On November 18th, Mickey Mouse Birthday commemorates the debut of a lovable mouse that was once a rabbit called Oswald. His character got his start on film on November 18, 1928, but before that, the story begins in 1927, when Walt Disney first sketched a floppy-eared bunny while under contract to Universal Studios. The events that unraveled brought us Mickey Mouse.
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While his creator and studio have applied several different birth dates to the lovable mouse over the years, November 18, 1928, was finalized as Mickey’s birth date with stardom. Before that, Mickey Mouse came under the roller coaster events of Oswald’s success and Universal’s disappointing contract negotiations. Disney Bros. Studio took their leave of both the studio and Oswald and set to work, creating a character who would go on to lead the company into the future.
From a rabbit named Oswald to a mouse named Mortimer, eventually, the squeaky-voiced rodent was dubbed Mickey. He flopped in two animated short films without any success. Then on November 18, 1928, Mickey’s star was born. The first animation synchronized to music and sound effects, Steamboat Willie premiered in New York.
Within a year, a Mickey Mouse Club popped up in Salem, Oregon. This particular club offered admission as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army. Patrons donated either a potato or a small toy and a penny as admission. According to a December 22, 1929, Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) article, $12 and three truckloads of potatoes and toys collected by eager new members.
Remember, the stock market crashed just 20 days before Mickey Mouse was born. That a cute little mouse could bring smiles to the faces of children at an uncertain time isn’t such a surprise.
Generally, new members joined the club by completing an admission form obtained from a local merchant and attending meetings held during matinees at local movie houses. The price of admission often was reduced for good deeds and report cards. By the end of 1930, the Mickey Mouse Clubs had spread across the country.
In 1935, animator Fred Moore gave Mickey a new look that enabled a more fluid movement to the animation.
A makeover in 1935 by animator Fred Moore gave Mickey the look we are familiar with today. The big eyes, white gloves, and the pert little nose. More lovable than ever before, he propelled himself even further into the hearts of children everywhere.
His companions Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto joined him along the way, bringing vaudevillian comedy with them.
Every “FAMILY” has their favorites at this time of the year – and – we can remember way back when…
At this time of the year “FAMILIES” do a lot of traveling – “To Grandmother’s House” – how else could we all celebrate … all of the best of times?
“Grandmothers” have a way of making the best “Turkey Dinner”…and also the very best Pumpkin Pie and she always has new side dishes… that we just don’t know how to stop tasting … here and there… with a little of this and that… and before you know it… we put on at least “ten pounds” of all those extra goodies … and we just continue giving in and our fingers continue dipping in … with more sampling… of everything!
Well, we just have to get going to Grandmother’s… and it usually is a long ride… and then… with the little children … all you hear at least every “FIVE” minutes is… “Are we there yet?”
So, in our family… my husband would play the harmonica… as I would then be doing the driving… and we would all be singing… all the songs that the kids like, hoping… that they would be singing and forget to keep asking… if we will be there… if not … it is time… to sing their favorite song, and when and how soon … will it be… to start our special song.. which is so much “FUN”… as it helps to forgot our long drive???
Well, the “DRIVER” that would be me – got a “brainy idea” – to have just a little more singing excitement – all along the way! As I was driving and could see a bridge that we were going to have to cross – soon – was ready! As – the car was about a car length or two before crossing over – let out with… “Over the river to Grandmother’s house we go – the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh – through the white and drifting snow… ” And just as soon as we crossed over the bridge – I would stop singing!
The first time – everyone thought that I did not remember the rest of the words – and we all just started to laugh. So, I said, “It’s more fun to do something different as we travel and whenever we come to a “Bridge” – it is time to start our “Grandma Song” and start singing just as fast – even though we can’t even finish the word – so, we will all stop differently and it will sound silly – just for us?” Now, as we traveled – the kids were on the “LOOK OUT” for a “Bridge” and would now – start our “Grandmother’s Song” – trying to be the very first and start to laugh and giggle having more fun all the way – to “GRANDMOTHER’s House!”
