the kids at Van Butler were super and we had a great time and that is that.</div> <bR> <div> After my morning program I drove to the beach, about one mile, and parked in the fog and mist.  I could make out the sea waves crashing on shore, and I saw the flags ripping in the wind, but there was this fog or clouds everywhere.  Quite interesting.  I parked for an hour or so and enjoyed the weather.</div> <bR> <div> I made a return visit to Freeport Elementary School at 1:00 PM.  Staff and students were as nice as they could be.  The kids came to my program knowing more about Ben Franklin than any other kids in my memory, which goes way back.  They got into the program and we had a ball.  What can I say?  This is my life and right now it is a lot of fun. Thank you Van Butler and Freeport elementary schools for inviting Ben to speak to your students!  I would love to come back and do it again!</div> <bR> <div> A laptop malfunction ended my daily travel journal for this trip.</div> <bR> <div> I will recap schools visited February 6-15:</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, February 6, 2008</B>  </div> <bR> <div> W S Neal Elementary, East Brewton, Alabama and W S Harlan Elementary, Lockhart, Alabama</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, February 7, 2008</B>  </div> <bR> <div> Corpus Christi Catholic School, Mobile, Alabama and Perdido Elementary-Middle School, Perdido, Alabama</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, February 8, 2008</B>    </div> <bR> <div> Causey Middle School, Mobile, Alabama</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, February 11, 2008</B>    </div> <bR> <div> Webb School, Webb, Alabama; Girard Middle School, Dothan, Alabama; Houston Academy, Dothan, Alabama.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, February 12, 2008</B>    </div> <bR> <div> Lakeside School, Eufaula, Alabama; Abbeville Christian School, Abbeville, Alabama </div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, February 13, 2008</B>    </div> <bR> <div> Dewar Elementary School, Valdosta, Georgia</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, February 14, 2008</B>    </div> <bR> <div> Goodyear Elementary School, Heritage Christian Academy, Brunswick-Glynn County Library-all in Brunswick, Georgia </div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, February 15, 2008</B>    </div> <bR> <div> St. Peter the Apostle School, Savannah, Georgia</div> <bR> <div> My thanks to all the wonderful schools visited and people met this trip.  There were a lot of adventures crammed into these two weeks.  Every program seemed to go better and better.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, March 3, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> SUMMERVILLE, SC   Lucky Ben, I spoke at a school in Summerville, South Carolina, my home town!  The fourth graders at Sangaree Intermediate School were a wonderful audience and I was very proud to hail from the same place.  I have a tendency to gush on and on about a great audience when I meet one, and I couldn't get over the behavior of these friendly but very mature students.  Thanks!</div> <bR> <div> I departed Summerville a little after 10:00 AM and drove to Kingstree.  I had a 12 noon date with 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> through 6<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> grade at Williamsburg Academy.  Last year I spoke to 6-8 grade and had a very memorable time.  This year the younger kids were ready for a Ben Franklin experience.  Fun, fun, fun.  It was my pleasure to interact with some great kids.</div> <bR> <div> Departed Williamsburg Academy and plugged in an address to my GPS and off to Florence I went.  I must say, this Garmin Nuvi 650 GPS has changed my travel life considerably.  I've had GPS for years but never one I could really use easily and count on.  This one I can and do.  </div> <bR> <div> At 2:30 PM I presented a coupon for a $59 motel room at Wingate Inn in Florence and was very pleased when they honored it.  A few minutes later I was settling into a clean, quiet, nice room. </div> <div> I used to rely on the coupons you pick up at rest areas-with gas now consistently over $3.00 a gallon maybe I need to get back into the habit.  The money I saved on the motel room more than compensated for the extra gas expense.  In fact, it paid for all my gas and more.  A penny saved, you know, is a penny earned!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, March 4, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> FAYETTEVILLE, NC   Bad weather threatened all day.  Ominous skies as I headed to Marlboro Academy in Bennettsville, South Carolina for a 1:00 PM program.  We had a fine time doing the show!  Kids were very friendly and things could not have gone better.  I startled the receptionist when I walked in the door.  She grabbed her heart and said, “Oh!”  I apologized and she left the room and came back in a couple of minutes later, and I startled her again!  Oh, well, some folks have a low threshold for being startled, I guess.</div> <bR> <div> My after-school show at Pate-Gardner Elementary was rescheduled due to weather, so I set my GPS to my hotel in Fayetteville, and drove.  The sky was very cloudy and threatening, but bad weather held off until late at night, long after Ben was in dreamland.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, March 5, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> FAYETTEVILLE, NC  Ben visited three schools today:  Lewis Chapel Middle School and Anne Chestnutt Middle School in Fayetteville, and the after school program at Pate-Gardner in Gibson, North Carolina.</div> <bR> <div> Staff and student were very friendly at Lewis Chapel.  All of my needs were attended to and I was pretty much treated as royalty.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> Anne Chestnutt students enthusiastically participated in my program.  