Whew! I hope that explains it. We are going to begin right about now. As usual the answers will be at the end of this piece. The clues will be in the form of short sentences. As always, forgive any awkward sentence structure.
One: I am sometimes carried out prior to freezing. Growing pale from shock or fear is involved. I’m described as having the color drain from me when frightened. I’m a southern belle in many ways. I’m the actual owner of the house on the Golden Girls. Two: In another era I was ONE of the first to terminate a pregnancy. I’m associated with “Beas” but not honey. If you shorten me I’m just a dot. I’m portrayed by a woman who had a spin-off. Ma and I share a home with the others on the Golden Girls.
Three: I speak my mind no matter what. Another one who shares my name was a sex symbol in the olden days. “Picture this” is how I oft’ start a tale from my youth. I’m from Sicily. The woman who portrayed me on the Golden Girls wasn’t old but make up made her that way. Four: Jesus supposedly did me, so to speak. Beauty comes to mind when I’m mentioned. I’m pretty dingy but am also caring.
Am I between two thorns? I am alive in 2020 but sadly my “roomies” are not.
Five: I’m “down below” compared to others in my vast region. A man in a white suit chasing bad guys comes to mind for those old enough to recall such things. I’m associated with orange and turquoise. I’m the largest in my state but am not the capital. I’m the city in which Blanch, Rose, Sofia and Dorothy dwell.
Six: Sometimes there is more than one of me. I’m not enclosed totally but there is a roof over my head so to speak. I’m really associated with Hawaii. The ladies on GG oft’ declare that they are heading out to me. The Golden Girl’s introduced my usage to the world, as most simply call me a porch or patio. Seven: I am very liberal. I live in New York. I’m the cousin of a particular dingbat. I’m a spin-off. My star is also a GG (Golden Girl).
Eight: I’m two words. Being elevated on something and being frightened are both involved with me. Many actors actually have me, believe it or not. Freezing on camera and being at a loss for words are both associated with me. Estelle Getty of the GG suffered from me “bigly.” Nine: I’m one of many siblings, fifty to be exact. Zubaz Pants began in a gym in one of my areas. Many think my inhabitants have odd accents. One in ten who dwell in me have Swede ancestors. One of the Golden Girls hails from me and always tells strange stories about her home town.
Ten: Oddly enough, I’m a huge fan of the Golden Girls. My own life has become more of a soap opera than usual, as of late. My one son was very good friends with Jimmy Saville and my other is linked to a man who supposedly killed himself in jail. I loathed my daughter-in-law. The “girls” performed for me at the 1988 Royal Variety Performance in London. Eleven: I come after one and am before another, as most do in my family. Some say I’m a magic “digit.” According to N. Tesla, I’m a very important number. My number of chairs were around the GG kitchen table even though it wasn’t enough. ABC it’s easy as ONE TWO ME!
Twelve: I’m the largest one of my particular category and in my area. To some I’m “the old country.” I’m in a constant state of “being kicked” but I’m not necessarily down, depending one’s vantage point. Many stories of me are told by the oldest “girl.” I’m Sophia’s country of origin. Thirteen: I’m one of five “siblings.” My northernmost area is the home to many Poles. Patty has only seen the sights a girl can see from MY heights! The Cyclone, Boardwalk and Nathan’s are in one of my amusement centers. Dorothy grew up in me as Sophia’s family settled in me when they left Sicily.
Fourteen: I’m peachy according to most. I am always on some people’s minds. Ben Matlock calls me home. A plan for depopulation is located on my “stones.” (Guide Stones) Jimmy Carter and Blanche of the GG are both from me originally. Fifteen: I love word games. I adore animals too. I’m two years shy of being a century old. I’m also associated with Mary Tyler Moore Show. I played a dingy person on GG but in real life am not.
