Gatlinburg '07

The whole family traveled to Gatlinburg, TN for a fall getaway weekend. We stayed in a beautiful mountain cabin which had a mini-video arcade on the top floor. A real hit with the kids and those young at heart.

Last year Sam was disappointed because he didn't get to ride the chair lift. This year he got his turn and loved it.

We traveled downtown Saturday night and did some 'Gatlinburg' things. The Segway was an unusual sight on the sidewalks of the town. Great fun and some pretty good taffy too, purchased from the Ole' Smoky Candy Kitchen.

Segwayman Meets Colonel Sanders

At the World Leadership Institute of the Invitational Alliance for Invitational Education which was held here in Georgetown this past week attended by delegations from Hong Kong, South Africa, Thialand, Canada, the U.S. and several ther countries, I met Colonel Bob Thompson as he portrayed Kentucky's' own original Colonel Harlan Sanders. He looked as good as the original who my wife and I saw in a Louisville Mall in the late 70's. Colonel Thompson is advertised as the 'World Chicken Festival's Reigning Colonel Sanders Look-a-Like"

The Invitational Education Alliance was celebrating its Silver Anniversary this year. I was awarded a very nice plaque recognizing me as the principal of the school which began the implementation of Invitational Education in Scott County. It wasn't as if I felt I deserved it, but rather the people on my staff who did all the work deserved it more as well as the Central Office Staff who were all very supportive. After all, I have the leadership philosophy that was expressed by Chief Dan George in the movie 'Little Big Man' as he would pause, look toward the sky and slowly say in a very dignified voice, "My heart soars like a hawk." That's what I felt when my staff succeeded and succeed they certainly did! My hat's off to them. Thanks. Neat experience.

PS - I rode the Segway to the front of the banquet area to accept the award to a standing ovation. I don't know if the applause was for me or the Segway. I'd like to think it was for the both of us.

Through the Eyes of a 2nd Grader

This past week, I was invited to speak to two groups of 2nd graders at Anne Mason Elementary School here in Scott County. This also happens to be the grade my oldest grandson, Tanner, is in. The teacher asked me to speak about changes I had seen in my lifetime. What ..... me imagine my world without a Segway - No way!!!

The picture above is from a drawing in a 'Thank You' group of letters sent to me by the class. As you can tell, I stood on the Segway while I talked to them. I had fun and I think they did too.

Look Dad - No Hands

The two daughters and myself traveled to downtown Georgetown, gliding down Main Street looking for occurrences of letters in architecture, wrought iron fences and gates, etc. They found the letters to spell out their last names. Since then Melody (on right) printed hers out and framed them. The results turned out very well.
Just a note - I glided and Cynthia walked along beside us. I'll try to later post a picture of the finished results.