THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 1, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

While it’s actually a type of salsa, the name Pico de Gallo translates to “Rooster’s Beak” in English.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle written story has been adapted into other media more than all his other Sherlock Holmes mysteries combined?

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

A double bill concert as ♫Joan of Arc♫ pleads ♫Don’t Bring Me Down♫.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the July 25, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

RHYME TIME⏰

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?

Seasonal Romance? = Spring Fling.

WHO AM I?

Can you identify the person (real or fictitious) based upon the clue below?

I’m the character that always needs the player’s help in Royal Match.

King Robert.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JUNE 20, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

If it has a more intricate design or a darker color, your towel will not be as absorbent because it’s already holding all that dye.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Eager actors investment service?

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you make out of the letters in FATHER?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the June 13, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

FILL IN THE BLANKS

All you have to do is what the title says, literally fill in the blanks to acquire the answer. The given letters are all shown, none of those are missing. Ready?

EVENT: BICENTENNIAL. (Italicized letters were given.)

RHYME TIME⏰

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?

What his wife requested her carpenter husband to build next when he finished their new barn.

“She Shed,” she said.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: FEBRUARY 7, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Emus cannot walk backwards.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Love Boat character turned author.

COMMON BONDS

The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?

01. {Jack Benny, Mel Brooks} and yes, we know they’re both comedians.

02. {Spaceballs, Reboot}

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the January 31, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

RHYME TIME⏰

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?

Fishing creels. = Angler’s Dangelers.

WHO ARE WE?

Can you identify the persons (real or fictitious) based upon the clue below?

Although we kept the family name for our entertainment careers, our first names were actually Leonard, Adolph, Julius, Milton and Herbert.

The five brothers were better known as Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo and Zeppo Marx respectively.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: NOVEMBER 22, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

Made just for the holiday season, Ginger Bread flavored Doritos are available only in the United Kingdom until the end of the 2025.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

A Stooge pilots the Spruce Goose.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you make out of the letters in THANKSGIVING?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the November 15, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Alfredo Arnold Cocozza better as?

The tenor/actor Mario Lanza.

COMMON BONDS

The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?

And yes, we know Subsets 1 and 2 contain a list of first names.

01. {Eric, Terry, John, Michael, Graham and Terry} = Are the founding members of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

02. {Dave, Bruce, Kevin, Mark and Scott} = Are the founding members of The Kids In The Hall.

03. {Subsets 1 and 2} = Comedy Groups.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: OCTOBER 18, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

Author Stephen King is not a fan of adverbs.

THE 50/50 CHANCE

Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?

TRUE or FALSE: The Betty Crocker icon is based upon a real person.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

A woman’s magazine’s original readership?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the October 11, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Considering you have six chances to guess a five letter word, what are the six possible scores in WORDLE?

01. Genius (which only happens if your starting word is the right answer)

02. Magnificent

03. Impressive

04. Splendid

05. Great (and)

06. PHEW! (emphasis mine)

If you still don’t get it, the game ends with the answer revealed.

COMMON BONDS

The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?

01. {The Marx Brothers, Queen} = Both have experienced A Night At The Opera and A Day At The Races.

02 {Jay Garrick, Barry Allen} =Both have been the superhero speedster known as The Flash.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JUNE 21, 2025

😎 FUN FACT

While now a major historical event that some consider the prelude to Woodstock in 1969, 1967’s Summer of Love was actually unplanned.

⌚TRIVIA TIME

What is Monochromatism?

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

The Pritchetts meet the Griffins.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the June 14, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Farrokh Bulsara better as?

Freddie Mercury of Queen.

HUH? (misquotes)

The misquote is below. All you have to do is give us the correct quote and source. Ready?

♫Hold me closer Tony Danza.♫ = ♫Hold me closer Tiny Dancer.♫, a seriously misheard line from the classic Elton John song.

There are 3/THREE links in this article.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 10, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

George Lucas gave Mel Brooks permission to parody Star Wars on one condition, that there would never be any Spaceballs based merchandise. To this day, no one is certain whatever happened to all the props and prototypes shown during the movie.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Richie, Ralph and company on a long running soap opera.

NUMBER PLEASE

Get ready! We ask the question, but the answer is just a number.

With the selection of Leo XIV, to date: how many Popes have there been?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 3, 2025 Puzzle Corner as we celebrated Star Wars Day.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

What was George Lucas’ original title for what eventually became Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope?

THE Star Wars.

Okay, like we said, it was the working title. Luke Skywalker was originally named Luke Starkiller, so there was a lot of rewriting between first draft and finished screenplay.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What characters appeared throughout all nine movies of the original three trilogies?

The droids R2-D2 and C-3PO.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

Do you know how many other words you can make out of the letters in STAR WARS?

