Tabitha Waite Staff Blog

Into the Deep Unknown
5 May 2016

Imagine growing up in a world where no American had ever visited space before. It was just a dark, vast unknown which you could only speculate of the endless possibilities it held. You might even would have wanted to be the first American to enter space. You could have studied it with all your free time, preparing yourself for a moment that you thought surely had to come true.

And indeed, there was a time in which no American had ever entered space. But on May 5^th, 1961, – exactly 55 years ago – Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. became the first American to launch into space. Shepard was a Navy commander in Cape Canaveral, Florida. He boarded the Freedom 7 space capsule to become the first American astronaut.

The flight only lasted 15 minutes, but it was a massive feat for NASA. It did reach 116 miles into the atmosphere, though, which must have been incredible for Shepard. Although Shepard’s trip to space may have inspired many to pursue their dreams as an astronaut and restored faith in NASA’s program, America had spent several years trying to catch up with the Soviet Union.

Shepard did not stop his dream there. Fifteen minutes wasn’t enough for him. He went on to become the fifth astronaut to walk on the moon on February 5, 1971. Today, the advances in space that NASA has been able to accomplish is incredible, from space travel to living in space.

Not only has space travel inspired a stronger desire to explore, but it’s inspired countless books, TV shows and movies. Shepard pursued his passion to explore space and be one of the first men to accomplish many feats in space. Likewise, whatever dream you may have, from becoming an astronaut to becoming an engineer or a writer, you should pursue your dream. It may seem impossible, but Shepard has proved that anything can happen.

The Wonderful World of Comcast?
28 April 2016

Disney movies were one of the highlights of my childhood. I loved Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast to name a few. I looked forward to watching them with my brothers and getting a new movie to watch on Christmas. Imagine if Disney was no longer Disney? It almost happened once.

On April 28^th, 2004, – exactly 12 years ago – Comcast abandoned its $54 billion bid to take over Disney. If Comcast’s bid had been accepted, they would have had control of Disney’s film studio, ABC’s network and ESPN. Those are just a few assets they would have gained from this bid.

Disney rejected the bid because they believed it wasn’t worth it. Their chief executive, Michael Eisner, had apparently angered many of those working for him with how he managed everything. Disney began a strained relationship with Pixar until Roy Disney led a revolt. Eisner lost his position and Disney’s president, Robert Iger, took his place, resulting in Disney changing for the better.

Thanks to Roy Disney, his uncle’s dream has remained intact and millions of people around the world can continue to enjoy Disney’s creations. The next time you’re in the theater watching a new Disney movie, remember that only 12 years ago, ‘the wonderful world of Disney’ could have been lost.

Who Done It?
21 April 2016

Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Nancy Drew are just a few of the popular and well-loved, fictional detectives. It’s easy to fall into the trap of being sucked into one of their stories. Hours can go by without realizing how much time has passed. But from where did detective stories first come?

On April 21^st, 1841, – exactly 175 years ago – Edgar Allan Poe published the first detective story, titled The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin, the detective character, was able to solve several murder mysteries in Paris, due to his “analytical power”. It was written in the view of the roommate, much like Sherlock Holmes, which came out in 1887.

After Poe’s publish in Graham’s Lady’s and Gentleman’s Magazine, detective fiction really took off.  Our favorite detectives, either from book or television, all began because of Edgar Allen Poe. Today, billions of copies of murder mysteries are sold. The detective genre is also extremely popular in movies and TV shows, which gain millions of viewers.

Put another way, finish the following phrase: “Elementary, my dear ____.” I’d be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t know this complete phrase and that’s because this genre of literature has become a part of the fabric of our culture. Thanks to Edgar Allan Poe, a world of mystery and intrigue has been provided to the world.

The “Grand Experiment” Lives On
14 April 2016

I pushed my way through the theater, heading toward the back. Some in the audience grunted in mild annoyance when I blocked their view of the stage, but they thought nothing further of it. I stepped up to the private theater box, grasping the cold handle of my gun. With one swift movement, I quietly stepped into the booth and took my shot.

