Plastics and Paper

Hi Puzzlers,

Today I would like to share with you what I just learned concerning plastics. My lesson on plastics began last week when I went out to buy a few groceries. As I made my way to the checkout counter the clerk asked if I wanted paper or plastic? Wouldn’t you know it I left my reusable bags in the car. I quickly said, “plastic”. (Yes, I always recycle. I’m the nutty person you see on the beach chasing after the plastic bag that’s flying all over the place.) Once home I started to unpack my groceries with the help of my sister-in-law, Mary Beth. MB as we call her, is an environmental activist who stays up-to-date on all news regarding the environment.

She asked me why I hadn’t used my own bags. I said, I had forgotten them in the car…again. She makes her best MB disapproval face and says, “I bet you didn’t know plastics can only be recycled a few times and then they go to the landfills or float out to the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch, paper is a better choice.” No, I didn’t know that I said and what is a Great Pacific Garbage Patch? She runs out to her car and gets me some information on plastics and the great patch. (Now I know why I fit so well into my husband’s family, we all keep everything in the car.)

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch stretches across hundreds of miles in the North Pacific, technically it links the Eastern Garbage Patch with the Western Garbage Patch. “Unlike most other trash, plastic is not biodegradable — i.e., the microbes that break down other substances don't recognize plastic as food, leaving it to float there forever. Sunlight does eventually "photodegrade" the bonds in plastic polymers, reducing it to smaller and smaller pieces, but that just makes matters worse. The plastic still never goes away; it just becomes microscopic and may be eaten by tiny marine organisms, entering the food chain.” Eventually this food chain makes its way to us…feel like fish tonight? Yuck!

Paper on the other hand breaks down into organic matter after many, many years. This fact alone, for me, makes paper the better choice when you’ve forgotten your own reusable bag. The Greenfeet blog has a great post on Paper vs. Plastic click here to read it.

Happy Puzzling!

Candy Wrappers

Hi Puzzlers,

As promised, today’s topic is on candy wrappers. We left the Sugar Rush post after the British colonized Barbados and Jamaica and began to almost exclusively produce sugar on these islands. With the forced labor of the African slaves, sugar prices dropped, allowing all social groups the chance to afford sugar and make candy.

In the 1830-40s glass jars were used to store and display brightly colored candies. Chocolate bars, invented in 1847 by the Fry’s chocolate factory, were “packed as unwrapped bars in wooden boxes with paper labels displayed on the shop counter.” The 1850s ushered in the invention of the fashionable and functional airtight tins, great for toffee and tin collectors alike. Tins also made toffees appear more luxurious and were great for gift giving.

The earliest wrappers came from street vendors who would wrap candies in recycled papers. Some crafty vendors would use brightly color paper and cut decorative edges around the wrap, then twist the paper around the treat. By the 19th century all sorts of candies were available to the public. These small candy pieces were sold by weight and bagged when purchased.

The first wrapped milk chocolate bar was produce by??? You guessed it! Hershey’s, in 1900, and it is still being produced today! During this time packaged foods were the only foods that offered people a safe, consistent tasting food, with a fixed price. This chocolate bar was the first of its kind and sold nationwide for a nickel. It’s “The bar that started it all.”

The next big hit was the Milky Way bar produced by Forrest Mars. This bar was very different from the Hershey’s bar-- it had a solid milk chocolate coating which kept the candy bar fresh and the inside was malt-flavored nougat. “The Milky Way was much bigger and tasted just as chocolatey, but cost much less to produce. “People walked up to the counter and they’d see this little flat Hershey bar for a nickel and right next to it, a giant Milky Way. Guess which one they’d pick?” bragged Forrest.

These two wrappers are great examples of what a successful consumer branding looks like. The wrappers have changed through the years but the yummy treats they hold have not.

If you love--candy wrappers you have to check out the Candy Wrapper Museum it is filled with tons of wrappers from around the world. And if you’re into learning more about consumer branding check out this Syracuse University thesis paper, A Century of Candy Bars: An Analysis of Wrapper Design by David Grager.

Happy Puzzling!

Sugar Rush

Hi Puzzlers,

Have you seen our newest candy puzzles, Sugar Rush and Night Time Cravings? Just looking at them starts my mouth watering! I do try to refrain from eating too much candy or sweets, but often, especially after looking at these puzzles, I need to have a sugar fix. Candy by definition is any “variety of confections made with sugar or syrup, which is often combined with chocolate, fruit, nuts, etc.”

Honey was the first sweetener. Cavemen would eat it straight from the combs. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans would use honey to coat fruit, seeds, flowers and stems. I’m thinking granola bar! Yum! Many historians believe that the first candies were eaten as medical treatments for digestion problems and sore throats. The marshmallow plant (yes -- you read right!) was ground and mixed with honey as a sore throat remedy. The much-loved Jujubes (also a plant) have been used for centuries to aid in digestion, mood, poor appetite and more. We have been masking the bad taste of medicine with sweeteners since antiquity.

