An Unexpected Hero

REFLECTIONS

The Magic of Show Biz

My love and appreciation for food was matched only by my passion for TV, movies, and music. I spent my childhood days dreaming, imagining, and playing alone. I watched TV for hours every day, went to the movies with my grandmother at least two afternoons a week, and listened to the music my father loved when I wasn’t watching TV or going to movies.

While in the Navy, my father was based in New York where he spent a lot of time going to nightclubs and shows, which influenced his love of music. His favorites were the big bands and popular performers of his day, from Frank Sinatra to Elvis. That music was piped throughout our house. His mom played the banjo in a country western band. This all gave me such admiration for performers in every genre.

One of my favorite shows was The Mickey Mouse Club. I really wanted to be a Mouseketeer, but I didn’t get the singing and dancing genes as much as I wished I did. I loved “show business,” but living in a small Southern town gave me little hope of ever making it a reality in my life. But without realizing it, those passions and dreams were subtly playing a role in my future. Some of my most memorable dream‑come‑true moments as an adult were made more meaningful because of those childhood experiences and fantasies.

I never got to be a Mouseketeer, but each year I hosted several episodes of my noontime TV show from the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida.