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!

Route 66

Hi Puzzlers

Every time I see our Route 66 puzzle I get filled with curiosity. I try to envision what it would have been like traveling that highway in the 1930’s and then again in the 1950’s. Would I fear for my life or be getting my kicks?

Between 1916 and 1921, Cyrus Avery of Tulsa, Oklahoma and John Woodruff of Springfield, Missouri are said to have been instrumental in promoting the idea of a highway which would link Chicago and Los Angeles. Once their lobbying efforts were combined with the 1925 government expanded legislation for public highway construction, Route 66 would soon be underway. The official number 66 was assigned to the route in 1926.

Approximately 210,000 people migrated to California to escape the despair caused by the Dust Bowl of the 30s, which by 1934 had affected an estimated 100 million acres of farmland, thus Route 66 quickly became known as the “road to opportunity.” In the early years it was common to travel Route 66 in caravans which provided protection and assistance. During the depression years thousands of unemployed men from every state worked as laborers on road gangs to complete the final miles of highway.

“Completion of this all-weather capability on the eve of World War II was particularly significant to the nation's war effort. The experience of a young Army captain, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who found his command bogged down in spring mud near Ft. Riley, Kansas, while on a coast-to-coast maneuver, left an indelible impression. The War Department needed improved highways for rapid mobilization during wartime and to promote national defense during peacetime. At the outset of American involvement in World War II, the War Department singled out the West as ideal for military training bases in part because of its geographic isolation and especially because it offered consistently dry weather for air and field maneuvers.”

After the war many of the service men from the east coast chose to relocate to the warmer climates of the west and southwest with Route 66 facilitating their journey. Route 66 meant people no longer had to stay local and the west was an adventure waiting to happen. As a result gas stations, hotels, motels, restaurants, souvenir shops and entertainment spots sprang up along the highway offering tourists and weary travelers a place to rest and relax.

“As a result some of these small businesses developed into corporations, building franchised locations in state after state. Soon travelers deserted the small eateries, gas stations, and tourist camps located in the center of towns for the familiarity of heavily-advertised McDonalds, Whiting Brothers, and Howard Johnson.”

By 1970 most of Route 66 had been by-passed with four lane highways and it was officially removed from the US Highway System on June 27, 1985. Recently Historic Route 66 has begun to return to maps and the actual signs include historic information.

Happy Puzzling!

Winter Birds

Hi Puzzlers,

Yesterday while sipping my morning cup of coffee, gazing, bleary eyed, out the window I noticed a couple of blue jays searching the ground for food. It got me thinking that it would be nice to have a bird feeder or two of my own so I could watch birds every morning! Ah, it’s little pleasures like this that make life grand. Then panic set in as I thought about making them dependent on me for food and what if I forgot to feed them!

Well, it turns out that birds find 80 percent of their food on their own and 20 percent from bird feeders, which increases their odds of surviving the winter. Some birds even store food. Crows, nuthatch, chickadee and jays, to name a few, have memorized where they store food (tree bark or under leaves…) and can even find it 6 months later. Birds also follow a daily route to gather food, so, if your feeder happens to be empty don’t worry, he will eat at the next feeder. But be sure to fill your feeder as soon as possible to ensure the birds keep your feeder on the route.

If you are looking to attract different species you will need to have different types of food in feeders hung at different levels. Black oil sunflower seeds attract several different types of birds including cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, goldfinches and chickadees. The goldfinch love Nyger even more than thistle, though it tends to be more expensive. Are you sick of squirrels and blue jays eating your sunflower seeds and scaring the other birds? Then try the smaller white safflower seeds.

Another must-have is suet. Suet is made of animal fat and other “yummy” bird treats that attract insect eating birds. Unlike us birds use massive amounts of energy (up to 10,000 calories a day) and any extra fat in their diet is good. Another great thing to keep in mind is that the birds that feed on Suet love to feed on the bugs found in your summer gardens. Don’t you just love a natural pesticide?

Also, please remember to provide fresh water for your visiting birds (unfrozen water is hard to find in the winter months) and to clean your bird feeder occasionally with a 10 percent solution of bleach. This will help reduce the spread of disease.

Happy Puzzling!

