Month: April 2025

Presidential Bowling Alley?

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On April 25th, 1947, President Harry S. Truman rolled the first ball down the newly constructed two-lane bowling alley in the White House, marking a unique moment in presidential history. Tucked away in the basement of the West Wing, this addition was more than just a recreational space as it was a gift from Truman’s home state of Missouri and a reflection of his down-to-earth personality.

The bowling alley was a surprise from Truman’s friends and supporters in Missouri, who funded and built the lanes as a gesture of appreciation. Truman, an avid fan of simple pastimes, was delighted by the addition. The two lanes, complete with automatic pinsetters, were modest but functional, designed to offer the president and his staff a way to unwind amid the pressures of leading the nation.

At the opening ceremony, Truman, with his characteristic humor and unpretentious charm, took to the lanes. While not a seasoned bowler, he threw the inaugural ball with gusto, reportedly knocking down a few pins and earning cheers from onlookers. The event was lighthearted, a rare glimpse into the personal side of a president known for his no-nonsense leadership during pivotal moments like the end of World War II and the start of the Cold War.

The bowling alley wasn’t just for Truman’s amusement—it became a social hub for White House staff, advisors, and even visiting dignitaries. It symbolized Truman’s belief in balancing hard work with moments of camaraderie. Over the years, the lanes hosted countless games, fostering a sense of community within the White House.

The original two-lane alley was later moved to the Old Executive Office Building in 1955 to make way for other renovations. In 1969, President Richard Nixon, another bowling enthusiast, upgraded the facility, ensuring the tradition continued. Today, the White House bowling alley remains a quirky piece of presidential history, a testament to Truman’s relatable, everyman spirit.

Harry Truman’s opening of the White House bowling alley was more than a ceremonial first roll—it was a strike for levity and connection in the heart of American power. From Missouri to the West Wing, it’s a reminder that even presidents need a moment to spare.

You Need $5k?

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The Trump administration is exploring proposals to boost the U.S. birth rate, which hit a historic low of 1.62 births per woman in 2023.

One idea being discussed is a $5,000 “baby bonus” payment to mothers after childbirth, aimed at incentivizing women to have more children. Other suggestions include funding programs to educate women about their menstrual cycles to aid conception, reserving 30% of scholarships for married individuals or parents and expanding access to IVF.

These proposals come from policy experts and pronatalist advocates meeting with White House aides, though no plans have been finalized or publicly endorsed by President Trump. Trump has expressed support for a “baby boom” and called the baby bonus a “good idea” at a recent event.

Critics argue the $5,000 payment is insufficient, as raising a child can cost around $300,000 to age 18, and some raise concerns about coercion or inclusivity, suggesting funds should also support adoptive parents or same-sex couples.

FULL STORY HERE

Lions VS. Gladiators?

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Archaeologists have uncovered the first physical evidence of Roman gladiators fighting lions in Britain, found in a 1,800-year-old skeleton from a cemetery in York, England.

The remains, excavated in 2004 at Driffield Terrace, belong to a man aged 26–35, believed to be a gladiator or bestiarius, a fighter trained to battle wild animals.

Bite marks on his pelvis, identified through comparisons with modern lion bites at zoos, suggest he was mauled by a large cat, likely a lion, during a spectacle. The location of the bites indicates he was incapacitated before being dragged by the animal, possibly in a gladiatorial combat or a public execution known as damnatio ad bestias.

The cemetery, thought to be a gladiator burial site, contained mostly young men with signs of trauma, including decapitations, supporting the theory of gladiatorial activity.

This discovery, published in PLOS One on April 23rd, 2025, confirms that such brutal entertainments, previously known from texts and art, occurred even in distant Roman provinces like York, then called Eboracum.

Researchers now aim to explore how lions were transported to Britain and the lives of gladiators on the empire’s fringes.

STORY IS HERE

A Vodka Spritz?

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A bizarre incident recently unfolded in Highlands County, Florida, when 39-year-old Richard Christopher Smith of Miami led deputies on a car chase after allegedly stealing alcohol from a convenience store.

During the pursuit, bodycam footage captured Smith holding a can of Ketel One vodka spritz out his window, offering it to a deputy while saying, “I was just going to give you a drink, that’s it,” before speeding off.

The chase ended when Smith crashed his black minivan in a business parking lot at Sebring Airport. After exiting the vehicle while casually smoking a cigarette, he ignored commands, was tased, and arrested. While being handcuffed, Smith asked deputies, “You guys had fun, though, right?”

He faces charges including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test, and petit theft. His bond was set at $120,000.

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office noted the incident’s oddity, stating it “might make the books.”

STORY IS HERE

Beware Of The Woodpecker!

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In Rockport, Massachusetts, a pileated woodpecker has been causing chaos in the Squam Hill neighborhood by smashing car side mirrors and even cracking windshields.

Since March 2025, the bird, described as 18-24 inches tall with a black and white body and a red crest, has damaged around 20 vehicles. Experts from Mass Audubon and the Merrimack Valley Bird Club explain that this behavior is likely due to the woodpecker, probably a male, attacking its reflection in mirrors during mating season, mistaking it for a rival.

The incidents gained attention after a local, Janelle Favaloro, posted about it on Facebook on April 1st. The post was initially thought to be an April Fool’s joke.

Neighbors have resorted to wrapping mirrors in bags or folding them in to deter the bird, which remains active as it’s not yet in nesting mode. The neighborhood, near the bird-friendly Dogtown Commons, is frustrated but intrigued by the woodpecker’s antics with some calling it a local legend.

STORY IS HERE