SPRING TOUR 2003

<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 2003</I></div> <div> WEEK ONE, JANUARY 13-17, SOUTH CAROLINA</div> <div> Mon, Jan 13, 2003</div> <div> Today I visited a place called Townville in northwestern South Carolina.  This place should be called Out-In-The-Country-Ville.  First thing I saw was a field full of black and white cows.  Then I saw mountains about 15 miles off in the distance.  Townville is the absolute perfect place to live, in my opinion.  You can drive through Townville in thirty seconds.  But it is so pretty and peaceful there!  And they have a really nice elementary school that seems to straddle the line of Anderson and Oconee Counties.  </div> <bR> <div> I met a student named Jonah at Townville Elementary who knew a lot about Benjamin Franklin. He was one smart kid.  First thing he said was Ben Franklin proved that lightening was electricity.  When someone says that I know they are smart, because that is one of the most important things Ben did and very few people, even teachers and principals, know it.</div> <bR> <div> I ate lunch, a cold sweet potato, parked on a lonely road in front of an abandoned school.  There were wood shutters on the windows.  I know it was a school because there was old playground equipment in the back and a flagpole out front.  Lots of kids probably went to that little school over the years a long time ago.</div> <bR> <div> After Townville, I got back on the interstate and drove toward Greenville, South Carolina.  Very soon I was right back in civilization, and I was sorry to see the traffic, the highway construction, and the signs for Burger King, MacDonald's, and Wendy's.</div> <bR> <div> Today's learning tip:  If you have a tape recorder of some kind, you may be surprised to find that you can speak into the tape recorder and solve problems.  This morning while driving, I spoke into the tape recorder for a long time and settled some things I had on my mind. Sometimes talking into a tape recorder is even better than talking to people, because tape recorders have a lot more patience . . . and are seldom known to criticize.  I call the tape recorder the world's greatest electronic learning device, and I use mine (I have several) every day for learning and self-improvement.</div> <bR> <div> Tue, Jan 14, 2003</div> <bR> <div> Today I drove through the foothills of South Carolina.  The mountains that form the border of South Carolina and North Carolina were always in view.  A very lovely site to people who don't get to see it every day.  It was a cool, crisp winter day--just the kind of weather Ben Franklin likes.</div> <bR> <div> My first stop today was Holly Springs-Motlow School, which is located somewhere between Greer and Campobello, South Carolina.  When I called for directions they said, just drive up Holly Springs Road toward the mountains.  The mountains are a natural compass around here, always letting you know which way you are headed.</div> <bR> <div> Now Holly Springs-Motlow School is just the nicest place you would ever want to visit.  The principal, Mr. Craft, is very nice; and Donna Bolt, the media specialist ensured all the kids were ready for Ben Franklin's appearance.  Ms. Bolt helped in a thousand ways including loaning me two rubber bands to hold up my socks!  Her warmth and niceness made me feel right at home instantly.</div> <bR> <div> I thought today's performance at Holly Springs-Motlow School was as satisfying to me as any I have ever done!  Everything was just perfect.</div> <bR> <div> There was a smart little boy, Heath, who answered many questions and won many bookmarks.  Not bad for a kindergartener!  </div> <bR> <div> One thing every kid at Holly Springs-Motlow knew before I arrived--Ben Franklin was not President!</div> <bR> <div> Later, I drove through Campobello and Inman, South Carolina to get to Boiling Springs. I met many alert and energetic 4th and 5th graders at Hendrix Elementary in Boiling Springs.  The principal there, Ms. Dawn Neely was exceptionally helpful and kind to Ben Franklin, which was appreciated.  All my best to the kids at Hendrix Elementary!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Wed, Jan 15, 2003  </div> <bR> <div> LANCASTER, SC     Ben Franklin had a hard time getting from point A to point B today.  Actually, I had no problem getting to Greenville and Gaffney, but once in the vicinity of where I was to speak, I just couldn't seem to find my way the last mile.  Shannon Forest Christian School in Greenville was easy to find, but I went to the high school instead of the elementary . . . and got caught in the change-of-class rush.  The big kids thought I was cool, but I didn't believe them when they told me I had to go across the highway to the lower school.  I should have.</div> <bR> <div> Ben's not likely to ever meet a more polite, well-mannered group of kids than I spoke to at Shannon Forest.  They watched with endless patience as I searched for someplace to plug in my microphone.  They were very smart and I had to speed things up a bit to make it challenging.  After the program, I stopped by the playground to speak to a group of four-year olds.  One little boy asked if I was a soldier.  “Yes, a very old soldier,” I said.  </div> <bR> <div> Gaffney was a problem because they are tearing out the highway on the exit where I had to get off (Exit 92), and they haven't figured out where they want the new highways they are building to go yet.  Roads just travel along for fifty yards and then stop!  I was on three different streets called Frontage Road, all designed to carry you away from your destination, wherever it might be.</div> <bR> <div> I am glad I finally made it to Luther Vaughan Elementary in Gaffney. Magical things happened there.   I met a little boy named Darrell who answered all the questions and won all the bookmarks.  His teacher gave him a big hug afterwards.  He really didn't look big enough to be as smart as he was.  And he was sitting down there with the very little kids.   After the program Ben Franklin was besieged by friendly students asking questions and wanting $100 bills.  I passed out all that I had (sure!).  </div> <bR> <div> I drove from Gaffney, SC to Lancaster, SC on an afternoon when the temperature kept getting colder.  I saw a lot of trees, and a few hills, and a lot of old trailer homes with bushes growing out of the windows.  Most everybody has moved to Rock Hill, Charlotte, Spartanburg, or Greenville, it seems.</div> <bR> <div> Learning Tip for the Day:  Your imagination is your greatest friend when it comes to remembering things.  Picture the thing you want to remember.  See it clearly in your mind.  Today, I wanted to remember an idea I had when I was in Duncan, SC.  So I pictured a giant golden donut (Dunkin' Donuts!) on the highway where Duncan is.  That picture in my mind reminds me I had a valuable idea in Duncan.  Next time you have something important to remember, imagine a crazy picture of it.  The human imagination is the least used natural resource on the planet.  Read about and discover different ways the imagination can be used.  Think of your imagination as a treasure chest from which you can take out vast riches, if you first learn how to open the chest!</div> <bR> <div> Thur, Jan 16, 2003</div> <bR> <div> SUMMERVILLE, SC     Spent an enjoyable morning at Buford Elementary near Lancaster, SC.  This is a new school and lots of work is still going on outside.  Inside everything runs smoothly and orderly.  The children are very well mannered and friendly.  With over 800 students Buford is one of the largest schools I have visited this year.   The staff and students were so nice to me.  Thanks!</div> <bR> <div> In my introduction to the second program, I admitted to the older kids (3rd, 4th, 5th graders) that I was not Ben Franklin.  They took it pretty well.  Then I apologized to Ben for my interpretation of his character.  I have never done that before, but then I do take liberties with my rendition of Ben Franklin.  Honestly, I doubt if he would have been quite as animated as I am.  Well, if he spoke to kindergarteners every day he would be!</div> <bR> <div> Heading home, I got two miles down the highway when I stopped for an historical marker.  "Buford Massacre."  Revolutionary War.  English killed over 100 retreating American soldiers.  I got out in the windy cold and walked around the small area near where the event occurred.  I saw a single grave with a tiny headstone.  I wonder if that grave belong to a Revolutionary War soldier.</div> <bR> <div> Driving mostly two lane highways from Lancaster County to Summerville, a trip of about three hours, I passed the time reading a book!  It was a light mystery I had purchased in audio cassette form at the Summerville Library used book sale.  A good book, and the miles, and Ben Franklin, flew.  Before I knew it I was pulling into my driveway. </div> <bR> <div> It is good to be home!  The two cats didn't bother to run to the door to meet me, but LaShang was at the food bowl when I got to the kitchen.  I decided to take the rest of the day off . . . but then the phone started ringing.</div> <div> WEEK TWO  JANUARY 24-27, GEORGIA AND FLORIDA </div> <bR> <div> STATESBORO, GA  This is a fine college town and county seat now, but Statesboro has a peculiar history.  Founded in 1803 by 1880 the town had the whopping total of 25 residents, just about the same number that live on our cute little cul-de-sac, Ravenwood Court.  Prior to 1880 Statesboro's dubious claim to fame was that General Sherman's troops had burned the courthouse, a wooden structure that was mostly used as a barn.</div> <bR> <div> My route to Statesboro carried me pretty much on the line (in reverse) Sherman traveled in 1864.  That Christmas Sherman gave Lincoln the city of Savannah as a Christmas present.  Many people also believe Sherman had a lot to do with Lincoln being reelected for President that year, with his successful and destructive “March to the Sea” from Atlanta.  You have to read about it!  </div> <bR> <div> If it hadn't been for Lincoln, Grant, and Sherman, I doubt if the Union would have won the Civil War.  In fact, take away any one of those three and the Union may well have not won the Civil War.  Although the U.S. should have easily won that war, being so superior in numbers and manufacturing resources, it came very close to not doing so.</div> <bR> <div> You may wonder why I am interested in the Civil War.  Well, there is an important Ben Franklin connection.  Had Ben not encouraged the French government to join the Revolutionary War on the side of the American colonies, America likely would not have won that war.  Had the South had a Franklin and been able to get the English or French to help them in the Civil War, the outcome likely would have been different.  Most American's have no idea how close we came to having a completely different history.</div> <bR> <div> Like a magnet it seems the larger cities of Georgia, as in South Carolina, have sucked the people out of surrounding towns and counties.  Savannah is big.  Statesboro is growing, too.  The Wal-mart distribution center here is the largest in the world, at 2.2 million square feet.  Sherman would be astounded to see Statesboro now!</div> <bR> <div> In Statesboro I visited Sallie Zetterower Elementary School and Bulloch Academy.  Everyone was so nice to Ben Franklin today.  I had a ball speaking to the kids in Statesboro.  All except Carolina.  Now Carolina is a very smart girl who knew that Ben Franklin's face is on the hundred dollar bill, but she thinks George Washington is more important than Ben Franklin.  Can you believe that? </div> <bR> <div> Wed, Jan 22, 2003</div> <bR> <div> TALLAHASSEE, FL   It's not easy to get to Tallahassee from Statesboro!  But for the most part it is a lovely drive along gently rolling two lane highways!  Anybody looking for a less crowded and slower pace of life, I recommend southern Georgia, land of the pecan tree and the peanut.  People are friendly and there are a number of just-right sized towns, like Douglas, Cordele, Americus, and Thomasville.</div> <bR> <div> Now, I spent today in Tallahassee.  I'm wearing a T-shirt outside and it's January 22!</div> <bR> <div> I visited a school with a history today:  Roberts Elementary School.  They had a picture of the school as it was from 1897 to 1950.  Wood siding.  One room.  Kids playing in the front yard.  Now you should see the school!  This is one of the most attractive schools and school locations I have ever seen.  Everything is neat, clean, state-of-the-art, and shiny new.  I really loved the huge clock they have out front.  It told Ben Franklin he better get his buns inside because he was almost late!</div> <bR> <div> The drive from my motel (the Best Western on Mahan Drive) to Roberts Elementary was a fairyland drive!  My favorite tree is the live oak, and there were approximately one million along that 8 or 10 mile stretch of roads.  I say roads because I had to take five or six different roads (thanks Yahoo! for directions) to get there.</div> <bR> <div> If you want to walk in Ben Franklin's foot steps, drive to Tallahassee.  Stay in the Best Western on Mahan (be sure and bring a coupon and you'll save about $10 on the room).  Download directions to Roberts Elementary School (on Centerville Road) from Yahoo!  A word of advice.  Take a left on the first major road you come to after you pass under the interstate highway I-10.  Yahoo!'s directions are great until this point, then you just have to guess!  There was a bad moment this morning when Yahoo! left old Ben hanging out to dry.  