Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer is one of the greatest Golfers in the history of the game. Despite his fame, he is still the same man who grew up in Western Pennsylvania 70+ years ago. He lives in Florida now but lived around Latrobe PA most of his life. His accomplishments on the course speak for themselves.

Eddie Dean- Singing Cowboy

Eddie Dean was born the 7th son of a 7th son of a 7th son- That must have been a lucky thing, as he enjoyed a long life and a long and successful career as an actor and singer. When he died in 1999 at the age of 91, he had been singing professionally for 80 years. He continued to perform and record long after he retired from acting, and many of his fans commented he sounded even better in his old age!

He was very cordial in his response- writing "Thanks a lot! A good friend and good likeness when I was young." Ironically, I drew this picture exactly two years to the day before he passed away.

Gregory Peck- Captain Ahab

Gregory Peck was one of the all-time great American Film actors. He is probably best remembered for his role as Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird" but I always loved the film "Moby Dick" and his role as Captain Ahab. Even in his later films, he still brought a commanding presence to the screen. His final film role was as Father Mapple in a re-make of Moby Dick- a fitting end to an illustrious career.

Edward J. Smith, Captain of R.M.S. Titanic

Ok so it's not a drawing, but definitely one of my most prized items.

Nearly 100 years ago, the largest and most luxurious ship in the world struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. This was to be the final voyage for Edward J. Smith, Captain of the Titanic- After reaching New York, he would return to England and retire.

Some people have blamed Capt. Smith for the sinking of Titanic- claiming he ignored ice warnings and was going to fast- some even claiming he was drinking. The blame does not lie with him, or with any one person- there are countless "what-ifs" -any one of which would have created a different outcome. Capt. Smith's decision to keep the water tight doors closed saved many lives- Had he opened them in order to let the ship sink evenly, it would have rolled and prevented the launching of many of the life boats.

This Happy New Year card was sent in about 1910 to "Maurice," a friend of his- perhaps a fellow ship's Captain. He signed his distinctive "E J Smith" at the bottom of the card. I get chills every time I think that about 100 years ago, this very card was in his hands- he touched it- read it- His eyes looked upon it just as mine do now.

John Parkinson- Witness to RMS Titanic

When John Parkinson was 5 years old, he watched Titanic sail away from the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast Ireland. His father had spent three years helping to build her, and took his son down to the docks to watch her depart. 90 years later he remembered it like it was yesterday- He could still recall the throngs of people waving good-bye to her. It would have been un-imaginable to any of them that they would never see the ship again. Titanic sank on her maiden voyage in 1912. John's father broke down and cried when he heard the news- as did nearly everyone else in Belfast- they all had family members- or at least knew someone- who had perished when she sank.

John still had in his posession his father's tools that were used in her construction. He was very proud of his connection to the ship, and enjoyed telling school children about "The World's Largest Liner" that was built in Belfast. John Parkinson passed away in 2006 at the age of 99. He was more than likely the last person alive who had actually witnessed her launch.

Bill Monroe- The Father of Bluegrass

After Bill Monroe's first performance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in 1939, Opry founder George D. Hay told him "If you ever leave, it'll be because you fired yourself." He never left, preforming regularly until ill health forced him to stop shortly before his passing in 1996.
He kept his music pure, long after many bands were featuring electric instruments or drums. his band's line-up from 1946-1947 is said by some to be the best line up of any music group ever. Two of them, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, later left and formed The Foggy Mountain Boys- what is probably the second best Bluegrass group after Monroe's Bluegrass Boys.

I met Bill Monroe once, at a concert he gave ina small theater in Philadelphia PA in 1994. He and the band came in the main entrance, and as he made his way down the left aisle, Bill shook hands with people sitting on that side (including me). Later my dad lied to the manager saying it was my Birthday, and they let me go back stage to meet him- He signed the color photo shown above, and was very codial even though I had interrupted him while he was talking with a band member's wife.
After the show was done and everyone got up to leave, Bill walked back out on stage alone, no Mandolin, and sang "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as the crowd joined in. He was truly a wonderful performer who really appreciated his fans and loved what he did.

Miep Gies- Saved the Diary of Anne Frank

Miep Gies recently turned 100 years old. During World War II, The Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany. Many Dutch citizens, risking their own lives, did what they could to hide Dutch Jews- These were their friends- people they had known their whole lives- and now all of a suden these people were now "Juden." and subject to deportation and death.

Miep was employed in the Spice company owned by Otto Frank. When things became too dangerous, Otto Frank, his wife, their daughters Margot and Anne, along with four others went into hiding in the attic above Mr. Frank's business. For over two years, their secret was safe. Miep, her husband Jan, and three others kept their friends alive and hidden. On August 4, 1944, an informant informed the Gestapo there were people in the building. The Franks and their friends were discovered and sent to the Concentration Camps. Only Otto Frank survived the war. Miep found Anne's Diary in the rubble of the torn apart office, and later gave it to Otto Frank after she learned that Anne did not survive.

The Diary of Anne Frank is the second most widely read book in the World, second only to The Bible. Miep did not read it when she found it- She later stated if she had, she would have destroyed it due to the incriminating evidence in it against those who kept the Franks in hiding. Many people hail her as a hero, but she was simply doing what she knew in her heart was right- helping her friends.