Coronado Heights Park is a scenic overlook and park on a 300′ promontory a few miles northwest of Lindsborg, Kansas. In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a picnic area and castle like building out of Dakota limestone. It is rather cool and the view is spectacular – reminiscent of the view from Sterling Castle in Scotland. The winding drive up to the heights is beautiful, with many trees, yucca, and sumac.
The park has grills and fireplaces, including a fireplace in the “castle,” which is otherwise unlighted except for the windows. There are many stone picnic tables located around the edge of hill, with views in all directions. When visited in July of 2007, the castle and grounds were clean and in surprisingly good repair. There is a stone rest room building, but from a distance it wasn’t clear what condition it is in, and it didn’t look like there was a regular path to the rest rooms.
Coronado Heights receives its name from Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, who visited central Kansas in 1541, looking for the Native American community of Quivira, where he was told “trees hung with golden bells and … pots and pans were beaten gold.”
Coronado didn’t find his gold, and it is unknown if he actually ascended the heights now named after him near Lindsborg, Kansas.
There is also a 3 mile mountain bike trail with two loops around the base of Coronado Heights Park.
Take Coronado Avenue (Highway 4) 3 miles north of Lindsborg to Coronado Heights Road (unpaved). Go 1 mile west, just past Smoky Hill Cemetery and turn right at the stone gate. You will see Coronado Heights Park from many miles. Open 8 AM to 11 PM.
Coronado Heights Park was closed for most of the 2019 summer, because of a land slide on the road up to the park, but it reopened at the end of August.
Foraged from the ostrich fern, fiddleheads are the plant’s young shoots that look like tiny scrolls popping out of the dirt. Only available for a short window of time during the spring, they are a delicious delicacy with many devoted fans who can hardly wait for fiddlehead season. Fiddleheads are foraged from the wild in certain parts of the U.S. and Canada where they’re also most often consumed. Some foragers sell them to markets, making them available to more people. Best when simply prepared by sautéing or steaming right after harvest, fiddleheads offer a charming taste of spring for simple dishes.
What Are Fiddleheads?
Fiddleheads are the tightly coiled tips of ferns that are eaten cooked. These delicate delights are available only in early spring when ferns grow their new shoots. The young fern fronds are mainly available by foraging or at farmers markets.
The fiddleheads eaten in North America are from the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris). Other ferns can be toxic, so never forage without an experienced guide. It’s also important to harvest just a few fiddleheads in a cluster or the fern could die. Lucky for fiddlehead fans, ostrich ferns are fairly common, especially in temperate woodland areas and near streams. They grow in dense clumps, from the northern plains states to the east coast of the United States and throughout most of Canada.
It’s not necessary to forage them yourself because fiddleheads may be found at markets that specialize in wild foods. They are not widely available, however, and are expensive due to their short season. Fiddleheads require little preparation beyond a thorough rinse. They are best lightly cooked, whether sautéed, steamed, or boiled, and can be served as a light side or on top of a dish.
How to Cook with Fiddleheads
To prepare fiddleheads, start by removing any of the papery brown skin and trim away any brown stem ends. Wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt from the fronds. A good way to wash them is to fill a sink with cold water and submerge the fiddleheads, swishing them around to loosen any dirt. Depending on how dirty they are, you might have to fill the sink again and repeat the process.
The next step is to boil the fiddleheads. This stage of cooking is for the purpose of deactivating the toxin, so even if you plan to roast or sauté the fiddleheads, don’t skip this step. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the fiddleheads, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Then drain the fiddleheads and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Let them cool until they’re no longer warm to the touch, then drain again and dry them thoroughly with paper towels. Fiddleheads cooked this way will be tender but will retain their crisp, snappy bite.
Instead of boiling, you can steam them in a steamer basket for 10 to 12 minutes, then chill in the ice bath and drain as described. When steamed, fiddleheads have a slightly more bitter flavor than when they’re boiled, similar to broccoli rabe. Steamed or boiled fiddleheads can be served as-is or sautéed.
Once common throughout the southeastern United States, fewer than 100 Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) are estimated to live in the wilds of south Florida today. The current range of Florida panthers is less than five percent of their original range across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and parts of Tennessee and South Carolina. Florida panthers were heavily hunted after 1832 when a bounty on panthers was created. Perceived as a threat to humans, livestock, and game animals, the species was nearly extinct by the mid-1950s.
