THE PUZZLE CORNER: SEPTEMBER 12, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

The Monkees (September 12) and the original TV version of Mission: Impossible (September 17) both celebrate their 60th anniversaries this year, so it’s time for some themed enigmas.

THE MONKEES, circa 1986

SUPER SECONDS🥈

After the FAMOUS FIRSTS, what comes next?

The Monkees’ first big hit was ♫Last Train To Clarksville♫. What was their next?

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What was the address of the Monkees’ pad (residence)?

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Lalo Schifrin is famous for composing the Mission: Impossible theme, among other works. But what did he originally name the theme?

WHO AM I?

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

I first led the Impossible: Mission Force before Peter Graves took over as Jim Phelps.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX 📦and discover the results from the September 5, 2026 Puzzle Corner as we celebrated Star Trek Day and the original series’ 60th anniversary.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

Which was the first USS Enterprise that could separate its saucer section from the rest of the ship?

USS Enterprise, NCC 1701 PRIME!

According to the original 1976 Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual, the very first Enterprise had that capability, but it could only be done in an extreme emergency because it required a Starbase to reunite the two halves. But that feature wasn’t visually shown by any ship until Picard’s NCC 1701-D.

NUMBER PLEASE

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

How many different Star Trek series have there been, as of September 2026?

12/TWELVE! The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, Discovery, Short Treks, Lower Decks, Prodigy, Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy.

Star Trek: Scouts is technically a YouTube channel exclusive and doesn’t count unless Paramount says otherwise.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Two Star Trek: Voyager performers had cameos in the Star Trek: First Contact movie. One was blatantly obvious and the other wasn’t. Can you name them both?

While Robert Picardo reprised his role as the Emergency Medical Hologram for one scene, Ethan Phillips portrayed a maitre’d instead of Neelix in another.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you form out of the letters in STAR TREK?

A, are, ark(s), art(s), as, aster {type of flower}, at, ate

Ear(s), eat(s), err(s)

Rare, rat(s), rate(s), rater(s), reak(s) {correct spelling of an old word meaning tricks}, rear(s), rest

Sake, sat, sate, sea, sear, seat, set, skate, skater, stake, staker, stare, starer, stark, start, state, steak

Take(s), taker(s), tart(s), taste, taster, tar(s), tare(s), tea(s), tear(s), test, {and} treat(s).

STAR and TREK don’t count because they were the original words but others than the 65 listed above might be possible.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

MEME VIA FACEBOOK

 😎FUN FACT

September 8 is not only Star Trek Day, but the 60th anniversary of the franchise, based upon the debut episode of the original series. So let’s celebrate with some themed enigmas.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

Which was the first USS Enterprise that could separate its saucer section from the rest of the ship?

NUMBER PLEASE

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

How many different Star Trek series have there been, as of September 2026?

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Two Star Trek: Voyager performers had cameos in the Star Trek: First Contact movie. One was blatantly obvious and the other wasn’t. Can you name them both?

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you form out of the letters in STAR TREK?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 29, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What does the acronym stand for in the SAT test?

Scholastic Aptitude Test or Scholastic Assessment Test.

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {Blake, Jones, Rogers} and yes we know they are names.

They are the surnames of some of the human characters on Scooby-Doo. Daphne Blake, Fred Jones and Norville “Shaggy” Rogers. Listing Velma Dinkley too might have given it away.

02. {Batman, Dark Shadows, The Monkees, Mission: Impossible, Star Trek} and yes we know they are all TV shows.

All of them celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2026, along with Family Affair, The Green Hornet and That Girl.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 29, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

While far from an every day occurrence, it is possible to score a perfect 1600 on the SAT tests.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What does SAT in the test stand for?

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {Blake, Jones, Rogers} and yes we know they are names.

02. {Batman, Dark Shadows, The Monkees, Mission: Impossible, Star Trek} and yes we know they are all TV shows.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 22, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Marion Morrison better as?

Actor John Wayne.

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?

CLASSIC TELEVISION> MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE. (Italicized letters were given.)

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 22, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

In case you missed it, the August 16 installment of The Sunday Funnies was The Free Choice E-zine’s 3400th Blogger post! 😁

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Marion Morrison better as?

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?

CLASSIC TELEVISION> MI_ _I_ _: IM_ _ _ _ I_ _ _

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 15, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is the name of the Trix Cereal rabbit mascot?

The company that makes Trix Cereal has NEVER given the rabbit a formal name!

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 Trix Cereal rabbit has never gotten to eat a bowl of Trix Cereal.

FALSE! Believe it or not, that rabbit HAS had a bowl of Trix. TWICE!

As a result of ad campaigns concurrent with the 1976 and 1980 Presidential elections, kids got to vote on the issue of whether or not to grant the rabbit a bowl of Trix.