I finally decided to go on instinct and chutzpah and boy was I glad when I came out on Centerville Road.</div> <bR> <div> By the way, here's something I thought was funny that happened at Robert's Elementary.  I asked, “Does anyone know some of Ben Franklin's words of wisdom?”  Out of 300 kids, one hand went up.  I said, “Great!  What did Ben Franklin say?”  The fifth grader said:  “Aren't you the one who said, `Imagination is more important than school'?” I said, “No, I believe that was Albert Einstein!”</div> <bR> <div> Thur, Jan 23, 2003</div> <bR> <div> CORDELE, GA  Today it's 40 below in southern Georgia, or at least it feels like it.  Ben Franklin has been battling the wind and cold all day.  If he doesn't catch a cold and die all over again, it will be a miracle!</div> <bR> <div> My travels today carried me from the canopy roads of Tallahassee to Bainbridge, Georgia, to Donalsonville, Georgia, and up to Cordele.  I spoke at Maclay School in Tallahassee in the morning and Seminole Elementary School in Donalsonville in the afternoon.  I spoke to many, many knowledgeable Ben Franklin experts today.  My only regret is that every student cannot be a part of my show.  Everybody needs a chance to show off; I know I enjoy it!</div> <bR> <div> I will be speaking at Southwestern Elementary in Cordele tomorrow morning, the third time I have visited this school.  Ben Franklin is bringing a new program to Southwestern this time:  The Magic of Reading Part Two:  History Comes to Life.  This program combines two loves:  reading and history.</div> <bR> <div> I have a secret to share with you:  Miller County, Georgia.  This is a very lovely place with very few people, a winning combination these days.  And the Florida coast is right down the highway!  I remember the white sand beaches of Pensacola, the best in the land!</div> <bR> <div> Fri, Jan 24, 2003</div> <bR> <div> SUMMERVILLE, SC  Super audience at Southwestern Elementary in Cordele.  Turned out most students hadn't seen my program before, so I gave them the original Magic of Reading.  The kids were as polite as any I have ever seen!  Ms. Vivian Breed gets my vote for principal of the year.  I suggested we place the kids in a horseshoe arrangement so that they would surround Ben on three sides.  This puts more kids closer to the action, and as a performer it just feels better than having the kids stretched out before you in block rows.  Ms. Breed thought it worked very well.</div> <bR> <div> The people in Hawkinsville, Georgia are about as friendly as they come.  Years ago I remember a very special occasion at the Hawkinsville Library.  This afternoon I arrived in town early.  A kind-faced little old man came up to the van and asked if I needed help.  He was wearing a red checked flannel shirt and a bright red hunting cap, with ear flaps.  I was half-dressed as Ben Franklin and half-dressed as Rich Davis.  I had been stuffing my pillow into my vest on the other side of the van, and when I came around the van he gave me a look.</div> <bR> <div> “I'm going to be speaking to the kids at the elementary school in a few minutes,” I quickly explained.  The old man reached out his hand and introduced himself.  I told him who I was and what I did and he left.  I really think he was disappointed I didn't have a flat tire so he could call a tow truck or something.  Real nice people are not in short supply, you just have to know where to find them.</div> <bR> <div> I was very warmly greeted by all manner of people when I arrived at Pulaski Elementary School.  Seldom do I get such a welcome.  The kids had obviously been studying about Ben Franklin and were all experts on old Ben.  I heard someone say, “He doesn't look like Ben Franklin.”  And another said, “He doesn't sound like Ben Franklin, either.”</div> <bR> <div> Funny thing happened, though.  When the program began they all found out . . . I <I>was</I> Ben Franklin.</div> <div> WEEK THREE, JANUARY 27-31, FLORIDA</div> <bR> <div> Tue, Jan 28, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> LEESBURG, FL         Departed Summerville, SC yesterday about 9:45 a.m.  Pulled into Leesburg a little before 5:00 p.m.  That’s a nice bit of driving.  I-95 to I-10 to Hwy 301 and so forth.  </div> <bR> <div> The news is that Davis is battling a thing with his chest, throat, and voice.  Being Ben Franklin requires speaking in a certain way, and that way, when accentuated for large audiences of young people occasionally takes a toll.  For the past several days I have noticed pain in the area of my chest and throat.  Monday morning returning calls to folks in Georgia and Virginia, they heard a sorry croaking Rich Davis.  It is painful to speak and even more painful to hear myself.  It’s a bit scary when a public speaker has problems with his voice.  I mean, it’s like a seeing eye dog going blind.</div> <bR> <div> Well, I have never canceled a program for lack of voice.  Actors and speakers are blessed with a good fairy that ensures that no matter how sick they are they can almost always perform.  It is like every healing force in the body rushes to do its little part to make sure the big guy gets the job done. I have noticed this hundreds of times.  My wife calls the fairy adrenaline, but that takes all the wonder and romance out of it.  I will always believe that as a speaker a special power is with me.</div> <bR> <div> Tampa won the super bowl Sunday, and now Ben Franklin is coming to town!  I am sure everyone there is saying, "Life is sweet!"  After two programs this morning in Leesburg, I roll into Tampa for an evening program in Largo.</div> <bR> <div> Wed, Jan 29, 2003</div> <bR> <div> PORT RICHEY, FL    Ben got a wonderful welcome, and had great experience meeting the kids and staff at Florida College Academy in Temple Terrace, a north Tampa community.  Since Ben only went to school two years, I offered to enroll in the third grade at Florida College Academy.  I know I would have fun and learn a lot at this school.  If ever a school was like a big family, this one is.  Every student is a valued family member.  Every student seems to have a part in the making of the school.</div> <bR> <div> Someone asked if I’d eaten any cold sweet potatoes lately.  It’s nice to know I have a reader of this journal!  Anyway, you could live on sweet potatoes; nutrition-wise I believe they are the absolute best.  And a culinary tip:  don’t put butter or anything on your sweet potato!  Sweet potatoes, carrots, and home-grown beets are the tastiest things that come out of the earth and they require no butter, salt or anything. </div> <bR> <div> My special friend also asked about my Albert Einstein program.  She said I look more like Einstein than Ben Franklin!  Well, the program is called Memory Magic.  Anyone who has seen my Ben Franklin program knows that I love all things that aid learning and memory.  After all, the goal of my Magic of Reading program is for the audience to remember everything.  So I use memory aids to help.  As a public speaker, I have found memory techniques to be invaluable, and it just seems to make sense that every kid should have a learning toolkit to help with learning and study.</div> <bR> <div> So, I developed a program called Memory Magic with Albert Einstein to teach kids these techniques.  At the present, I no longer offer the program for several reasons:  1.  I crack up every time I try to talk like Albert Einstein  2.  I hate the glue you have to use to attach the Einstein mustache  3.  It just gets confusing being a different genius every day.</div> <bR> <div> My advice to every student is this:  Collect your own memory and learning techniques!  Have five or ten special methods that you really count on to speed and improve learning.  I mention a few of my favorites in other places on this website.  Become knowledgeable of these and other techniques, and you will soon be a learning genius.  Nothing seems sillier to me that to wait until you go to college to learn how to learn!   </div> <bR> <div> Thur, Jan 30, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> JACKSONVILLE, FL    I know I’m not likely the first person to make this observation: Much of central Florida looks a lot like Texas!  A lot of open range land and cows.  Low-growing live oak trees.  Not as many hills as Texas.</div> <bR> <div> This morning I visited Deltona Elementary in Spring Hill.  We did three 30 minute programs back-to-back-to back!  Kids and staff were great.  Many of the kids were wearing these neat little hats they apparently had made themselves.  Deltona is a large school (over 900 kids) with a lovely central courtyard.  Nice plantings!</div> <bR> <div> I drove from Spring Hill, to Brooksville, to Ocala (where I bought a sack of oranges and another of grapefruit), to Starke (my favorite Florida town), to Jacksonville.  Dinner was a Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s, $2.99.  </div> <bR> <div> I returned a call to Virginia today at lunch time.  They were letting school out early:  snow!  At that moment it was at least 100 degrees inside my car in Florida.  I guess that’s why so many folks move to this place.</div> <bR> <div> One of the thrills I get is to speak to people at schools in Florida who sound just like people from New York City.  It’s the only time I ever hear that accent, except in the movies or on TV.  </div> <bR> <div> Here’s a question for you:  what is the largest city, area-wise, in the U.S. ?   My bet is Jacksonville.  Norfolk and Virginia Beach are also huge.  A bookmark to anyone who sends me a list of the largest cities (in area) in the United States. </div> <bR> <div> Fri, Jan 31, 2003</div> <bR> <div> SUMMERVILLE, SC    One of the great things about my job is returning home every week from far-flung places.  I blew in from Jacksonville, hardly having noticed the four-hour drive.  Listened to Samuel Pepys' famous diary on tape.</div> <bR> <div> May I take a moment to possibly save you some money?</div> <bR> <div> Ben Franklin’s two favorite words to describe the path to success were:  industry and frugality.  Just read his famous Autobiography and see how many times you encounter those two words, often together.  I try to be industrious, but frugality comes to me naturally.  Ben said:  "A penny saved is a penny earned."  These days, with the taxes we pay, I’d say a penny saved is at least five cents earned!</div> <bR> <div> Anyway, an experience I had in Jacksonville may put some money in your pocket.</div> <bR> <div> I bopped into town running on empty . . . me, not the van.   After three back-to-back-to-back programs yesterday morning, and a drive of four hours or more from Spring Hill, I was dragging.</div> <bR> <div> Now comes a challenge I normally handle pretty well--finding a cheap, nice motel room.  I live and die by Roomsaver coupons, which save me several hundred dollars a month during the school year.</div> <bR> <div> I could have sworn I had a coupon for the exit on Blanding Road where I’ve decided to stay.  I look in the coupon book:  nothing.  I call up the Country Inn and Suites, and they want $109.  I go in the La Quinta and beg for mercy.  With my super duper AAA card, I swing a room for $53, plus tax.  I’m fairly contented with that, so I invest in a $2.99 Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s and go to bed pleased with the world.</div> <bR> <div> I was putting away my things this afternoon and found the coupon I had for La Quinta:  $43.00  per night.  Oops!</div> <bR> <div> As long as I’ve lived, blowing $10 needlessly still gets my goat.  </div> <bR> <div> I immediately decided to use this accident to learn a lesson and so never be caught short again.  It took me fifteen minutes to develop a plan to organize and manage my coupons day-by-day on the road.  I’m very happy now.</div> <bR> <div> So, how does this put money in your pocket?</div> <bR> <div> Use motel coupons you pick up at interstate rest areas (or order over the phone, as I do) every time you stay in a motel.  These discounts are better than AAA, AARP, Commercial Rate, or any rewards programs.  You won’t get a free room, but no one at that motel will be paying less than you.  This has been my experience, and I spend at least 100 nights a year in motel rooms.  I mostly use the green Traveler Discount Guide and Roomsaver.com.  Note:  It’s best to use the guides and the internet service, as you will have a few more motels to choose from. </div> <bR> <div> For lower-priced motels like Comfort or La Quinta, you’ll probably save $10-20 a night over the AAA rate.  The other night at Best Western, I paid $49, and the guy ahead of me paid $79.  For that reason, I usually wait till high-paying folks move out the door before I whip out my coupon.   No sense in spoiling their good night's sleep, or embarrassing the motel clerk.</div> <bR> <div> I’ve also found that I can talk down (bargain) with about 50% of innkeepers, but I only bother to do this if no coupon is available.  Coupon in hand, I always get a great rate.  When I do bargain with hotel folks, I call ’em from the parking lot with my cell phone, just so I won’t lose face if they refuse.  Also, I rather imagine that when a person comes in the door they pretty much think they have you; but if you call, you will just be a gift if you decide to come.  They are pretty surprised when I walk in less than one minute after sealing the deal.  Ask for the promotional rate.  That’s the lowest rate non-coupon folks can get.</div> <bR> <div> WEEK FOUR, FEBRUARY 3-7, GEORGIA</div> <bR> <div> Mon, Feb 3, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> ALPHARETTA, GA         Back on the road, where I look forward to fun in the day and excellent sleep at night.  