Kites

Hi Puzzlers,

Just the other day I was driving by the park and notice a couple of kids flying kites. The brightly colored kites against the blue sky and the children bundled up like little snow-babies running through the snow was a beautiful site. I have seen children flying kites many times in the summer months but never in the winter.

Historians estimate that kites have been flying in our sky for at least 2000 years and many believe kites originated in China and the South Seas. “One legend suggests the first kite was made when a Chinese farmer tied a string to his hat to keep it from blowing away in a strong wind.” Kite flying was most likely invented for fun, but has had many uses thoughtout the years.

Militaries throughout the globe have used kites for target practice, and as bombs by attaching explosives to the kite and sending it over enemy lines, or by igniting it and crashing it into an enemy ship. Kites were used as a form of airmail between Maryland and Virginia during the American Civil War and during WWI kites were used for enemy observation and signaling. Kites in “WW II were provided with life rafts and intended for use in raising emergency antennas when sailors needed to abandon their ships.”

The scientific community has used kites for wind and weather research and to raise meteorological instruments and cameras into the skies. Most famous is Ben Franklin's use of a kite to prove that lightning was an electric phenomenon.

Kites were also used for measuring distances when it was difficult or dangerous to physically walk to another location. A rope would be attached to the kite and it was then flown over to the other side. This technique was used in the building of the bridge across Niagara Falls (New York to Canada) and to carry telephone wires.

One of the most unusual uses of kite power came from George Pocock in 1822. George used a pair of kites to pull a carriage; this use saved him on taxes as road taxes at the time were based on the number of horses a carriage used. Some of his trips would record speeds between 20 and 100 miles per hour!

Today’s kite uses include kite sailing, kite surfing, kite skiing and kite buggying.

Happy Puzzling!

Circus Thrills

Hi Puzzlers,

Wouldn’t you agree that our Circus Thrills puzzle by Mary Thompson captures a great piece of American history? How many of you remember your first time at the circus? Just hearing the circus was coming to town could get one filled with excitement and wonder. I even imagined a few times I would sneak away and become a circus performer and travel the country too. For many, the circus was the only opportunity to see live exotic animals, and performers.

The first circus to come to the United States was brought in by an Englishman named John Bill Ricketts. On April 3, 1793 Ricketts opened the first circus building in Philadelphia. It was such a hit that by season’s end George Washington himself attended a show. Unfortunately the amphitheater burned to the ground in 1799 and Ricketts would die the following year, but not before America had caught circus fever.

At that time (1799-1865) the circus consisted of basically three different types of acts first the menagerie, with exotic animals on display; second, troupes of diverse acts, including juggling, acrobatics and riding; and third, the combined acrobatic show and menagerie. All three were popular, but it was combination circus and menageries that would eventually become the standard for the traveling circus. In 1833 Isaac A .Van Amburgh (considered to be the first animal trainer) entered a lion’s cage and stuck his arm and head inside the mouth of the large cat, thus ushering in a new era in menageries and audience excitement.

In 1841 P.T. Barnum opened Barnum’s American Museum, which was a far cry from the typical museum. Barnum had on display “Chinese jugglers, serpent charmers, glassblowers, ventriloquists, performing fleas, Native American chiefs performing war dances, trained chickens and dogs, an orangutan, a knitting machine and a scale model of Paris.” But his display of hoaxes, including the Fejee Mermaid, the Cardiff Giant mannequin and the introduction of the smallest man in the world, General Tom Thumb, would have people talking and wondering for years.

Unfortunately the traditional circus is becoming a thing of the past so hurry and bring your young loved ones to a circus or show near you.

Happy Puzzling!

Meet Artist Mary Thompson

Hi Puzzlers,

We would like you meet one of our newest artist Mary Thompson. We just love Mary's bright colorful artwork.

In the early years of Mary's career she painted oils on canvas. She loved using brushes as well as painting knives to reveal vibrant strokes of light and shadows. Each canvas expressed harmony and a peek into Mary's romantic nature.

Born in Washington D.C., Mary Thompson has been making a living for over 30 years through art. She has often said, "I love my God-given gift". This is something Mary takes very seriously and she has continued to study and evolve.

Mary attended Suitland Community College and the College of Southern Maryland, and has also taken many private lessons from her respected peers. Her art has transpired into a satisfying lifelong career. Mary expresses on canvas personal views from her heart.

She has successfully raised four children. She also has a very adventurous spirit and has traveled extensively in the US, as well as Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Over a decade ago she freelanced in the print market. Because of the versatility of her work, she has had over 60 paintings published, all of which have sold internationally. Several years ago some of Mary's images were sold for tote bags and apparel at zoos. Portions of the proceeds were given to help the Rain Forest Alliance, Rivers of America, and Conservation International.


For years, Mary participated in art festivals and has had her originals displayed and sold in prestigious galleries from Miami, FL to Scottsdale, AZ. Mary also volunteered her time to paint on a mural at the Brevard County Zoo.

Mary has moved past all of that and opened a new door in the digital art field where she currently is expanding her horizons.

Happy Puzzling!