Yearly Archives

2018

animationDisney

A review of Disney On Ice – Dare to Dream

by Mark Eades

My wife and I got a chance to see Feld Entertainment’s “Disney On Ice – Dare to Dream” and I must say it is an incredible show.

Any Disney fan, and especially those with kids, will thoroughly enjoy this ice skating extravaganza.

It features appearances by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, but the real show stoppers are the big productions based on Disney’s animated feature films.

The show opens with the song “Remember Me” from “Coco,” featuring only four skaters on ice, but it grows from there.

The song “Remember Me” from “Coco” is performed on ice during Disney On Ice – Dare to Dream. Photo by Mark Eades

“Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and Beast” has skaters dressed as Lumiere, Cogsworth, dishes and spoons. It is well staged and everyone in the audience sings along.

The “Be Our Guest” production number based on Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” in the ice show “Disney On Ice – Dare to Dream.” Photo by Mark Eades

A wonderful number based on “Cinderella” features absolutely spectacular skating by Cinderella and the Prince.

The skaters for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider take to the air above the ice at times during the production set based on “Tangled,” and brought the audience to its feet afterwards.

The same movie had a 20-plus set of skaters in the sequence based on “I Have a Dream.”

“I Have A Dream” is a real show stopper during “Disney on Ice – Dare to Dream.” Photo by Mark Eades

And the finale with the lanterns brought tears to many of the lady’s eyes.

After the intermission, the production did not slow down as it told the story of “Frozen.” Yes, many of the ladies and girls sang along to two of the movie’s songs, “Love is an Open Door,” and of course, “Let It Go.” But the production values of “Let It Go” are as good as Disney’s live show at Disney California Adventure.

Olaf and Anna skate during the “Frozen” production number of “Disney On Ice – Dare to Dream.” Photo by Mark Eades.

The final number is based on “Moana” and the spectacular skating continues here as they do an ice skating version telling of the film’s story.

I highly recommend seeing Disney On Ice – Dare to Dream to anyone who likes Disney movies, and to anyone who wants to see some great ice dancing and a great production.

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Helping Ryman Arts

by Mark Eades

For the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of serving as treasurer of the Disneyland Alumni Club, which is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit dedicated to helping current and former Disneyland Resort Cast Members stay in touch, and also give back to the community.

During my time we’ve instilled a strict financial discipline on the organization so that for the first time in a couple years, we’ve been able to give back. So, our first donation in a while was made to Ryman Arts. We’re going to continue this effort this year and beyond.

Diane Brigham of Ryman Arts, receives a $500 donation from the Disneyland Alumni Club. Pictured (l-r) are: Mark Keiser, president of the club, Brigham, Richard Ferrin, vice-president of the club and Mark Eades, secretary and treasurer of the club.

Here is more about that donation:

It was a beautiful Sunday at Walt’s Barn in Los Angeles, a perfect day and place for a special moment.

The moment was when Diane Brigham, executive director of Ryman Arts, stopped by to receive a donation of $500 to the Ryman Carroll foundation from representatives of the Disneyland Alumni Club.

Mark Keiser, president of the Disneyland Alumni Club, along with Richard Ferrin, its vice-president, presented her with the check.

“This check will help fund art supplies for a number of students accepted into our program,” Brigham said.

The donation came about thanks to the generosity of club members, and a disciplined approach to spending by the club.

“The legacy of Ryman Arts is part of the very foundation of Disneyland, Walt Disney and the man who helped Walt develop the first concepts for our Magic Kingdom,” Keiser said.

Keiser added that Ryman Arts commitment to providing solid training for young artists fits in with the Club’s mission to promote the spirit of Disneyland.

Vice-president Ferrin echoed those remarks saying, “The magical qualities that make Disneyland special are the magical qualities programs like those of Ryman Arts instills in budding artists.”

Ferrin, an artist and designer, also said Ryman Arts will be a part of the Club’s plans for its big Disneyland 65th anniversary reunion in 2020, and in 2019.

Ryman Arts was founded by friends and family of Disney artist and Legend Herbie Ryman after his passing in 1989. It was established to carry on his philosophy of teaching the foundational skills of drawing and painting to young artist to help them reach their full potential.

It primarily achieves this goal through a series of art classes taught by professional artists on weekends at Otis College of Art & Design and California State University, Fullerton. None of the students (mostly high school age) have to pay for the classes or the cost of their art supplies, thanks to the donations the foundation receives.

