World Footprints will explore Wilmington, Delaware and the Brandywine Valley’s rich American history and vibrant arts and cultural scene with its European flair. Known for its collection of American art, the internationally acclaimed Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, houses three generations of Wyeth artists—N.C. Wyeth, his son Andrew Wyeth and grandson Jamie Wyeth.  Guide Reno Winter takes us inside the Andrew Wyeth studio to learn about these legendary American artists. The DuPont name is synonymous with Delaware, at the Hagley Museum and Library, five generations of DuPont’s built a fortune on black powder and left an indelible mark on American history.  Guide Elaine Croft shares the legacy of the DuPont family as she takes us on a stroll through the grounds of Hagley. Longwood Gardens, Winterthur Mansion and Nemours Estate are some amazing attractions that were built by the DuPont family in the Wilmington area.  Each property has a distinct European feel that resembles the DuPont’s French heritage.  Lyn Lewis from Visit Wilmington explores these attractions and some of the arts and cultural scene that contributes to Delaware and the Brandywine Valley’s dynamism.  

WORLD FOOTPRINTS

Exploring Wilmington, Delaware – A European experience in American history

Many people say that if Christopher Columbus were to return to our modern world today, Dominica would be the only island he would recognize.  This volcanic island is called "The Nature Island" for a reason.  It has a breathtaking natural beauty that sparkles like an emerald jewel and has remained moderately developed.  World Footprints will share our cultural and music tour of Dominica with stops along Waitukubuli National Trail , the Jazz and Creole Festival, the Kalingo territory and Champagne Reef where we snorkel with tiny bubbles.

Exploring Dominica, the Nature Island

At 100+ years old, Hakone Gardens is a National Trust and one of the oldest Japanese estate and gardens in the Western Hemisphere.  In honor of its centennial, Hakone is celebrating its beginning and lasting endurance with multi-year events and activities.  Historian and Hakone Foundation Board Member, Connie Young-Yu, shares the richness and history of this oasis that sits on the edge of Silicon Valley. We'll examine the emerging trend of chocolate travel with travel writer and Chocolatour publisher, Doreen Pendgracs. Speaking of wine...California has been a leader in developing and implementing sustainable programs in a number of industries, but most prominently in its winemaking practices.  Allison Jordan with California's Wine Institute takes us on an excursion through the state's famous winegrowing regions and she offers the backstory behind their earth-friendly practices. Lansing, Michigan has blossomed into a dynamic cultural center and the city has grown far beyond the small plot of land that European explorer Hugh Heward discovered while canoeing down the Grand River in 1790.  Lori Lanspeary from the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau tells us why Lansing, home to Michigan State University, is much more than a college town. Finally, we'll shine a destination spotlight on the Dominican Republic and Cabo San Lucas from the floor of the Adventure Travel Show in Washington, D.C.

Exploring Hakone Gardens, Chocolate Travel, California Wines and Lansing, MI

Nialls Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, will take us on a historical journey through the Emerald Isles.  Niall will introduce some of Ireland's lesser known stories, including the country's ancient monastic history and language heritage. For Americans, the island of Cuba has been the forbidden fruit that many have desired to taste.  Some Americans have risked the threat of jail and others have spent a small fortune to travel to the land where time has stood still.  For photographer Jay Seldin, one trip to Cuba was never enough and now he has compiled hundreds of photos from years of traveling to the island in a powerful photo book called The Cubans. Travel journalist Bijan Bayne recently experienced the explosion of Detroit, Michigan's revitalization and growth.  He also ventured to port cities along Michigan's coastline and uncovered some interesting maritime history.  Bijan returns to World Footprints to share what Detroit and adjacent mid-Michigan port cities have to offer to travelers who want to experience the rebirth of the "Big D" and Michigan's unique history.

