THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 17, 2022

😎 FUN FACT

🕎Hanukkah has at least 18 acceptable spellings in English.

While we lament the fact that the network holiday streak for A Charlie Brown Christmas may be over
(see THE ANSWERS BOX below for more details), can you match the Narrating Host to their classic Rankin-Bass holiday special?

Note: Since not every narrator was actually a character within the story, some of them either appeared as "themselves" or did not actually appear on screen at all.

THE NARRATORS

a. Fred Astaire

b. Shirley Booth

c. Jimmy Durante

d. Greer Garson

e. George Gobel

f. Andy Griffith

g. Buddy Hackett

h. Burl Ives

i. Roger Miller

j. Red Skelton

k. Jonathan Winters

THE SPECIALS

01. Frosty The Snowman⛄ (1969)

02. Frosty Returns (1992)

03. Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976)

04. The Little Drummer🥁 Boy (1968)

05. Jack Frost (1979)

06. Nestor, the Long Earred Christmas Donkey (1977)

07. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer🦌 (1964)

08. Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976)

09. Santa Claus🎅 Is Coming To Town (1970)

10. Twas The Night Before Christmas (1974)

11. The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the December 10, 2022 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Sadly, unless PBS or some other network manages to strike a deal, Apple TV’s exclusive rights to A Charlie Brown Christmas ends that beloved special’s network holiday airing streak at 1965-2021.

What other holiday specials have aired annually since their debuts?

Frosty the Snowman⛄ since 1969, the Chuck Jones animated version of Doctor Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas since 1966 and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer🦌 since 1964 are the remaining three who have aired continuously every holiday season since their debuts. All have already aired at least once this season to continue their streaks.

NUMBER PLEASE

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

Out of all the suggestions CBS, the original airing network made, how many did the creative team behind A Charlie Brown Christmas actually use?

Only ONE. They added lyrics to the tune ♫Christmas Time Is Near♫ but still used actual children’s voices throughout the special, as well as keeping the jazz score by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Two things CBS wanted done differently.

SUNDAY FUNNIES: HOLIDAY JOURNEY JOKES

Hello Everybody! Koda Canine here!

Like my new Dog Sweater? It's definitely a necessary for the well prepared canine with winter upon us. I hope everyone is taking care of their Furry Friends too.

Now that I've got the Public Service Announcement out of the way, with the Holiday Travel Season approaching, it's time for some appropriately themed jokes. Your mileage may vary.

Ready?

Sometimes I wonder if “air traffic control” is just a game with no rules that nobody knows how to play, but the goal always seems to be keeping flights from arriving in time for passengers to make connecting flights.

If all the automobiles in this country were pink, would that make us a pink car nation?

I knew of an airline that was so bad at losing your luggage that they hung mistletoe over the baggage check-in area so you could kiss your luggage goodbye.

If everyone has such trouble folding up a road map after they've used it, how do the publishers ever manage to fold them to begin with?

There once was a fashion designer who refused to fly because he thought the airline vehicles were too plain.🛫

If a spider🕷 owned a car would he take it out for a spin?

Did you hear about the inexperienced pilot who wanted to go to flight school? If he ever finds the airport…

WHY do they call it rush hour when nothing moves that fast on the freeway?

If everyone this time of year is singing ♫There's no place like home for the holidays♫, why go traveling to begin with?

So on that note♫ take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

Have a great week and please be back next weekend when Piper D. Katt and I host our annual Sunday Funnies Christmas Party!—KC.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 4-10, 2022: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY!

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANNINGS AND BURNINGS!

GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS

OR MONKEY POX!

DECEMBER 10 IS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY.

DECEMBER 13 IS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF STAR TREK: NEMESIS.

DECEMBER 16 IS NATIONAL DAY IN BAHRAIN

AND SOUTH AFRICA’S DAY OF RECONCILIATION.

DECEMBER 18 IS THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY OF

TCHAIKOVSKY’S THE NUTCRACKER DEBUTING.

HANUKKAH BEGINS AT SUNDOWN DECEMBER 18

FOR THOSE CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT.

2022 MARKS THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*COVID and its variants continue to be a global problem.

*Thankfully the vaccination battles continue too.

