Dawn Schreiner Illustration

05/16/2026

C. Everett Coop was the United States Surgeon General from 1982 until 1989. On this day, in 1988, Dr. Coop reported that “nicotine is as addictive as heroin.”

05/15/2026

In 1856, in Chittenango, New York, Lyman Frank Baum was born. When he was 32 he opened “Baum’s Bazaar” a general store, where he became popular with neighborhood kids. He was too generous with his credit accounts at the store, which quickly led to bankrupcy. Then, he became editor at the local newspaper, and finally, wrote his first book, “Mother Goose In Prose”, then, “Father Goose, His Book”, and in 1900, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. He wrote 13 more books based on the Land of Oz.

05/12/2026

Catherine Tate (nee Ford) was born in 1968 on this day in Bloomsbury, London. A comedian, actress, and writer, I grew to admire her as “Lauren Cooper” from “The Catherine Tate Show” on the BBC. Are you familiar with Ms Tate?

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all mom’s everywhere. Especially my mom. Who continues to light every room she’s in.

05/09/2026

It’s the birthday of J.M.Barrie, the man who created the magical Peter Pan. The Scottish novelist graduated from Edinburgh University and promptly started a series of books, the first called “Better Dead”. Barrie married, but soon the relationship deteriorated, which led to long walks in the park near his home. There he met the Davies brothers, who inspired Peter Pan, along with Barrie’s older brother who died in a skating accident when the author was just six.

05/08/2026

In 1877, the first annual Westminster Dog Show’s, “The First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs”, was held in the Hippodrome at Gilmore’s Garden in New York City. There were 1, 201 entrants.
Here, my Yoda poodle circus painting. I’m still figuring out how this works in context. There’s dogs?

05/07/2026

Frank James Cooper was born on this day, in Helena, Montana, in 1901. Cooper’s parents were English, and Gary studied in England before moving to Los Angeles. He was an extra in films, then starred in silent movies, eventually becoming one of the most beloved film stars of all time. You can find his hand prints at Mann’s Chinese Theater, and his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (6243 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA ).

05/06/2026

Congratulations graduates.

05/05/2026

05/04/2026

Happy Star Wars Day!

05/03/2026

On this date, in 1937, Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for “Gone With The Wind”.