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 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 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 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: 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 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: APRIL 18, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

The average hummingbird beats its wings 50-80 times per SECOND during normal flight.

REBUS

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

1S2A3F4E5T6Y7

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Do you know what each acronym below stands for?

01. FLAG

02. UNCLE

03. UNICEF

04. UNIT

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the April 11, 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?

Bugs Bunny, Roger Rabbit, et al?

Funny bunny.🐇

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is Dartitis?

Being unable to let go of the dart at the end of a throw.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: APRIL 11, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

The number 17, not 13, is considered unlucky in Italy.

RHYME TIME⏰

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

Bugs Bunny, Roger Rabbit, et al?

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is Dartitis?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the April 4, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

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?

♫Just a little change. Small to say the least.♫

“Beauty and the Beast”, title song to the Disney animated version.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you form out of the letters in the word EASTER.

Hint: There’s more than you think.

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 (and) Tsar.

More than the 43 listed above might be possible.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MARCH 14, 2026

😎FUN FACT

Robert Opel streaked on stage during the 1974 Oscars, to which presenter David Niven quipped: “Now there’s a man who’s proud of his shortcomings.”

TRIVIA TIME⌚

With the Oscars being held March 15, who has hosted the awards show the most, to date?

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

With Saint Patrick’s Day March 17, how many new words can you spell out of the letters in SHAMROCK?🍀

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the March 7, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

March 10 marked the 150th anniversary of Alexander Graham Bell perfecting the telephone. What were the very first words said over the device?

“Mr. Watson, come here. I want you.”

Although some people think it was “Mr. Watson, come here. I need you.”

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Leslie Sebastian Charles better as?

Singer Billy Ocean.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: FEBRUARY 21, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

This week’s enigma’s celebrate two major media milestones.

WHO AM I?

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

While everyone congratulates Link and Zelda on the 40th anniversary of the very first Legend of Zelda video game for the NES from February 1986, I have been the unsung arch-nemesis for most of the series from that first game.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

February 27 is the 30th anniversary of Pokemon. What were the original three starting creatures one could choose from?

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

NES is an abbreviation for what?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the February 14, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

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

A, alien, alive, an, ant, at, ate

Eat, eave, even, evil

I, in, inn, inane, it

Lane, late, Latin, lean, leave, lei, lenient, lent, lie, line, lint, live

Neat, nine, nit

Tan, tea, ten, teen, tile, tin, tine

Veil, vein, vent, vial, vile

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

Who was the first non-Beatles act to sign with the Fab Four’s Apple Records?

James Taylor.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JANUARY 10, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

It has been proven that ancient Egyptians even mummified food for the after life.

WHO AM I?

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

Although I wanted to be an actor, I was more successful as a carpenter before finally getting my big break.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is Pentheraphobia?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the January 3, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

NUMBER PLEASE

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

On the television show M*A*S*H, how many “bug outs”/camp relocations were conducted under Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake?

0/ZERO! Every evacuation to a hopefully safer location was done under Colonel Sherman Potter.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

While not officially recognized by any government, New Year’s Day is also known as what?

Hangover Day, because of all the partying the night before on New Year’s Eve.🥳

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 6, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

Now that it’s actually December, let us begin our annual Christmas puzzles.

REBUS

We start by putting up The Free Choice E-zine’s Christmas tree, but something familiar is represented by it. Do you know what it is?

TRIVIA TIME⌚

December 9 marks the 60th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas, but unfortunately it is no longer available on commercial/broadcast TV. However, 3/THREE other Christmas specials have aired annually since their debuts. Do you know which ones?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the November 29, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is actor Michael J. Fox’s middle name?

It’s actually Andrew!

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

Who was the very first person to portray a live action Spider-man on television?

While many said Nicholas Hammond because of the late 1970s Spider-man TV series on CBS, it was actually Danny Seagren on the Spidey Super Stories segments (1974-1977) of PBS’ original Electric Company (1971-1977).

THE PUZZLE CORNER: NOVEMBER 29, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

Being traditionalists, our annual Christmas themed puzzles will start next week with the December 6, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is actor Michael J. Fox’s middle name?

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

Who was the very first person to portray a live action Spider-man on television?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the November 22, 2025 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?

A Stooge pilots the Spruce Goose.

