By: Paula Green

Ben Franklin was known as a great inventor, a brilliant politician and even a leading author, but did you know that he was also the colonies’ Postmaster General?  On July 26, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed him the first Postmaster General of the organization now known as the United States Postal Service (USPS).  He was responsible for all Post Offices — from Massachusetts to Georgia — and had authority to hire as many postmasters as he saw fit.  Franklin served until November 7, 1776.  [Read more…]

By: Paula Green

The fourth of May is an ordinary day to most folks, but for Star Wars fans it is a time celebrate.  That’s because it is “Star Wars” day, and there’s a logical explanation for this choice – “May the fourth be with you!”

The film’s creator, George Lucas was so sure the film would flop that instead of attending the premiere, he went on holiday to Hawaii with his good friend Steven Spielberg, where they came up with the idea for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). [Read more…]

By: Paula Green

It’s that time of the year again for haunted legends and bewitching folklore.  The spookiness and intrigue becomes more spine-tingling when the tales are found within our own region.  This month, we’ll explore some supernatural Pittsburgh tales and look at scary movies that were filmed in our area. [Read more…]

By: Paula Green

          He shook the hearts of many and was “the King of Rock and Roll.”   Elvis Aron Presley was a music legend.  He was born on Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Miss., to Gladys and Vernon Presley.  His twin brother Jessie Garon was stillborn, which left him to grow up as an only child.      
 The Presley’s had little money and in 1948 they moved to Memphis, Tenn., when Elvis was 13 years old.   He was raised with a deep faith in God.  He attended the Assembly of God Church with his parents and gospel music became a strong influence on him.
          According to his family, Elvis was disappointed when he received a guitar for his 11th birthday and would have preferred a bicycle or a rifle.  He managed to win a musical talent contest at Humes High School.  After graduation in 1953, he work various jobs, all the while he was pursuing his musical dream.
          His break came in 1954 when he cut his first demo That’s All Right with Sun Studios.   In late 1955, Presley had developed a following.  His gyrating hips, good looks and musicality earned him a record contract with RCA Records. 
          On Jan. 27, 1956, Presley released Heartbreak Hotel which was his first No. 1 single, as well as his first No. 1 album Elvis Presley.  His success continued that same year when he signed a movie contract with Paramount Pictures.
          Presley starred in 31 films, and two documentaries.   He made history with his television appearances, specials, and often record-breaking concert performances.  Even a stint in the Army didn’t squelch his soaring success.
          Presley was drafted in 1957 and served in Germany for a year in a half.    While he was deployed, he met a beautiful teenager named Priscilla Beaulieu.
        After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career and was on top of the record charts with the soundtrack for his film GI Blues.  He continued recording music, films and soundtracks.
        In 1967, he and Priscilla wed and had a daughter, Lisa Marie, the following year.  Their wedded bliss only last for six years.  The two divorced in 1973 and Priscilla received custody of Lisa Marie.
       Presley began to wrestle with weight problems and drug addiction.  On the morning of Aug. 16, 1977, he died of heart failure at the age of 42, at his Graceland home in Memphis.  It was later ruled his death was related to prescription drug use.
        Every year, thousands of fans continue to visit his 13.8 acre Graceland estate.  His good looks, sensuality, and charisma endeared him to millions.  Globally, he sold over one billion records, more than any other artists.        
        Since we have told you about Elvis’ Burning Love for music, we must now be “fools and rush in” to our Presley probe.   Get set to shimmer and shake, because it’s time to get a little trivial…. 

1. What year was Elvis inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland?
2. Every time she opened a Vegas show, this female entertainer received floral arrangements from Elvis until his died.
3. What was the name of Presley’s pet chimpanzee?
4. Elvis is a direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln’s great, great grandfather Isaiah Harrison.  What other U.S. president was his distant cousin?
5. What Elvis event occurred on Jan. 8, 1993 to commemorate what would have been his 58^th birthday?
6. What was Presley’s first film?
7. 7.      Name the actress who starred in three Elvis films – Girl Happy, Clambake and Spinout.
8. What was the name of Elvis’ manager?
9. Elvis made his first television appearance on Jan. 28, 1956 on what show?
10. In 1967, Presley received his first Grammy Award for what song?
11. Which movie was Elvis filming when he received his draft notice?
12. What was the name Elvis’ first gold record?
13. Name the Elvis movie that featured Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner.
14. What present did Elvis buy for his mother in 1957?
15. Elvis bought Graceland for $100,000, who was he bidding against to purchase this property? 