They had prepared 15 questions for me to answer at the conclusion of the program, and I must say these were the toughest and best questions I have ever answered.  </div> <bR> <div> I had spoken to the Pate-Gibson after school scholars last year about this time of year, so I was happy they asked me to come again.  This program was great fun, and to show my appreciation I asked the kids if they wanted me to sing them a song.  Everyone said “Yes!”  So, I sang the “Star Spangled Banner.”  At the conclusion of that long and difficult song, which seemed like an eternity to me, I asked, “Do you want me to sing another song?”  I was surprised to hear a few yes's among the no's.  A staff member said, “Don't give up your storytelling for a career as a singer.”</div> <bR> <div> When I left Pate-Gardner I set my GPS on “Go Home” and enjoyed the lovely drive through South Carolina to Summerville.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, March 12, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> FRANKLINTON, NC   I drove 275 miles from Summerville to Wake Forest, North Carolina yesterday.  Listened to books on tape and played some memory games to pass the time.  Gas is $3.17 a gallon, which is pretty depressing.  The newspaper says expect it to go to $4.00.  </div> <bR> <div> Looking on the bright side, pear trees and peaches are in bloom across North Carolina.  Redbuds are lovely now in South Carolina.  Spring is very near.</div> <bR> <div> This morning I spoke at Franklinton Elementary school, in Franklinton, North Carolina, in Franklin County.  This certainly sounds like a nice place, and it is!  Kids were super.  Staff was very friendly and helpful.  Met a boy named Tyler and I told him about the most famous presidential campaign slogan ever:  “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.”  A little girl asked me, “Who is Benjamin Franklin?”</div> <bR> <div> I don't think I've ever been asked that question before.  It was quite exciting answering it.</div> <bR> <div> I drove 90 miles east across mid-North Carolina and arrived at Kinston.  Bradford pear trees, just as they were when I was here last year, are blooming like crazy.  Basically, I think the Bradford pear is a pretty poor excuse for a tree.  It has beautiful white blossoms in spring, and it often has beautiful reddish or purplish leaves in the fall, but the branches of the tree grow in such a way that they frequently break off in wind storms or because of ice.  Sometimes a tree will break half in two, and a tree is in pretty sorry shape when it does that.  But today, at the Hampton Inn in Kinston, just as it was last year-see my travel journal for 2007-the Bradford pear trees are glorious!  I'm about to take a walk around the parking lot and imagine myself transported a million miles away by looking up into these trees.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, March 13, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> KINSTON, NC   Very friendly staff met me at LaGrange Elementary in LaGrange, North Carolina.  Everyone was nice as could be and I got my picture taken for the year book.  The kids were very friendly also, and Ben felt fortunate to meet so many nice people.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> Ben had an evening show at Contentnea Elementary in Kinston.  There was a large turn out and I met many warm and nice folks.  After the show, Ben helped draw names for door prizes.  After the program in the parking lot, a little boy asked where my horse was.  “Right where he always is,” I said.  “Sitting on the seat of my car!”  I showed the boy and his grandmother my horse.  I call him Ted and he travels with me everywhere I go.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, March 14, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> LELAND, NC   Up very early and drove into the dark night.  I had a couple hour drive from Kinston to Leland, so I had to leave at 5:40 AM to get to my 8:20 AM show.  Once I got on the road it was quite a nice drive.  There was little traffic, and just when I was beginning to get tired of the two lane road, I came to 1-40 and took the super highway pretty much the rest of the way.</div> <bR> <div> Fifth graders at Belville Elementary were a wonderful audience.  As I told the teachers afterward, I am not used to kids being so well behaved and mature.  My hats off to you, Belville Elementary!</div> <bR> <div> The drive from Leland, North Carolina to Summerville, South Carolina was aggravating.  GPS said go through Myrtle Beach, and so I did.  I would have enjoyed the ride more if I had taken Hwy 74 to I-95.  It would have been so easy compared to the stop and go beach traffic I encountered.  One thing about the GPS:  it said I would get home at 2:15 PM, and I did!  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, March 27, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> OPELIKA, ALABAMA  Yesterday, I drove to Opelika, Alabama.  Redbuds were peaking out along the highway the entire trip.  A few dogwoods were also on display.  I passed a huge construction site on the west side of LaGrange.  Looks like the world's longest building is going up.  (I later learned it is to be a car factory, Kia I believe.)</div> <bR> <div> Ben made a return visit to Lee-Scott Academy in Auburn.  Very nice people there and Ben knew he was going to have fun.  Spoke in the library, which is always a treat.  Three programs allowed me to adjust the program for the grade levels present:  1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> and 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT>, 3<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >rd</FONT> and 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>, 5<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> and 6<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>.  Thank you Lee-Scott Academy for having great kids and providing Ben a wonderful setting for doing his programs.