A Bit of This and a Bit of That Quiz

Answer: Toothpick Capital of the World

Boston businessman Charles Forster took a trip to Portugal in the mid-nineteenth century. He became interested in toothpicks, which had been around for centuries. Forster returned to Boston intent on making his own toothpicks using shoe-pegging equipment.

He selected white birch for the wood he intended to use and the town of Strong for his business due to the many trees located there. The operation closed down in 2003 and nowadays the toothpick industry, like so many others, has moved to other locations around the world.

Answer: The Doors

The show ran from 1948 to 1971 and featured big talent of the day including The Beatles. At one point Sullivan had asked The Doors, who were set to appear on the show, to change the words "Girl we couldn't get much higher". He felt it alluded to drug use and was not appropriate for a family show. Thinking back to the sixties and the era's freedom of expression, Jim Morrison either did not take the request seriously or simply didn't want to change his own lyrics.

The host threatened to ban them from the show but the musician sang the lyrics as he had originally intended. Ed Sullivan never invited the band back.

Answer: National Hobo Museum

The museum was previously a movie theater but the building was bought out by the Hobo Foundation to house artifacts and memorabilia donated by hobos. The foundation sponsors the National Hobo Convention held in Britt once a year. Hobos from all over the country meet to share experiences.

Originally known as "hoe boys" for traveling with hoes to do field work at grain farms, the term was eventually shortened to hobo.

If you ask any hobo they will tell you that there are differences between hobos, tramps, and bums. Hobos work and travel. Tramps travel but don't work. Bums don't do either.

Hobos came up with their own system of visual clues to alert other hobos to unsafe camp sites, barking dogs, and establishments where they were welcome to enjoy a sit-down meal.

Answer: escalators

Wyoming is known as the "Cowboy State" and if you've ever been there, which I have many times, you'll understand why. While there is much to appreciate in the state, think Yellowstone National Park, no single reason has been explained for the lack of escalators.

One possibility is that businesses in Wyoming tend to build out rather than up like in crowded cities. City officials might tell you installing escalators can be expensive and therefore not cost effective.

Perhaps the reason is the fire code that requires all escalators to be fully covered with no gaps to prevent fire from reaching upper levels. This would add to the expense.

I've been a big-city dweller most of my life and, being of a certain age, I appreciate riding escalators.

Answer: Scottsboro, Alabama

In 1970, Doyle Owens bought a truckload of items left behind in unclaimed baggage in Washington D.C. He began selling the items to the public. When his idea grew into a big business, he opened a storefront. He also contacted airlines. It became the "Unclaimed Baggage Center".

Clothing and similar items are washed or dry cleaned before being sold. Electronics, jewelry, shoes, and sunglasses can be purchased at the physical store or online.

The online store "Unclaimed Baggage" opened in 2020.

Answer: diamond dust

Small ice crystals form when water vapor is produced from humid air. This water vapor produces tiny ice crystals that hang suspended in the air. When the sunlight hits them they sparkle like floating diamonds. Meteorologists call these floating ice crystals diamond dust.

Certain optical phenomena are created from diamond dust such as light pillars and sun dogs. Light pillars are refracted ice crystals that appear to rise up from the ground into the sky from a light source such as the Sun.

Sun dogs are formed when light passes through ice crystals suspended in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. They appear as red spots next to the Sun.

Answer: Aoshima Island

Aoshima Island, or "Cat Island", is located off the coast of Japan. Originally a fishing village, cats were brought to the island to fend off mice attracted by the fish. The population of humans may have decreased over the years, but there are still plenty of feline residents. Aoshima Island is now a tourist spot where visitors can take a ferry ride to observe all the cats roaming the streets. Maybe I should add this to my bucket list.

Answer: Snake Island

Snake Island, or Ilha da Queimada Grande, is the home of the golden lancehead snake. A type of pit serpent, these reptiles are known for their highly toxic venom. They only exist on this island.

Scientists have theorized that the snakes became trapped on the island over 11,000 years ago. Since a rain forest covers part of the island, birds have migrated there and have been the main source of food for the snakes. Over the years attempts at deforestation have attracted fewer birds which means less food for the inhabitants. It also means the golden lancehead snake has become endangered.

Answer: Carcross Desert

The name Carcross comes from "Caribou Crossing". This Canadian Territory is known as the Yukon and Carcross is considered to be the world's smallest desert. What was once a glacial lake, it took thousands of years for the glaciers to retreat. As a result, the water level dropped, leaving a layer of silt that had formed on the bottom. Strong winds blew the silt into sand dunes.

Winter activities include snowboarding and skiing. Sandboarding is popular in summer.

Answer: Prince

In interviews, Prince admitted he couldn't read music. Despite that, his incredible musical ear, songwriting abilities, and powerhouse performances more than made up for that.

Born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis, he was 19 when he signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records. The piano prodigy was self-taught on acoustic and electric piano and eventually learned to play other instruments such as bass guitar, drums, finger cymbals and orchestral bells.

In 2004 Prince was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He died in 2016.