During the Middle Ages spices were added to sugar with the intention to use the “candy” to help prevent digestive troubles due to over-consumption and food not being very fresh or balanced. These candies were very expensive and only the elite groups could afford them. They would be packaged in tiny boxes and given to guests, who would savor them at night in their rooms.

After the British colonized Barbados in 1627 and Jamaica in 1655, they began to almost exclusively produce sugar on these islands. Due to the forced labor of the African slaves, sugar manufacturing prices were much lower. The reduction in sugar cost allowed every social group the chance to afford sugar and as time passed more sugar, and thus candies, was produced. And, as they say, the rest is history -- until we get to the wrappers and that will be the topic of our next blog.

Happy Puzzling!

Flea Market

Hi Puzzlers,

Have you ever been to a Flea Market? I have a few that I go to whenever I get the chance because they are just so much fun. I go to look at all the interesting and crazy items people are selling. I always seem to find something cool and unusual at a great price. Flea Markets are also a good way to start a business-just go to one and see all the entrepreneurs.

No one really knows when the first flea market began. Some say that flea markets began in the Middle East as outdoor markets. The first stories found on this topic came out of Paris in 1860. The market was called “marche auz puces” and it was open Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

The flea in the flea market name is in reference, as you may have guessed, to the insect. Old upholstered furniture that was sold in these markets was generally infested with fleas. Mainly poor people and slum dwellers visited these markets, which at the time was most of Europe. And yes, there were a lot of fleas and not just on the dogs and furniture! I am glad times have changed!!!

What hasn’t changed is the entrepreneurial spirit of all the vendors. People of all ages rent space and set up tables selling products to the general public. Do you want to have a multi-family yard sale that will guarantee a steady flow of customers? Looking for antiques and unusual novelty items? How about Girl Scout cookies? Do you have a new product you want to test market? Are you looking for a part for that old nostalgic refrigerator you just have to get running? Try a flea market! Are you worried about packing a lunch? Don’t be. Most markets have vendors selling yummy fried dough, sandwiches, sodas and much, much, more.

Today the United States has more that 5000 flea markets nationwide and countless numbers worldwide. Flea markets are as popular today as they were 150 years ago. Just check out our very own Cronan on our Flea Market puzzle-he is the one holding the portrait of the Sacred Heart.

Happy Puzzling!

How to Glue a Puzzle

Hi Puzzlers,

We were recently visiting with our friends at Piece Time Puzzles and they shared with us an instruction sheet on “How to Glue a Puzzle.” Well we were so impressed with it we just had to pass it along to all of you.

How to Glue a Puzzle

1) Slide a sheet of waxed paper under assembled puzzle to protect the table

2) Pour a small amount of clear drying craft glue on the face of the puzzle. (Mod Podge works well)

3) Using a brush, rubber spatula, or piece of cardboard; push the glue across the puzzle. This should force the glue between the pieces, leaving very little on the surface and reducing the risk that the puzzle will curl as the glue dries.

4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the face of the puzzle has been fully glued.

5) Let glue dry completely.

6) Peel wax paper away from the back of the puzzle and discard.

7) Place puzzle face down onto fresh sheets of wax paper.

8) Repeat step 2 and 3 to apply a very thin coat of glue to the back of the puzzle.
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9) Let glue dry.

10) Repeat steps 2 and 3 to apply a second, thicker coat of glue to the back of the puzzle. This stiffens the puzzle for hanging.

11) Repeat steps 10 until desired stiffness is achieved, allowing glue to dry between each application.

Please Note: This gluing method may not be appropriate for all puzzles. Ask manufacture for advice before gluing puzzles with special finishes (i.e. visual effects or foils).

Display Options:
Attach eye screws at both ends of a strip of wood that is slightly shorter than the top edge of the puzzle. Glue wood to the back of the puzzle and hang with picture wire.
Have puzzle matted and/or framed by your local Custom Frame Maker.

Frame the puzzle yourself with a Puzzle Framing Kit.

Happy Puzzling!

Sun Protection

Hi Puzzlers,

Summer officially begins June 21st and this is the time of year when most of us start thinking about sunscreen and sun-protection in general. I’m kind of a crazy person when it comes to blocking the harmful effects of the sun. I do all I can to prevent burning and over exposure which leads to skin cancer. But every year I get more perplexed by all the choices in protection and which SPF’s are actually the best. Should I pay more for the 100 SPF and is it really that much better than 30SPF or 50SPF? Does a brand name guarantee a better product? Here is a quick look at what I found.

The best SPF choice for protection is the 15SPF to 30SPF range. Higher SPFs (Sun Protection Factor) only add 1%-2% more protection. Choose the higher SPFs if you are not diligent about re-application and also the 30SPF if you will be vacationing in an area with higher a UV indexes such as the Caribbean. Also, there’s not much difference between adult sunscreen and child or baby sunscreen. Don’t forget your lips - they burn too! Use SPF15 and above.

Buy products that state they are a “Broad Spectrum” protectorant or UVA/UVB protectorant. UVAs give you wrinkles and skin cancer and too much UVB exposure results in sunburns and skin cancers. Be sure to read the ingredients and look for avobenzone (this one can be irritating), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide as one of their ingredients as these products insure UVA protection. Unfortunately, some sunscreens say they are Broad Spectrum but really aren’t. Also, if your skin is sensitive look for PABA free.

