Category: Games

April Illusions

This month’s games are a little different.  These are optical illusions according to their labels, but most are cleverly hidden images.  See how many you can sleuth out!

Can You See the Cat?

Can you find the hidden tiger?

Where’s the mouse?

How are the boys?

Know-It-Alls: Tuesday Thanksgiving Trivia

Question: How much did the world’s most expensive Thanksgiving dinner on record cost?

Answer: $181,000

Old Homestead Steakhouse in Manhattan served up the most expensive Thanksgiving dinner in 2019 which was a whopping $181,000.  (2 free range, edible gold-flaked turkeys were the star of the meal.)

Question: How many women were at the very first Thanksgiving celebration?

Answer: Four

Although reports vary, it’s fairly certain that there were only four (maybe five) women at the first Thanksgiving celebration — all of which were married to men who were part of the first group of settlers.

Question: Which Native American acted as an interpreter?

Answer: Squanto

Question: Which city’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ends with Santa Claus getting a key to the city?

Answer: Detroit

Question: According to the Guinness Book of World Records, how much does the heaviest turkey on record weigh?

Answer: 86 pounds

Question: What town canceled Thanksgiving because they couldn’t make pumpkin pies?

Answer: Colchester, Connecticut

A frigid bout of cold weather in the middle of October led to the Connecticut River freezing, so settlers couldn’t get their usual liquid sugar shipped on time from across the pond.

Question: What professional football team has played almost every Thanksgiving since 1934?

Answer: The Detroit Lions

Question: What city is home to the oldest Thanksgiving parade?

Answer: Philadelphia

Question: What did President Calvin Coolidge famously receive as a Thanksgiving gift?

Answer: A live raccoon

Question: What’s the only area in Australia to celebrate Thanksgiving?

Answer: Norfolk Island

Question: How long was the first Thanksgiving?

Answer: Three days

Question: What food did the colonists and Native Americans not have at the first Thanksgiving?

Answer: Turkey

Question: What area of Massachusetts still looks just like it did in the 17th century?

Answer: Plymouth, Massachusetts

Question: What president refused to declare Thanksgiving a holiday?

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Since Thanksgiving involved prayer and reflection, he thought designating it a national holiday would violate the First Amendment. He also thought it was better suited as a state holiday, not a federal one.

Question: What do Thanksgiving and the song “Mary Had A Little Lamb” have in common?

Answer: They were both created by the same woman — sort of.

Writer and editor Sarah Josepha Hale convinced President Abraham Lincoln to officially declare Thanksgiving a national holiday after three decades of persistent lobbying.

Question: What wasn’t part of the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Answer: Balloons

Question: What is Good Housekeeping‘s tie to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Answer: We have a Good Housekeeping illustrator to thank for the parade’s first balloons.

German-American illustrator Tony Starg, whose illustrations were featured in Good Housekeeping, also had a passion for puppetry. He used that talent to make some amazing floats come to life in 1927.

Question: Has Thanksgiving always been celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November?

Answer: No. In 1939, Thanksgiving was celebrated on the third Thursday in November.

You might think President Roosevelt could predict the future, as he channeled a “Black Friday” mindset when he decided to move Thanksgiving during his presidency. Even though the holiday had been celebrated on the fourth Thursday since Lincoln officially recognized the federal holiday decades before, Roosevelt bumped it up a week effectively adding seven more shopping days to the holiday season to boost the economy.

Question: A Thanksgiving turkey mix-up inspired what popular meal trend?

Answer: Frozen TV dinners

In 1953, a Swanson employee accidentally ordered a colossal shipment of Thanksgiving turkeys (260 tons, to be exact). To deal with the excess, salesman Gerry Thomas took inspiration from the prepared foods served on airplanes. He came up with the idea of filling 5,000 aluminum trays with the turkey – along with cornbread dressing, gravy, peas and sweet potatoes to complete the offering. The 98-cent meals were a hit, especially with kids and increasingly busy households. Within a single year, over 10 million were sold and a whole industry was born.

Question: How many turkeys do Americans prepare each Thanksgiving?

Answer: 46 million

Question: What percentage of Americans actually eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Answer: 88%

Question: How many grams of fat does the typical American eat on Thanksgiving?

Answer: 229 grams

Question: How many runners participated in America’s first turkey trot?

Answer: Six

The first race was hosted over a century ago by the local YMCA in Buffalo, NY and included just six runners — although only four of them made it to the finish line.

Question: What world record was set at a turkey trot in 2011?

Answer: Amount of people dressed up as turkeys

Not only are turkey trots one of the fun and unique Thanksgiving traditions, many of them also offer runners the unique opportunity to dress in fun costumes commemorating the day. On Thanksgiving Day in 2011, runners at the YMCA Turkey Trot in Dallas, Texas, dressed up in droves and set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys. In total, 661 people came wearing their feathered finest. Consider this your inspiration to do the same.