I get the best sleep of my life in motels.  Speaking three, occasionally four times a day, I’m exhausted by 4:00 p.m.  In the off season I am a restless sleeper, always getting up before 5:00 a.m.  When traveling and speaking, I sleep like a teenager.</div> <bR> <div> Funny thing happened today at Garrison Mill Elementary in Marietta--Ben Franklin knocked his hat and wig lopsided in his enthusiasm to make a point. That must have been a sight to the K-2s in the audience, but they politely never let on my hair and hat were askew.  After the program I ran to the restroom and set things straight.</div> <bR> <div> I remember in Bainbridge, Georgia, my eyeglasses broke in half during a program.  I went from Ben Franklin to Uncle Ben on the oatmeal box. </div> <bR> <div> Once, as Albert Einstein, my mustache flopped half off, so I removed it the rest of the way.  After the program I heard a member of the audience say, "One minute he was Albert Einstein, next time I looked up I could have sworn it was Harpo Marx!"</div> <bR> <div> Kudos to the 4th and 5th graders at Dunleith Elementary School in Marietta this afternoon.  They were as courteous and well-behaved as any group of older kids I have had this school year.  Hats off--not literally--to the kids and teachers at Dunleith!</div> <bR> <div> Tue, Feb 4, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> ALPHARETTA, GA         I drove around the Atlanta area again today.  Out to Craig Elementary in Lawrenceville in the morning.  I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to make sure I got to my 8:30 program on time.  Everything about the Craig Elementary performances was absolutely perfect, to my way of thinking.  It is such a pleasure when kids are so well-behaved and courteous.  Usually there are one or two kids (at least) in every audience who have other things on their minds than my show.  Sometimes I’ll look down and see two kindergartners carrying on a serious conversation at my very feet . . . . Well, not at Craig Elementary.     </div> <bR> <div> I was also blessed to make an appearance at Mill Springs Academy in Alpharetta this afternoon.  Usually, it’s my job to make sure kids have fun; today, I had fun!  I met a boy named Henry at Mill Springs Academy who thought the electrical experiment might be scary, but he handled it just great.  In fact, Ben touched Henry first!  And they all went down!  I really enjoyed meeting and talking to Henry.  Of course, I liked everyone at Mill Springs Academy!  I felt so welcomed and appreciated.  Mill Springs Academy will also be remembered as the place where Ben Franklin got his first fan club members!  I was so pleased!  </div> <bR> <div> I was also pleased--almost thrilled-- that several kids mentioned things they had read in my travel journal and about the Magic of Reading Challenge!  </div> <bR> <div> As I was walking out the door, they were having a class discussion on what type experts the kids would like to be.  Someone said dinosaurs, somebody else said history, someone else said diving!</div> <bR> <div> Thur, Feb 6, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> AUGUSTA, GA         I visited Fellowship Christian Academy in Roswell and Colonial Hills Christian School in Lithia Springs yesterday and had a great time.  What I do is challenging and exciting and it is so satisfying when things go well.</div> <bR> <div> I never take my performances for granted because I know what can happen when things don’t well.  Nothing we do is fun, exciting, and wonderful all the time.  How you respond when things don’t go well shows people what you are really like.  Next time you find yourself about to behave badly because things aren’t going your way, simply decide not to!  Bad times may last only minutes but poor behavior may be remembered forever!</div> <bR> <div> One of the challenges I face in my traveling is getting from one place to the next safely.  Everywhere I go I see crosses along the highway that remind me that driving is dangerous, and a moment’s carelessness can cost a person everything.  This is a major challenge for me because I drive so much.</div> <bR> <div> You may ask, how can you remember to drive safely at all times?  You may not believe this but I have an invisible companion who travels with me everywhere I go.  He’s my traveling sidekick.  One thing about him, he’s a stickler for safety.  "Hey Davis, buckle up!"  "Pay attention now, this is a tricky stretch of road."  "Why not turn your lights on, it’s a little foggy out."</div> <bR> <div> My invisible friend is a person I once knew who had a terrible accident.  He did not die, but he was gravely injured.  Somehow, I just started imagining this person traveling with me, being my bodyguard.  Every time I find myself in the slightest danger, my friend appears in my mind.  </div> <bR> <div> We can all have imaginary friends to be bodyguards, counselors, or math tutors!  Your friend might even be a famous person from the past to give advice whenever you need it, like Albert Einstein or Ben Franklin.</div> <bR> <div> The magic of imaginary friends is that they can and do help us!  If we enjoy this activity in a spirit of fun, and do not try to force things to happen, we may find our friends a great help and comfort to us.  </div> <bR> <div> I would not recommend telling others about your imaginary friend because many people ridicule what they can’t see and don't understand.  If your imaginary friend helps you, he or she is good; if your friend doesn’t, well . . . find another one!</div> <bR> <div> By the way, this activity of imaginary friend making requires only imagination, which we all have.  It does not require effort, knowledge, or high intelligence.  This, like most of the really worthwhile things we do, is a form of play! </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Fri, Feb 7, 2003</div> <bR> <div> SWAINSBORO, GA     North Carolina has its Waynesville and Statesville; Georgia has its Waynesboro and Statesboro.  Today, I’m a few miles from Statesboro at Swainsboro.  Confusing, eh?  I was a hero at Swainsboro once before.  Eight years ago or so I spoke at the library here and felt like a hero when I was leaving the building.  Being a performer is fun that way.  After a show people often gather around you to look at you close-up and ask questions.</div> <bR> <div> I frequently recommend to others that they do what I do.  The first step is to find someone in history that you like.  The second step is to develop a program that will be entertaining and educational for others.  The third step is to dress up like your famous person and practice your program.  The final step is to schedule performances everywhere.  You become better and better the more you do your program.</div> <bR> <div> I met a friendly person yesterday at Bungalow Road Elementary School in Augusta.  He was talking about possibly applying for grant money so he could do something special.  I said, "You can do something very special right now, and make money.  You don’t have to ask anyone’s permission.  You can start right now."  </div> <bR> <div> I think this would be a wonderful thing for kids to do.  Make it a summer or vacation project to begin with.  Do your programs for free at churches, libraries, daycare centers . . . all over your community.  Have fun.  Do the best job you can each time.  Make your program a little better every time you do it.  By the time you get to high school, or even before if you want, you could make some extra spending money.  </div> <bR> <div> I have heard of a high school student in Brunswick, Georgia who performed in his community as Peter Pan.  In Wilmington, North Carolina another student put together a program about Amelia Earheart.  Before I decided to become Ben Franklin, I attended presentations done by James Madison and Leonardo da Vinci.  I also had a friend who occasionally became Socrates, in order to sell this book he had written.   I suppose these programs and performers gave me the idea for what has become a challenging, exciting, and rewarding job.  </div> <bR> <div> It’s now 5:32 a.m. so I better begin thinking about the day before me.  I have two performances in the morning and two in the afternoon.  The big challenge will be getting from the first school to the second.  I will not have a minute to spare, and the schools are 73.9 miles apart!</div> <div> WEEK FIVE, FEBRUARY 10-14 NORTH CAROLINA</div> <bR> <div> Mon, Feb 10, 2003</div> <bR> <div> WASHINGTON, NC      I read a book about Jane Austin yesterday as I drove from Summerville, South Carolina to Washington, North Carolina.  Time flies when I listen to books on tape while driving.  Last week I read a book about Ghost Soldiers in World War II.  These were men who lived in a prisoner of war camp in the Philippine Islands for over three years.</div> <bR> <div> I frequently advise young people to take The Magic of Reading Challenge:  find something you love and read about it until you know more than anyone else.  Well, a teacher asked me last week what subjects I had learned more than anyone else.  Not many people know more about Ben Franklin than I do.  I also know more memory techniques than anyone else I know.  I know a lot about mind control--that is, ways to stay positive and happy.  I know more about the American Civil War than 99 out of 100 other people.  These just happen to be a few of my hobbies.  The ultimate purpose of The Magic of Reading Challenge is to find something that will make your life better.  Certainly knowing about Ben Franklin and memory have made a big difference in my life, since I make my living using this information.  Anyone can do the same thing.  Students have a job:  to do well in school!  They can reach this goal by learning better ways of learning.  Become a student of learning.  This is a great hobby to form at a young age.  Students can also use The Magic of Reading Challenge to develop interests that may become a full time career later.  </div> <bR> <div> I spoke at John C. Tayloe Elementary in Washington this morning.  First program I had hundreds of second graders.  Second program I had hundreds of third graders.  I had fun and I think everyone else did, too.  Except possibly for the little boy who muttered when he saw me:  "He doesn’t look anything like George Washington!"</div> <bR> <div> This afternoon I will be spending time thinking about my new program.  The Magic of Reading Part II:  History Comes to Life.  This presentation features a story about Blackbeard the Pirate.  Interesting.  Washington is located right in the middle of Blackbeard’s territory in Eastern North Carolina.  I don’t doubt old Blackbeard walked right down what is now known as Highway 17 at one time.  There is a Blackbeard’s Restaurant next door, where I just may get my dinner.</div> <bR> <div> Wed, Feb 11, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> LUMBERTON, NC         Yesterday I drove down Hwy 17 from Washington, NC to Pollocksville.  I liked Pollocksville because it is located on a river.  Also, I had a lot of fun speaking to the kids at Pollocksville  Elementary!  Yesterday evening I spoke at the Kinston-Lenoir County Library where I met a number of nice kids and their parents.  A lot of home schoolers were in the audience.  Libraries are always my favorite places and librarians my favorite people.</div> <bR> <div> I woke up very early this morning and took Hwy 13 toward Fayetteville, NC.  That was probably an unlucky number.  A detour took me right through downtown Fayetteville.  I finally reached my destination:   Red Springs, NC.  I spoke for the third time at Flora McDonald Academy.  I just love their auditorium . . . and well-behaved kids.  I was so proud when everyone seemed to remember everything about Ben Franklin from my last visit.  This time I spoke about The Magic of Reading Part II:  History Comes to Life.</div> <bR> <div> This afternoon I spoke at Piney Grove School near Lumberton, NC.  I loved the big pine trees all around the school.  The school really is in a neat pine grove!  Lots of kids gave Ben a warm welcome.  Everyone at the school was kind and friendly.</div> <bR> <div> So, it is 4:54 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2003.  Typing this in my Comfort Suites motel room, I can look out my window and watch the cars and trucks speeding along I-95.  Interstate highways are like the rivers used to be:  busy!  When I saw the Neuse River in Pollocksville yesterday, I thought I would like to buy a little boat and travel up and down some of the rivers I keep driving over at a high rate of speed.  Not too much traffic on rivers these days, I don’t think.  Except maybe on the weekends during warm weather.</div> <bR> <div> This will be a short week because I had to reschedule two schools I had planned to visit Friday.  </div> <bR> <div> Fri, Feb 14, 2003</div> <bR> <div> SUMMERVILLE, SC     It was heartwarming yesterday to return to Cliffdale Elementary School in Fayetteville, North Carolina and speak to the Allstars!  They remembered a lot from last year and seemed pleased to see old Ben again.  We had a great number bite the dust in the electrical experiment!  My only regret, as always, is that every single student could not become part of the show with Ben Franklin.  Everyone is a star and needs his or her day in the sun!</div> <bR> <div> I-95, my old friend, provided a quick return home from Fayetteville.  </div> <bR> <div> Having a rare day off during the school year, I plan to update my website . . . and do a hundred other things.  </div> <bR> <div> Two skills I am so happy I have taken the time and effort to learn:  writing and public speaking.  I can remember very easily when I wanted to write but didn’t know how very well.  I was in my first years of college!  One day I just made a conscious decision to learn how to use all the punctuation marks, and how to write a number of different types of sentences.  Very soon, I found my writing greatly improved.  Ever since, I have had a skill that has been very enjoyable and valuable to me.  Writing is one of the two chief ways I have of communicating with the world.</div> <bR> <div> I came to public speaking fairly late in life.  I believe I always knew I wanted to speak before groups (I was a great performer in the classroom, much to my teachers’ aggravation!), but my introduction to public speaking came about in the strangest way.  In 1991 I was teaching English at Asheville-Buncombe Community College in Asheville, North Carolina when I was asked by the head of the English Department to teach a public speaking class!  </div> <bR> <div> All of a sudden I had a new hobby, a compelling interest that I spent much time developing.  I took the Dale Carnegie public speaking course.  I joined Toastmasters, International.  I continued to teach public speaking.  I began preparing programs I could present before large groups.  In a year or two I found that speaking was more exciting and paid more money than teaching.  Plus, you were your own boss and could do exactly what you pleased!</div> <bR> <div> I stumbled onto Ben Franklin about a year after I began my public speaking efforts.  We’ve been pals ever since!  </div> <div> WEEK SIX, FEBRUARY 24-28, NORTH CAROLINA</div> <bR> <div> Tue, Feb 25, 2003</div> <bR> <div> FLAT ROCK, NC      This morning was homecoming.  Returned to Asheville, NC to conduct a program at Asheville Christian Academy.  I first dressed up as Ben Franklin in the spring of 1993 as I recall.  My first program was at Pack Memorial Library in Asheville, a night I will never forget.  The show was called the Magic of Talk with Ben Franklin.  Lots of my Toastmaster friends were there.  Lots of people from the community were there.  My little brother and his littler brother were there.  You only have a night like that several times in your whole life!</div> <bR> <div> Anyway, had a lot of fun at Asheville Christian Academy.  The kids seemed glad to have Ben Franklin to visit rather than George or Abe!  I learned that Ben Franklin signed the Halifax Resolve.  I gotta look that up.</div> <bR> <div> After the program I called my little brother, Phillip (he goes by Phil now), a senior at a high school in Leicester.  We resumed our communication last year after a hiatus of several years.  He’s tall now.  Well over six feet.  He’s the same nice kid he ever was though.  We spent a week last summer kayaking in the creeks and ocean around Charleston, SC.  We were matched by the Big Brother, Big Sister program because we were creative, brainy and loved to read, I suppose.  I can still see him at seven years old sitting on the front row at Pack Library watching Ben Franklin do his thing.  Occasionally, when I speak to audiences these days, I see children who remind me of Phillip back then.  Sometimes I even see an ungainly kid that reminds me of myself about a hundred years ago.  Poor thing!</div> <bR> <div> Tonight to Hendersonville, NC for a evening performance at the library.  I have spoken there before, though I am sure no one remembers.  It was a Toastmaster public speaking competition.  My topic was the miracle of shaving cream.  I did not win.</div> <bR> <div> I received two emails today from people further along in my schedule this week.  Looks like a chance of snow in Western North Carolina.  Snow is not good for Ben Franklin for it boggles up the schedule, makes travel difficult, and costs money.  Once I got snowed in at Manteo, NC for three or four days . . . .</div> <bR> <div> Wed, Feb 26, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> HICKORY, NC     Ben was up early this morning and hit the road before daylight.  No snow or ice out, that I could see.  Twelve miles from Flat Rock and I was headed down the mountain!  At the bottom of the mountain, at Columbus, NC, I turned onto Highway 74 and headed toward Charlotte, NC.  I remember a black night five or six years ago when I stopped along Hwy 74 and looked up into the sky.  The comet Hale-Bopp was gloriously traveling across the very dark sky.  I think we all should experience what everyone experienced before electricity--endless nights looking at the moon and stars against unlighted skies.</div> <bR> <div> First stop today, Windsor Park Elementary in Charlotte, NC.  I give the principal, the teachers, and the kids at Windsor Park all A+!  The two hours I spent at Windsor Park Elementary went by like twenty minutes.  I met an interesting 5th grader for whom I predict great things in the future.  His name is Honore Likulumbi II.  He was actually chosen as part of the electrical experiment, but he volunteered at the end of the program to answer any question I might have.  I said, "Any question?" He said "yes."  So, in front of the large group in attendance, I began asking him questions rapid-fire about Ben Franklin, history, reading.  He never hesitated a second but answered each question instantly and correctly.  I was astounded.  Standing in front of a large group is intimidating to most folks and causes their mental processes to slow down and be a little less sure.  Honore responded today in a way that suggests to me an unusual talent and confidence.  Hats off to you, Honore!  I hope you find a good way in the future to put your natural gifts to use.</div> <bR> <div> Took a shortcut to Hickory from Charlotte and managed to stretch an hour’s drive into two hours!  A cold, dark, murky day.  I’m ready to go back to Florida!</div> <bR> <div> Thur, Feb 27, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> STATESVILLE, NC     Remember a few weeks ago when I was in Statesboro, GA?  Well, here I am in Statesville, NC . . . all cold, wet and snowed out of my program tonight at the Mocksville, NC  library!  Oh, well.  Hopefully my programs in Winston-Salem and High Point will be held.  Looking out my motel window I see a hillside of trees covered with ice.  It is really very beautiful.</div> <bR> <div> I spoke at Davenport School in Lenoir this afternoon before an extraordinary audience of young people.  First, everybody knew a lot about Ben Franklin.  They were ready for my appearance!  Second, even the little children were very well behaved.  The audience can make Ben look good or bad; today, Davenport kids made me look and feel good.  A fourth grade teacher came up to me after the program with a big smile on her face and many kind words to say about the program.  Afterwards, she asked if I would say a few words  to her class and I was glad to do it. In fact, I would have given this kind teacher’s class another complete 45 minute program, if they could have stood it!  One person can sure make a speaker feel great!  This teacher, whose name I will likely never know, will be remembered a long, long time!  </div> <bR> <div> It is wonderful to have an encouraging and smiling person in the audience!  It is the opposite to have a frowning, preoccupied, or otherwise poor listener in attendance.  Occasionally, teachers grade papers and do other paperwork--or even talk--during my program.  I hate to be the one to tell them, but that is not very nice!  Teachers should model the behavior they want and expect from their students.  </div> <bR> <div> So, here I am in the Sleep Inn off I-40 in Statesville, wondering whether there will be school tomorrow down the highway in Winston-Salem.  The weather forecast looks pretty good; the scenery outside my window tells a different story.</div> <div> WEEK SEVEN, MARCH 3-7, ALABAMA</div> <bR> <div> Mon, Mar 3, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> OPELIKA, AL   Another super day on the road!  Visited Five Points School this morning and Cleburne Elementary this afternoon.  Five Points is a small town on Hwy 431 between Opelika and Roanoke, Alabama.  Cleburne Elementary is located in Heflin, AL.</div> <bR> <div> It is interesting driving from LaGrange, GA to Five Points, AL to say the least.  There is a huge lake between these two places that makes getting from one to the other a challenge.  Yahoo! took me on a shortcut through some scenic lake and woodsy terrain.  Was I glad to finally see Hwy 222, which leads to the school and apparently forms one of the five points of Five Points!  </div> <bR> <div> Hwy 431 is a nice drive along steadily ascending countryside from Roanoke to I-20.  I finally saw a few small mountains which cheered my heart.  After my afternoon program in Heflin, I turned right around, drove back down Hwy 431 all the way to Opelika.</div> <bR> <div> What do I remember about today?</div> <bR> <div> A boy at Five Points had his face painted to look like Dr. Seuss’ cat.  Also, it was a flu day at school and many of the teachers were out.  The kids were great at my program, however.  As he was leaving the gym, one boy said to a friend, "I loved that show!"  That made my day!</div> <bR> <div> Another thing that made my day was an email from Emily at Cleburne Elementary.  She said her fourth grade class thought my program was FANTASTIC!  She also wanted to know if I remembered her.  Well, I know I remembered her, but I’m not exactly sure which one she was, if that makes any sense.  Emily is considering becoming Ben’s first fan club member from Alabama.</div> <bR> <div> I haven’t offered any learning tips lately.  Let’s see.  Emily asked why Ben Franklin loved to read so much.  The answer may make for a good learning tip.  I emailed Emily that Ben Franklin loved to read because he was so smart and wanted to know everything, and there were not enough smart people around to answer all his questions.  The only way he could learn everything he wanted to know was to read about it.  Each of us is not blessed with wonderful parents, wonderful teachers, great schools, and all the advantages that we would like to have.  But, through reading and libraries, we have access to all the information in the world.  We can take the responsibility to educate ourselves in things we want and need to know.  We can all become geniuses in something and make ourselves valuable to others through our knowledge.  In my travels I follow school busses down rural highways and through depressed city neighborhoods and watch them unload kids at some not so very nice places.  I want these kids to know that they can rise as high as they want to in life.  Right now they can begin a process that can make them heroes in just a few weeks, months or years.  All each kid needs is a path, something very clear and specific to do.  If that path does not come from an adult, and it rarely does even in great families, the young person must select it him or herself.  We can latch onto things that will carry us unfailingly to success and happiness.  "Hitch your wagon to a star" Ralph Waldo Emerson said.</div> <bR> <div> Tue, Mar 4, 2003</div> <bR> <div> TUSCALOOSA, AL     When I’m in North Carolina, I think basketball.  When I’m in Alabama, I think football.  This town is one of the great football capitals of the world.  Like Daytona is for auto racing.  And New York is for baseball.</div> <bR> <div> The older I get the less I am thrilled by watching other people play sports and the more thrilled I am playing games I devise myself.  My favorite sport was baseball and I can still remember the excitement of playing under the lights on a warm summer evening.  </div> <bR> <div> This morning I spoke to 400 first graders and then 400 kindergarteners at Smiths Station Primary School.  I had some concern about the second program because I’ve never spoken to an audience of just Ks before.  And 400 is a lot of them!  I thought the kids, and Ben Franklin, did just great!  It’s funny--the better the kids are, the better Ben Franklin looks, and vice versa.  Very nice people at Smiths Station Primary School, a place where the oldest kid is in the first grade!  </div> <bR> <div> The only thing I didn’t like about my visit to Lee County, AL is that every street in the county is named Lee Road!  Following Yahoo! directions I naturally arrived nowhere near my destination.  They renamed all the streets a few years ago to help EMS find their way around.  Personally, I think somebody made a big goof!</div> <bR> <div> This afternoon Ben helped celebrate Read Across America week at Ogletree Elementary School in Auburn.  Parents, if you are looking for a place to move so your child will attend a super school, come to Auburn, AL!  Ogletree Elementary has a lovely office, a super library, and a great little stage area to hold programs.  When Ben arrived there was a big sign:  Welcome Dr. Rich Davis!  That was nice.  Davis really gets very little attention, it is always Ben Franklin.  Well, this afternoon he got it.  </div> <bR> <div> As we were fooling around with the electrical system trying to get the cordless microphone to work, the nice lady who arranged my visit to Ogletree turned to me and said, "Do you know anything about electricity?"  She’s asking Benjamin Franklin.  ELECTRICITY.  Get it?</div> <bR> <div> This evening I got another email from my friend Emily at Cleburne Elementary.  She joined my fan club as my first member from Alabama!  Then, she won a prize by answering correctly the question I pose in my travel journal:  What is the name of another person in the picture with Ben Franklin?  