Waterproof or Water Resistant: Go with the waterproof as it provides 80 minutes of water protection versus the 40 minutes of protection from the water resistant. Plus waterproof provides better protection from sweating. It is best to always go with a waterproof even if you’re not planning on getting wet or swimming.

Brand name verse store brand: Consumer Reports says expensive isn’t always better and reports that some store brands that were the least expensive rated in the good to very good range!!!

Apply sunscreen properly…unfortunately most of us don’t!

Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going out. It needs this long to be absorbed by the skin. Also apply enough! No skimping here; Adults need at least 1 ounce.

Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas and don’t forget your back, neck, ears, face, hands and feet. Use it rain or shine. You can be burned in cloudy weather.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours, it does not last all day. Reapply it after you come out of the water-YES! Every time.

Sunscreen and bug repellent: The sunscreen must be applied first and you should give it time to be absorbed (fifteen minutes), then apply the bug repellent.

Wear UPF Clothing: This is different than SPF as it rates how much the fabric reduces the UV radiation to the skin. “Only clothes with a UPF of 15-50+ may be labeled as sun-protective. Also, like regular clothing, sun-protective clothing may lose its effectiveness if pulled too tight or stretched out, if it becomes damp or wet, or if it is washed and worn repeatedly.” Or you can add a sunscreen to your clothes by using the laundry additive Sun Guard. It contains Tinosorb which increases the UPF of the fabric and last for up to 20 washings.

Finally, SPF made simple and easy.

Happy Puzzling!

Saving Money At The Pumps

Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s topic is about the importance of regular car maintenance. My Dad always said to change your oil in your car every three thousand miles and if you do it without fail your car will last forever! He also said “Don’t listen to them (mechanics) when they say you can do it every five thousand miles.” My Dad was right most of the cars I’ve had have lasted at least 10 years! What my Dad didn’t mention was that with regular maintenance you also get better gas mileage. With gas prices cresting the four-dollar mark I thought this information was worth passing on.

My revelation began last week when we had one of our cars serviced. My husband Jack, being the diligent accounting professor he is, started to notice the mileage on his vehicle was considerably less then he had been getting. What could be wrong? The snow tires had been removed and the oil had been changed. Then it occurred to us that it had been quite some time since the air filter and spark plugs had been checked.

So off the car went to get a quick tune-up. After about an hour the mechanic came back and said the car was done and that the air filter was so clogged that he was surprised the car was even running! He said we would not only see an improvement in the mileage but in performance. Boy was he right! I thought the lack of pick up in the car was because it is a four cylinder. Wrong! It was the air filter. We also saw a 5-mile-per-gallon improvement in mileage!!! As a result, my car is scheduled for a tune-up next week too! The tune-ups will pay for themselves in saved trips to the pump. Here is a list of quick tips to help you save at the pumps too.

1) Tire Pressure: By having and maintaining the correct tire pressure you can expect to see a 2.8 % improvement in fuel efficiency. Your car owner’s manual lists the proper air pressure for your car tires. Also choose tires with the lowest rolling resistance. Maintaining tire pressure is a cheap fix. Most air pumps cost about 75 cents to use and you can do it yourself.

2) Proper Octane: Only 5% of all cars manufactured have engines that require high-octane gas. If you’re using high octane and your vehicle does not require it you’re wasting your money. Check you car owner’s manual for correct octane levels.

3) Slowing Down: Reduce your highway driving speed from 65 to 55 and use your cruise control as much as you can. Also, avoid fast stops and starts; you could see as much as a 15% improvement! This is a tough one for me-everyone calls me Mario Andretti.


4) Junk In Your Trunk: Remove anything you are not using, as extra weight decreases mileage. Also, remove any items that cause drag such as bike and ski racks when not in use. Place items inside the vehicle or trunk when ever possible and avoid using the vehicles roof rack. Washing and waxing your vehicle also improves the aerodynamics and mileage, and so does USING the A/C when traveling on the highway. Oh yes -- saving money can be comfortable!

5) Maintenance and Tune Ups: This is one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle. Regular maintenance keeps your vehicle in top performing condition and will save you money now and in the long run - 4% on average in increased fuel mileage! If you are a do-it-yourselfer, make sure to check for spark plugs, low transmission fluid, dragging brakes, air filters. If you’re hearing a carbon knock, check and service the fuel injectors.

Puzzlers, just think about all the new puzzles you could buy with all the money you’re saving at the pumps.

Happy Puzzling!

Loose Change

Hi Puzzlers,

Have you seen our new puzzle, Loose Change? It makes me smile and reminds me of all the things we do with coins. My cousin Leo loves collecting coins and is always asking us to keep an eye out for his search of the moment. Remember as a kid saving all the loose change you could get your hands on to buy those must-have designer jeans or that awesome new Schwin five-speed bike complete with matching fenders? The funny thing is, most of us still save our loose change for that something special.

