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ENDING TODAY - on the 72nd anniversary of her birth, is Annette's bronzed baby shoe.  Originally one of a pair, this is the only shoe that survives, as it's match was lost in the fire the destroyed Annette's Encino home in 2011. Annette's first pair of baby shoes were originally presented to her godparents, Phil and Josephine (Jo) Monaco, who attended Annette's baptism in Utica, New York.  The shoes were bronzed and kept safe by them until May 5, 1990, when they were presented to Annette and Glen during a surprise 4th wedding anniversary party held at Aunt Jo's home.   Annette's national tour with Frankie Avalon brought she and Glen back to the town of her birth for what turned out to be a very memorable weekend - performing at Utica's Stanley Theater and spending time with family and friends. The Funicello Family poses for the camera on the day of Annette's Baptism Photo of Annette and Glen after receiving the bronzed baby...

A year after going public with her MS diagnosis, Annette was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart for a Ladies' Home Journal article titled "The Survivors".  The piece focuses on the personal stories of four entertainers who have persevered through personal challenges that threaten their careers and lives.   At the time of this article, Annette had just recently established The Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases (AFRFND) , and with her husband Glen, continued to explore treatments that held any hope of bringing some relief to her rapidly deteriorating condition - and to other MS patients as well.   While it would be nearly a decade before any helpful treatment would be found, Annette never gave up hope that she could use her public image and Research Fund to help others.  Today, the AFRFND continues Annette's work and carries her dream of bringing treatment and answers to those suffering with neurological dis...

Can you believe it?  The Mickey Mouse Club celebrates it's 59th birthday today!  Now we can all wait in anticipation for what Disney will do for the show's 60th next year!