ANSWER: Granted, there weren't as many as one might suspect, but you can still form:

A, art(s), at, as, ass, aw

Rat(s), raw

Sat, saw, Stars (star doesn't count because it was part of the original phrase), straw(s)

Tar(s)

War (wars doesn't count because it was part of the original phrase), was, (and) wart(s).

If more than the 21 listed above are possible, please let us know.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: APRIL 26, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

While not the fastest member of the animal kingdom, the Skipper Butterfly can fly up to 37 miles per hour/59.5 kilometers per hours.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

What was the first movie to ever have a soundtrack album?

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

A President turned scientist.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the April 19, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

WORD SEARCH

It’s been a long time since we played this and unfortunately The Free Choice E-zine still doesn’t have onscreen interactive capabilities, but with Easter this past week, how many EGGs can you find in the 4 letter by 4 letter grid below?

EGGE

GGEG

GEGG

EGGE

Backwards and forwards there are 14 EGGs in the grid above. 6 across, 6 up and down, and 2 diagonally.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you make out of the letters in EASTER?

A, are, arse, art(s), as, Aster (type of flower), at, ate

Ear(s), East, eat(s)

Rat(s), rest, reseat, reset

Sat, sea, sear, seat, see, seer, set, star, stare, steer

Tar(s), tare(s), tea(s), tear(s), tease, teaser, tee(s), terse

More than the 42 listed above might be possible.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JANUARY 18, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

The very first newspaper was the Roman Acta Diurna (Daily Acts), originated in 59BCE.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Angry drivers against artificial intelligence.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What famous duo originally called themselves “Tom and Jerry,” before settling on their more famous career names?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the January 11, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

NUMBER PLEASE

Get ready! We ask the question, but the answer is just a number.

Out of the original Twilight Zone, how many episodes did series creator Rod Serling write?

92 out of the 156 produced for the show’s five classic seasons from 1959-1964

TRIVIA TIME⌚

How did Orville and Wilbur Wright decide who would make the historic airplane test flight at Kitty Hawk?

They flipped a coin! Winning, Orville was the pilot.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: NOVEMBER 16, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

As promised, The Answers Box📦 features the results from the last Puzzle Corner posted before our involuntary absence.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Who had/has the advertising slogan “Hasn’t scratched yet.”?

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Military Officer’s retail business.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the October 19, 2024 Puzzle Corner.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

What was the first CD (compact disc) ever made and released in the United States?

Appropriately, Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

WHAT’S THAT SONG?

Words from a tune of the past are below. All you have to do is give us the song title. Ready?

♫Dream maker. You heart breaker.♫ = 🌙 Moon River. 

THE PUZZLE CORNER: OCTOBER 5, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

A Macaw’s feather color pattern is as unique to each bird as fingerprints are to a human.

RHYME TIME⏰

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?

Equal parts.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Dr. Mark Sloan meets Jessica Fletcher.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the September 28, 2024 Puzzle Corner.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

October 2 marked the 65th anniversary of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone. Considering how popular it is in syndication, what was the very first episode ever aired?

“Where Is Everybody?”

Written by Serling himself, about a man who wakes up alone near a small town.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Marion Morrison better as?

Famous actor John Wayne.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 31, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

Before remodeling, the United States' White House Press Room used to be a private, indoor swimming pool area.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Team up between the Dark Knight and Mork.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Rupert Holmes’ ♫Escape♫ became more popular under what title?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 24, 2024 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What TV show once ended each episode with a request for viewers and fans to “keep circulating the tapes”?

Mystery Science Theater 3000, near the finish of the closing credits.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

What was the first graphic novel?

Historians consider Joseph Franz von Goez's Leonardo and Blandine, published in 1783 as the very first, although Will Eisner is usually accredited with creating the term in the 1970s.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JUNE 22, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

They may be unsightly and unwanted in gardens, but even weeds produce oxygen.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Two of a Kind pair.

RHYME TIME⏰

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?

Woodwinds’ problems.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the June 15, 2024 Puzzle Corner.

REBUS

Something familiar is represented in the image below. Do you know what it is?

His Father Take Take = Takes After His Father

WHO AM I?

Can you identify the person (real or fictitious) based upon the clue below?

♫He’s the military hero of the nation, though he doesn’t always follow regulation.♫

Beetle Bailey, according to the opening lyrics from his 1960s cartoon theme song.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MARCH 30, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

HOPPY EASTER! 🥚🐇

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Mister Toad visits Tara.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you make out of the letters in EASTER?

Hint: There’s more than you think.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the March 23 Puzzle Corner.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

The very first episode of the original Jeopardy! aired March 30, 1964. Who was the host and announcer?

Art Fleming hosted and Don Pardo announced on the Merv Griffin creation.

It was revived in the 1980s and has been on the air in syndication ever since.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What was the first “rip off”/parody of Star Wars?

Star Crash, starring Caroline Munro and David Hasselhoff in 1979.