Best of Ireland, Portraits from Cuba, Exploring Mid-Michigan

World Footprints will tour Ireland with guide Will Collins who will take us on a well-rounded journey through the Emerald Isle.  Will shares some of Ireland's culinary and sporting traditions as well as the country's interesting festivals, including a match-makers weekend, Ireland's history and historical figures. Ireland's cultural influences are very rich and vast.  Damien O'Brien, Cultural Director of Failte Ireland, tells us that the country's contributions to literature, gastronomy, science, sports and the arts have had a significant global impact. Visitors to Ireland never lack for accommodations.  There are many options from B&Bs, Manor Houses, castles and more to choose from.  Michelle McGuire from Ireland Blue Book tells us that their association has an eclectic collection of properties that include a repurposed ice house and old Oriental Express train car.  She will share some of the Blue Book collection including those that offer cooking classes. Emmy nominated, Irish singer-songwriter, Michael Londra took a leap of faith in his early 30s when he decided to pursue his passion for music.  Michael's courageous move lead him to leading theatrical roles in Dublin, the role of Bobby Kennedy in the world premier of "JFK" and later as the lead performer in the world tour of Riverdance.  Today, Michael's life path has also lead him to using his celebrity to raise awareness about global poverty and the need for clean water. We will also take a city break in Belfast and hear what the city is doing to honor it's Titanic ship history.

Touring Ireland and introducing Irish Tenor Michael Londra

Phil Keoghan is host of the multi Award-winning reality show, "The Amazing Race".  We talked to Phil about how the show mirrors his life, his passion for travel and his commitment to give back to others.   Phil also shared how a near death experience inspired his mantra to leave "No Opportunity Wasted". Robert Rose is the executive producer and host of the popular show "Raw Travel".  The show integrates voluntourism, social responsibility and philanthropy with pure raw travel.  Robert escaped the corporate jungle a few years ago and began sharing the gift of travel with others.  We'll talk about our mutual passions for travel, social responsibility, his recent trip to Africa and our interest in connecting with our global community.  The Caribbean Island of Dominica is legendary for its unspoiled beauty but the island is more than a pretty face with pristine waters.  Dominica Tourism Director, Colin Piper says that Dominica also offers a rich blend cultures including the only remaining population of pre-Columbian Carib Indians.  National Geographic's show, "The Great Human Race" explores the evolution of mankind from Africa to the United States.  Co-host and outdoor survival guide, Cat Bigney, traverses the globe uncovering mysteries and testing survival skills using only the tools that early man used.  Along the way, Cat reaffirmed that we all share a common humanity and that even a smile can overcome language barriers.

From "The Amazing Race" to "The Great Human Race" with "Raw Travel" and Dominica

In one of her last interviews, the late Dr. Maya Angelou spent time with us to share her early life, lessons learned along her adult journey and golden nuggets of wisdom.  Artist Michelle Wood is a Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator who joins us to explore American history through Gospel music.  Michelle brings history to life with colorful images in her book, "I See the Rhythm of Gospel". Ellis Marsalis, Jr., is the partriarch of a musical family that includes internationally acclaimed musicians Branford and Wynton Marsalis.  As an accomplished pianist, Ellis has been a major influencer in jazz.  His work as an educator has helped foster the careers of countless musicians including Harry Connick, Jr., Terence Blanchard and Nicholas Payton.  Ellis is also helping to preserve America's jazz heritage. Known as the Queen of Afro Beat, revolutionary artist Sandra Izsadore discusses her evolution as a child of the civil rights era, her path to discovering her voice, and her experience with Nigeria's Afro Beat performer, the late Fela Kuti.

Travels with Maya Angelou, Ellis Marsalis, Sandra Izsadore and Michelle Wood

New Orleans has been the backdrop of many dark chapters in American history, but perhaps none so shocking as the slave rebellion of 1811.  We will explore the history of America's largest slave revolt with author Daniel Rasmussen who organized his research in his book, American Uprising:  The Untold Story About America's Largest Slave Revolt. The New Orleans African-American Museum of Art, Culture and History, located in Faubourg Treme, is helping to keep the stories of America's oldest and continuous black community alive.  Established in 2000, former executive director John Hankins tells us that the Museum has held the mission "to preserve, interpret and promote" the African American cultural heritage of New Orleans, with a particular empasis on the Treme community. Le Musee de F.P.C. is a beautiful house museum that honors the legacy of New Orleans' Free People of Color. History will echo off the walls and along the wooden floor boards as we walk through this Greek Revival house in Upper Treme with Beverly McKinna.  The rich and varied culture of New Orleans is seen in its food, music, traditions and architecture.  History professor, Dr. Mary Mitchell, says that New Orleans has its own rhythm and energy that is influenced by Africans, Native Americans and European settlers and she gave us a taste of New Orleans as we soaked up the world flavors in the French Quarter.