Chinese New Year

Hi Puzzlers,

Here in the western hemisphere New Years Day is celebrated each year on the first day of January, but in the East, the Chinese New Year can happen any time between late January and mid-February. This happens because the Chinese calendar is based on tracking the ever-changing new moon, which results in this year Chinese New Year falling on February 3, 2011. It is the Year of the Rabbit. This eastern-based holiday is the equivalent of mixing our western Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day into one massive 15-day celebration.

Just like us, preparation for the holiday starts about a month in advance as people start buying presents, food and decorations. Ten days before the New Year's Day celebration the “Sweeping of the Grounds” or the annual housecleaning begins. Tradition states that every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned as a way to remove bad luck and negative energies.

Also very similar to western celebrations are the wearing of the color red and fire work displays. “One of the most famous legends is Nian, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast that the ancients believed would devour people on New Year's Eve. To keep Nian away, red-paper couplets are pasted on doors, torches are lit, and firecrackers are set off throughout the night, because Nian is said to fear the color red, the light of fire, and loud noises.”

“The lunar calendar has a sixty-year cycle. In the Chinese horoscope, the five basic elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth, which make up all matter, are combined with the twelve animal signs of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Lamb, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig to form the sixty year cycle. One's Chinese horoscope is based on which lunar year in this sixty-year cycle one was born.”

2011 is the year of the metal-rabbit. A rabbit year is a calming year, a year that allows one nerves to be soothed, to catch your breath and relax. We all need it after the tough tiger year of 2010.

Happy New Year!

Winter Solstice

Hi Puzzlers,

Today is one of my husband’s favorite days, the first day of winter or Winter Solstice. He loves this day because summer begins tomorrow with the days getting longer and longer. The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. While researching this topic I found the Earth is actually closer to the sun in January than it is in June by three million miles! But, because of the way the earth tilts and depending on your hemisphere, those leaning farthest away from the sun get the Winter Solstice.

Even more amazing is the fact that ancient people who studied the stars and heavens (without all the sophisticated equipment we use today) could predict with complete accuracy when these changes would occur. They knew when the Winter Solstice would arrive and they knew the sunlight hours would slowly increase thereafter. WOW! That is surely a testament to the skills of observation. If you need proof check out Stonehenge in England or Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb in Ireland. “But not so many people are familiar with Newgrange, a beautiful megalithic site in Ireland. This huge circular stone structure is estimated to be 5,000 years old, older by centuries than Stonehenge, older than the Egyptian pyramids! It was built to receive a shaft of sunlight deep into its central chamber at dawn on winter solstice.”

“The winter solstice may have been immensely important because communities were not certain of living through the winter, and had to be prepared during the previous nine months. Starvation was common in winter between January and April, also known as the famine months. In temperate climates, the midwinter festival was the last feast celebration, before deep winter began. Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was almost the only time of year when a supply of fresh meat was available. The majority of wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking at this time.”

Worldwide, interpretations of the winter solstice vary from culture to culture, but for most cultures it’s about the acceptance of rebirth. The rebirth concept is usually celebrated with holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around this time of year.

Happy Holidays!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Hi Puzzlers,

I just learned that the cute holiday song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas", has three different stories behind why it was written. Gosh, even something that seems so simple can be complicated. I guess there is always a story behind the story, or in this case, stories.

Historical sources dating back 150 years all classify “The Twelve Days of Christmas” as a counting song for kids. In the 1842 edition of The Nursery Rhymes of England, author J.O. Halliwell details how the rhyme was used as a game. “Each child in succession repeats the gifts of the day, and forfeits for each mistake.” Well you know what they say, whoever "they" are, “Repetition is the mother of skill.”

Next, and the strangest to me, is that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a love song. University of Massachusetts classics professor Edward Phinney said in a 1990 newspaper interview, “If you think of all the things being presented, you realize they’re all gifts from a lover to a woman. Some of them are rather impossible to give, like eight maids milking, and nine ladies dancing and pipers and drums all imply this is a wedding.” I guess that makes sense, so going forward "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song will now be played at all holiday weddings!

Last on the list is that "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" was written “to be a catechism song for young children.” This tale states that back in the sixteenth century Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith and would be persecuted, children and all, if they were caught. So this carol was written with hidden meaning and symbolism to teach young Catholics about the doctrine. Ace Collins describes the hidden meaning in his book, Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas.

WOW! All those stories for one cute Christmas carol.

Happy Puzzling!