After winning in 1976, the rabbit greedily gulped down his bowl, but was then told any more bowls were depended upon the results of the next election, with the rabbit resuming his ongoing quest to acquire more the way he had in previous commercials up to that point in time.

But in 1980, the children of the day were nice enough to reward the rabbit with a second bowl of cereal.

However the issue has yet to come up for another vote, and the rabbit has been unsuccessful in every advertisement since to acquire more.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 15, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

The things we laughed at during our youth are now the nostalgia of today.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is the name of the Trix Cereal rabbit mascot?

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 Trix Cereal rabbit has never gotten to eat a bowl of Trix Cereal.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 8, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

ALLITERATION

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, every word must start with the same letter. Ready?

Who does what by the sea shore?

She sells sea shells.

NUMBER PLEASE

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

How many babies are welcomed into the world if the mother has nonuplets?

9/NINE!

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 8, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Molly’s Lodge in Warwickshire is officially England’s smallest castle of record at just 800 square feet.

ALLITERATION: BRAND NEW GAME!

The clue to something is below but no matter how long your answer is, every word must start with the same letter. Ready?

Who does what by the sea shore?

NUMBER PLEASE

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

How many babies are welcomed into the world if the mother has nonuplets?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 1, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

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

The Hound of the Baskervilles.

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♫.

Electric Light Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark. (Electric Light Orchestra, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark.)

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: JULY 25, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Montana is the only member of the United States that requires their schools to teach and preserve Native American culture, helping students to understand and respect Indigenous heritage.

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?

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.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the July 18, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What 1960s American produced TV series is a syndicated cult classic in Germany today?

Hogan’s Heroes, the satirical comedy about Prisoners of War secretly fighting the Axis from within Stalag 13 during World War 2.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

What was the first TV show to accurately predict the fall of the Berlin Wall?

Although comically, it was (Dan) Rowan and (Dick) Martin’s Laugh-In during a “News of the Future” segment. While joking the Berlin Wall was going to be replaced by a moat, they got its demise in the year 1989 right, so win the honor.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JULY 18, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Berlin, Germany has a museum dedicated to actor David Hasselhoff.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What 1960s American produced TV series is a syndicated cult classic in Germany today?

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

What was the first TV show to accurately predict the fall of the Berlin Wall?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the July 11, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Arthur Curry better as?

The DC Comics superhero Aquaman.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is older than yesterday but younger than tomorrow?

Today.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JULY 11, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Humuggity (a combination of humid and muggy) was coined by the late Jerry Remy to express uncomfortable summer weather conditions.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Arthur Curry better as?

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is older than yesterday but younger than tomorrow?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the July 4, 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?

250 = SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL. The italicized letters were given.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you make out of the letters in INDEPENDENCE.

Hint: There’s more than you think.

Deed, Den, Deep, Depend, Did, Die, Died, Din, Dine, Dined, Dip

End

I, Ice, Iced, ID (psyche term), In, Inn

Nee, Need, Nice, Nine

Pen, Pend, Pie, Pied, Pin, Pinned, Pine, (and) Pined.

More than the 30 listed above might be possible.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JULY 4, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

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?

250 = _ _ _ I_ _IN_ _N_ _NNI_ _.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you make out of the letters in INDEPENDENCE.

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 June 27, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {black, blue, rasp, straw} = berries. Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries and Strawberries.

02. {base, foot} = balls. Baseball, Football.

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: Chickens🐔 have teeth.

FALSE, but medical exams reveal chickens are capable of growing teeth if they ever wanted to.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JUNE 27, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Drummer Dennis Wilson was the only member who could actually surf🏄 when the Beach Boys began their musical career.

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {black, blue, rasp, straw}

02. {base, foot}

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: 🐔Chickens have teeth.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the June 20, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

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? = Summer Stock Market. (Summer Stock, Stock Market)

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

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

A, Aft, After, Ah, Are, Art, At, Ate

Ear, Eat

Fa (a musical note), Fae (fantasy fairy), Far, Fare, Fat, Fate, Fear, Feat

Ha (a laugh), Hare, Hart, Hat, Hate, Hater, Hear, Heart, Heat, Her

Rah (a cheer), Rat, Rate

Tar, Tare, Tea, Tear, The, (and) Tra (a musical note)

More than the 37 listed above might be possible.

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: JUNE 13, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Phone books in Iceland are arranged alphabetically by everyone’s FIRST name.

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: _I_E_ _ E_ _ I_ _.

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 after their new barn.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the June 6, 2026 Puzzle Corner as we remembered D-Day.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What does the term D-Day stand for?