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, March 28, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> LAGRANGE, GEORGIA   What a day!  Drove back up I-65 to LaGrange from Opelika, about 40 miles as I recall.  I had a single program at West Side Magnet School scheduled for 10:00 AM for 3-6 grades.  What a nice school!  I had a very good feeling soon as I walked in the front door, and that feeling never changed the entire time I was at the school. </div> <bR> <div> The sound system was great and was hooked up and ready to go when I arrived.  The kids seemed to be eagerly anticipating my program, and they knew how to behave in a school assembly program.  My entire time spent with the students was a joy.  After the program I received a nice email from the staff person who had been my contact.  Thank you West Side Magnet!</div> <bR> <div> After checking my phone messages, I typed in the address for my next stop into the GPS, selected a book on audio CD, and began driving across the west Georgia countryside.  It was a lovely day and surprisingly I saw a few forsythia still in bloom.  Of course, the dominant tree flowers were still redbud and dogwood.  My week was done and all I had to do was drive to my motel in Oxford, Alabama.  How challenging could that be?</div> <bR> <div> All of a sudden, about half-way into my 90 mile trip, my GPS told me to turn left, and a sign in the middle of the road said road closed!  Ooops!</div> <bR> <div> Ben always follows instructions, so I drove back the way I came to a filling station.  I bought a little $3.28 gas, and told the nice young lady tending the counter my problem.  “Well, honey, she said, you're just going to have to go back to where the sign said road closed and go that way anyway.  They've fixed that road!”</div> <bR> <div> Ben graciously thanked the nice lady, and drove back to the road closed sign and pushed on.  The road was fixed.  I could see where it had apparently been washed out and had been fixed.  Everything was ok in the world once again.  GPS was online and I could return to my book on tape.  A few minutes later I came to a town.  GPS said turn left and once again I saw a road closed sign ahead.  My first thought was “this is the twilight zone and somebody is playing a sick game with Ben Franklin.”  I saw a FedEx driver going into a convenience store and I asked him how to get to I-20.  “Ya can't go that way,” he pointed in the direction I was headed.  “Bridge out.   You'll have to go <I>that</I> way,” and he pointed in the opposite direction.  Turned out I had to drive about 25 miles away from the direction I wanted to go.  At least that allowed me plenty of time to finish <I>The Da Vinci Code</I>.</div> <bR> <div> My excursion off the interstate had been very refreshing until I ran into these little inconveniences.  I'm just glad I had all weekend to get to my destination.     </div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, March 31, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> OXFORD, AL   A cold front has swept across northern Alabama, and it brought wind, rain and, of course, cold temperatures.  It's about 50 out there right now and feels like 38 with the wind.  Ben spoke at Munford Elementary in the morning and Saks Elementary in the afternoon, both schools within 10 miles or so of Oxford.</div> <bR> <div> Not many people who went to work in Alabama today had more fun than I did.  My programs were very well received at both schools and both principals had kind words for me after the show.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> What was not so fun was the round of golf I played afterwards.  Ben did get two birdies, but golf is not quite the same when you play by yourself.  The only one who saw my birdie on the 9<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> hole was a huge swan.  He was facing the lake but his head was turned in the opposite direction watching every move I made.  He did not flap his wings when my ball rolled 50 miles an hour across the green, hit the flag, and went straight down into the hole.  I looked around, but no one had seen the incredible shot I had played.  “Oh, well,” I thought to myself, “I might as well go back to the hotel and cook a hot dog in the microwave.”</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, April 2, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> BIRMINGHAM, AL   I drove from Oxford to Lafayette early this morning.  It was a lovely drive down Highway 431.  Redbuds and dogwoods still doing their thing, and Ben Franklin doing his!</div> <div> Great group of students at Chambers Academy.  Ben was warmly welcomed by the staff and the program went as good as it possibly could have.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> After the program a boy from the first grade approached me with a stern expression on his face.  He said, “I want to have a word with you.”</div> <bR> <div> “Oh, boy, I'm in trouble now” I thought.  I bent down so I could converse with him eye to eye.</div> <bR> <div> “And what can I do for you,” I said.</div> <bR> <div> “I want you to know that I raised my hand over and over and you never called on me!”</div> <bR> <div> The toughness left the boy's expression and he began to smile a little.</div> <bR> <div> “I wish I had chosen you to help with the program, but as you are aware every student had his or her hand up.  It's a fact of life, I cannot call on everyone,” I said.  </div> <bR> <div> I departed Chambers Academy feeling great.  For a moment I had been let into their world, and it's a nice place to be!</div> <bR> <div> Hopped back on the highway and headed toward the big city.  Again, a lovely drive through hilly countryside.  I drove around the tail end of the Appalachian mountains today.  These mountains cover a huge and wonderful part of this country and I always enjoy time spent in and around them.</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon show was at Gresham Elementary in Birmingham.  