Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Grand Trivia Question # 19 - answered by Jane

First President born in the USA
Who was the first person born in the United States of America to be elected President of the United States of America?
Answer
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Martin Van Buren, born in 1782, was the first of our Presidents to be born after the establishment of the United States of America. His seven predecessors in the office were all born subjects of the British monarch.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

It's A Wonderful Life: Answers


My daughter Lillian answered most of these questions but never posted her answers, so I guess I'll have to give you the prize again, Jane!



Click here to see the answers to the
Special Trivia Test: It's A Wonderful Life

Friday, January 06, 2006

Grand Trivia Question #18 (Answered by Joan)


There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills!
The Forty-niners of California are mighty famous, but what was the site of the first gold rush in the United States?




Answer
Auraria, Georgia
Congratulations to Joan from the Grand Triviator.

According to an article entitled "Georgia Gold" by Charles A. Overbey in Gems and Minerals magazine and excerpted on the website: www.goldmaps.com:

Gold was discovered in NC in 1799 and later in SC, GA, AL, and VA. But the big rush didn't come till gold was discovered at Auraria, just five miles from Dahalonega, Georgia in 1828.
"A few months after the announcement of the discovery, hundreds of men were searching for the metal; and within a year, thousands of miners had descended into Georgia to seek the golden treasure. In 1830 a U.S. Army major described the motley appearance of the "whites, Indians, half-breeds and Negroes, boys of fourteen and old men of seventy" who sought their fortunes in the river beds and hillsides of Georgia."
Many Georgia miners joined the California Gold Rush later. A Dr. Stephenson tried to talk some out of going, telling thenm that there was still millions in the hills around Dahlonega. According to the website above:
"Mark Twain, hearing them from a friend, William Sellers, wrote in Gilded Age his famous version of Dr. Stephenson’s expression: 'There’s gold in them thar hills.'"
Another "Auraria" was established in Colorado by a Georgia miner during the Pikes Peak gold stampede. It is now part of Denver.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Grand Trivia Question #17 (Answered by Jane)

Olde Towne
Almost everyone knows that St. Augustine, Florida is the nation’s oldest city established by Europeans. What town is second oldest?


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Above is the oldest church in the US. There seems to be some dispute about the title of Second Oldest City, but Santa Fe, New Mexico, seems to have the best claim. Established in 1607 and still a flourishing city it has the oldest church, the oldest capitol, and the oldest public building, according to their tourism folks. So, congratulations to Jane!! By the way, St. Mary's, Georgia, is proclaimed the Second Oldest City on a couple of websites, but I haven't found supporting evidence. The Spanish were definitely plying the Georgia Coast in the late 1500s but I don't think any of those settlements/camps have had continuous existence since.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Grand Trivia Question #16 (Answered by Joan)

Tumbling Water
There are lots of high falls out west. And everyone knows there’s a lot of water over Niagara every day. But which falls is the highest east of Mississippi? By The Way: I am still hoping someone can answer more of my Its a Wonderful Life Trivia! 


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 Congrats, again, Joan!! The tallest falls east of the Mississippi is Amicalola near Dahlonega, GA. Amicalola is Cherokee for "tumbling water."

Monday, January 02, 2006

Grand Trivia Question #15 (Answered by Joan)

His John Hancock
Some folks will pay big money for the signatures of big shots. Which American’s signature commands the record price? Happy New Year!  


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People pay a lot for famous signatures. Among the famous men who signed the Declaration of Independence are Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and Ben Franklin, but it is Georgia's own Button Gwinnett who nets the highest price for a signature, mostly because only 8 are known to exist.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Special Trivia Test: It's A Wonderful Life

The Christmas Season is winding down. I hope everyone has had a chance to watch again my favorite Christmas Movie Tradition: Frank Capra's It’s a Wonderful Life. In my classroom, there's always a test on audio-visual presentations. So here's your test. Let's everyone pitch in and see how many you can answer. Give Jane Ann and Ol' Wally a little competition!