Founders included the late Marty Sklar, and Harrison “Buzz” Price – both Disney Legends, along with Sharon Disney Lund, Walt Disney’s adopted daughter.

The Disneyland Alumni Club was started by Disney Legend Van France who, along with Dick Nunis, wanted to create a group that would help current and former cast members stay in touch after leaving their positions at the Disneyland Resort. Additionally, it works to improve the community through its actions and donations to other organizations.

The Club’s motto is, “Always part of the Magic!”

Both organizations, along with Walt’s Barn through the Carolwood Foundation, are 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations.

Walt’s Barn in Griffith Park.

The club plans to continue its efforts to give back in 2019, with several more $500 donations all ready approved by its board of directors.

 

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theme parks

The Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs

by Mark Eades

While I was in the Orlando area at the IAAPA Expo, I spent some time over at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs, and there I discovered their Christmas Tree Trail.

The trail wraps around one side of the shopping and retail complex and consists of a number of Christmas trees – each one decorated with a theme based on a Disney movie or attraction or other theme, even villains.

So Merry Christmas and leave a comment about which tree is your favorite and why.

And this is the large tree that is the main Christmas Tree at Disney Springs. I do not know the ladies, but they would not get out of the way while I was taking my photo.

Merry Christmas everyone.

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theme parks

The fun of fun at IAAPA – the theme park convention

by Mark Eades

So I went to the big IAAPA Expo in Orlando. For those of you who don’t know what IAAPA is, it stands for International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. The Expo takes place in Orlando (of course) and it brings together thousands of folks who either design, build, engineer or operate a variety of amusement parks, theme parks, and other forms of Family Entertainment Centers.

So, of course, I took a bunch of photos. Enjoy.

These characters greeted us on the first day.
Doesn't this look really cool? Warp speed into IAAPA.
Neon lighting can have lots of twists and turns.
How to demonstrate clean toilets for your theme park? With Manneken Pis of course.
I can reach it, well he can. I didn't try.
A virtual futuristic motorcycle ride. Looks like something from TRON.
How about a virtual reality ride on a hover board?
Believe it or not, there is a company that will create your souvenir theme park map.
I was thinking this carpet would go great in the living room. Wife nixed that idea.
Don't mess with this lady.
This is my gratuitous shot of hot looking convention girls.
One company brought a working shooting gallery to the convention.
Would you invite him to lunch? Doubt it.
This guy was losing his head over all the theme park stuff at IAAPA.
Yet another virtual reality simulation vehicle.
There was lots of virtual reality and companies offering it at IAAPA
Perhaps a water and light show is something you want.
Yes, that's an amusement park ride, with people riding it, right there on the convention floor at IAAPA.
Yep, another virtual reality on board a simulator.
Not content with just virtual reality, this one tumbles you all around, even upside down.
It's hungry.
Some cool lighting effects on these critters.
My, what big teeth you have.
Why have a real fire when you can have a fake one?
Another ferocious looking creature.
Now this is old school, but it's still cool and it's perfect for me. Can someone buy me a few of these machines for my house?
Yet another thrill ride in the middle of the IAAPA Convention floor.
She was just sewn together.
IAAPA is udder fantastic.
We never had playhouses like this when we were kids.
Yes, it's a virtual reality pod.
Need a roller coaster wheel? Several companies were offering them.
There was even a virtual reality parachute drop.
Turnstiles were on display for those who needed to keep count.
This lion ain't lyin.
Well it might be a fake steam train, but it's still a locomotive and I just had to take a photo.
Something about this frog statue fascinates me.
There are locker suppliers for the parks here too.
Want your fortune told? Buy one of these.
I don't know why its eyes are glowing, but it's cool.
Ladies, a great thing to practice something for when you're mad at your man - ax throwing, the newest amusement park sport.
Shoot the bad guys virtually.
Walking the IAAPA Expo floor can be exhausting.
I loved this old school style soda display.
Okay, slow down and take a breath.
There was even a small roller coaster inside the convention center at the IAAPA Expo.
Yes, it's another thrill ride and people are puking, I mean riding it over and over.
Some interest riders.
Who knew penguins could sing?
As far as I'm concerned, the big hit of the show - the inflatable pile of poop. Kids can climb inside and bounce around all they want. I don't think it smelled bad.
It's an inflatable that's a giant snow globe.
Bounce around inside this snowman inflatable.
I have no clue why Costco was at the IAAPA Expo.
A new Aquaman display complete with wax figure for Madame Tussauds.
Sometimes you have to vent a little steam.
My one selfie at all of IAAPA.
This is an aquacar. People at waterparks can ride it, and with the top down, they get an air supply when the car goes underwater.
I hope this guy doesn't make an ass of himself.
This was amazing, those letters are made of water drops. Really cool.
Or you could just hang around on one of these climbing things.
This is a model of an actual new water slide that debuted very recently at a waterpark. It looks crazy, but it works.
What's Up Doc?
Let's count to ten, and this is brought to you by the letter "A."
This is a model of an immersive three-room inn under construction in Canada. Not only is the outside immersive, but the rooms are too.
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Adventure in the Daddy Zone – The drive back to California via Route 66 adjacent

