In October 1864, Union officer Lt. William Cushing became an instant hero for his leadership and daring that resulted in the destruction of CSS Albemarle, a ship which, at the time, seemed unsinkable. Back in early 1862, Union Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside had conquered the North Carolina Sounds. This action stunned the Confederacy. The capture…
How the Union Army’s Lt. William Cushing Defeated the Seemingly Invincible Ironclad, the CSS Albemarle
How to Train an Opera Star: Schmidt Vocal Academy in Kentucky Guides High School and College Students in Classical Techniques
Though the paths that lead to a career in music are myriad, guides are invaluable to aspiring singers. Linda McAlister’s unique background may have given her the ideal foundation to oversee the robust roster of programs at Schmidt Vocal Academy, the umbrella entity that includes the Schmidt Vocal Competition, Schmidt Vocal Institute, and Schmidt Vocal…
Death Valley National Park: Enchanting Landscapes and Abundant Wildlife Await Those Who Can Withstand the Heat
“We knew that men had died down there in the shimmering heat of that white floor…and yet we saw it covered with a mantle of such strange beauty that we felt it was the noblest thing we had ever imagined. Only a poet could express the emotion of beauty, stronger than fear and death, that…
Hunewill Ranch in California is One of the Rare Places in America Where the Cowboy Life Persists—And You Can Go Experience It
While a journalism professor at the University of Wyoming when I wore a younger man’s clothes, I became close friends with a bowlegged, hardheaded cowboy. Seeing us together on the streets of Laramie, folks would holler, “Here comes the cowboy and the professor.” My city slicker self had never ridden a horse, much less herded…
Texas Interior Designer Cathy Kincaid’s Effortlessly Elegant Style Breathes New Life into Historic Homes
When historical American homes are in need of preservation and an exquisitely traditional makeover, their homeowners have turned to interior designer Cathy Kincaid for over 40 years. She’s played fairy godmother to dozens of charming houses that are full of character, including a 1750s Connecticut ferryman’s cottage on the water, Manhattan penthouses, and a forested…
Wisely Governing the Pilgrims, William Bradford Applied the Mayflower Compact to Form a Rough Democracy
Death came to them in many guises. A sailor who had blasphemed in front of the children fell ill from fever and was buried at sea. Dorothy, the wife of Pilgrim William Bradford, reached the New Land but slipped from the moored Mayflower and drowned in the freezing waters of Cape Cod harbor. By the…
There’s Only 51 of These Vintage Tucker Cars in the World, and They’re Worth Millions Each
Since the dawn of the American automotive industry over 100 years ago, car enthusiasts have been debating which car is the most collectible of them all. While some, such as the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, and the 1964 and a half Ford Mustang, are at the top of many collectors’ lists, most will agree the…
Book Recommender: “1776” by David McCullough Delves Into the Lesser-known Moments That Helped Define Our Nation
In some ways, the Colonies had endured a slow political boil since the Stamp Act of 1765. And with the 1774 Coercive Acts, there came the tipping point. Passions flared, and rebellion ignited. Thus, historian and Pulitzer Prize winning writer David McCullough begins “1776” with a January 14 quote by Gen. George Washington: “Few people…
An Illinois Mother Spreads Joy by Bringing Pony Comfort Animals to Nursing Homes and Schools
Andra Ebert established the miniature equine visiting nonprofit, Heartland Mini Hoofs, in 2014 in central Illinois with the idea of taking her American Miniature Horses on the road to spread joy to young and old through equine companionship. Described by The American Miniature Horse Association as “no bigger than a large dog,” American Miniature Horses…
A Tragic Accident Cut His Life Short, but His Legacy for Aspiring Football Athletes Continues to This Day
In 1994, a shy, flabby teen donning big, thick, black glasses and an unprecedented wholesome disposition walked onto the field of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, and changed the way walk-ons would be viewed forever in America’s all time favorite sport. “Brandon, I think, was born to inspire in a different way than most,” said…
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