The bullet hit the president in the back of the head and I couldn’t stop the tight smirk that began to fill my face. An army officer, after a moment of registering what I had done, rushed at me. I grabbed my other weapon and slashed him as I ran and jumped to the stage.

“Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged!” I shouted.

On April 14^th, 1865, – exactly 151 years ago – Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. Although the bullet didn’t immediately kill Lincoln, sadly he passed away the next morning at 7:22 a.m. The president was only 56 years of age.

Booth didn’t get away with the assassination, although he certainly tried. After shouting ‘Thus always to tyrants! The South is avenged,’ he escaped Washington on horseback. Booth had broken his leg from his leap to the stage, which probably greatly impaired his riding. The army caught up with him in Virginia. He had taken refuge in a barn, which they burned to the ground while he was in it. Booth died from a bullet wound, though, that may have been self-inflicted.

This day was sad not only back then, but also now. Abraham Lincoln was a good man and a man uniquely qualified to be president during those turbulent times. He wasn’t the only one who was attacked on that day, which many often seem to forget. The Secretary of State, William H. Seward, was also wounded that night by Lewis T. Powell, who had been working with Booth and George A. Atzerodt. Atzerodt himself was meant to kill Vice President Johnson, but he backed out at the last minute.

When looking at the elections today, many Americans are possibly ready to throw in the towel. But upon reflection, there has always been political turmoil throughout the short history of this country. If Americans can make it through the death of one of their most beloved presidents, surely they can weather the current political campaigns. What happened on April 14^th, 1856, was a tragedy, but it would also be a tragedy for us to abandon this “Grand Experiment” called America.

Dream On
7 April 2016

Growing up, I often daydreamed what it would be like to live in the past – to be a part of a big historical moment. We watch movies and read books that greatly distort history, yet we take it to heart as reality. Not everything was Little House on the Prairie. But even back then, Lewis and Clark didn’t realize this either.

On April 7^th, 1805, – exactly 211 years ago – Meriwether Lewis and William Clark left Fort Mandan for the west coast before they were meant to travel to Washington D.C. Lewis was optimistic about the expedition and how well it would go. He even told the president, Thomas Jefferson, that he’d arrive by September.

Unfortunately, it didn’t go as well as planned. Lewis and Clark headed to the Pacific first, to explore more of the unknown lands. It was a slow, difficult journey that kept them along the Pacific coast, even through the winter. In fact, the two men didn’t even arrive in D.C until January 1^st, 1807.

Just like Lewis and Clark, when you pursue your dreams, it may take you longer than you thought to get there. It may not always be as easy as you’d like it to be, but neither was Lewis’ and Clark’s expedition. Don’t lose sight of your goals, don’t give up and enjoy the adventure. Be the Lewis and Clark of your dreams.

The Iron Lady
31 March 2016

Paris, France is already a great place to visit, let alone the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is still known as an architectural masterpiece, but it took a few decades for most to admit it. Many opposed Gustave Eiffel’s proposition because they claimed it was structurally unsound or would be an “eyesore” in Paris. Despite the many protests, Eiffel completed his tower.

On March 31^st, 1889 – exactly 127 years ago – the Eiffel Tower was dedicated in a ceremony that the French Prime Minister Pierre Tirard attended. Towering 984 feet tall with 3 observation decks, this structure was and is awing. There are stairs to reach each deck, but the preferred travel are the glass-cage elevators, which were specially built for the tower.

The Eiffel Tower was the tallest man-made structure for forty-one years until 1930, when the Chrysler Building was completed. It may no longer be the tallest, but it’s by far, still one of the greatest. To this day, people from all over the world travel to see “The Iron Lady”.