by Mark Eades

For the trip home, we had three and a half days to get from Indiana to Southern California. There was not other way to do it: Get to St. Louis then hook up with the interstate highways that basically follow the path of Route 66, and go the maximum speed limit.

We always stayed in motels (I highly recommend the Holiday Inn Express!) that have a breakfast buffet so you can grab and go in the morning. We did that at all the inns we stayed at during the entire trip.

We left Indiana late Sunday afternoon, and got west of St. Louis and it was time to pull off the road to our first night at, yes, a Holiday Inn Express to bed down.

But, we found plenty of fast food places along the way including McDonald’s. Laugh all you want, but the Big Mac, fries and a Coca Cola were a staple on our drive many times. At this one, in southwest Missouri, they had a very unique mailbox out front. McMail anyone?

You’ve got McMail.

From Missouri, unless you want to take a long time, you pretty much have to take two of Oklahoma’s turnpikes: The Will Rogers Turnpike then the Turner Turnpike. Between the two of them the cost was a total of nearly $10.

This is a restaurant that crosses over the Will Rogers Turnpike. Don’t worry, you can get to it from the turnpike without having to pay an additional toll. We didn’t stop. We could go 75mph legally on the turnpike and I didn’t want to take my foot off the gas.

On the Will Rogers Turnpike.

From Oklahoma we kept motoring as I had one thing on my mind: A steak dinner at The Big Texan in Amarillo.

Steak!

This is the fourth time I’ve stopped and had a meal there – always dinner, never breakfast. I know how to time my cross-country drives!

I’ll take mine medium please.

As you might know, The Big Texan has been around for a long time. Part tourist trap, yet part restaurant. The place is a hoot.

Decor in the Big Texan is, well, touristy.

If you look around the walls in the restaurant you definitely know you’re in Texas, and not Kansas anymore.

Kind of reminds me of the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney.

This place is about one thing, beef.

Some longhorn long horns.

But The Big Texan is famous for something else, the possibility of getting a big meal for free!

Yep, 4.5 pounds of meat. It could cost you nothing if….

A free 72 ounce steak cooked to perfection? Wow, there’s got to be a catch.

He wishes he was young enough to try eating it.

Take a look at the size of that piece of beef.

Big beef, 72 ounces. It’s almost 2 inches thick.

The rules are that once you start eating it, with all the sides that come with it, you have 60 minutes and have to eat everything all gone – or it’s gonna cost you. More than $100!

And if you try, they put you on a raised platform where everyone in the restaurant can watch you eat.

Eating on stage. Check out the 60-minute timers.

You’ll want plenty of liquid to wash it down with.

Big beer at the Big Texan.

And if you finish, they weigh you and put your name and weight on the list of those who did it. Yes, your name, city and age too.

Big eaters get their name on the wall.

Dad can’t really eat steak any more, so he had some soup and some macaroni and cheese. I had a Rib-eye with a baked sweet potato and macaroni and cheese, along with some rolls. I washed it down with a glass of red wine.

In the evenings, there are people playing music roaming the restaurant floor. They’ll play a tune for you for tips.

Country and Western all the way inside The Big Texan.

Because of the season, they had definitely decked the halls with decorations.

Merry Christmas at The Big Texan.

Oh and if you’re staying in town at one of the motels, they’ll even come and get you and return you to the motel in one of these.

Okay, we got back on the road the next morning, and got to Flagstaff where we spent the night, then it was time for the final push to California and home. Interstate 40 in California is a very boring, long drive as the speed limit is more like 65mph or 70mph.

