And it's History...
Walt Disney: Animation Pioneer
By Kevin Hudson
For Walt Disney, things weren't always easy. He was born the son of a stern and strict father. He was raised in poverty, refused a spot in the Army, and was bankrupt by debt. These aren’t exactly the things you think of when you envision the founder of the multibillion-dollar Disney Company.
Walter Elias Disney, born December 5th, 1901 was fourth born of five. As a child, Walt often found himself drawing, painting, or selling artwork to neighborhood friends and family. Most of his early childhood was spent in Marceline, Missouri, but in 1911, he moved to Kansas City. During his time here, Walt developed a great love of trains, and often visited his uncle, Mike Martin who was an engineer well versed in locomotives. Walt soon adopted the job of a railroad snack and newspaper seller over the summers with his uncle.
In his teens, Walt attended McKinley High School, where he took various photography and drawing contests. At the age of 16, Walt dropped out of school, and attempted to join the Army, but to no prevail, as he was too young. Fortunately, he was still assigned to work for the Red Cross as an ambulance driver in France. After his time of service in France, Walt returned to Kansas City in pursuit of a job in the newspaper industry. More specifically, as a newspaper artist at the Pesmen-Rubin Art Studio, where he first met famous cartoonist, Ubbe Eert Iwerks, who most likely played a role in Walt’s future pursuits, such as making commercials in the style of cutout animation, producing hand-drawn, cel shaded art, and even deciding to open up his own animation company.
The company, Laugh-O-Gram, titled after his widely popular animated shorts of the same name had soon grown from just Walt's brother Roy, and a friend from Walt’s advertising days, Fred Harman, to a lineup of dozens of talented animators. He later hired various new employees, even taking in Iwerks and one of Fred Harman’s brothers, but despite their initial success, the company was buried in debt, and filed for bankruptcy in 1920.
After this endeavor, Walt and Roy moved to Hollywood. Fortunately, Iwerks also relocated to California too, and the three founded the new company, Disney Brothers’ Studios. During this time, Walt had hired an artist to the team, Lillian Bounds, and married he years after. In the early days of the company, Walt had created a mascot who acted as a prototype of sorts to his more iconic character, Mickey Mouse, named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Unfortunately, Walt soon found out that the rights to Oswald’s characters had been stolen by a contractor and to counteract this, Walt and his team created a new character, Mickey Mouse. This new character boosted Walt’s popularity and financial success tremendously, which urged him to create the first full-length animated film, known as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Although the Great Depression occurred at the same time, the movie still grossed an amazing 1.499 million dollars.
In later years, Walt opened a new company in Burbank. Although it started with success, after the strike of animators during the 1940’s, the company fell into tough times. After this setback, Walt still pushed forward and produced over 100 animated features with great success in each.
Ultimately, Walt ventured into new and exciting adventures, his biggest being Walt Disney World. While he did not live to see all of his visions come to light, Walt’s legacy far outlives him, and even today, his mark on animation and pop culture history is present. Although he came from humble beginnings, Walt eventually beat the odds, and cemented his imprint on history.
For Walt Disney, things weren't always easy. He was born the son of a stern and strict father. He was raised in poverty, refused a spot in the Army, and was bankrupt by debt. These aren’t exactly the things you think of when you envision the founder of the multibillion-dollar Disney Company.
Walter Elias Disney, born December 5th, 1901 was fourth born of five. As a child, Walt often found himself drawing, painting, or selling artwork to neighborhood friends and family. Most of his early childhood was spent in Marceline, Missouri, but in 1911, he moved to Kansas City. During his time here, Walt developed a great love of trains, and often visited his uncle, Mike Martin who was an engineer well versed in locomotives. Walt soon adopted the job of a railroad snack and newspaper seller over the summers with his uncle.
In his teens, Walt attended McKinley High School, where he took various photography and drawing contests. At the age of 16, Walt dropped out of school, and attempted to join the Army, but to no prevail, as he was too young. Fortunately, he was still assigned to work for the Red Cross as an ambulance driver in France. After his time of service in France, Walt returned to Kansas City in pursuit of a job in the newspaper industry. More specifically, as a newspaper artist at the Pesmen-Rubin Art Studio, where he first met famous cartoonist, Ubbe Eert Iwerks, who most likely played a role in Walt’s future pursuits, such as making commercials in the style of cutout animation, producing hand-drawn, cel shaded art, and even deciding to open up his own animation company.
