Jimmy Hawkins is a classic TV and film actor known best for his role as Tommy Bailey in the iconic 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In addition to this Christmas classic, he has appeared in various other films and television shows throughout his career including, Leave it to Beaver, Petticoat Junction & the Donna Reed Show. Jimmy also appeared with the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley in two movies, (“Girl Happy” and “Spinout”).

Over the years, Jimmy has enjoyed participating in positive and encouraging endeavors such as entertaining US troops in Vietnam and together with Henry Denker wrote the movie “Love Leads the Way”. The movie highlights the power of love, friendship, and the incredible assistance that guide dogs provide to people with visual impairments.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, Jimmy, who is also an author and movie producer, will be sharing memories from his incredible career and will talk about the many ways Frank Capra’s, “It’s a Wonderful Life” continues to inspire him to share its’ positive message.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

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Justin Breen was only thirteen years old when his dad passed away. Thankfully, Justin’s dad, who was a US soldier in Europe during WWII and a gifted storyteller, had left a diary. The diary included detailed descriptions of his perilous war experiences and demonstrated to Justin his father’s instinctive ability to survive and succeed.

By reading his father’s diary, Justin was able to learn more about his father and how his father’s natural instincts to rise to the top despite hardships affected his own way of thinking. Additionally, a cousin provided more family history about Justin’s grandparents, which helped solidify the family legacy of living life without excuses in order to be the best.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Justin Breen, Founder and CEO of BrEpic Communications, a global PR firm which works with top visionary entrepreneurs. He is also the best selling author of “Epic Business” and “Epic Life”.

Justin will tell how he has been shaped by his father’s resilience and his mother’s high energy hustle to become a leader in his field while always putting his family first. Justin states that his “purpose in life is to be a connecting superhero for every visionary who shares their stories with the world”.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Justin Breen

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Dwight David Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas on October 14, 1890, the third of seven sons of David and Ida Eisenhower. Not long after Dwight’s birth, the family moved to Abilene, Kansas where he grew up. Dwight later attended West Point Military Academy, graduating in 1915 and soon after met Mamie Doud, who would become the love of his life. The two would be married for over fifty years.

Eisenhower rose to fame during World War II as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe, leading the successful D-Day invasion that played a significant role in the defeat of Nazi Germany.

In 1952, he was elected the 34th President of the United States.

Eisenhower's presidency focused on improving the nation’s infrastructure and was also marked by efforts to contain the spread of communism during the Cold War while maintaining peace and stability on the international stage. One of his initiatives, was the creation of the People to People International program, which he established in 1956 to improve understanding and friendship between citizens of different countries through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Mary Jean Eisenhower, youngest grandchild of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower. Mary Jean will share her memories of playing as a child in the White House, spending personal moments with her grandparents and meeting World leaders such as French President, Charles de Gaulle and Premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev.

Mary Jean will also tell how an encounter with Khrushchev’s son, Sergei in the 1990’s moved her to change careers in order to develop and expand People to People International, the program established by her grandfather.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Mary Jean Eisenhower

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To learn more about the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival led by Nicholas Inman in Marshfield, MO. : https://www.cherryblossomfestival.com

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Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, also known as the “King of the Cowboys” and “Queen of the West”, were household names throughout most of the second half of the 20th century.

Following several failed marriages each, they married in 1947 and remained married for over 50 years until Roy’s passing in 1998.

During their successful careers, the couple starred in numerous western films, often alongside Roy’s famous horse “Trigger”. They appeared on many television variety shows including one they hosted themselves. They also entertained their fans at many live events such as rodeos and parades & were often heard singing a song written by Dale, called “Happy Trails”.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Julie Rogers Pomilia, the granddaughter of Roy and Dale. Julie will be speaking about her recently released book, “Your Heroes, My Grandparents, a Granddaughter’s Love”. She will share stories about growing up in the Rogers family and how, despite a series of family challenges and tragedies, Roy & Dale were able to consistently foster an atmosphere of love, fun and faith.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Julie Pomilia Rogers

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Cuba’s revolutionary history dates back to the early 1950’s when the seeds were first planted for the eventual armed overthrow of Fulgencio Batista’s government by Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries on January 1, 1959. Against all odds and despite many attempts to remove him from power, Castro remained as Cuba’s leader until 2008, after nearly 50 years as the nation’s leader.