But when we got to Barstow, we need to stop and eat, and you know what that’s all about…In-N-Out.

You know you’re back in California when you find one of these near the interstate. Or can I call them freeways again?

Then it was time to get home, and we did in short order arriving at my sister’s house in Santa Ana where Dad resides at approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon the day before Thanksgiving.

Home again, safe and sound.

We set out on this trip on October 29th, and got home on November 21st. The odometer on my car at the start read: 52,532. At the end it read: 59,696. That means the car traveled a total of 7,164 miles during that time.

Now that includes me driving from Madison, Indiana to Orlando, Florida and back so I could go to IAAPA, the theme park convention, and that was 1,904 of those miles – and without Dad. That was a five-day detour on my part.

But still, a lot of travel and a lot of things and a lot of fun time together.

Counting the states I went through to get to the convention, here are all the states traveled: California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Who wouldn’t want to go on a long, easy going (for the most part) trip with their parent or parents? You find out all kinds of stuff you might not have known about them when it’s just you and them in the car.

For now, it’s onto the next Adventure in the Daddy Zone!

Below here are links to all the previous posts about this adventure, in reverse order.

Click here to read about Columbus, Indiana.

A tour of Madison, Indiana – Dad’s hometown.

The Indiana Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

Arriving at Madison after I went to Orlando.

Attending my niece’s wedding in St. Louis with my Dad.

Spending some time in St. Louis with my Dad, including a visit to a bridge bearing a similar name to his.

Day 11, all about trains in St. Louis.

Day 10, from Kansas City to Marceline to Hannibal Missouri.

Day 9, we visit a cousin in Kansas City, and see Harry Truman’s place.

Day 8, from Dodge City to Eisenhower’s home to a Kansas City cousin and great barbecue.

Day 7, from Las Vegas, New Mexico to Dodge City.

Part 2 of Day 6, from Chama, New Mexico to the Rio Grande gorge.

Part 1 of Day 6, from Utah to the Continental Divide.

Day 5, driving through eastern Utah.

Day 4, and evening at Evermore Park in Utah.

Day 3, going from Las Vegas to Utah.

Day 2, Las Vegas with a side trip to Hoover Dam.

Day 1, The adventure starts with a visit to Eddie World and getting to Las Vegas.

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Adventure in the Daddy Zone – Visiting Columbus and Bloomington Indiana

by Mark Eades

After touring Madison, Dad and I went up to Columbus, Indiana to have lunch with Aunt Judy and Uncle Larry, and see Mom’s childhood home and where she and Dad got married.

So here goes our visit to my mother’s hometown of Columbus, Indiana – with a short trip to Bloomington and the campus of Indiana University, where Mom and Dad met.

Downtown Columbus, Indiana, complete with county courthouse, a few shops and restaurants and more.

I remember that as a kid, we would go downtown in Columbus, Indiana to go shopping from time to time – particularly when I needed a new pair of shoes.

The courthouse in Columbus, Indiana. Kind of reminds one of City Hall and more at Disneyland, doesn’t it?

This kinetic sculpture is called “Chaos” and was made from junk out of a local junkyard. It sits in what is called the “Commons” in Columbus, Indiana.

The sidewalks of downtown Columbus, Indiana. We are on our way to one of the most important landmarks in the town.

This is, as far as I and many others are concerned, the most important location in Columbus, Indiana. It is called “Zaharako’s.” That was the last name of the brothers who founded it decades ago. We have always just called it “The Greeks.” Great ice cream sundaes, lunches and shakes and more!

Walt Disney actually tried to purchase the parlor for the big apparatus behind the counter where they kept all the sundae and soda flavors for Disneyland. He was planning to put it into Carnation Main Street. But the Zaharako brothers would not sell.

Zaharako’s in Columbus, Indiana. Still the best ice cream parlor in the world!

The main dining area of Zaharako’s has mirrors on both walls, making the restaurant look like it goes on forever.

This player organ is the original, and it was refurbished a few years ago and still works! It is in the back of the main dining area where it has always been at Zaharako’s.

My mother’s only sibling, my Aunt Judy and former babysitter, met Dad and I for lunch this day, and hot fudge sundaes of course, at Zaharako’s.

Yes, when I was a kid I sat many times at this table with my hot fudge sundae at Zaharako’s. The table and chairs are still in their original location in the dining area.

