As my super clever title indicates, this week I'm going to supply you with a trivia game that unfolded recently on live YouTube. I was honoring a gent named Sam on this particular show. He happens to be a Navy veteran who is a peace activist these days. Sam gathers with a bunch of other anti-war veterans weekly, at a fellow “Navy man's” house in Illinois, in order to do whatever it is that this group does.
I know, I know, my description is simply way too detailed. They also take a break from doing said “things” in order to partake in the live gigs put forth by yours truly.
I shall follow the same format as I've done in past columns when it comes to this jazz. Any additional information will be located next to the answers at the bottom. No cheating will be tolerated; I wish you all luck with this.
Oh, I should point out that his birthday is May 25, 1962, so that will be worked in. There will also be items pertaining to the Navy, hobbies, etc. For those who are new to this, I think you shall catch on rather quickly because you are absolutely brilliant.
One: This person, who shares a birthday with Sam, gave a voice to Yoda, Cookie Monster and even Miss Piggy! He was born on May 25, 1944. His first name puts one in the mind of a musical genius whose kids have “odd” handles and his last name is associated with following the yellow brick road.
Two: The birthday boy hails from a city mainly in St. Clair and with a small portion in Madison counties in southwestern Illinois, United States. It is located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, in what is defined as the Metro-East region of Southern Illinois. The answer is pretty much included in the question.
Three: There is a 33 acre park on the East St. Louis riverfront where photographers are known to gather in order to get great shots of THIS landmark across the river.
Four: ___________Beer was developed in 1907 and was named by a customer in a naming contest for the new brand. It's Sam's favorite kind even though it's oft' difficult to find. A party for men only or a doe's “husband” both come to mind.
Five: The Navy's first nuclear powered submarine crossed under the geographic north pole in 1958 and was the first to do so, according to “official history,” of course. What was the name of this beast?
Six: In US Navy jargon, to “deep six” something means this, of these choices: 1) keep it a secret 2) throw it overboard or 3) bury it once on dry land again.
Seven: On May 25, 1925 a high school science teacher, John T. Scopes was indicted for teaching the theory of evolution in his classes, as the Tennessee state law prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools. This was known as the Scopes Monkey Trial. What was the 1960 film, which was loosely based on the case?
Eight: The name "Illinois" comes from a Native American word meaning which of these choices: A) Tribe of Superior Men." B) Land of Many Rivers C) Tribe of Wisdom.
Nine: In 1865, Illinois became the first state to ratify something what was it?
Ten: On May 25, 1974, This song stripped down naked, sprinted into our lives and became a chart topper on that day.
Eleven: In terms of gun salutes, they are fired at intervals of how many seconds, of these choices: A) 7 seconds B) 3 seconds or C) 5 seconds.
Twelve: In Mount Pulaski Illinois it is illegal for boys (and only boys) to hurl something at trees. What is this something? Think Frosty.
Thirteen: Of these choices, what was the price of a Ford Galaxy automobile in 1962 A) $2,645 B) $3,588 or C) $1,998.
Fourteen: What was the claim to fame of the Diana Ross song, “Ain't No Mountain High Enough?” Be as specific as possible.
Fifteen: If a person in the Navy has a polar bear tattoo, what does this signify?
Sixteen: This was originally founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, and was incorporated as ________ Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Sam enjoys this “type” of music.
Seventeen: The Chief of Naval Operations once called THIS ship the ugliest in the Navy. Whatever the case may be it was purposely attacked by Israel on June 8, 1967 during the Six-Day-War. A cover-up at the highest levels of both governments ensued.
Eighteen: On May 25, 1955 in the US of A, an outbreak of THESE caused many deaths and injuries.
Nineteen: On May 25, 1895, this Irish born playwright was convicted of a morals charge in London; he was sentenced to two years in prison.
Twenty: “They want you, they want you, they want you as a new recruit,” were lyrics in this song.
THE END (Interstate Crosscheck, “War is a Racket,” by General Smedley Butler, “Erasing the Liberty,” by Phillip Tourney)
Answers: One, Frank Oz. Two, East St. Louis.
Three, Gateway Arch/St. Louis Arch/Arch is fine. More info: The 33-acre park on the East St. Louis riverfront is a hot spot for photographers because it's one of the few places you can get a decent shot of the Gateway Arch. You can't capture the entire 630-foot monument from close up, and buildings block your way if you try from a distance in St. Louis. Also, the St. Louis Gateway Arch was dedicated on May 25 of 1968.
Four, Stag. Five, USS Nautilus/Nautilus.
Six, 2) Throw overboard. More info: Originally, 'deep six' was the call of the leadsman signifying that the water is more than 6 fathoms deep, but less than seven. Now, it's a euphemism for throwing something overboard or away.
Seven, Inherit the Wind. Eight, A) Tribe of Superior Men.
Nine, 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. Ten, The Streak.
Eleven, C) Five seconds. More info: they also total an odd number. For instance, an admiral is 17 guns; a vice admiral is 15; a rear admiral upper half is 13 and a rear admiral lower half is 11.
Twelve, Snowballs. Thirteen, A) $2,645.
Fourteen, Her first number one SOLO single. The album, from which it was taken, was released in May of 1970.
Fifteen, That they have sailed the Arctic Circle. Sixteen, Motown.
Seventeen, USS Liberty. Please visit: usslibertyveterans.org. Eighteen, Tornadoes. More info: The 1955 Great Plains tornado outbreak was a deadly tornado outbreak that struck the southern and central U.S Great - See Game page 5
Game
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Plains States on May 25–26, 1955. It produced at least 46 tornadoes across seven states including two F5 tornadoes in Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Udall, Kansas that caused most of the casualties.
Nineteen, Oscar Wilde. Twenty, In the Navy by the Village People.