THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 17, 2016

FUN FACT
How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Doctor Seuss was published in the December 1956 issue of Redbook magazine before the book was released the following November.

TRIVIA TIME
Who are the two main UNCREDITED voices in the Chuck Jones’ produced animated adaptation of How The Grinch Stole Christmas?

FAMOUS FIRSTS
The Grinch was NOT Doctor Seuss’ first work in animation. What was?

We’ll reveal all next weekend, but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results from the December 10, 2016 Puzzle Corner and our FAMOUS FIRST CAROLS quiz.

While who recorded the best rendition of a beloved Christmas classic is debatable, some Christmas tunes date back a lot farther than you think.
Can you name the very first performer to record the following songs?

01. Frosty the Snowman was first sung by Gene Autry in a 1950 recording.
02. Judy Garland was the first to sing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas during the 1944 MGM
musical Meet Me In Saint Louis.
03. Here Comes Santa Claus was first sung by its co-writer Gene Autry in 1947, although the classic
radio version is actually of a later recording.
04. The Jingle Bell Rock was first performed by Bobby Helms in 1957.
05. Vaughn Monroe first pleaded Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow in 1946.
06. Believe it or not, there are two possible answers for this one!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first shined in 1948 when Harry Brannon sang it live on various
New York City radio programs, but Gene Autry was the first to actually record the song the following
year.
07. Eartha Kitt first purred Santa Baby in 1953, which I personally prefer.

08. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is actually the oldest song on our list. Eddie Cantor was the first
to sing it in a 1934 recording, although I personally like the rendition by Bruce Springsteen and the E
Street Band.
09. Silver Bells was first performed in the 1951 Paramount Picture The Lemon Drop Kid by its star
Bob Hope, who continued to perform it on every TV Christmas special he did until his passing.
10. You are right to say Bing Crosby was the first to ever perform White Christmas, but trying to
say exactly when depends upon the format. He did so during his radio show on Christmas Day 1941.
The movie Holiday Inn and the original record were both in 1942, and the remake movie White Christmas was in 1954.
11. Sleigh Ride, as an instrumental, was first performed by The Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by
Arthur Fiedler in 1949, although the popular radio version is actually of one of their later
performances.
12. The Andrews Sisters were the first to sing Sleigh Ride's lyrics in a 1950 recording.

SUNDAY FUNNIES: ASK THE DRAGON (misc. jokes)

A Smart (Alecky) Dragon

Hello Everybody! Waxy Dragon here!
Believe it or not, I get fan mail here at The Free Choice E-zine, and not just from some flounders either.
(And if you get that Rocky and Bullwinkle reference, congratulations!)

Anyway, I'll let you ask your questions, and I'll answer them in italics.
Ready?

If I'm cold in a room, what should I do?
Just stand in a corner. They're usually around 90 degrees.

What do you call a belt made out of watches?
If they're still working, a waist of time.

Hey Waxy. I was just reading about 2 guys who stole a calendar. Were they ever caught?
Yes, and the judge gave them each 6 months.

Why do bicycles have kickstands?
Because they can't stand on their own, they're two tired.

What's blue, but smells like red paint?
Blue paint.

Why does a flamingo stand on one leg?
To show off. If it tried to stand on no legs, it would fall.

What's grey and can't fly?
Besides parking lots and mice? My cousin Eugene. He's just a hatching.

Hey, I said I got letters.
I never said they were INTELLIGENT letters!
And on that note♫, have a great week everybody and please be back here again next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—wd.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 4-10, 2016

DECEMBER 10 IS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY!