These two houses are important in my childhood. The one on the right belonged to my mother’s mom and dad. The one on the left belonged to the Landers, who were my great Aunts and Uncles.

The Lander home used to have green siding on it, and a hedge in front by the sidewalk. Alas, no more. But it has a front porch and I sat in a swing hanging by hooks on it many a time.

My grandmother’s house (we called her Nanny.) I don’t remember my grandfather on my mother’s side, he died when I was barely three. Notice it too has a wonderful front porch, and swing.

Just a few blocks from my grandmother’s house in Columbus, Indiana, sits the original St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church in the town. It has moved to a new building on the outskirts of town. But the grand old structure still sits there. The interior was spectacular back in the day.

The stained glass windows are original in the old St. Bartholomew’s cathedral in Columbus, Indiana.

My Dad stands on the steps of the original St. Bartholomew’s cathedral in Columbus, Indiana. He and Mom were married in that church in 1954. Hmmm, same year I was born.

This is one of the buildings on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. My Dad went to college there, and eventually got a Bachelor’s in business. He met Mom there, and they were quite the passionate couple as it turns out.

This tree-lined lane on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana is important in the history of me, Mark Eades. Yes, it was here my creation took place in a parked Plymouth at night under one of those trees in late December of 1953, and my parents were married in February 1954, I was born in August 1954. You do the math.

Well this was our last time in Indiana on this visit. We left from here to start our drive back to California.

Click here to read about the tour of Madison, Indiana, my Dad’s hometown.

 

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Adventure in the Daddy Zone – Touring Madison, Indiana Dad’s hometown

by Mark Eades

Before leaving for California, Dad and I toured around Madison, Indiana to take in the sights and see some places prominent in Dad’s childhood.

The fountain in Madison, Indiana. It is normally off in the winter time.

The main drive through downtown Madison, Indiana.

This bank in downtown Madison, Indiana was robbed when my Dad was but a lad. Not sure it’s a bank now.

A bunch of crows decided to hold a conference atop one of the buildings in downtown Madison, Indiana.

A unit of barges is pushed upriver on the Ohio River shorefront of Madison, Indiana as my Dad watches in the morning light.

A view of the bridge that crosses the Ohio River from Madison, Indiana to Kentucky. It is Federal Highway 421. A really interesting drive.

An interesting structure, raised up because this is part of the area that floods regularly when the Ohio River is really full.

Some kind of flood monitoring station along the shore of the Ohio River in Madison, Indiana.

A view of the bridge over the Ohio River from Madison, Indiana into Kentucky from the eastern or upriver side. FYI, the river was high this day, but not in any kind of flood stage. I’ve seen it much higher and much lower.

A view of the bridge over the Ohio River from the nearby hills of Kentucky.

Dad looks out at the Ohio River and Madison, Indiana from the hills of Kentucky.

A picture perfect view of Madison, Indiana and the Ohio River while another set of barges is pushed upriver.

Crossing the bridge over the Ohio River from Kentucky, back to Madison, Indiana.

Dad points down to the area where he and his friends used to make a swimming hole in the creek. That creek is coming out of a tunnel from underneath the old Madison Railroad Incline Cut. at 5.89 percent, it was the steepest line-haul standard gauge railroad track in North America. It was last used in 1992.

What is significant here? Well it used to be a sand quarry and as a young boy, Dad and friends decided to dig a cave in it. Well the cave collapsed with Dad in it at the age of 7. A large rock was on top of him and it took hours to dig him out. He has a scar on his head to this day from his accident. That scar is the result of more than 30 stitches.

This is the Madison Incline. It was the steepest line-haul, standard gauge railroad track in North America. Opened in 1841, the incline has been in existence for nearly 180 years. At 5.89%, this incredible feat of engineering proved to be a challenge for its operators and was last used in 1992. Today, the incline has become a popular hiking trail and can be accessed from dawn until dusk.

A view looking down at the bottom of the Madison Railroad Incline.

One of the buildings of nearby Hanover College in nearby Hanover, Indiana. It is a beautiful campus.

A view in the early morning downriver of the Ohio River from the campus of Hanover College.

A view of the Ohio River from Hanover College. Below this point is where Dad used to horse around a bit in his younger days.