*The COVID state of the world, as of December 10, 2022.

*The global Monkey Pox status, as of December 10, 2022.

*Kim Jong-un of North Korea has made no secret about wanting to strengthen his country's nuclear abilities, but does he really want everyone to change their names??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Peru’s Presidential problems.

*Viktor Bout for Brittney Griner.

*France is taking steps to promote safer sex health.

*The Iron Man Alaska Triathlons for 2023 and 2024 have been canceled.

*The 2022 Game Award winners are...

*The X-37B is about to return.

*Time travel is THEORETICALLY possible, but has it ACTUALLY happened???

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*Status update: December 6.

*Whether intentionally or not, Russia is still killing Ukraine civilians.

*Did Russia kidnap nuclear engineers???

*While Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to wage war, President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Spirit of Ukraine are Time magazine’s Person of the Year. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*More Russian caused blackouts.

*Opinion: Will Russia lose on ALL fronts???

THE TERRORIST REPORT…

*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐

*How many bird species are in danger???

*The environmental dangers of one “wall” section.

*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

*Singer/actor Bob McGrath (Sing Along With Mitch, Sesame Street) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*Author Dominique Lapierre (Is Paris Burning?, City of Joy, more) is no longer with us.

*Actress Kiristie Alley (Cheers, Veronica’s Closet, Look Who’s Talking franchise, much more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

*Actress (Insecure, John Henry, more) and budding screen writer (NCIS Hawai’i) Yakira Chambers has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

*Judge Mills Lane (legitimate court cases as well as his own TV show and Celebrity Death Match) is no longer with us.

*Journalist/singer Peter Cooper has passed away.

*Soccer⚽ journalist/analyst Grant Wahl is no longer with us.

*Cartoonist Lee Lorenz (a lot for the New Yorker, other publications) has passed away.

*Actress Helen Slayton-Hughes (Parks & Recreation, Shoot the Moon, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

*Visual Effects Artist Richard Miller (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, The Rocketeer, more) is no longer with us.

*Actress Ruth Madoc (Fiddler On The Roof movie, Little Britain, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

*Actress June Blair (much work throughout the 1950s and 1960s) has taken her last bow on life's stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…

*Former President Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.

*The environmental dangers of one “wall” section.

*Accident or not, the information was NOT to be made public.

NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to fully discuss the health and safety of all the detainees as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FIVE detainees (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.

CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH

*With the final report and recommendations due, could Trump be facing charges???

*More guilty convictions for other rioters.

THE PAPERS CAPER...

*Once again, apparently there’s more documents than first thought while Trump wants all "HIS" property returned immediately. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

POLITICALLY…

*Marjorie Taylor Greene wants President Biden impeached for trading Viktor Bout to secure Brittney Griner’s freedom??? (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Raphael Warnock won the Georgia runoff against Herschel Walker.

*Kari Lake has filed a legal challenge under the belief she won the Arizona Governor position.

*Why did Florida’s Governor DeSantis fire a State Attorney???

*Democrats versus Republicans in Pennsylvania.

*Opinion: What DOES matter to Republicans???

*The latest from the White House. 

THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*The Court considers Service Rights. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*That was supposed to be a joke???

*A preview of the Court hearing Moore v. Harper. 

*So how is new Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson doing???

ROE V. WADE OVERTURN>AFTERMATH

*He took a stand in Texas and won in State Court.

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*They are NOT there for the show.

*Why are Jewish students being targeted???

*And now we have Trump versus leaders of the Jewish faith!

*The House of Representatives has joined the Senate in passing the Respect For Marriage Act. Now President Biden needs to sign it into law.

*A bad decision comes back to haunt store manager.

😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…

*The state of your state.

*Tracking variants at US Airports.

😷THE US VERSUS MONKEY POX…

*The state of your state, Monkey Pox wise.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*The House of Representatives has joined the Senate in passing the Respect For Marriage Act. Now President Biden needs to sign it into law.

*The 2023 Defense Budget is prepared, but what about protecting Voting Rights???

*Why is Kyrsten Sinema going to switch sides??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*“You Tweeted THAT?”—Liz Chaney to Paul Gosar.

*Congressional Trump supporters versus Senator Mitch McConnell.

