Winter Comfort Treats
Up in the Air
Texas
State Capitals
January Happenings
100
Cocoa powder, milk, marshmallows, and sweetener combine for this favorite winter beverage
What is hot chocolate or hot cocoa? Though the drink is thousands of years old, it was popularized in the early 1800s by Dutch chemist Coenraad J. Van Houten. He invented cocoa powder, and that led to its widespread popularity
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100
During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and exhale this gas.
What is oxygen? Plants make their food from the carbon dioxide they take in during photosynthesis, and they release oxygen as a byproduct.
100
Capital city of Texas
What is Austin? Located in Central Texas on the Colorado River, it is named for Stephen F. Austin, a pioneer billed as the “Father of Texas.” Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
100
Route 66’s eastern terminus is in this Midwestern city.
What is Chicago? Route 66 is also known as The Mother Road and U.S. 66, and its western terminus is in the greater Los Angeles area.
100
On January 8, 1935, this country music icon and former resident of Graceland was born
Who is Elvis Presley? His mother gave him a guitar for his 11th birthday. A few years later, he won a talent show at his high school. Immediately after high school, Elvis followed his dream and went on tour. He cut his first single the following year.
200
This warm dessert is made from rice, milk, butter, and seasonings and spices.
What is rice pudding? Historians believe rice pudding originated in India or China and then was brought to Europe sometime before the 1800s. It can be eaten as a dessert, a side dish, or a breakfast food.
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200
This four-letter word means “polluted air that hovers in the lower atmosphere over a community.”
What is smog? The word combines parts of smoke and fog. Car exhaust and industrial waste contribute to smog.
200
State of Texas nickname that appears on its license plates
What is Lone Star State? The single star signifies the state’s history of independence. Texas was an independent republic before it was a state.
200
This most populous city in Utah is also its state capital.
What is Salt Lake City? It’s the only city in Utah with more than 200,000 people
200
The January full moon is named for this canine.
What is wolf? When it was named, it was believed that the wolves’ howls were deafening in January due to hunger.
300
This decadent treat is a cross between a brownie and a pudding with a molten middle.
What is lava cake? When baked briefly at high heat, the top and bottom are crunchy, and the inside becomes progressively softer until you hit the molten center. For extra extravagance, top with ice cream or whipped cream
300
This gaseous substance sends a birthday balloon into the sky.
What is helium? Helium is lighter than air and used in balloons. When inhaled, helium changes the sound of your voice and makes you sound like Donald Duck.
300
River in Texas that forms the boundary between the United States and Mexico
What is Rio Grande? The United States and Mexico share management of the river.
300
Also known as Beantown, it is the site of the Federal Reserve Bank, which serves much of New England
What is Boston? The city is known for its baked beans and the Boston Marathon, which is the world’s oldest marathon and takes place on Patriots’ Day
300
The First Night New Year’s Eve celebrations started in this U.S. city, with some revelers continuing their celebrations into the wee hours of the morning.
What is Boston? The first celebration took place in 1975 and was designed to offer a cultural alternative to the usual drunken festivities.
400
A popular hot, mulled drink is made with the juice of this fruit, with oranges and cranberries as optional additions.
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What is apple (cider)? Hot mulled cider is made with apple cider and mulling spices, which can include any of the following: star anise, cinnamon, and allspice.
400
During the mid-1970s, the public learned about this five-letter word beginning with an O, which is a protective layer in the atmosphere
What is ozone? Scientists told us a hole had formed in the ozone layer, now known as ozone depletion. Chlorofluorocarbons were banned as aerosol propellants to reduce their harmful effects on the ozone layer.
400
U.S. city located just across the Mexican border from Ciudad Juárez
What is El Paso? It’s in the far-western part of the state, in the Mountain Time Zone. Three states converge at El Paso: Texas, New Mexico, and the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
400
This state capital is the outgrowth of Fort Nashborough.
What is Nashville, Tennessee? It was named for Francis Nash, a Revolutionary War general.
400
This American film festival takes place in January
What is the Sundance Film Festival? It was founded in 1981 by Robert Redford and is held in Utah. In 2027, the festival will move to Boulder, Colorado.
500
Baked goods, including houses, cookies, cakes, and more, scream winter when they contain this warming spice.
What is ginger? It’s also used in ginger ale, tea, and beer. It’s known as a warming spice, which is why it makes an appearance every fall and winter. Ginger ale, tea, and pastilles are traditional home remedies for upset stomachs and nausea.
500
These are the two most abundant elements in air.
What are nitrogen and oxygen? By volume, the dominant gas is nitrogen, at 78 percent. Oxygen supplies only 21 percent of the air we breathe.
500
Well-known convenience store chain founded in Texas in 1927
What is 7-Eleven? In 1963, a store in Austin began operating 24/7 on weekends after being forced to stay open until dawn following a University of Texas football game. The store’s management saw the trend and went with it. Soon, other 7-Eleven locations followed suit.
500
This state capital was briefly named Akropolis.
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What is Little Rock, Arkansas? The name Akropolis was the result of a land dispute and lasted around a decade before the name was reverted to Little Rock.
500
The Annual Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise takes place in this country.
What is Canada? The festival is a global competition that culminates with teams of two creating ice sculptures on site, with a 32-hour limit on their work.