Today, the primary threats to the remaining panther population are habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. Urban sprawl, the conversion of once-diversified agricultural lands into intensified industrial farming uses, and the loss of farmland to commercial development combine to reduce the amount of suitable panther habitat. Other factors include mortalities from collisions with automobiles, territorial disputes with other panthers, inbreeding, disease, and environmental toxins. All these other factors, however, also are related to habitat reduction.
Like most animals, Florida panthers need food, water, shelter, and access to mates to survive. Panthers are strictly carnivores and eat only meat. About 90 percent of their diet is feral hog, white-tailed deer, raccoon, and armadillo. Occasionally they consume rabbits, rats, and birds, and occasionally even alligators. In south Florida, panthers prefer mature upland forests (hardwood hammocks and pinelands) over other habitat types. Upland forests provide dry ground for resting and denning, and prey density is higher than it is in lower habitats where flooding is more common. Much of the prime panther habitat is north of Interstate Highway 75, and panthers in that area weigh more, are healthier, and successfully raise more kittens than panthers that live primarily south of the highway and feed mostly on small prey. Panthers in Everglades National Park are smaller and fewer because much of the park consists of wetlands, while panthers need uplands in order to thrive. Although the Long Pine Key area within the park provides dry upland habitat, hogs are scarce in the park and deer are limited to dry or low water level areas. A panther has to kill and eat about 10 raccoons to equal the food value of 1 deer. To maintain their health and fitness, adult panthers need to consume the equivalent of about 1 deer or hog per week. Females with kittens may need twice this amount.
The recent history of the Florida panther documents the success of the genetic restoration program. Historically, natural gene exchange occurred between the Florida panther and other contiguous species of Puma concolor as individuals dispersed among populations and bred. This natural mechanism for gene exchange maintained genetic health within populations and minimized inbreeding. However, as the population declined, gene exchange between subspecies could no longer occur because the Florida panther had become isolated from neighboring subspecies such as the Texas panther. Inbreeding accelerated, resulting in genetic depression, declining health, reduced survivability, and low numbers. If action was not taken to address the loss of natural gene exchange, it was feared that the species would soon be extinct. In 1995 when the genetic restoration program began, the population of panthers had dwindled to only 20-30 individuals in the wild. In 1995, eight female Texas panthers were released in south Florida. Five of the eight Texas panthers produced litters and at least 20 kittens were born. By 2007, the Florida panther population had responded by tripling to about 100 animals. The genetic restoration program restored genetic variability and vitality for a healthier, more resilient population.
Mercury in Panthers
Scientists first became aware of the potential threat of mercury to panthers in south Florida in 1989 when a female panther from the park died. An immediate cause of death could not be determined, but later tests revealed that her liver contained high levels of mercury. That same year, the State of Florida found high levels of mercury in fish from the Everglades. Air pollution from metals mining and smelting, coal-fired utilities and industry, and solid-waste incinerators was determined to be the major source of mercury contamination. Although some of this pollution was coming from utilities and industries within Florida, some originates in other countries and continents. Summer thunderstorms scour airborne mercury out of the upper atmosphere and deposit it in the Everglades. Mercury in rainfall is transformed to methylmercury by bacteria in sediments and algal mats. Zooplankton feed on algae, fish and crayfish feed on zooplankton, raccoons feed on fish and crayfish, and panthers feed on raccoons. In the 15 months before her death, the panther with high levels of mercury in her liver fed only on small prey, primarily raccoons. As mercury moves through the food chain, it accumulates in ever-greater quantities in the tissue of each predator. The tissues of predators at the top of the food chain, such as panthers, typically contain the most mercury.
Subsequent studies found that mercury concentrations in panther tissues were lowest north of Interstate Highway 75 where adequate deer and hogs were available and highest in the Everglades and the southern part of Big Cypress National Preserve where consumption of raccoons was highest. Raccoons are thought to have been the major source of mercury in Florida panthers at that time. Since 1989, mercury concentrations in fish and birds in the Everglades have dropped by 60 to 70 percent. The drastic reductions are directly linked to the installation of technology that reduced mercury in emissions from industries in south Florida. Although mercury levels in the natural environment are a worldwide concern and mercury likely will never be completely removed from the environment, mercury reductions are expected to continue into the future. Monitoring, modeling, and research demonstrate the relationship between mercury detected in the air, deposited in waterways and sediments through rainfall, and concentrated in fish and wildlife.