I have been waiting for someone to get this.  Emily, my hat is off to you!  </div> <bR> <div> Sat, Mar 8, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> DECATUR, AL    Things have been a bit crazy the past couple of days.  Thursday morning I left my suitcase outside my motel room at the Shoney’s Inn in Tuscaloosa then drove blissfully up the highway to a little town called Brilliant.   The third graders knew all about Ben Franklin at Brilliant Elementary, and we had a fine time debating the finer points of Ben’s life.  After the program kid after kid brought Ben excellent full color posters each had created.  If the posters make it home intact, I plan to put the best ones on my office wall, and post one or two on my internet site.</div> <bR> <div> After Brilliant, I hopped back in my Mazda MPV and followed my Yahoo! maps right into the hills of Alabama to where the paved roads become dirt and the dirt roads end abruptly on the side of a cliff!</div> <bR> <div> Let’s back out of this dead end and head the opposite direction for a few hours!  I limped into Decatur, AL about sunset.  Imagine my surprise when I popped open the rear door and saw no suitcase!  Looks like I’ll be living pretty rough on the road these next eight days I will be away from home!</div> <bR> <div> Friday morning dawned a new day, and except for the fact that I could hardly move due to a painful lower back, most of my troubles were behind me!</div> <bR> <div> The suitcase had been located and the motel promised to send it to South Carolina.  I had stopped by Dollar General and bought enough supplies to last me a few days, including tooth brush, floss, and toothpaste for $1.00!</div> <bR> <div> Visited East Lawrence Elementary School a few miles west of Decatur Friday morning.  The kids were extra nice and very well-behaved.  I got my picture taken at least 100 times, including several times by a newspaper lady who interviewed me for a story.  I prefer pictures to be taken during the show while I am in action.  Ben feels pretty silly smiling into a camera and I am sure looks silly too.  The kids were eager to have their photos struck with old Ben, so I should not grumble.  East Lawrence is a reading/literacy school and everyone is crazy about books there.  They were even having a meeting of reading specialists from all around the area when I was there.</div> <bR> <div> Friday afternoon I followed Hwy 72 to Florence, AL and visited Riverhill School . . . a place where children and teachers have fun.  I believe that having fun at least doubles the speed of learning, so having fun is definitely a good thing when it comes to school.  When schools are very large, having fun sometimes gets replaced by maintaining control and achieving clearly stated results.  Learning is not a mechanical process to be put out in assembly-line fashion.  Learning is organic and occurs best in a free, natural, loving environment. Anyway, when I arrived at Riverhill, they had just completed a student-teacher volleyball game and the outcome was still being seriously debated.  As I was doing my program I saw something I have never seen before in any of the 1,000 plus programs I had ever done:  very little girls sitting in the laps of bigger girls.  It was such a sweet sight it almost distracted me.  Something else I loved about Riverhill:  hardwood floors!  When I left Riverhill they gave me a few nice little things with the Riverhill logo on them as mementos of my visit.  What a super place!</div> <div> WEEK EIGHT, MARCH 10-14, TENNESSEE</div> <bR> <div> Mon, Mar 10, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> DAYTON, TN   I’m at a place I’ve never been before, but have certainly heard about.  Every educated person in America knows what happened in Dayton, Tennessee.  If you don’t, look it up!  As a visitor to a town, it is not polite to bring up ancient history that is not especially flattering.  I hope they will forgive me for even mentioning it, though I am not going to say anything else.</div> <bR> <div> This morning, bright and early, I drove to the top of a mountain that overlooks Chattanooga and the Tennessee River.  Signal Mountain!  Across Chattanooga on the opposite side is Lookout Mountain.  How many towns do you know that have two prominent mountains on their horizons?  I feel the history that surrounds Chattanooga.  A big civil war campaign was fought around this place.  The battle was actually carried to the top of Lookout Mountain!  The Rock of Chickamauga was immortalized around here someplace.  I would love to have a good history of this place and the time to read it right now.  </div> <bR> <div> I was at Nolan Elementary on top of Signal Mountain this morning.  I heard an elementary school student play the piano like Mozart, or so it sounded to me.  Later, spelling champions were crowned and citizenship awards passed out.  I was the honored speaker, and I was honored to speak to such an accomplished group of young people.  All in all, quite a celebration!  I walked away from the school with a parent and a three year old being carried in her arms.  I complimented the little girl on watching my entire show and inquired if she was ready for a nap.  Mom said no, she was hungry!  I am glad I have that effect on people, just like a good movie or a baseball game.  Mom and daughter climbed into their mini van, and Ben Franklin sheepishly clicked open the door to the MPV and piled his old self inside.</div> <bR> <div> I drove down the Tennessee River to South Pittsburgh, TN for an afternoon program.  Richard Hardy Memorial School is an imposing edifice, if I ever saw one.  A huge stone building with an old auditorium that old Ben just fell in love with!  I spoke to K-8, and the eighth graders were as polite as any junior high school students I’ve ever seen!  A couple of them became experts.  One boy answered every question Ben asked.  When it came to remembering what it had heard, his mind was a steel trap.  I was invited to return to Richard Hardy Memorial School soon, and I hope it is next year!</div> <bR> <div> Tue, Mar 11, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> MURFREESBORO, TN        Remind me next year to not come to Tennessee in March!  Apparently there is a basketball tournament to be played in the state shortly, and everywhere I go I am lucky to find a room . . . forget about getting a deal on a room!  Well, the Hampton Inn did honor my $59 coupon for tonight, but tomorrow night they are jacking the rate to $89!  I will sleep in the van before I pay over a hundred bucks (with tax) for a motel room!</div> <bR> <div> My programs this morning at Rhea Central Elementary in Dayton went, in my humble opinion, fantastically!  The only problem was hooking up the sound; once we got that settled, Ben and the kids were cooking!  </div> <bR> <div> Ever since I arrived in Tennessee (yesterday) I have been hearing about this Ben Franklin commercial on TV.  Well, I am not the guy who does the commercial.  I have seen it several times in Georgia and agree the commercial is pretty cool.  But I haven’t seen it enough to actually try my hand at doing the dance and singing the song, which many kids and several teachers have requested.  When a girl mentioned it again this morning, I asked her if she knew anyone who could show me how.  She introduced me to Montana, a boy not at all shy or reserved.  Montana kicked off my second performance by doing the dance, singing the song for everyone!  I wonder if he will ever forget the day he sang and danced in front of a couple hundred people.  I am not likely to forget it for a long, long time!</div> <bR> <div> After my programs I drove for a couple of days across Tennessee to get to Murfreesboro.  I went up and down three or four mountains until I finally came down out of the clouds for good.  Several times it was like I was in an airplane looking down.  Houses and trees so tiny below.  The only thing was I was going 15 miles an hour instead of the speed airplanes travel at.  By the time I got to McMinnville, I was so depressed and hungry from the pokey-mokey driving, that I stopped at a fine Chinese restaurant and partook of the buffet.  $5.40 plus a dollar tip, and I had two plates of some good eating!  I could have eaten another two plates, but Ben has to watch his figure!</div> <bR> <div> I drug into Murfreesboro this afternoon only to learn that the basketball tournament I had heard about in Dayton was also to conflict with my travel here--across the universe!  Right now I would not give you five cents for all the basketball players and basketball games in the world.  Ben Franklin’s favorite sport was swimming! </div> <bR> <div> Wed, Mar 13, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> MURFREESBORO, TN    Yesterday I drove 26 miles to Franklin, TN where I spoke to the nice kids at Moore Elementary School.  They have a really nice school and everyone was friendly and helpful.  It’s nice to give Ben Franklin a little attention and help with program setup before the kids arrive.  Rushing around at the last minute is not what any speaker wants to happen before a program.  That’s why I arrive 25 minutes before the show is to start!  Moore Elementary staff were very helpful in this regard.</div> <bR> <div> After the program, I scooted the 26 miles back to my motel room in Murfreesboro.  I spent a relaxing afternoon reading and napping and eating an occasional Hershey’s candy bar.  I was advised by the staff at Moore Elementary to visit some of the famous sites around Franklin, and it was a beautiful day for it, but I sightsee as I drive, and everything out my window wherever I go is interesting to me.  I do intend to read up on the famous civil war battle fought at Franklin.  It is one of the few I know nothing about.  When I know more about it, next time, I may try to stop.</div> <bR> <div> Fri, Mar 15, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> CROSSVILLE, TN    Did you know that Murfreesboro was once the capital of Tennessee, and that the town missed by one vote becoming the state capital permanently?  Murfreesboro, according to my sources, is at the exact center of the state of Tennessee!</div> <div>      </div> <div> So much for our lesson for today.  First stop Thursday morning was Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro.  I had an absolutely perfect audience and the program went about as good as it possibly could have.  Maybe even better.  After the program Ben was cornered by four older girls who wanted to recite the Preamble of the Constitution for him.  They were very sweet but I absolutely refused to do the Ben Franklin dance for them that everyone is talking about.  </div> <bR> <div> Headed to McMinnville for a 3:00 p.m. library program.  I arrived on a very windy afternoon, and was concerned for my hat and hair as I walked to the building where the show was to be held.  McMinnville is famous for its nurseries.  Everywhere around the town for miles in any direction are trees and shrubs being grown in neat rows on the hillsides.  McMinnville should also be famous for its nice folks, because everyone was so kind to me.  As a performer in show business, I need just a little stroking from time to time, and I got a week’s worth at the Magness Community House and Library in McMinnville.  Everyone came up to me and said something nice after the program.</div> <bR> <div> As I was leaving an older man in the parking lot said, "So you are going to Crossville!"  I said "yes."  He said, "You ever been to Crossville?"  I said, "Yes, but not from this direction."  He said, "You can’t miss it.  Just get on 72 and stay on that highway until you come to Crossville."  "Sounds simple enough,"  I said.  "I guess if I can’t miss it, I won’t miss it!"</div> <bR> <div> The upshot of that conversation?  I missed Crossville!  I got all the way to Cookeville before I realized I’d missed my road!  I was mad about two minutes then decided that the road I missed might well have taken me longer to get to Crossville than the one I remained on.  It was less painful to think about it that way than to think I had just missed a shortcut that would have saved me 30 or 40 miles. </div> <div> WEEK NINE, MARCH 24-29, VIRGINIA</div> <bR> <div> Mon, Mar 24, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> VIRGINIA BEACH, VA     Out my window is the blue Atlantic Ocean.  I have a private balcony, two beds, a refrigerator, and a color TV all for the ridiculous price of $35.  This room goes for about 200 bucks a night during season, but it's not season!  March in Virginia Beach . . . nobody is swimming but the seagulls.</div> <bR> <div> I drove from Summerville, SC to Rocky Mount, NC yesterday.  A nice drive.  All the snowbirds were heading back up to New York from Florida along the great America flyway, I-95.  This morning I was up early and headed to Courtland, VA for a morning show at South Hampton Academy.  Oh, I had a good time there!  Friendly people.  Well behaved kids.  Fine sound system.  What else could I ask for?</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon program was at Emily Spong Elementary School in Portsmouth.  We had booming sound there and kids that were well mannered and sweet as they could be.  They didn't know what to make of Ben Franklin for awhile, but once they figured out he was harmless they really got into the show.  Afterwards, Ben received compliments from the principal for the excellent teaching methods used in the program.  I am very proud of the memory aids I use and the many other things I do to enhance learning.  When I get a compliment about my teaching methods, it's an ultimate compliment.  