What is the final stop for Old Glory?
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A: According to the American Legion, the flag code says, ‘When a flag has served its useful purpose, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning.’ For individual citizens, this should be done discreetly so the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration. Many American Legion posts conduct disposal ceremonies on June 14, Flag Day. This ceremony creates a particularly dignified and solemn occasion for the retirement of unserviceable flags.
Q: What is the last name of the family in the TV show ‘Malcolm in the Middle’? ‘ C. J., Hampton, Neb.
A: Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and Hal (Bryan Cranston) raised five sons, all with the surname Wilkerson.
Q: Did the opening song for ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ have a title? Who did the whistling? ‘ M.W.W., Wall, S.D.
A: Titled ‘The Fishing Hole,’ the theme song originally had lyrics written by Everett Sloane and recorded by Andy Griffith. The producers later decided whistling would work better to set the mood and tone of the show. Songwriter Earle Hagen did the whistling. To listen to the Andy Griffith version, go to www.andygriffithshow.net/theme.php.
Q: How many World Cup football (soccer) championships were not held because of war? When was the first tournament held? When will the next tournament be held? ‘ N.V.A., Santa Rosa, Calif.
A: The first games were played in 1930, with plans to play every four years. Held in 1934 and 1938, the tournament was canceled in 1942 and 1946 because of World War II. The series resumed in 1950, with Uruguay defeating Brazil. South Africa hosts the 2010 tournament.
Q: I’ve read the answer to my question many times, but I still can’t remember the original name of the video game Pac-Man. ‘ K.R., Roanoke, Va.
A: The Japanese developers of the game named it Puck-Man. In Japanese, the word ‘puck’ is used to describe the enjoyable sound of eating something. The name was changed when the game arrived in North America.
Q: What is worn under a kilt? ‘ M.N.E., Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
A: Shoes and socks. Anything else is optional.
Q: My mother got married in 1935. One of her gifts was a copy of ‘The Joy of Cooking,’ a book she used throughout her life. The book is still published. Is it exactly the same, or has it been updated? Any idea what the original price was? ‘ M.S., Tampa, Fla.
A: Irma S. Rombauer first published her book in 1931; it contained 1,195 recipes and sold for $3. In 1997, the sixth edition, ‘All New, All Purpose Joy of Cooking,’ was released (containing more than 3,000 recipes) with a price tag of $35. Luckily for ‘Joy’ collectors, a facsimile of the 1931 edition was printed in 1997. In case the $3 original price sounds like a real bargain, I used my inflation calculator to compare. What cost $3 in 1935 would cost $36 today, and there are three times more recipes in the facsimile than in the original book. By the way, the most recent update occurred in 2006 – the 75th anniversary edition.
Q: My wardrobe consists of several items from the J. Crew catalog. Who is or was J. Crew? ‘ E.D., Leesport, Pa.
A: According to catalog stories, Josiah Crew was a purveyor of the finest sporting goods on the market. He is also credited with founding the company that bears his name. But there never was a J. Crew. Emily Woods, who was working with her father in another clothing venture, founded the company in 1983. A recent graduate of the University of Denver, she enjoyed wearing outdoorsy clothing that was difficult to find in shopping malls. I came across several explanations for the name, but it seems that J. Crew just sounded good.
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.