1. What does Harry use for a sled in the opening scenes? 
2. Young George Bailey is very proud to announce to Mary and Violet that he has been nominated for membership in what group? 
3. What did the principal do when the floor opened over the swimming pool? 
4. On what song did George and Mary harmonize the night of the dance? 
5. What kept George from going off to see the world after his brother’s high school graduation? 
6. When Mary’s mother asks what George is doing in their home, what does Mary say? 
7. What kept Mary and George from going on their honeymoon? 
8. With what song did Ernie and Bert seranade the newlyweds? 
9. Uncle Billy had several pets. Which is seen most often in the film?
10. What memory aid does Uncle Billy use to help him remember important chores and events? 
11. Why was George classified 4-F by the Selective Service? 
12. George offers to perform an amazing feat for Mary. This feat is later painted by Mary and the painting ends up framed in their home. What was it? 
13. As they wait for Harry’s train, George asks Uncle Billy about the three most exciting sounds in the world: What does Billy guess? What are George’s three? 
14. What did Mary present to the new homeowners? 
15. What yearly salary did Potter offer George? 
16. How did George finish the following sentence as he turned down Mr. Potter’s offer? “In the whole vast configuration of things, I say, you’re nothing but a scurvy little __________.” 
17. Who loses $8000? 
18. Who is waiting to talk to George when he learns about the missing money? 
19. What book is the angel, Clarence, reading? 
20. What is Clarence’s last name? 
21. How old does he say he will be “...next May”? 
22. What is his rank? 
23. What does he order at Nick’s Bar? 
24. What happens when a bell rings? 
25. When Clarence takes George to “Pottersville” how is Mary described? 
26. George is very happy to find something in his pocket when he meets Bert on the bridge near the end of the movie. What was in his pocket? 
27. What movie is playing at the theater in Bedford Falls when George returns? 
28. Who is the last person to donate money to the fund to help George out of his predicament? 
29. What completes this message from Clarence to George? “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the ___________.” 
30. Who is said to have borrowed the names of the cabbie and cop from this movie for two famous characters he invented? (His production company denies it.)

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The Answers: 
1. What does Harry use for a sled in the opening scenes? A snow shovel 
2. Young George Bailey is very proud to announce to Mary and Violet that he has been nominated for membership in what group? The National Geographic Society 
3. What did the principal do when the floor opened over the swimming pool? He grinned and jumped in himself! 
4. On what song did George and Mary harmonize the night of the dance? Buffalo Gals 
5. What kept George from going off to see the world after his brother’s high school graduation? His father's stroke and subsequent death 
 6. When Mary’s mother asks what George is doing in their home, what does Mary say? "He's making violent love to me, Mother!" 
7. What kept Mary and George from going on their honeymoon? A run on the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan 
8. With what song did Ernie and Bert seranade the newlyweds? I Love You Dearly 
9. Uncle Billy had several pets. Which is seen most often in the film? A crow (or raven) 
10. What memory aid does Uncle Billy use to help him remember important chores and events? String around his finger - sometimes several 
11. Why was George classified 4-F by the Selective Service? His bad left ear 
12. George offers to perform an amazing feat for Mary. This feat is later painted by Mary and the painting ends up framed in their home. What was it? Lasso the moon. 
13. As they wait for Harry’s train, George asks Uncle Billy about the three most exciting sounds in the world: What does Billy guess? What are George’s three?
  • GEORGE: Thar she blows. You know what the three most exciting sounds in the world are?
  • UNCLE BILLY: Uh-huh. Breakfast is served; lunch is served; dinner . . .
  • GEORGE: No, no, no, no! Anchor chains, plane motors, and train whistles.
14. What did Mary present to the new homeowners? "Bread, that this house may never know hunger. Salt, that life may always have flavor. And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever." 
15. What yearly salary did Potter offer George? $20,000 
16. How did George finish the following sentence as he turned down Mr. Potter’s offer? “In the whole vast configuration of things, I say, you’re nothing but a scurvy little __________.” spider 
17. Who loses $8000? Uncle Billy (and Potter steals it) 
18. Who is waiting to talk to George when he learns about the missing money? The bank examiner 
19. What book is the angel, Clarence, reading? The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 
20. What is Clarence’s last name? Oddbody 
21. How old does he say he will be “...next May”? 293 
22. What is his rank? Angel Second Class (Till the end of the movie, anyway) 
23. What does he order at Nick’s Bar? Mulled wine 
24. What happens when a bell rings? An angel gets his wings 
25. When Clarence takes George to “Pottersville” how is Mary described? An "Old Maid" librarian (and she is definitely made to look the part: it's hilariously non-PC!) 
26. George is very happy to find something in his pocket when he meets Bert on the bridge near the end of the movie. What was in his pocket? "Zuzu's petals" (Rose petals) 
27. What movie is playing at the theater in Bedford Falls when George returns? The Bells of St. Mary's 
28. Who is the last person to donate money to the fund to help George out of his predicament? The Bank Examiner 
 29. What completes this message from Clarence to George? “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the ___________.” Wings 
30. Who is said to have borrowed the names of the cabbie and cop from this movie for two famous characters he invented? (His production company denies it.) Jim Henson -- Ernie & Bert