Before we get started with the regular blog post, I wanted to share two photos from GDB pal Ken S. You know Ken! A former CM with fond memories of his years working in Frontierland. A few days ago Ken mentioned that a tribute to former Mine Train cast members, in the form of a poster, was added to a building in Rainbow Ridge as part of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which (as you know) replaced the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland.
The President of the Order of the Red Handkerchief wrote: The Order of the Red Handkerchief has been honored and recognized by Disneyland with a Poster on the side of a building in Rainbow Ridge on the Big Thunder Mountain Attraction. You will have to ride the attraction to see the Poster. The Order of the Red Handkerchief is the oldest Disneyland Alumni Club. It is also the only Disneyland Alumni Club that Walt Disney was a member. Next time you visit Disneyland take a ride and view our Poster.
Take a look!
Ken also sent a photo from the last meeting of the ORH, which he unfortunately missed for personal reasons, but here's the picture:
THANK YOU, KEN!
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I need to have a machine installed into my forehead that will continually (every 10 seconds) feed vintage Frontierland images directly into my frontal lobe. But, until that happy event can be made a reality, here are two more scans for you.
Dad wanted to get a photo of his wife and two sons (circa July 1962) with the magnificent Mark Twain right behind them. That big rock seems tailor-made for photo-ops, and yet, as far as I am aware, this is the first and only picture that I have that takes advantage of that chunk of granite. Or maybe it's a big piece of schist!
Next we see the two boys paddling their little hearts out in an Indian Warrior Canoe. From this angle, I'm surprised that the inside of the Canoe looks to be molded plastic, or (more likely) fiberglass The little princess in front of the boys actually provided 77% of the forward momentum due to her skill and strength.
Major-
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice treat Ken has shared-! Thanks.
The older brother is carrying a Kodak Hawkeye Flashfun Camera around his neck. And Junior also appears to be carrying a camera - possibly a Kodak Brownie Starflash. And evidently whoever snapped the picture also had a camera. 'Three cameras... no waiting'-!
Thanks, Major.
Ken, thank you for shaing your photos with us. I hadn't realized that Walt Disney was a member of the club! Makes sense though, given his life-long fascination with trains.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I've never seen that big piece of schist [snort, chortle] before. Looks like it might be right next to Lillian's petrified tree? Older brother has got the 'cool look' mastered, while younger brother needs practice; he's kinda goofy looking.
It really looks odd to see ladies, decked out in their fancy dresses, paddling in a Canoe. But good for them! Younger brother is trying to out-goofy himself from the previous pic... he's succeeding. But hey, they're both having a great time!
Nice photos of a family having fun in Disneyland. Thanks, Major. And thanks again to KS.
Schist! Schist! Schist! (Sorry, couldn't help it.)
That's pretty neat, Ken. It's like getting a window!
ReplyDeleteGotta go. I can't take much schist this early.
Thanks, Major
Zach
I have only recently heard of the Order, which is as it should be for secret organizations. Good to see them commemorated with a poster. Thanks Ken for sharing these fun photos!
ReplyDeleteMajor, I’m also pleased that you properly identified the material of that big boulder, most people take it for granite. Little known fact, there is a coyote under that rock.
Mom has her straw tackle box purse, very au courant. A good view of the Fishing Pier on the Island beyond. I’m surprised the boys could sit still long enough for a picture. I’d love to see the snapshots from their cameras.
Ladies paddling canoes in their Sunday best (the ladies’ best not the canoes). Will wonders never cease? They are being very good sports and not letting the men have all the fun. Major, those canoes were made from plastic trees, which creates a waterproof lining. More Hard Facts.
Thank you for these photos today!
JG
Ken S., thank you for sharing those pictures. How cool that you have your own poster on display in Disneyland!! (Major, maybe we can get one for GDB on display in Jungle Cruise??)
ReplyDeleteLooking at that motley canoe crew, I think the canoe CM’s had to work extra hard that trip. ( Side note: The mom and daughter are wearing matching dresses.)
JG, *beep-beep*
Thanks, Major.
Nanook, the Flashfun Camera *does* look fun, but maybe kind of like it was made by Mattel rather than a camera company? I suppose they wanted to appeal to kids.
ReplyDeleteJB, some say Walt also belonged to the “Pancake Buddies” club, but there is no written record. I guess the petrified tree stump was there by 1962? Because I was wondering if it replace that big piece of schist. But… my guess is that they were both there at the same time. If only there was a way to look it up! The boys really do seem to be having a great time paddling the canoe, I keep telling myself that I have to try it for myself, NEXT time.
zach, I don’t know you, but I admit that you’ve always seemed like more of a feldspar person!
JG, I think it’s kind of amazing just how many members of the Order of the Red Handkerchief showed up for that meeting! Not 10, not 15, but there are 36 in the photo, and presumably one more who took the picture. Pretty impressive. As for the rock, I should have looked for telltale signs of coyote fur, or even a paw sticking out. Those boxy straw purses seem kind of odd to me, but they were obviously popular for a while. A softer bag would seem more pleasant to carry, but what do I know? Nothing! Thinking of plastic trees makes me think of the kind that were used for model railroads. You’d need thousands to make a good canoe!
Lou and Sue, I’ve heard of people sneaking in small paintings to art museums, but something tells me that it would be harder to sneak in a poster to Disneyland. As for the canoe, my guess is that the two CMs *usually* did most of the work!
Thanks folks. I'd have to look at the register but I think we are 60-70 strong in total membership which is by invitation only. Then again, we are a dwindling breed. A number of us come from around the country and one from Australia to attend. I had to take a rain check this time, but it's definitely on the calendar for next year. The stories always get embellished as we age! And the memories grow fonder.
ReplyDeleteAs for that young lady in the canoe doing all the paddling...too bad there isn't a picture upon their return whereupon the boys would have been totally soaked in that wonderful river water as a result. Trust me on that one! KS
Major-
ReplyDeleteWe were all so busy concentrating on the two lads and the ‘rock’, we failed to notice the missing lamp post that should’ve been sitting atop the decorative concrete footing-!