Talking Travel with Pauline Frommer

My latest interview guest on Talking Travel is Pauline Frommer. Who better to interview about travel than the President of the Frommer Travel Guides.

The daughter of Frommer guides founder Arthur, Pauline took over as President after her father's death late last year. Prior to that, Pauline had an impressive resume in the travel writing field. A writer, reporter, editor, podcaster and more, Pauline did it all. In our interview, she shares her incredible story, as well as her opinions on current travel topics.

Find the interview and recap at Talking Travel with Pauline Frommer. Also, please subscribe to the Global Traveler YouTube channel. It's free, easy, doesn't require anything more than one click and you won't be bothered by emails.

 

Friend Encounters: Scott Blair and Noah

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today's post is bittersweet. It brings a great memory and a sad reality.

I go to the throwback machine to recall when my then-little cousin Noah joined me "On the Beat" at Wizard World (now Fan Expo). It was fun seeing young teen Noah mix it up with the creators in Artist Alley. Noah did a few interviews. With really little prep, Noah handled the interviews like a pro. I was so impressed.

Noah was a good kid and is now a great young man. I don't see him often, but I follow him on social media. He's got a great future. I hope he looks back on these experiences and smiles like I do.

Now the sad part. The artist here is Scott Blair. Sadly, Scott died last year. He was a tremendous talent and just an awesome person. I think of Scott every time I walk through Artist Alleys now. Scott is missed by all/

Noah and Scott Blair in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #738 Charlie Brennan & John Rooney

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing pro jerseys. I continue my season-long march through all MLB teams.

For nearly 34 years, Charlie Brennan was "The Voice of St. Louis." Hired in 1988 by KMOX, he began working the mid-morning shift two years later and stayed there until 2022 when he retired. He was inducted into the St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame in 2009.The author of several books, Brennan is known for leading community efforts in St. Louis. I am happy to bestow a Celebrity Jersey Card on him for his service.

Richmond, Missouri native John Rooney has been an MLB broadcaster since 1988. After eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Rooney joined his home state St. Louis Cardinals broadcasting team. At 70, he is still going strong, delighting Redbirds fans. One day (probably soon), he will get the Ford Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Cards That Never Were: Mike Wallace Topps '74 and '76

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. Many creations (not just baseball) of others can be found on the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group.

Pitcher Mike Wallace was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 4th round of the 1969 MLB draft. After making his MLB debut with the Phils in 1973, he was traded to the New York Yankees midway through the '74 season. Midway through the '75 season, he was purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals. He was traded to the Texas Rangers after the '76 season. He pitched one season for the Rangers and spent some time in AAA for Philly and Minnesota before retiring. For his career, in 117 games,  he was 11-3 with three saves and a 3.91 ERA,

For his efforts, Wallace appeared in Topps sets from 1974 (a quad-picture rookies card), '75 and '77. Lynn, from the previously mentioned FB group, created a solo 1974 card, along with a '76 Hostess (as an added bonus) card for Wallace. I made the 1976 card. That still leaves a '78 card to be made.

Molly Ringwald at C2E2

Another C2E2 is in the books. Among the many highlights was meeting actress Molly Ringwald.

Molly first popped on my radar when she appeared on the first season of tv's The Facts of Life. As the show was revamped for the second season, the main cast was trimmed to focus on the four who became the heart of the show. Molly's character disappeared, but she went on to bigger things. Of course, most famous for the teenage movies like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, Molly has had a lengthy and successful career.

Molly's appearance was part of C2E2's reunion of the cast of The Breakfast Club. It was the first time Molly, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson were together in many years. It was also stated it would be their last full reunion.

This is the type of stuff C2E2 does. Along with the many celebrities, there usually is a reunion of sorts. Adding to this one is the trivia fact The Breakfast Club was set and filmed in Des Plaines, just outside of Chicago.

As for Molly, she was as sweet as can be given the time constraints. Her lines were always long. Se took the time to make each encounter special though. That is all I ever really want and what anyone else should want. She looked amazing, too.

For more info on C2E2, go to C2E2.com. the organizers also run New York Comic Con, one of the biggest comic cons in the world.

Molly Ringwald, Tony and me in Chicago, IL-April 2025.

Jamie Koala's Dreamscape

Jamie Koala is a dark artist and designer. Among her many projects is Dreamscape: A Book of Artwork and Short Stories.