Mel Brooks' classic Space Balls came later.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MARCH 16, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

While many accredit M*A*S*H with creating the dramedy (dramatic comedy), the genre actually dates back to ancient Greece.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Danny Thomas sitcom featuring a Little Orphan Annie character.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

With Saint Patrick’s Day 🍀tomorrow, how many new words can you make out of the letters in LEPRECHAUN?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the March 9, Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is a Haboob?

Another name for a massive dust storm.

COMMON BONDS

The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?

01. {Peter Parker, Bruce Banner} = Marvel Comics characters.

02. {Wonder Woman, Captain Comet} = DC Comics characters.

03. {Groups 1 and 2} = Alliteration (PP, BB, WW, CC)

THE PUZZLE CORNER: SEPTEMBER 2, 2023

 😎FUN FACT

While a second Adam West and Burt Ward movie was never made in the 1960s, among the ideas considered was Batman Versus Godzilla!

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Two “precious metal” Fall apples?

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Where did the last fare of the night want to be taken to in Harry Chapin’s ♫Taxi♫?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 26, 2023 Puzzle Corner.

COMMON BONDS

The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?

01. {Hawaiian, Sicilian} = Pizza🍕 Styles.

02. {Hotel, Detective} = Novels by Arthur Hailey.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

Since schools are back in session just about everywhere by now, how many new words can you make out of the letters in TEACHER?

A, Ace, Ache, Acre, Act, Ah, Are, Art, At, Ate

Car, Care, Cat, Chat, Cheer

Each, Ear, Earth, Eat

Ha, Hart, Hat, Hear, Heart, Heat, Her, Here

Race, Rat, Rate

Tar, Tare, Tea, Teach, Tear, The, There, Trace, (and) Tree.

Other words than the 39 listed above might be possible.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JULY 15, 2023

 😎FUN FACT

It is not physically possible to sneeze with your eyes open.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Famous author meets a famous actor.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What famous movie line inadvertently mentions two different rock groups?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the July 8, 2023 Puzzle Corner.

COMMON BONDS

The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?

01. {Spaceballs, Reboot} = Both have a character named Dot Matrix, which was actually a type of printer.

02. {Rudistid, Yawp} = Old words that are still allowed within a game of Scrabble.

Rudistid is an extinct bivalve mollusk while Yawp means a harsh or hoarse cry or yelp.

REBUS

Something familiar is represented in the image below. Do you know what it is?

STAYED

THINGS

Stayed on top of things.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JUNE 3, 2023

 😎FUN FACT

The S.S. Minnow of Gilligan’s Island was named after a former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

THE 50/50 CHANCE

Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?

TRUE or FALSE: The White House has only been used for United States Government business.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

An ice cream topping’s preferred source?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 27, 2023 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Who created Superman?

Writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster.

But besides Superman, Action Comics #1 was also the debuts for Chuck Dawson (a western), Zatara the Magician, Pep Morgan, reporter Scoop Scanlon, detective Tex Thompson and the serialization of Marco Polo’s adventures, among other features. Only Zatara, father of Zatanna the Magician, had any kind of a long career besides Superman.

WHO ARE WE?

Can you identify the people (real or fictitious) based upon the clue below?

We completed the first successful ascent of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953; making 2023 the 70th anniversary of that historic event.

(Sir, knighted later) Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tensing Norgay of Nepal.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 20, 2023

 😎FUN FACT

Scientists have confirmed Oysters🦪🦪🦪 possess a nervous system, but no brain.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

The Rocket Man soars Rocky Mountain high.

THE 50/50 CHANCE

Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?

WHICH CAME FIRST? ♫Witch Doctor♫ or ♫The Chipmunk Song (Please Christmas Don’t Be Late)♫

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 13, 2023 Puzzle Corner.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who is Minerva Mouse?

She’s known better by her stage name Minnie Mouse, who debuted with Mickey Mouse in Plane Crazy 95 years ago on May 15, 1928.

RHYME TIME⏰

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?

Seasonal object. = Spring thing.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: APRIL 29, 2023

 😎FUN FACT

Lego makes its bricks out of the same plastic many hard hats are made of.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Two different versions of the same reality competition combine forces.

HUH? (misquotes)

The misquote is below. All you have to do is give us the correct quote and source. Ready?

“Hold me closer, Tony Danza.”

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the April 22, 2023 Puzzle Corner.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

What was Mario’s first Nintendo appearance?

The original Donkey Kong game, but he was first known as Jump Man and the lady he kept rescuing wasn’t identified as Princess Peach.

WORD SEARCH

It’s been quite a while since this game was last played, and unfortunately we still cannot produce an interactive grid, but how many words either from left to right or from right to left can you find in the following: PADREDEVIL.

Left to right: Pa, Pad, Padre, Dred, Red, Devil, Evil.

Right to left: Live, Lived, Dap.