1) Where did the American custom of Mother’s Day begin?
2) What flower is associated with Mother’s Day?
3) Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for _____.
4) What is the average age for first-time moms in the United States?
5) What percentage of moms in the U.S. are single parents?
6) How do children in Serbia celebrate Mother’s Day?
7) What ancient Roman festival is considered a forerunner of Mother’s Day?
8) What year was the first Mother’s Day celebrated in the United States?
9) Which U.S. president made Mother’s Day a national holiday?
10) How many diapers does the average mom change during the first three months of motherhood?
ANSWERS:
1. West Virginia: While some countries have a multi-century history of celebrating mothers, the modern American version of the holiday didn’t begin until the early 20th century when Anna Jarvis organized the first Mother’s Day service of worship and celebration at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, which serves as the International Mother’s Day Shrine today.
2. Carnations: Everyone knows that giving flowers on Mother’s Day is a time-honored tradition, but did you know that carnations are the official Mother’s Day flower? Pink carnations represent gratitude and love. Dark red carnations signify love and affection. And white carnations are traditional flowers to wear in remembrance of a mother who is no longer living.
3. Restaurants: According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother’s Day is the most popular day of the year to eat in a restaurant. In a survey conducted by the association, 51 percent of mothers said they prefer to eat out on the holiday because they do most of the cooking at home and dining out gives them a much-needed break.
4. 27 years old: The average age of first-time mothers has risen dramatically since 1972, when it was 21. Today, the average first-time mother is 27 years old.
5. 24%: According to Pew Research Center data, about one in four, or roughly 24 percent of mothers in the U.S. are raising kids without a spouse or partner.
6. Tying Mother up: Serbia has what is probably one of the most unusual Mother’s Day customs. Children creep into their mother’s bedroom first thing in the morning and tie her up! In order to be released, it is customary for mothers to bribe their children with treats. However, it should be noted that mothers aren’t the only ones tied up on their special day. A week earlier, on Children’s Day, children are tied up and must agree to behave before they are released.
7. Hilaria: The Romans celebrated Hilaria on March 25 in honor of Cybele, an Anatolian mother goddess known as Magna Mater (“Great Mother”). The manner of celebration during the time of the republic is unknown, except that Valerius Maximus mentions games in honor of the mother of the gods. At the time of the empire, there was a solemn procession, followed by all kinds of games and amusements, including a masquerade.
8. 1907: Ann Reeves Jarvis was a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War. She and Julia Ward Howe (author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”) spent years campaigning for the creation of a “Mother’s Day For Peace” where mothers would ask that their husbands and sons were no longer killed in wars. After Ann’s death in 1905, her daughter took up the fight, and the first American Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1907 at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church.
9. Woodrow Wilson: In 1908, the U.S. Congress rejected a proposal to make Mother’s Day an official holiday, joking that they would also have to proclaim a “Mother-in-law’s Day”. But just six years later, in 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating that Mother’s Day be held on the second Sunday in May as a national holiday to honor mothers.
10. 700: In the first month of life, newborns average up to 8 to 10 diaper changes per day. And over the first three months (the newborn stage), babies go through about 700 diapers.
Today is George’s birthday—born May 6, 1961—and I had a whole post about him with some interesting facts about his life, because I respected George’s attitude on aging as a movie star. He didn’t want to dye his hair or get plastic surgery, because people always look a little off when they try to recapture their youth, he said.
Then just recently I read this article where George makes the comment that it might be time to FORCE JAB people with the vaccine. Suddenly an individual making their own choices was not a good option for George. Sad.
The time has come to force-jab every unvaccinated person in the United States, according to Hollywood actor George Clooney who declared his support for “mandatory vaccines, period” during a red carpet interview.
Today is the anniversary of the Kent State shooting that killed 4 students and injured 9 more. History.com provides a detailed account of why it happened:
Four Kent State University students were killed and nine were injured on May 4, 1970, when members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a crowd gathered to protest the Vietnam War. The tragedy was a watershed moment for a nation divided by the conflict in Southeast Asia. In its immediate aftermath, a student-led strike forced the temporary closure of colleges and universities across the country. Some political observers believe the events of that day in northeast Ohio tilted public opinion against the war and may have contributed to the downfall of President Richard Nixon.
