Dead to Me
U.S. UNESCO World Heritage Sites
It’s a Small World
Getting from Here to There
Calling All Foodies
October Happenings
100

This street sign could say “No outlet.”

What is dead end? Cul-de-sacs are considered dead-end streets. The longest dead-end street in Britain is 22 miles (35 km) long and a single-lane road.

100

This was given as a gift of liberty to the United States from France.

What is the Statue of Liberty? It stands in the New York Harbor and welcomes immigrants. It’s also a welcoming sight to visitors flying into New York City airports.

100

Similar to a pushpin, but with a flat head

What is thumbtack? Pushpins are easier to handle, and especially to remove, given their design, while thumbtacks are a bit harder to lift.

100

This red wagon brand is the standard for kids.

What is Radio Flyer (or Red Flyer)? On the market for more than 100 years now, the wagon was designed by an Italian immigrant from a family of Venetian cabinet makers. The design of the wagon has withstood the test of time.

100

A thin pancake used in sweet and savory dishes

What is crepe? While Americans celebrate Groundhog Day on February 2, France celebrates crepes and devotes that day to eating them.

100

Every kid’s favorite fall holiday falls on this date.

What is October 31? It’s Halloween, and little ones wear their costumes and collect sweet loot from family, friends, and neighbors.

200

This lock has no spring and is often a secondary lock.

What is deadbolt? The lock forces a bolt into a hardened doorframe. It cannot be picked by using a credit card to force it open, and it requires tools and knowledge to open it without a key. Some models lock and unlock only from the inside.

200

This national park spans Tennessee and North Carolina.

What is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? It’s the most visited national park and welcomes more than 11 million visitors each year.

200

The name for each little corn segment

What is kernel? In most countries, corn is called maize. Each ear of corn has approximately 800 kernels.

200

A vehicle that “drinks” a lot of gas is often called this.

What is gas guzzler? The term originated in 1973 during the oil embargo, when prices skyrocketed. In 1973, we kissed goodbye forever the 30-cent price for a gallon and headed into the 50-cent range. By the end of the 1970s, the price had reached 89 cents per gallon, and by 1980 had broken $1 for a gallon of gas and continues to climb.

200

Classic dessert featuring sliced bananas in a sauce and flambéed at the table

What is bananas Foster? New Orleans was an import hub for bananas in the early 20th century, and the dish originated at Brennan’s in the French Quarter.

200

On October 17, 1973, this organization enacted an oil embargo.

What is OPEC? The embargo ended in 1974, but the skyrocketing prices persisted. The embargo left a generation with unforgettable memories of the effect on the economy, the long lines at the gas stations on designated even or odd days, and the implementation of the nationwide 55 mph speed limit to conserve fuel.

400

A do-nothing, lazy person or one who fails to pay debts is known as this.

What is deadbeat? The term can easily apply to cats, as any cat owner knows. Adult cats sleep 18 hours a day and make it known when they want something, most likely treats.

400

This national park in Arizona is known for its monumental depths and its towering, multicolored topography.

What is Grand Canyon National Park? It’s also one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

400

A beach’s tiny grains

What is sand? Sand is the byproduct of broken-down organic and inorganic things such as rocks, dead coral, and skeletal remains of marine life.

400

This popular “sport” vehicle looks like a cross between a station wagon and a van.

What is an SUV, or sport utility vehicle? It's also known as a crossover vehicle. Crossovers are the most popular type of vehicle today.

400

Green sauce made of basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and salt

What is pesto? It can be served on pasta, chicken, and fish.

400

Born October 1, 1924, this former U.S. president was a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia.

Who is President Jimmy Carter? He was the first U.S. president born in a hospital. The previous 38 presidents were born in their parents’ homes.

600

This is the term for mail the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) cannot deliver.

What is dead mail? In 2022, the USPS had around 270 million pieces of dead mail.

600

In the 18th century, Franciscan missionaries built a complex of frontier missions in this Texas city.

