Vote Jimmy for Smithsonian's Next Inspiring American

Desdamona · Post by **Desdamona** » June 27, 2007 1:21 pm

HEY! Voting ends tomorrow!

Carolinadreamin' · Post by **Carolinadreamin'** » June 27, 2007 9:56 pm

Done in the nick of time!!

balcony girls · Post by **balcony girls** » June 28, 2007 2:10 pm

. .BUMP . .

. . come on, pholks . . ! !

. . voting ends TODAY . . ! !

Desdamona · Post by **Desdamona** » June 28, 2007 3:38 pm

LAST CHANCE!
VOTE NOW!!!
http://go.si.edu/smithsonian/inspiringamericans.html?

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » June 28, 2007 4:18 pm

VOTED...in the nick of time

Desdamona · Post by **Desdamona** » June 29, 2007 12:28 pm

"Voting has closed! We're currently tallying the votes...stay tuned."

APLATillman · Post by **APLATillman** » July 2, 2007 10:14 am

WINNER!!!!!!

see story below...received this in email today...

Dear Smithsonian Friend,

Congratulations Eric Kraske, winner of the Inspiring Americans Contest!

Eric’s story about finding inspiration in singer Jimmy Buffett's musical talent was declared the most inspiring by our contest voters.

In case you missed it, here is Eric’s story:

"Jimmy Buffett is a unique blend of reality and fantasy. The stories and adventures in his songs have led everyone from doctors to dental assistants to live the island life – if only for a few precious hours between the soccer game and cooking dinner. Despite a lot of the silliness that surrounds his world, he inspires me to seek adventure in my world and to share that sense of wonder and humor with my family. Usually dismissed as cheesy, his song lines most often hold messages of hope, family and encouragement – although easily ignored if the mood is right!

Jimmy's positive message can sometimes be seen in the most difficult situations. My father passed away a few years ago after suffering with cancer and during the last conversation we had together he told me his bags were packed and he was ready to get the plane fired up and head to Margaritaville – the fictional world of Jimmy's songs and stories. My dad was ready for his next adventure. I will never forget that and I will forever keep that positive outlook for the future. It is difficult to pick one person that inspires you; there are people that have done what most of the world would consider bigger and better things than Jimmy Buffett. But someone who has been able to affect how I live my life and how I view the world is what I consider an inspirational person."

Thank you Eric, for sharing your inspirational story, and thank you to everyone who voted in the Inspiring Americans Contest!

trojan_sixtyone · Post by **trojan_sixtyone** » July 2, 2007 10:36 am

APLATillman wrote:WINNER!!!!!!

see story below...received this in email today...

Dear Smithsonian Friend,

Congratulations Eric Kraske, winner of the Inspiring Americans Contest!

Eric’s story about finding inspiration in singer Jimmy Buffett's musical talent was declared the most inspiring by our contest voters.

In case you missed it, here is Eric’s story:

"Jimmy Buffett is a unique blend of reality and fantasy. The stories and adventures in his songs have led everyone from doctors to dental assistants to live the island life – if only for a few precious hours between the soccer game and cooking dinner. Despite a lot of the silliness that surrounds his world, he inspires me to seek adventure in my world and to share that sense of wonder and humor with my family. Usually dismissed as cheesy, his song lines most often hold messages of hope, family and encouragement – although easily ignored if the mood is right!

Jimmy's positive message can sometimes be seen in the most difficult situations. My father passed away a few years ago after suffering with cancer and during the last conversation we had together he told me his bags were packed and he was ready to get the plane fired up and head to Margaritaville – the fictional world of Jimmy's songs and stories. My dad was ready for his next adventure. I will never forget that and I will forever keep that positive outlook for the future. It is difficult to pick one person that inspires you; there are people that have done what most of the world would consider bigger and better things than Jimmy Buffett. But someone who has been able to affect how I live my life and how I view the world is what I consider an inspirational person."

Thank you Eric, for sharing your inspirational story, and thank you to everyone who voted in the Inspiring Americans Contest!

