On This Day: The Lone Ranger Debuted on Radio

Writer, Fran Striker, and radio station owner, George Trendle, wanted to create an American hero that would mirror the popular silent movie Mask of Zorro. Neither of the men knew much about cowboys, but that didn't discourage them from creating one of the most beloved Western heroes of all time: The Lone Ranger.

The Lone Ranger debuted in Detroit on this day, January 30, 1933. With the William Tell Overture and "Hi-yo, Silver! Away!", The Lone Ranger galloped into the living rooms and hearts of Americans everywhere.

In the late 1940's, the show was moved to television. Since then, The Lone Ranger has become the star of comic books and movies. A new movie is due out May 2013, starring Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as the Ranger.

Where'd they come from? The Twinkie

James Dewar was a baker for the Continental Baking Company (makers of Wonder Bread and Hostess snack treats). In the 1930's, Dewar realized that the shortcake machines were sitting unused when strawberries were not in season. He created a shortcake filled with banana cream. It was a huge hit, sold at a nickle for two. Dewar said that he got the idea for the name from a billboard advertising Twinkle Toes Shoes.

When WWII came along, bananas were rationed, so the even more popular vanilla cream was created. The banana cream returned in 2005 for a month-long promotion for the King Kong movie, and since sales increased by 20%, Hostess returned banana cream to their product list in 2007.

Twinkies have ventured far from being merely a snack food. They've become a derogatory term for the defense of sugar-induced crime, a diet, and items for experimentation. There is also an urban legend floating around that says they apparently have a forever shelf life, when it's really about 25 days. Makes you wonder how that Twinkie Bill Clinton put into the time capsule will fare.

As James said, "Twinkies was the best darn-tootin' idea I ever had." And America agrees.

Adventures in ... Algae Suckers

We had a death in the family. Pete, our plecostomus (you know, the algae suckers), perished a few weeks ago. He was a large guy, maybe about 6 or 7 inches long, and he kept our tank so clean. In fact, we had to supplement his diet with zucchini so he would have enough to eat. When he died, it was pretty sad. I mean he's a fish, so we weren't weeping, but we did go, "Ahhh, poor guy. That's sad."

The other fish in the tank are pretty. They have nice colors and flit around the tank in ways that are mesmerizing. But they weren't Pete. They weren't the worker fishes. And we needed a worker fish, or the tank would get so filthy we couldn't see through it. So we went out and got Pedro. He's a little guy. Maybe an inch or inch and a half, but he will eat and grow and become a grand old algae eater.

Pedro, and the late Pete, remind me of the verse in 2 Thessalonians that says, "Now we ask you brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work." (5:12-13a)

There are some people in our lives who could be easily overlooked. They are the workers who quietly do their job and aren't often thanked or recognized. But if they weren't there, you'd know it. I want to be more aware of these people and thank them when I get a chance. When you're at church, or in a hotel, or the grocery store, I challenge you, and myself, to pay attention to those who maybe aren't the up-front people, but the workers, who tirelessly fill store shelves, clean hotel rooms, or take out the garbage at church. And if you are one of those people, thanks.

On This Day: First Woman M.D.

Elizabeth Blackwell was born on February 3, 1821 in Bristol, England. Her family immigrated to the U.S., and shortly after moving to Ohio, her father died. The work ethic she developed during this time would serve her well in her years ahead.

Blackwell became a teacher and took positions all over the east. At first, she had no desire to become a doctor. In her book, Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women , she said, "...the very thought of dwelling on the physical structure of the body and its various ailments filled me with disgust." But after a dying friend said that her worst suffering could have been avoided if her physician had been a woman, Elizabeth grew passionate about the field.

She applied to all the schools of medicine in New York and Pennsylvania, but was rejected by all but the Geneva College in New York. They agreed to admit her as a joke, for surely no woman could be serious about going to medical school. When she attended she faced opposition, but eventually won the admiration of students and faculty alike.

Elizabeth became a doctor on this day, January 23, 1849.

She went on to have a private practice, and then to open the New York Infirmary for Women and Children with her sister, who was also a doctor. She continued to fight for the admittance of women into medical school. She organized a unit of female field doctors to aid the Civil War wounded. And in 1869, the Infirmary added a college to train women doctors and nurses. Her last job was a teaching position at the London School of Medicine for Women as a professor of gynecology.

She died in 1910 after a lifetime of tireless work in advancing women's acceptance into the medical profession.

Where'd it come from? The "Lady Bird" in Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson was born on December 22, 1912 as Claudia Alta Taylor. Her African-American nurse, Alice Tittle, once remarked that she was as "purty as a ladybird." A ladybird is a what is commonly known as a ladybug, a member of the beetle family. And the nickname virtually replaced her name for the rest of her life. She married Lyndon B. Johnson on November 17, 1934.