Turning in Blue Suede Shoes for Combat Boots
24 March 2016

Elvis Aaron Presley is well-known for his music, but not as well-known for his dedication to the United States of America. When Elvis turned 18, he signed the draft, but on March 24, 1985, – exactly 58 years ago – he was finally inducted into the U.S. Army. The then 23-year-old appeared as ready as ever.

Unfortunately, just before his two years of service, a sad event occurred. His mother, Gladys Presley, passed away and shortly thereafter, Elvis was shipped to Germany. While in Germany, Elvis met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu. In 1960, he returned home and back to the stage, but by then, there was a big distinction between the “old” and the “new” Elvis Presley. Whereas his old records were titled “That’s All Right (Mama)” and “Jailhouse Rock,” his new songs were titled “Aloha Oe” and “Pocketful of Rainbows.”

Elvis Presley wasn’t the only singer to serve his country. Johnny Cash, country singer, enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War. Even MC Hammer joined the Navy. We may love and admire these artists because of their songs, but we forget to honor them and many others for their commitment to serving their country. This should inspire us to look beyond our career goals and search for ways to serve our community and our nation.

Will the Real Saint Patrick Please Stand Up?
17 March 2016

Leprechauns, three-leaved clovers and lots of green are just a few of the reminders that it’s St. Patrick’s Day. I enjoy most holidays, but this one in particular is special to me. St. Patrick’s Day is also my brother’s birthday. How much more exciting can a
holiday be than to have a sibling’s birthday fall on that day? Because of this, as well as the way we now celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it’s easy to forget what we’re actually meant to be celebrating.

On March 17^th, 461 A.D., Saint Patrick passed away. Patrick was a Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland. Many stories of his life have spread, but most of what really happened comes from a book he wrote, titled Confessio. Patrick was probably born in Scotland, but was captured and enslaved by Irish marauders when he was only 16. He worked as a herder and turned to his faith to make the days easier.

One night, Patrick had a dream that he should return home. He escaped his captors in Ireland and returned home to his family. Even though he was back home, he had yet another dream, in which someone named Victoricus gave him a letter. While reading the letter, Patrick realized that there were voices of Irishmen. They begged him to come and walk among them once again.

Patrick studied for the priesthood and was ordained a bishop. He went back to Ireland in 433 and preached the gospel. He built churches around the country and converted thousands of Irish. He taught for 40 years nonstop, working as hard as he could to reach as many Irish as he could. Patrick died where he had built his first church, in Saul.

So today, as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in our own traditional way, we can keep in mind why there actually is this holiday to celebrate. Of course, it’s always great to wear our best green to avoid a pinch and enjoy uniquely Irish food and drink.

“Mr. Watson, Come Here”
10 March 2016

Constantly, we are on our phones, whether it’s to text, Facebook or just go through different social media apps in general. It’s hard for such a technologically advanced society to remember what it was like to have a phone on which you could only talk. There was no screen or texting. The phones couldn’t even leave the house because they connected using wires.

On March 10^th, 1876, – exactly 140 years ago – Alexander Graham Bell was first understood over his invention of the telephone with the words, “Mr. Watson, come here; I want you.” Thomas Watson, whom he had summoned, was a gifted mechanic Bell had hired to help him with the telephone.

Bell was born Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1847. As he grew older, he taught deaf students how to speak, as well as trained teachers of the deaf. Although those were his full-time jobs, he enjoyed studying another type of sound in his free time. Bell experimented with sound waves and one day realized he would be able to transmit speech over a telegraph-like system. But even with Watson at his side, it was a tough road of tweaks.

Thankfully, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson succeeded in their invention. In 1887, Bell even formed his own company, Bell Telephone Company, with the help of two investors. His small company, after a few change of hands, is now known today as American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T).

The telephone may have started out extremely different than the phones we use today, but everything has to come from somewhere. Without Bell, who knows if our phones would be able to do everything they can now do for us? He shared with us how important it is for us to communicate with each other, even if we’re long distances away. Perhaps we should remember that the next time we’re caught up on Facebook or Twitter and instead, call a loved one.

