the...c. john clay d. ernst stavro blofeld happy birthday! richard pryor (1940–2005) was a class...

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THETHE

On This Date1535 – Jacques Cartier’s men experienced the effects of scurvy, due to lack of vitamin C in their diet. The Iroquois showed them how to make cedar tea as a cure.1887 – The very first Sherlock Holmes mystery appeared when the story “A Study in Scarlet” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was published.

1929 – Edwin Lowe, a toy salesman, was attending a carnival in Jackson, Alabama, when he noticed a popular game called Beano. He made a few modifications, and bingo was born.

The Game Is Afoot!Which of these bad guys is not a

nemesis of Sherlock Holmes?A. Professor MoriartyB. Irene Adler C. John ClayD. Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Happy Birthday!Richard Pryor (1940–2005) was a class clown in high school—a perfect beginning for someone who would become one of comedy’s most influential stars. His home life was far from perfect, and comedy and acting were natural outlets for him. He did stand-up in New York City and even opened for Bobby Darin in Las Vegas. Pryor was unafraid to push the envelope, using wit to explore race in America. He found stardom in the 1970s and ’80s. Although he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986, he continued to entertain and influenced an entire generation of young comedians.

Quote of the Day“There’s a thin line between to laugh with and to laugh at.”

~ Richard Pryor, comedian

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

ANSWER: Ernst Stavro Blofeld is a nemesis of James Bond.

©ActivityConnection.com – The Daily Chronicles EXTRA!

Root of the Matter

Cute as a button

If someone calls you cute as a button, they are characterizing you as small

and adorable. Some believe that this expression did not start as a compliment. Cute is short for acute, and is also

related to the French word aigu, which was used to denote acute in the medical sense, as in need of urgent care. The French word bouton referenced a spot or pimple. The expression originated in the 1800s, during the time of smallpox, measles, and mumps. Some linguists suggest that the original use of cute as a button was a way of telling someone that they exhibited symptoms in need of immediate medical attention.

Punny Business

Two blood cells met and fell in love. Too bad it was all in vein.

You Are What You Eat

Springfield, the capital of Illinois, is famous for its Horseshoe Sandwich, created in 1928 at the Leland Hotel by chef Joe Schweska and his assistant, Steve Tomko. It’s an open-faced sandwich of two thick slices of Texas toast topped with a horseshoe-shaped slice of ham, covered in french fries (known as the “nails” of the horseshoe) and topped off with Welsh rarebit sauce. Modern versions of the sandwich substitute hamburgers, pork tenderloin, or even Buffalo chicken for the ham, but plenty of Springfield eateries hold true to the original recipe.


Today is Rosa Parks Day. On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white rider. Her actions led to a bus boycott and the desegregation of the busing system.

Word Scramble

U T V O D E

Showing deep religious commitment

ANSWER: DEVOUT


THETHE

On This Date1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor of France at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Then he turned and crowned his wife, Josephine, as empress.

1901 – King Camp Gillette sold his first disposable safety razor blades.

1933 – The movie Dancing Lady premiered, featuring Fred Astaire in his first on-screen dancing role and slapstick comedians Ted Healy and His Stooges, a trio that would later become the Three Stooges.

1960 – Louis Leakey discovered a 1.4 million-year-old skeleton in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, that helped prove that humans evolved in Africa.

Three’s a CrowdHow many “stooges” actually

performed as the Three Stooges?

Happy Birthday!Gianni Versace (1946–1997) launched his first clothing line in Milan, Italy, in 1978. His mother was in the dressmaking business, so he was taught fashion and design from a young age. The influential designer was unafraid to use cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and unique materials like aluminum mesh. In 1989, Versace debuted his first couture collection and went on to draw the

praise of fashion-forward celebrities such as Madonna, Elton John, and Princess Diana. Versace was only 50 years old when he was killed in Miami.

Quote of the Day“Fashion goes with the feeling of the moment. It’s related to movies, to art, to young

people’s taste.”~ Gianni Versace, designer

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020

ANSWER: Six in total: Moe Howard, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Joe DeRita, and Joe Besser


Who Am I?

As a child, I fulfilled my Boy Scout photography merit badge by making a short film. I would spend the rest of my life making movies. I directed Joan Crawford for a major Hollywood studio when I was just 21 years old. I would go on to direct summer blockbusters about sharks and dinosaurs, storied movie franchises about space heroes and daring archaeologists, and historical dramas about war and slavery. Not only have I won numerous awards but I might just be Hollywood’s most famous director. Who am I?

Only Human

Scientists studying the Y chromosome, the chromosome that creates biological males, are quick to notice how small it is. It contains only 45 genes, compared to the almost 1,000 genes on an X chromosome. Scientists have determined that the Y chromosome has shrunk over millions of years, leading some to wonder if Y chromosomes may disappear entirely. Are men in danger of going extinct? Other animals such as mole voles have evolved to lose Y chromosomes, yet they still have males in the species. Scientists speculate that other genes will step in and do the job of determining sex.

Riddle Me This

What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work?

Today is Safety Razor Day. On this day in 1901, inventor King Camp Gillette patented his disposable safety razor. Gillette wanted to do away with the hassle and expense of honing and stropping blades to keep them sharp.

Buy a Vowel

D _ B _ _ _ S

Unreliable or suspect

ANSWER: DUBIOUS

ANSWER: Steven Spielberg

ANSWER: A stick



THETHE

On This Date1833 – The Oberlin Collegiate Institute in Oberlin, Ohio, opened as the first coeducational college.1921 – The Canadian Badminton Association was formed to serve as the main governing body of the sport in the country.

1926 – English mystery novelist Agatha Christie disappeared from her home. She was found 11 days later at the Swan Hydro Hotel. She did not remember how she got there. 1997 – In Ottawa, representatives from 121 countries signed the Ottawa Treaty, prohibiting the manufacture and deployment of anti-personnel land mines. The United States, China, and Russia did not sign the treaty.

Jingle BellsHeather Menzies met her future

husband while making a TV commercial. She and Robert Urich played a bride and groom in the ad.

They were married for 27 years.

Happy Birthday!Heather Menzies (1949-2017) was born in Toronto. She moved to the US in 1960 and attended Hollywood High School. Her film debut was

playing Louisa von Trapp in The Sound of Music. She went on to other movie and television roles, notably as Jessica 6 in Logan’s Run.

She later worked to raise money for cancer research. Menzies was married to actor Robert Urich and had three children. [After he died of cancer in 2002, she established the Robert Urich Foundation.]

Quote of the Day“I was always painfully shy

so the attention didn’t really sit well.”

~ Heather Menzies, actress

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020


Wild Kingdom

A unique breed of dog lives in the highlands of Papua, New Guinea. The New Guinea singing dog was considered extinct for 50 years until a small population was rediscovered in the wild. The species is known as the “singing dog” due to its howling barks and vocalizations that sound remarkably like a humpback whale. The dogs’ joints and spines are so flexible that they can jump and climb like cats. In order to save the singing dogs, researchers hope to breed them with a similarly ancient and local dog species, the highland wild dog.

Eye in the Sky

Phosphine, a chemical that indicates the presence of life, has been found in the atmosphere of Venus.

Phosphine is not pleasant smelling, and on Earth it’s mostly found in sewage plants, where it is associated with microbes living in oxygen-poor environments. In fact, on Earth, phosphine is only found in the presence of life. So, does that mean there is life on Venus? With average temperatures of 800°F, and an acidic, hot, and dry environment, chances of life might be slim. But that hasn’t stopped government space agencies from planning missions to the planet within the decade.

Name Three

Can you name three soft drinks that begin with the letter S?

On this day in 1910, Freda Du Faur climbed Mount Cook in New Zealand. Du Faur would become one of mountaineering’s most accomplished and famous climbers, ascending many of New Zealand’s highest peaks.

Word Wise Which word is not like the others?

khaki denim

silkscreen corduroy


ANSWER: Silkscreen is a type of printing; the others are clothing fabrics.

POSSIBLE ANSWERS: Sprite, Sunkist, Sierra Mist, Stewart’s, Shasta, Schweppes, Seaman’s


THETHE

On This Date1534 – The Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent captured Baghdad and took control of the important trading hub between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

1783 – New York City’s Fraunces Tavern hosted General George Washington and Continental Army soldiers for a “turtle feast” to celebrate the evacuation of British Troops from New York.

1909 – Ambrose O’Brien founded the Canadian Athletic Club. The uniform was a navy blue sweater with white bands at the shoulders and a white C on the chest band. In 1917, the club became a founding member of the NHL, as the Club de Hockey Canadian (CHC).

Did You Know?In colonial New England, “turtle

feasts” were elite dining experiences. Sea turtle was a high-status food,

and eating it affirmed social bonds among men.

Happy Birthday!Deanna Durbin (1921–2013) was a Canadian actress and gifted singer who

specialized in musical films and roles as the perfect teen daughter and girl next door. Some of her most popular films include Three Smart Girls

(1936), Every Sunday (1936), and It Started with Eve (1941). In 1938, at age 17, she received an Academy Juvenile Award. She retired in 1949, and in 1950 she married film producer-director Charles Henri David. The couple moved to a farmhouse near Paris where they raised Deanna’s two children from a previous marriage, Jessica and Peter.

Quote of the Day“I think of myself as a singer. The acting is just something I have to do between songs.”

~ Deanna Durbin, actress

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020


Garden Party

The Master of the Nets Garden in Jiangsu is considered one of the finest gardens in all of China. It was designed in 1140 by Shi Zhengzhi, a local official who desired a garden that reflected the romantic simplicity of fishermen. Over the centuries, the garden fell into disrepair until it was restored in 1785 by another government official, Qu Yuancun, who named it Master of Nets. The garden features pools, grottoes, plants, centuries-old trees, rocks, pavilions overhanging the water, and bridges.