Dreamscape features artwork and short stories based on dreams and nightmares by artist Jamie and author A.K. Kubica. It is a fantastic book of Jamie's beautiful art with the short stories as an added bonus. There is a Kickstarter campaign loaded with extra perks for various pledge levels. 

In addition to her fabulous art, Jamie has an amazing story. She has battled health issues, but remains such a positive person. I love following her on social media. She shows her art and other projects in a fun way. 

I have not interviewed Jamie and I probably never will, although I haven't given up hope. I just want to share her story with all.

For more info on Jamie and her work, go to jamiekoala.com. To learn more about her Kickstarter campaign, go to Jamie's Dreamscape Kickstarter.

Jamie Koala and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2022.

Statues: Ryne Sandberg

It seemed appropriate to feature the Ryne Sandberg statue as today is the 23rd, to match his uniform number. Also, it is exactly two months before the one year anniversary of his statue unveiling.

Sandberg started with the Philadelphia Phillies, but then-Chicago Cubs GM Dallas Green pulled off one of the greatest trades in the history of the Cubs. After a season at third base, Sandberg moved to second base, a position he held until midseason 1994, when he retired for personal issues. He unretired in 1996 and played two seasons, before retiring again to end his certain Hall of Fame career.

Sandberg's bronze statue is the fifth Cubs player statue. It was unveiled on the 40th anniversary of "The Ryne Sandberg Game," in which he hit two game-tying homers against the St. Louis Cardinals on national television. It lead to a Cubs win in that magical season. 

Ryne Sandberg and me in Chicago, IL-Fall 2024.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #737 Mark Henry & Matt Kenseth

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing pro jerseys. I continue my season-long march through all MLB teams.

Retired wrestler and powerlifter Mark Henry was born near Houston, but gained international fame for his strength. Billed as "The World's Strongest Man," Henry won multiple medals in world competitions, including 2 Olympics. Henry went on to a great career. mostly with the WWE. I have never met Henry, although he reportedly is great with fans. He has opted to donate his brain for CTE research upon his passing. Henry delivered a ceremonial pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers to earn his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Wisconsin native Matt Kenseth found fame as a stick car racer. In his 20+ years of NASCAR Cup Series racing, he had 331 top ten finishes and 39 wins. Add 202 top ten finishes and 29 wins on the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Following in my footsteps (lol), Kenseth ran the 2022 Boston Marathon in a very good time of 3:01:40. (For the record, I passed out at mile 19 in 1998). Kenseth earned a medal for the Marathon, but he gets a Celebrity Jersey Card for tossing a first pitch in his native state.

Friend Encounters: Billy Corgan and Glen Rylko

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities

Today's feature is bittersweet on a couple levels. It is from a very fun time though.

Back in 2011, Resistance Pro Wrestling debuted. Run by musician Billy Corgan and the Baron brothers, RPro became a big part of my life, as well a the same for many others. Although not part of the staff at RPro, my late friend Glen was one of the loyal fans and part of the family.

As I have previously written, RPro lasted several years, experiencing various levels of success, but never quite making it. Corgan left about a third of the way into the lifespan.

A regular at comic cons and wrestling events, Glen took many pictures with celebrities. He got (at least) one with Corgan, which is no small feat. Corgan was not an easy person to get. While not rude, he usually tried ducking all such attempts. I am sure Glen was a pro and managed to get one.

I was saddened at the end of RPro. Recalling it still makes me sad for what could have been. In the end, it was a great time while it lasted.

Even more sad though, was the passing of Glen. Although we didn't see each other often, we kept in touch with texts. I always enjoyed our text chats, but even more seeing him at comic cons and wrestling. I miss Glen a lot. These posts sadden me, but they also remind me of the great guy Glen was.

Billy Corgan and Glen Rylko in Chicago, IL-May 2012.

Happy Birthday, Jean!

A couple weeks ago, my eldest sister celebrated her birthday. Today, our middle sibling has her birthday.

Like Nanc, Jean is my rock. I couldn't ask for better sisters or friends.

This year, even though Jean suffered a broken foot shortly before my trip to visit her and Scott, she toughed it out and still did more stuff with me than she should have (although she'll probably say we didn't do enough lol). The truth is I don't have to do anything to have a great time with my sisters. Just hanging out and laughing is the best.

Jean will be returning to the Chicago area soon. Hopefully then, the siblings can have one big celebratory lunch. For now though, I wish her a happy birthday from here. Happy birthday, Jean, I love you.

Jean and me in Goodland, FL-February 2025.