DECEMBER 11 MARKS INDIANA'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF STATEHOOD.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*Alexander Van der Bellen has won the Austrian Presidential election.
*New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key has announced his resignation.
*Bernard Cazeneuve has replaced Manuel Valls as Prime Minister of France.
*Although she has already officially resigned her position, the South Korean government has moved to officially impeach former President Park Geun-hye while Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn will serve as acting President.
*Japan has ratified the Trans-Pacific Partnership in their country. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit Pearl Harbor before the end of the calendar year.
*The remains of former Cuban President Fidel Castro were laid to rest next to honored Independence leader Jose Marti.
*With a referendum to amend their Constitution failing to pass, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has announced his resignation.
*Conjoined twins Erika and Eva Sandoval have survived their separation surgery.
*Archeologists believe they have found the tomb of Queen Nefertari in Egypt.

IN THE PHILIPPINES…
*Citing major differences in principles and values, Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo has resigned her Cabinet post as Housing Secretary, but will stay in her elected position under President Rodrigo Duterte. Meanwhile, Duterte has accused the opposing Liberal Party of trying to replace him with Robredo!
*The Philippines’ Senate has declared that current operations of the country’s National Police under their Oplan Tokhang/anti-drug campaign are unconstitutional.
*On Human Rights Day (December 10) President Duterte was asked to defend both his position on civilians being allowed to execute even suspected drug offenders and the decision to bury Ferdinand Marcos in the Heroes' Cemetery. There has yet to be an official response as this item was posted.





THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*Sadly, bombs are still the primary weapon of choice against both military targets and innocent civilians.

PASSING PARADE…
*Rapper Big Skye has passed away.
*Actor Peter Vaughan (Game of Thrones, Brazil) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Musician Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer is no longer with us.
*Former Astronaut and Ohioan Senator John Glenn has passed away.
*Ralph “Putsy” Caballero, who played 8 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies starting at age 16 because of World War 2, is no longer with us.
*Actress Coral Atkins (A Family At War, Emmerdale) has taken her last bow on life's stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
POLITICALLY…

*How much of President Barack Obama's accomplishments in office can President Donald Trump actually undo?
*Although all still have to be officially confirmed, President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks include Ben Carson for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Pruitt (a known denier that climate change exists) as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Linda McMahon of the World Wrestling Entertainment franchise as the head of the Small Business Administration, John F. Kelly as Secretary of Homeland Security, and Gary Cohn, chief operating officer of investment bank Goldman Sachs, as chair of the White House National Economic Council.
*Former General James Mattis may not be eligible to serve as Trump’s Secretary of Defense since it’s been less than 7 years since he retired.
*Trump is allegedly not wanting to read daily intelligence briefings.
*Members of Trump's transition team have asked the Department of Energy to identify everyone who helped with President Obama's Climate Action and Carbon Output Reduction plans, without specifying why they require these names.
*When officially in office, Trump has said he will end "job killing" energy regulations and promises "retribution" against any company attempting to move jobs out of the United States. (There are 2 separate links in that item.)
MEANWHILE…
*The CIA has concluded that Russia actively tried to help Donald Trump win the 2016 U.S. presidential election!
*It turns out Ivanka Trump was finalizing a business deal with Japan when she was part of her father's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe!
*Will Donald Trump even submit a 2017 Federal budget proposal?
*Union Leader Chuck Jones says Donald Trumps facts about the success of the Carrier labor resolution are inaccurate, with over 500 employees still slated to lose their jobs while others were never in danger of becoming unemployed.
*A Federal Judge has stopped the Michigan Presidential election ballot recount, claiming Green Party candidate Jill Stein had no valid reason to request a recount in the first place. But is she owed a refund?
*At the same time, citizens in Florida are suing to get their Presidential votes recounted!
*Time magazine has named President-elect Donald Trump their Man of the Year for 2016.
*Does a private citizen have any rights in regards to questioning Donald Trump's positions?
*While not yet officially President, Donald Trump is urging the government to cancel their contract with Boeing for the "next generation" of Air Force 1 planes and has publicly Twittered about China. (There are 2 separate links in that item.)
*The Senate has approved new measures on how the Federal Food and Drug Administration approves new medicines. President Obama is expected to sign the measure soon.
ELSEWHERE…
*The sad consequences of (cyber) bullying!
*The US Army Corps of Engineers has denied Energy Transfer Partners an operating permit, thus (temporarily?) suspending the Dakota Access Pipeline.
*Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit Pearl Harbor before the end of the calendar year.
*Is 2016 the last Christmas for Sears/K-Mart?
*The Department of Justice has approved Alaska Airlines’ purchase of Virgin America (airlines) but Alaska Airlines must reduce its partnership with American Airlines in the process.
*Actor Kirk Douglas has celebrated his 100th birthday!
*Entertainer Elton John has denied any rumors that he plans to retire.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our ELSEWHERE feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 10, 2016