One I treasure.</div> <bR> <div> I am not about looking like Ben Franklin. (Who would want to look like him?)</div> <div> I am not about acting like Ben Franklin. (Ben Franklin would be a little subtle for most elementary schools kids, I believe.)</div> <div> I am a teacher.</div> <div> I am a performer.</div> <div> My program is a seminar on learning while it is educational entertainment for children.  </div> <div> I interact with children in a special way and make them learn and laugh.</div> <div> I want children to know that through reading they can educate themselves, develop a life-long enjoyable habit, and possibly change their lives by becoming an expert in something.</div> <bR> <div> Tue, Mar 25, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> RICHMOND, VA     So, where does the happiest man in the country live?  Virginia Beach!  Where is the best place to live in the country?  Virginia Beach!  I read these facts in the Virginian-Pilot newspaper this morning. But most of the day I spent ducking low flying fighter jets in . . . Virginia Beach!  Must have been practicing for the war in Iraq.  Actually, VB is one of my favorite towns because a number of schools have invited me to speak here in the last year or so.</div> <bR> <div> I noticed a really neat thing today.  In the "Teacher of the Year" parking slot was a shiny new red Thunderbird convertible!  Now I don't really believe that sports cars are the prize that schools give for this award, but wouldn't it be nice!</div> <bR> <div> I breezed into Richmond this evening.  Dinner was at Aunt Sarah's Pancake House.  I ate eight!  I had a nice, large salad and the house dressing was apparently Tabasco sauce!  It looked like French and I dumped liberal portions on my salad.  Wow, it was hot!!</div> <bR> <div> Wed, Mar 26, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> LEXINGTON, VA       The sky was the story today.  From Staunton to Lexington was the most interesting and beautiful sky I have ever seen.  If you took that sky and simply duplicated it on a flat canvas, you would create a great work of art, which I believe could be enjoyed and studied endlessly.  Every spot in the sky was filled with various shades of gray, white and almost black clouds in every sort of swirl and puff and mound imaginable.  And when the white wispy clouds actually dipped below the mountains all the way to the ground, a super three-dimensional effect was achieved.  Think about it.  Most of us only see the bottoms of clouds, which make them appear two-dimensional.  When we see three dimensions, it is simply awesome!  Later at my motel in Lexington, I looked out my window and saw the sky explode.  One second the sky was dark; the next it was like someone had struck a match and the clouds in the area of where the sun had just set ignited.</div> <bR> <div> This morning I had adventures getting to my programs at Pocahontas Elementary, in Powhatan, VA.  I was just zipping down the four-lane highway . . . and it stopped!  No signs directed me which way to go.  Time was running out.  I almost panicked.  Then, I decided to dead-reckon my travel to Powhatan and turned left.  Two or three miles later the highway department obliged with signs that kept me on track the rest of the way.</div> <bR> <div> The folks at Pocahontas Elementary were great . . . every one of the 900 or so I met!  It was heartwarming to be appreciated.  Sometimes, I get the feeling my show, and I, am absolutely perfect!  Then something happens to bring me back to earth with a thud!  If there weren't always the risk of things not turning out wonderfully, we would not appreciate it so when they do.</div> <bR> <div> This afternoon I visited The Academy for Academic Excellence in Richmond and spoke to the very friendly and knowledgeable kids there.  Ben was welcomed into the group and we chatted a long time before, during, and after my program.  They have an interesting practice of giving “dissertations” at this private school.  The children study a topic at great length and then give an oral presentation.  I like that idea!  Ben Franklin would have too, since his Junto club incorporated a similar concept.  Public speaking without fear or humiliation should be a big part of every educational program.  I had a Ph.D. and was forty years old before I discovered by accident a tiny talent and a big desire to speak before groups.  In 20+ years of formal schooling I seldom got the opportunity to speak before audiences in school.  Every day I meet kids that I can tell long to be in front of the audience rather than sitting in it.  By the time they become seniors in high school, most of these kids will be glad to sit in the audience.  In adulthood, only a few will dare to speak before large audiences.  Why not get the kids into public speaking while they have that urge?  </div> <bR> <div> Thur, Mar 27, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> STERLING, VA       Saw three Canada geese on my early morning jog in Lexington.  I heard the first one before I saw him, and knew who he was immediately.  One of life's great pleasures: the honking of Canada geese!  Tuesday, parked under five million tons of concrete in a parking garage in a Virginia Beach mall, three ducks, still dripping from a morning's romp in a duck pond somewhere, flew in to see what I was having for lunch.  When, out the corner of their eyes, they saw that Ben Franklin had nothing to share, two of the ducks held a quick conference (I love to watch ducks talking!), and suddenly all three zoomed off.  An SUV was in their path, and naturally as avoiding a tree or bush, they rose above the SUV and then went down into a hidden pool between the mall and the freeway.</div> <bR> <div> Eagle Rock Elementary School won a permanent place in Ben Franklin's heart today.  Kids were waving to me from the playground as I walked up the stairs to the school.  Inside the front door I was greeted with two wonderful posters--providing many kid's unique visions of what Ben Franklin looked like.  Some were very skilled and lifelike.  My favorite one, possibly done by a preschooler, made Ben look like a manatee with glasses on! </div> <bR> <div> Later the kids recited original poems written about Ben Franklin, sang me a song or two they composed . . . . All in all, it was a perfect experience for me, and the kids seemed to enjoy the show too.  We laughed, and laughed, and laughed!</div> <bR> <div> Everyone knows that Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird instead of the eagle.  So, I told the kids that if Ben had gotten his way their town would likely have been called Turkey Rock and their school Turkey Rock Elementary!  Then I did a little dance I invented on the spot called . . . The Turkey Rock Twist.</div> <bR> <div> The afternoon brought me to Fort Lewis Elementary in Salem, VA.  The kids were extremely well behaved and friendly.  I would call Fort Lewis Elementary a model school, an educational environment that is also a very nice place to be!  A newspaper reporter took photo after photo, and she asked many great questions after the program.</div> <div> She said that every time she aimed her camera at me I closed me eyes.  I guess a camera flash is like throwing sand in a person's face, in a way.  You do tend to blink.  </div> <bR> <div> Fri, Mar 28, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> STERLING, VA       Visited Lake Anne Elementary in Reston, VA this morning.  My PTA contact really took care of Ben Franklin and everyone was as nice as they could be.  I had two very different audiences.  The first group, grades 3-6, were cooler and seemed a little more sophisticated than audiences I'm used to seeing--like middle schoolers.  Now the second group . . . each kid was full of knowledge about Ben Franklin and was eager to get on stage and share it with the world.  Without a doubt, the K-2s at Lake Anne Elementary knew more about Ben Franklin than any other similar group I have spoken to this school year, probably ever!</div> <bR> <div> One little boy, Adam, astounded me by knowing the title of the book that fell out of the pocket of a man Ben Franklin saved from </div> <div> drowning . . .  before I told the story!  That has never happened in 1,500+ presentations over 10 years. </div> <bR> <div> I assume Lake Anne Elementary does a lot of assemblies because, as my PTA contact said, they have “made a science” of the seating of children for programs.  They first put down two rows of cones.  Each cone has the name of a teacher on it.  No matter what order a class enters the room, the teacher knows where to sit his or her class.  This also provides a ready-made center aisle, which Ben Franklin appreciated.  Did it actually work?  Yes!  There was absolutely no confusion seating the kids.</div> <bR> <div> WEEK TEN, MARCH 31-APRIL 4, VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, DELAWARE</div> <bR> <div> Mon, Mar 31, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> STAUNTON, VA       It snowed all day yesterday and I remained holed up in the AmeriSuites in Sterling, VA.  Fun!  Fun!  Fun!  I did finally venture across the highway for Chinese takeout about 4 p.m.  Interesting:  Saturday, high 72 degrees; Sunday, four inches of snow on the cherry blossoms.  </div> <bR> <div> Visited Round Hill Elementary this morning and found the children to be exceptionally mature for their years.  I made at least one friend at Round Hill, a boy named Justin.  He came up to me after the show, gave me a little hug, and said he enjoyed the show.  Ben Franklin thrives on such displays of appreciation.  A few weeks without kids like Justin and I'd probably start looking for work elsewhere.</div> <bR> <div> Round Hill, VA felt like North Dakota today.  Wind 30 miles and hour.  Temperature 28.  Snow everywhere.  I will be glad when April gets here tomorrow!</div> <bR> <div> I got a call from a school in Capitol Heights, MD this afternoon saying they had to cancel my two programs scheduled for April 2 (day after tomorrow!) because of statewide testing.  Oops!   This was not a nice thing to do to old Ben!  What would a school think if I called two days before my visit and said I couldn't make it because I forgot I had another engagement that day?  Judging by the way some schools prepare for my visit, I think they might be a little perturbed.  </div> <bR> <div> Tue, Apr 1, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> HARRISONBURG, VA   Did you know that Staunton (pronounced Stanton) Virginia is the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson?  Did you know that Staunton also has a great big old hotel called the Stonewall Jackson Hotel?  As I drive up and down I-81 in the Shenandoah Valley, I think a lot about Stonewall Jackson and how he plied his trade and achieved great fame in this long, fertile valley.  </div> <bR> <div> Today I felt like a hero after visiting Thomas Dixon Elementary in Staunton and Linville- Edom Elementary just above Harrisonburg.   I didn't win any battles or capture any towns, but I did put myself on the line with hopes of victory.  I remember at least once raising my arms in triumph today!  Oh, it feels good when they like my program!  </div> <bR> <div> Saw two ducks taking their time crossing a busy highway in downtown Staunton this morning.  I slowed to a stop and blew my horn and the ducks maintained their snail's pace.  I thought I could detect duckbills moving as they waddled, as if they were mumbling to each other what a jerk I was!  Coming back that way I was almost afraid to look, thinking my duck friends might have come to grief on the highway.  They hadn't.</div> <bR> <div> Wed, Apr 2, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> Kent Island, MD   The longest time in the world is when we watch the sun come up or go down.  This morning I sat in my motel window at Harrisonburg, VA and watched the sun finally creep over the mountain.  About five times I almost turned away to do something else, but it was like I had to see the sun show its face this morning.  This evening I just had to see the sun go down over the Chesapeake Bay.  I booked a top floor room in the Comfort Inn and waited.  Finally, there it slipped below the horizon!  Do you know how long it takes for the sun to go completely down once it is sitting perfectly ball-like on the horizon?  About four minutes I'd say.  And those will be the longest four minutes of your life!</div> <bR> <div> I pulled a fast one on Washington, D.C.  I did not follow my Yahoo! directions from Harrisonburg, VA to Baltimore, MD, but I took the scenic route through Harper's Ferry, to avoid the big D.C.  Hey, I made a conscious decision to travel where I wanted to go rather than follow practical directions.  The result:  No problem!  I found an excellent Chinese restaurant in Frederick, MD for lunch, and dinner was crab cakes on the Chesapeake Bay.</div> <bR> <div> Funny thing, everywhere I go are ducks and geese!   You should see them here!  Quack, quack, honk, honk.  I do love these birds.  Coming down off the bay bridge, I saw a big water bird of some sort carrying off what looked to be a five pound spot.  I felt sorry for the fish who really had no defense against this monster who obviously dropped out of the sky on him unawares.  One minute the fish was just swimming along minding his own business, the next he was sailing through the air attached to the talons of some bird. </div> <bR> <div> After being on the road nearly two solid weeks, Ben Franklin is getting a little silly.  It will be good to be headed homeward.  I miss my wife, my cat, my garden, and hot grits for breakfast!  