Guestbook - Volume 19

October 2005 to March 2006

Date: Mon Mar 27, 2006
From: Mary-Ellen
Subject: WDW Trip Report

Hello Arnold!

I enjoyed your December 2005 trip report -- I was intrigued by your "22-hour flight" from V.I. to Miami. :-D

POFQ [Port Orleans French Quarter] is one of my favorite WDW resorts, moderate or otherwise. Looking forward to reading your first trip report as a DVC owner -- I rented points from a DVC member earlier this month to try out OKW [Old Key West]. I can see why people love it, but it seems too spread out and "isolated" from the Parks.

Take good care,
Mary-Ellen

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks for the comments, Mary-Ellen. Of course, that VI-MIA trip was really only 2 1/2-hours, but it came up on Mouseplanet as 22-hours. We're also looking forward to our first DVC vacation, which we are planning for December 2006 with our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter at Saratoga Springs Resort. It will be a new experience visiting the parks with our little grandaughter!]

Date: Fri Mar 24, 2006
From: Kelly
Subject: Trip Report

Hello Arnold:

Thank you for another entertaining Disney World trip report. I always enjoy them. The website where you have the pictures is put together so well, it looks wonderful. I too have really been enjoying the new-found "no flash" settings on my camera and getting some great dramatic shots at my home parks of Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.

Above all, I wanted to say congratulations on the DVC purchase. I think you will not be disappointed. If you've read either of my trip reports, you know that I am very interested in purchasing as well, but just want to wait until I can pay it all in cash at once, hence the delay. I think you will love the versatility. I find that with 150 points I can have up to 9-10 nights in a studio at Old Key West every year, which is amazing. Even in the years when you only want to go for 3-4 nights, you have enough points to get one of the Grand villas, which are amazing and can house your whole family. What a treat that would be.

Congratulations also on your upcoming retirement! Take care.

Kelly

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Kelly, thanks for the comments. My wife and I are very excited about our DVC membership and the opportunity to share the Disney "Magic" with family and friends in the future. We're already planning another visit to Disney World later this year and a possible visit to Disneyland Resort in California next year.]

Date: Thu Mar 23, 2005
From: Kathi
Subject: Trip Report

Hello,

My name is Kathi, and I am a stay-at-home mom who loves to read trip reports! I really enjoy reading your Disney World trip reports and get a bit jealous that you get such long vacations! I am sure they are well earned. My husband and I have only been to WDW once and that happened to be on 9/11/2001. We look forward to taking our girls there in 2009 for our 10th wedding anninversary. I print every new trip report there is and read them in my spare time. It makes me feel like I am there. Thank you for sharing your vacations and congratulations to you and your wife on becoming DVC members. What a thrill!! I tried opening your pictures link, but was unable to view them. Thank you again for such a detailed report.

Take care.

A Disney friend,
Kathi

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Kathi, thanks for your comments on the trip report. I know you'll really enjoy and appreciate the "Magic" of Disney World when you get there in just a few years. The wait will be well worth it. You can find my pictures here. Enjoy!]

Date: Thu Mar 23, 2006
From: Kathryn
Subject: WDW Trip Report

Hi!

How wonderful it was for me to see another of your wonderful Disney World trip reports. I have read the past few posted on Mouseplanet. It is great to see other people from "down here" who love Disney as much as my husband and I do. We live on the island of Puerto Rico. I moved here 4 years ago and my husband has been here 40 years. I am still trying to get used to the weather as I am from Wisconsin and he was born in Indiana. Thankfully, we only have one more hurricane season to make it through before we move to Orlando. Keep posting those reports, we really enjoy reading them.

Kathryn

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Kathryn, thanks for the comments on the trip report. I'm glad you found it entertaining to read. My wife and I are close by on St. Thomas, but our mothers were both born in Puerto Rico. Enjoy your visits to Disney World when you move to Orlando next year.]

Date: Wed Mar 22, 2006
From: Kathy
Subject: WDW Trip Report

Arnold-

What a great Disney World trip report!! Having visited the "World" only twice, reading your report was bringing back many of my own memories. I'm in the planning stages of our family's next trip and since my sister and her family recently moved to Orlando, I'm looking forward to many more trips in the future.