The company, Laugh-O-Gram, titled after his widely popular animated shorts of the same name had soon grown from just Walt's brother Roy, and a friend from Walt’s advertising days, Fred Harman, to a lineup of dozens of talented animators. He later hired various new employees, even taking in Iwerks and one of Fred Harman’s brothers, but despite their initial success, the company was buried in debt, and filed for bankruptcy in 1920.
After this endeavor, Walt and Roy moved to Hollywood. Fortunately, Iwerks also relocated to California too, and the three founded the new company, Disney Brothers’ Studios. During this time, Walt had hired an artist to the team, Lillian Bounds, and married he years after. In the early days of the company, Walt had created a mascot who acted as a prototype of sorts to his more iconic character, Mickey Mouse, named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Unfortunately, Walt soon found out that the rights to Oswald’s characters had been stolen by a contractor and to counteract this, Walt and his team created a new character, Mickey Mouse. This new character boosted Walt’s popularity and financial success tremendously, which urged him to create the first full-length animated film, known as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Although the Great Depression occurred at the same time, the movie still grossed an amazing 1.499 million dollars.
In later years, Walt opened a new company in Burbank. Although it started with success, after the strike of animators during the 1940’s, the company fell into tough times. After this setback, Walt still pushed forward and produced over 100 animated features with great success in each.
Ultimately, Walt ventured into new and exciting adventures, his biggest being Walt Disney World. While he did not live to see all of his visions come to light, Walt’s legacy far outlives him, and even today, his mark on animation and pop culture history is present. Although he came from humble beginnings, Walt eventually beat the odds, and cemented his imprint on history.
CT history at a glance
By Scott Angilly
Connecticut has a rich colonial history that dates as far as the 15th century. In the last 381 years CT has been home to many historical figures including writers like Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mark Twain. In addition to our many famous historical figures, there have been many significant events such as what is thought to be the first written constitution. Of course, that is barely a glimpse of Connecticut history.
There are some important historical figures who have had the privilege of calling Connecticut home. One of the better-known people is Samuel Clemens. You may know him as Mark Twain, the author of classic novels such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He lived in Hartford, Connecticut for many years until he later moved to New York after his wife Livy died. Another prominent historical figure is Harriet Beecher Stowe. She was an American Abolitionist and author of the famed novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She also lived in Hartford until she died in the year of 1896.
Connecticut has four nicknames, including Constitution State, Nutmeg State, Provisions State, and Land of Steady Habits. The reason Connecticut is called the Constitution State, is because noted historian, John Fiske said that the Fundamental Orders of 1638/1639 were the one first written constitution in history. The name Nutmeg State was given to CT because many years ago peddlers traveled around selling nutmegs. Connecticut is called the Provisions State because we donated more food, weapons, and other supplies to George Washington’s army than any other state during the Revolutionary War. Connecticut is also called the Land of Steady Habits for reasons that supposedly change with the times. The official meaning is that CT originally kept a “steady habit” of always electing the same politicians to office.
Events, such as the four signers of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut signing the important document, have taken place. The four signers included Samuel Huntington, Roger Sherman, William Williams, and Oliver Wolcott. During that event, the people of Connecticut under Governor Jonathan Trumbull fully supported the Declaration of Independence. Multiple battles of the Revolutionary War took place in Connecticut. Four of which included raids under General Tyron in New Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Danbury.
After all of the issues with the Revolutionary War, Oliver Ellsworth, William Samuel Johnson, and Roger Sherman served in the Constitutional Convention as delegates of Connecticut. The first governor of Connecticut prior to it becoming a state was John Haynes. However, Jonathan Trumbull was among the first governors of CT as a state. CT’s government is the same as any other state. It is a replica of the federal government but less powerful.
So there you have it. The history of Connecticut, at a glance. Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns continue to thrive as one of the original 13 British colonies. We have much more history than we can even imagine ahead of us.
Interesting facts about Connecticut (pictured below)
Connecticut has a rich colonial history that dates as far as the 15th century. In the last 381 years CT has been home to many historical figures including writers like Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mark Twain. In addition to our many famous historical figures, there have been many significant events such as what is thought to be the first written constitution. Of course, that is barely a glimpse of Connecticut history.