Politics

Hi Puzzlers,

Have you seen our newest puzzle “Politics”, yet? Artist James Mellett did a great job capturing the theme. The political arena has certainly changed through the years and it makes me wonder what the founding fathers would think.

The Declaration of Independence states, “of the people, by the people and for the people.” With just a quick glance at the puzzle you can see this to be true as it is filled with people of differing backgrounds and ethnic origins. It’s all here, from peanut farmers to astronauts. Do you remember what presidential candidate said, “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.”(Taken from the movie Network). Do you recognize some American actors turn politician? Here a few hints, “I got you babe”, “Go ahead make my day” and “I’ll be back.”

The declaration also states, “that all men are created equal.” So, I’m not sure what the founding fathers would think of the rising number of women and ethnic minorities in politics. In particular, women trail blazers like Bella Abzug, Hillary Clinton and the unforgettable Sarah Palin whose has been portrayed by comedian Tina Fey with the infamous quote, “ I can see Russia from my house”.

How would they respond to an African-American man as president with his family living in the White House and Colin Powell as Commander in Chief, or the likes of civil and political activists such as Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks?

Also tied to politics are the scandals. Will we ever forget hanging chads, Oliver North, Monica Lewinsky and Watergate? These scandals make for entertaining political television and radio with hosts such as Bill O’Reilly, John Stewart, Keith Oberman, Stephen Colbert and the infamous Rush Limbaugh.

Happy Puzzling!

Finding The Perfect Tree

Hi Puzzlers,

I just love the holiday season steeped in tradition. Finding the perfect tree has become a tradition for my family and I don't think it would feel like Christmas if we didn't do it.

Our tree search always begins at the Rocks Estate Tree Farm, on the coldest day of the year. Once at the farm we head to the furthest point, down by the wall, to find the Frazier Fir we love. We spread out looking for that perfect tree. Once we each find a tree, we all have to decide which is the best of the best. After several heated moments of debate and walk- a- rounds of each other’s tree, a decision is made.

With trusted saw in hand we begin the cutting down process. (Tip from prior years cutting: hold tree at the top and middle so it doesn’t land on your husband). After several passes of the saw the tree is down! Hurrah! Next we drag the tree to the waiting wagon a half a mile away. OMG’s can be heard as we can’t believe how big the tree is now that is down. “It didn’t look this big next to the other trees… I hope it fits through the door… What else can we do with the extra tree limbs? Sell wreaths? I think to myself.”

“WOW”! This tree weighs a ton shouts my husband, as my daughter is sitting on the back of the tree. Finally we reach the crest of the hill, sweat pouring off of us like a fountain, jackets opened flapping in the breeze, hair standing straight up from getting wet under our hats, something brown and squishy coming from under your boot, and meet the wagon. The attendant gives us a ticket and wraps one around the tip of our tree.

Exhausted we make our way back to the lodge for some homemade treats and local New Hampshire craft shopping while we wait for the tree attendant to wrap our tree for the ride home.

Now rested and refreshed we make our way to the wrapped trees. The attendant greets us and asks for our ticket. You have it. No, I gave it to you! Check your pockets!!! After five minutes of this we finally find the ticket and get our tree.

Back at the car with wrapped tree in hand we fold down the backseat so we can stuff the tree in through the trunk (Who needs a truck). Once the treetop reaches the front wind shield we know we are going to need the bright red flag you attach to things when they hang out of the trunk more than two feet.

Within a half hour we are ready to go and it only took twenty feet of rope! With our hands and boots covered in sap and squishy brown stuff, we head off on our one-hour trip home.

Ah! I just love a tradition.

Happy Puzzling!

Internet Shopping Safety Tips

Hi Puzzlers,

Yes it’s that time of year again, Holiday Shopping Time that is! I started my online list last week and while ordering what I thought was the best priced dog bed I got a funny feeling about the website. This site looks strange, I thought. Then I remembered some of the tips we talked about last year on our “Internet Shopping Safety Tips” post, I immediately looked for the tiny closed padlock and the "s" after the http, and both were missing. Then I looked into the company and found several customer complaints and bad reviews. Needless to say, I did not place the order with them. We want to keep our puzzlers safe so here are the online shopping safety tips with a few updates.

Trust your instincts - If you have a funny feeling about the site check it out before placing the order. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam.

Protect your PC - Make sure your personal computer has recent updates installed for Spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spy software, and a secure firewall.