Thanks again and congratulations on your upcoming retirement... :-)

Kathy

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Kathy, thanks for the comments on the trip report. I'm sure you'll enjoy the visits to your sister and WDW in the future. With our daughter living in Florida also, we've been able to visit Disney World each of the past three Decembers, something we weren't able to do as frequently in the past.]

Date: Sat Mar 11, 2006
From: sJim
Subject: Ventures in Town Next Week, Bob Bogle Question

Hi Arnold,

You have a great Ventures website, in particular the discography and historical info. I have it linked on my Ventures tribute page located at www.tunefan.com/ventures.htm. And see you have my page linked on you site too.

I am thrilled, as The Ventures are playing here in Alexandra, Virginia next week and, of course, I have a ticket and will be going. The last time I saw them is 3 years ago on the Surfin' to Baja cruise.

I guess Bob Bogle does not really play with them at all anymore? I traded emails with Art Greenhaw in Dallas, who does a lot with Nokie Edwards (and got to play with The Ventures on a number at the recent NAMM trade show in Orange County, California), and he seemed to think this is the case. Maybe you know more about this?

At least Nokie Edwards is supposed to be performing with the group next week.

Again, great website.
Jim

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Jim, glad you like my Ventures site. It's my understanding that Bob Bogle had some medical problems last year that prevented him from touring with the band. Long-time Ventures friend and associate, Bob Spalding, filled in for him during the annual Japan tours (summer 2005 and January 2006) and will also be filling in for Bob B. on the short east Coast tour this month (March 2006). However, Bob B. reportedly was in the studio with the band last month to record a new album for release later this year. It's still uncertain whether Bob B. will do the Japan tour this summer. I guess it depends on his medical situation, which I believe is stomach-related but not life threatening.]

[Jim reponded as follows:]

Arnold,

Thank you for responding, and I very much like your Ventures' website. I think you have the best discography going! In fact, when I sometimes receive email about a Ventures song, I will either look to your site for reference, or direct the questioner to it.

Also, good that you have a pulse on the present tour lineup. I had heard something about Bob Bogle having stomach issues, let's hope they are manageable for him. Of course, in that Bob was an original group co-founder, I wish I would be seeing him during the show next week. But I did see him on the Baja cruise. I am glad Nokie is supposed to be with the group.

I hope to take some photos, and will post a few if any come out okay. [Jim's photos can be found here.] I've also got a few items to be signed, including a couple of 4-foot surfboard signs that I have other musician signatures on.

Anyway, thanks once again for the information, and your site is very much appreciated by all of The Ventures' fans out there.

Jim

Date: Fri Feb 17, 2006
From: Val
Subject: The Ventures

Arnold,

First of all, your website is outstanding! I cannot believe all of the information contained about the greatest rock instrumental group in history! Congratulations! And when it comes to head-on guitar-driven rock 'n' roll, no one has ever done it better than these guys!

Now I have a question. I recently acquired the Japanese CD "Best of Live," Toshiba-EMI TOCP-6602 (released 1991). I thought all of the tracks on this CD came from two LPs: "All About the Ventures Live" (recorded in '65 but released in '66) and "On Stage Encore" (recorded in '66 but released in '67). But your discography gives the title of this CD as "Best of Live - '65-'69." Not being able to read Japanese, I can't tell anything from the booklet notes.

Am I mistaken that some tracks are pulled from live albums other than the two I mentioned? I thought that tracks 18 through 27 were all pulled from "On Stage Encore." Is this not correct?

Thanks for providing such a great service!

Val,
Indianapolis, IN

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Val, thanks for the compliments on my Ventures site. I rechecked a copy of "Best of Live" and I believe you are correct about the source of the recordings. I made the change in the discography.]

Date: Tue Feb 14, 2006
From: Hou-Yin
Subject: Oswald the Rabbit

Oswald is back at Disney as part of a trade with Universal where Al Michaels was traded for the character. News story here.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks for the information, Hou-Yin. I've updated the Oswald the Rabbit page.]

Date: Thu Feb 9, 2006
From: Auf
Subject: Ventures Book

Hi,!

I love your site! I am trying like mad to get a copy of "The Ventures Book" that came out in Japan in 1995. Do you have any idea where I could find one?