American coinage began in 1792 when our founding fathers realized our young country needed a respected monetary system and, with the help of Congress, passed the very first Coinage Act. Shortly after passing this act, the nations first mint was constructed in Philadelphia in 1792. Its first circulation comprised of 11,178 copper cents followed by gold, silver and nickel coins. It is believed that President Washington donated some of his own silver to be minted.

Some of the coin denominations were quite different then those of today. Between 1793-1857 there were copper half-cents; 1864-1873 copper two-cent coins; 1851-1873 silver three-cent coins; 1865-1889 nickel three-cent coins; 1794-1873 you could find half dimes made of silver, and between 1875-1878 silver twenty-cent coins were available. The penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar and dollar are still in circulation and they are no longer made of silver and gold.

So where did “In God We Trust” come from, you may wonder. In 1861 the treasury department received a letter from a minister requesting that God be recognized on our coinage. Finally, three years later on April 11,1864, through an Act of Congress, the motto “In God We Trust” was first printed on all two-cent coins. Other coins would soon follow suit. “The motto was omitted from all new gold coins issued in 1907, causing a storm of public criticism. As a result, legislation passed in May 1908, made "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins on which it had previously appeared. On July 11, 1955, Legislation, made the appearance of "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins and paper currency of the United States. On July 30, 1956, "In God We Trust" became the national motto of the United States.”

Only a few women have been portrayed on our coinage. The first was Susan B. Anthony, a school teacher, women's rights activist, social reformer, editor, and writer. She appeared on a dollar coin which was produced from 1979-1981. Next to appear on the dollar coin was Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their western exploration of the United States. Circulation of this coin began in 1999 and is still in circulation today. Also, Helen Keller appeared on the back of the 2003 Alabama quarter.

WOW! Coins are not only fun to collect and save but rich in history too!

Happy Puzzling!

American Red Cross

Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s blog post was created from a conversation Jill had with fellow puzzler Chris P. who works for the American Red Cross. Chris orders puzzles to put in the rooms where people go to wait for processing or to recuperate after they donate blood. What a great idea we all thought. As most of you already know, puzzling is a great way to pass time and reduce stress-and having blood drawn can definitely cause stress. This conversation got us all thinking about the Red Cross, blood and blood types.

In 1901 Australian physician Karl Landsteiner discovered the first three human blood groups (A, B, O) and in 1940, with the assistance of Alexander Wiener and Philip Levine, discover the Rh blood factor.

Edwin Cohn, in 1940, developed cold ethanol fractionation, which is the process of breaking down blood into albumin, gamma globulin and fibrinogen. That same year “John Elliott developed the first blood container, a vacuum bottle extensively used by the Red Cross.” In 1941 the Red Cross began its National Blood Donor Service to collect blood for the U.S. military. This service was instrumental in the treatment of wounded soldiers; they were treated with dried plasma during WWII and with albumin for shock after the Pearl Harbor attack. In 1945, after collecting more than 13 million pints of blood, the Red Cross ended its WWII blood program.

The first civilian blood collection program began in Rochester, NY in 1948 and by 1949 there were 1,500 hospital blood banks, 46 community blood centers, and 31 American Red Cross regional blood centers. What a difference a year makes!

Hang on puzzlers-here’s where it gets wild! Since 1901 there have been over 300 blood types discovered, each fitting into one of the major four groups which are A, B, AB and O, and, the Rh positive and Rh negatives are as important as the major four groups, especially if you are receiving a transfusion.

The oldest of the blood types is O. It comes from the birthplace of humanity, Africa, and is associated with the hunter-gatherer societies. If you’re a type O you represent about 45% of the American population. Next oldest is A. It is thought to have evolved from the agricultural societies and represents about 42% of the American population. Then there is type B, which makes up for about 8% percent, and the AB’s are at about 5%.

Thank you American Red Cross, and remember "Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation."

Happy Puzzling!

Crown Jewels

Hi Puzzlers,

The whole world is talking about the recent marriage of Prince William to Catherine “Kate” Middleton. Their engagement and marriage captured and continues to capture tons of media attention. For a lot of people, myself included, this has been a pleasant distraction from everyday life. Those two kids are just so darn lovable! Our office discussions and new puzzle got Jill and me thinking about the “Crown Jewels.”

Was Kate’s borrowed tiara part of that collection? It was made in 1936 for King George VI for his then Duchess (Queen Elizabeth-The Queen Mother). Princess Elizabeth received the tiara from her mother on her 18th birthday. Kate had several crown choices and, yes, this one is considered part of the Crown Jewels. WOW! It brings the “something borrowed” to a whole new level!

The term Crown Jewels refers to a collection of regalia and vestments (garments) worn by the sovereign during the coronation ceremony and at other state functions. “The collection contains crowns, sceptres, orbs, swords, rings, spurs (think cowboys here), colobium sindonis ( white sleeveless shirt), dalmatic (a Deacon's long white robe), armill (bracelets), and the royal robe and several other items related to the ceremony.” The largest and most impressive collection of Crown Jewels belongs to the British Monarch.