Staff greeted me very warmly and made sure I had everything I needed.  Kids were great and everybody seemed pleased with the show.  I know it was fun for me!  Afterwards, I was walked to my car by the school coach, and I left feeling rather contented.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, April 3, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> TUSCALOOSA, AL   My show this afternoon was at Myrtlewood Elementary in Fosters, Alabama.  This little town 10 miles or so west of Tuscaloosa marks the extreme western boundary of Ben's travel territory.  Again, Ben was welcomed very warmly and the kids responded to my program exactly as I would have desired.  Testing is going on this week in Alabama, and I think the students are enjoying a little relief from the routine by attending my show.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, April 4, 2008  </B></div> <bR> <div> DECATUR, AL  This town on the Tennessee River is a favorite stop of Ben Franklin.  Schools call every year from this area and I feel like this is a second home.  I generally stay at the Comfort Inn and Suites, and this year thanks to Choice Hotels best rewards program in the industry, I have four free nights!</div> <bR> <div> A not-so-great thing is that every year this time when I come to Decatur, it seems to be rough weather brewing.  Last year I remember a school was let out early one day due to threat of tornadoes and I was lucky to be able to reschedule for the next day.   Another school sent children home right after my morning program.</div> <bR> <div> This year bad weather greeted Ben the first morning he was in town!  A wicked looking line of thunderstorms was displayed on the TV radar snaking its way toward Decatur.  It arrived mid-way during my visit to Chestnut Grove Elementary in Decatur.  Thankfully, no tornadoes and no lightning, just a torrential downpour for a few minutes.</div> <bR> <div> Wow, I had fun at Chestnut Grove!  Teachers were very friendly and one actually went on stage and won some bookmarks answering questions!  The kids had read about Ben and came knowing some things that surprised me.  When I asked if anyone knew something that Ben Franklin did, one girl said, “He took air baths!”  </div> <bR> <div> As the girl was making her way up to the stage, I handed her the microphone and asked her to explain what Ben Franklin's air baths were.  I must say, she handled the challenge better than anyone else in the room could have, including me.  I would say that Ben Franklin's air baths are one of many facts about our favorite founding father that make history come to life.</div> <bR> <div> After my program at Chestnut Grove, I drove to Upper Cuts hair salon and had all my hair cut off!  I do this every so often, and it is one of life's great pleasures for me.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, April 7, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> CHATTANOOGA, TN   A great day!  I woke up early and suddenly realized I would be traveling back into Eastern Time Zone, which meant I would have to leave an hour earlier than I had planned.  </div> <bR> <div> The drive from Decatur to Chattanooga was one of the loveliest I have made in a while.  Red buds continued to be the dominant sight.  Lovely against the fresh green leaves trees are putting out.</div> <bR> <div> Saw a nuclear power plant along the way that gave me the shivers, as they always do.</div> <bR> <div> I played a mental game the entire trip where I would have a great idea then would memorize it.  These ideas were mostly about ways to improve my Ben Franklin business and website.  By the time I got to Chattanooga I had 14 super ideas memorized forwards and backwards and in any order.</div> <bR> <div> My program this afternoon was at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts.  Wonderful school.  Wonderful kids.  Just like last year I had a great time interacting with these friendly, smart students.  </div> <bR> <div> Across the street from the school in someone's yard stood a 20 foot tall, 20 foot wide perfect red bud tree in full bloom.   I paused before getting into my car and took a mental picture of the tree.  Right now, I can see that picture as if I were still standing there.  There was a guy walking from the house to his car, and he still remains in the picture.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, April 8, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> CHATTANOOGA, TN   Drove to Signal Mountain for a 10:00 AM program at Signal Mountain Christian Academy.  Wow!  Wonderful!  Thanks for a great time!</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon show was at Silverdale Baptist School.  Staff was very friendly and helpful and the kids at this big school were as good as they could be.  </div> <bR> <div> Ben drove to a nearby golf course and played 18 holes.  Beautiful spring day with redbud trees in bloom everywhere. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, April 9, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> MANCHESTER, TN    A day of rest spent on the golf course in Manchester.  Another perfect spring day.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, April 10, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> NASHVILLE, TN  Drove 12 miles from my Mainstay Suites room in Brentwood to St. Bernard Academy in Nashville.  No traffic to speak of at 9:00 AM.   Staff warmly welcomed me and kids were super.  Every day, every program this week keeps getting better and better.</div> <bR> <div> I drove about 15 miles to Merrol Hyde Magnet School in Hendersonville, Tennessee.  Staff friendly and helpful, kids very, very, very sharp!  Wonderful time!  I am truly blessed with the schools that opted to have Ben speak to their students this week.</div> <bR> <div> I drove a couple of hours to a 6:00 PM show at Homestead Elementary School in Crossville, Tennessee.  I visited this school a year or two ago, but this was to be a show for parents and kids:  reading night.  