*Did Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez violate the Ethics Code???

*The Republicans are still trying to figure out who will be Speaker of the House next term.

ELSEWHERE…

*Analysis: Heart health and African American motherhood.

*Intentional attack leaves parts of North Carolina in the dark.

*The Trump Organization was found guilty on all 17 counts of tax fraud.

*Are bribery charges pending against Trump too???

*Guess who hosted a QAnon fund raiser.

*The Federal Trade Commission is against Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard to prevent a video game monopoly.

*The Iron Man Alaska Triathlons for 2023 and 2024 have been canceled.

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*December 10 is the 205th anniversary of Mississippi joining the United States.

*We celebrate the 235TH anniversaries of Pennsylvania becoming the second member of the US December 12 and New Jersey the third December 18.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 10, 2022

 😎FUN 😢SAD FACT

Unless PBS or some other network manages to strike a deal, Apple TV’s exclusive rights to A Charlie Brown Christmas ends that beloved special’s network holiday airing streak at 1965-2021.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What other holiday specials have aired annually since their debuts?

NUMBER PLEASE

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

Out of all the suggestions CBS, the original airing network made, how many did the creative team behind A Charlie Brown Christmas actually use?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the December 3, 2022 Puzzle Corner.

REBUS

It’s December and time to decorate The Free Choice E-zine office.

What is so special about our Christmas tree?

There is no L for Noel.

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?

♫Dressed in a snow white gown, tap tap tappin’ at your window pane to tell you she’s in town.♫

Suzy Snowflake, as originally sung by Rosemary Clooney.

SUNDAY FUNNIES: FELINE STUDIES

 Hello Everybody! Piper D. Katt here!

Being a cat, I'm naturally curious and inquisitive.

I watch people all day long and wonder about why they do this and what they think about that.

I just recently found out that there are people out there who are PAID to do what I'm doing to further my self education!

Nobody told me I could get paid for studying people. Where do I go to apply for the job? Do they pay in cat food and kitty litter or that funny looking green stuff people use to buy things with?

In any event, I looked it up and here are the results of some recent studies, with my comments afterwards...

Study finds: People who exercise are less fat than people who sit on the couch all day eating snacks and watching TV.

Really? I'm surprised. Then again, the best I get to do is fall asleep sitting on the couch while watching everyone else watch TV. No one ever lets me eat on the couch, let alone ask what I want to see on TV. Where are all the good cat programs anyway?

Study finds: Bullies tend to have problems relating to others.

They needed a study to confirm this one? Why not try to resolve the bullies' issue(s) so they won't be a bully any more.

Study finds: People who cannot afford cars are more likely to take public transit.

Well DUH! I certainly have to walk everywhere I want to go, except to the Vet. Whenever my people get the pet carrier out I know I'm going to the place of the cold thermometer that will be stuck somewhere a thermometer should never go!

Study finds: People put on more clothes when it’s cold.

REALLY? All I have is the fur coat I was born with. True, it gets thicker in the cold weather and thinner in the Spring and Summer, yet why do my people think I have any control over shedding season?

Study finds: Women don’t like to be told they look fat.

WHO DOES?

Not that I've gained much weight in my cathood, but I honestly think nobody wants to hear that even if it is true.

So on that note♫ have a great week everybody!

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And please be back next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—PDK.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2022: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY!

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANNINGS AND BURNINGS!

GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS

OR MONKEY POX!

DECEMBER 4 IS INDIA'S NAVY DAY.

DECEMBER 5 IS KRAMPUSNACHT IN PARTS OF EUROPE.

DECEMBER 5 IS THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALLEY OOP COMIC STRIP.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*COVID and its variants continue to be a global problem. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Thankfully the vaccination battles continue too.

*BUT WAS COVID MAN MADE???

*The COVID state of the world, as of December 3, 2022.

*The global Monkey Pox status, as of December 3, 2022.

*The current status of Brittney Griner.

*Men can now have same gender “relations” in Singapore, but still can’t marry.

*Want to buy the house from A Christmas Story???

*The results of NASA’s initial Orion Capsule test.

*Now can Artemis/Orion successfully land???