Our guest on this episode of Your History Your Story is historian, university professor and award-winning author, Dr. Luis Martinez-Fernandez.

Luis, who was born in Cuba, is a professor of history at the University of Central Florida and has an expertise in the areas of Latin America, the Caribbean and Latino - Hispanic politics, culture and society.

Luis will be discussing his book, “Revolutionary Cuba: A History” and will take us through the tumultuous period in Cuban history that includes Castro’s rise to power, his alignment with communism and the Soviet Union and events such as the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis which almost led to a nuclear world war in October 1962.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Luis Martinez-Fernandez and YHYS Podcast

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In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Mike Purdy. Mike, who is a presidential historian, author and media commentator was a guest on a recent episode of ours titled “Presidential Friendships: How They Changed History” (S7 Ep 06).

While working on that earlier episode with Mike, we learned that he was in the process of battling metastatic prostate cancer and had just completed writing a book titled “Reflections of an Uncertain Journey”, in which he shares the impact the disease has had on his life.

In this episode we will be speaking with Mike about his new book and the physical, emotional, spiritual and relational journey that he has been on since his devastating diagnosis back in the spring of 2019. Mike will also tell of the importance of having family and friends who have helped to sustain and encourage him along the way.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Mike Purdy and YHYS Podcast

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In the early 19th century, Americans seeking to escape crowded coastal towns and cities, began to settle further inland, away from navigable waterways. Since passable roads were scarce at that time, it became necessary to develop a transportation system that would enable the movement of goods across inland routes.

The canal system was a man-made waterway, where boats and barges powered by mules would transport freight to various markets along a specific route. One of those canals, called the Morris Canal, stretched 102 miles across the rugged landscape of Northern New Jersey from Phillipsburg on the Delaware River to Newark & later to the New York Harbor at Jersey City.

Construction of the Morris Canal began in 1825 and first opened for business in 1831. The canal was used to carry large quantities of coal from eastern Pennsylvania and also iron, lumber, agricultural and home goods to the east coast cities and points in between.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Bloomfield Councilman, Rich Rockwell. Rich, who is a council liaison to both the Morris Canal Greenway Committee and the Historic Preservation Commission, is also a trustee of the Historical Society of Bloomfield and author of the book, “Bloomfield Through Time”. He will talk about the history of the Morris Canal, including its engineering features, its affect on day to day life and its ultimate abandonment in 1924 after nearly 100 years of operation.

Rich will also tell of the efforts made in his community and the state of New Jersey to preserve the rich history of the Morris Canal.

The very popular situation comedy, “Happy Days” ran for eleven seasons beginning in January 1974 and ending in July 1984.

The series was set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1950’s and early 1960’s and was centered around teenager, Richie Cunningham (played by Ron Howard), his family and friends, Potsie, Ralph and the local tough guy, Arthur Fonzarelli, known as “The Fonz”.

A prominent figure in the Cunningham family was Richie’s mom, Mrs. Cunningham, affectionately called “Mrs. C.” played by actress Marion Ross. During those eleven seasons, “Mrs. C.” earned a place in many people’s hearts as America’s mom.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be joined by Marion Ross, who is 94 years young and her son, actor, comedian and impressionist, Jim Meskimen. Marion will share a few stories from her autobiography, “My Days, Happy and Otherwise”. Stories will include her childhood in Minnesota and dreams of becoming an actress, her early career in movies and television and her rise to stardom as “Mrs. C.” on Happy Days.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Marion Ross

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Music is a universal language that often brings people back to a feeling, time or event in their lives. In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Roger Hall, who developed a website that preserves historical American music.

Roger is a composer and Music Preservationist who holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition, an M.A. in Ethnomusicology and a Ph.D. in Musicology.

Roger has a passion for many genres of music, with a particular affinity for choral groups, folk music and ballads. His biggest passion however, is to preserve historical American music so it will survive for future generations to study and enjoy.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Roger Hall

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Roger Hall Website: https://www.americanmusicpreservation.com

Sample Music Links for Roger Hall: "The Soho Serenade" and "Free as the Breeze" are from Roger Hall's CD "Gentle Peace", which is available only through his website.