Trusted Websites - Shoppers should know whom they are dealing with. Confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number. Anyone can set up an online store under any name. Do not respond to the pop-up asking for personal or financial information. Real companies would not ask for this type of information via emails and pop-ups (phising). Check for security seals, such as the tiny padlock icon and the http (URL) has an “s” in it. The https:// stands for secure.

Keep your Web browser updated - “Internet Explorer 7 and 8 provide another layer of protection with Web sites that use Extended Validation (EV) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates. The address bar turns green and has both https and the closed padlock. An EV SSL certificate not only helps ensure that communication with a Web site is secure, but it also includes information about the legitimacy of the Web site, which has been confirmed by the Certification Authority (CA) issuing the SSL Certificate.”

Don’t shop using Wi-Fi - When using Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, hotel, airport, or restaurant, you are making yourself vulnerable to identity theft. Your iPhone, Blackberry, Smartphone and laptop can easily be hacked on a free or paid public Wi-Fi spot.

Pay by credit or charge card - By using a credit or charge card you are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. This law gives you the right to dispute charges and temporarily withhold payment while the credit card company investigates your claims. Never use your debit card, as you have no rights protecting you from fraud or theft. Try to use just one credit card for all your purchases; this will make it easier to spot fraudulent charges.

Insure the safe delivery of your item - If you’re concerned about the safety of your package if there’s no one home to receive it, request it be sent with a signature required. Or, it may be safer to have the package delivered to your office.

Refund Policies and Delivery Dates -Make sure you know if you can return the item for a full refund and who pays the shipping for the return. Is the refund for a store credit or cash refund? Know when you should expect delivery of your item.

Print & Save - Keep documentation of your order. If confirmation was sent by email, keep the email and save any and all correspondence with the retailer.

Happy Puzzling!

Ice Cream

Hi Puzzlers,

Don’t you just love our newest puzzle Ice Cream Candy Swirls? Ice cream has always been my favorite treat. Notice I didn’t say dessert, because I eat it morning, noon and night, for any and every reason. People have been enjoying this scrumptious treat for centuries.

Prior to 1553 most frozen treats were more like today’s slushies or snow cones. Around 400 BC the Persians developed a dessert of frozen batter and rose water flavored with fruit and saffron, while Alexander the Great enjoyed mixing snow with fruit and honey. Roman Emperor Nero (AD 54-86) sent his servants to gather snow and ice so it could be served with fruit and juices.

Legend states it was Catherine de Medici, upon marrying King Henry II of France, who brought the ice cream from Italy to France. The recipe called for the use of cream rather than milk and this is why Italians are credited with being the first to invent ice cream. My Italian husband started dancing around like a crazy mad man when he found this out and the smile is yet to leave his face.

In America most everyone loves their pie a la mode. But be careful with the term in a European country! "In French cuisine, a la mode (literally 'in the fashion') refers to a dish of beef braised with vegetables and served either hot in a rich brown sauce or cold in aspic. In the USA, however, a la mode denotes a dish (such as apple pie) served with ice cream." The American a al mode phrase (served with ice cream) became popular in the late 1890’s.

When doing this puzzle please enjoy a dish of your favorite ice cream for added pleasure.

Happy Puzzling!

Team Building With Jigsaw Puzzles

Hi Puzzlers,

Today Jill was speaking with one of you and was told that our puzzles were going to be used as a team building exercise. WOW, we thought-what a great idea. It turns out that jigsaw puzzles are being used world wide as a team building option.

Puzzling is a low cost, easy to use item that is fun to do. No hanging off a tree line 600 feet in the air required for this team building exercise! It can be done in the comfort of any building with enough space for tables to build the puzzles on and the weather will not ruin this planned event. You can team build with small groups or large, and the possibilities for tweaking the exercises are only limited by your imagination.

Here is how our puzzler planned to use the puzzles for her team building exercise in a business environment for about 80 customer service reps. “We cut up the colored photo of what the puzzle looks like, and then there is a trivia game that teams have to answer (kind of like Family Feud). Whoever answers the questions correctly wins a piece of what the puzzle actually looks like. There are several teams going against each other so not everyone gets a lot of pieces of the picture Then, the team has to work together to put the puzzle together with what they have. It's hard to put a puzzle together without knowing what it looks like.” This sounds like a ton of fun to me!

