Foster Braun

American Road Trip Talk (podcast)- Steve Sidlecki: Christmas Leg-acy Click here to listen... Click here to download... "You'll shoot your eye out!" was probably the most famous line in The Christmas Story but the infamous leg lamp that became the movie's most famous prop. As a matter of fact it was a homemade version of the Leg Lamp that served as the inspiration and one of the main means that led, former Navy pilot, Brian Jones to buy the house in 2005 and recreating the magic of Ralph and Randy's cozy home. The full story behind the rebirth of the Christmas Story House can be found in the Grand Old US Six column written by Joe Hurley for the Vol. 8 Winter 2010 issue of the American Road Magazine. In this TripTalk Steve Sidlecki, the executive director of The Christmas Story House and Museum fills in more of the details. Visit The Christmas Story House just three miles off of US 6 as it passes through Cleveland, Ohio or online at their homepage to find the times for visiting and some of the merchandise from the movie. Just imagine how you'd look in one of those pick bunny pajamas! By the way, Peter Billingsley, who played Ralph in the original movie still has a place in his heart for the story. "In 2010 he returned to his 'A Christmas Story' roots as executive director of 'A Christmas Story The Musical.' played as a pre-Broadway engagement in Kansas City where it was the most successful engagement in the history of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. The producers will continue developing the production at the 5th Avenue Theatre this year with the goal of taking the production to Broadway in 2011. American Road Trip Talk (podcast)- Steve Sidlecki: Christmas Leg-acy Click here to listen... Click here to download... This American Road TripTalk is brought to you by Houma, LA. You are invited to discover a truly unique and authentic Cajun Mardi Gras celebrated nowhere else but in Houma, Louisiana - in the heart of the Cajun Wetlands. Festivities start February 25 and run to Mardi Gras on March 8, 2011. For more information check out their flier. Feel free to comment, criticize and correct our podcasts because we are always looking to make them better. In particular, if you know of anyone who might make a good subject for these podcasts, please let me know in the comments section. See you soon on the great American Road.

American Road Trip Talk (podcast)- James Schulte: Toy Treasure Trove Click here to listen... Click here to download... Nothing brings back the wonderful moments of our childhood like seeing our favorite toy, whether it was a classic Barbie doll or one of the original GI Joe's. The city of Wheeling, W.Va is home to a treasure trove of those great memories all collected in Millers Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. Alan Miller and his son assembled toys dating from the 1890's along with an impressive collection of trains and housed them in a Victorian mansion. The National Road column of the American Road 2010 Winter issue tells the full story of their collection. On this American Road Trip Talk I speak with James Schulte. The curator of this remarkable museum is in his mid-20's and many of the toys and trains are quite a few times his age but James has a tremendous grasp of the collection and a vision for its future. American Road Trip Talk (podcast)- James Schulte: Toy Treasure Trove Click here to listen... Click here to download... This American Road TripTalk is brought to you by Houma, LA. You are invited to discover a truly unique and authentic Cajun Mardi Gras celebrated nowhere else but in Houma, Louisiana - in the heart of the Cajun Wetlands. Festivities start February 25 and run to Mardi Gras on March 8, 2011. For more information check out their flier. Feel free to comment, criticize and correct our podcasts because we are always looking to make them better. In particular, if you know of anyone who might make a good subject for these podcasts, please let me know in the comments section. See you soon on the great American Road.

American Road Trip Talk (podcast)- Ann King: Virtual Route 66 Click here to listen... Click here to download... Some call it The Mother Route 66, others America's Main Street. Bobby Troup encouraged a footloose, post-war America to "Getyour kicks on Route 66". But until now no one has ever created a way for people to enjoy this great highway without ever driving a mile on it. I'm talking about a Virtual Tour ofRoute 66. In 2010 three graduate students, Ann King, Tina Lai and Marc Meyer from California State University East Bay campus created "The Mother Road Multimedia Experience". The project was described in the Tunnel Vision column of the Winter 2010 edition of The American Road Magazine. My American Road TripTalk guest is Ann King, one of those bright young students, who combined the best of cutting edge technology with a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle to provide a virtual tour of a portion of Route 66. You won't want to miss a moment of our conversation. Watch this Virtual Route 66 Video. American Road Trip Talk (podcast)- Ann King: Virtual Route 66 Click here to listen... Click here to download... This Podcast is Brought to you by: For more than forty years, Vandalia has been celebrating their history with the Grande Levee’ on the grounds of the Vandalia Statehouse, which is the Oldest State Capitol Building in Illinois. This year, 2013, the event will be held September 27 & 28. To coincide with the Grande Levee’, the Vandalia Tourism Commission will be hosting their Annual Harvest Festival downtown Saturday, September 28th with fun for every member of the family. For more information, contact Vandalia Tourism Center at 618-283-2728 or email tourism@vandaliaillinois.com. This podcast is also brought to you by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition. This fall plan a visit to the amazing corn maze tribute to the Lincoln Highway Centennial at Jonamac Orchard in Malta, Il. The first Seedling Mile of this historic highway was laid in Malt. Test your orienteering skills and try not to get lost in the 10 acre corn maze with 3 miles of pathways and two bridges. The maze opens Saturday, August 31 and runs through late October. Find out more about this colossal corn curiosity by visiting jonamacorchard.com/ ##### Pick up a copy of American Road agazine and don't miss another edition! Find a Store: http://dld.bz/AMRoadRetailOutlets Preview the current issue: http://americanroadm...previewmag.html American Road Magazine: http://www.americanroadmagazine.com/