Answers:  1. 1986  2. Ann-Margret  3. Scatter  4. Jimmy Carter  5.  Elvis postage stamp was released  6.  Love Me Tender  7. Shelley Fabares  8. Colonel Tom Parker  9 . Stage Show  10.  How Great Thou Art  11. King Creole  12. Heartbreak Hotel  13. Change of Habit  14. pink Cadillac  15. Y.M.C.A.
Sources:  http://www.biography.com/print/profile/elvis-presley, http://www.elvis.com/about-the-king/biography_.aspx, http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/elvis_presley/trivia.html      

By: Paula Green       

Romeo & Juliet, Bogie & Bacall and Scarlett O’Hara & Rhett Butler are passionate pairs that were simply meant to be together.  Since it’s nearly Valentine’s Day, now is the perfect time to reflect on some romantic couples who have lit up the silver screen, our televisions, and enlivened books and newspapers.   Some are fictional, others are real, but they’re all memorable in some way.

       Romance can be found in books starting with the Bible and these memorable pairs:  Adam & Eve, Samson & Delilah, Abraham & Sarah, Jacob & Rachel, Isaac & Rebekah and Mary & Joseph.

      Then there are historical and legendary couples such as Guinevere & Lancelot, Robin Hood & Maid Marian, Mark Antony & Cleopatra, Napoleon & Josephine, Nicholas & Alexandra, Winston & Clementine Churchill, Prince Rainier III & Grace Kelly.

       Presidential pairings are appealing as well – George & Martha Washington, Abraham & Mary Lincoln, Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt, Ike & Mamie Eisenhower, John & Jackie Kennedy, and Ronald & Nancy Reagan.

       Desirable literary couples enthralled us – Heathcliff & Cathy Earnshaw from Wuthering Heights, Yuri Zhivago & Lara Antipova from Dr. Zhivago, and Elizabeth Bennett & Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride & Prejudice.

       On television, we had Lucy & Ricky Ricardo, who were the real-life couple Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz.  There was also Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, Ozzie & Harriet Nelson, Ward & June Cleaver, Ralph & Alice Kramden, Sam Malone & Diane Chambers, Luke & Laura Spenser, Cliff & Claire Huxtable, and Rachel Green & Ross Gellar.

        Memorable movie lovers  were – Burt Lancaster & Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity, Humphrey Bogart& Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, Cary Grant & Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief, Ryan O’Neal & Ali McGraw in Love Story, Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet in Titanic and Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams in The Notebook.

        Hollywood celebrities have grasped our attention over the years – George Burns & Gracie Allen, Hume Cronin & Jessica Tandy, Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward, Clark Gable & Carole Lombard, Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier, Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner, Sonny & Cher, and Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie.

        Since we have paired your thoughts, we must now match-up answers to our coupling questions.  Get set to join these dynamic duos because it’s time to get a little trivial.

1. This hot Hollywood star and New York Yankee center fielder (The Yankee clipper) tied the knot.
2. These stars met while filming Anthony & Cleopatra; they got married, divorced, remarried and later divorced again.
3. Name the famous outlaw couple who wreaked havoc during the Great Depression.
4. They made nine movies together including Adam’s Rib and State of the Union, but theynever married.

5. Name the former Beatle and Japanese artist who exchanged vows.

6. Mattel Inc., introduced this popular doll in 1959, her boyfriend came along in 1961.

7. This Hollywood pair starred in two movies together.  They have been an item since 1983, but they haven’t married.

   8.   These two comedians have been married for 58 years.  They were regulars on the Ed Sullivan Show.

9.      Name the actor & actresses who married on Oct. 26, 1961, and starred together in the short-lived TV series He & She.

10.    From 1933 to 1935 this dance duo made ten films together, they were a couple on the silver- screen only, not in reality.

11.    These country music stars have been wed since 1992 and have three daughters.

12.    This Footloose star and his actress wife got hitched back in 1988.

13.    Another Hollywood couple that wed in 1988, starred together in the film Volunteers.

14.   On May 8, 1967, this Swedish-American actress, singer, dancer married this actor wholater became her manager.

15.   This Hollywood couple married in 1984, she starred in Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid andhe had a minor part in the film as well. 

 Answers:  1. Marilyn Monroe & Joe DiMaggio  2. Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor 3. Bonnie & Clyde 4. Spencer Tracy & Katharine Hepburn  5. John Lennon & Yoko Ono  6. Barbie & Ken  7.  Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell  8. Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara  9.  Richard Benjamin & Paula Prentiss  10. Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers  11. Tim McGraw & Faith Hill  12. Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick  13. Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson 14. Ann-Margret & Roger Smith 15. Sam Elliott & Katharine Ross

 Sources:  http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-couples-list.html, http://www.mydearvalentine.com/top-10-romantic-couples-html, http://hicards.com/valentine/vcouples.html, http://www.minnpost.com/listing-slightly/2010/02/dynamic-duos-weve-got-em-all-romance, http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20178000_20408089,00.html#20407418,

http://www.funtrivia.com, http://www.wikipedia.