A good team building exercise will usually require team members to communicate, help each other, negotiate, work together to solve a problem, trust each other and discover how much the team members need each other. You’ll also want to give the team building exercise a long lasting effect by taking plenty of pictures and posting them where everyone can see them. You may even want to give the winning team a custom made puzzle of the team with an inspirational saying, such as, TEAM, Together Everyone Achieves More.

Happy Puzzling!

Election Day

Hi Puzzlers,

Yesterday was Election Day and I am happy to report I did my civic duty and cast my vote. I am one of those people who always drag their kids with them so they can see the election process first hand. On the drive over my daughter started asking all kinds of questions regarding Election Day. Why is it always held in November on a Tuesday? When did women get to vote? Why do I have to be 18 to vote? (Oh no, having a flash back from the “Need to Know Everything” post). So began my search for the answers and here is what I found.

November was the perfect month for young America. During this time American society was mostly agrarian, which meant that by November farmers would have already finished up with the fall harvest and November was early enough to avoid any major winter storms.

Tuesday was chosen because people traveled long distances by horse and buggy to get to the polls. Sunday could not be used as a travel day because it would interfere with church services. The first day of the month could not be used as most businesses did their end of the month work on the first of each month. Also, November 1st is All Saints Day, a Roman Catholic holy day of obligation and Wednesday was when most towns had their farmers’ market.

“In colonial times, New Jersey permitted women to vote but that right was subsequently taken away. In 1869 Wyoming gave women the right to vote. By 1914, all states west of the Rockies, except New Mexico, had adopted full suffrage. Finally in 1920, the 19th Amendment gave all women the right to vote.”

The legal voting age was changed from 21 to 18 in 1971. Young people at this time were being drafted into the Vietnam War and campaigned rigorously to change it: “old enough to fight, old enough to vote.”

WOW! America definitely has some great history!

Happy Puzzling!

Meet Artist Suzy Toronto

Hi Puzzler,

Today we would like you to meet artist, Suzy Toronto. We have been receiving lots of kudos from puzzlers about how much you love Suzy’s work. I even heard from one of our puzzlers who said she had planned a girls-night puzzle-party around the Wonderful Wacky Woman puzzle! I wish I lived closer, I’d be crashing that party. Good friends, food, wine and a puzzle…. Ah, life is good.

This picture is of Suzy and Ted at a show in Atlanta. Suzy said, “When I'm not at an art show or sitting on the beach, this is where you'll find me -- working on a new idea or project that kept me awake the night before. The bottom line is I love to create. Whether I'm painting fine art in my studio, drawing my wacky characters on location at shows, sitting at my pottery wheel on my back porch, or writing at my computer, the creative process is liberating beyond words. I am forever exploring new ways to express the energy inside me. But I feel forever blessed to have these gifts and vow to never take them for granted.

I'm 47 years old, live in Tangerine, Florida in a house surrounded by 100 year-old oak trees. I share that space with my husband, Al, and my 28-pound cat, "Bob." I eat chocolate truffles while I paint -- and when they run out, I quit. I drink Perrier sparkling water so much I'm considering taking out stock in the company. I practice Yoga, which for some strange reason I think will help compensate for my horrible diet, and I go to the beach every chance I get.
I have five grown children and ten grandkids who love me as much as I adore them. I've taught them to dip their French-fries in their chocolate shake, make up any words they want to any tune they like and to never, ever color inside the lines. (However, they all feel the need to assure their friends that they also have another set of grandparents who are 'normal').”

Thanks, Suzy, for tapping into the souls of all Wonderful Wacky Woman!

Happy Puzzling!

Puzzle Of The Month Club

Hi Puzzlers,

Is it just me or are you also, finding it difficult to find that perfect gift? You know, the one thing THEY really want that YOU can afford. Something that has meaning and won’t end in the trash by the end of the month-or worse, as a re-gift!

I went through the “experience gift” phase, which is when you give a concert, theater, sports ticket or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant. This “experience gift” allowed us to give a memory. Having run out of ideas, and getting bored with it, this phase had to come to an end. So began the search for the next trend, which I am happy to report has been found! It’s the GIFT OF THE MONTH Club!

