Tag: blog

132 Years Old!?

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment

It seems there has been a recent discovery of the Western Reserve, a 132-year-old shipwreck found in Lake Superior.

This 300-foot steel steamer sank on August 30th, 1892, during a fierce gale, claiming 27 lives and leaving only one survivor.

Owned by millionaire shipping magnate Peter G. Minch, the vessel was on a summer cruise with his family and crew when it broke apart about 60 miles northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan.

The wreck was located in the summer of 2024 by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society using side scan sonar technology aboard their research vessel, the David Boyd. It rests in nearly 600 feet of water, unusually preserved with its bow section atop the stern.

This find, announced in March 2025, adds to the lore of Lake Superior’s “Shipwreck Coast,” a graveyard for over 350 known wrecks. The cold, deep waters have kept the ship remarkably intact as there are no signs of marring by invasive mussels. Reports claim even its bell and red port light remain visible.

Researchers plan to return this spring for more footage, hoping to unravel why it split so catastrophically. Theories suggest insufficient ballast or structural flaws, but the exact cause remains a mystery, much like the lake itself, which rarely yields its secrets.

STORY IS HERE

A Turtle In Your Pants?

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment

An unusual incident occurred on March 7th, 2025, at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

A Pennsylvania man was going through TSA security when a body scanner triggered an alarm in the groin area. After a pat down, the TSA officer determined something was concealed in his pants. When asked, the man reached into his pants and pulled out a live turtle, wrapped in a small blue towel. The turtle, identified by the man as a red eared slider, was about 5 inches long and appeared unharmed.

The turtle was confiscated by Port Authority Police, who also escorted the man out of the security checkpoint, causing him to miss his flight. It’s unclear whether the turtle was his pet or why he chose to hide it in his pants. Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey, noted that while travelers often try to conceal weapons, this was likely the first time they’d encountered someone smuggling a live animal this way. The professionalism of the TSA officer during the pat down was commended and authorities planned to involve the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local animal control. Red eared sliders, by the way, are a common pet species but are considered invasive when released into the wild.

STORY IS HERE

Actual Factual Pie – March 12th!

~ Pie President ~ 2 Comments

The year is 1894 and Coca Cola takes a fizzy step forward as it is sold in bottles for the first time! This iconic drink, born in Atlanta, went from soda fountains to portable glass, thanks to Joseph Biedenharn’s bottling vision. A refreshing milestone that popped the cap on Coke’s global journey!

In 1912, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia. Inspired by the Boy Scouts, she aimed to empower young girls through outdoor activities, leadership, and community service. The first troop had just 18 members. Today, millions have embraced her vision of building courage, confidence, and character in girls worldwide.

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the first of his iconic “Fireside Chats.” Speaking via radio from the White House, he addressed a nation gripped by the Great Depression, explaining the banking crisis in a calm, relatable way. These Sunday evening talks became a hallmark of his presidency, offering hope and clarity during turbulent times.

In 1959, a historic moment unfolded as the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve Hawaii’s statehood, following the Senate’s lead. This paved the way for Hawaii to become the 50th state of the United States, officially joining the Union on August 21st of that year. A milestone in American history!

In 1994, a historic moment unfolded as the Church of England ordained its first women priests, breaking centuries of tradition. At Bristol Cathedral, 32 women were welcomed into the priesthood, marking a significant step toward gender equality in the church. This bold move sparked both celebration and debate, reshaping the religious landscape forever.

Dinosaur Dandruff?

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment

Imagine a feathered dinosaur strutting through a 125-million-year-old forest, shaking off pesky skin flakes like a bird with a bad hair day. Sounds wild, right? Well, researchers studying some of the oldest dinosaur fossils ever found have uncovered evidence that these ancient creatures might’ve dealt with their own version of dandruff.

In a fascinating discovery, paleontologists looked at incredibly well-preserved fossils (think Microraptor or Beipiaosaurus) and spotted tiny traces of corneocytes, the dead skin cells that make up dandruff in modern birds. These flaky clues, locked in stone for over a hundred million years, suggest that feathered dinosaurs had skin shedding habits not so different from today’s pigeons or parrots.

Why does this matter? It’s a window into how dinosaur skin evolved alongside their feathers. Dandruff might’ve helped them keep their plumage clean, ditch parasites, or even stay aerodynamic. Unlike scaly reptiles that shed their skin in big patches, these dinosaurs flaked off bits at a time. This is even more proof they were closer to birds than we might’ve thought.

So next time you brush some dandruff off your shoulder, just picture a dinosaur doing the same millions of years ago. Who knew grooming could connect us to the Cretaceous?

It’s A Full Moon!

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment

This week, the Worm Moon (the full moon of March) will transform into a striking “blood moon” due to a total lunar eclipse. On the nights of March 13th and 14th, 2025, the moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, reaching peak illumination at 2:55 A.M. ET on Friday, March 14th. During the eclipse, the moon will take on a reddish hue for about 65 minutes, from 2:26 A.M. to 3:31 A.M. ET, as sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, casting a spooky, warm glow. This event, often called a “Blood Worm Moon,” will be visible across North America and parts of South America, western Europe, and western Africa, weather permitting.

The “Worm Moon” name comes from Native American traditions, tied to the emergence of earthworms or beetle larvae as spring nears, signaling the end of winter. The blood red color during the eclipse adds a dramatic twist, making it a captivating celestial event. You can catch the moon looking especially large near the horizon on Thursday evening as it rises, thanks to the “Moon illusion,” or watch the eclipse unfold overnight. If there’s light rain, you might even spot a rare moonbow (a lunar rainbow) adding to the spectacle!

STORY IS HERE

Actual Factual Pie – March 11th!