These famous jewels are kept at the Tower of London, which isn’t a actual tower but an fortress with six foot thick walls and portcullises. Prior to 1671 the jewels were kept in the Martin Tower. The towers were changed after an attempted robbery by Colonel Thomas Blood and three accomplices. Thomas pretended to be a Parson and hid the Crown Jewels under his cloak. All three men were caught and Thomas refused to speak with anyone but King Charles, who later released Blood and gave him a royal pardon and pension. Rumor has it that the King was behind the robbery, due to his lack of funds.

Two of the most famous diamonds in the world are among this collection-the Great Star of Africa discovered in Africa, in 1905, and the Kohinoor Diamond. The Great Star of Africa, also referred to as the Cullian diamond, weighed in at an impressive 530.20 carats after it was cut! Next is the Kohinoor, which weighs 108.93. This diamond was set in a special crown commissioned by the Queen Mother in 1937.

Ladies, how would you like to have that kind of jewelry box?

Happy Puzzling!

Photograph:©2011 Rune Hellestad/Corbis...This new puzzle will be available the week of 5/17/11!

Happy Mother's Day

Hi Puzzlers,

Sunday May 8th is Mother’s Day, the one day a year set aside to honor those women who wiped our noses and helped us grow to into the wonderful people we are. Cultures across the globe have been honoring motherhood since antiquity. In ancient times only goddesses, mythological female deities and the Christian church was honored. The recognition of the human mother has come about only in the last few centuries.

The ancient Greeks dedicated the annual spring festival to Rhea the mother of many Gods, while the ancient Egyptians held an annual festival to honor Isis, she was considered the mother of the pharaohs. These celebrations would last several days with parades, games, decorations and food.

Prior to the 1600s, European Christians celebrated Lent and the Mother Church on the fourth Sunday during Lent. Christians would honor the church they were baptized in. It was know to them as their Mother Church and they would decorate it with jewels, flowers and other offerings.

In the 1600s a clerical decree allowed for the broadening of the celebration to include human mothers and declared it a day of Mothering, or Mothering Day. It was a day when servants and trade workers had permission to take the day off and go home to visit their families and honor their mothers. It also allowed for a one-day break from the penance of Lent. Mothers would traditionally receive flowers and cakes.

When British colonists came to America they chose, many believe because of the harsh living conditions, not to celebrate Mothering Day. Centuries later Appalachian homemaker Anna Jarvis, “organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it ‘Mother's Work Day.’ Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe, author of the lyrics to the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic,’ organized a day to encourage mothers to rally for peace. Julia believed “mothers bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else.”

Anna Jarvis died in 1905 and her daughter, also named Anna, vigilantly continued campaigning for her mother. Finally in 1914, eight years later, Woodrow Wilson signed a bill making Mother’s Day a national holiday!

Happy Puzzling!

Administrative Professionals Day

Hi Puzzlers,

Today is Administrative Professionals Day! It is not a public holiday but it is the most celebrated workplace event, second only to major holidays and employee birthdays. Actually Administrative Professionals Day is part of a weeklong celebration to recognize the efforts and contributions our administration staff makes to the day-to-day operations of companies.

As a result of World War II, the need for skilled administrative personnel increased, especially in the United States and the National Secretaries Association (NSA) was formed to attract new people to these types of careers. Mary Barrett, president of NSA and C. King Woodbridge, president of Dictaphone Corporation (both serving on a committee assigned to address theses shortages) along with the efforts of Harry F Klemfuss, a New York Publicist, came up with the idea of National Secretaries Week.

“The first National Secretaries Week was held the week of June 1-7, 1952 in conjunction with the United States Department of Commerce and various office supply and equipment manufacturers. The Wednesday of that week became known as National Secretaries Day.”

“As the organization gained international recognition, the events became known as Professional Secretaries Week® and Professional Secretaries Day®. In 2000, IAAP (formerly known as the NSA) announced that the names of the week and the day would be changing to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of the modern administrative workforce. Many work environments across the world observe this event.”

So lets’ give a big round of applause and a word of thanks to all the wonderful people who keep our offices coordinated and running.

Happy Puzzling!

Earth Day

Hi Puzzlers,

Earth Day is fast approaching. It is celebrated annually on April 22nd. This year’s theme is A Billion Acts of Green, using the slogan of “Pledge an Act, Save Our Planet Pledge” and “Show Your Commitment to the Earth Share Your Act of Green.” Pledges can be as simple as “I will walk to work today” or “I pledge to turn the lights off every time I leave a room.” Or, why not organize a recycle program at a school or place of employment. Click here to make your pledge.

It is hard to believe we have been celebrating Earth Day for over 40 years. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. It was the culmination of seven years of work by Earth Day founder Senator Gaylord Nelson. At the time, Americans were facing the Vietnam War and industries running amuck with pollution and hazardous waste. Massive V8 cars and manufacturing plants were spewing out smoke, sludge and smelly air pollution without fear of legal consequences or bad press. Mainstream America was oblivious to the ramifications of all the chemicals they were using and the smell was accepted as the “smell of prosperity.”