The moment when a military action begins but if there is a more specific meaning for the acronym, it’s lost to the annuls of time.

QUOTE THIS

Who said the following concerning war: “All gave some. Some gave all.”

Korean War Veteran Howard William Osterkamp. Many have since applied it to World War 2.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JUNE 6, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SERVED

Before D-Day began on June 6, 1944 to free Europe from Axis control, some of the mission’s code words were found in local crossword puzzles. When questioned about his use of those specific words, the maker simply replied, “Because they fit the puzzle.” The investigation was soonn dropped.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What does the term D-Day stand for?

QUOTE THIS

Who said the following concerning war: “All gave some. Some gave all.”

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 30, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

From the famous comic strip, what is Blondie Bumstead’s maiden name?

Boopadoop.

NUMBER PLEASE

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

As of June 1, 2026: How many people have walked on the surface of Earth’s moon?

12.

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin from Apollo 11 (1969), Charles Conrad and Alan Bean from Apollo 12 (1969), Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell from Apollo 14 (1971), David Scott and James Irwin from Apollo 15 (1971), John Young and Charles Duke from Apollo 16 (1972) and Gene Cernan with Harrison Schmitt from Apollo 17 (1972).

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 30, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

If you answer a suspected Spam Call, NEVER say the word “Yes” to ANY question. The Spammer will be recording the call and use that word as your consent to whatever they’re attempting, regardless of what the original context it was said in.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

From the famous comic strip, what is Blondie Bumstead’s maiden name?

NUMBER PLEASE

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

As of June 1, 2026: How many people have walked on the surface of Earth’s moon?🌕

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 23, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you spell out of the letters in MEMORIAL?

A, aero, ail, aim, air, ale, alm, am, ammo, are, arm

Ear, elm, em (a printer's measure), era

I, ire

Lair, lea, leo, liar, lie, lime

Ma, mail, male, mar, mar, me, meal, memo, mil (wire thickness), mile, mime, mire, mole, moral, morale, more

Oar, oil, oiler, ole, or, ore

Rail, ram, real, realm, ream, rile, rim, (and) rime.

More than the 53 listed above might be possible.

REBUS

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

♫Raspberry Beret♫ by Prince.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 23, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

US MEMORIAL DAY MAY 25

The USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated in 1962 to remember the fallen from December 7, 1941, NOT to be a snorkeling site!

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you spell out of the letters in MEMORIAL?

REBUS

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

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 16, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {A 1985-1992 sitcom, the 2024 US Olympics Women’s Gymnastics team} = Both were known as The Golden Girls.

02. {Oven, Treat, Uncle} = Dutch. Dutch Oven, Dutch Treat and Dutch Uncle.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is Dextrophobia?

The fear of objects on the right side of your body.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 16, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Superman originally couldn’t fly when he first started in Action Comics, but only leapt an eighth of a mile.

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {A 1985-1992 sitcom, the 2024 US Olympics Women’s Gymnastics team}

02. {Oven, Treat, Uncle}

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is Dextrophobia?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 9, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

MOTHER’S DAY QUIZ

Can you name the mother of the children listed below?

01. Alexander and Cookie. = Blondie Bumstead of comic strip fame.

02. Brad, Randy and Mark. = Jill Taylor of the Home Improvement television series.

03. Robert, Edward, William and Thomas. = Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the 16th President of the United States.

04. Sean and Ty. = Pam Dawber Harmon.

05. William and Harry. = Princess Diana Spencer

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

What was the very first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere?

The Max Alder Planetarium of Chicago, Illinois USA, established in 1930.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 9, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

Anna Jarvis is accredited with establishing Mother’s Day within the United States but later regretted how commercialized the event was becoming within her lifetime.

MOTHER’S DAY QUIZ

Can you name the mother of the children listed below?

01. Alexander and Cookie.

02. Brad, Randy and Mark.

03. Robert, Edward, William and Thomas.

04. Sean and Ty.

05. William and Harry.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

What was the very first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 2, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

WHO AM I?

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

My first solo hit was basically a love song to a rat!

Michael Jackson, singing the title tune to the 1972 movie Ben.

RHYME TIME⏰

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

Ancient enigmas. = History’s mysteries.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 2, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

This is our 3,350th Blogger Post!😁

WHO AM I?

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

My first solo hit was basically a love song to a rat!

RHYME TIME⏰

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

Ancient enigmas.

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

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {The Monkees, Ziggy Stardust} =Both featured a David Jones, although Ziggy’s had to change his name to David Bowie because of the Monkee.

02. {Gilligan’s Island, Mister Magoo} = Jim Backus was a part of both, voicing the animated character.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Armando Catalano better as?

Actor Guy Williams, from Lost In Space and Disney’s version of Zorro, among other productions.