Sa-Dale-Ya, Missouri --- Once the Ragtime Capital

Sedalia, Missouri

Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival

If you remember the music from the movie “The Sting” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, you have heard the music of Scott Joplin. Joplin was a famous ragtime black musician and composer in the early 1900’s. His music is world renowned and Sedalia, MO was his birthplace. In 1899, Joplin became famous for his musical piece “Maple Leaf Rag”. Within six months Maple Leaf Rag sold over 75,000 copies. However, as the music scene changed so did Joplin’s fame and fortune. In 1917, he died nearly penniless and all but forgotten. In his honor, the community hosts this festival each year. If you would like to enjoy the music or learn an early 20th century dance, this is your venue. Many famous musicians display their talent throughout these days and draw more than 6,000 visitors to this festival.

It was an Accident - Maryland!

Accident, MD – It was an accident!

In the early 1700’s, George Deakins was given over 600 acres of land in this area by King George II of England. Deakins wanted to plat the land to establish a town. He hired two surveyors and instructed each of them to choose the best location for the town. Deakins and the town citizens studied the findings of both surveyors. To their surprise, each surveyor had chosen the same tree and area of land to plat for their new community. Deakins and the citizens exclaimed this must be an “accident”! Because of this coincidence, both Deakins and the citizens agreed that “accident” surely must be the name for their town. Shortly afterwards, the town became known as “Accident”. Throughout the evolution of naming America’s new towns we find fate, superstition or just plain accidents are responsible for the some of our community names.

The Crook in Colorado - Crook, Colorado

Born in Ohio in 1828, George Crook rose quickly to success in his military career. Crook started his military career in 1852 and just ten years later became a brigadier general during the Civil War. He led many successful campaigns for General Ulysses S. Grant in the defeat of the Confederacy. After the Civil War, General Crook led campaigns against the Apaches and Paiutes bringing peace to the Southwest and Western territories. He was well respected by his Indian competitors who nicknamed him the “Grey Fox”. Crook became a great proponent for the rights and liberties of the American Indian. Crook often pointed out the atrocities and was outraged with the injustice being done to the Apaches in the Southwest.
Photo courtesy of Library of Congress

You Meet the Nicest People in the Friendliest Places!

I went to a very unique celebration recently.  Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky was celebrating their first annual "Hometown Reunion".  It was the best hometown reunion I have ever experienced.  The people there had one thing in common.  They either grew up together in this community or they had a special connection with someone from Monkey's Eyebrow.  Let me introduce you to some of them.

Joe Culver - Our host of the event.  Joe grew up in Monkey's Eyebrow and has recently moved back to enjoy some retirement.  Knowing Joe, that probably won't last for long.  Joe has been a newspaper man, lawyer, and for many years the Public Relations Director for the Dept of Energy.  Today, I would consider Joe the mayor, sherrif and the director of tourism for Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky.  Joe runs a great website www.monkeyseyebrow.org/.  You really need to check this sight out because Joe shares wonderful stories about life, love, and anything else which is important.  You can also get some great Monkey's Eyebrow T-shirts and coffee cups at this site.  You will always know when you reach Monkey's Eyebrow because Joe has his own sign which reads "Joe's Place, Monkey's Eyebrow".

Notible citizens of Ballard County and Monkey's Eyebrow, KY

Special Guests

It was a wonderful day!  People brought old newspaper clippings from the past featuring stories of this community.  Some of the previous citizens travelled from as far as Michigan and Wisconsin.  They shared stories about thier ancestors who had businesses here.  Joe's friends, Dave Anna and Dave Clarke traveled from Pittsburgh and Virginia Beach to celebrate this event.  Anna and Clarke are professional photographers who snapped shots and made a video of the event.  (http://www.microdac.com/)  Anita Bugg from the Ballard County newspaper reported the event.  It was the best intimate hometown celebration I ever attended!  Joe, I will be back next year to celebrate with your friends and family.  This is real America!

The scenery at Monkey's Eyebrow, KY

Creve Coeur, MO - A great Indian story!

The name is French for “broken heart”. According to legend, an Indian princess fell in love with a French fur trapper sometime during the 1700’s. However, the fur trapper did not feel the same passion for romance as his young Indian lady friend. After months of trying to seduce the fur trapper, the Indian princess became distraught and filled with depression. The Indian princess felt life was no longer worth living if she could not be with her one and only true love. Devastated and heart broken she went to a nearby lake and leaped into the water. Unable to swim the lake engulfed the life of the Indian princess and she drowned. Shortly after her death the lake then formed into a “broken heart”. Both the city and the lake are now called Creve Coeur after this legendary story. This heart-shaped lake near St. Louis is still there. If you need directions be sure you pronounce the name correctly. It’s “Creeve Core”!


Photo Courtesy Library of Congress

Toad Suck, AR - It does exist!

Toad Suck, AR   - Toad Suck Daze festival - April 30 - May 2


Located on the Arkansas River, Toad Suck claims one of the most unique legends. Way back when, this is where the river captains and their crews chose to relax. Along with the river traffic came many questionable characters. Drinking was often the recreation for both the employees of the river industry and the shady people who hung out in this area. Early settlers to this area observed the excessive drinking going on and named the drinking patrons as “Toad Sucks”. They exclaimed “these people sucked on their whiskey and swelled up like toads”! The area became known as “Toad Suck”. Every May, a three day festival known as Toad Daze is held in nearby Conway, AR. Thousands of people attend and a good time is experienced by all. Events during the festival include various toad races, a Mardi Daze parade and a toad pageant. There is plenty of food and usually a major country western star performs on Saturday night. Also, you will find a lot of unique “Toad Suck” merchandise available for sale!

Americus, Georgia

In 1497, Amerigo Vespucci discovered a new continent when he landed in present day South America. During this time, map makers were trying to decide on a new name for Vespucci’s continent. Famous German map maker, Martin Waldseemuller, created a map signifying this new continent as “America” in honor of Amerigo Vespucci. The map maker chose the Latin version of Amerigo because he wanted to have the new name of the continent end in an “a” similar to other continents like Africa and Asia. The name “America” and other derivatives of Amerigo caught on and became very popular in naming the “New World”. Names like Americus, Liberty and Independence followed and became synonymous with the spirit of freedoms being found in this new land.

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress