WORLD FOOTPRINTS

On this Independence Day show World Footprints will travel the "Star-Spangled Banner" Trail by land and by sea through Maryland. Our first stop will be two historical sites in Baltimore--Ft. McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Then we will explore Southern Maryland and travel to historic Jefferson Patterson Park and the Sotterley Plantation where we’ll learn about the two largest naval battles in Maryland’s history—the Battles of St. Leonard Creek. Finally, we will travel to Maryland’s capital in Annapolis to visit the U.S. Naval Academy for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Academy.

World Footprints brings front and center the 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the American Civil War.  As Gettysburg, the nation and the world reflect upon the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1 to July 3 1863, we preview what visitors can expect to see and experience during the Commemoration and beyond the battlefield with Stacey Fox, Vice President of Marketing and Sales of the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Then, Scott Hancock, PhD, Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College joins us to discuss the role of the Underground Railroad in the war, the African-American struggle for freedom--from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and the seminal events that took place in Gettysburg in 1863 that forever changed America.

Finally, Debra Sandoe McCauslin of For the Cause/Gettysburg Histories takes us along the Underground Railroad in Adams County, Pennsylvania where we visit Yellow Hill and the Quaker Valley to uncover the African-American families who settled in the area and the role of Quakers in the Abolitionist Movement there.

World Footprints brings back the story of "The Long Ride" and our first children's book club review.

In an effort to raise awareness about the plight of the rainforest author Lucian Spataro Jr. set off on a cross-country journey by horseback.  He shares his journey in his photo journal book "The Long Ride."

In our first children's book club we learned about the mis-adventures of a kid named Samuel in Lynn Glaze's book "Samuel Sails 'Round the Horn."  We even received a history lesson about the Gold Rush.

On today's show World Footprints brings you an hour of literary fun as we share two favorite Book Club interviews.

Author Kevin Fitzpatrick (no relation to us) takes us through a New York that very few know about as we explore "A journey into Dororthy Parker's New York."  After today you'll see a different side of the Big Apple and you'll leave wanting to know more about Dorothy Parker.

Then, former JFK station manager Claudia Oxee "tells all" in her book "Tales from the Tarmac".  Claudia will leave you gasping, laughing out loud and silently crying as we learn about what goes on behind the scenes at airports.

World Footprints shares an hour of two very popular Book Club shows.  We'll travel through the lives of two celebrities and live vicariously through their pens.  Actress Gloria Loring (Days of our Lives) shares her tumulous life journey and where she drew inspiration to keep moving forward in her new book "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous."   Gloria also share the trials of parenting two teenage boys, including R&B star Robin Thicke. 

British songwriter Billy Franks puts his whole life on display in his book "

Our book club reading today, The Long Ride, is the story of a team of people who in 1989 traveled coast to coast on horseback to raise awareness about the plight of the world’s rainforests—an issue that was not on the radar of most people at that time.  It started in Los Angeles and ended 2963 miles away in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. A challenge of endurance, a statement of commitment to raising awareness about the plight of the Rainforest, The Long Ride tells of the extraordinary passion and perseverance of Lucian Spataro and his team, as he rode on horseback from coast to coast.

In his second book about this historic cross-country journey, Spataro offers an honest, inspiring, comical and beautiful fusion between travel-log, advocacy and photo journal.

To read more about The Long Ride click HERE.

Some of our favorite celebrities are more than just pretty faces.  They are people who are displaying their sense of humanity and building legacies of positive footprints that go beyond the big and small screens.

Don Diamont has been seen on both the big and small screens.  Most recognized for his role as “Dollar Bill Spencer, Jr.,” on the CBS Daytime Drama, The Bold and the Beautiful. Don was honored as Ambassador of the Year by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in recognition of his work and efforts to find a cure for this crippling disease. 

Heather Tom is a two-time Emmy Award winning actress who is recognized for her role as “Katie Logan-Spencer” on the CBS Daytime drama, The Bold and the Beautiful.  Heather began acting at the tender ago of two but she embraces an even larger role on the world stage as an activist and humanitarian.

Eric Braeden has captivated audiences for many years.  From his role as John Jacob Astor in James Cameron’s Titanic to his most famous role as Victor Newman on The Young & The Restless—a role that garnered an Emmy Award, several Emmy nominati

On today’s show World Footprints explores the plight of the endangered Panther, we chat with one of the rising IZOD Indycar stars Simona de Silvestro, and we also view Catholicism through the lens with Father Robert Barron.  

Panthers once roamed the entire southeastern United States but in 1967 the panther was added to the Endangered Species List. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Park Ranger Sandy Mickey joins us to talk about some of these initiatives. 

Then, we enjoy a chat with one of the IZOD Indycar series rising stars, Simona de Silvestro.  Simona is one of a handful of female Indycar racers and she is one of the most prominent racecar drivers on the track. 

Finally, we will talk to Father Robert Barron, the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary and a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, about his PBS series

The Houmas House in Darrow, Louisiana is an antebellum plantation and sister property of the famous Greenbrier Resort in Virginia.  This historical jewel sits between New Orleans and Baton Rouge and contains a treasure trove of history within its walls.  We were pleased to spend a day with the planation's colorful owner, entrepreneur Kevin Kelly and learn what he is doing to preserve Houmas House.

The greatest act of slave resistance in American history took place in 1811 just outside of New Orleans.  Author Daniel Rasmussen discusses his book, American Uprising: The Untold Story of America's Largest Slave Revolt, and sheds new light on the great American paradox--slavery.

Finally, native New Orleanian and travel writer Laura Martone is the author of the Moon Travel Guide to New Orleansjoins us to talk about the best the Big Easy has to offer.

World Footprints is pleased to introduce more great friends from our beloved New Orleans.  First, we'll be joined by actor/filmmaker Terence Rosemore who most recently donned a badge as New Orleans Police Deputy Chief Eugene Marsden in the hit HBO series "Treme".  Terence will discuss his upcoming roles and film projects post-Treme as well as his initiative in the Crescent City to introduce the city's youth to the entertainment industry.

If you're looking for the best places to go, eat or see the Moon Guide to New Orleans is a great resource to have.  Native New Orleanian and travel writer Laura Martone joins us to give her take on what makes her hometown such an interesting and captivating place for her and visitors alike.

Finally, New Orleans is a city that never needs a reason to host a festival.  Just when you think that the city wouldn't have room for one more thing, another "thing" pops up and offers something unique.  For the last few years, Diane Lyons has been spearheading the FestiGals Conference.  As founder of this conference, Diane sought to create an event just for women.  FestiGals is an empowering weekend-long celebration of the female spirit and stength.  World Footpri