Lots of fun.  Everyone, especially middle schools kids, were very nice to old Ben.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, April 11, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> PALMER, TN   As I look back at this week, it was actually the most exciting and fun <I>vacation</I> I every had!  Every school-perfect!  Doing my programs was 10 times more fun than my golf outtings, and the golf was a lot of fun.  What can I say?  Life is great!</div> <bR> <div> The alarm went off at 5:05 AM.  I departed my hotel room as scheduled at 5:40.  I drove into the darkness only for a few minutes, then it began getting light.  Lovely, wonderful drive on highway 127 south of Crossville.  I came off the Cumberland Plateau and drove through a wide valley, mountains on both sides.  Passed through Pikeville.  This is about the prettiest drive in the world.  </div> <bR> <div> I arrived at Palmer Elementary School the same time everybody else did.  Oh, it was great to be back!  I had fond memories of my visit several years ago; now, I have a whole set of new memories.  Thank you.  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> I spoke at 9:30 AM at North Elementary in Altamont, Tennessee.  Staff was very nice and the kids warmly received my show.  Afterwards I was interviewed by the school newspaper, and I also got to meet Benjamin Franklin!  The school took a picture of me standing next to a student named Benjamin Franklin.  That was pretty cool.</div> <bR> <div> I departed Altamont at 10:30 AM central time.  I told my GPS to take me home, and it did.  I arrived in Summerville at 7:30 PM.  Audio books on CD made the time fly.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, April 21, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> SMITHFIELD, VA   Yesterday, driving from Summerville, South Carolina to Franklin, Virginia, I ran into some rough weather just before I crossed into Virginia.  I was listening to an audio book on CD when I first noticed low, dark, foreboding clouds.  Then my Mazda van was engulfed in a torrential downpour on the two lane highway, and I saw road signs saying dangerous high water.  I must say, they got those signs up quick!</div> <bR> <div> Strangely enough, I drove through the storm, and it never quite reached Franklin..  The storm was moving north and I was headed east.  I guess I was kind of disappointed because I could see the storm out my motel window, but it just never reached us.</div> <bR> <div> Today, I spoke at Windsor Middle School and had three shows at Hardy Elementary, both schools in Isle of Wight County.  I had four great audiences today, met hundreds of very nice people, and all my programs went extremely well.  Hey, this was a good, good, good day!  The theme of today probably was the little things the staff at each school did to ensure a great program.  At Windsor Middle School, the teachers kept a close eye on the students and this gave Ben a chance to do his thing.  Some middle schools think its okay to have two or three teachers monitor a crowd of 350, and it's not.  Ben has to wear two hats then, his own and that of a policeman.   </div> <bR> <div> The PTA group that sponsored my Hardy Elementary visit did a very good job coordinating the three programs.  They made sure I had everything I needed; they sat the children in a quick and orderly fashion; they made sure the programs began on time; and, all the kids, even the K-1 group, came excited and knowing something about Ben Franklin already.  Thank you, Hardy Elementary PTA.  Well done! </div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, April 22, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> SMITHFIELD, VA   I visited Great Bridge Intermediate School in Chesapeake this morning.  After a few adventures getting there, I was met in the office by the principal and assistant principal.  They showed me where I was going to speak and made sure the sound was hooked up.</div> <bR> <div> Turned out the students were extremely well prepared and knew things about Ben Franklin even I had never heard before.  The students being well-behaved and very smart allowed me to digress a little and share some of my more esoteric knowledge.  “First rate.  Top of the line.  Could not have been better.”  These were my thoughts as I left Great Bridge Intermediate School.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, April 24, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> HAMPTON, VA   I drove 50 miles from Franklin to Hampton, Virginia.  My afternoon program was at Bethel Manor Elementary on Langley Air Force Base.  I remembered the school from a previous visit, but no one remembered me!  Oh, well, I go way back and this is not the first time this has happened.   The Bethel Manor kids responded very well to my program, almost as if they had seen my show last week.  They seemed to anticipate what I was going to say.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, April 25, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> NEWPORT NEWS, VA   Southeast Virginia has some of the strangest names of towns and counties I've ever seen.  I spent the night in Newport News.  My program was in James City County.  The entire Norfolk area is called Hampton Roads.  I haven't figured out whether Chesapeake is the name of a town or a county.  I love Virginia and I get a lot of bookings here, but I sometimes wish for the good old fashioned way of having counties and cities when I come here.</div> <bR> <div> I spoke at James River Elementary School this morning, and by all reports Ben was in excellent form!  When I completed my program a kindergartener gave me a thumbs up.  Hey, that's all that I need to feel great.  But then teacher after teacher passed Ben and said very nice things.  Then the principal was very, very complimentary.  The PTA person who arranged my visit also said nice words.  