The Vietnam War
American involvement in the civil war in Vietnam—which pitted the communists of the northern part of the country against the more democratic south—had been controversial from its beginnings, and a significant segment of the general public in the United States was against the presence of U.S. armed forces in the region.
Protests across the country in the latter half of the 1960s were part of organized opposition against U.S. military activities in Southeast Asia, as well as the military draft.
In fact, President Richard M. Nixon had been elected in 1968 due in large part to his promise to end the Vietnam War. And, until April 1970, it appeared he was on the way to fulfilling that campaign promise, as military operations were seemingly winding down.
Invasion of Cambodia
However, on April 30, 1970, President Nixon authorized U.S. troops to invade Cambodia, a neutral nation located west of Vietnam. North Vietnamese troops were using safe havens in Cambodia to launch attacks on the U.S.-backed South Vietnamese, and parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail—a supply route used by the North Vietnamese—passed through Cambodia.
Controversially, the president made his decision without notifying his Secretary of State William Rogers or Defense Secretary Melvin Laird.
They, along with the rest of the American public, found out about the invasion when President Nixon addressed the nation on television two days later. Members of Congress accused the president of illegally widening the scope of U.S. involvement in the war by not receiving their consent through a vote.
However, it was public reaction to the decision that ultimately led to the events at Kent State University, a public university in northeast Ohio.
Vietnam War Protests
Even before Nixon’s formal announcement of the invasion, rumors of the U.S. military incursion into Cambodia resulted in protests at colleges and universities across the country. At Kent State, these protests actually began on May 1, the day after the invasion.
That day, hundreds of students gathered on the Commons, a park-like space at the center of campus that had been the site of large demonstrations and other events in the past. Several speakers spoke out against the war in general, and President Nixon specifically.
That night, in downtown Kent, there were reports of violent clashes between students and local police. Police alleged that their cars were hit with bottles, and that students stopped traffic and lit bonfires in the streets.
Reinforcements were called in from neighboring communities, and Kent Mayor Leroy Satrom declared a state of emergency, before ordering all the bars in the town closed. Satrom also contacted Ohio Governor James Rhodes seeking assistance.
Satrom’s decision to close the bars actually angered the protesters more, and increased the size of the crowds on the streets of town. Police were eventually able to move the protesters back toward campus, using tear gas to disperse the crowd. However, the stage was set for trouble.
Ohio National Guard Arrives
The following day, Saturday, May 2, there were rumors that radicals were making threats against the town of Kent and the university. The threats reportedly were primarily made against businesses in the town and certain buildings on campus.
After speaking with other city officials, Satrom asked Governor Rhodes to send the Ohio National Guard to Kent in an attempt to calm tensions in the area.
At the time, members of the National Guard were already on duty in the region, and thus were mobilized fairly quickly. By the time they arrived at the Kent State campus on the night of May 2nd, however, protesters had already set fire to the school’s ROTC building, and scores were watching and cheering as it burned.
Some protesters also reportedly clashed with firefighters attempting to put out the blaze, and Guardsmen were asked to intervene. Clashes between the Guard and the protesters continued well into the night, and dozens of arrests were made.
Interestingly, the next day, Sunday, May 3, was a fairly calm day on campus. The weather was sunny and warm, and students were lounging on the Commons and even engaging with the Guardsmen on duty.
Still, with nearly 1,000 National Guards at the school, the scene was more like that of a war zone than a college campus.
Protesters and Guardsmen Gather
With a major protest already scheduled for noon on Monday, May 4, once again on the Commons, university officials attempted to diffuse the situation by prohibiting the event. Still, crowds began to gather at about 11:00 that morning, and an estimated 3,000 protesters and spectators were there by the scheduled start time.
Stationed at the now-destroyed ROTC building were roughly 100 Ohio National Guardsmen carrying M-1 military rifles.
Historians have never reached consensus as to who exactly organized and participated in the Kent State protests—or how many of them were students at the university or anti-war activists from elsewhere. But the protest on May 4th, during which activists spoke out against the presence of the National Guard on campus as well as the Vietnam War, was initially peaceful.