What is San Antonio? They are known as the San Antonio Missions. The intricate architectures of the missions combine Catholic and Indigenous cultural features.

600

Tiny, bright red insects that leave red, inflamed areas around the bite

What are chiggers? It’s hard to see them because of their size—1/150th of an inch. At most, you might see a tiny, red dot. Chiggers are related to arachnids (spiders), and adults have eight legs. They are known to climb up plants and wait to jump onto their prey.

600

This lightweight boat was originally used for hunting, is human-powered by a single, double-ended paddle, and is used for sport or leisure.

What is a kayak? For those new to kayaking, many lakeside rental offices stock two-seater models.

600

Egg gently cooked whole in a small dish placed in a hot water bath

What is a coddled egg? To reach the perfect temperature, bring the water to a simmer and then turn back the temperature until no bubbling is visible.

600

On October 1, 1908, the first production model of this game-changing car rolled off Henry Ford’s assembly line, with an ad campaign that claimed, “No car under $2,000 offers more.”

What is the Model T? It revolutionized the auto industry and brought cars within the reach of ordinary people.

800

Fans of the Grateful Dead band are called this.

What are Deadheads? The band allowed their fans to record their live performances and distribute them.

800

Monticello and an academic village were designed by this former president.

Who is Thomas Jefferson? The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as Monticello and the University of Virginia. Jefferson’s architecture features neoclassical designs, and his academic village is now the heart of the UVA campus.

800

One-billionth of a second

What is a nanosecond? Its practical application is found in technology.

800

The presidential state car goes by this nickname.

What is the Beast? The Beast is also called Cadillac One. There are two identical Beasts, and one is used as a decoy. Sometimes, the president rides in a fully armored bus while both Beasts serve as decoys. The cars have no keyholes; only the Secret Service officers know how to open the doors.

800

New Orleans sandwich consisting of battered, bite-sized, fried shrimp with lettuce and tomato, topped with a remoulade sauce and served on an eight-inch loaf of French bread

What is a po’ boy? The trick to perfect fried shrimp is to dry the shrimp thoroughly, batter it, and refrigerate it before frying. The sandwich can also be made with fried oysters.

800

October’s full moon is commonly known by this name.

What is the hunter’s moon? Hunting season is in full swing in October. In Anglo-Saxon regions, it was the historical beginning of fox hunting season.

1000

Comedians who have mastered this expressionless style include Bea Arthur, Jack Benny, Harvey Korman, and Tim Conway.

What is deadpan? Tim Conway and the other actor-comedians on The Carol Burnett Show often took it upon themselves to improvise. Conway’s masterful deadpan often broke his fellow stars to the point they couldn’t contain their laughter.

1000

A combined eight of his properties, designed in the first half of the 20th century, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.

Who is Frank Lloyd Wright? The eight sites include two of his best-known designs: the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania.

1000

The ant known to deliver the worst sting

What is the bullet ant? The blast of pain from a bullet ant’s sting lasts between 12 and 36 hours. Ouch!

1000

This popular political term for the northeast corridor of the country gets its name from the Amtrak train that services the route, from Washington, D.C., through New York City to Boston.

What is the Acela corridor? The Acela Express train features luxury seats, Wi-Fi, and upgraded dining among its many amenities enjoyed by politicians utilizing the corridor. The Acela Express is the fastest train in the United States, reaching a top speed of 150 mph on a few segments of the trip.

1000

Very expensive foraged fungi

What are truffles? They’re technically mushrooms; however, there are differences between mushrooms and truffles beyond their cost. Truffles grow underground near specific tree varieties, and they are typically served raw and shaved, more like a garnish than food. Even when served in minuscule amounts, they are the highlight of the dish.

1000

The U.S. Supreme Court reconvenes after its summer break on this day of the week in October.

What is the first Monday? Emergency hearings can be conducted during the summer, but the court is technically on hiatus from the end of June until its new term in October.