New Orleans' Hidden Black History

We'll share stories about some of the Underground Railroad and a Destination Spotlight will shine on the Faukland Islands and Romania. The City of Norfolk, Virginia is an important 400-year-old port city and home to the largest naval base in the world.  But, surprisingly as a southern mid-Atlantic city, Norfolk also played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad as one of the last port stops on the road to freedom north.  Much of this history is now being shared through Norfolk's self-guided Waterways to Freedom Tour that our guest, Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander from Norfolk State University helped to create. Historian and author Debra Sandoe McCauslin has deep roots in Gettysburg and Adams County, Pennsylvania.  We learned about her family history and, in our car ride with her along the Underground Railroad, Debra brought to life the voices of some fugitive slaves and the Quakers who helped them. Lewiston, New York was the final stop for runaway slaves from the South who sought to cross the border into Canada to freedom.  Once slaves reached Lewiston, locals helped them cross the Niagara River by boat or by foot when the river was frozen.  After the War of 1812, Canada's reputation as a safe haven for fugitive slaves grew because of the development of settlements like the Southern Ontario farming community of Buxton, formerly the Elgin Settlement.  Buxton was one of four planned settlements for former and runaway slaves and its founder, Reverend William King, a white man, fought other white settlers to establish the area. 

Traveling the Underground Railroad from Virginia to Ontario

Birmingham, Alabama is considered ground zero in the civil rights movement.  In the 1950s, African-Americans of all ages in Birmingham drew a proverbial line in the sand against racial segregation.  Their stories, struggles and ultimate success over Jim Crow laws is on display at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in an effort to keep the stories of this dark chapter in American history alive. Across the street from the Civil Rights Institute is the 16th Street Baptist Church where a 1963 bombing that killed four young girls changed the course of history in Birmingham and America.  We will walk through this church that has, today, become a place to unify a community and people from all over the world. Downtown Birmingham is the home to the Civil Rights Heritage Trail.  Kelly Ingrham Park, also known as Freedom Park, was the staging area for many of the demonstrations that took place in Birmingham led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and others.  Today, Freedom Parkt is a sculpture garden that honors those who peacefully demonstrated.  We will revisit our conversation with jazz legend, the late Frank "Doc" Adams.  He shared his music and life with us when we met him at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame just weeks before his passing at the age of 86. Photos:  Tonya Fitzpatrick.  All rights reserved.

In the Footsteps of Birmingham's Civil Rights History

Singer/actress/author Gloria Loring joins World Footprints to talk about her music collaboration with son, R&B artist Robin Thicke, travel and her book, "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous".  Gloria also dishes on her life past life as Liz Chandler on daytime's Days of our Lives. Jazz artist Rene Marie credits many women, including Eartha Kitt, for her life's direction and musical influences.  After her abusive husband of 23 years gave her an ultimatum to quit singing or leave--she chose to leave and begin her professional music career at the age of 42.  Rene reflects on her life journey and how a trip to Germany helped her recognize humanity's common bonds. According to Rockin' Dopsie, Jr., a person who doesn't feel the rhythm of Zydeco has no soul.  We revisit an interview we did with Dopsie, Jr., aka the "Mick Jagger of the Marsh", during one of our many broadcasts from New Orleans' French Quarter Festival. You'll also hear what Rio de Janeiro is doing to prepare for the Olympics and what the area has to offer to travelers at all other times. For additional resources visit this showpage on WorldFootprints.com.