Still, Ohio National Guard General Robert Canterbury ordered the protesters to disperse, with the announcement being made by a Kent State police officer riding in a military jeep across the Commons and using a bullhorn to be heard over the crowd. The protesters refused to disperse and began shouting and throwing rocks at the Guardsmen.
Four Dead in Ohio
General Canterbury ordered his men to lock and load their weapons, and to fire tear gas into the crowd. The Guardsmen then marched across the Commons, forcing protesters to move up a nearby hill called Blanket Hill, and then down the other side of the hill toward a football practice field.
As the football field was enclosed with fencing, the Guardsmen were caught amongst the angry mob, and were the targets of shouting and thrown rocks yet again.
The Guardsmen soon retreated back up Blanket Hill. When they reached the top of the hill, witnesses say 28 of them suddenly turned and fired their M-1 rifles, some into the air, some directly into the crowd of protesters.
Over just a 13-second period, nearly 70 shots were fired in total. In all, four Kent State students—Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder and Sandra Scheuer—were killed, and nine others were injured. Schroeder was shot in the back, as were two of the injured, Robert Stamps and Dean Kahler.
Aftermath of the Kent State Shooting
Following the shooting, the university was immediately ordered closed, and the campus remained shut down for some six weeks following the shootings.
Numerous investigatory commissions and court trials followed, during which members of the Ohio National Guard testified that they felt the need to discharge their weapons because they feared for their lives.
However, disagreements remain as to whether they were, in fact, under sufficient threat to use force.
In a civil suit filed by the injured Kent State students and their families, a settlement was reached in 1979 in which the Ohio National Guard agreed to pay those injured in the events of May 4, 1970 a total of $675,000.
Kent State Shooting Legacy
A signed statement by the Guard, drafted as part of the settlement, read, in part: “In retrospect, the tragedy… should not have occurred. The students may have believed that they were right in continuing their mass protest in response to the Cambodian invasion, even though this protest followed the posting and reading by the university of an order to ban rallies and an order to disperse… Some of the Guardsmen on Blanket Hill, fearful and anxious from prior events, may have believed in their own minds that their lives were in danger. Hindsight suggests that another method would have resolved the confrontation…”
Photographer John Filo won a Pulitzer Prize for his famous image of 14-year-old Mary Vecchio crying over Miller’s fallen body, just after the last shot was fired on the Kent State campus that day. However, this image is hardly the only lasting legacy of the events of May 4.
Indeed, the Kent State shooting remains symbolic of the division in public opinion about war in general, and the Vietnam War specifically. Many believe it permanently changed the protest movement across the American political spectrum, fostering a sense of disillusionment regarding what, exactly, these demonstrations accomplish—as well as fears over the potential for confrontation between protesters and law enforcement.
SOURCE: HISTORY.com
Sources
Personal Remembrances of the Kent State Shootings, 43 Years Later. Slate. Kent State Shootings. Ohio History Central. The May 4 Shootings at Kent State University: The Search for Historical Accuracy. Kent State University. Nixon authorizes invasion of Cambodia, April 28, 1970. Politico. Was It Legal for the U.S. to Bomb Cambodia? The New York Times. Photographer John Filo discusses his famous Kent State photograph and the events of May 4, 1970. CNN. Kent State at 25: A Troubling Legacy. Christian Science Monitor.
Georgia and I were discussing muffins a little while ago and I thought I’d post this recipe for Good Morning Sunshine Muffins!
Good Morning Sunshine Muffins
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour (or substitute another cup of all-purpose flour)
1 cup rolled oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup whole milk (can sub unsweetened almond milk or soy milk)
3/4 cup applesauce
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (use 1/2 cup if you prefer a less-sweet muffin)
1/3 cup vegetable oil (can sub melted coconut oil)
1 egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups carrot (grated (about 3 medium carrots))
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup fresh pineapple (cut into 1/4-inch dice or “tidbit” size -or- use canned pineapple tidbits, drained -or- 1 cup frozen pineapple tidbits)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease or place cupcake wrappers in a standard-size, 12-cup muffin pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, applesauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and whisk just until all ingredients are incorporated. Gently stir in the carrots, 1/2 cup coconut, and pineapple.
Use a cookie scoop to divide the mixture between the muffin cups. Cups should be filled to the top.