I would like to take credit for everything and swell my head real big, but the fact is the students and teachers had as much to do with the success of my program as I did.  A great show is always a community effort-it takes everyone!</div> <bR> <div> As I left Williamsburg and got onto I-64 I passed the huge theme park located there.  The roller coasters were in motion and people were just going over the highest peak.  I was sorry I didn't have a couple of hours to go coastering!</div> <bR> <div> There was no way of knowing, of course, the fun I had in store that afternoon at a school in Hanover County, just north of Richmond.</div> <bR> <div> As I drove north I began to notice dogwoods and even forsythia blooming again.  Ah, going back into time!</div> <bR> <div> My 1:15 PM program was at Elmont Elementary School near Ashland, Virginia.   Now if I had stopped at Williamsburg and ridden the roller coasters all afternoon I would not have had as much fun as I did at Elmont.  Without a doubt this is the friendliest and the best school in the world.   Midway through the program I knew this was a special program because the teachers had put down the papers they were fooling with and were watching the show.  The cafeteria personnel were also having trouble concentrating on tasks they were doing.  Every kid seemed riveted.  At the end of the show a teacher came forward and said with some feeling-“You were wonderful!”</div> <bR> <div> My compliments to Mr. Hardy for the truly exceptional students, staff and school I encountered today.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Sunday, April 27, 2009 </B></div> <bR> <div> PHILIDELPHIA, PA   I got up early this morning and drove from Fredericksburg, Virginia to Philadelphia.  I stopped off in downtown Philly to see the Ben Franklin sights.  First thing I saw was the Ben Franklin Bridge.  Very impressive!  This bridge is a huge green-blue thing that will take you from New Jersey to smack dab right downtown Philadelphia.  I loved it soon as I saw it.  What a decoration for a city!  Has a great name too!</div> <bR> <div> When I walked up into Philadelphia after parking underground at the Visitor Center, all my carefully made plans instantly went out the window.  I started walking anywhere, everywhere looking at all the sights.  There was Independence Hall!  Street signs pointed to all the Franklin sights.  Where to go?  What to do?  I saw a guy wearing colonial clothes standing in front of an old impressive building, and I asked him how to get to Franklin Court, the site of Ben's house, print shop.  This old fellow starts into his spiel.  “Did you know that Ben Franklin had five wives and had children by each of those wives?” he said.  “Really?” I said.  “Yeah, and he . . . “ the guy continued talking for five or ten minutes, saying mostly things he made up or 250 year old gossip I suppose.  Come to find out he worked for the bus company that offered tours of Philadelphia sites.   I met two nice ladies, one being a third grade school teacher from Florida, on the bus.  They were fans of Ben Franklin, so I talked with them a while.  I road the bus past Ben Franklin's Union Fire Company, and past his grave, but the bus tour covered a lot of things I wasn't interested in, so I jumped off, walked through China Town, and headed back to get a close view of the things I did want to see.</div> <bR> <div> First stop, Ben's grave.  On the bus the tour lady said, “on our left we are passing Christ Church graveyard, the place Benjamin Franklin is buried.”  Then she said something about the police station on the right being shaped like a pair of handcuffs, and I guess that's when I had to abandon ship.  I had to see Ben Franklin's grave.</div> <bR> <div> As I approached the cemetery, I noticed a small group of people at one corner of the graveyard.  They had also come to see Ben's grave, and when I pushed through the crowd I saw it.  I was surprised to see a number of Ben's family were buried there including poor Francis, who died at 4 years of age.  I don't know why, but people have a habit of tossing pennies on Ben's grave.  Maybe it's because he said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”</div> <bR> <div> As I stood over Ben's grave it was sobering to think that that was as close as I would ever get to him.</div> <bR> <div> Continuing my walking trip, I headed back to the guy by Independence Hall who had put me onto the bus tour.  “Oh, you back.” He said.  “Yes,” I said.  “I need to get to Franklin Court.”</div> <bR> <div> His directions were no better than his historical facts, and passersby weren't much help, and the street signs were rather confusing-but by shear excitedness and determination, I found myself at the place where Ben Franklin called home in Philadelphia.  I saw the sites of his print shop and house.  I passed under an arch that he walked through every day to walk into the city or come home.  As I went through the arch, I felt his ghost swishing by.  I have often thought about what Ben Franklin would think of me dressed up in his clothes, using his name.  Well, if that was Ben's ghost I felt, assuredly it was a friendly ghost because I was not pushed down the stairs when I went underground to the museum at Franklin Court!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, April 28, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> FORT WASHINGTON, PA   First stop today, St. Catherine of Siena School, Horsham, Pennsylvania.   Ben spoke to K-8 and the students were a joy.  Little kids, big kids, everyone was very receptive to Ben's program.   Some of the younger students came with note cards with Ben Franklin info.  Some had written down questions they wanted to ask Ben.  A great time!</div> <bR> <div> I had a few adventures getting to Jenkintown Elementary in Jenkintown.  Apparently there are two Highland Drives close by and I chose the wrong one.  Finally, I had the insight to try the other one and I finally made it to school.  The kids at Jenkintown Elementary were super.  