Like millions of other people worldwide, I have long enjoyed the literary works of Mark Twain. I learned a lot about small town life in the USA and about life along the Mississippi River, in large part because of the Twain’s God given talent of “painting a picture with his words.” I have not been to Hannibal, Missouri, but if I get the chance to, I would love to visit the attractions that honour Twain. With the 100th anniversary of Twain’s death coming up later this month, it is a certainty that Hannibal will have quite a celebration and continue to welcome guests from all over the world.

Many years ago, about 30 years actually, I learned Frank Sinatra had resort in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. I not give it much thought, until learning recently that the resort may actually be closed for good. While I am not much for gambling, I one day hope to visit Las Vegas and/or Lake Tahoe. Based on what I have learned lately, a lot of changes have affected the gambling industry recently. Unfortunately, the unlucky streak continues for Sinatra’s casino resort.

Before the Las Vegas Strip ruled the gambling world, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. helped make the Cal Neva Lodge one of Nevada’s coolest casinos in the early 1960s.