Category: Quick hits

The summer theater season is under way in Farmington, New Mexico, where performances are held in a natural sandstone amphitheater. This season, the main show is “Fiddler on the Roof.” Across the country, summer theaters will present a wide variety of musicals, comedy and dramatic productions under the stars, inside tents, and in converted barns and mills. Americans are increasingly enjoying going to live theater. The big Broadway shows draw more than 12 million people a year, while their road …

Fifteen years ago this week, the first of a series of books was published in the United Kingdom — “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” published in the U.S. with the title “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” The books, written by J.K. Rowling, ended up breaking all known publishing records, selling 450 million copies and translated into more than 60 languages. Some critics have credited the series with sparking an increase in reading among juveniles. In addition, the seven …

It’s summer, and one of the perennial pests of the season is mosquitos. While most people think of them as inconvenient, there is a deadly side to these flying insects, in the form of West Nile virus and malaria. That’s why this is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, to honor those whose profession is working to eradicate mosquitos. In the U.S. last year, there were 43 deaths from the West Nile virus. Worldwide, malaria has been historically one of the …

The person’s name is not known, but whoever bought a pack of chewing gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio on this day 38 years ago was making history. It was the first purchase of an item to be scanned into a cash register by using the Universal Product Code — much better known as the bar code. Realizing the significance of the event, the buyer returned the item — a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit — which is …

Most of the time, when we hop into our cars or trucks, we don’t think about our tires — we’ve become so accustomed to them performing for tens of thousands of miles with only checking the air pressure every now and then. This month in 1844 Charles Goodyear received a patent for his discovery that if he removed the sulfur from natural rubber and then heated it, it would remain elastic even when cold. More than 40 years later, Scottish …

One of America’s greatest boxers became world heavyweight champion on this day 75 years ago — Joe Louis. The bout took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago, and Louis knocked out James J. Braddock in the eighth round. A year later to the day, he knocked out German champ Max Schmeling in the first round. Louis, an African-American, was nicknamed “the Brown Bomber,” and held his title for 12 years, longer than any other heavyweight champion. He defended his title …

As of 7:09 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, summer is here. While welcomed by most, it’s a season with mixed blessings. On the one hand, there are trips to the beach and mountains, boating, cookouts, and wearing lighter clothing. On the other, it’s also a time for crowds, insects, higher gas prices — and higher temperatures. The highest thermometer reading ever recorded in the U.S. was 134 degrees Fahrenheit at Greenland Ranch, California on July 10, 1913. Next highest was 128 …

As of 7:09 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, summer is here. While welcomed by most, it’s a season with mixed blessings. On the one hand, there are trips to the beach and mountains, boating, cookouts, and wearing lighter clothing. On the other, it’s also a time for crowds, insects, higher gas prices — and higher temperatures. The highest thermometer reading ever recorded in the U.S. was 134 degrees Fahrenheit at Greenland Ranch, California on July 10, 1913. Next highest was 128 …

One of the most versatile cowboys of the Old West was born on this date in 1906 in Utah. In his 89 years, Earl Bascom won just about every award a cowboy could win and invented the side delivery rodeo chute, the first hornless bronc saddle, and the first one-handed bareback rigging. He also produced the first rodeo performed at night under electric lights. After his active riding career, Bascom became an internationally known western artist and sculptor. In the …

The town of Geneva, Illinois is putting the final touches on its biggest yearly event — Swedish Days, starting tomorrow and running through next Sunday. The festival, celebrating Swedish heritage, will offer food, a parade, special activities for children, crafts, and a carnival. It will also feature displays of just about everything Swedish, including Rosemaling, a Scandinavian art form of decorating wood. A quarter of a million people are expected to enjoy the various attractions. In the U.S. today, there …

Reminder that Sunday is Fathers Day.   From Wikipedia:  Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. In recent years, retailers have adapted to the holiday by promoting greeting cards and traditionally male-oriented gifts such as electronics and tools. Schools and other children’s programs commonly have activities to make Father’s Day gifts. More phone calls are made in the United States during Mother’s Day than during Father’s Day, but the percentage of collect calls on Father’s Day is much …

This is Flag Day — marking the date in 1777 when John Adams proposed the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States. One of many ceremonies will be held at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. It was the sight of the flag still flying there after an overnight battle with the British in the War of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem, which became the words of the national anthem. Flag Day events …

With summer almost here, children will be urging their parents to take them to the nearest amusement park. The highlight of these parks are ever more thrilling roller coasters, which trace their roots back to 15th century ice slides in Russia. In the U.S., the first modern roller coaster opened 125 years ago this week at Coney Island, New York. It was built by Lamarcus Thompson, and was called “the gravity pleasure switchback railway.” The ride lasted a minute and …

This is a big day for fans of baseball history. On this day in 1880, the sport saw its first perfect game. Lee Richmond, pitching for the Worcester Ruby Legs of the National League, did not allow a single Cleveland Indian player to reach first base, winning the game, 1-to-0. His achievement has been equaled only 20 other times in 132 years. The most recent perfect game occurred in the early weeks of the current season, when Phil Humber of …