Sprinkle tops evenly with remaining 2 tablespoons coconut.
Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until muffin tops spring back when poked and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow to cool for 5 – 10 minutes before removing from the muffin tin. Serve plain or with butter, if desired.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 – 3 days, or freeze.
The painted lady is one of the most familiar butterflies in the world, found on nearly all continents and climates. They are a favorite subject of study in elementary school classrooms and are a familiar visitor to most landscape gardens. As common as they are, though, painted ladies have some interesting attributes, as these 10 facts demonstrate.
They Are the World’s Most Widely Distributed Butterfly
Painted lady butterflies inhabit every continent except Australia and Antarctica. You can find painted ladies everywhere from meadows to vacant lots. Although they live only in warmer climates, painted ladies often migrate to colder regions in spring and fall, making them the butterflies with the widest distribution of any species.
They Are Also Called Thistle or Cosmopolitan Butterflies
The painted lady is called the thistle butterfly because thistle plants are its favorite nectar plant for food. It is called the cosmopolitan butterfly because of its global distribution.
They Have Unusual Migration Patterns
The painted lady is an irruptive migrant, meaning that it migrates independently of any seasonal or geographic patterns. Some evidence suggests that painted lady migrations may be linked to the El Niño climate pattern.1 In Mexico and some other regions, it appears that migration is sometimes related to overpopulation.
The migrating populations that move from North Africa to Europe may include millions of butterflies. In spring, painted ladies fly low when migrating, usually only 6 to 12 feet above the ground. This makes them highly visible to butterfly watchers but also makes them susceptible to colliding with cars. At other times, painted ladies migrate at such high altitudes that they are not observed at all, simply appearing in a new region unexpectedly.
They Can Fly Fast and Far
These medium-sized butterflies can cover a lot of ground, up to 100 miles per day during their migrations.2 A painted lady is capable of reaching a speed of nearly 30 miles per hour. Painted ladies reach northern areas well ahead of some of their more famous migrating cousins, like monarch butterflies. And because they get such an early start to their spring travel, migrating painted ladies are able to feed on spring annuals, like fiddlenecks (Amsinckia).
They Do Not Overwinter in Cold Regions
Unlike many other species of butterflies that migrate to warm climates in winter, painted ladies die once winter hits in colder regions. They are present in cold regions only because of their impressive ability to migrate long distances from their warm-weather breeding areas.
Their Caterpillars Eat Thistle
Thistle, which can be an invasive weed, is one of the painted lady caterpillar’s favorite food plants. The painted lady probably owes its global abundance to the fact that its larvae feed on such common plants. The painted lady also goes by the name thistle butterfly, and its scientific name—Vanessa cardui—means “butterfly of thistle.”
They Can Damage Soybean Crops
When the butterflies are found in large numbers, they can do serious damage to soybean crops. The damage occurs during the larval stages when the caterpillars eat soybean foliage after hatching from eggs.
Males Use the Perch-and-Patrol Method to Find Mates
Male painted ladies actively patrol their territory for receptive females in the afternoon. Should a male butterfly find a mate, it will usually retreat with its partner to a treetop, where they will mate overnight.
Their Caterpillars Weave Silk Tents
Unlike other caterpillars in the genus Vanessa, painted lady larvae construct their tents from silk. You’ll usually find their fluffy shelters on thistle plants. Similar species, such as the American lady caterpillar, make their tents by stitching leaves together instead.
On Overcast Days, They Go to Ground
You can find them huddling in small depressions on such days. On sunny days, these butterflies prefer open areas filled with colorful flowers.
On May 17, 1875, the first Kentucky Derby horse race took place at Churchill Down in Louisville, Kentucky. In honor of the first running, I found 15 Kentucky Derby facts at the horseyhooves.com website.
Here are 15 Kentucky Derby facts.
1. The Kentucky Derby Got its Start Thanks to Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.- Grandson of Famed Explorer William Clark
The origin of the Kentucky Derby traces back to 1872, when Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the grandson of famous explorer William Clark, traveled to England. While in England, Clark attended the historic Epsom Derby.
After England, Clark traveled to France where he met with members of the French Jockey Club in Paris. Upon returning home to America, he was inspired to start a horse racing spectacle in the states. Clark’s uncles, John and Henry Churchill, gifted him land to create a racetrack. He developed a group of local racing enthusiasts, forming the Louisville Jockey Club.