There is nothing quite so depressing to me as lining up with a bunch of businessmen, construction workers, and elderly travelers for the wonderful continental breakfast at the Comfort Inn!  Would you pass me a bagel, please?</div> <bR> <div> Thur, Apr 3, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> DOVER, DE  The big sign said:  Welcome to Dover, Delaware, Capital of the First State.  Now, why do you suppose they call it the first state?  I find that Delmarva, that very large peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is very interesting geographically, politically, and historically.  I have a suggestion to make:  why not let Delaware have the whole peninsula?  Virginia and Maryland really do not need the little property they have on Delmarva, and Delaware could use a bit more territory.  After all, the first state is also next to the last size-wise.</div> <bR> <div> I am a former resident of Dover, or I wouldn't be taking such liberties with the Blue Hen State.   About fifteen years ago I left Mississippi for a job in Continuing Education at Delaware State College.  I learned there that I wanted to be speaking and teaching, rather than administering educational programs.</div> <bR> <div> I spoke at Millington Elementary (MD)  this morning.  Everyone was just perfect there, and old Ben wasn't too bad, either.  </div> <bR> <div> Today must have been the first day of fishing season.  Everywhere I went old men, young men, little old ladies were wading out into the streams obviously fish mad.  Different strokes for different folks.  I cannot possibly imagine standing thigh-deep in a stream tossing a fishing line into the water.  What happens if one bites?  You catch a fish.  Big deal!  If you caught a Nikon digital camera, that would be something worth going for.  I can buy more fish than I could possibly eat at Captain D's for three bucks.</div> <bR> <div> Things that thrilled me forty years ago--fishing, baseball, pro football on TV--don't excite like they used to.  That does not mean that I have gotten duller, or that those sports have gotten duller.  It just means my interests have changed.  I now love to eat carrots, broccoli, beats, and sweet potatoes.  Then, I loved thick, rare hamburgers and deep-fried fries.  Had I kept that interest up, I probably would have been dead by now!</div> <bR> <div> Tell me something.  How do all these perfectly regular sorts of people take off in the middle of a Thursday and go fishing?  Do they call in sick?  Do they take a vacation day?  Do they claim a dental appointment?  Do they play hooky?</div> <bR> <div> WEEK ELEVEN, APRIL 22-25, FLORIDA</div> <bR> <div> Tues, Apr 22, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> ORLANDO, FL       Actually, I am a few miles up I-4 from Orlando, at Sanford, FL.  I drove down from South Carolina yesterday afternoon.  The six-hour drive seemed like fifteen minutes.  Listened to a book on tape about the great Krakatoa volcanic eruption of the late 1800s.  The book was written by a geologist, so he had to tell in great length how the earth was formed and the history of the world before he could tell about the mountain blowing up.  I’ve completed about three tapes, front and back, and I’m a long way from any cool explosion.</div> <bR> <div> These are the dog days of the school year.  Next month everyone will be excited about summer coming.  For us folks down south it comes earlier than it does way up north in Virginia and Maryland!  Last year I visited Norfolk and Virginia Beach in June.  Most of South Carolina and Georgia were well into their summer vacation by then.  Of course, school begins in early August.</div> <bR> <div> Did you know there is an imaginary line in the South Pacific were the animals on one side are lions, elephants, monkeys, and so forth, and the animals on the other side of the line are kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, and duckbill platypuses.  At one point two islands only a few miles apart have completely different kinds of animals.  This was a big mystery until people began to understand how the continents have drifted over the eons of time.  The mystery was completely solved only in the last 40 or 50 years.  I would like someone to find out the name of this imaginary line.  Email the name to me and I will send you a surprise gift of no great value.  I do get a kick though when people read my website and email me with answers to my questions.  You people are my special friends.</div> <bR> <div> Visited Lake Orienta Elementary in Altamonte Springs for three programs today.  I always have fun doing my programs, but this evening’s performance was especially a kick.  The PTA program was comprised of teachers, parents and 10 or 12 children, all of whom had seen my program this morning.  I cannot tell you what a thrill it is for me to see kids who have just seen my performance to look forward to seeing it again.  Somehow, knowing what is coming makes it even better for them.  Boy, I had fun tonight!  Everything was so relaxed, informal, spontaneous, and . . . fun.  I really believe that having fun doubles the speed of learning and makes life worthwhile.  Having fun is magic that may be the key to certain poor students’ eventual success.  If they could be encouraged to find a way to make school fun and not endlessly cajoled to work hard and be diligent, they just might turn things around.  I do believe that there is a way to make almost everything we do fun.</div> <bR> <div> Wed, Apr 23, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> SOMEWHERE IN FLORIDA    I do not know exactly where I am tonight.  I know I’m seven miles from Minneola and about nine from Clermont.  I’m someplace near Howie-in-the-Hills, which apparently is a town, not an outlaw named Howie run amuck in the hills of Florida.  </div> <bR> <div> Anyway, I had just the most special time speaking at Minneola Elementary School this morning.  Three programs one after another.  Began at nine, out just before noon.   I must say the kids today were great!  Several times while speaking the thought crossed my mind what a great audience I had.  A few children even stood to watch my program to get a better view.  I can’t remember that ever happening before.  After the programs five or six teachers, and the principal, had very nice things to say to old Ben.  I would love to take all the credit, but much of it goes to the kids and a good deal goes to the folks who sat the children and encouraged them to listen.  Hats off to you Minneola Elementary!</div> <bR> <div> Thur, Apr 24, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> JACKSONVILLE, FL   I spent a glorious afternoon yesterday reading this book of horror stories I bought at a Books a Million in Staunton, VA.  This big fat book has all the old classics like Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, The Island of Doctor Moreau, and many others.  None of these stories are recommended for the very young or the squeamish. I love to read classic literature of any kind because these are the best of the best books.  The authors know how to tell stories.  To read a classic book is to go back in time and live with the heroes of the book.  In the case of Dracula and Frankenstein that can get a little scary!</div> <bR> <div> I was up before daylight this morning running around the parking lot of my motel.  It was more fun than it sounds.  I had planned to take a dip in the big fine swimming pool afterwards, but it was about 50 degrees when I went outside . . . a little too cool for splashing about in the early morning dark.</div> <bR> <div> Visited Lost Lake Elementary School in Clermont for two shows this morning.  My program was a reward for students who successfully completed a reading challenge, which included reading A-Z.  To read A-Z apparently you have to have 26 different reading experiences associated with a different letter of the alphabet.  For example, you could read at a zoo and meet your goal for the letter Z.  One cute little girl got her J by reading at a jail!  All in all, these kids got quite a few rewards for achieving their reading goals, of which Ben Franklin was one.  We had a great time and I was proud to help the kids celebrate their achievement.  By the way, Lost Lake Elementary is the largest school I have ever visited having about 1,300 students.  That’s a lot of kids!</div> <bR> <div> WEEK 12, APRIL 28-MAY 2, VIRGINIA</div> <bR> <div> Mon, Apr 28, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> EMPORIA, VA   Today marks the beginning of the final three weeks of my 2003-2004 schedule.  It has been my best year ever.  I have visited nearly 200 schools in 10 states to conduct 300 programs.  It looks like I will have traveled 30,000 miles since September.</div> <bR> <div> I had a very nice drive yesterday to South Boston, VA from Summerville, SC.  Sometimes it’s fun to get off the interstate, and that’s what I did.  I took I-26 and I-95 to Darlington, SC; then I headed up Hwy 52, Hwy 1, and Hwy 220 deep into North Carolina.</div> <bR> <div> I stopped for gas in Asheboro, NC, a place I remember fondly.  Six or seven years ago I spoke at Randolph Community College as Albert Einstein.  I was sick as a dog, but the audience was great.  Next day, I had no voice but had to do my school assembly program as Ben Franklin in Rocky Mount.  I whispered into the microphone and the kids loved the show.  Later that week I was snowed in for several days in Manteo, NC.  That was a week to remember.</div> <bR> <div> This school year I have visited four schools in Halifax County, Virginia, and every program has been special.  This morning I performed at Washington-Coleman Elementary in South Boston and had a great time.  There were many Ben Franklin experts in the audience, but especially a girl named Jennifer.  Apparently she had done a report about Franklin and had even dressed up like him!  Anyway, she knew lots of special details about Ben’s scientific experiments and other things.  After the program she came up for an autograph.</div> <bR> <div> This afternoon I went to Halifax Elementary School and had a lively time with the kids there.  Although things were a bit warm, the kids and teachers were kind to old Ben.  I felt this was a friendly place and the town was lovely with the dogwoods and azaleas blooming.</div> <bR> <div> Heading down Hwy 58 from South Boston to Emporia, I finished reading (on audio tape) my book about the Krakatoa volcano.  I learned that another volcano is growing on the same spot where Krakatoa blew up about 125 years ago.  The new island volcano is now a mountain some 1,500 feet high.  It only surfaced around 1930.</div> <bR> <div> I still can’t get over the fact that when Krakatoa exploded the sound was heard almost 3,000 miles away.  Earlier this year I read that the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War was heard in Pittsburgh!  The world is a fascinating place.</div> <bR> <div> Tue, Apr 29, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> CHESAPEAKE, VA   Another traveling day.  Hwy 58 from Emporia to Norfolk has just about everything you could want in a road.  You can maintain a nice speed on the four lane.  You can shop out your window as you drive.  I saw everything imaginable along the way today.  Buy a car.  Buy a camper trailer.  Buy a birdhouse or watermelon!  I wish I could pull a trailer behind the van to load up with exciting things I see for sale on the road.  </div> <bR> <div> Visited Trinity Lutheran School in Newport News this afternoon.  A warm, friendly group if there ever was one.  I love to see kids eager, excited, positive and happy!</div> <bR> <div> Driving back across the long bridge toward Portsmouth, I saw a hundred people (adults!) fishing off an old bridge.  Maybe all these folks work the night shift, or maybe they were playing hooky like the trout fishermen in Maryland a few weeks ago.  I saw one lady catch a big one.  I guess that’s the reward they were all after.  I can’t imagine that sitting in the sun holding onto a pole could be fun.  Of course, I also don’t think it would be any fun to swim in a crowded swimming pool or ride a roller coaster or jump out of an airplane with or without a parachute.  </div> <bR> <div> Thur, May 1, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> RICHMOND, VA    Drove up Hwy 10 from Portsmouth to Richmond yesterday--the back way you might call it!   My visit to Douglas Park Elementary in Portsmouth had been successfully completed with many new friends met and adventures experienced.  Among my new friends was the school media specialist--  Brenda Tolson-- who had first contacted me by email with the correct answer to a question I posed on this web site.  She won a copy of my The Magic of Talk book, which I was glad to hand her personally.</div> <bR> <div> The afternoon school was Burrowsville Primary, which happens to the the smallest public school out of 1,500 that I have ever visited.  Last week in Florida, Lost Lake Elementary in Clermont was the largest at 1,300+ students; Burrowsville Primary has about 40.  I was sorry to hear that this will be the last year for the school, but I was certainly enjoyed my visit yesterday.  Everyone was so kind and friendly to me.  The children were enthusiastic and excited.  For once every student in the school got to participate in some way in my program.</div> <bR> <div> I passed history marker after history marker on my winding journey up Hwy 10.  With Williamsburg and Jamestown not far away, the history of this place goes way back.  And just up the road at Petersburg, Richmond, Cold Harbor--the Civil War history around here is immense.  