“Humanity has won it's battle. Liberty now has a country”
— Marquis de Lafayette, Major General of the Continental Army in the American Revolution
Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier de la Fayette, also known as the Marquis de Lafayette, was born to a wealthy noble family in France in 1757. It was after attending a dinner party in August of 1775, at which the Duke of Gloucester, the younger (resentful) brother of King George III, convinced Lafayette to fight against the British. Because of his wealth and connections, he was commissioned a Major General in the Continental Army in July, 1777. Lafayette was held close within George Washington's circle and stayed by his side during the harsh winter at Valley Forge, later fighting beside him at the conclusive battle of Yorktown. Lafayette died in 1834 at the age of 76 and is buried in France under dirt taken from Bunker Hill, where the Marquis laid the cornerstone to the monument that still marks the battlefield.
Cocktail Recommendation:
Red, White and Blue Layered Vodka Cocktail
Ingredients:
1 red and 1 blue Jolly Rancher candy for rim
Agave for rim
Red Layer
1 oz Cran-Raspberry juice
½ oz vodka
½ oz grenadine
White Layer
1 oz white grape juice
½ oz vodka
½ oz raspberry sparkling water
Blue Layer
1½ oz blueberry lemonade
½ oz blueberry schnapps
Instructions:
1. In a plastic bag, add candies and crush.
2. Dip rim of cocktail glass in agave, followed by crushed candies.
3. Add red layer ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Pour into a cocktail glass.
4. Add ice to glass.
5. Rinse out cocktail shaker, add white layer ingredients and shake. Slowly...pour white layer ingredients on the ice.
6. Rinse shaker again and add blue layer ingredients. Shake and slowly pour over the ice.
Book Recommendation:
The Swamp Fox
In the darkest days of the American Revolution, Francis Marion and his band of militia freedom fighters kept hope alive for the patriot cause during the critical British southern campaign. Like the Robin Hood of legend, Marion and his men attacked from secret hideaways before melting back into the forest or swamp. Employing insurgent tactics that became commonplace in later centuries, Marion and his brigade inflicted losses on the enemy that were individually small but cumulatively a large drain on British resources and morale.
"Oller's deeply researched book is rich with details on how intelligence contributed to America's independence and describes techniques used by American special forces today. A splendid military read."
- Washington Times
Movie Recommendation:
The Music Man
This joyful film of the 1,375-performance Broadway smash remains an irresistible skyburst of Americana. Robert Preston recreates his Tony-winning Broadway triumph as con artist Harold Hill, arriving in River City, Iowa, to form a boys band, much to the disapproval…and later delight of town librarian Marian Paroo (Academy Award winner Shirley Jones). Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold, Paul Ford and 7-year-old Ron Howard co-star. Meredith Willson’s sassy, brassy score – featuring the unforgettable Seventy-Six Trombones and Till There Was You among other marvelous melodies – is orchestrated to brilliant Oscar-winning effect by Ray Heindorf.
Travel Recommendation:
River Cruising in America
River cruising in Europe is indeed fabulous, however there are wonderful rivers and regions to explore here at home in the United States. Have you considered exploring the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake rivers? Or perhaps New England or the Southeast on a coastal cruise? We have all of these itineraries to offer you and more. Contact us for further details and to begin planning your American river cruise vacation!
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