Think-tionary

anoesis

A. The process where many living things coordinate behaviors, such as migration or hibernation

or

B. Condition where the brain feels pure sensations without any intellectual understanding

When Was It?

It was during this year that AT&T released a $1,500 video telephone. U.S. President George H. W. Bush fell ill and vomited in the lap of the Japanese prime minister. Euro Disney opened in Paris. Ross Perot declared his candidacy for president of the United States, and Johnny Carson hosted his last Tonight Show. When was it?

Today is World Wildlife Conservation Day. One of the most important ways to protect wild animals is to preserve their habitats. The forests and oceans of the world must be kept clean and whole to sustain the diverse array of life on Earth.

Whatchamacallit? What do you call a group of…

bloodhounds?

team pack

sute parcel


ANSWER: B. My anoesis was so complete that I had no memory or understanding of the events that befell me.

ANSWER: 1992 ANSWER: SUTE


THETHE

On This Date771 – After ruling the Frankish empire with his brother Carloman for several years, Charlemagne became the sole king of the Franks after his brother’s sudden death.

1717 – Henry Bostock, captain of the Margaret, was taken captive by the pirate Blackbeard and later released. Bostock’s account provided the first record of the notorious pirate and his name “Blackbeard.”

1952 – The Great Smog appeared over London. High-pressure weather conditions caused pollution to amass over the city, creating a lethal smog that killed thousands.

Shiver Me TimbersWhat was the real name of the notorious pirate Blackbeard?

A. Henry MorganB. Sir Francis DrakeC. Edward TeachD. Jack Rackham

Happy Birthday!“Little Richard” Penniman (1932–2020) honed his musical talents in church, singing gospel and playing the piano. He was forced to move out of his home at age 13 and was taken in by a white family who owned a club in Macon, Georgia, where he began performing. In 1955,

he was recruited to play piano in New Orleans, and that year, he recorded “Tutti Frutti.” It was a smash hit, and

Little Richard was on his way to becoming one of the early voices of rock and roll. His thundering piano and flamboyant stage presence would inspire generations of musicians.

Quote of the Day“I did what I felt, and I felt

what I did, at all costs.”~ Little Richard, father of

rock and roll

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2020

ANSWER: C. Edward Teach


The Games People Play

The endurance sport of ferret-legging appears to have originated in the 1970s amongst the coal miners of Yorkshire, England. Some believe it began with animal poachers who resorted to hiding ferrets in their trousers to avoid capture by authorities. Others contend that the game began in local pubs, with drinkers betting on who could keep a ferret in their trousers the longest. The game is simple: a ferret is dropped into a contestant’s trousers, the pant legs are cinched, and the waist is belted. An official keeps the time. In 1972, the record stood at 40 seconds. By 2010, the record had grown to over five-and-a-half hours.

Gadgets & Gizmos The Wello technology company has introduced its solar-powered vehicle, Family. The transport is an urban vehicle that is a mix between a car and a bike. Its roof is covered in solar panels that charge an electric battery. Wello Family can carry up to three passengers for a range of 62 miles when fully charged.

Riddle Me This

What did the judge say when the skunk entered the courtroom?

Today is Bathtub Party Day. Splish, splash, why not take a bath on a Saturday night, just like in Bobby Darin’s 1958 hit song? Skip the shower and treat yourself to a long soak in the tub. While you’re at it, turn on the radio!

Word Scramble

N E B K U D

Expose as being a sham or false


ANSWER: Odor in the court! ANSWER: DEBUNK


THETHE

On This Date1849 – Harriet Tubman escaped for the second and last time from

slavery in Maryland. She would become the Underground Railroad’s most famous “conductor.”

1877 – Thomas Edison recorded himself reciting “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on his tinfoil phonograph, the first human voice recording.

1907 – Thomas Selfidge made the first recorded passenger flight in Canada in a kite designed by Alexander Graham Bell. The Cygnet flew 51 metres above Bras d’Or Lake in Nova Scotia.

1917 – Two cargo ships loaded with wartime munitions collided in Halifax harbor. The world’s largest man-made accidental explosion, it killed about 2,000 people.

Harriet Tubman In addition to freeing slaves,

Harriet Tubman was a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Her code name was “Moses.”

Happy Birthday!Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805–1871) was a French magician who is widely considered to be the father of modern conjuring. Robert-Houdin studied clockmaking as a young man, but an accidental shipment of books on magic tricks piqued his curiosity and he began studying with a local magician. Robert-Houdin became so adept at sleight of hand and other tricks that he earned enough money to open his own theater. He was an early proponent of electricity when he saw its usefulness in magic.

Quote of the Day“The art of a magician is to

create wonder. If we live with a sense of wonder, then our

lives become filled with joy.”~ Doug Henning, magician

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020


Picture of the Day

This was St. Nick’s only option after budget cuts required selling the sleigh

and firing the reindeer.

Now it’s your turn to come up with a good caption.

Word to the Wise

The dictionary added the word freegan in 2020. This term is a portmanteau of the words free and vegan and refers to someone who is so opposed to food waste that they only eat free food that is thrown out by supermarkets or restaurants.

Centennial Memories

On this day 100 years ago, the child Rosalia Lombardo died of the Spanish flu in Sicily. Alfredo Salafia, a famous embalmer, was enlisted to preserve the child’s body. Lombardo was one of the last to be admitted to the famed Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo. Salafia’s technique was so masterful that the body remains remarkably preserved even after 100 years, and has earned the name the “Sicilian Sleeping Beauty.” Visitors still flock to the catacombs to see what has been called “the world’s most beautiful mummy.”

Today is St. Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra, a city on the coast of present-day Turkey, in the 4th century. He was noted for his generosity and love of children and was the inspiration for Santa Claus.


Buy a Vowel

C _ _ L _ _

A deep, dry canyon once carved by flowing water

ANSWER: COULEE


THETHE

On This Date43 BC – Roman statesman, lawyer, and orator Cicero was assassinated by the order of Marc Antony, a former general of Julius Caesar and leader of the Second Triumvirate.

1787 – Delaware became the first state of the union to ratify the Constitution of the United States.

1909 – Chemist Leo Baekeland won the patent for the durable and heat-resistant plastic he called Bakelite, beginning the new plastics industry.

1941 – The Japanese attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii. President Roosevelt called this “a date which will live in infamy” and declared war on Japan the next day.

I Second That!

Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

What was the second?

Happy Birthday!Larry Bird, born in Indiana in 1956, is a basketball legend and one of the greatest players of all time. He led his Indiana State college team to the NCAA finals against Michigan State and Ervin “Magic” Johnson, only to suffer defeat. Bird joined the Boston Celtics in 1979. He faced off time and again

against his old college nemesis Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bird became one of the NBA’s best players, earning

three MVP awards and winning three championships on his way to entering basketball’s Hall of Fame.

Quote of the Day“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it

get so late so soon?”~ Dr. Seuss

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020

ANSWER: Pennsylvania, on December 12, 1787


Weather or Not

On June 15, 1960, a dying thunderstorm collapsed over the town of Kopperl, Texas, resulting in a dramatic change in the weather known by locals as “Satan’s Storm.” The storm had completely rained itself out. With no moisture left to cool the air, a downdraft of superheated air fell to Kopperl at 75 miles per hour. Winds tore the roof off a store and uprooted trees, and temperatures spiked to 140°F, causing car radiators to boil over and crops to wither and die. Some locals thought it was the end of the world.

Fashion of Yesteryear

In the 1860s, Alexandra of Denmark, the bride of the Prince of Wales, was a fashion icon. The chokers she wore to hide a scar on her neck were worn by fashion-forward high society types in England. After Alexandra fell ill with rheumatic fever, she emerged from her bed with a limp. Suddenly, women all across England were visibly limping although nothing was physically wrong with them. Shopkeepers began selling canes and shoes with mismatched heels to keep up with the trend. The Alexandra Limp had become all the rage.

Who Said So?

This Greek playwright, famous for his tragedies, said, “Rather fail with

honor than succeed by fraud.”

Today is Cotton Candy Day. This colorful treat is made of spun sugar and is probably not very good for your teeth. Strangely enough, cotton candy was invented by a dentist in 1897 and was originally called “fairy floss.”


spray drizzle

torrent mist


ANSWER: A torrent is a heavy deluge; the others are light precipitation.

ANSWER: Sophocles


THETHE

On This Date1660 – Margaret Hughes became the first actress to appear on an English

public stage. King Charles, who had recently regained the crown, overruled a ban of females on the stage. Hughes was the mistress of

Prince Rupert, a senior member of the royal family at court.

1854 – Pope Pius IX proclaimed Immaculate Conception as church dogma, decreeing that the Virgin Mary was born free of original sin.

1980 – Former Beatle and international superstar John Lennon was shot and killed outside his residence at the Dakota apartment building in New York City. His death triggered a worldwide outpouring of grief.

Did You Know?Only about 10% of the world’s population resides within the

southern hemisphere. This adds up to around 800 million people.

Happy Birthday!Mary Stuart (1542–1587), also known as Queen of Scots, was the daughter of King James V of Scotland. Stuart was only six days old when she was crowned queen. Her grandmother was the sister of England’s Henry VIII. Many Catholic Englishmen considered Mary to be the rightful sovereign of England rather than her cousin, Queen Elizabeth (whose parents’ marriage was annulled). Mary was married three times, and her life was filled with intrigue. After many years imprisoned in various castles, Stuart was tried and executed for treason for her involvement in three plots to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. Her

son by the English Lord Darnley inherited both kingdoms and became James I of England and VI of Scotland.

Quote of the Day“In my end is my beginning.”