Traveling with singers Gloria Loring, Rene Marie and Rockin' Dopsie, Jr.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial lies along  the center line of leadership that extends from the Lincoln Memorial to the Jefferson Memorial on Washington's National Mall.   At 30 feet in height, the sculpture of MLK on the "stone of hope" is 11 feet talller than the statues of Lincoln and Jefferson.  In honor of Dr. King's birthday, we will revisit our coverage of the dedication of his Memorial in 2011.  Over a decade in the making, October 16, 2011 marked the official dedication of this historic Memorial in Washington, DC and the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March.  However, the original dedication date was set for August 28, 201, the 48th anniversary of King's "I Have A Dream" speech.  But, an earthquake in the mid-Atlantic and the untimely visit of Hurricane Irene forced a delay in the official ceremony.  Nonetheless, World Footprints covered all of the dedication events from August through October and today's show shares interviews from celebrities and news makers who participated in the celebrations.  Ambassador Andrew Young, Lalah Hathaway, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rabbi Israel Dresner, and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright will offer their thoughts and memories about Dr. King.  From the official dedication we’ll share music and remarks on the National Mall from Archbishop Desmond TuTu, Stevie Wonder and America's first African-American President, Barak Obama.  From our perspective, watching President Obama walk past the Inscription Wall at the MLK Memorial to the dedication stage to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was incredibly powerful.    

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Dreaming the DREAM

Kenya is called the "Heart of Africa" and is considered to be the cradle of civilization.  With history that rich and a diverse community of tribes and natural resources, Jacinta Zioka from Kenya Tourism, says that everyone should visit her country at least once in their lifetime.  For action-adventure author James Rollins, his travels, adventures and interests play a critical role in the development of his thrillers.  In his new book, The Bone Labyrinth, James used his training as a veternarian to explore the question of human development and intelligence.  He takes us to mankind's next leap and presents the question of our fate as a species. Accordingly to Saturday Evening Post contributor, Todd Pitock, we can learn a lot about American history through understanding the progresssion of whiskey.  Todd takes us along America's multi-state Whiskey Trail and gives us a history lesson between sips. American history can also be understood through the perspective of our Founders homes, accordingly to author Myron Magnet.  In his book, "The Founders at Home:  The Building of America" Myron says that the architectural styles of our Founders reflects their social consciousness and their ideals for America's future at the time. We walked along the floor of the New York Times Travel Show (#NYTTravelShow) and spoke to representatives from Sri Lanka and Belize.

Author James Rollins, Kenya, America's Whiskey Trail and Founders' Homes

Imagine paradise where your senses explode with a banquet of color, or scents and flavors exicte, or where you experience exotic tranquility.  That is Martinique.  We enjoyed some planteur punch as we sat on a lovely Martinique beach with Muriel Wiltord from La Martinique Tourism who explained more about the island, it's unique culture and history and why Martinique is unique from other Caribbean islands.  During our visit to the island we were treated to some wonderful accommodations including Hotel Bakoua--the very first tourist hotel on Martinique.  Hotel Bakoua is a former family home that was built in a colonial architectural style.  We also visited the luxurious  Cap-est Lagoon Resort and Spa on the east coast of Martinique.  The tropical oasis is tucked away on a garden on the edge of a lagoon that overlooks a coral reef in the Atlantic Ocean.  One of Martinique's more powerful attractions is the Anse Cafard Slave Memorial.  This memorial was completed in 1998 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the emanicipation of slaves in the French West Indies.  The memorial is comprised of 20 eight-foot tall looming statues bearing brooding expressions of loss and mourning.  The historic Habitation Clément tells the story of Martinique's creoles, its agricultural and industrial heritage.  Rhum Agricole was born at Habitation Clément and that it boasts the culture of an ancient Créole sugarcane plantation with rich French West Indian history.  

Magical Martinique: The Island of Flowers

Tis the season with the gift of holiday music.  As you enjoy the musical selections from around the world, please accept our gratitude for your support of World Footprints over the years.  We appreciate you inviting us into your home and for joining us as we embrace our common humanity.  We wish you peace, love and joy (and lots of travel)  and we look forward to sharing exciting journeys and inspiring interviews with you in the coming year.    The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things.           --Thomas S. Monson ...and to all...a good night.

World Footprints Holiday Music Special

World Footprints connects you to the world one story at a time. We bring deeper conversations in the travel space as we explore our cultural connections, common history and the ways we are similar. In addition to our website, https://WorldFootprints.com, our podcast can be heard on: Apple Podcast iHeart Radio Spreaker Spotify Stitcher Google Podcast Public Radio Exchange TuneIn Soundclous RadioPublic coming soon....Pandora and Alexa We no longer provide current content on BlogTalkRadio. Thank you for traveling the world with us.

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WORLD FOOTPRINTS

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