I have a feeling Eric got a lot (if not a majority) of his support from us at BN. Good work everyone, and congratulations to Eric and JB!

lati2d · Post by **lati2d** » July 2, 2007 10:59 am

APLATillman wrote:WINNER!!!!!!

see story below...received this in email today...

Dear Smithsonian Friend,

Congratulations Eric Kraske, winner of the Inspiring Americans Contest!

Eric’s story about finding inspiration in singer Jimmy Buffett's musical talent was declared the most inspiring by our contest voters.

In case you missed it, here is Eric’s story:

"Jimmy Buffett is a unique blend of reality and fantasy. The stories and adventures in his songs have led everyone from doctors to dental assistants to live the island life – if only for a few precious hours between the soccer game and cooking dinner. Despite a lot of the silliness that surrounds his world, he inspires me to seek adventure in my world and to share that sense of wonder and humor with my family. Usually dismissed as cheesy, his song lines most often hold messages of hope, family and encouragement – although easily ignored if the mood is right!

Jimmy's positive message can sometimes be seen in the most difficult situations. My father passed away a few years ago after suffering with cancer and during the last conversation we had together he told me his bags were packed and he was ready to get the plane fired up and head to Margaritaville – the fictional world of Jimmy's songs and stories. My dad was ready for his next adventure. I will never forget that and I will forever keep that positive outlook for the future. It is difficult to pick one person that inspires you; there are people that have done what most of the world would consider bigger and better things than Jimmy Buffett. But someone who has been able to affect how I live my life and how I view the world is what I consider an inspirational person."

Thank you Eric, for sharing your inspirational story, and thank you to everyone who voted in the Inspiring Americans Contest!

I just got the same email. I think those of us who voted put Eric's story over the top. Congratulations, Eric!

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » July 2, 2007 11:17 am

WoooHooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

silverbetty · Post by **silverbetty** » July 2, 2007 11:19 am

Very nice, congrats Eric!

Landshark Girl · Post by **Landshark Girl** » July 2, 2007 11:26 am

Congratulations, Eric...and Jimmy for being inspiring. I know he has inspired me!

Desdamona · Post by **Desdamona** » July 2, 2007 12:53 pm

I'm so happy we could help in our own small way to get this recognition
for Mr. Buffett and the work he does inspiring people both with his music
and with his generous spirit. I'm just glad he uses his powers for good!

I'll be looking forward to the write-up he receives in the Focus magazine.
THANKS to Eric Kraske for taking the initiative and sending in his story!
(Anybody happen to know him?)

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » July 2, 2007 1:14 pm

Wow.... I got that e-mail this morning and was so surprised to see that Eric Kraske, and not Jimmy Buffett, was the winner. I hadn't even heard of Eric Kraske. My only thought that Eric must have had quite a following to beat out a parrothead campaign. Maybe if I had continued reading, I would have seen that he was the one who nominated Jimmy. I didn't see Jimmy's name as the winner so I closed the e-mail. I even read the whole thing when I voted.

Desdamona · Post by **Desdamona** » July 2, 2007 1:52 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:Wow.... I got that e-mail this morning and was so surprised to see that Eric Kraske, and not Jimmy Buffett, was the winner. I hadn't even heard of Eric Kraske. My only thought that Eric must have had quite a following to beat out a parrothead campaign. Maybe if I had continued reading, I would have seen that he was the one who nominated Jimmy. I didn't see Jimmy's name as the winner so I closed the e-mail. I even read the whole thing when I voted.

Silly boy! We love you in spite of yourself.

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » July 2, 2007 4:57 pm

Desdamona wrote:
FunkHouse9 wrote:Wow.... I got that e-mail this morning and was so surprised to see that Eric Kraske, and not Jimmy Buffett, was the winner. I hadn't even heard of Eric Kraske. My only thought that Eric must have had quite a following to beat out a parrothead campaign. Maybe if I had continued reading, I would have seen that he was the one who nominated Jimmy. I didn't see Jimmy's name as the winner so I closed the e-mail. I even read the whole thing when I voted.

Silly boy! We love you in spite of yourself.

Thank you.... I think.