In the spring of 1962 Rachel Carson book Silent Spring was the New York Times best seller. It cast a light and raised awareness of the environment and the effects the pollutants were having on the planet’s smallest inhabitants, the environment and the public health. The massive 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara California inspired Gaylord Nelson to infuse the growing concerns of the environment with a national teach-in idea that would force national attention to the environment. “20 Million Americans took the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in a massive coast-to-coast rallies.” And as the old saying goes the rest is history!

“In December of 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

1990 was the year Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries. Now environmental concerns were present on a worldwide scale and lead to huge increases in recycling.

White Mountain Puzzles is proud to use recycled pressboard and vegetable base inks in the manufacturing of our puzzles. We pledge or continued commitment to the environment and all its inhabitants.

Happy Puzzling!

Cuteness Factor

Hi Puzzlers,

Check out our new puzzle Baby Faces. One word describes it to a tee and that’s CUTE! When I look at it all I can do is smile. Then, I slowly get an almost irresistible urge to hug and hold them. Babies do the same thing for me. I am always saying I have to go visit so and so to get my baby fix. What is it about babies and animal babies that drive us to feel this way? Well, I called it the cuteness factor.

So what defines cuteness? The Webster’s Dictionary defines it as an “attractive or pretty especially in a childish, youthful, or delicate way.” Okay that’s nice but I want an exact description of cuteness. So I looked to infancy characteristics for a definition and found exact details. They include big heads, small eyes, large eyes, a small nose, dimples and chubby limbs. Also the personality traits of helplessness, playfulness and being affectionate all add to the cuteness factor. Oh much better I can identify with this. In fact, humans have been selectively breeding house pets for these characteristics too. Okay, that explains why many people say kittens are the cutest animals in the world.

In 1950, Konrad Lorenz theorized, “Infantile features triggered nurturing responses in adults.” Nature wanted to make sure we cared for our young, so it built in the cuteness factor into infant mammals. Mammals including humans seem to have a basic need to nurture. An example of the need to nurture, from the animal kingdom, would be the countless animal rescue stories stating mother dogs nursing orphaned kittens and baby goats. Interestingly enough with humans the cuteness factor is the same across and within cultures.

Cuteness is so prevalent that it is used as a popular marketing tool. “Stephen Jay Gould remarked on this phenomenon in an article for the journal Natural History, in which he pointed out that over time Mickey Mouse had been drawn more and more to resemble an infant—with a bigger head, bigger eyes, and so forth. Gould suggested that this change in Mickey's image was intended to increase his popularity by making him appear cuter.” It is nice to know the how’s and why’s of the cuteness factor. But I still have a massive urge to go hug something…look out Boo-Boo kitty here I come!

Happy Puzzling!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Hi Puzzlers,

I have to say that I have had my fill of winter! The shoveling, sanding and salting are back breaking duties that have to be done for what feels like an eternity. Yes, I know I am being a bit dramatic, but after six months of snow I am ready to bury my snow blower and shovels. And let's not forget about the roof rake-you know that handy little item with a ten foot handle designed to “easily” remove snow from your roof. Ha! Let me tell you there's nothing easy about it!

In an effort to sway or ease my impatience, Jill at the office mentioned how important the snow is at this time of year. Apparently, snow in the spring is loaded with nitrogen and has been called "poor man's fertilizer." I think if I had a garden that informative tidbit would have had a better effect, but I am ready for the April showers that bring May flowers! Well, impatience doesn’t pay and Mother Nature must have had it out for me and my continued whining, because on April 1st, yes April Fool’s Day, she blasted us with six inches of snow!

In a manic frenzy, not knowing what else to do, I continued to sing "April showers bring May flowers." After repeating this for several days I began to wonder where this rhyme came from. Clearly the author must have felt desperate too. It turns out a man by the name of “Thomas Tusser compiled a collection of writing he called A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry.”

In the April section is where you will find “ Sweet April Showers, Do spring May flowers,” it was a poem. Wow, what a man, I thought. He wrote a book on being a good husband, uncommon for the times (1557). Jill at this point is rolling on the floor laughing hysterically and I am completely baffled. What is she laughing at? To my embarrassment, husbandry is the act or practice of cultivating crops and breeding and raising livestock, NOT being a good husband.

Okay-lesson learned. Good things come to those who wait. But I think some puzzling distraction will make the waiting easier to accept. So, if you are like me you might want to practice patience by distraction too.

Happy Puzzling!

April Fool's Day

Hi Puzzlers,

Today I would like to take a look at my Nannie’s favorite holiday, April Fool’s Day. This feisty woman will celebrate her 80th birthday this year, and you may remember reading about her on the Lucky Strike post. Poor Lou, her husband of 60 plus years, has had to endure numerous pranks through the years but fortunately he is a great sport. I can’t wait to see what she will come up with this year. Among my favorites (that I can talk about) has to be sewing his underwear’s front opening closed, short sheeting the bed, or the famous salt in the sugar bowl. Then there is the plastic wrap over the toilet seat, or how about the Vaseline on the broom handle. She has done them all; she may have even invented them!

