2025-04-11 archive

The Pirate Who Flipped the Crown: The Tale of Captain Kidd

Captain Kidd, born Thomas Hempstead, is one of the most infamous names to sail the Caribbean, not just for the ships he raided, but for the rules he broke. Far from being a mere thief of the sea, Kidd carved his legacy by deliberately targeting English vessels and snubbing the very nation that gave him …

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Wings of the South: Ken McFarlane’s Soaring Legacy in New Zealand Pigeon Fancying

While I was in Wellington, New Zealand, I had the pleasure of supervising Ken — a truly wonderful person and a passionate pigeon fancier. Getting to know him was a highlight of my time there. One of the most memorable experiences I had was watching him race his pigeons and learning about the sport. It …

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Apollo 13: The Successful Failure That Inspired the World

On April 11, 1970, Apollo 13 launched from Kennedy Space Center, carrying three astronauts on what was supposed to be NASA’s third moon landing. Commander Jim Lovell, Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert, and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise were ready to make history. However, just two days into the mission, an oxygen tank exploded, crippling …

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