Sixteen: I took my nephew under my wing, more or less. I’m associated with the “Roaring Twenties.” I’ve been described as being eccentric and having a bohemian lifestyle. I’m actually a society kind of gal but don’t fit the mold. Bea Arthur won a Tony Award for portraying me.
Seventeen: There are certain things you are not permitted to say when taking part in me. A version of me is familiar to most in the lounge. Celebs took part. Clues are involved with playing me. Betty White was married to my host. Eighteen: I’m the ninth largest of my particular region. One of my major cities was destroyed during the “Big One.” An inhabitant of mine actually invented the kerosene lamp, according to mainstream, of course. A former resident of me was actually on a live gig years ago as he escaped the hurricane with “The Child.” (He was also featured in this column space.) Estelle Getty’s family originated in me.
Nineteen: According to me, we’ve been through a lot together. I’m also associated with Linda Ronstadt and “Mad About You.” I find you to be a pal and a confidant. I would give you a big gift if invited to a party. I’m heavily associated with a plane taking off at start of GG episodes.
Twenty: Some find me to be comforting. I’m LOADED in carbs. A thin slice will do. I can have toppings or be served plain. The GG consumed me oft’ (in times of trouble).
THE END (Interstate Crosscheck, “War is a Racket,” by General Smedley Butler)
Answers: One, Blanche. Two, Dorothy. Three, Sophia. Four, Rose. Five, Miami. Six, Lanai. Seven, “Maude.” Eight, Stage Fright. Nine, Minnesota, more info: Rose hailed from St. Olaf Minnesota. St. Olaf Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 332 at the 2000 census. St. Olaf Township was originally called Oxford Township, and under the latter name was organized in 1869. The current name, adopted in 1870, was named after Olaf II of Norway.
Ten, Queen Elizabeth. Eleven, Three, more info: The reason why only three chairs were around the table was due to camera angles. They always seated “Dorothy” (Bea Arthur) in the center due to her height.
Twelve, Sicily. Thirteen, Brooklyn. Fourteen, Georgia.
Fifteen, Betty White. Sixteen, Auntie Mame or just Mame, more info: A classic musical based on the novel “Auntie Mame” by Patrick Dennis and the play “Auntie Mame” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. Mame Dennis’s eccentric, bohemian lifestyle is interrupted when her late brother’s son is entrusted to her care. But rather than adopt to any societal standards about child rearing, money-making and romance - Mame does everything with her own dramatic flair.
Seventeen, Password. Eighteen, Poland, more info: Getty was born Estelle Scher on July 25, 1923, to Sarah (née Lacher; 1896 – 1975) and Charles Scher (c. 1895), Jewish immigrants from Poland, at the family’s apartment at 257 2nd Street in the Lower East Side, which also served as the storefront for the family’s glass business.[4] She had a sister, Rosilyn “Roz” Scher Howard (c. 1921), and a brother, Samuel “David” Scher (c. 1925).[5][6][7] As a child, she was known as Etty, a nickname that stemmed from her sister’s inability to pronounce “Estelle” correctly and stuck with her throughout her life.[8] Her father owned and operated his own business, installing glass windows into automobiles and trucks, and her mother was a homemaker.
Nineteen, “Thank You For Being a Friend,” GG theme song. More info: Andrew Maurice Gold (August 2, 1951 – June 3, 2011) was an American singer, songwriter, musician and arranger. His works include the US Top 10 single “Lonely Boy” (1977), as well as “Thank You for Being a Friend” (1978) and the UK Top Five hit “Never Let Her Slip Away” (1978). He had further international chart success in the 1980s as the lead singer of Wax, a collaboration with English musician and songwriter Graham Gouldman.
Gold was a multi-instrumentalist who played guitar, bass, keyboards, accordion, synthesizer, harmonica, saxophone, flute, drums and percussion, and more arcane musical instruments such as ukulele, musette, and harmonium.[1] He was also a producer, sound engineer, film composer, session musician, actor, and painter.
Twenty, Cheesecake.