Hanging Rock Falls on Indiana State Road 7, not too far from the Eades Antique Shop (which is on route 7 too) in Madison, Indiana. People used to be able to park their car underneath the falls and wash them. Not any more. Too many rocks come down.

My car inside a covered bridge over a stream in nearby Scipio, Indiana.

This picturesque covered bridge, which you can still drive through, is over a stream in Scipio, Indiana. Up the road on state route 7 from Madison, Indiana. There is a modern bridge on the other side of the covered bridge now used by most traffic needing to cross the stream.

I end this post with this quote seen next to a grave marker in a cemetery on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, where I took scenic pictures of Madison, Indiana. It seems somehow fitting for this journey with my Dad.

A terrific quote.

Click here to read about the Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

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Adventure in the Daddy Zone – The Eades Thanksgiving Feast

by Mark Eades

Well I went down to Orlando and then back to Madison, Indiana so that I could be a part of the annual Eades Thanksgiving Feast that takes place every year in the old Eades Antique Shop building.

The Eades Antique Shop building, site of the annual Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

My cousin Carla and her husband Joe own the building and host the feast every year.

Part of the spread for the annual Eades Thanksgiving Feast in Madison, Indiana.

It usually takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but because I, my Dad and my sister Cindy were in town, they decided to hold it the Saturday before Thanksgiving – giving us a chance to see and chat with the larger Eades family in one place on one day.

Part of the crowd of 51 people chowing down at the Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

On the menu was turkey, ham, pulled pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, several different yam dishes, salads, green beans, corn, fruit salads, iced tea and other non-alcoholic beverages and more.

Joe Krebs, one of our hosts, gets his plate ready to chow down at the Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

I won’t remember all the names, but they were all related somehow.

The crowd at the Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

Let me in Dad!

I’m admitted to the Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

My Uncle Phil’s kids, along with his wife Judy (behind him. The kids are (l-r) Janeen, Beth, Scott and Carla.

My sister Cindy with my Dad, Aunt and Uncles.

That’s me with my Aunt and Uncles and my Dad.

My Dad’s other brother, Uncle Keith!

My second cousin Marvin Eades, also one with a camera!

My Dad and his sister, my Aunt Jackie!

Some folks raided the dessert table.

The guy with the bib is my Uncle Phil, one of my Dad’s brothers.

My sister Cindy visiting some relatives at one of the tables.

The norm is to take all the food you want, but always clean your plate – especially if your an Eades.

My distant cousin Mark Taylor having some fun.

My Dad visiting with some relatives.

So great to be back in the old Eades Antique Shop. The floors still creak just like they used to do.

That’s my cousin Carla on the left, next to her is her sister and another cousin Janeen. And many more.

More of the Eades clan.

Dad decides to get hip with his hat.

More of the Eades relatives.

The three Marks at the Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

Aunt Jackie looking sweet.

Aunt Jackie mugging for the camera.

There were games too. Yes, that’s an old working pinball machine. I played it a bit too.

Me and Mark Taylor. By the way, it turns out we both have the same middle name.

Cindy having a laugh with some other members of the Eades family.

Visiting with a relative.

Cindy and I, that’s Judy, Phil’s wife Cindy is hugging. Seated are (l-r) Phil, Keith, Jim and Jackie Eades. All siblings.

Uncle Keith has a laugh at the expense of my Dad and his new “look.”

Two of my nieces Danielle (left) and Candice the newlywed with the Eades’ siblings.

Finally, a photo of all who were there – I think. Taken on the stairs of the old Eades Antique Shop. There really were 51 people there, but not sure if all are in this photo.

The big crowd at the Eades Thanksgiving Feast.

Many thanks to Marvin C. Eades, who supplied some of these photos, and Linda Daubenspeck who also supplied a few – along with the ones I took.

It was a wonderful occasion and great to see them all there.

Here is a link to the previous post about getting to Madison.

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An Adventure in the Daddy Zone – Return to Madison

by Mark Eades

Well we made it to Madison, Indiana. Birthplace of yours truly, and of my father. This was our stopping point for this part of the trip. I was going to drop dad off to visit with his siblings while I went on to the IAAPA convention (theme parks) in Orlando. But I would be back by the end of the week.

Now when you get to Madison, before going anywhere else, you must stop at the most important place there to eat: Hinkle’s. The place was established the year Dad was born. Great sliders, shakes and much more. There is a sit-down service side to the diner – but those in the know, or who have been around awhile, know to sit on the side with the counter service.