Question: What happens to the turkeys that are pardoned by the president each year?

Answer: The turkeys pardoned by the president go on to live fulfilled lives.

Question: Do turkeys actually gobble?

Answer: Only male turkeys gobble.

Question: Where do turkeys get their name?

Answer: Turkeys are (kind of) named after the country.

No, the big turkey does not really hail from the country Turkey. During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, a bird called the guinea fowl — which bears a striking resemblance to the American turkey — was imported to Europe from its native North Africa. Because the birds came from Turkish lands, Europeans called them the turkey-cock and turkey-hen. When settlers in the Americas began sending similar-looking birds back to Europe, the name had already stuck!

Question: According to Americans, what’s the best part of Thanksgiving?

Answer: The leftovers.

Question: How many calls does the Butterball turkey talk line get each year?

Answer: 100,000

Question: Do other countries celebrate the holiday?

Answer: Yes! Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving — but on a different day.

Question: How many places in the U.S. bear the name turkey?

Answer: Four

Question: How much pumpkin pie do Americans eat every Thanksgiving?

Answer: An estimated 50 million pumpkin pies are devoured every November.

Question: What is the busiest day of the year for plumbers?

Answer: Black Friday

Question: How many people go shopping on Black Friday?

Answer: Over 32 million people

Question: What day is honored every last Thursday in November?

Answer: National Day of Mourning

Question: What are “Tofurky Roasts”?

Answer: Meat-free Thanksgivings

Question: What real Thanksgiving food was popularized in How I Met Your Mother?

Answer: turturkeykey

Question: What did the balloons take the place of when introduced in the 1928 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Answer: Live zoo animals

Question: Who was the first video-game character featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Answer: Sonic the Hedgehog

Question: Who was the first Manga character featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Answer: Goku

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/thanksgiving-ideas/a35457/thanksgiving-trivia/

SOURCE: GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Know-It-Alls: Trivia Tuesday

Today’s category is FOOD.

How did the pound cake get its name?

Why was the Animal Crackers box designed with a string handle?

On which vegetable did an ancient Egyptian place his right hand when taking an oath?

The pretzel shape was created by French monks in 610 AD. What was it designed to resemble?

What is the name of the dog on the Cracker Jack box?

What flavor did Baskin-Robbins introduce to commemorate America’s landing on the moon on July 20, 1969?

What is the most widely eaten fish in the world?

What part of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner is called the merrythought?

What is a cluster or bunch of bananas called?

In the world of food, what is pluck?

What part of the orange is the albedo?

What animal’s milk is used to make authentic Italian mozzarella cheese?

What is the only essential vitamin not found in the white potato?

What is the largest fruit crop on earth?

How long does it take to hard boil a 3-pound ostrich egg?

Answers

From the one-pound quantities of the key ingredients (sugar, butter, eggs and flour) in the original recipe.

The animal shaped cookie treats were introduced in 1902 as a Christmas novelty—and packaged so they could be hung from Christmas trees.

The onion. Its round shape symbolized eternity.

A little child’s arms in prayer.

Bingo.

Lunar cheesecake.

Herring.

The wishbone of the turkey.

Hand.

An animal’s heart, liver and lungs.

The bitter tasting white tissue that makes the peel stick to the skin.

The water buffalo’s.

Vitamin A.

Grapes, followed by bananas.

One hour and 45 minutes.

SO…how did you do??

E.T. Phone Home

Today marks the anniversary of the premier of E.T. at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982.  In honor of that event, I bring the following puzzle from GAMES World of Puzzles, called E.T. Phone Home.  Each answer begins with “E T”.  For example, if the clue was “Exam often taken in a blue book” then the answer would be Essay Test.

Ready?

Paris landmark

Décor pieces for the living room

Concerns for large inheritances

Wicked alter ego

Stately shade provider

Star of 1963’s Cleopatra

Journey for one with a big head

Sitting duck

Tan, beige, or cream for example

They go around Chicago

Statement with little muscle behind it

Best Actress winner for Howard’s End

Miniature hourglass used in the kitchen

Indian Ocean island country

So, how did you do?

There’s A Roller Skating Museum In Nebraska And It’s Full Of Fascinating Oddities, Artifacts, And More

Since 1980, Lincoln, Nebraska has been the home of a one-of-a-kind museum that most people aren’t even aware of. The National Museum of Roller Skating sits in an unassuming little brick building that it shares with the headquarters of USA Roller Sports, the national governing body of roller sports. The next time you’re in the area, don’t pass by this hidden gem; step inside and get to know a fascinating part of American history.

The people behind the National Museum of Roller Skating believe that everyone should know about this delightful activity and its long history. What comes to mind when you think of roller skating? If you’re of a certain age, you probably picture couples gliding hand-in-hand around a hardwood floor as live music floats through the air from the on-site organist.

Younger people may picture a similar scene, but with a DJ and colorful flashing lights in place of a live organist. No matter what your personal experience is with roller skating, chances are you’ve got some positive associations with the activity.

