Author: gstc

The year is 1954. Sir Hugh Beaver still hadn’t found out what he need to know in order to be known as correct beyond dispute after missing a shot at a golden plover: What is the fastest game bird in Europe, the golden plover or the red grouse? After searching for answers in reference books,…

Valentine’s day is right around the corner, and many of us are still struggling to come up with a new great idea to celebrate the event. There is nothing wrong with reusing a great idea, and doing so may even add to a sense of renewal or tradition. Sometimes, a gift is all about trying…

As the holidays wind down, many of us are already starting to look back with fondness at family traveling long distances to see and bond with one another. We may not all look forward to getting on an airplane, or car, or train, but we generally look forward to what’s at the end of that…

Holiday spending: It could be a new record!  Why does the holiday spending season start after Thanksgiving, and why is it called Black Friday? Is it because: A. There was a market crash in gold in 1869 that cause financial distress to many. B. There was generally chaos in the streets of Philadelphia in the…

Lotteries have grown in popularity in recent years, as jackpots have grown in size. In October, the multistate Mega Millions jackpot grew to more than $1.5 billion if taken as annuity payments, and the largest jackpot on record won with a single ticket. Lotteries are seen by some as the shortcut to financial security, even…

New Jersey may not be part of New England, but its reputation for the beautiful changing leaves could be extended to our trees and changing colors too. New Jersey’s peak fall colors are usually between October 19th and the 29th, so it’s the perfect time to plan a trip.  Many factors contribute to the exact…

The queen of soul, Aretha Franklin, has passed away from advanced pancreatic cancer at the age of 76 a month ago, and we mourn the passing of a bright star. Aretha was a prodigy from the very beginning. She learned to play the piano by ear as a child, and by age 12 was already…