The Gilliam Blog - All the Blog While Its Blog

While I am somewhat stunned by Brother Mikes intention to cease the "Corn Dogs Across America" series, I can understand his thinking. I believe Mike is following the lead of other Great Americans who desired to go out on top:

Jerry Seinfeld
Ray Romano
John Elway
Richard Chesteen
and of course, Lou Brock (who "orchestrated his own exodus")

So be it. The journey is over but it is preserved for posterity in written form for future generations to enjoy.

Finally, I must say that Mike's writing skills are rivaled by no man today. No written work since that of the late Lewis Grizzard could cause me to laugh out loud until we embarked on the Corn Dog journey.

Mike, I salute you!

I would like to apologize for my first attempts at Blogging as I am aware that it was not as professional as those contributions of former Union City DailyMessenger Correspondent, Mike Gilliam. Also, I resent not having a spell check associated with this site. Also, while Mike's entries are 'facts laced with fiction', mine apparently have been labeled 'lies laced with facts'. I am also appalled over the latest entry by Mike who is calling for an end the the Corndog Across America Tour. Just when I decide to get involved and struggle to figure this crazy site out, I am denied the pleasure of future entries. Why does Mike get to decide when it ends just because he started it? Is this akin to Reelfoot Lake old-timers who want to claim "reparian rights" on the land that is now underwater? I patiently await input from other members of this site concerning this matter. (After my discussion with Dr. Russ conserning the matter of his brother Scott, who initiated this Blog site but has participated very little, I expect no help from those quarters.)

Seen in this photo are members of the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church's 'Young in Spirit' touring the Shilo National Park, site of one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles. Seen in this photo are Jane 'Cardinal Fan' Mott, Jim 'Praise the Lord' Stone, Momma Nan 'Tour Co-ordinator' Gilliam, and the late Gen. Robert E. Lee, Tour Guide. ( If they can come back to life in Field of Dreams, they can come back for other historical purposes) After several days of intense fighting in areas known as The Thicket, The Hornet's Nest, and Bloody Pond, the Union soldiers defeated the Confederates. This was mainly due to the overwhelming numbers of the Union that were engaged in this battle but many historians, such as David Byrn, attribute the loss to lack of food supplies on the Confederate side. In fact their is a well known saying in this area that we students of history are familiar with. FOR THE WANT OF A CORNDOG----THE WAR WAS LOST

Early next week, the final entry will be posted in the Corndogs Across America tour. Its been a wonderful two-month run, but my managing editor (one Lisa Gilliam) has dictated that the series be concluded before I am placed on the homeland security "watch list" for photographing corndogs in front of state capitols. I have been deluged by hundreds, OK one phone call, to continue this culinary photographic journey through history. But its time for me to pursue other creative pursuits . . . and I am hopeful the tour's absence will prevent the further spawning of entries like the dispatch from Reelfoot Lake below that displays a reckless regard for the truth and a lack of appreciation for the fundamental link between the Corndog and American History. As we close the curtain on this sojourn, I would like to recognize our sponsors, Delta Airlines which provided air travel, Courtyard by Marriott for accomodations, and Dr. Russ, O.D. who generously is underwriting the cost of the corndogs (the final tally will be 19 corndogs used, but they were never put in any danger). I also would like to introduce to you the members of my group before we go any further: first of all Mr. J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, the Sweet Inspirations, the little girl with the beautiful high voice is Kathy Westermoreland, on lead guitar is James Burden, rhythm guitar John Wilkerson, drums is Ronnie Tutt, fender bass Jerry Scheff, on the piano Glen Hardin, the guy that gives me my scarves and sings harmony with me Charley Hodge -- and, our conductor ladies and gentlemen, Mister Joe Guercio.

CORNDOGS ACROSS AMERICA: REELFOOT LAKE------Reelfoot Lake Boat-------$3,500 Trailer Hitch---------------------$380 Trolling Motor-------------------$100 Batteries--------------------------$95 Minnows & Crickets----------$10 CORNDOG---------------------PRICELESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

CORNDOGS ACROSS AMERICA: REELFOOT LAKE--- Seen here is a monument to the CORNDOG, which has been an important part of the history, diet, and economy of Lake County. Little Jimmy Dickens, Grandpa Jones and other notables annually duck hunt on Reelfoot and dine at The Pier restaurant in Samburg on catfish, hushpuppies and corndogs ringed with onion rings. 