It is generally believed that April Fool’s Day, or All Fool’s Day, began around 1582 in France. This is when Charles IX introduced the Gregorian Calendar and New Years Day was moved from the week of March 25-April 1 to January 1st. At this time news traveled slowly across the country, for some it was years before they knew of the changes. A select few refused to acknowledge the new calendar and continued to celebrate New Years Day on April 1st. This group was thus labeled “fools” by the general populace, they were made fun of and sent on “fools errands” and were the butt of many practical jokes.

Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University, provides another explanation for the holiday. He believes the holiday began around the time of Roman emperor Constantine when court jesters and fools told the emperor they could do a better job of running the country. Entertained by the notion, the king allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for a day. "In a way," explained Prof. Boskin, "it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor." (This reminds me of John Stewart.) The first ordinance Kugel passed was a calling for “absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event.” Ah, alas the truth is told, Boskin made the whole thing up, and it took the Associated Press several weeks to realize they’d been victims of an April’s fools joke themselves!

Taco Liberty Bell: In 1996, Taco Bell took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times announcing that they had purchased the Liberty Bell to "reduce the country's debt" and renamed it the "Taco Liberty Bell". When asked about the sale, White House press secretary Mike McCurry replied tongue-in-cheek that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would henceforth be known as the Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Left-handed Whoppers: In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side. Not only did customers order the new burgers, but some specifically requested the "old", right-handed burger. I wonder if Nannie was in on this?

Another interesting factoid is in Scottland April Fool’s Day jokes and spoofs all involve the buttocks. The “Kick Me” sign can be traced back to the Scottish.

So remember: The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year. -- Mark Twain

Happy Puzzling!

Made In The USA

Hi Puzzlers,

Recently, we have had a lot of positive feedback about our puzzles being made in the USA. That, coupled with ABC's Made In America series with Diane Sawyer, got me thinking about my buying habits and how many American made products I have been buying.

In the special, which aired February 28, 2011, a family agreed to have all non-American made products removed from their house. Well, needless to say, the house was left virtually empty. As I search my home looking for American made items, I, too would have suffered the same fate. My only saving grace was my stack of White Mountain Puzzles. As my daughter would say, OMG! I have to make a better effort to buy American made, so the research began.

I thought looking at the bar code could tell you where the product comes from. If the first digits begin with 00-13, they are made in America or Canada; 690-695 made in China. But according to Snoopes.com looking at the bar code is NOT reliable. Why? Well, this example explains it best. If a company in Germany (40-44) imported product from France (30-37), then packages and ships the product from Germany, the product's bar code would indicate it was from Germany and not a product of France. So the best way to identify where a product comes from is to look for the Made In The USA label.

Making things even more complicated is the fact that a product can be made in the USA but the company is owned abroad, so all the profits and taxes head to the country of origin. Fear not! There are some great web sites that have done all the research work for you and they are just a click away. (Just click the highlighted areas and-POOF-you're there.)

Need some quick tips fast? Here they are from “Eleven easy ways to buy American”.

COTTON SWABS. The Q-Tips brand is made in America, but is owned by Unilever, which is a joint venture between England and the Netherlands. American alternatives are CVS or Walgreen’s brands, which are both made in USA and are American-owned companies based in the United States.

DEODORANT. Suave and Dove are both owned by Unilever. Buy Speed Stick, which has been made in USA by American-owned Colgate- Palmolive.

BATH SOAP. Irish Spring and Ivory soap are American. Jergens is made in America, but the company is Japanese owned, and Dial is German owned.

MUSTARD. French’s mustard isn’t French, it’s British. Grey Poupon sounds foreign, but it’s owned by an American company, and is made in America.

PASTA SAUCE. Unilever owns Ragu. Prego is an American brand owned by the Campbell Soup Company, and is made in the United States.

DISINFECTANT. Lysol used to be owned by Kodak, but Kodak sold it to a British company in 1995. Clorox is American owned.

COFFEE. Two of the most popular brands in the United States are Maxwell House and Taster’s Choice. Taster’s Choice is made by Switzerland based Nestle. Maxwell House is an American brand. The coffee beans for both brands are imported, however. For truly American coffee from tree to cup (the beans come from Hawaii) check out the USA Coffee Company at http://www.usacoffeecompany.com/.

COSMETICS. Revlon is an American owned company and many (not all) of their products are made in the United States. Maybelline was American-owned until 1996 when French-owned L’Oreal bought the company.

BOTTLED WATER. Dannon bottled water (and other Dannon products like yogurt) are French owned. Aquafina (owned by Pepsi) and Dasani (owned by Coca-Cola) are American brands.

PEANUT BUTTER. Choose Jif, because Jif is American owned and not Skippy which is owned by Unilever.

“American-made products create American jobs. Each time you choose to buy an American-made product, you help save or create an American job. There is a ripple effect in that every manufacturing job creates three to four other jobs.”

I certainly cannot replace everything in my home but I am definitely going to make small changes as I go and when I have to make another major purchase I will definitely look at the sites listed above to find American owned and made versions.