Those fond memories – and much more – are all on display in this unique museum. The exhibits trace the history of roller skating back through the generations, all the way to the early 19th century.

When you visit, you’ll see some early versions of roller skates, beginning with the most primitive pieces of wood with wheels attached.

Some of the crowd-favorite exhibits are the rare and unusual types of roller skates. Would you ever try to race around the rink in these cowboy-boot skates?

Other exhibits tell little-known stories of roller skating as a sport, a hobby, and an all-around cultural phenomenon.

The museum houses the world’s largest collection of roller skating items, making it a must-visit for anyone who has ever felt a rush of excitement as they laced up a pair of skates.

The museum also contains the National Roller Skating Archives, a collection of publications and other information on all aspects of roller skating’s history.

Roller skating is explored here as a sport and an art form, as a diplomatic tool, and a unifying experience that just about everyone can enjoy. See old costumes and uniforms and read all about the surprising ways in which roller skating has influenced the world.

Whether your interest lies in leisurely rolls around the rink, dominating in a roller derby league, or even competitive speed-skating, you’ll find fascinating information at the museum about this underrated all-American activity.

Address: National Museum of Roller Skating, 4730 South St, Lincoln, NE 68506, USA

HISTORY OF SNOW GLOBES

You place the dome in your hand, turn it over and beautifully, magically the item inside is engulfed in a swirling slow-motion blizzard. Everyone can relate to them – evoking a childhood memory or nostalgia of a simpler time. The first mention of a snow globe featured a man with an umbrella displayed at the Paris Exposition of 1878. It was later suggested that the globes were created to commemorate the Tower’s inauguration.

This extremely rare LouisVuitton Eiffel Tower dome made of luggage is a whimsical example that sold for $995 in 2017.

A few years later, a Viennese man Edwin Perzy developed the same idea when researching a way to improve operating room light..He used a glass globe filled with water, hoping to create a magnifying lens by increasing refraction. To enhance the reflected light, Perzy put ground glass in the water. When it quickly sank, he tried semolina which floated slowly to the bottom of the globe. It did nothing to improve the light quality, but the snowfall inspired him to make his first snow globe: he carved a small house and inserted it into the globe.

Edwin Perzy

Facsimile of Perzy’s first globe used in Citizen Kane

Mass production began in the US during the 1920s. Joseph Garaja of Pittsburgh was granted a patent in 1927, which altered how snow globes were made. His method needed the spheres to be assembled underwater, removing any trapped air. This ingenious method made it possible for the industry to go into mass production, which drastically lowered the prices of globes.

However, by the early 1960s, glass snow globes had been overtaken by plastic Hong Kong-made globes. It was soon discovered that the water in their spheres was filthy, obtained directly from their port. As a result, a Hong Kong snow globe producer got into significant trouble and was temporarily barred from entering the United States.

The “snow” in snow globes has a fascinating backstory as well. Snow was previously created in glass domes using tiny porcelain, bone chips, or ground rice. Camphor/wax, as well as meerschaum, was also used to make these snowflakes. Today, most “snow” is tiny particles or shards of white plastic. Also, the liquid hasn’t always been water; at one point, light oil was used. In addition, glycol (antifreeze) was added to help with the problem of freezing during winter shipping.

The snow globe fell out of favor in the 1970’s when it epitomized kitsch –but have evolved into something more sophisticated, intricate and valued among designers and collectors. Novelty gift manufacturers have upgraded the designs and components making them unique gift items often including beautifully modelled landscapes.

Some incorporate lights, music and motors eliminating the need for shaking. Many high-end department stores introduce a custom design every year to commemorate the Christmas season.

Snow globes have become an increasingly popular collectible for both antique and novelty globes. Actor, Corbin Bernsen may be the most prolific collector with about 8,000 – he began collecting snow globes in the ‘80’s. “There’s something that happens to a collector, this internal voice that says, ‘I want to have one of each that is in existence,’” Bernsen says.

Corbin Bernsen

Originally the globes were made of glass and the figures inside were made of porcelain, bone, metals, minerals, rubber or wax. The snow or “flitter” as it’s called, could have been ground rice, wax, soap, sand, bone fragments, meerschaum, metal flakes or sawdust. Producers tried everything. The base was either round or square and may have been of stone, marble, ceramic or wood. Some are quite bizarre!!!

“Snow domes are not only fascinating to look at, to hold, to play with, they are folk art,” says collector Nancy McMichael, author of Snowdomes (Abbeville Press). “They are a bridge back to an idealized past we think existed but is actually in our head. It is something we carry with us.”

Brain Teasers

Do you have your thinking caps on this morning?

I said CAPS…not cat! The game today is brain teasers! The pictures below represent a word or phrase. For example, the uppermost left square answer would be SPLIT PERSONALITY. See how many you can puzzle out!

SO…how did you do??