Corndogs Across America: Reelfoot Lake In 1907 & 1908 a wave of lawlessness swept over this area by an organization of men called "Night Riders". The purpose of these hooded bands was to force corndog consessioners around the lake to join an association formed to control the price of this delicasy. These "nere-do-wells were eventually brought to justice and sentenced to 10 years confinement with only water and weiners----no stick & no batter. Some thought this to be cruel and unusual punishment. 

One of the little known and closely guarded secrets among fishing guides on Reelfoot Lake is that the bait of choice among these clannish people is the much revered corndog. While it may not catch as many fish as minners, crickets, roaches, and dynamite used by most fishermen, it most certainly attracts the largest ?ole crappie sows? as seen in this recently smuggled photo. 

One of the little known and closely guarded secrets among fishing guides on Reelfoot Lake is that the bait of choice among these clannish people is the much revered corndog. While it may not catch as many fish as minners, crickets, roaches, and dynamite used by most fishermen, it most certainly attracts the largest ?ole crappie sows? as seen in this recently smuggled photo. 

Corndogs Across America: Reelfoot Lake 

Davy Crockett discovered Reelfoot Lake in 1825 where he and his son killed 105 bears that winter. As you can see in this photo, one of the necessities for a successfull fishing trip on Reelfoot Lake is an ample supply of corndogs. 

Reelfoot Lake has long been Ralph Gilliam's "fishing paradise", just as his son Scott sonsiders Las Vegas HIS "pair-a-dice".  

Corndogs Across America-----Reelfoot Lake 

Reelfoot Lake, located in the N.W. corner of TN near Tiptonville, was formed by a series of earthquakesin the years 1811-1812. Legend has it that an indian chief by the name of Reel-foot, so named because a club foot made him reel when he walked, was so infuriated at his daughter marrying a member of another tribe that he stomped his foot in anger so violently that he caused the earth to quake. A less colorful explanation has to do with the New Madrid Fault. 

Gold Mine or Bust 

Just testing out his "rig." KB4JAV. KB4 Juliet,Alpha, Victor

Beautiful Reelfoot Lake as seen from MMS Lucy 

Raleigh, incorporated in 1792, was named after Sir Walter Raleigh, the British Renaissance courtier, explorer, poet . . . and well known cigar connosieur. Raleigh sits in the widely revered Research Triangle, filled with high tech, research, and pharmaceutical companies, but it still maintains its genteel Southern charm. The city is teeming with history, and it was a well-known getaway for legendary lawman Bernard P. Fife. When Barney came to Raleigh it was "go, go, go" from the minute he got there. Sometimes he had so much fun at the Arcade playing Skeeball that his head would not hit the pillow until 11:15 p.m. The lure of the big city finally brought Barney to Raleigh full time when he took a job with the Police Department handling the fingerprint files - N through R . . . . The 1999 movie Corndog Man was a psychological thriller, starring Noble Willingham whose other credits include City Slickers and Ace Ventura Pet Detective.

Capitol Corndog, Part Seven: Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina. The Capitol, completed in 1840, is built in the Greek Revival style. . . . at the first Greek Revival, I believe Plato delivered the message and Sophocles led the singing.

Return To Mayberry: A statue honoring television's Andy Griffith Show graces a scenic park near downtown Raleigh. The statue depicts Andy Taylor and son Opie heading to the lake, fishing pole . . . and corndog?! . . . in hand. In the show, Raleigh was the far away big city where high living abounds. Sheriff Taylor sometimes exhorted his deputy Barney Fife to "pack up the 'ol salt-and-pepper (suit), head to Raleigh, get a corner room at the "Y", and really live it up."

Denver is famously known as the "Mile High City" as it rests 5280 feet above sea level. Incorporated in 1861, it is the capital of the state of Colorado and a plethora of downtown financial institutions has earned it the title of "Wall Street of the West." Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is a beautiful city that enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year -- more than Miami or San Diego. Denver is a very educated populous with the most high school and college graduates per capita in the U.S. The first cheeseburger was invented in Denver in 1935. . . . Corndogs are an excellent source of calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

Capitol Corndog, Part Six: The Colorado State Capitol bears a marked resemblance to the nation's capitol. A 24-carat gold plated dome commemorates Colorado's Gold rush days. The 15th step on the west entrance of the Capitol marks the elevation of 5280 feet (or one mile) above sea level.

Corndog On The Mall: Denver is a pedestrian-friendly city. A pedestrian mall runs through downtown with electric busses transporting locals and tourists to offices, restaurants, and clubs. Nearby, Colfax Avenue is the longest continuous street in America.