After raising funds with the help of the club, the racetrack opened on May 17th, 1875, and hosted the very first Kentucky Derby. Fifteen horses raced that year in front of a crowd of 10,000, with Aristides taking home the first win.
Since its beginning, the Kentucky Derby has never been canceled or postponed for bad weather. Only twice has the race been postponed, in 1945 due to WWII and 2020 due to COVID. The derby has occurred every year since its origin.
2. Originally the Race Was 1 ½ Miles
Originally, the Kentucky Derby was 1 ½ miles long, which is the same distance as the Epsom Derby, which helped inspire the race. The race was 1 ½ miles until 1896, when officials changed the distance to 1 ¼ miles. Ever since then, the race has always been 1 ¼ miles.
3. There Have Only Been Four Winners Bred Outside the United States
Out of the 146 Kentucky Derby winners, only four horses were born outside the United States. Those four horses are Tomy Lee, Omar Khayyam, Sunny’s Halo, and Northern Dancer.
Omar Khayyam became the first foreign-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby in 1917. The British-born colt was sold as a yearling to an American racing partnership.
Born in England, Tomy Lee took home the Kentucky Derby win in 1959. Texas millionaire Fred Turner, Jr. purchased Tomy Lee as a weanling from a sale in England and another Thoroughbred, Tuleg. Turner purchased Tomy Lee to be a companion of Tuleg when he traveled. However, Tomy Lee proved to be a stellar racehorse, while Tuleg’s career fell flat.
Born in Canada, Northern Dancer took home the Kentucky Derby in 1964. Northern Dancer also won the Preakness Stakes, but fell short of the Triple Crown by coming in third in the Belmont Stakes. He went on to become one of the most influential Thoroughbred stallions in the 20th century.
Another Canadian-born horse, Sunny’s Halo, won the Kentucky Derby in 1983. He raced in both America and Canada throughout his career.
4. Kentucky is Home to the Most Winners
Not only is the Bluegrass State home to the Kentucky Derby, but it is also home to the most Kentucky Derby winners. A whopping 107 Kentucky Derby winners were born in Kentucky. The state with the second most winners is Florida, with seven winners born in the Sunshine State.
5. Secretariat Holds the Record for the Fastest Kentucky Derby
The legendary Secretariat holds the record for the fastest Kentucky Derby time at 1:59.40. He set the record in 1973 after beating Northern Dancer’s time of 2:00:00.
Secretariat went on to not only win the Triple Crown, but also set record times in the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes as well. His incredible 1973 Triple Crown win was one for the ages.
6. Kingman Holds the Record for the Slowest Kentucky Derby
Kingman holds the record for the slowest Kentucky Derby win at 2:52.25 in 1891, when the race was still 1 ½ miles. In 1908, Stone Street became the slowest winner at 1 ¼ miles, with a time of 2:15.20, about 16 seconds slower than Secretariat’s record win.
7. Only One Person Has Won as a Jockey and Later as a Trainer
Johnny Longden is the only person to win the Kentucky Derby as a jockey and then later as a trainer. In 1943, Longden took the title home aboard Count Fleet, with who he went on to win the Triple Crown.
After retiring as a jockey in 1959, Longden became a trainer. In 1969, he trained the Kentucky Derby winner Majestic Prince. Majestic Prince went on to win the Preakness Stakes and came in second in the Belmont Stakes, just missing out on the Triple Crown.
8. Only Three Fillies Have Won
In the history of the Kentucky Derby’s 146 winners, only three horses have been fillies. Those three fillies are Regret, Genuine Risk, and Winning Colors.
Regret took home the Kentucky Derby in 1915, the first filly to do so. She is the first of four horses ever to win all three Saratoga Race Course events for two-year-olds. In addition, she also became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby undefeated in her career.
Sixty-five years later, Genuine Risk became the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 1980. After a controversial Preakness Stakes where she got bumped, the filly came in second place. In addition, she came in second in the Belmont Stakes as well.
Winning Colors won the Kentucky Derby in 1988. She also raced in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, coming in third place and sixth place, respectively.