Please let me know. Thanks.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: You should be able to find the Japanese Ventures book from www.SoundSourceCDs.com. Wes, the owner, still has it listed on the web site for just under $50.]

Date: Fri Feb 3, 2006
From: Adi
Subject: Great Ventures Website

Thanks!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Likewise, thanks, Adi, for your comments. I'm glad you like the Ventures site.]

Date: Thu Feb 2, 2006
From: Charles
Subject: Availability of Ventures CD's

Hi,

I am trying to build up my collection of Ventures CD's, particularly the "One Way" label having 2 albums on 1 cd. I have been able to buy a few cd's on the label over the years, and now I see some of them are out of print, and commanding exhorbitant prices on Amazon.com. Do you know where I still can order them from a reputable dealer here in the U.S. for a much more reasonable price than Amazon?

Thanks,
Charles

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Charles, I checked several other online music sources, and Amazon.com seems to be the only one that has most of the "One Way" 2-on-1 CDs. Perhaps you can check on Ebay.com to see if anyone has the CDs up for auction. Many rare Ventures items are available on Ebay.]

Date: Tue Jan 24, 2006
From: Matt
Subject: USS Enterprise

Hi Arnold,

Nice looking website! Kudos to you for the obvious time and effort you've invested in your pages.

I came across your site through your USS Enterprise pages. I'm quite impressed with all the terrific pictures and the vast wealth of Big E info. Being an ex-Enterprise sailor and also a long-time Star Trek fan, it is very nice the way you've tied together all the Enterprises of past, present, and future.

I'm looking forward to perusing the rest of your fine site. Keep up the great work!

Matt
Lehigh Acres, FL
USS Enteprise (CVN-65), WEPS/G-1, 1992-96
www.sizor.com/cvn65

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Matt, thank you very much for the kind words about my history of vessels named Enterprise. Thanks also for your years of service to our nation aboard the Big E.]

Date: Fri Jan 20, 2006
From: Rob
Subject: Spanish Warship "Terror"

Arnold:

This is an answer to a 1999 inquiry (just found your website) regarding a Spanish warship "Terror." The Terror was a Spanish torpedo boat (the size of a modern patrol boat) stationed in San Juan during the Spanish-American War. It saw only one engagement (against the USS St. Paul, and auxiliary cruiser) and was damaged. The information is from "Clear for Action" (Bonanza Press, 1964). For naval warfare fans, this book has some of the best information on naval engagements in the Spanish-American War.

Rob

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Rob, thanks for the information. I'll pass it on to the original inquirer.]

Date: Sat Jan 7, 2006
From: Steen
Subject: van Beverhoudt Geneology

Dear Arnold,

I found your family album on the net. The reason is that I searched my ancestors, and have just found the planters at St. John:

Janns van Beverhoudt (- 1733 -)
son Pieter van Beverhoudt (- 1777/1788)
daughter Sara Susanna van Beverhoudt (1746 -)

Plus a lot of relatives to them.

The Danish historian Kay Larsen guessed that Jannis came from Tortola where the Dutch had been kicked out by the English.

Now I wonder whether something is written about the van Beverhoudt geneology? Or is there any expert somewhere? Or can you give me any other help?

De bedste nyarshilsner
Best New Year's greetings
Steen

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Steen, thanks for the information and your inquiry. I know about the planters on St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands - formerly the Danish West Indies), but have never seen anything written about the van Beverhoudt family geneology. My grandfather, Ernest van Beverhoudt, was a merchant here on St. Thomas in the 1800s and later moved to Venezuela with his family. My father, Arnold Sr., moved back to St. Thomas in the early 1900s and remained here the rest of his life.]

Date: Thu Jan 5, 2006
From: Rebecca
Subject: Battlestar Galactica Series Summary

Dear Sir,

I happened to stumble upon your website of sci-fi series summaries while searching for some photos, and found it to be informative and well-done. I did notice one error on your Battlestar Galactica series page, relating to the Ronald D. Moore reimagining. The new episodes, beginning tomorrow, January 6th, 2006, is the first episode of the second half of Season 2, known colloquially as "Season 2.5." Season 3, while greenlighted and announced, won't begin for several months.