~ Mary Stuart




Although a kitchen favorite of North Carolinians, livermush is not the most

appetizing name for a dish. A Tar Heel version of Spam, the loaf consists of pureed

pig’s liver blended with spices and cooked cornmeal so that it can be molded, sliced, and fried in a skillet until browned and crisp. Livermush is most often eaten at breakfast, served with eggs, or as a breakfast sandwich between toast or a biscuit. The condiment of choice for livermush is yellow mustard, although some enjoy it with a smear of Duke’s mayonnaise.

Root of the Matter

Buzz off

If someone tells you to buzz off, then they are rudely telling you to go away. Some believe that the word buzz comes from the sound of a buzzing, annoying insect. You would shoo the annoying person away just as you would shoo a pesky bug. Others believe that the word buzz references old telephone systems. Operators used buzzers to signal incoming calls. Telling someone to buzz off was akin to telling them to get off the phone because a more important call was coming in.

Screen Gems

When a girl suspects that malevolent spirits have taken over her

television, she eerily announces, “They’re heeere.”

Today is Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day. For this strange holiday, people are encouraged to wear clothing from a different era. Dress like you’re either from the past or the future, go outside, and tell others you’re a time traveler.

Word Scramble

R I N D E D K

Being related, or having a similar nature or interests


ANSWER: KINDRED ANSWER: Heather O’Rourke as Carol Anne Freeling in Poltergeist (1982)


THETHE

On This Date1657 – The Jesuits reported that an establishment selling wine to the natives opened in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The cost for one pot of wine was one summer beaver. A winter beaver would buy two pots.

1862 – The Numismatic Society of Montreal was founded. The first such club in Canada, it is now one of many groups for collectors of coins, medals, and paper currency.

1868 – The very first traffic lights were installed outside the British House of Parliament. The red and green gaslit lights looked like railway signals with semaphore arms.

1964 – Saxophonist John Coltrane and his quartet recorded the acclaimed jazz record A Love Supreme.

Riddle of the DayQ: What happens when you cross a

vampire with a snowman?

A: Frostbite

Happy Birthday!Kirk Douglas (1916–2020) was an actor, producer, director, and author. After a childhood of poverty, he talked his way into acting classes

at St. Lawrence University and was soon awarded a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He acted in over

50 movies. You might remember him from Spartacus, Inherit the Wind, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981 and Kennedy Center Honors in 1994. Douglas also authored 10 books. His son, Michael, is also an accomplished actor.

Quote of the Day“I came from abject poverty.

There was nowhere to go but up.”

~ Kirk Douglas, actor



Only Human

Before the invention of color televisions, the majority of people all around the world dreamed in black and

white. Today, about 20 percent of people still do. In the 1960s, when color TV became common, the majority of people began to dream in color. Did TV change our dreaming habits? Yes, but not in the way that you think. Some scientists believe that, before the creation of black and white TVs, we dreamed in color, and it was the black and white set that transformed our dreaming. Color sets returned us to our colorful dreams.

Where Am I?

I am visiting this centuries-old landing site, although the historical record is murky as to the veracity of this esteemed American historical artifact. In 1741, more than 100 years after its supposed role in history, local residents decided to build a new wharf at its location. A 94-year old elder protested, claiming that the new construction would cover this important historical marker. When locals attempted to haul it to the town square, it broke in half. But that hasn’t stopped millions from visiting this spot where European immigrants first settled in America. Where am I?

Name Three

Can you name three countries that begin with the letter H?

Today is Weary Willie Day. On this day in 1898, Emmett Kelly was born. Kelly dreamed of being a clown in the circus and made a career of performing as the clown “Weary Willie.” Today is a day to honor the clowning profession.

Buy a Vowel

_ T T _ N _ _ T _

Weaken or reduce in force or intensity


ANSWER: ATTENUATE

ANSWER: Haiti, Honduras, Hungary

ANSWER: Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts


THETHE

Hanukkah

Begins Today!

On This Date1520 – Martin Luther publicly burned a copy of Pope Leo X’s papal bull, an act of defiance that led to Luther’s excommunication and marked a watershed moment during the Protestant Reformation.

1901 – The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the awards for those who fostered peace and progress.

1953 – British Prime Minister Winston Churchill received the Nobel Prize in literature.

1968 – The largest heist in Japanese history occurred when a uniformed officer on a motorcycle stopped a car carrying nearly 300 million yen—and sped off with the cash.

Punny BusinessThe ability to fly would be

so uplifting!

Happy Birthday!Ada Lovelace (1815–1852) was the daughter of famed poet Lord Byron. Unlike most girls her age, she enjoyed the rigorous study of mathematics and science, largely at the insistence of her mother. Around age 17, Lovelace met Charles Babbage, a mathematician and inventor of the “analytical engine,” the world’s first computer. When asked to translate an article on Babbage’s invention from

French to English, Lovelace did much more, adding her own notes and ideas on the machine. Her thorough additions detailed processes

of computer coding that have earned her recognition as the world’s first computer programmer.

Quote of the Day“The more I study, the more

insatiable do I feel my genius for it to be.”

~ Ada Lovelace, mathematician



Wild Kingdom

Female mosquitoes feed on blood and are known transmitters of diseases including the Zika virus, dengue fever, and yellow fever. As an alternative to larvicides and pesticides, scientists have created a genetically modified mosquito whose female offspring die during the larval stage of development, ensuring that they never reach adulthood. Authorities plan to release the mosquitoes into the Florida Keys next year, but residents are dubious. They worry that these new “Franken-mosquitoes” will disrupt ecosystems by altering the many animals that feed on mosquitoes.

Think-tionary

cicatrize

A. The process of fully recharging a battery or power source

or

B. Heal through the formation of scar tissue

Toys of Yesteryear

In 1997, Japan’s Bandai company released the Digimon virtual pet. The name Digimon was short for “digital monster.” The electronic game was a small device with three buttons that hung from a keychain. The “monster” appeared on a digital screen, and players could train, feed, and grow the monster in preparation for battle. When a second device was pressed against the first, the two monsters could do battle, resulting in injuries or victory.

Today is the start of Hanukkah. To celebrate the miracle of the oil lasting eight days, many Hanukkah foods are cooked in oil, and none is more beloved than the sufganiyot, or jelly donut. 17.5 million are consumed in Israel during Hanukkah.

Word Scramble

L A N F L D W I

Unexpected good fortune or gain


ANSWER: B. The wound on my face cicatrized so all could see it.

ANSWER: WINDFALL


THETHE

On This Date1896 – Twenty-two-year-old Guglielmo Marconi demonstrated his wireless telegraph at a London town hall, effectively showcasing the first radio signals and birthing wireless communication.

1931 – The British Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster, giving complete legislative equality to Dominion Parliaments. The decree marked the final independence of Canada from Britain.

1936 – Edward VIII, king of Great Britain and Ireland for 325 days, became the first English monarch to abdicate the throne voluntarily. He did so in order to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson.

1972 – Apollo 17 became the sixth and final Apollo mission to land on the Moon.

Either, OrDid Leonardo da Vinci paint

The School of Athens or The Last Supper?

Happy Birthday!Rita Moreno, born in 1931, is a Puerto Rican actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her role as Anita in West Side Story. Moreno’s career has encompassed far more than film. She is one of the few performers who have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony Award. Moreno began her career on Broadway at age 13 and began starring in movies just five years later. She continues to perform, appearing everywhere from children’s television shows to gritty HBO dramas. In 2004, Moreno was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Quote of the Day“Bigger than life is not difficult for me. I am

bigger than life.”~ Rita Moreno, actress


ANSWER: The Last Supper


Gadgets & Gizmos

The URGOnight headband syncs with your smartphone to track your brainwaves as you engage in a series of audio and visual brain-based exercises. The app tracks your brainwaves and modifies the exercises so that your brain ends up “training” itself to prepare for a good night’s sleep that is calming and restorative.

Eye in the Sky

Astronomers have started to notice that the moon is taking on a slightly reddish hue. It’s rusting! The moon’s environment should not provide the conditions for the chemical reaction that causes rust; iron must be exposed to oxygen and water for this to occur. But scientists recently discovered iron-rich rocks at the moon’s poles. Amazingly, oxygen is conveyed to the moon from Earth on its magnetic field. This oxygen, combined with lunar dust that carries scant water molecules, causes the iron in these polar rocks to turn into a rust known as hematite.

Who Said So?

This French sculptor, considered the founder of modern sculpture, said, “To the artist, there is never

anything ugly in nature.”

Today is Kaleidoscope Day, commemorating the birthday of the Scottish scientist who invented the kaleidoscope, Sir David Brewster. Brewster was a pioneer in the fields of photography, polarization, and optics.


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T _ L _ R _ B L _

Able to be endured

ANSWER: TOLERABLE

ANSWERS: Auguste Rodin


THETHE

On This Date1800 – Washington, D.C., was officially declared the capital of the United States by an act of Congress.

1925 – The world’s first motel, the Motel Inn, was opened in San Luis Obispo, California, by Arthur Heineman.

1946 – Tide laundry detergent was introduced as the world’s first heavy-duty detergent.

2015 – Municipal elections were held in Saudi Arabia. It was the first time women were allowed to vote and also the first time a woman was elected to a government position.

Roving CapitalWhich city was never the capital of

the United States?

A. Trenton, New JerseyB. Annapolis, MarylandC. Boston, MassachusettsD. Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Happy Birthday!Dionne Warwick was born in 1940, the daughter of a record promoter and gospel group manager. As a teenager, she started her own gospel group with her sister and aunt. Her

big break came when she met Burt Bacharach during a recording session in New York City. Bacharach was so impressed that he

asked her to sing some of his songs, which led to her first record deal. Bacharach would pen many hits for Warwick over the years, including “Walk on By.” She became one of the greatest successes of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, winning a Grammy, landing several top-10 hits, and hosting the television program Solid Gold.

Quote of the Day“Dust does rise, doesn’t it?

