Miscellaneous Trivia Related to History and Geography

What is it that makes Trivia so interesting? Over 100 million copies of Trivial Pursuit have been sold worldwide in 17 countries. That certainly says something about our interest in trivia.

Here's some trivia I pulled together for you to noodle around and stick in your pocket for a suitable time in the future.

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1. The unicorn has been Scotland’s national animal since the 15th century, chosen by King James I for its strength and purity in Celtic mythology. It appears on the Scottish royal coat of arms, often chained to symbolize the taming of wild power. This mythical creature reflects Scotland’s love for folklore.

2. Australia, an island continent, only has 27 million residents. If you include Oceana, which includes Papua New Guinea, there are 45 million people in this section of the world. The only continent with fewer people is Antarctica. 

3. Vicksburg’s Confederate commander, General John C. Pemberton, surrendered on July 4, 1863, coincidentally the same day as the Union victory at Gettysburg.

4. Three presidents have died on July 4. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on Independence Day in 1826. James Monroe died on that date five years later.

5. On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Brothers’ first successful powered flight in the Flyer I lasted just 12 seconds and covered only 120 feet—shorter than the length of a modern football field

6. St. Louis County, Minnesota, has a total area of approximately 6,860 square miles, with 6,247 square miles of land and about 613 square miles of water. This Northern Minnesota county is larger than Connecticut (5,543 square miles), Delaware (1,949 square miles),  Rhode Island (1,034 square miles).  It's also twice as large as Puerto Rico and 100 times larger than the District of Columbia.

7. Contrary to popular belief, Napoleon Bonaparte wasn’t unusually short. He stood at 5 feet 2 inches in French units, which translates to about 5 feet 7 inches in modern measurements, average for his time. The myth likely stemmed from British propaganda cartoons exaggerating his stature and confusion between French and English measurement systems.

8. Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, contains about 2,900 cubic miles of water, enough to cover North and South America in a foot of water. Its vast volume accounts for roughly 10% of the planet’s accessible surface freshwater, making it a critical global resource despite its remote location.

9. The Lake Superior region known as the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes” has seen over 550 shipwrecks, including the famous Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975. Storms, unpredictable currents, and hidden shoals make the lake notoriously treacherous, with some areas like Whitefish Point claiming numerous vessels in mysterious circumstances.

10. U.S. President William McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, dying eight days later on September 14. Theodore Roosevelt, at age 42, became the youngest U.S. president, ushering in the Progressive Era with reforms like trust-busting and conservation policies. A lesser-known detail: Czolgosz’s execution by electric chair on October 29 prompted the Secret Service to formalize presidential protection, a role it hadn’t officially held before. This assassination shifted U.S. political dynamics and amplified America’s global presence

Rauschenfels Opening @ Zeitgeist and a Call for Potters Reminder

I first saw Tom Rauschenfels' intricate prints as part of a larger event of Northern Printmakers. Sue Rauschenfels, Tom's sister-in-law via his younger brother Mark. This month they will be sharing the same stage, or rather, sharing in a joiint exhibition of their work at the Zeitgeist, the opening slated for 5-7 p.m. Monday, January 8.  The two artists had been discussing the joint show for some time, and finally decided to put it on the calendar.

"Our art styles are a study in contrasts," says Tom. "My pieces are mostly the result of sketches that have been turned into relief printmaking, either woodcut, linocut, or the combination of the two. Relief printmaking, due to the nature of the process, is somewhat meticulous, labor intensive, and has a relatively high reliance on blocks of color to help with dimension. My style is to cut separate blocks for each color, which utilizes color relationship to help with the elements that make art a visual exercise. The images are always hand printed on traditional printmaking papers with oil-based inks, for long-term lightfast permanency."

Sue works in a variety of mediums, including watercolor, and sometimes collage and mixed media technique, in the truest extension of the medium: loose, quick and vibrant, to give her images a very spontaneous and fresh look. "While we both use lots of everyday ideas and subjects interplay to convert our ultimate message," Tom adds, "the viewer will have no doubt as to who the artist was for each piece, regardless of looking at the identification and media tag.

Tom Rauschenfels Bio:

Being involved in and around a water environment has been an important part of my life since I was a young boy growing up on Park Point. Now as a retired public school art teacher working in printmaking, drawing, painting, and ceramics, I continue to be influenced by the Great Lake and the area I love. I utilize nature, the human figure, and the exploration of different art styles in my creative endeavors. My artwork can be seen at Lizzards, Northern Printmakers Gallery, and numerous private collections here and abroad. Website for viewing prints can be found at thomasrauschenfels.com . While the website features mostly prints, additional drawings, paintings, and ceramics can be seen by contacting the artist at art@thomasrauschenfels.com.

Learn more about Tom Rauschenfels here at his website.

Sue Rauschenfels Bio:

I’ve admired watercolor and all free flowing visual art mediums for many years particularly work capturing the beauty of nature. I enjoy telling a story when I paint-- and drawn to figurative and whimsical styles. Incorporating mixed media with watercolor adds texture and interest plus allows me the freedom to play. I am fortunate to study with and continue to be inspired by so many creative artists and mentors. As a retiree of UMD Continuing Education, I’m a perfect example of lifelong learning and am very grateful to be able to live the dream. I’m currently a member of Lake Superior Watercolor Society, Artists of MN and Arrowhead Artists. My work can be seen at 47 Degrees Gallery in Knife River, Lakeside Gallery in Duluth and by private appointment in my home/studio. 218-391-4385 or email srauschenfels@live.com

You can become still better acquainted with Sue via this interview we did in 2014.

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CALLING ALL POTTERS

It's that time of year again when artists and amateurs alike come together to make bowls for the annual Empty Bowl Fund Raiser. Every Tuesday through April the DAI studio on Michigan Street (across from the library) will be open for bowl-makers. Come for an hour or the day.

Also, a larger Throw-A-Thon will be held Saturday January 20, from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Full details here on Facebook as well as opportunities for lessons in bowl-making.

AND FINALLY...
Lakeside Gallery will feature work by Rosemary Guttormsson through the month of January, with an opening reception slated for Saturday, January 6 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Roll up your sleeves and get into it.