I was amazed to find OF THE MONTH Clubs on what seems to be every item from apples to perfumes! I want to give a gift that invokes happiness when received and keeps one looking forward to the next shipment. The excitement of getting something via the mail or FedEx. (other than a bill) is just plain fun! I occasionally get this feeling when I have ordered something for mail delivery and forgot I ordered it. I go to the mailbox and find the yellow package card in my mailbox and for a few moments I get excited and wonder what’s in there. Can you imagine giving that feeling every month? Well that is just what White Mountain Puzzles has done!

White Mountain Puzzles is now happy to offer the “Puzzle Of The Month Club”. For a very modest cost we will supply you or someone you love with a featured puzzle. It's the perfect way to enjoy this healthy and fun activity on a regular basis. It's a thoughtful and unique gift idea that keeps on giving year-round. Prices include shipping and handling. A note card will also be included to let them know they have been enrolled. It's a puzzle-lover’s dream!

Happy Puzzling!

Finding Holiday Money

Hi Puzzlers,

Lately I have been reading a lot about the different ways to save money. Some articles even say SAVE a $1000 by Christmas. Oh really, I think to myself, how possible is that? These articles go on to give you all kinds of advice to shrink your daily living expenses and cut the so-called non-essentials like your landline telephone. I don’t know about you but I love my landline phone. There are no delays in conversations and the reception is much better than the cell, so how can I give it up? I won’t give up my landline but I like to save money, so I went on to experiment with a few of these tips and found that by just cutting my food expenses I saved the most.

The number one way to save a ton of cash is to make a weekly menu. Then make a grocery list of the items you need and stick to the list. I have been doing this for a month now and I can tell you it works. I have been saving on average $50 a week or $200 a month!

Next on the list is lunch. Lots of people eat lunch out each week or buy lunch at the work place café. These lunches average $8 to $10 dollars a day. My husband’s work place lunch cost on average $7 a day and my daughter’s school lunches are $3 a day. That’s $50 a week just for lunches or another $200 a month. While they still do eat the occasional lunch at work or school, I make sure they bring their own drinks. The saving on just this step is extreme. (Case of water bought at the store $3.99 divided by 24 equals less than 17 cents a bottle versus the $1-$2 they charge at the cafes.)

Last on my list is the favorite coffee shop. You know-the frappe, mocha, and latte joints, the place where you go and indulge on your favorite yummy caffeinated drink. Go on-you’ve worked hard-you deserve it! We would go to these places a few times a week as a family. The cost for these little indulgences were $10 a visit or $20 a week. Which, when I did the math, was $80 a month! What? $80 a month for coffee? After I came to on the kitchen floor I realized I would never knowingly spend this much money on coffee or any drink each month. Looking at my food spending habits and converting them into monthly expenses was a real eye opener and a wallet saver.

So, total saved in my one-month experiment with just food was $480! Yes, I get to keep my landline phone!

Happy Puzzling!

Legends Of The Rails

Hi Puzzlers,

Hot off the press is our Legends Of The Rail puzzle by artist Mark Karvon. This puzzle is beautifully detailed and invokes thoughts of the past. Growing up in a small paper-mill town I was fortunate enough to see the trains pulling box, tanker and hopper cars. My favorite was the bulkhead flatcars filled with pine trees-oh, how I love the smell of fresh cut pines. It’s like your Christmas tree smell times a thousand!

Locally here in New Hampshire we are also fortunate to have The Cog Railway and the Conway Scenic Railroad operating as scenic passenger lines, the latter fully equipped with dining cars.

In 1852 Sylvester Marsh wanted a better way to reach the summit of Mount Washington and began building his mountain climbing train with assistance from inventors Herrick and Walter Aiken. The first cog-driven train climbed 6,288 feet to the summit of Mount Washington on July 3, 1869. “For the first forty years of Cog's operation, wood-fired boilers powered the train to the 6,288-foot summit. Around 1910, coal was introduced.” So if you want spectacular mountain views with a touch of exhilaration then this is the train ride for you.

The Conway Scenic rail line began servicing passengers in 1872 and its skilled carpenters designed the North Conway Station to be a masterpiece fit for a prestigious summer resort. “For nearly 90 years the station was a landmark for train travelers. Passengers, mail, express, and newspapers arrived and departed through the station. Snow trains began running in 1932 to the town that was home to the "birthplace of American skiing.” Countless skiers rode the snow trains as the sport of skiing grew with the development of ski lifts.