Hinkle’s – a place to eat great sliders, hash browns, milk shakes and more. It’s a diner.

Next stop, the old homestead – or house, or at one time a saloon and a grocery store.

The old Eades house in Madison.

This is the house I remember where my grandfather and grandmother lived. My Dad and his siblings grew up in this place. It was, at various times, a saloon and grocery store and has been around since at least the mid-1800s as far as we know. The white portion was “the porch” but also served as a family room. The bedrooms were upstairs. The bottom portion of the blue section was where my grandpa originally sold antiques, but I remember it as an area he stored a bunch of antiques.


Though we entered the “house” from the porch, it actually had doors to the south, and that’s where the mail was delivered. Those doors are actually blocked off now. The “house” is in the process of being converted into two apartments – but the place needs a bit of work.

We got a chance to tour the place, thanks to a realtor friend as the place is for sale.

The old saloon and grocery store section.

Inside the old saloon and grocery store section of the first floor was still a mess as the contractors were not done yet.

The cellar of the old house.

We decided to visit the cellar of the old house. And it is a cellar, complete with dirt floor. Very dark and dank. I don’t think this will get fixed up. But it sure needs work.

Birthplace

Why is my Dad standing in front of this small house (with a new front porch)? Because this is the house he was born in, on the kitchen table he says. It is just a few doors down from the house I remember and played in many a time.

Eades Antique Shop

This held Eades Antique Shop for many, many years. My grandfather, his siblings, and some help from my Dad, built the place. Two stories plus a basement. After Grandpa died, it was was turned into a place to restore classic cars and also a photography studio. Finally, my cousin Carla bought it. On the second floor there are two bedrooms and a full bathroom. The first floor has a living space, and a floor to hold big get togethers, including a big Thanksgiving feast. The basement is cool too.

My dad and his siblings.

One of the big reasons to take Dad to Madison was to give him a chance to visit with his siblings. They are (left to right) Phil, Keith, Dad and Jackie. They had another brother, Leonard Junior, but he died before I was born. He was the oldest, Dad is number two, Phil is third, Jackie fourth and Keith the youngest.

More later on the visit to Madison in another installment. I went on to IAAPA from here.

Click here to read the story about going to my niece’s wedding.

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agingDaddy Zonefatherhoodkidsparentingparents

An Adventure in the Daddy Zone – My Dad and the wedding

by Mark Eades

Well we made it to St. Louis, and Dad and I were going to the wedding. On top of that, Dad had to be at the rehearsal so he could practice walking down the aisle.

The groom, Jake Exely, myself and the bride, my niece, Candice J. Cherry-Exely

So while at the dinner, he and the bride (Candice Cherry at the time), his granddaughter and my niece, had a happy moment together.

My Dad, Jim Eades, and his granddaughter (my niece) Candice J. Cherry. (This was before she was married.)

Dad met the groom at the rehearsal and gave him the grandfather seal of approval. There is absolutely no proof that a shotgun was in the area at that time. (Tee hee hee).

Jake Exely, the groom, and my dad at the wedding rehearsal.

The wedding day started out a bit chili, as evidenced by the frozen ice on top of my car.

It was a bit icy, as evidenced by the top of my car that morning.

Then it was time for the wedding, so here are a bunch of photos from the wedding, mainly of the walking down the aisle.

Dad walks his carefully rehearsed walk down the aisle at the wedding ceremony.

A.J. Cherry, the bride’s oldest sister, walks down the aisle.

B.J. Cherry, the next sister of the bride walks down the aisle.

Danielle Cherry, the youngest sister of the bride, walks down the aisle.

The bride, Candice Cherry, soon to be Candice J. Cherry-Exely, walks down the aisle. She’s absolutely glowing. Oh, and that’s her dad Clif (with one f) walking her down the aisle.

Okay a post wedding photo…

The bride and groom with her sisters and mother.

The reception was held that evening. Many members of the family came from Indiana to see the occasion, and joined the party, including my Aunt Judy Eades, who is married to my Dad’s brother Phil.

Judy Eades, sister-in-law of my Dad, with him at the reception afterwards.

That’s about all the photos I have of the Wedding of Candice Cherry to Jake Exely, but it’s enough to show one of the reasons I went on this Adventurous trip with my Dad. After that day, we went on to Madison, Indiana.

Here is a link to the previous post, the day with Dad in St. Louis.

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