And so can I.”~ Dionne Warwick, singer


ANSWER: C. Boston, Massachusetts


Garden Party

Achimenes, commonly known as hot water plants, are a native Mexican perennial that were once believed to thrive in hot water. People thought that plunging the entire plant into a hot water bath would promote flowering. While these plants do enjoy warm weather and humidity, making them great indoor plants, hot water baths are not necessary. Some gardeners believe that watering with hot water helps prevent pests or fight diseases that affect the root systems. Water that is too hot can actually end up killing plants by damaging the roots, which is why boiling water can be an effective and organic weed killer.

What’s in a Name?

This singer, known as the “Duke of Earl,” was born Eugene Dixon.

Centennial Memories

On this day 100 years ago, the Haribo candy company was founded in Bonn, Germany. The name Haribo is a

combination of the letters in the name of the company’s founder, Hans Riegel, and its founding city, Bonn. Haribo is most famous for its Gummi Bears. The “gum” of the gummi bears comes from gum arabic, the resin of the acacia tree. Americans were not introduced to this sticky and fruity candy until 1982, when Haribo opened its first American factory in Baltimore, Maryland.

Today is Gingerbread House Day. Historians credit the Brothers Grimm for the invention of the gingerbread house. Their story, “Hansel and Gretel,” featured a house made of candy, which inspired bakers to create their own edible houses.



trial match

armistice contest

ANSWER: An armistice is a truce; all the others are challenges.

ANSWER: Gene Chandler


THETHE

On This Date1774 – Patriot Paul Revere rode to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to warn of a British sea assault. While not as famous as his “midnight ride,” this exploit was Revere’s first.

1950 – James Dean began his acting career when he was paid $30 to appear in a Pepsi commercial, in which he played the piano and sipped the soda.

1964 – American President Lyndon Johnson and Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz reshaped the United States-Mexico border in El Paso by setting off an explosion that redirected the course of the Rio Grande River.

Celebrity TriviaChristopher Plummer’s daughter, Amanda Plummer, is a Tony- and Emmy-winning actress. She can

be seen in the 2020 Netflix drama Ratched.

Happy Birthday!Christopher Plummer, born in 1929, is an acclaimed Canadian theater, film, and television actor. He’s best known for his portrayal of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music (1965), a role he reportedly disliked. At age 82, he became the oldest person to win an Oscar, for his role in Beginners (2010). He was nominated again, at age 88, for All the Money in the World. Some of his other films include A Beautiful Mind and The Last Station. Plummer and his wife, Elaine Taylor, live in Connecticut.

Quote of the Day“Working with Julie Andrews

is like getting hit over the head with a valentine.”

~ Christopher Plummer, actor




Yukigassen might be the first snowball fight with an official set of rules. This is the Japanese sport of snow battling, where players use 90 specially made seven-centimeter-wide snowballs for the three-minute period of play. The snowballs are so dense that players must wear helmets and face shields. Two teams of seven face off in an outdoor basketball court-sized arena with barricades and barriers. If you are hit with a snowball, you are out. The goal is to enter the opposing team’s territory and survive long enough to capture a flag. The first team to win two periods is the overall winner.

Who Said So? This great Russian author said, “The sole meaning of life is to

serve humanity.”

Mystery to Me

The famed Arctic explorer Robert Peary returned from the North Pole with a unique souvenir: the massive tusk of a narwhal. The tusk ended up in a Philadelphia museum but was stolen prior to 1980 and never recovered. Last year, though, an agent of the FBI’s Art Crime Team uncovered a deposition stating that a museum worker had stolen a narwhal tusk. This was the only lead detected since the theft more than 40 years ago. The relic bears a metal plate with an inscription to identify it. The FBI hopes that by spreading the word they will find this unique historical artifact.

Today is World Choral Day. Thousands of choirs all around the world will unite their voices in song to promote solidarity, peace, and understanding. What better medium to unite us in harmony than the music of our own voices?


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T _ _ G _

The coniferous evergreen forests of subarctic lands

ANSWER: TAIGA ANSWER: Leo Tolstoy


THETHE

On This Date1812 – Artificial pearls were first manufactured by rosary maker M. Jacquin in Paris. 1812 – Napoleon’s French army was expelled from Russia after a brutal six-month invasion that resulted in the loss of 530,000 lives.1901 – The first table tennis tournament was held at the London Royal Aquarium.

1911 – Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole, beating out a team of rival South Pole explorers led by Robert Falcon Scott.

Train TriviaModern passenger trains use

magnets to suspend, guide, and propel them. They do not need engines and do not burn fuel. Instead, they are magnetically

propelled by electric power fed to coils located on the guideway.

Happy Birthday!Patty Duke (1946–2016) was a stage, film, and television actress who won an Academy Award, three Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globes. She is best known for portraying Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker. Duke won her Academy Award for the role

when she was only 16. She also had her own show, The Patty Duke Show. Duke was married four times and had three children. Her

sons, Mackenzie and Sean Astin, are both successful actors.

Quote of the Day“I’ve come to believe that

whoever I am didn’t start on December 14, 1946, and isn’t

going to end on whatever that mysterious date is

in the future.”~ Patty Duke, actress



Picture of the Day

Barb’s bus to the yoga studio was late so she decided to improvise.

Now it’s your turn to come up with

a good caption.

Word to the Wise

The word ostrich comes from two Greek words. Strouthion means “big sparrow,” referring to how the Greeks thought the bird was just a giant songbird. Strouthokamelos means “camel-sparrow,” referring to the bird’s long, camel-like neck.

Bookworm

In this book, an unsuspecting homebody is swept up into a fantastic adventure. He joins an intrepid band seeking to reclaim their homeland, and along the way must face numerous improbable challenges. Luckily, magic also finds him in the form of a sword, armor, and a unique ring that turns him invisible. With these items and the bonds of friendship forged with his new companions, the meek homebody turns into a magnificent hero who faces down the most terrible beast the world has ever known. What book is it?

Today is Yoga Day, commemorating the birthday of B. K. S. Iyengar, the yogi who popularized yoga. Iyengar was a sickly child who practiced yoga to strengthen himself. He taught his practice to many celebrities around the globe.


Word Scramble

H M T O F A

To measure the depth of water

ANSWER: FATHOM

ANSWER: The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien


THETHE

On This Date1488 – With his arrival in Portugal, Bartolomeu Dias became the first known European to successfully sail around the Cape of Good Hope.

1791 – With Virginia’s vote, the United States Bill of Rights was ratified, becoming the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

1903 – New York City street vendor Italo Marchiony received a patent for a device that molded ice-cream cones.

1944 – Somewhere over the English Channel, a plane carrying Major Glenn Miller went missing. The singer was on his way to lead his Air Force Band in a concert.

Daily TriviaTruffles, the darling of the food

scene, grow on the roots of truffle oaks. They come in three colors. Black truffles are generally from France, white are generally from

Italy, and gray can be found in North America.

Happy Birthday!Max Yasgur (1919–1973) was not just a simple dairy farmer. By the 1960s, he was the largest milk producer in Sullivan County, New York. When he offered one of his fields to host the Woodstock Music Festival, he had no idea that he was setting the stage for the largest countercultural event in American history. In fact, Yasgur

was a Republican and supporter of the Vietnam War. However, Yasgur was also a believer in free speech and so supported young

people in defining themselves. He once said, “If the generation gap is to be closed, we older people have to do more than we have done.”

Quote of the Day“Woodstock was both a peaceful protest and a global celebration.”

~ Richie Havens, Woodstock opening act




On the Italian island of Sardinia, people live longer than anywhere else on Earth. Perhaps this is due to the seada, the famous Sardinian puff pastry made with cheese. The semolina flour pastry is filled with fresh pecorino, which has a slightly sour flavor, and lemon peels. The dumpling is then fried in lard or olive oil. Once puffed and crisp, the pastry is topped with sweet honey and a little sugar. In ancient times, the dish was not just a dessert but an entire meal as big as a dinner plate. Today, seadas are found on menus throughout Sardinia. Savory versions are made with salt and parsley.

Who Said So?

This U.S. president, with whom the buck stopped, said, “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.”

Centennial Memories

On this day 100 years ago, Tibet’s Dalai Lama permitted a British expedition to climb Mount Everest. Relations between Tibet and outside nations had been strained. The Dalai Lama’s government in Lhasa did not trust the British rulers in India. But the Lama found sanctuary in India after the Chinese forced him out of power in 1910. Upon the Lama’s return to Lhasa, he opened his country to British visitors, among them Sir Charles Bell. It was Bell who secured permission to conduct the first expedition up the world’s highest mountain peak.

Today is International Tea Day in many of the world’s Eastern tea-producing nations. Tea is considered one of the world’s oldest beverages and is hailed by many for its medicinal properties and health benefits.

Word Scramble

R O T Y A P I

Plants clipped into ornamental or artistic shapes


ANSWER: Harry Truman ANSWER: TOPIARY


THETHE

On This Date1707 – An 8.7 magnitude earthquake off the coast triggered the last recorded eruption of Mt. Fuji in Japan.

1773 – American colonists calling themselves the “Sons of Liberty” dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act, which imposed “taxation without representation.”

1907 – The United States Navy, at the order of President Theodore Roosevelt, sent its “Great White Fleet” on an around-the-world tour as a demonstration of America’s new role as a major world power.

Give Me LibertyWhich of these men was

not a member of the “Sons of Liberty”?

A. Benedict ArnoldB. Paul RevereC. Sam AdamsD. Thomas Jefferson

Happy Birthday!Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) is considered to be one of music’s

most accomplished geniuses. Beethoven’s grandfather was the most accomplished musician in Bonn, Germany, where he was born. His father,

on the other hand, was a strict and often abusive teacher, forcing Beethoven to learn music from a young age. Beethoven moved to Vienna, Austria, and studied under Joseph Haydn, the world’s greatest composer. He became famous as a virtuoso pianist and as a masterful composer. Many of Beethoven’s greatest compositions were written as he was going deaf.