One of our local ski enthusiasts recounted his experience on the snow train. He said, “ I would get on the train in Boston with my friend and we would hurry up and get our homework done, and then watch the people. It was a long ride and when we finally got there my friend’s parents would meet us at the station. Other travelers were picked up by hotel wagon or cars and driven to the hotels they were staying at. The next day we went skiing at Mount Cranmore! It was very exciting and fun.” The Conway Scenic Railroad is now a National Historic Landmark.

Puzzlers, we would love to hear about your train stories.

Autumn Traditions

Hi Puzzlers,
It’s autumn, that fabulous time of year when most of the bugs are gone, the temperature has cooled and the leaves are changing from green to brilliant hues of reds, oranges and yellows. This year I want to make sure I do all my fall favorites, so I began making a list. My list contains some of the usual, like apple picking, and some a little more unusual like trekking to the west coast to see thousands of monarch butterflies take up residence in the coast’s eucalyptus trees.

This list of traditions got me thinking, “What do other people like to do in the fall?” So off I went polling the girls in the office, poking and prying to get to the good stuff. Below is the list we came up with. Who knows- maybe one of these will become your new autumn tradition!

1. Take a trip to pick apples, visit a pumpkin patch and don’t forget the corn maze!
2. Watch “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.
3. Redecorate your home’s interior by moving the furniture around and changing out your decorative pillows.
4. Decorate your exterior with fall window boxes filled with mini pumpkins, gourds and tiny scarecrows.
5. Let the baking begin and eat pie! Pumpkin, apple, cherry, peach, pecan …I’ll have a slice of each please!
6. Next on to chili, stews and soup.
7. Don’t forget to wash it all down with some apple cider, hot chocolate or a pumpkin spice latte.
8. Need something with more of a kick? How about a spiked hot apple cider, or a pumpkin martini. (I haven’t tried this yet, but oh my yumminess, it sounds good!)
9. Next you’ll need to work it all off by raking some leaves or taking a hike so you can enjoy the crunching of the leaves under your feet.
10. Last but not least don’t forget to capture all your autumn adventures on film.

Happy Puzzling!

Meet Artist Kate Ward Thacker

Hi Puzzlers,

Today we would like you to meet artist Kate Ward Thacker. Kate’s lifelong love of vintage illustration, advertising, travel memorabilia and assorted ephemera has resulted in an unparalleled library of retro themes which she uses as inspiration for her designs in these collections.

As an avid artist from an early age, Kate Ward Thacker began selling her work at art festivals when she was in high school. After earning a bachelor's degree in design, she spent twelve years on commercial design projects while also developing and refining her painting techniques and style.

As a designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, Kate's talent and creativity were put to good use on theme park designs for Paris Disneyland and Walt Disney World. This creative atmosphere further enhanced her desire to turn to a full time art career, which she did in 1990.

Kate's vibrantly hued paintings are included in numerous corporate, public and private collections worldwide. She has shown her work for many years in galleries across the country. Also, some of Kates work has also been spotted on HDTV’s Color Splash with David Bromstad!

Happy Puzzling!

Wishful Thinking

Hi Puzzlers,

Wishful thinking is a gift from the heavens. Most of us experience it when we buy a lottery ticket and our mind wanders to the, “What if I won?” mode. We fantasize about buying lots of stuff and vacationing at exotic locations or hiring a chef, maid and butler. (Okay, no butler for me, but definitely a maid to do the cleaning and laundry). So you can imagine my surprise when this happened to me as I followed the bus to my daughter’s first cross-country meet.

My parental brain took over and made me delirious as I thought of all the possibilities for her future success as a runner! Make way, Sports Legend puzzle-here she comes! I imagine her winning every high school cross-country meet in our area, and then it’s on to the state championship. My delusions continue as I visualize her winning and winning and winning through the next four years of high school. Records are smashed under the force of her feet. The scholarships from Harvard, Yale and Princeton are pouring in, offering her more and more if she signs with them.

Next it’s on to the Olympics! (I warned you I was delusional!) Look out Lynn Jennings she looking to break all your American records. I call Memere (French for Grandmother) and say “Did you see her on the box of Wheaties, and don’t forget to tape the Nike and Pepsi commercials she’ll be starring in.”

We come to a grinding halt and park next to the other fourteen buses. As I watch all 75 pounds of her exit the bus I get filled with pride from the fact she has the fortitude to do this, and I laugh to myself wondering how many of the other parents were thinking the same thing.

Happy Puzzling!