View From Our Seats I: On a chilly night, we were able to score a couple of seats, three rows behind the Rockies dugout

View From Our Seats II: Todd Helton went 1 for 4 with an RBI Double putting him one ahead of former Rockie Larry Walker for most total bases in a career. Because of the "Mile High" atmosphere, baseballs carry 10 percent further.

Hey Billy JOe Jim Bob! gotta roundup ona feild aund ridy two hamme sum suppa

Sarasota is considered the cultural gem of Florida. First incorporated in 1902, it is a city rich in the arts, thanks in large part to circus impressario John Ringling -- of the Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Circus fame. Ringling built a 30-room Venetian-style mansion in the 1920s on Sarasota Bay and filled with priceless art from around the world. Upon his death, the Big Top magnate left the estate and its contents to the state of Florida and it is now a renowed museum and art gallery. The circus remains a vital part of Sarasota's culture as several circus companies are located in the area -- not to mention an assortment of bearded ladies. . . . . More than 2.5 billion corndogs are consumed in the U.S. each year.

Bronze Corngod - Sarasota's beaches boast some of the whitest sand in the world. The tropical South Florida climate offers year 'round tanning for sun worshippers and corndogs alike.

Diving For 'Dogs - Sarasota Bay is teeming with Dolphins. A bayside park pays tribute to the corndog-loving mammals with a beautiful fountain and sculpture.

Sally and "Love Monkey"
Posted by Hello

In the "rag" business, this color is known as "coral"
Posted by Hello

Named after the wife of England's King George, Charlotte is known as the "Queen City". The city's prominence rose in the 1980s when it began to be known as a banking and commerce center. Today, the city -- population of about 600,000 -- boasts of being the country's number two financial center. More than 300 of the the Fortune 500 companies are represented here. Along with pro football's Carolina Panthers and the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, the area is the epicenter of NASCAR with most of the racing world's garages located nearby. Billy Graham was born and raised in Charlotte and in 2003 moved his headquarters to the city. . . . Corndogs and Pronto Pups are not created equal. A Corndog batter is primarily corn meal based, while a Pronto Pup batter is flour-based. Huck's, the foremost purveyor of the hand-held treat, used the Cornmeal based recipe as does most suppliers.

Skyscraping Corndog: Charlotte is a young and vibrant city as its skyline attests. The 60-story Bank of America building stands as a tribute to Queen Charlotte who reigned England for 60 years. Completed in 1992, it was named national Office Building of the Year in 1996 by the Building Managers and Owners Association!

The Gilliam Blog - All the Blog While Its Blog
If Mike & Lisa's Frank'fort trip was my Father's Day gift, I won't be asking for anymore special Corndog Blogs.

The Gilliam Blog - All the Blog While Its Blog
Now I am happy.
Ah, I think Mingo is still alive. I see him quite often on old Johnny Carson clips from the past and they never mention his demise.

Today we salute 'Frank'fort, Kentucky, the capital of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In response to Dad's request for a dispatch from his homestate's capital, we made this trip a surprise part of the Corndogs Across America tour to honor our father with an early Father's Day gift. 'Frank'fort, located midway between Lexington and Louisville, is home to about 30,000 residents. Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca are buried in Frankfort --Mingo's burial site is unknown and Cincinnatus never made it out of Boonesborough. There is a bit of controversy on the origin of the name 'Frank'fort. A historical marker in 'Frank'fort states that the city was thusly named as a tribute to Benjamin Franklin -- he of the Declaration of Independence and a chain of Five and Dime Stores; others attribute the name to Stephen Franks, an early settler of Kentucky. Although the area has a German influence, there is no historical reference to the city being named for a sausage . . . The Food Network reports that the Corndog is now the number one fried food in the U.S.

Capitol Corndog - Part Five: The Capitol of the Commonwealth of Kentucky was established in Frankfort in 1793. The Capitol standing before you has served the Commonwealth since the 1920s. Frankfort has stumped many a student over the years when attempting to identify the capitals of the 50 states. Legend has it that the Kentucky born and bred Gilliam patriarch missed this state capital on a fifth-grade geography test -- the only state capital that was incorrect.

Bonus Coverage: A couple of Southern-Fried legends, a Corndog and the original Kentucky Fried Chicken bask in the fading sunlight of Corbin, Kentucky -- an hour north of Knoxville. Colonel Harland Sanders opened his cafe in the early 1950s which spurred thousands of more Kentucky Fried Chickens in the next five decades