Now, Burrowsville and a number of other towns on Hwy 10 are sleepy little villages where townspeople move at a different pace from folks in Virginia Beach, Richmond and the D.C. suburbs.  When I think of the SUVs lined up by the hundreds at many schools I visit, I can truly appreciate and savor a school that has three or four teachers and 40 students. </div> <bR> <div> Sat, May 3, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> FAIRFAX, VA    Poor Ben Franklin.  Has to spend the weekend away from home.  Well, when I checked into the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfax, I began to imagine the possibilities of a weekend in a very nice hotel, in a clean, quiet room.  Room service!  Piles of books to read!  Endless sleep!  A king-size Hershey chocolate bar every day!  No grass to cut.  No phone calls to make.  Best of all the wheels stop turning for awhile, and I recharge for the final two weeks of my 2002-2003 schedule.   </div> <bR> <div> Yesterday I got away from Richmond a day before my $44.00 motel room would have cost me $303.00 per night.  NASCAR is coming to town and I am so glad I don’t have to stay for the race, festivities, and high room rates.  Although I have never actually been to an auto race of any kind, I think I would rather go to the dentist.</div> <bR> <div> Yesterday morning I stopped off at Moncure Elementary in Stafford, VA.  I had a delightful time and left on a white, puffy cloud.  The little ones in the second program seemed to especially appreciate Ben Franklin, and they obviously had been studying a lot about him.  I remember one little boy in a yellow shirt, a first grader, who seemed to know everything.  I was like the sudden coming alive of a book he had just been reading.  One minute he was in a book world, the next the character he was reading about was standing next to him.  It was a magical time.</div> <bR> <div> WEEK 13, MAY 5-9, VIRGINIA, MARYLAND</div> <bR> <div> Mon, May 5, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> FAIRFAX, VA   This morning I visited Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary in Woodbridge, VA, and this afternoon I was at The Academy of Christian Education in Reston, VA.  Two very different schools, but I was well-received and had a great time at both places.  I remember fondly a little girl at one school (I won’t say which) who every time I asked her a question she would cross her eyes and think real hard!  That’s a new one.  I’ve seen kids look to the left or to the right or up or down when they were trying to remember something--but never cross their eyes!  I thought it was so cute I kept coming back to her.</div> <bR> <div> This was a perfect day . . . until I checked into my hotel room.  The sign outside said "Lowest Rates in Town!"  Not a good sign.  The room and elevator and public areas of the hotel remind me of the joint Holden Caufield stayed in in The Catcher in the Rye.  Holden’s favorite word was "ratty."  Well, that describes my motel room to a T.  Oh, the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfax the past few days was so nice.  This place between Hooters and the Red Lobster--Not Nice!  You got to experience the bad sometimes to appreciate the good.  I am already looking forward to my return to the Hilton Garden Inn on Friday!</div> <bR> <div> Tue, May 6, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> FAIRFAX, VA  Yes, I am still in Fairfax!  I am also still at my favorite inn across from Hooters.  But I am looking forward to leaving early tomorrow morning for Dickerson, MD.</div> <bR> <div> Today, I spoke for the first time at a Fire Department!  Ben Franklin, the old founder of the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia, would have loved it!  Made friends and was well-received at two campuses of Trinity Christian School, based in Fairfax.  </div> <bR> <div> This was a four program three site day, and after my enjoyable visit to Weyanoke Elementary in Alexandria in the afternoon, I celebrated by getting the van washed and stopping off at Red Lobster for carry-out.  For a person who loves to travel, I hate to eat out.  I save a lot of time and money by bringing most of my food with me on my trips.  I would be pretty embarrassed to tell you what I eat most days.  Although it would not be classed as junk food, it does not add much to the quality of life.  I would pay a lot of money for a plate of fresh-out-of-the-garden beets, which I may have waiting for me from my own garden when I get home next week.  </div> <bR> <div> Oh, before I leave this wonderful motel you must know the celebrities who are staying here this week:  beauty contestants!  Miss America!  Rather, Miss senior America!  What a difference one little word in the middle makes.  Well, if they knew Ben Franklin was here they would probably hire chaperones for the ladies!  Life is a hoot!</div> <bR> <div> Wed, May 7, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> WESTMINSTER, MD  This morning I started out early, creeping out into a thick fog that had me just a bit concerned about the trip from Fairfax to Dickerson, MD.  I decided not to follow Yahoo! directions which would have taken me on the Beltway.  Instead, I would travel Hwy 29 to Hwy 50 to Hwy 28 to Hwy 267 to Hwy 15 to Hwy 28 again once I crossed the Potomac River into Maryland.  Basically, my trip would carry me to Leesburg, VA to Point of Rocks, MD and then down to Dickerson.  I really had no trouble at all!  I felt pretty sorry for the folks who were headed in the opposite direction, however.  They all seemed in a mad rush to get to work.  </div> <bR> <div> I visited a friendly and interesting school this morning called Monocacy Elementary, near Dickerson.  Surrounding the school for many miles are horse farms and other very expensive rural property.  This keeps the school enrollment rather steady, since people aren’t selling off the land for subdivisions.  When I think of the growth at many other places I have visited recently,  I think the nice folks at Monocacy are pretty lucky.</div> <bR> <div> I loved driving the hilly and winding roads through rural Maryland today.  Saw several old-timey towns with antique shops and small restaurants where I imagined locals went to eat and chat.  I even saw a store for bee-keepers!  It was sad to finally come to I-70 and know I had a strait shot back to the rat race.  </div> <bR> <div> This afternoon, I had an exhilarating time speaking to the students of Talbott Springs Elementary in Columbia, MD.  We had a large audience, and it got a little warm, but the kids were great!  Ben’s hat is off to the kids at Talbott Springs!</div> <bR> <div> Checked into the Days Inn at Westminster, a pretty nice motel I stayed in last year when I visited Taneytown.</div> <bR> <div> Thur, May 8, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> WESTMINSTER, MD  Today I learned that the shortest distance between two points in not necessarily a strait line!  Get out your road atlas.  Turn to Maryland.  Find Aberdeen and Westminster.  Draw a strait line from A to W.  If you try to drive the 30 miles or so of roads that would seem to take you from Aberdeen to Westminster, you might do as I did and take two hours and never make it!  Oh, I saw some pretty country.  I saw million dollar horse farms and quaint little old timey villages.  But I wanted to get somewhere!</div> <bR> <div> Finally, I ended up driving dozens of miles out of my way toward Baltimore, jumping on I-695, and making it to Westminster by taking right angles on the interstate.  I made very good time then!</div> <bR> <div> This morning it was Bushy Park Elementary in Glenwood; this afternoon it was the third graders at Halls Cross Roads Elementary in Aberdeen.  I had lots of fun speaking today.  I was even told I had the fourth and fifth graders at Bushy Park spellbound!  Well, I also had fun speaking more informally to the third graders at Bushy Park and Halls Cross Roads.  Every program I do is absolutely unique, because all audiences, schools, and individuals are unique.  That’s what makes it interesting and exciting to perform the same program two thousand times.</div> <bR> <div> Fri, May 9, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> FAIRFAX, VA  Found my way back to the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfax.  This morning I performed two shows for Westminster Elementary School.  Then it was down the road to Waugh Chapel Elementary in Odenton, MD for an afternoon program.</div> <bR> <div> It was a dark, cool, foggy, rainy day.  Before I set out, I told myself I would have an easy driving day.  I knew I had some challenging territory to cover, but I made a conscious decision not to get frizzle-frazzled while driving.  And I had an almost effortless driving day!  </div> <bR> <div> If you check your road atlas again, you can plot my course from Westminster to Odenton to Fairfax, VA.  I cannot tell you the highways I took, but I pretty much followed the interstates this time.  You will see that I skirted Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., and went smack through twenty or thirty other towns covering a distance of about 80 miles!</div> <bR> <div> Occasionally, traveling is as challenging as speaking to audiences of 500 elementary kids.  That’s the way it was today.</div> <bR> <div> One thing I remember about today’s programs was a little black boy (a kindergartener, I believe) who saw me and began to do a little dance.  His teacher calmed him down quickly.  Sitting on the front row, the boy was my friend the rest of the program, and I can still see his big smile without even closing my eyes.</div> <bR> <div> WEEK 14, MAY 12-16, VIRGINIA</div> <bR> <div> Mon, May 12, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> WASHINGTON, D.C.   I find that getting around the big city takes just a bit more energy and dollars than I am used to expending.  Gas costs 25 cents more.  Hotels costs at least 33% more.  To drive one mile may take an indefinite length of time.  I am sure the D.C. drivers will be thrilled when Ben Franklin leaves town!</div> <bR> <div> Tue, May 13, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> STAUNTON, VA   I visited Doswell Brooks Elementary in Capital Heights, MD this morning.  I met many, many kids and they were very friendly and curious.  Before and after the programs, I had quite a few one-to-one conversations.  I felt my programs were well-received and left the school feeling quite good about myself.</div> <bR> <div> My afternoon program at Arthur Middleton Elementary in Waldorf, MD was just plain fun.  I was warmly greeted and made to feel like a celebrity throughout my visit.  The kids knew a lot about Ben Franklin.  Since I only spoke to the older students, I could give them my most challenging and elaborate show.</div> <bR> <div> The drive from Waldorf, MD to Staunton, VA was special.  Knowing I was through with the challenges of The Big City, and knowing my school year was just about completed, I leisurely and enjoyably covered some very historic territory.  First, I headed south down Hwy 301.  Then I took Hwy 3 across to Fredericksburg, VA.  I stayed on Hwy 3 until I came to Hwy 20, which I followed to Charlottesville, VA.  I jumped on I-64 at Charlottesville and followed it a few miles to Staunton, VA.  Among the historic places I passed today:  the place where Stonewall Jackson had his arm amputated; James Madison’s home, Montpelier;  three major Civil War battlefield sites:   Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and the Wilderness.</div> <bR> <div> Wed, May 14, 2003 </div> <bR> <div> ROANOKE, VA   If it is not fun to drive in Washington, D.C., it is fun to drive in Augusta County, VA.  I was up bright and early to make my way over the green hills to Craigsville, VA.  The drive from Staunton to Craigsville was the nicest drive I have experienced all year.  Everything is lush and green.  Mountains are in every direction in the distance.  The thought crossed my mind:  why doesn’t everyone live here?</div> <bR> <div> Craigsville Elementary School is The Perfect Public School.  Enrollment is not large so every kid is prized (as I know they are in every school).  The facilities have been recently renovated so the school is a very nice place to be.  The entire school staff was very friendly to me.  Thanks Craigsville Elementary for the opportunity to visit your school and community!</div> <bR> <div> This afternoon I visited Stuarts Draft Elementary School on the opposite side of Augusta County.  I had a large audience of 600 or so K-5 students.  They were great and I feel I was pretty good too!  The sound was excellent.  The temperature never got too hot.  The kids were well-mannered and enthusiastic.  I could not have been happier.  Hats off to Stuarts Draft Elementary!</div> <bR> <div> I boogied on down I-81 toward Roanoke feeling as fine as a public speaker can feel.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Ben Franklin's 2002-2003 travel schedule concluded with programs on Friday, May 16, 2003 at Belfast Elementary in Rosedale, VA and Sullins Academy in Bristol, VA.  All-in-all it was a wonderful year of travel, adventure, education, and fun.  Thanks to everyone who invited me to visit his or her school, and thanks to the more than 60,000 people who attended my programs this year! </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Bens Travel Journal "><U><B>  Ben's Travel Journal  </B></U></A><B> </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FALL TOUR 2003"><U><B>FALL TOUR 2003</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>