Thanks for your time and keep up the great work!

Rebecca

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Rebecca, thanks for the correction. I think that when "Pegasus" first aired, SciFi Channel referred to it as the "season finale," so I assumed that was the end of Season 2. I just bought the new Season 2.0 DVD set, and realized that the episodes that began on Friday, January 6, are actually the continuation of Season 2. I've made the correction on the web site.]

Date: Wed Dec 28, 2005
From: Mike
Subject: The Ventures Hall of Fame Induction

Dear Arnold,

I would just like to know who in the world decides who is to be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, and what planet do they live on?!! The Ventures should have been inducted many years ago, as they are probably one of the most talented and versatile band in rock 'n' roll history! This is completely absurd and really baffling to me and many thousands upon thousands of Ventures fans all over the world, why this has not happened. Numerous musicians and bands that have been previously inducted have all stated they were all "FIRST" inspired to get in the business by listening to and watching the talent, sound, and style of the fabulous Ventures! The Ventures have sold millions of "ALBUMS" worldwid and their touring schedule "WORLDWIDE" for the last 38 years is way beyond many groups' or singing performers' imagination! Not only that, they are still touring and playing together since 1958. Eat your heart out Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, and others. It's way overdue and about time to give The Ventures a very high honor and their place in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, as they have more than certainly earned and deserved it. Thank you for your time reading this.

Your truly,
One Rock 'n' Roll fan of lots of singers and bands, and especially an avid Ventures fan!
Mike

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike, thanks for your thoughts about The Ventures. I agree completely with all of the points you made in your letter. It's very ironic that, while the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame continues to ignore the important musical influence of The Ventures, in January 2006, the Grammy Hall of Fame added "Walk Don't Run" by The Ventures to their list of the most influential songs in the history of music! This honor was bestowed upon The Ventures by vote of music producers, composers, and artists and, in my opinion, is perhaps more noteworthy than induction into the R&RHOF because the Grammy's reach goes far beyond just "rock and roll" music. Nevertheless, we will continue to push for induction of The Ventures into the R&RHOF. Thanks for adding your name to my petition]

Date: Mon Nov 21, 2005
From: Paul
Subject: Unexpected Aircraft Carrier Info

Dear Arnold,

Keep up the great work on your site (Sandcastle V.I.) - it makes for interesting reading.

I eventually got around to reading the Directory of Aircraft Carriers. Lots of familiar names there, but a few things I did not expect to see. Perhaps you could give me a bit more info - there were no aircraft in 1882 when Vulcano was stricken, let alone carriers. Or are these entries which have strayed in from some other list?

Paul

Paul wrote again later the same day:

Arnold,

Forget about my earlier email - well not entirely, accept the compliment on your work.

I've found the answer to the question I asked. I should have started at the very first page ("The Early Years") rather than the bigger WW2 entries. A Google search brought me in to the Leyte page (Part 11) and from there I look at adjacent pages and then went to the directory. Now I have gone back to the start. One can only admire the audacity of the Austrians in using a ballon against Venice - an innovative approach to using "modern" technology.

Regards, and thanks for some nice work.

Paul

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Paul, thanks for the compliments on the web site. Yes, the carrier directory entries you first questioned were "balloon carriers" used before the advent of the airplane.]

Date: Fri Nov 18, 2005
From: Stephan
Subject: The Ventures: Samovar

Hello (again) Arnold,

Can you tell me on which Russian classical song "Samovar" is based?

All the best from Belgum

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Hi Stephan. I'm sorry but I don't know the origin of the Ventures song "Samovar." UPDATE: Stephan later wrote back to tell me that "Samovar" is based on music from Peter and the Wolf.]

Date: Fri Nov 11, 2005
From: Nigel
Subject: Your Website

Hi Arnold,

Just discovered your website whilst looking at http://freddie.spb.ru, following up a lead on "The Shadows" the British instrumental group, of whom I am a lifelong fan ( I am the same age as Hank Marvin).

Your website is a mine of information and dovetails very well with all my interests - aircraft, Sci fi, Motor sport, Space.

It is almost the website I never created.

Congratulations on your efforts. Its going to take me some time to enjoy all the pages - better than being glued to the TV.