Quote of the Day“Music is the art which

is most nigh to tears and memory.”

~ Oscar Wilde, playwright


ANSWER: D. Thomas Jefferson


Think-tionary

caim

A. A circle drawn or prayed around a person to keep them safe

or

B. A bundle of flowers left to dry on the mantel throughout the winter as a reminder of spring

Who Am I?

I lived with my aunt, a caretaker for the sick, who inspired me to pursue a career in healing. Medicine was not an easy career choice for an African American at the time, but I was accepted to the New England Female Medical College in 1860. Upon graduation, I became the first Black female doctor in the United States. I also wrote one of the first health care books for women and children. Who am I?

Only Human

Why are humans the only animal on Earth with a chin? Some scientists have argued that chins help humans chew food. The large protrusion of the jaw reinforces it to help withstand the pressure of chewing. Others argue that chins help us choose mates as part of sexual selection. Still others say that the chin is a spandrel, or a feature that is simply a by-product of another evolutionary change. As faces shortened, chins just began to jut out. The truth is that scientists do not really know why we have them.

On this day in 1773, members of the Sons of Liberty dumped hundreds of crates of tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act and its imposition of taxes. The incident would become known as the Boston Tea Party.

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D _ S G _ _ S _

To change your appearance to conceal your identity


ANSWER: A. The officiant sang a caim around the bride and groom on their wedding day.

ANSWER: DISGUISE ANSWER: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler


THETHE

On This Date1903 – At Kitty Hawk in North Carolina, the Wright Brothers performed the first sustained flight with a motorized aircraft, to the awe of five witnesses.

1969 – The United States Air Force closed Project Blue Book, concluding that, despite thousands of UFO sightings, they could not confirm the presence of extraterrestrial spaceships.1989 – The animated comedy series The Simpsons, starring Bart Simpson and family, debuted on Fox TV. It has since become America’s longest-running sitcom.

TV TriviaWhat is the name of the Simpsons’ hometown?

A. ShelbyvilleB. SpringfieldC. Quahog

Happy Birthday!Charles V. Bush (1939–2012)

accomplished many firsts during his lifetime. In 1954, Bush was selected by Chief Justice Earl Warren as the first African

American page to the Supreme Court. He was also the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. After serving as an intelligence officer during the Vietnam War and earning a Bronze Star, he attended Harvard Business School. Bush would go on to work as a business executive for many companies throughout the coming decades, striving to improve diversity in both the military and the corporate world.

Quote of the Day“Don’t have a cow, man!”

~ Bart Simpson, cartoon troublemaker


ANSWER: B. Springfield


Wild Kingdom

Researchers in the deserts of Namibia in western Africa discovered a tiny new mammal the size of a mouse. But what really shocked the scientists was that after a DNA test, the tiny animal’s genetic makeup was less like a mouse or shrew and more like an elephant! The round-eared sengi has an elongated snout resembling an elephant’s trunk, which it uses to scour the ground in search of insects. Scientists also compared it to an antelope, thanks to its long legs and tendency to sleep hidden in bushes rather than in a burrow.

Eye in the Sky

A meteorite the size of a washing machine streaked across the sky of Costa Rica last April and exploded into fragments. This was no ordinary meteorite. It was a carbonaceous chondrite. Not only did the fragments shine with colors from the rainbow, but these meteorites are also full of organic carbon molecules such as amino acids, some known and some unknown on Earth, as well as nucleobases and sugars. Scientists believe that carbonaceous chondrites such as this one may have crashed into Earth billions of years ago and started life.

High Five Can you name the five longest

highways in America?

Today is Clean Air Day, honoring the Clean Air Act, which was passed by the United States Congress on this day in 1963. This law was first enacted to limit pollution by the auto industry and is now used to fight climate change.

Whatchamacallit? What do you call a group of…

iguanas?

mess bask

muster congregation


ANSWER: MESS ANSWER: 1. US 20, 3,365 miles; 2. US 6, 3,198 miles; 3. I-90, 3,101 miles; 4. US 30, 3,073 miles; 5. US 50, 3,000 miles


THETHE

On This Date1719 – In Boston, Thomas Fleet published his Songs for the Nursery, also known as Mother Goose’s Melodies for Children.

1892 – Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker premiered in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The music and ballet have since become a cherished holiday tradition.

1950 – The first Canadian troops arrived at the port city of Pusan, South Korea, to help counter an invasion by communist forces.

1984 – A recording of Ravel’s “Boléro” by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra went platinum when over 100,000 copies were sold, a first for a Canadian ensemble.

Geography TriviaEarth’s longest mountain range

is the 65,000-kilometer-long mid-ocean ridge that encircles the globe almost entirely underwater.

Every ocean contains parts of the ridge.

Happy Birthday!Brad Pitt was born in 1963 in Oklahoma. The movie star was just two credits shy of graduating with a degree in journalism when he dropped out of college and headed to Hollywood. His brief role in 1991’s Thelma and Louise (and his fiery love scene with Geena Davis) made audiences and studio executives take notice of his talents. His appearance in Robert Redford’s A River Runs Through It and his role opposite Tom Cruise in Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire solidified his acting credentials. For 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Pitt won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Quote of the Day“Heartthrobs are a dime

a dozen.”~ Brad Pitt, actor



Root of the Matter

Underdog

The underdog in any sort of contest is the competitor who has a grave disadvantage and is expected to lose. Many linguists believe this term first referred to the losing dog in 19th-century dog fights, but others find its origins in shipbuilding. Large planks of wood were called dogs. These planks were laid over a pit. One man held a saw from above, the overdog, and another man held the saw from the pit below, the underdog. The underdog had the dirtier job and ended up covered in sawdust and dirt.

Garden Party

The ginkgo tree has been called a living fossil because it has existed for 270 million years. The tree is remarkably hardy and can withstand heat, air pollution, salt, and confined spaces—and some trees even survived the atomic blast at Hiroshima. Ginkgoes are able to live for up to 3,000 years. The tree’s bark, leaves, and fruits have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and their seeds and fruits are prized ingredients in Asian recipes. While most people admire the way the ginkgo’s fan-shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall, many are repulsed by the rancid stink of their fallen fruits.

Punny Business

You should wear glasses while doing math. It improves division.

Today is Underdog Day. Everybody loves an underdog. Today stands as a reminder that it is possible to win, even against all the odds. This is a day to celebrate the qualities of strength, perseverance, grit, and resilience.

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C _ P _ C _ _ _ S

Having a lot of space inside


ANSWER: CAPACIOUS


THETHE

On This Date1732 – Using the pseudonym Richard Saunders, Benjamin Franklin began publishing Poor Richard’s Almanack, a collection of weather forecasts and amusements.1843 – Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol was published, selling 6,000 copies. The book inspired many to celebrate some Christmas traditions that had been long forgotten.1950 – As Chinese forces furthered their invasion into Tibet, the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled from Lhasa to the south disguised in civilian clothing.

Ghost StoryHow many ghosts does Charles

Dickens include in his story A Christmas Carol?

Happy Birthday!Cicely Tyson was born in 1924 and grew up in Harlem, New York. At age 18, she began a modeling career

and soon turned to acting. Her mother, however, did not approve of acting and kicked her out of the house. But Tyson found great

success as an actress on television, in the movies, and on stage. She was always careful about the roles she chose, portraying characters of complexity, rather than chasing big paydays. Tyson has won three Emmy Awards and a Tony. In 1977, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.

Quote of the Day“Be kind whenever possible.

It is always possible.”~ Dalai Lama, spiritual leader


ANSWER: Four: The Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, and the ghost of Jacob Marley


Mad Science

Australians were treated to a vision of the future when they glimpsed a man flying through the air with a jetpack over the Sydney Opera House in

July of 2019. The man was David Mayman, CEO of JetPack Aviation, and he has been obsessed with engineering a working jetpack for years. Mayman’s inventions operate for 10 minutes and achieve speeds over 120 miles per hour. The innovator does not want to stop with jetpacks. He is currently working on a hoverbike, a flying motorcycle that can reach speeds of 150 miles per hour. Mayman believes the technology is here; we just need society to catch up.

Riddle Me This

What do you call a fake noodle?


The game of curling—wherein players use special brooms to move a 40-pound granite stone across an ice rink and into a target—has enjoyed popularity thanks to its place in the Winter Olympics. Instead of granite stones, Russians have invented a sport where teams push a 1,500-pound car across the ice! Car curling requires a driver to sit in the driver’s seat and attempt to steer, or “curl,” the careening car into a target area. Auto insurance agent Galina Kirkach came up with the game after seeing so many auto accidents on Russia’s icy roads.

On this day in 1983, FIFA’s prestigious Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen from Brazilian football headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. The trophy was never recovered, and many fans believe that it was melted down into gold bars.



Uluru Rock of Gibraltar

Kilimanjaro El Capitan

ANSWER: Kilimanjaro is a volcano in Kenya; the others are massive monoliths.

ANSWER: An impasta


THETHE

On This Date1812 – Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm first published their Grimm’s Fairy

Tales under the name Children’s and Household Tales. This first edition contained 86 stories.

1880 – A mile stretch of Broadway in New York City was brilliantly illuminated with Brush electric arc lamps, earning it the nickname the “Great White Way.”

1990 – The Berlin Wall was opened to allow West Berliners to visit relatives for the holiday season. More than 4,000 people crossed over before the wall closed again on January 6, 1964.

Grimm FactsWhich tale is not one of Grimm’s?

A. “Hansel and Gretel”B. “Cinderella”C. “The Princess and the Pea”

Happy Birthday!Harvey Firestone (1868–1938) was

a business pioneer who began his career with the Columbus Buggy Company. In 1890, he started making rubber

tires to replace the steel rims on carriage wheels. Ten years later, he realized that the budding automobile industry needed tires and founded the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. In 1905, Henry Ford placed his first order for rubber tires and business took off. In the coming decades, Firestone and Ford, along with Thomas Edison, became the three biggest names in American industry.