We had a lot of fun in the high school auditorium, and the sound system was very crisp and clear.</div> <bR> <div> My evening show was at Wissahickon Valley Public Library in Blue Bell.  I think the name Blue Bell is about the prettiest town name I have ever heard.  Oh, but it was a rainy evening and we hoped it would not effect turn out for the program.</div> <bR> <div> We had a nice turn out for the 6:30 show, and I was very pleased how the performance went.  There were several lively children, in particular, I was concerned about but by the end of the show they were completely immersed in the program.  One boy shook my hand, and I accepted that as acknowledgement of a job well done.  A ten year old girl stood up in her chair and gave me a standing ovation.  Man, that made me feel great.  I kept calling her Epiphany, because that was the word on her shirt.  She finally said that was the name of her school.  Several adults had kind comments after the program, and I left feeling great!  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, April 28, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> POTTSTOWN, PA   This morning I headed up the toll pike to Harleysville to speak at General Nash Elementary.  Boy, what a nice school!  The principal was very nice and the kids were as good as could be.  Lots of fun for Ben this morning.</div> <bR> <div> I drove across country, through several quaint and picturesque towns, until I came to Pottstown.   I enjoyed being off the busy highways, and I trusted GPS to take me right where I needed to go.</div> <div> Stopped at a Dairy Queen along the way and got two chili hot dogs and an order of fries.  What a lovely morning to be out in the country!  Pink dogwoods are still the blooming champions around here!</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon program at Rupert Elementary was a media event.  At least two people were taking photos to chronicle my trip to Pottstown.   I'm sorry I won't be around when the story hits the papers!   Ben had a great time at Rupert Elem and appreciates the warm way the staff and students received him.  Special kudos to the pre-k who were very good audience members.</div> <bR> <div> This evening I drove to Lafayette Hill to speak at the William Jeanes Library.   Oh, we had a lively audience of kids and parents!  Everyone was very cordial and friendly to Ben, and he had a great time.  What a lovely area this is and a special, nice drive from Fort Washington.   I would love to live in one of the multi-million dollar homes along this road.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, April 29, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> LIMERICK, PA   I spoke to fourth graders at Evens and Upper Providence elementary schools near Limerick, Pennsylvania.  This was another lovely drive into the countryside.   These programs were rather intimate affairs with Ben and the students interacting in what was for me a very special way.   The kids were eager, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about Ben Franklin.  The Evans students were to go on a field trip later this week to the Franklin Institute.  I hope my visit inspired them to enjoy the trip more.  The teachers at both schools said kind words after my programs and I appreciated their comments a lot.  Special thanks to William Culp at Evans Elementary for his efforts in bringing Ben to the area!  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, April 30, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> EAGLE, PA  My afternoon program today was at Windsor Christian Academy.   The school was 2.2 miles from my hotel in Lionville, so it was a quick little drive to get there.  I passed over the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Highway 100 and drove into the village of Eagle.  Ben was warmly greeted at Windsor Christian Academy, and everything was set up and ready for me to speak in the sanctuary of the church.   The program was a lot of fun for me and I think the kids enjoyed it, too.  Afterwards very nice words were received from the school staff.  I departed feeling great.  What a nice school!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, May 1, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> MALVERN, PA   I spoke at Reeceville Elementary in Coatesville and at Willistown Country Day School in Malvern.  The staff at Reeceville helped me set things up and were very proud of their students, which, come to find out, they certainly should have been!  Reeceville Elementary is a reading-loving school, and their students had just won by landslide a Reading Olympics competition.  They seemed perfectly suited for the kind of learning program I do, and I certainly had fun performing for them!  Well done!</div> <bR> <div> Willistown County Day School is the kind of school I would have loved to have attended!  Music was a priority at this school, and most kids, could play multiple instruments.  Things were generally much less formal than at most schools I visit, and Ben was able to involve every student is his program somehow.  This was certainly a fun place to conclude a busy week in Pennsylvania.  Thank you, Willistown Country Day School!</div> <bR> <div> GPS led me from Malvern, Pennsylvania to Newark, Delaware.  I enjoyed what I believe to be about the last of the blooming pink and white dogwoods I will see this year.  I arrived at the Country Inn in Suites in Newark, very pleased to find a nice, quiet place to spend my last weekend of travel this year.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Monday, May 5, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> WILMINGTON, DE    My first stop today was Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Delaware.  Oh, what nice people!  The staff showed Ben around and made sure the sound system and everything else was perfect.  I spoke to K-5 students and they were as good as could be.  They came knowing a lot about Ben Franklin, and it was just a great, wonderful time!  