There are some important historical figures who have had the privilege of calling Connecticut home. One of the better-known people is Samuel Clemens. You may know him as Mark Twain, the author of classic novels such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He lived in Hartford, Connecticut for many years until he later moved to New York after his wife Livy died. Another prominent historical figure is Harriet Beecher Stowe. She was an American Abolitionist and author of the famed novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She also lived in Hartford until she died in the year of 1896.
Connecticut has four nicknames, including Constitution State, Nutmeg State, Provisions State, and Land of Steady Habits. The reason Connecticut is called the Constitution State, is because noted historian, John Fiske said that the Fundamental Orders of 1638/1639 were the one first written constitution in history. The name Nutmeg State was given to CT because many years ago peddlers traveled around selling nutmegs. Connecticut is called the Provisions State because we donated more food, weapons, and other supplies to George Washington’s army than any other state during the Revolutionary War. Connecticut is also called the Land of Steady Habits for reasons that supposedly change with the times. The official meaning is that CT originally kept a “steady habit” of always electing the same politicians to office.
Events, such as the four signers of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut signing the important document, have taken place. The four signers included Samuel Huntington, Roger Sherman, William Williams, and Oliver Wolcott. During that event, the people of Connecticut under Governor Jonathan Trumbull fully supported the Declaration of Independence. Multiple battles of the Revolutionary War took place in Connecticut. Four of which included raids under General Tyron in New Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Danbury.
After all of the issues with the Revolutionary War, Oliver Ellsworth, William Samuel Johnson, and Roger Sherman served in the Constitutional Convention as delegates of Connecticut. The first governor of Connecticut prior to it becoming a state was John Haynes. However, Jonathan Trumbull was among the first governors of CT as a state. CT’s government is the same as any other state. It is a replica of the federal government but less powerful.
So there you have it. The history of Connecticut, at a glance. Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns continue to thrive as one of the original 13 British colonies. We have much more history than we can even imagine ahead of us.
Interesting facts about Connecticut (pictured below)
Baseball's Legends
By Tucker Sperry
The sport of baseball has been around for over a 100 years. It truly has evolved from its earliest teams like Cincinnati Red Stockings, who started playing the sport over 100 years ago back in 1869. Although baseball is often called America’s pastime, it’s not the sport itself that’s interesting, but some of the legends that entertain us. Major League Baseball or the MLB is the most well-known baseball organization in the world. This league has 30 teams all containing many legends that show off their talent and hard work each season.
The Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Coopersville, New York, is home of many MLB memories. Each year the museum brings in an average of 300,000 people. The Baseball Hall of Fame is in the top ten list of most visited hall of fame buildings.
Some famous baseball legends from way back are: Babe Ruth and Willie Mays, some present day legends are David Ortiz, Mike Trout, and Derek Jeter, each with a yearly salary of over $2 million. Although they are all retired they are still well known for their record performances. Here are some statistics about a few of baseball’s greats...
Babe Ruth:
Although it may be winter now, the spring 2017 season opener is on April 2nd. It’s never too late to choose a team to root for and see future baseball legends play. Enjoy the upcoming season and as they say during the game, play ball!
The sport of baseball has been around for over a 100 years. It truly has evolved from its earliest teams like Cincinnati Red Stockings, who started playing the sport over 100 years ago back in 1869. Although baseball is often called America’s pastime, it’s not the sport itself that’s interesting, but some of the legends that entertain us. Major League Baseball or the MLB is the most well-known baseball organization in the world. This league has 30 teams all containing many legends that show off their talent and hard work each season.
The Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Coopersville, New York, is home of many MLB memories. Each year the museum brings in an average of 300,000 people. The Baseball Hall of Fame is in the top ten list of most visited hall of fame buildings.
Some famous baseball legends from way back are: Babe Ruth and Willie Mays, some present day legends are David Ortiz, Mike Trout, and Derek Jeter, each with a yearly salary of over $2 million. Although they are all retired they are still well known for their record performances. Here are some statistics about a few of baseball’s greats...
Babe Ruth:
- Batting avg. .342
- Home Runs 714
- Seasons played 22
- Batting avg. .302
- Home Runs 660
- Seasons played 23
- Batting avg. .306
- Home Runs 105 as of 2013
- Seasons played 4 as of 2013
- Batting avg. .310
- Home Runs 260
- Seasons played 20
- Batting avg. .380
- Home Runs 541
- Seasons played 19
Although it may be winter now, the spring 2017 season opener is on April 2nd. It’s never too late to choose a team to root for and see future baseball legends play. Enjoy the upcoming season and as they say during the game, play ball!