Tag Archives: history

Episode #53: Dan Coonan

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DAN COONAN has worn many hats through the years – Conference Commissioner, Athletic Director, CEO, Attorney, Novelist, Senior Congressional Campaign Advisor, Fundraiser, Nonprofit Chairman of the Board, College Adjunct Professor, Political Essayist, Youth Sports Coach, Bartender, Batting Practice Pitcher, Wedding Officiant, Dock Talk Facilitator, devoted husband and father.  

His books are Presidential Spirits: Part history lesson, part magical realism these well-researched books imagine conversations of all 45 presidents in a saloon stocked with any drink you want, located above the private quarters of the White House and accessible only to presidents – and a few colorful wait staff- through a secret portal.

Dan’s Readings:

  ·       First Night in the Secret Saloon – 9:58

  ·      Teddy Roosevelt: a soft easy life is not worth living – 28:20

  ·       FDR on Churchill – 48:13

Chris’s Pairings: 

  ·      Manhattan (paired to First Night in the Secret Saloon) – 6:40

  ·      Old Fashioned (paired to Teddy Roosevelt) – 25:29

  ·       Bohemian (paired to FDR on Churchill) – 43:25

   Interview Highlights: 

  ·       Beyond the basic plots – 14:50

  ·       Author as main character – 21:49

  ·       What would you ask presidents? – 23:58

  ·       Carrie Nation axing the bars – 32:03

  ·       CAN we come together? – 34:35

  ·       Finding the positive in others – 53:07

COMING NEXT MONTH: Ralph Jarrels, religious-based fiction, Jesus and Judas, Best Friends Forever

 UPCOMING EVENTS:

  ·        Gabriel’s Horn is  accepting submissions for its anthology. This year’s theme is: MUSIC

 Our theme music is from www.bensound.com 

Episode #48: Sharlene MacLaren

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Born and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. Upon graduating with an education degree, she taught second grade for two years then accepted an invitation to travel internationally for a year with a singing ensemble. In1975, she returned to teaching and married her childhood sweetheart. They’ve raised two lovely daughters, both of whom are now happily married and enjoying their own families. Retired since 2003 after 31 years of teaching, “Shar” loves to read, sing, travel, and spend time with her family, in particular her wonderful, adorable grandchildren.
sharlenecaclaren.com

Sharlene’s Readings:

  • Dear Mr. Griffin – 9:30
  • Calm Down! – 25:10
  • Vandalism at the Church – 39:56

Michael’s Beer Pairings: 

Interview Highlights: 

  • Can secrets ever really be kept? – 15:46
  • The decision never to write historical fiction–how did it go! – 17:40
  • From passing stories in high school to writing professionally. – 19:27
  • Differing experiences with anti-Japanese prejudice after WWII – 30:39
  • International singing tour! – 36:22
  • Do we step down for all our mistakes? – 44:30

COMING NEXT MONTH: Margaret J. Anderson author of children’s novels, the time travel that inspired Laura’s own books, and non-fiction about bugs 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

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