There were a couple more lines that we, all like to sing, – “Hear the bells ring, “Ting-a-ling-ding” – Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!”
And cannot forget… that my “Grand-daughters” like “Rice Pudding”… so we had to include, “Hurrah for all the “FUN” … Is the “PUDDING” ready?” – “Hurrah for the “PUMPKIN PIES” … we are almost there!”
Sure hope that this reminds everyone… let’s all have “FUN” going to “GRANDMOTHER’s House” especially with the children, and maybe… someday they will also… let you know… just how much “FUN” they had traveling to and from “GRANDMOTHER’ House!”
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup cold milk
Heat oven to 450° F. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Cut in shortening until the mixture becomes coarse crumbs.
While stirring with a fork, add milk. Stir until soft dough forms and pulls away from the bowl.
Dust dough with flour and place it on a lightly floured surface. Work in the flour until the dough no longer sticks.
Roll out the dough until it’s 1/2 inch thick. Using either a floured biscuit cutter or a cookie cutter, cut out biscuits. Repeat rolling and cutting until all dough is used. Biscuits can also be cut into squares with a sharp knife.
Bake biscuits on ungreased baking sheets for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Serves: 10
” LOVE and Blessings from all of us…to little Tommy”
Fifty years ago – do or can you remember where you were and what you were doing?
Just seven years ago…People were starting to recall and tell of their stories of what they could still remember and what they will be doing next Friday, because… here in Florissant, Missouri – there was to be this rededication of the JFK Memorial Building ceremony.
I am guessing that there was as usual a large turnout. All the older citizens would have their own stories to tell, and all the young people will listen and learn, since they were kids back then and or many not even born until much later?
When this happened, our family was here in Saint Louis, I was working at the Telephone Company, my husband was in the hospital and the kids were small, and before we went back to Florida, I wanted to take the family downtown to Famous Barr store to see their special Christmas Show for kids, like I saw when I was a kid!
But, everything in the world turned upside down… due to the murder of President Kennedy, there was a national blackout of everything. Television only covered what was happening with the Kennedy Family.
All of my plans for the family, were not to be as I had planned… as the Famous Barr Christmas Show was cancelled as was everything pertaining to the Holiday Season.
I naturally was upset and had seen more than enough of the re-enactment of the Dallas, Texas motorcade ride, showing the killing of President Kennedy, and now today we find out who was behind the whole situation and who wanted the President out of their way?
Following up on stories about the “Kennedy Family” – I especially liked reading that they have dinner together every evening, and that each child was expected to have read an article in that day’s newspaper and each child was to give their interpretation of that story and what the full meaning was to them… and to the public.
A current event, maybe something political, to inspire the youngster into the politics of the family ways of life. This family time around the dinner table – giving each child time to voice an opinion on the subject of their own choice, is something I feel more families should do.
Educating the children without their really knowing that this round table of information helps children to grow and remember all about the world and what is happening… so as to be fully informed and when they are older… they have a better understanding of current events and knowledge of how the world ticks.
We all should work to inspire the kids to be able to talk about a subject they like, talking in front of a group, their family, without fear of being shut down. Daily reading for a new topic each night, and ask for a response at the table, preparing for public life, so as to continue with questions and follow-up remarks and in some cases a follow-up, learning how to be more responsive when asked about ideas and what will help in the future.
Public speaking, and learning what the newspapers have printed on the current events of the day, will sharpen the mind and thought process, as well as help the individual child to go forward in any field they may choose for their future daily living.
Inspiration to know and to learn will take people further in life with whichever field of future learning and or the field of work and or business that they may have an interest with family or just on their own…and will help each of us to be more productive. The name of the game is for everyone to be employed.
Motivating your youngsters today, and balance yourself with good amounts of work, play, and “THANK Yahweh” our Creator…for all gifts of learning, and for all of our great abilities to do so!