Quote of the Day“I know. I’m lazy. But I

made myself a New Year’s resolution that I would write

myself something really special. Which means I have

till December, right?”~ Tim Berners-Lee, computer scientist


ANSWER: C. “The Princess and the Pea” is by Hans Christian Andersen.


On This Day

On this day 25 years ago, Her Majesty the Queen of England called for the “early divorce” of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Diana had recently given an interview where she spoke critically of her husband and his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles. Their turbulent marriage and impending divorce were a far cry from their so-called “fairy-tale wedding” and “wedding of the century” on July 29, 1981. The Queen promised to do everything in her power to help and support the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children during that difficult time.

Who Said So? This German thinker, known as the

philosopher of pessimism, said, “Just remember, once you’re over the hill,

you begin to pick up speed.”

Gadgets & Gizmos

Flosstime is a mirror-mounted floss dispenser that offers an 18-inch string of floss at the push of a button. The machine lights up for 90 seconds, the time it takes for effective flossing. If you forget to floss, the glowing ring turns from blue to orange. Flossing may become habit-forming.

Today is Games Day, commemorating the original tabletop gaming convention held in London, England, on this day in 1975. Games of all kinds are played on this day, including cards, dice, board, tabletop, and video games.

Buy a Vowel

G _ N _ _ N _

Possessing the claimed qualities, not counterfeit


ANSWER: Arthur Schopenhauer ANSWER: GENUINE


THETHE

Today is Winter Solstice!

On This Date1891 – Eighteen students in Springfield, Massachusetts, played the very first game of basketball under rules developed by chaplain James Naismith.1898 – French scientists Marie and Pierre Curie isolated and discovered polonium and radium in a sample of the mineral pitchblende.1913 – The first crossword puzzle appeared in the New York World newspaper. The novelty was called a “Word-Cross” and had 32 clues.1942 – The Canadian government added coupons for butter to ration books issued during the war to ensure that all Canadians received their fair share.

True or False?In the original rules of basketball,

players were not allowed to dribble the ball.

Happy Birthday!Kiefer Sutherland, born in 1966, is a Canadian actor, producer, director, and singer-songwriter. He

earned an Emmy and other awards for his portrayal of Jack Bauer on the FOX television drama 24. He has appeared in

a wide variety of movies, television shows, and theater productions. Kiefer (who is named after director Warren Kiefer) is the son of actors Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas. His daughter, Sarah, is continuing in the family tradition of acting. She is known for her role as Catherine Meyer in the television series Veep.

Quote of the Day“My parents not only did it

for a living, they were really good at it.”~ Kiefer Sutherland, on his actor parents


ANSWER: True. Players were expected to pass the ball from standing positions and could not run with or dribble the ball.


Picture of the Day

Maybe we should put s’more logs on the fire?

Now it’s your turn to come up with a funny caption.

Word to the Wise

The Scottish term bumfle was added to the dictionary to refer to an “untidy bulge, rumple, or wrinkle in a piece of clothing.” You can also use it as an adjective, bumfly, to describe a person who tends to wear such clothing or who often appears unkempt.

On This Day

On this day 50 years ago, Elvis Presley went to the Oval Office of the White House to meet President Richard Nixon. Associates of Elvis state that it was Presley’s idea to meet Nixon. Elvis wanted a badge from the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. He believed that if he had that badge, he could travel to any country carrying both guns and illegal drugs. Elvis did meet the deputy director of the bureau but did not get his badge. He then met with Nixon and asked the president himself for the badge, which he eventually received.

Today is the start of Yule, which begins on the winter solstice. Historically, while the Germanic Yuletide season lasted for months, the Yule festival was celebrated for three days and featured feasts and toasts to gods and kings.

Word Scramble

B T U R I E T

A statement or action honoring someone


ANSWER: TRIBUTE


THETHE

On This Date1882 – Edward H. Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edison, strung 80 small red, white, and blue lights on the Christmas tree in his home, becoming the first person to decorate their tree with lights instead of candles.

1933 – The movie musical Flying Down to Rio, the first to pair the talents of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, premiered in New York City.

2016 – A study found that the VSV-EBOV vaccine was effective, making it the first proven vaccine against the deadly Ebola disease.

Dance PartnersWhich of these stars did not dance

with Fred Astaire on film?

A. Rita HayworthB. Cyd CharisseC. Dorothy DandridgeD. Eleanor Powell

Happy Birthday!Diane Sawyer was born in 1945 and was editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper, foreshadowing her career in as a reporter. Before journalism, Sawyer worked in politics for President Nixon. Some even believed that she was “Deep Throat.” In 1978, Sawyer turned back to the news. She would become a pioneering female news anchor at both CBS and ABC, known for her work on ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, 20/20, and Primetime. Sawyer has won an Emmy and a Peabody Award. Forbes has listed her as one of the world’s most powerful women.

Quote of the Day“One day you’re the statue. One day you’re the pigeon.”

~ Diane Sawyer, journalist


ANSWER: C. Dorothy Dandridge


Think-tionary

irenic

A. Operating toward peace and reconciliation

or

B. Gaunt and evil, the opposite of cherubic

When Was It?

It was during this year that construction began on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. The American news magazine Newsweek was first published. The movie King Kong premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt conducted his first “fireside chat,” and the legend of the Loch Ness monster was born with a report in the Inverness Courier. When was it?

Root of the Matter

Deep-six

If something has been deep-sixed, then it has been ruined, destroyed, rejected, or gotten rid of. The expression was popularized during the Watergate scandal when incriminating evidence was deep-sixed, or destroyed. The expression originated as a nautical term. If something was tossed overboard and reached a depth of six fathoms, it was nearly impossible to retrieve. Six fathoms was also considered the proper depth of a burial at sea. This is similar to the phrase six feet under, indicating a six-foot-deep grave under the ground.

On this day in 2016, a vaccine was proven effective against the Ebola virus, making it the first vaccine to fight the deadly disease. The immunization was approved for use in 2019 and has since been proven to be 97.5% effective.

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S _ P _ R _ _ R

Higher in rank or status


ANSWER: A. It was hard to believe that the authoritarian ruler’s actions were irenic.

ANSWER: SUPERIOR ANSWER: 1933


THETHE

On This Date1823 – The Troy Sentinel newspaper published an anonymous poem entitled “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.” The verse is better known today as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and is attributed to Clement C. Moore.

1888 – The painter Vincent van Gogh famously cut off his left ear with a razor after getting into an argument with friend and fellow painter Paul Gaugin.

1947 – The first transistor was demonstrated at Bell Labs in New Jersey. Transistors paved the way for the miniaturization of electronics in devices such as computers and phones.

Reindeer GamesMoore’s “A Visit from Saint

Nicholas” lists Santa’s reindeer. Two were originally given Dutch

names, Dunder and Blixem, meaning “thunder” and “lightning.”

Happy Birthday!Nancy Graves (1939–1995) might not be a household name, but she remains one of America’s most renowned artists. Her father worked at a local museum, which inspired in Graves a love of nature, art, and anthropology. Some of her first great works included realistic life-sized sculptures of camels. She also made artistic films of camels in Morocco. Her fascination with the natural world influenced her work in

sculpture, painting, glass blowing, and printmaking. Her colorful sculptures of found objects won high praise in the 1980s.

Quote of the Day“I put my heart and my soul into my work and have lost my mind in the process.”~ Vincent van Gogh, painter



Where Am I?

I step out onto the rugged rocky terrain of this Arctic wonderland. I have heard that there are almost as many polar bears that live here as people. There are also reindeer, arctic foxes, and walruses. In the distance, I can see snow-covered mountains and glaciers. I could take a snowmobile ride, but I’d rather mush with a team of dogs over the icy tundra. I will also visit the world-famous seed vault that holds almost one million different varieties of seeds. Where am I?


Germany loves its asparagus. In fact, during the spring season, vendors pop up on roadsides all over the country selling the stalky vegetable. Regions of Germany are also well-known for their “asparagus routes,” or roadways lined with spargel farms. Many of these farms boast beautiful cottages or even asparagus museums. Not far from Berlin is the Brandenburg Asparagus Road. Beelitz, in Brandenburg, produces 50 percent of the region’s asparagus harvest and holds an asparagus festival each June.

Who Said So?

This novelist, winner of the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize, said, “The most important question in the world is, ‘Why is

the child crying?’”

Today is Metric Conversion Day, commemorating the passage of the Metric Conversion Act of 1973. This act designated the metric system as the preferred system of weights and measurements for the United States, but the customary system remains almost exclusively in use across America.

Whatchamacallit? What do you call a group of

stingrays?

run fever

squadron gang


ANSWER: FEVER

ANSWER: Svalbard, Norway

ANSWER: Alice Walker


THETHE

It’s Christmas Eve!

On This Date1818 – “Silent Night” was performed for the first time at St. Nicholas parish church in a small Austrian village. The lyrics were written by Joseph Mohr, and the melody was composed by Franz Gruber. The song has been recorded by numerous singers from just about every musical genre.

1901 – The American postmaster general issued an order allowing private companies to use the words Post Card rather than Private Mailing Card on their postcards.

1936 – Radiation was used to treat disease for the first time when John Lawrence used a radioactive isotope of phosphorus-32 to treat one of his leukemia patients.

Did You Know?Eggnog is generally only

commercially available in grocery stores from mid-November to early

January. Enjoy it while you can.

Happy Birthday!Diane Tell, born in 1959, is one of Québec’s pioneering female singer-songwriters. The accomplished musician started writing songs at the age of 12 and has toured, written, composed, and recorded in Canada, France, the U.K., and Switzerland.

She wrote the score for and played the leading role in the musical Marilyn Montreuil, which was performed more than 300 times in Europe.

