Visionary store magnate changed the game of golf
|
A: In 1916, Rodman Wanamaker, one of the sons of the owner of the famous department store, believed there would be merchandising possibilities in a professional golfers organization. He organized a meeting of top golfers; the result was the PGA of America and a tournament. For the tourney, he provided cash, medals and a trophy that was named after him. Played at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, N.Y., the first PGA Championship was won by British-born professional Jim Barnes. ‘Big Jim’ won $500 and a diamond medal. Jock Hutchison finished second and received a gold medal and $250. Tiger Woods claimed the 2006 championship and $1.2 million.
Q: Where was actress Cameron Diaz born? What was her debut film? ‘ G.E.C., Van Buren, Ark.
A: Diaz was born Aug. 30, 1972, in San Diego, Calif. She was a successful model in her mid-teens and traveled the world looking for adventure. At 21, she auditioned for a part in ‘The Mask’ (1994). Although she had no acting experience, she landed the lead role opposite Jim Carrey. Over the next several years, she developed her acting skills in low-budget movies. She established herself as a genuine Hollywood star in the 1998 film ‘There’s Something About Mary.’
Q: Chrysler commercials are running ads with a distinguished, mustachioed gentleman going by the name Dr. Z. Who is he? ‘ G.H., Ottumwa, Iowa
A: He is Dr. Dieter Zetsche, president and CEO of Chrysler Group. Zetsche was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1953 and attended school in Frankfurt after his family moved back to Germany. He joined the research department of then Daimler-Benz AG in 1976 and received his doctorate in engineering in 1982.
Q: Broadcast journalist Linda Ellerbee is one of the best to ever write or deliver news. Someone once wrote about her that she was ‘outspoken, irreverent but never condescending.’ I know she’s a cancer survivor. What is she doing these days? I don’t think Ellerbee is her birth name. Is it her married name? ‘ K.I.U., Burlington, Vt.
A: Born Aug. 15, 1944, in Bryan, Texas, Linda Ellerbee (Linda Jane Smith) was educated at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. She uses the last name of her third husband, Tom Ellerbee, whom she married in 1973 but divorced the following year. She was a network news correspondent, anchorwoman, writer and producer. Today, she is president of her own company, Lucky Duck Productions, which creates children’s programs.
Q: Procter & Gamble once held a contest to give ‘Mr. Clean’ a first name. What name won? What does the character represent? He looks like a genie. ‘ J.E., e-mail
A: The all-purpose cleaner was introduced in 1958; four years later, a contest was held to give Mr. Clean a first name. The winner was Veritably. According to Procter & Gamble, Mr. Veritably Clean ‘was modeled after a rugged sailor standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and bald, wearing one gold hoop earring in his left ear.’
Q: Do you remember H. Ross Perot? I voted for him twice during the presidential elections. I don’t think I ever heard what the letter H stands for in his name. Do you know? ‘ E.B.C., Sarasota, Fla.
A: Henry.
Q: In the Popeye cartoons, why was Bluto’s name changed to Brutus? ‘ B.H., Fisher, Ill.
A: The Disney organization complained that Bluto sounded too much like their cartoon character Pluto. To keep peace, and to avoid a lawsuit, Bluto’s name was changed to Brutus.
(Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at gclothier@readingeagle.com or c/o United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016)