9. The Youngest Jockey to Ever Win Was Just 15
At just 15 years old, Alonzo Clayton is the youngest jockey ever to win the Kentucky Derby. Clayton won the 1892 Kentucky Derby aboard Azra.
At the age of 12, Clayton left home to follow in his brother’s footsteps and began a career as an exercise rider. His talent quickly shined through, and at the age of 14, he became a professional jockey. In addition to winning the Derby, Clayton and Azra also won the Clark Handicap and the Travers Stakes.
10. The Oldest Jockey to Ever Win Was 54
As one of the most successful jockeys ever, Bill Shoemaker won the Kentucky Derby four times. Shoemaker is also the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby at age 54 in 1986 aboard Ferdinand.
Shoemaker’s career as a jockey began when he was just a teenager. He quickly skyrocketed to success and, for 29 years held the record for the most wins by a jockey. Though he never won the Triple Crown, he won 11 Triple Crown races over a span of four decades.
11. A Large Amount of Mint Juleps and Food Are Consumed Each Year
Every year, thousands of people gather to watch the Kentucky Derby, with a record crowd of 170,513 in 2015. Year after year, spectators consume large amounts of food and drinks as they gather to watch the best of Thoroughbred racing.
Every year, guests consume approximately 120,000 Mint Juleps at Churchill Downs during “The Run for the Roses.” This requires 1,000 pounds of mint plants, 60,000 pounds of ice, and 10,000 bottles of bourbon.
A normal Mint Julep at the Kentucky Derby will cost you just $6.99. However, the most expensive Mint Julep at the race cost $2,500 and is served in a gold cup.
In addition to drinking Mint Juleps, the crowd consumes a lot of food. On average, 142,000 hot dogs, 18,000 BBQ sandwiches, 30,000 cookies, 300,000 strawberries, and 1,892 sheets of Derby Pie are eaten every year.
12. It Costs $25,000 to Enter a Horse
To enter a horse in the Kentucky Derby costs a small fortune. A $25,000 entry fee and a $25,000 starting fee are required to compete.
In addition to the $50,000 entry and starting fees, there are also nomination fees. The nomination fee is $600 and late nominations cost $6,000. For those who wait till April, the nomination fee is a whopping $200,000.
The current purse for the Kentucky Derby is $3 million and no more than 20 horses can be entered. The winner takes home $1.86 million, second place gets $600,000, third place gets $300,000, fourth place gets $150,000 and fifth place gets $90,000. Owners can make a lot of money off of the Kentucky Derby, but they must already have a large sum to begin with.
13. Thirteen Horses Have Gone on to Win the Triple Crown
Just 13 of the 146 Kentucky Derby winners went on to win the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown winners are Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978), American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018).
14. Bob Baffert Has the Most Kentucky Derby Wins Out of All Trainers
Bob Baffert holds the record for the most Kentucky Derby wins by a trainer with seven. After being tied with trainer Ben Jones at six races, Baffert took the title in 2021 after training winner Medina Spirit.
Baffert’s Kentucky Derby winners are Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998), War Emblem (2002), American Pharoah (2015), Justify (2018), Authentic (2020), and Medina Spirit (2021). Baffert is also the trainer of the two most recent Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah and Justify.
15. Jockeys Eddie Acaro and Bill Hartack Have the Most Kentucky Derby Wins
Eddie Acaro and Bill Hartack are tied with the most Kentucky Derby wins by a jockey, with five apiece. Acaro also has the most Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes wins at six each.
Included in our list of the Triple Crown winning jockeys, Eddie Acaro won the Kentucky Derby in 1938 with Lawrin, in 1941 with Whirlaway, in 1945 with Hoop Jr., in 1948 with Citation, and in 1952 with Hill Gail. He is also the only jockey to win the Triple Crown twice, with Whirlaway and Citation.
Hartack won the Kentucky Derby in 1957 with Iron Liege, in 1960 with Venetian Way, in 1962 with Decidedly, in 1964 with Northern Dancer, and in 1969 with Majestic Prince. Though he never won the Triple Crown, Hartack won the Preakness Stakes three times and the Belmont Stakes once.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-grow-organic-fiddlehead-ferns-2539638-hero-23c689cdd2b74f0c9e817cc6e710f0b8.jpg)
/painted-lady-butterfly-97568952-5c3ea99bc9e77c0001a81145.jpg)
Sew Colorful 