August  16

Fess Elisha Parker, Jr's Birthday
 

The 6'5" Fess Parker began his acting career 1951 in the national company of Mister Roberts and became a contract player with Warner Brothers appearing in small roles in several films. When Walt Disney Company was looking for their "Davy Crockett," they screened the sci-fi film Them!  that starred James Arness because they were considering Arness for the  Crockett role. Parker had a small scene in the movie, Disney was impressed with Fess as a pilot who had seen flying giant ants was imprisoned in an insane asylum by the authorities so as not to panic the population.  Fess was asked to drop by the Disney Studio. When he did, he brought his guitar, met Walt, sang a song, and then said his goodbye. A few weeks later he was told that he had been selected to play Davy Crockett. Fess was subsequently hired by the Walt Disney Studios in 1954 to play the legendary Davy Crockett in three episodes depicting his exploits as frontiersman, congressman, and hero of the Alamo  in the first television miniseries,. Davy Crockett was a tremendous hit with children, and led to a merchandising frenzy for all things Crockett. Fess became a contract star for Disney appearing in many films such as The Great Locomotive Chase (1956),  Old Yeller (1957), The Light in the Forest (1958), The Hangman (1959), Alias Jesse James (1959), and Hell Is for Heroes (1962)  In 1964 Parker began filming his network television series, Daniel Boone. During six years as one of the highest rated shows of its time, Parker not only starred in the series but co-produced it and directed five of its most popular episodes. Parker subsequently appeared on numerous television programs Turning down the title role of McCloud, Fess  retired from the film industry in the 1970s.  In 1987, Parker purchased a 714 acre ranch thirty five miles north of Santa Barbara, in the Santa Ynez Valley, where he promptly set about planning and establishing Fess Parker's Winery & Vineyard. His son, Eli (Fess III), is President and Director of Winemaking & Vineyard Operations and has produced several award-winning wines. So what better way to celebrate Fess's birthday than by making some Davy Crockett Bars, watching Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955), and enjoying one of the limited editions of Fess Parker wine?  A caveat. These limited edition wines are very popular and sell out quickly.

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Davy Crockett Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Cream sugars and butter in a large bowl.
3. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
4. Add flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix thoroughly.
5. Blend  in oats, chocolate chips, and nuts,
6. Press dough onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake 20-25  minutes. 
7. Cool slightly, then cut. 
8. Put in airtight container.  (Bars tend to dry out if left uncovered).

Makes 24 bars