Tell has released over 20 albums, from 1977’s Diane Tell to 2019’s Haiku. She has a strong social media presence, including her blog, Diane Cause Musique, which helps new musicians get started.

Quote of the Day“’Twas the night before

Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

~ Clement Clarke Moore



Only Human

Blushing, or the red flushing of our faces, might be our most betraying attribute. It most often occurs in situations where people believe they have caused a social transgression, hence blushing’s association with shame and embarrassment. But blushing is not physiologically caused by shame. It is the result of a rush of adrenaline. The adrenaline causes the capillaries that carry blood to widen. This rush of blood causes reddening of the skin in the face, neck, and other places. While self-consciousness can cause blushing, excitement can also be a culprit.

Wild Kingdom

In September of this year, a sheriff’s deputy in Knoxville, Tennessee, was flabbergasted to see a tiger cross the street and enter the woods. Officials contacted the local zoo, but the zoo reported all three of its tigers safe and accounted for. A local big cat sanctuary, Tiger Haven, offered to take the animal in when it was discovered. Authorities were quick to comment that the Netflix series Tiger King might have prompted increased interest in keeping the big predators as pets. Authorities were also quick to remind everyone that private tiger ownership is not just dangerous but is still quite illegal.

Riddle Me This

How are false teeth like stars?

Today is Eggnog Day. A nog is any beverage made with beaten eggs, so the term eggnog is actually redundant. The first use of the term nog was in 1693, denoting a particularly strong ale brewed in East Anglia, in East England.

Word Scramble

M D O T R A N

In a state of rest or inactivity


ANSWER: DORMANT ANSWER: They both come out at night.


THETHE

Merry

Christmas!

On This Date336 – The first recorded celebration of Christmas on December 25 took place in Rome.337 – Pope Julius I declared today the celebration of the Nativity, attempting to create a Christian alternative to the pagan winter solstice celebration of Saturnalia.1066 – Completing the Norman conquest of England, William the Conqueror was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey.1223 – Catholic friar St. Francis of Assisi assembled the first live Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy.1741 – Astronomer and physicist Anders Celsius introduced the centigrade temperature scale.

Did You Know?Civil War-era political cartoonist

Thomas Nast is responsible for modern depictions of Santa Claus and created

the Republican party’s elephant.

Happy Birthday!Humphrey Bogart (1899–1957) was born into a wealthy New York family. His mother was an artistic director for a women’s magazine. Bogart first achieved national fame when a drawing of him as a baby was used in a national baby food ad. After struggling in school, Bogart joined the navy at age 17. After his service, he turned to acting. At first, he was typecast as a villain, but after his turn as Sam Spade in

1941’s The Maltese Falcon, he became Hollywood’s most sought-after leading man and a legend in his own right.

Quote of the Day“The whole world is three drinks behind. If everyone

in the world would take three drinks, we would

have no trouble.”~ Humphrey Bogart, actor



Eye in the Sky

Stargazers now know where to find the best place on Earth to view the stars. The only problem is, it’s pretty darn cold on Dome Argus, on the Antarctic Plateau halfway between the South Pole and the eastern coast of Antarctica. Researchers recently declared that a telescope at Dome Argus, or Dome A, would outperform a telescope at any other location on Earth. High altitude, low temperature, continuous darkness, and a stable atmosphere with weak turbulence create ideal conditions. Of course, any skywatching instruments would need to withstand temperatures as low as –144° F.

Garden Party

The red and green foliage of the poinsettia has made this Central American plant a mainstay of Christmas decorations. John Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, first brought the plant to America in the 1820s. The plants were once cultivated by the Aztecs for medicinal purposes. While many believe that the leaves are highly toxic, poinsettias are not particularly dangerous to pets or children. Over the six weeks surrounding the Christmas holiday, 70 million poinsettias are sold in the United States.

Who Said So?

This noted anthropologist said, “What people say, what people do,

and what they say they do are entirely different things.”

Today is Christmas. The practice of decorating with an evergreen tree dates all the way back to the ancient Egyptians and Romans, who used the trees as a reminder of the coming spring. Prince Albert resurrected the tradition.

Buy a Vowel

R _ T _ T _ _ N

Turning around on an axis


ANSWER: ROTATION ANSWER: Margaret Mead


THETHE

Celebrate Kwanzaa!

On This Date1606 – William Shakespeare’s King Lear was first performed before the court of King James I at Whitehall, London.

1946 – The Flamingo Hotel and Casino opened as Las Vegas’ first luxury hotel, ushering in a new era along the so-called Las Vegas Strip.

1950 – The Stone of Scone, a traditional coronation stone of British monarchs, was taken from Westminster Abbey by Scottish nationalist students. The Gaelic relic is on display at Edinburgh Castle.

Holiday TraditionBoxing Day is a public holiday in

the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. On

this day in the Middle Ages, churches opened alms boxes in which people had placed money and distributed

the donations to the poor.

Happy Birthday!Charles Babbage (1791–1871) was an English mathematician, philosopher, and inventor. Considered by many to be “the father of the computer,” the

polymath is credited with inventing the first mechanical computer. In 1824, Babbage won the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical

Society “for his invention of an engine for calculating mathematical and astronomical tables.” Babbage also invented the “cow-catcher,” a metal wedge-shaped device that attached to the front of trains. In 1839, he helped set up the modern postal system, recommending the use of uniform postal rates.

Quote of the Day“Faith is taking the first step

even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

~ Martin Luther King Jr.



Gadgets & Gizmos

The Oblio charging station also sanitizes your smartphone with UV LED light. The wireless bucket uses ionizer technology to clean your device of bacteria, viruses, and germs in 20 minutes. The sleek design gets high marks from shoppers.

Punny Business

I put a high-voltage fence around my house. My neighbor is

dead against it.


The Mind card game is a game where players are expected to work together without speaking, maybe even by using mental telepathy. Cards are marked 1–100. In each round, without communicating, players must attempt to play cards from their hand in ascending order. The first level deals just one card to each player. The second level deals two cards, and so on. Turns proceed in any order, depending on who believes they have the next numbered card. If a card is played out of order, one of a limited number of the player’s “lives” is expended.

Today is Boxing Day. In England, the holiday is associated with giving alms. The aristocracy had traditionally enjoyed another sport on this holiday: fox hunting. Boxing Day hunts are still conducted across Britain despite laws enacted to ban the practice, which many consider a form of animal cruelty.

Word Scramble

N E R C I G

To recoil in fear or disgust


ANSWER: CRINGE


THETHE

On This Date537 AD – The Hagia Sophia, at the time the world’s largest building and a marvel of engineering, was inaugurated by Emperor Justinian I as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral.

1932 – Radio City Music Hall, designed to bring world-class entertainment to everyday people, opened in New York City.1845 – Ether anesthetic was used for childbirth for the first time by Dr. Crawford Long in Jefferson, Georgia. The patient was his wife.1947 – Buffalo Bob Smith and his character Howdy Doody were telecast for the first time on Puppet Playhouse, an appearance that led to the creation of The Howdy Doody Show.

True or False?The Howdy Doody Show was the

first program on the NBC network to broadcast in color.

Happy Birthday!Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992), as a young girl in Germany, hoped to become a professional violinist.

In her late teens, though, her interests turned to acting and she won roles in several films. She made German film history by starring

in the country’s first talking picture. When The Blue Angel was remade in English, with Dietrich playing Lola the nightclub dancer, she became a star in the United States. She became a U.S. citizen in 1939. Dietrich’s inscrutable style challenged traditional notions of femininity, yet she became one of Hollywood’s leading ladies during the 1930s and ’40s.

Quote of the Day“It’s the friends you can call

up at 4 a.m. that matter.”~ Marlene Dietrich, actress


ANSWER: True. The show was also used to sell color television sets.


What Am I?

At first, I was awarded after paying a membership fee and perhaps making a contribution to the private collection. I was more commonly known as a “ticket,” and if I was lost or stolen, I could create much anxiety for my holder. Later, as collections turned from private to public, membership did not require a fee, but I was still assigned to members in order to track borrowing. If I was lost or if borrowers were late, I could be used to issue a fine or penalty. These days, like so many other things, I am computerized with a bar code. What am I?

Fashion of Yesteryear

During the Victorian Era, the corset became a staple of every well-dressed woman’s wardrobe. During the early 19th century, men, too, wore the garment. High society men were expected to look sleek and fit, and so they took to wearing corsets. Military men, especially those in the cavalry, believed that the truss helped them maintain good posture while riding. Corsets were also believed to protect the body if a soldier was thrown from a horse. By the late 19th century, however, men’s clothing became looser, negating the need for a corset. Women had to wait about 50 more years.

Name Three

Can you name three car brands that begin with the letter S?

On this day in 1831, Charles Darwin began his around-the-world expedition aboard the HMS Beagle. Darwin’s voyage lasted five years and covered 40,000 miles. While on this voyage, the naturalist formulated his theory of evolution.


Buy a Vowel

S _ M _ L _ T _ _ N

An imitation of a process

ANSWER: SIMULATION

ANSWER: A library card

ANSWER: Saab, Suzuki, Subaru


THETHE

On This Date1934 – The Shirley Temple film Bright Eyes premiered, featuring the musical number “On the Good Ship Lollipop.”1975 – The “Hail Mary” pass was born when Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach hurled a 50-yard desperation touchdown pass to Drew Pearson with seconds remaining to win the NFC divisional playoff game.2000 – After 128 years of operation, the retail giant Montgomery Ward announced that it was going out of business.

Hail MaryWho first called Roger Staubach’s touchdown pass a “Hail Mary”?