Making the Impossible Possible
3 March 2016

Most of us know the heartfelt and remarkable story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. Helen Keller was a young child, stubborn and angry, when her parents decided to find someone to teach their deaf, mute and blind daughter to communicate. Keller’s parents called Alexander Graham Bell, who recommended they contact the Perkins Institution for the Blind. What they didn’t realize at the time was that Anne Sullivan herself had attended that school and so the school recommended Sullivan to help their daughter, Helen.

On March 3, 1887, – exactly 129 years ago – Anne Sullivan began teaching Helen Keller. It was a long, difficult journey, but they made it. Sullivan was so successful in teaching Keller to communicate, her student became a public speaker and an author after graduating Radcliffe College in 1904. Helen Keller lived a full life of 87 years and died on June 1, 1968.

This is a story of hard work and patience that truly paid off in the end. It likewise inspires others to do what they may deem impossible. If Anne Sullivan could teach a blind, deaf and mute girl to read, write and speak; and if Helen Keller could learn to communicate and graduate college with honors; then how much more can we do? When things seem just too hard, we should remember that anything is possible and work our hardest to achieve great things.

Movie by Car?
25 Feb 2016

Going to the movies is one of America’s favorite pastimes. We can go by ourselves, but we typically go with at least one other person, whether significant or a friend. It’s thrilling to arrive at the theater, buy the ticket, then sit in a room filled with seats set before a massive screen.

It’s 2016, and we typically always go indoors to watch movies and think nothing of it. But on February 25, 1938, -exactly 78 years ago – the city of Miami, Florida, opened its first drive-in movie theater. Whereas the average price for a ticket today is $8, back then, it was only 35 cents at Miami’s drive-in. They even found that it cost too much and lowered it to 25 cents. Wouldn’t that be nice today?

Drive-in movie theaters were extremely popular through the years after World War II. The car culture was growing and Richard Hollingshead, whose family owned an auto parts company, saw a future success. He opened the first-ever drive-in theater in America near Camden, New Jersey, on June 6, 1933. This set the pathway for about 4,000 drive-ins by the 1960’s. Sadly, the industry declined because it just cost too much to own drive-in movie theaters, cutting down the number of drive-ins to less than 400 today.

Although there are less drive-ins today, I was able to find one still open in the Denver Metro area. The 88 Drive In Theater in Commerce City shows movies during the summer and has a snack bar. Perhaps drive-ins are now a part of the past, but there’s no reason why we can’t enjoy them during the present. Besides, where else can we go to see three movies for the price of one – and from the comfort of our own car?

Don’t Take My Pizza!
18 Feb 2016

Growing up, I’d always had a fascination with space. The stars, the planets, the galaxies – it all felt like a real life sci-fi book. Although science has never been my strong suit, I always enjoyed learning about space. I remember learning the mnemonic ‘My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas’. But I also remember the disappointment I felt the day I found out that there were no more pizzas left because Pluto was no longer named a planet.

On February 18^th, 1930, – exactly 86 years ago – the planet Pluto was discovered by Claude Tombaugh. The 23-year-old was at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Unfortunately Tombaugh’s discovery only lasted 76 years because in August 2006, Pluto’s title as a planet was disqualified because of its size and location in space. Even so, Pluto is still considered a dwarf planet and a plutoid.

That’s the thing about science, though. Even if history says that something is set in stone, new scientific advances can prove history to be wrong. For several years, it was written in hundreds of school books that Pluto was a planet and children had to learn and memorize this as fact. But regardless of how science sees it today, Pluto was a great discovery for astronomers nearly a hundred years ago and continues to inspire us to look deeper and deeper into space.

Yes, science may tell us now that Pluto isn’t a planet, but I still really like pizzas. For that reason, I’ll still consider Pluto one of the planets, dwarf may it be. It was a part of my childhood schooling and it will always be something I’ll remember for years to come. I’d much rather have nine pizzas than eight, anyway.