(Either Moe, Curly or Shemp) Howard Hughes.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

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

Out of the letters in the word THANKSGIVING, you can make the following words:

A, aging, ah, akin, an, angst, as, at,

Gag(s), gain(s), giant(s), gas, gat(s) <old 1930's slang for guns>, gig(s), gin(s), gist, git(s) <Hillbilly slang for scram>, giving

Hag(s), haggis <a Scottish delicacy>, hang(s), has, hat(s), having, hi <short form of "hello">, hiking, hint(s), hit(s)

I, ink(s), in(s), inn(s), is, it, its

Kin, king(s), kit(s), knight(s), knit(s)

Nag(s), nigh, night(s)

Sag, saint, sank, sat, saving, shag <a type of carpeting>, sight, sighting, sign, signing, sink, sinking, sin, shin, shining, sit, skin, skit, snag, snit, stag, staging, stain, staining, stank, sting, stinging, stink, stinking

Tag(s), tan(s), tank(s), than, thank(s), thin(s), thing(s), think(s), this, tin, vain, vat(s), visit, Viking(s), (AND) vista.

Other words besides the 117 above might be possible. But IV (the medical term) didn’t count because it’s an abbreviation. The Roman numerals II and IV are debatable, but the cuss word for human waste was not listed since this is a family oriented E-zine.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: NOVEMBER 8, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

Although personnel have changed over time, the International Space Station has maintained a crew for 25 years and counting.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is the national animal of Scotland?

WHO AM I?

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

To date, I am the only President of the United States to have ever received the Medal of Honor, which is awarded for extraordinary valor during combat.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the November 1, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {river, piggy} = bank(s)

02. {book, cookware} = cover(s)

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Leonard Slye better as?

Western legend Roy Rogers.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: OCTOBER 11, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

Oddly, the Guillotine was not only named after someone who did NOT invent it, but Doctor Joseph-Ignace Guillotin actually opposed the death penalty.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

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

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {The Marx Brothers, Queen}

02. {Jay Garrick, Barry Allen}

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the October 4, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

WHO AM I?

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

I patented the Sewing Machine in 1855.

I. M. Singer.

RHYME TIME⏰

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

Viable lumber. = Good Wood.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: SEPTEMBER 20, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

It’s the soap🧼, not the water temperature, that kills germs when washing your hands.

NUMBER PLEASE

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

How many movies did actors Paul Newman and Robert Redford make together?

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Going into the 2025 playoffs, who is the only Major League Baseball⚾ team to have never made it to the World Series?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the September 13, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Since September 18 was Cheeseburger🍔 Day, what exactly is on Jimmy Buffet’s ♫Cheeseburger In Paradise♫?

According to the song (and I played the track on the Songs You Know By Heart CD 3/THREE times to confirm this), Jimmy Buffet was "not too particular, not too precise" but a ♫Cheeseburger in Paradise♫ included an unspecified bun, "a huge hunk of meat" cooked medium rare, onion slice, lettuce, tomatoes, mustard AND Heinz 57 sauce; served with French fried potatoes, a Kosher dill pickle and a cold draft beer.

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {Nuro, Valo} = Light, in other languages. Swahili and Finnish respectively.

02. {Skua, Grebe} = Birds. Skua stay mainly along shorelines while Grebe dive for their food.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: SEPTEMBER 13, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

A Nautical Mile is 6,076 feet or 1,852 meters.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Sine September 18 is Cheeseburger🍔 Day, what exactly is on Jimmy Buffet’s ♫Cheeseburger In Paradise♫?

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {Nuro, Valo}

02. {Skua, Grebe}

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the September 6, 2025 Puzzle Corner as we celebrated Star Trek’s 59th anniversary.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

Who was the very first Captain of the Starship Enterprise NCC-1701?

Robert April is officially the Captain of record while the ship was being built and oversaw its initial missions until the Enterprise was declared space worthy. His then First Officer Christopher Pike assumed command.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Why is September 8 so significant in Star Trek history?

Besides the fact that Thursday September 8, 1966 saw the debut of the original Star Trek on network television, Saturday September 8, 1973 saw the debut of Star Trek: The Animated Series, continuing the series with most of the original cast voicing their characters in new adventures.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: SEPTEMBER 6, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

September 8 is Star Trek Day, celebrating the 59th anniversary of the franchise.

Sorry, no Star Trek images because Paramount zealously protects their copyrights.

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

Who was the very first Captain of the Starship Enterprise NCC-1701?

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Why is September 8 so significant in Star Trek history?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 30, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Emmanuel Goldenberg better as?

Famous actor Edward G. Robinson.

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: It is illegal to take an unauthorized photograph of Paris’ Eiffel Tower at night.

TRUE! Because the exterior lighting arrangement is still under copyright protection.