A. Quarterback Roger StaubachB. Announcer Dick EnbergC. Sportscaster Curt GowdyD. Wide Receiver Drew Pearson

Happy Birthday!Denzel Washington, born in 1954, is an actor, director, and producer. He got his big break in the television show St. Elsewhere in 1982. Since then, the dashing movie star has dominated the silver screen with such hits as Glory, Crimson Tide, American Gangster, and Training Day. He has won three Golden Globe Awards, a Tony Award, and two Academy Awards. He and his wife have been married since 1983 and have four children. When he is not acting, Washington helps support several charitable causes, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Quote of the Day“Any star can be devoured

by human admiration, sparkle by sparkle.”

~ Shirley Temple, actress


ANSWER: A. Staubach himself called it that in a postgame interview.


Centennial Memories

On this day 100 years ago, Amelia Earhart first flew in an airplane. Her father took her to the California State Fair’s aerial exhibition to meet the famed pilot Frank Hawks. For 10 dollars, Hawks took Earhart on a 10-minute flight. That’s all it took for Earhart to fall in love with flying. “By the time I got two or three hundred feet off the ground,” Earhart recalled, “I knew I had to fly.” The 23-year-old Earhart quit college and began working a variety of jobs to earn the $1,000 she needed to take flying lessons.

Who Said So?

This comedian, who has been making us laugh for seven decades, said, “I don’t have false teeth. Do

you think I’d buy teeth like these?”

Root of the Matter

Off the cuff

Making a speech off the cuff means that your words are unrehearsed and have come completely at the spur of the moment. One possible origin of this expression is from the disposable paper cuffs and collars that men wore in the late 19th century. Men giving speeches would jot notes on the paper at their wrists. These orators literally read their speeches off of their cuffs. Historians argue that long after the obsolescence of paper cuffs, men were still cribbing notes from the cuffs of their fabric shirts.

On this day in 1795, construction on Yonge Street began in York, Canada, which is present-day Toronto. Until 1999, the Guinness Book of World Records maintained that Yonge Street, at 1,178 miles long, was the longest in the world.


Gila monster leatherback Komodo dragon monitor


ANSWER: Leatherbacks are sea turtles; the others are giant lizards.

ANSWER: Carol Burnett


THETHE

On This Date1851 – The first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in America was founded in Boston at the Old South Church. The club was opened as a place for young men to seek refuge from the hazards and sins of city life.

1852 – Seventeen-year-old Emma Snodgrass was arrested in Boston for wearing pants, the culmination of a string of incidents and arrests where she was called a “foolish girl who goes around in virile toggery.”

1930 – Fred Newton became the first person to swim the length of the Mississippi River after swimming its 1,826 miles over five months.

1972 – The last weekly issue of Life magazine was published.

Did You Know?Life magazine began as a humor

magazine in the 1880s, competing with the satirical magazines

Judge and Puck.

Happy Birthday!Charles Macintosh (1766–1843)

was employed as a humble clerk, but he devoted much of his free time to the study of science. By age 20, he had

quit his job to start manufacturing chemicals. Most important was his experimentation with naphtha, a by-product of tar, and rubber. Naphtha made rubber soluble, and in this state, Macintosh was able to use rubber as a sort of cement to stick two bits of cloth together. This led Macintosh to invent the world’s first waterproof fabric. In England, raincoats are still called “Mackintoshes” in honor of this Scotsman’s invention.

Quote of the Day“Let the rain kiss you. / Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. / Let the

rain sing you a lullaby.”~ Langston Hughes, poet



Think-tionary

resfeber

A. A recipe that has changed so dramatically that an entirely new dish is created

or

B. The mix of fear and excitement one feels before a journey

Toys of Yesteryear

The cat’s cradle is one of the oldest games in recorded human history. The game involves creating various string

figures by wrapping and looping string over the fingers. The

name cat’s cradle was first referenced in 1768 by Abraham Tucker, an English philosopher. The name might be a corruption of the phrase cratch-cradle, with cratch meaning the same as the French crèche, or “manger.”


The southern dish known as Hoppin’ John, a one-pot meal of black-eyed peas, ham hock, and rice, has been considered a New Year’s tradition since the 1800s. The dish is often associated with the rice fields in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Hoppin’ John was thought to bring good fortune in the new year. The peas represent coins. The dish is often eaten with collard greens, which look like money. And cornbread is golden. Adding pork or bacon is thought to add more luck. And serious wishers should place a penny under the plate for added wealth.

Today is Tick Tock Day. The sound of the ticking clock reminds us that the end of the year draws near and there are only a couple of days left to finish any unfinished business. Complete those tasks before the new year dawns!

Word Scramble

R T E B N A

Playful, teasing conversation


ANSWER: BANTER

ANSWER: B. My resfeber was so intense I could hardly sleep last night.


THETHE

On This Date1907 – Abraham Mills, third president of the National League of baseball, and his Mills Commission declared that Abner Doubleday invented baseball in Cooperstown, New York, despite much evidence pointing to the story’s inaccuracy.

1941 – Winston Churchill gave an emotional speech to the Canadian Parliament rallying the allies against “Hitler and his Nazi gang.” Afterward,

photographer Yousuf Karsh snapped Churchill’s famous photograph, “The Roaring Lion.”

1968 – Frank Sinatra recorded “My Way,” based on the popular French song “Comme d’habitude,” with lyrics written by Paul Anka.

Did You Know?The above picture of Winston

Churchill is considered the breakthrough photo in Yousuf

Karsh’s renowned 60-year career as a portrait photographer.

Happy Birthday!LeBron James was born in 1984 in Akron, Ohio. His father was absent from his childhood, and James lived an unstable life, so he moved in with a local football coach who introduced him to basketball. By high school, James was a nationally recognized star and was heavily recruited by NBA teams. Maybe it was fate for him to play for his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. James made a controversial move to the Miami Heat in 2010, where he won two championships. He later returned to Cleveland and won another for his beloved hometown team.

Quote of the Day“A man doesn’t know what happiness is until he’s married. By then,

it’s too late.”~ Frank Sinatra, singer



Wild Kingdom

In 2009, zoologist Arthur Anker snapped a photo of a moth he discovered in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela. He called it the Venezuelan poodle moth, thanks to its adorably fluffy white body. After the picture was posted on the internet, many disbelieved that it truly existed, thinking it another hoax. But the moth was indeed real, and likely a relative of the muslin moth. The Venezuelan poodle moth is only known to be found in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, the sixth-largest national park in the world.

What’s in a Name?

This hit singer on both the pop and Latin pop charts was born

Edith Gormezano.

Garden Party

One New Year’s tradition that is popular during the Chinese New Year, and is growing in popularity abroad, is giving a gift of lucky bamboo. Interestingly, the plant is not bamboo at all, but Dracaena sanderiana, although it resembles bamboo. The plant is often grown in a decorative pot or is planted in pebbles. The number of stalks corresponds to a symbolic meaning. Two stalks will make you lucky in love, five in wealth, seven in good health, and so on. Four stalks never appear, for in China the word for “four” is close to the word for “death,” and the two are associated.

On this day in 1927, the first subway line in all of Asia opened in Tokyo, Japan. The Ginza Line was the idea of Japanese businessman Noritsugu Hayakawa, who saw London’s Underground railway in 1914.


Buy a Vowel

_ N C _ R T _ _ N

Not known beyond doubt

ANSWER: UNCERTAIN ANSWER: Eydie Gormé


THETHE

It’s New Year’s Eve!

On This Date1904 – The first New Year’s celebration was held in New York City’s Times Square, which was known then as Longacre Square.1935 – Charles Darrow patented the board game Monopoly, although he had based his game on the Landlord’s Game, a game devised by Lizzie Magie to teach the principles of economics.1967 – Daredevil Evel Knievel crashed in his attempt to jump over the Caesar’s Palace fountain on his motorcycle. He was badly injured and hospitalized, but the stunt made Evel Knievel a household name.

Did You Know?The ancient Babylonians, who lived 4,000 years ago, were the first people to have New Year’s

celebrations. They even made New Year’s resolutions. But their new year began in March, not January.

Happy Birthday!John Denver (1943–1997) received his first guitar as a teenager. He dropped out of college to pursue a music career in New York City. When the group Peter, Paul and Mary hit it big with the John Denver-penned tune “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” Denver finally caught the attention of record executives. The singer recorded

four albums in two years and became a “golden boy” of folk music, selling out stadiums on tour. He used his high profile as an advocate for the

environment and other humanitarian causes. His “Rocky Mountain High” is the official song of Colorado.

Quote of the Day“To the old, long life and treasure; to the young, all

health and pleasure.”~ Ben Jonson, poet



Only Human

We get goosebumps when we are chilly, feel scared, or even if we recall a distant memory. But why do we get them? Goosebumps are caused by contractions of tiny muscles attached to our hairs, which

cause hairs to stand on end. These contractions are often prompted by adrenaline, which is released when we feel

cold, threatened, or emotional. Goosebumps are a leftover response from when humans were covered in thicker hair. When threatened, adrenaline would flush our system, our hair would stand on end and make us look larger and more intimidating to a foe or predator.

Riddle Me This

How is a baseball team like a muffin?

Silver Memories

On this day 25 years ago, the last Calvin and Hobbes comic strip was published. Cartoonist Bill Watterson felt that he had achieved everything he could have hoped for with the strip. Calvin and Hobbes has been called “the last great newspaper comic” and even “Doonesbury for kids.” The six-year-old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes are beloved for their wild imaginations and precocious creativity. At the height of the strip’s popularity, it was featured in 2,400 newspapers around the world. Its popularity has not waned, with fans and academics poring over the 18 Calvin and Hobbes books even today.

Today is Hogmanay in Scotland, considered the greatest New Year’s celebration in the world. Traditions include torch processions, street parties, dancing, and the midnight singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Word Scramble

M X O L M F U

To perplex or bewilder someone

ANSWER: FLUMMOX


ANSWER: They both depend on the batter.

the...c. john clay d. ernst stavro blofeld happy birthday! richard pryor (1940–2005) was a class...

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