*Is there some THING on Mars??? A statue maybe??? A relic of its past??? (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Space... the artist.

*Intergalactic Tourists welcomed.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*The Ukraine is now fighting “zombies”???

*Update: November 30, 2022.

*Opinion: Attacking the Ukraine was Russia’s “Plan B”???

*Speculation: The status of Vladimir Putin’s health.

THE TERRORIST REPORT…

*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐

*Where the melt water is.

*Rising ocean, virtual country???

*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

*The innocent lives lost during a shooting spree at an Atlanta, Georgia retailer November 26.

*Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac has passed away.

*John Hadl of College and Professional Football🏈 fame is no longer with us.

*Film/TV producer Derek Granger (Brideshead Revisited, Coronation Street, more) has passed away.

*Underground comix artist Aline Kominsky-Crumb (numerous credits) is no longer with us.

*Major League Baseball⚾ Hall of Fame member Gaylord Perry has passed away.

*Noodles the Pug from Tik-Tok has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.🌈

*Football🏈 player turned actor Brad William Henke (Lost, Orange Is The New Black, more) is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH

*Does Trump want the Constitution of the United States terminated so he can be President again???

THE PAPERS CAPER...

*No more "Special Master".

POLITICALLY…

*President Biden is trying to restore the Federal Court halted Student Loan Forgiveness program.

*In Florida: Finances versus politics.

*Boston considers lowering voting age to 16 but only in the city, not the state of Massachusetts.

*The latest from the White House.

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*Will the Court address the “Tipton Issue”??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*What will the Court’s decision be in this matter???

*Opinion: Just what are Justice Alito’s ethics???

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*If you don’t do it OUR way...

*Opinion: Suffer the Florida children???

*Why it isn’t FULL medical coverage.

*So who truly “owns” the land???

*Did he or didn’t he???

*It was a legitimate payment, just not the one the store wanted.

*Opinion: She may have been delinquent, but did she need to be arrested???

*Let’s review some past tips.

STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE!

*Who opened fire at an Atlanta, Georgia retailer November 26???

😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…

*The state of your state.

*The cost of disinformation.

*An update on the latest booster.

*BUT WAS COVID MAN MADE???

😷THE US VERSUS MONKEY POX…

*The state of your state, Monkey Pox wise.

IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!✅

*Donald Trump and Nick Fuentes.

*Opinions on and about former Vice President Mike Pence may actually vary.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*Taking action to avert a railroad strike.

*Opinion: What lies ahead for Congress???

*The Senate has passed the Respect for Marriage Act, officially recognizing Same Gender Unions while giving additional protection to Interracial marriages. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Opinion: Does Congressional attire matter???

ELSEWHERE…

*Mike Lindell lost a defamation law suit.

*After losing two major lawsuits, Alex Jones has filed for bankruptcy.

*The price of loyalty???

*Your job is no longer in California.

*Evidence that Trump approved New York tax fraud(s).

*Opinion: Is Herschel Walker fit for office???

*Hawaii’s Mauna Loa has erupted again. 🌋

*So where does Herschel Walker actually live???

*Will Las Vegas' Le Fountainebleau ever open???

*Intergalactic Tourists welcomed.

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*A boulder fall leads to a Grand Canyon discovery.

*Want to buy the house from A Christmas Story???

*We approach the 246th anniversary of the United States of America, starting with Delaware joining December 7.

*December 10 is the 205th anniversary of Mississippi joining the United States.

THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS LOYAL READERSHIP FOR GRANTING US 4,712 PAGE VIEWS IN NOVEMBER 2022.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 3, 2022

😎 FUN FACT

Arctophiles collect teddy bears. 🧸🧸🧸

REBUS

It’s December and time to decorate The Free Choice E-zine office. What is so special about our Christmas tree?

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?

♫Dressed in a snow white gown, tap tap tappin’ at your window pane to tell you she’s in town.♫

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the November 26, 2022 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?

Monster movie = Creature feature.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

November 26, 2022 would have been Charles Schulz’s 100th birthday. What was his original proposed name for the Peanuts comic strip?

Lil’ Folks, but the syndicate insisted on Peanuts, allegedly based upon Howdy Doody’s Peanut Gallery, where the kids sat.