Thank you!</div> <bR> <div> I jumped in the van and drove to St. Thomas Catholic School in Wilmington.  The audience was K-8 this time, and Ben was very impressed with the behavior of the older kids.  He expects little kids to always be perfect, but occasionally he runs into middle school kids who have forgotten how to behave in a school assembly program.  Not today.  Everyone at St. Thomas was so friendly to Ben that he really did not want to leave after the program.  He hung around awhile extra and allowed some of the little kids to take the microphone and ask him questions.  The questions were very intelligent ones and Ben did his best to answer them.  My very best to everyone at St. Thomas Catholic School! </div> <bR> <div> <B>Tuesday, May 6, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> BALTIMORE, MD   I left my hotel in Newark, Delaware at 7:50 and headed south on I-95.  Allowing plenty of time for traffic, I arrived well in advance for my first program at Glenmar Elementary in Middle River.  Oh, these were very good students and came knowing a lot about Ben Franklin.  This was an exciting, fun program with many kids having a personal part in the show.  A French-speaking student helped with the electrical experiments by counting in French for us.  First time I've found someone to really play the part of the Frenchman in the experiments.</div> <bR> <div> I drove north on Hwy 40 to St. Stephen School in Bradshaw.   What a lovely school and place to visit!  Of course, the students were perfect and Ben talked and talked and talked.  Lots of fun.  I think I stayed a little too long at St. Stephen because I was a little late getting to my third program of the day.</div> <bR> <div> Shady Spring Elementary students in Baltimore were energized and ready for Ben.  They had studied well and they were primed for action.  A more enthusiastic and lively group Ben has not seen in many, many years!  Oh, this was a great day!  My compliments to the teachers for preparing the kids so well.  Thanks also for being able to adjust to Ben's tardy arrival.  This very seldom happens, but I knew it would be close today and should have managed my time a little better.  I left Shady Spring Elementary feeling great.  What a super audience!! </div> <bR> <div> <B>Wednesday, May 7, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> ELLICOTT CITY, MD   I enjoyed a leisurely start to my day by relaxing in my Comfort Suites hotel.  I read the paper for a long, long time, and then typed in my travel journal.  At 10:45 I followed my GPS directions to Trinity School in Ellicott City.  My audience was a very mature group of 5<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> - 8<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> graders.  They knew a lot about Ben Franklin and they knew a lot of history, and I suspect they did not have to prepare much for my visit.  With an audience like this-a very rare occurrence-Ben can share pretty much everything he knows.   Staff and students were very friendly to Ben and it was just a wonderful time.</div> <bR> <div> Drove north to Lutherville Laboratory School in Baltimore County just north of I-695.   Ben was warmly received and obviously all the students were looking forward to his visit.  The little kids were especially lively and excited.  The older kids in the second program displayed great knowledge of Ben Franklin and his times and eagerly participated in the show.  Lutherville is a warm, friendly school, and Ben thanks everyone who came up to shake hands or simply have a word.  Rarely have I seen kids so enthusiastically share information they had been studying about Ben Franklin.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Thursday, May 8, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> MOUNT AIRY, MD   I drove west on I-70 from Ellicott City to Mount Airy.  The friendly staff and students at Mount Airy Christian Academy provided Ben a lot of hospitality and fun.  I felt the students were very lucky to have such and nice, happy place to go to school.  I know it was a joy for me to be there.  Thank you, Mount Airy Christian Academy.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Friday, May 9, 2008</B></div> <bR> <div> WINCHESTER, VA   My travel south from Mount Airy took me through Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.  Geographically and historically this is a very interesting place.   The river cuts its way sharply through some abrupt hills and mountains.  Of course, this place is famous as being the site of John Browns failed rebellion.</div> <bR> <div> Winchester is also famous. As a Civil War battle ground no city was fought over and changed hands more.  I was there to speak at Senseny Road Elementary School.  It was a rainy, dark, cool day, but the staff and students at Senseny Road could not have been better prepared for Ben's visit.  Just a wonderful time!  Ben was made to feel very welcome, and the 3-5<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> graders were perfect in every way.</div> <bR> <div> My school year was complete on May 9, 2008.  I drove down the Shenandoah Valley, across North Carolina and South Carolina, and pulled into my driveway about 9:30 PM.  Wheee!</div> <bR> <div> I look forward to a summer of reading and music practice (digital piano, guitar, harmonica) and golf and relaxing and getting ready for my travels next year.  Thanks to every school and library who booked my program this year!</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id154.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FALL TOUR 2008 "><U>FALL TOUR 2008 </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FALL TOUR 2007"><U>FALL TOUR 2007</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Magic of Reading"><U>The Magic of Reading</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Album"><U>Photo Album</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>