FUN FACT
While they didn't start gaining popularity until the early 1800s, the Christmas Tree can trace its roots (no pun intended) back to the 15th Century.

FAMOUS FIRSTS: ♫THE CAROL EDITION♫
While who recorded the best rendition of a beloved Christmas classic is debatable, some Christmas tunes date back a lot farther than you think.
Can you name the very first performer to record the following songs?

01. Frosty the Snowman
02. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
03. Here Comes Santa Claus
04. Jingle Bell Rock
05. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
06. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
07. Santa Baby
08. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
09. Silver Bells
10. White Christmas
11. Sleigh Ride (as an instrumental)
12. Sleigh Ride (with lyrics)

We’ll reveal all next weekend, but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results from the December 3, 2016 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME
Where are the Peanuts characters based? In other words, where do they live?
Creator Charles M. Schulz always considered them in Minnesota, where he grew up.

REBUS
We're putting up our Christmas tree, but something's wrong.
Do you know what it is?
There is NO L (Noel).

SUNDAY FUNNIES: MONEY MANIA

Hello Everybody. Autumn the Puppy here.

A lot has been said on the subject of money.
How to get it, what to do with it, what not to do with it, how you should pay taxes and (questionable) methods how to avoid doing so.

Money cannot buy happiness, but some say it is much nicer to be crying in a brand new Lamborghini that is about to be repossessed than in a used car that no one would even pay you the going scrap rate for.

Anyway, so what good is money?

The Beatles sing it can't buy you love, but it can rent a "companion" for the right price.

It can buy you a house, but not make it a home.

It can buy a bed, but cannot help you obtain a peaceful night's sleep.

It can buy a clock, but cannot give you more time or even make you punctual.

It can buy you a book, but not knowledge.

That you have to learn yourself, although some are seriously trying to charge for the privilege beyond a certain grade level.

It can buy you position, especially if not genuinely earned, but not respect.

It can buy you medicine, but not health.
Although there are plenty of people wanting to charge you for that too.

So in the end, what good is money?
How should I know?
This post was written by a puppy, remember???

So have a great week folks and please be back here again next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—AtP.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2016

DECEMBER 3 IS INTERNATIONAL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY DAY.

DECEMBER 7 IS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, THE CATALYST FOR AMERICA ENTERING WORLD WAR 2.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*South Korean President Park Geun-hye is voluntarily resigning over political scandals in that country.
*Adama Barrow has won the election to be the next President of Gambia.
*Current President of France François Hollande has announced he will not seek re-election next year.
*With the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Maha Vajiralongkorn is the new King of Thailand.
*Contractors who worked on preparing the venues for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil say they are still unpaid at this time.
*Although some question the decision, Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte’s allowed Ferdinand Marcos to be buried in Manila’s Heroes Cemetry.
*South Africa has started testing HVTN 702, a potential but experimental new AIDS vaccine.
*Warmer seas have destroyed much of a 435 mile long stretch of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef over the last 9 months.
*According to their Supreme Court, all theaters in India must now play the country’s national anthem before showing any movie, with the audience standing at attention during the tune.
*Magnus Carlsen defeated Sergey Karjakin to retain the World Chess Championship title.



THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Taliban has allegedly made an offer to help protect Afghanistan national interests, such as that country’s copper mines.
*While bombs continue to be terrorism's favorite weapon, ISIS/ISIL snipers in Mosul have reportedly killed 15 innocent children with no provocation.

PASSING PARADE…
*Actress Valerie Gaunt (The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula–1958 version) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Former professional football player Dick Logan of the Green Bay Packers is no longer with us.
*The victims of LaMia Airlines Flight 2933, including several members of the Brazilian Chapecoense Football (soccer) team.
*Actor Keo Woolford (current version of Hawaii 5-0) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Concert pianist and Chess Grandmaster Mark Taimanov has passed away.
*Actor Andrew Sachs (Fawlty Towers, Coronation Street) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Musician Ray Columbus of the Invaders is no longer with us.
*Actor Georg Lhotsky (Moss on the Stones) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Taiwanese chef Peng Chang-kuei, accredited with inventing General Tso's chicken.
*Actor Don Calfa (The Return of the Living Dead, Weekend at Bernie's) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
POLITICALLY…

*While many third party candidates either have successfully had states start recounting their ballots or are in the process of having their requests honored; not surprisingly, President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters are against any proposed ballot recounts. (There are 2 different links in that item.)
*As hopeful future members of his Cabinet, pending Congressional approval, Donald Trump has picked Congressman Ted Price (on record as being against Medicare) to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mitch McConnell’s wife Elaine as his Secretary of Transportation, billionaire Wilbur Ross as his Secretary of Commerce, former General James Mattis as Secretary of Defense, and banker/businessman Steven Mnuchin as his Secretary of the Treasury.
*So far, the possibility of former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as the potential next Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs is only a rumor.
*Regardless of who winds up on Donald Trump's cabinet, how much taxes will they have to pay???
*Congressional Democrats have re-elected Nancy Pelosi as their minority leader.
*The Senate has voted to extend the existing Iran Sanctions Act for another decade, and has sent the measure to President Barack Obama for his approval.
*China isn't happy that President-elect Donald Trump had a telephone conversation with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. (There are 2 different links in that item.)
*What are some of Donald Trump's information sources???
*A Donald Trump Presidency and the middle class: good or bad???
MEANWHILE…
*While Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein has gotten official recounts underway in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan; Reform Party Presidential candidate Rocky de la Feunte has filed for recounts in Florida and Nevada.
*It is not looking good for North Carolina’s Republican Governor Pat McCrory. Not only is he losing the recount to Democratic challenger Roy Cooper, but a federal judge has ordered that state to redraw their legislative districts after finding evidence of gerrymandering.
*Protests continue over the Dakota Access Pipeline.
*It turns out Hawaii is the first state to have a Senate whose members are all of one political party since 1979!
*Does President Barack Obama have a future in comedy? OR: How many ways can you pardon a turkey?
ELSEWHERE…

*Has Miami Beach run out of sand???
*Formula One world champion racer Nico Rosberg has announced his retirement.
*Starting in 2017, winning the All Star Game will no longer determine home field advantage in Major League Baseball's World Series.

THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS LOYAL READERSHIP FOR GIVING US 2020 PAGE VIEWS IN NOVEMBER 2016.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our ELSEWHERE feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 3, 2016

FUN FACT
Room temperature is officially defined as between 59 and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 C).

Now that it is officially December, we shall begin our annual holiday enigmas.

TRIVIA TIME
In such events like A Charlie Brown Christmas, where are the Peanuts characters based?
In other words, where do they live?

REBUS
We're putting up our Christmas tree, but something's wrong.
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 November 26, 2016 Puzzle Corner.

BEFORE AND AFTER
Two separate things have at least one word in common and can be combined to form something new.
Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?

Mister Toad goes to Tara.
Gone with the Wind in the Willows.

TRIVIA TIME
Actress Florence Henderson will probably be remembered best as Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch, but who was actually first offered the role?
Shirley Jones, who later went on to be the mother on The Partridge Family.