I was made redundant from Powergen ( gas & electric utility company) last year and took early retirement at the same time.

Prior to that I had studied part time to gain an Open University degree in Science and Technology and worked for some years for GEC Avionics as a Technical Author, writing tech manuals for the Government, covering air radio and radar for Harrier Jump jets, Tornado bombers and the like. Can't be specific about what I did as its still covered by Official Secrets Act.

I moved on to a smaller contract company where I wrote the engine management systems manuals for the British Aerospace 148 jet liner - the whispering jet it was nicknamed here, as the four engines were extremely quiet.

In my younger days I did a lot of car rallying, mostly in Mini Coopers, of which I am a life long fan, as is my son . He has just finished refurbishing a 28 year old Mini to modern spec. as a hobby project.

Inspired by Hank Marvin I have over the years attempted to play the guitar, having built my first by hand from an old oak table top. Last year I attended the sad occasion of "The Shadows" final concert, when they did a 37 date tour of UK and Europe - 42 years in show biz, and an inspiration (like the Ventures) to countless guitarists.

They finished their set with "Apache" - their first hit- and I dont think there were many dry eyes in the theatre. Again they are a group of musicians who never seemed to get the recognition they deserved, although HM Queen did bestow the O.B.E.upon them a couple of years ago.

Anyway, must close and spend some time dipping into your excellent site.

Best regards,
Nigel

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Nigel, thanks for the kind words about my website. I'm glad that you've found so many section of interest. I'm planning to retire at the end of April 2006 after 35 years of public service as an auditor with the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Interior. Our office makes sure that government funds are being used properly.]

Date: Fri Oct 21, 2005
From: Wallace
Subject: Use of Cobra Photos in Book

Dear Sir:

I am an American historian who often writes on Cobra. I was looking at your very fine website. I like the folksy quality.

It so happens that I am finishing up a photos-only book on Cobra and Shelby Mustangs, and I saw several images I would like to use in the book if possible. Digital images are fine if they can be saved at higher than 300dpi because they would be used 4" high and 7" wide.

Here are the shots I saw that I liked:

- Dan Gurney in Cobra #99

- Essex Cobra 427 white car side view

If there are any others, particularly of Cobra open roadsters, and especially the big block 427 roadster, please let me know. I would be happy to print your name and the website address but if money must be exchanged please give me an idea of the price for one-time use (only in the book, no posters, etc.).

Wallace
Riverside, CA

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Wallace, I'm glad you like my Cobra web pages. Unfortunately, I won't be in a position to help you with the photos for your book because I was not the photographer of those photos and claim no rights to them. The photos were taken by former Shelby American photographer, Dave Friedman, and appear in his book "Shelby Cobra: The Shelby American Original Archives 1962-1965." I only have the small thumbnail reproductions that appear on my web site.]

Date: Thu Oct 13, 2005
From: Richard
Subject: Cobra History

Arnold

Thanks for the great site! Why no mention of Sebring, Daytona?

The way I first entered was on a search for specific Cobras (CSX2138 & ...89), which led me to a listing of USRRC (and USRRC only) entries with drivers, car numbers, and S/Ns race-by-race and year-by-year. the Sebring and Daytona races are missing from those ('63, '64, '65) years, but Nassau is included. Most, if not all of the USRRC races were also FIA events for the Manufacturer's Championship, if I recollect, so it seemed natural to me to expect the non-USRRC Sebring and Daytona races to have been included. (Nassau being an oddball FIA-sanctioned non-championship event).

Anyway, when I just tried to get to that list from the link, I couldn't find it.

So, that was the reason for my (constant and ongoing) confusion.

From your address, do I gather you are in Caribbean climes? (And if so, are a Nassau Historian as well?)

Best regards,
Rick

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Rick, glad you liked the Cobra racing history site. The page you intitially went to was a list of only non-World GT Championship U.S. road races (with the oddball Nassau events also included). The Sebring and Daytona World GT Championship race results are on the international road race page. As far as I know, the only U.S. races that were part of the World GT Championship were Daytona, Sebring, and Bridgehamption. This is confirmed in several books on the Shelby Cobra assault against Ferrari in that championship. Sorry for the confusion. As for my location, I'm on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.