Happy Puzzling!

March is Maple Syrup Month

Hi Puzzlers,

Did you know that March, in many states, is considered to be the maple month? I think this is great, as it gives you yet another reason, besides ushering in spring and warmer weather, to love the month. Growing up in northern New Hampshire it was a tradition to go to the sugar shack every March and watch the sapping and syrup making process. That was fun and interesting, but it was the gift store with all it’s sweet treats on the way out, that solidified the experience. We would always purchase some “real” syrup and maple candy. Just thinking about it gets my mouth watering. I hope I can resist the urge to go to the nearest sugar house and buy a trunk full of the sweet stuff. Oh will power, don’t fail me now!

No one knows exactly how and when the first maple tree was tapped but it is commonly believed to have been the Native Americans. They would make a V-shaped cut into the tree and insert a reed or piece of rolled up birch bark to run the sap into a birch bark bucket or clay pot. Hot stones were then added to make the sap boil. The sap was commonly processed past the syrup stage to create crystallized sugar, which does not spoil when stored. Sap is very perishable and must be boiled at once.

Sap also needs to be boiled because it is approximately 98% water. Traditionally this happens in a sugar house, which is an uninsulated building that has a steam vent in the roof and enough room for the equipment and wood/fuel. The water in sap is removed by heating the sap in an evaporator (a large sheet metal pan) over a fire. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup! It is boiled longer to make the maple sugar. All that boiling creates the massive amount of steam you see coming from the sugar houses vent.

Maple syrup can be stored short term, if unopened, in your cabinet but once it has been opened it needs to be refrigerated to prevent molding. But even if it does mold, just scrape it off the top and reheat it to 180 degrees to re-sterilize. If you plan on storing your syrup for an extended period of time it should be stored in the freezer to prevent darkening and flavor loss. Click here for more on maple syrup.

Puzzler what do you think about White Mountain Puzzles doing a scenic Sugar Shack puzzle?

Happy Puzzling!

Artist Jane Mayday

Hi Puzzlers,

Today I would like to share with you the biography of one of our artists, Jane Mayday. I just love her work, especially the cardinals. When I was young I took art lessons from Mr. Abbott, a local artist, and I would always paint cardinals. I’d paint them in oils and watercolors oh what fun that was!

Jane Mayday began her career at 14 years of age, as a scientific illustrator for the University of Florida. After receiving a Bachelors degree from Ringling College of Art and Design, she was recruited by Hallmark Cards Inc, as a greeting card illustrator. Though her scientific past helps Jane add realism to her artwork, she soon discovered she enjoys painting the outsides of animals to the insides!

Jane left the corporate world after her children were born and moved to beautiful Colorado. Her work has adorned 25 children’s books, as well as collector’s plates, ornaments, cards, t-shirts, garden flags, jigsaw puzzles, and much more.

Recently Jane added author to her list of accomplishments, writing the best-selling art instruction book, “Adorable Animals You Can Paint” (published by F&W Publications), as well as numerous smaller works and magazine articles. Her newest F&W books are Cute Country Animals You Can Paint, and Landscapes in Bloom.

In addition to the breathtaking Colorado Landscape, Jane has two children, a menagerie of animals, and a garden for inspiration, and a wonderful husband to share it all.

Happy Puzzling!

King Kramer

Hi Puzzlers,

Today, I, King Kramer, have decided to write the blog and share my thoughts on what it's like to run a puzzle company. Let me tell you-it is a lot of work and there are many things to oversee. There is wholesale, retail, office management, shipping and receiving, research and development. Ah! The list seems to be endless.

My morning begins promptly at 7:50 AM; this is when my ladies/servants arrive. The first one in has the pleasure of preparing her coffee and my breakfast,Kibbies. This is a special breakfast from my homeland, Bleski which is just north of Poland. While I wait, I go over the wholesale orders that have come in. Patsy and Melinda do such a great job I will have to remember to give them a treat.

Next it is off to the retail department. Alicia is going through all the mail while Jill, Cathy, Kathy and Jean are busy answering phone calls from all our puzzlers. I have such wonderful hard-working staff. Oh, what was that! A mouse! Don’t fear ladies, I, King Kramer will protect you! Oh wait, it was only Princess Toasty, my sister. She thinks it’s funny to act like a mouse and scare my ladies. If she weren’t related I would have her banished. But that’s just between us.

Bruce, Matt and Lori all work at the warehouse in Conway. Sometimes even I am amazed to see how many puzzles they ship. And if you want to see a clean warehouse, this is the place to go. Unfortunately, since my crate broke down I have not been able to visit. You all know how hard it is to find a good mechanic.

Now I’m off to the head office where I keep Kim, the office manager and bookkeeper. We go over several reports and I get a chance to look over some payables and receivables. I must confess the numbers thing is not my strong suit but thankfully Kim keeps thing going nicely.

WOW! It is already 4:30 PM. I will have to send my ladies home. Ah, they are so good to me; they made me dinner before they left. It is good to be the king!

Oh! This is my newest puzzle. Do you like it?

Happy Puzzling!