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment

The year is 1888, a monstrous blizzard slammed into the northeastern US, unleashing chaos. Dubbed the “Great White Hurricane,” it buried cities in snowdrifts up to 50 feet high. Around 400 souls perished, mostly from exposure, as the storm raged for days. A brutal reminder of nature’s raw power.

In 1930, William Howard Taft, the 27th U.S. President, became the first president to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Taft, who also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, left a lasting legacy in American history.

In 1969, fashion took a groovy turn as Levi-Strauss began selling bell-bottomed jeans. These iconic flared pants, wider from the knee down, became a symbol of the counterculture era. They were perfect for free spirits and disco dancers alike. Levi’s stitched itself into history with this bold style move!

In 1973, tensions boiled over at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, during a 71 day standoff between Native American activists and federal authorities. Amid the chaos, an FBI agent was shot, escalating an already volatile situation. The occupation, rooted in demands for tribal sovereignty and justice, marked a pivotal moment in Indigenous resistance.

In 1990, Lithuania boldly declared its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the first Soviet republic to do so. This historic act, led by the Sąjūdis movement, marked a pivotal step toward the Baltic state’s sovereignty and inspired others in the USSR to follow suit. Freedom rang loud that day!

Daily Prompt @ The Pie!

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment
Daily writing prompt
Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.
View all responses

Hey, old man! I hope you’re reading this with a smirk, maybe a glass of something strong in your hand. It’s probably more like a cup of tea if the doctor’s finally won that battle. I’m sitting here in 2025, trying to imagine what a century of life looks like on you. I’m picturing a lot of wrinkles, a few scars, and, if I’ve done this right, a hell of a lot of stories.

I’m wondering what you’ve made of your life. Did we chase those dreams I’m scribbling about today? The ones about building something that matters, loving hard and seeing every corner of this wild world? I hope you’re nodding, thinking, “Yeah, kid, we did alright.” I’m betting you’ve got some epic tales. How about that time we climbed a mountain, or made a family, or just sat quietly somewhere beautiful and felt alive?

I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous writing this. What if we didn’t figure it all out? What if we stumbled too much? But I’m choosing to believe you’re proud of me. You’re proud of us. I hope you’ve learned to forgive the dumb stuff I’m probably doing right now, like stressing over things that won’t matter in a decade, let alone a lifetime.

How’s the world now? Did we fix the mess we’re in, or is it still a chaotic ride? I hope you’re surrounded by people who matter like some kids, grandkids, friends who’ve stuck around. I’m working hard to set that up for you. And if you’re alone, I hope you’ve found peace in it, because I’m promising you now that I’ll live a life worth remembering.

Take care of yourself, alright? Don’t give up on the little things. Stretch those creaky bones, laugh at something stupid and tell someone you love them. I’m rooting for you from back here, trying to make sure you’ve got a good story to tell.

Mystery Solved?

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment

The recent discovery of a submerged car in the Columbia River may be linked to the disappearance of the Martin family from Oregon 67 years ago.

In December 1958, Ken and Barbara Martin, along with their three daughters Barbara (14), Virginia (12), and Susan (10) set out from Portland to collect Christmas greenery in the Columbia River Gorge. They never returned. The family’s Ford station wagon vanished without a trace, leaving behind a decades-long mystery.

In May 1959, the bodies of Susan and Virginia were found in the river near Bonneville Dam, about 40 miles apart, but no sign of Ken, Barbara, or the youngest daughter, Barbara, was ever uncovered. Theories ranged from an accidental plunge into the river to foul play, but the case went cold. However, things have now changed.

In late 2024, a diver named Archer Mayo, who had been searching for the vehicle for seven years, located a Ford station wagon upside down, 50 feet underwater and 90% buried in sediment in the Columbia River near Cascade Locks.

On March 7th, 2025, after two days of dredging, a crane pulled the car’s frame from the river. The body of the vehicle detached during the process and remains underwater, but authorities are confident it matches the description of the Martins’ car. No human remains were found inside during the initial recovery, though the car was filled with rocks and debris.

The frame is now headed to a warehouse for forensic analysis, which could finally shed light on whether the family’s disappearance was a tragic accident (perhaps a plunge off a cliff or road into the river) or something more sinister. The discovery has reignited hope for closure in a case that’s haunted Oregon for nearly seven decades.

STORY IS HERE

Making S’mores?

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment

According to authorities, the suspected cause of the recent Long Island wildfires was a resident attempting to make s’mores in their backyard. On Saturday, March 8th, 2025, a person in Suffolk County, New York, reportedly used cardboard to start a fire around 9:30 a.m. ET.

Strong northwest winds made it difficult to ignite initially, but once lit, the fire quickly spread beyond control. Embers from this initial blaze are believed to have been carried by winds gusting up to 45 mph, sparking multiple fires that burned approximately 600 acres of the Pine Barrens region.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina described this as the “operating theory,” supported by an ongoing investigation involving 25 arson detectives, though it’s considered strongly accidental in origin as of this post.

The incident led to a state of emergency, injured two firefighters and damaged at least two commercial structures, with over 600 firefighters from 80 volunteer departments responding to the crisis.

STORY IS HERE

Inflation Proof?

~ Pie President ~ Leave a comment

Imagine this: It’s 1999, and you’re clipping a coupon from your Midwest newspaper for a Domino’s large one topping carryout pizza. The price is $6.99.

Fast forward to 2025, and you’re scrolling Dominos.com, snagging the same deal for $7.99. Just a buck more in 26 years?

While Big Macs and Taco Bell tacos have doubled or tripled in price, Domino’s seems to defy inflation. So, is their pizza truly inflation proof?

Follow the link and read the story from our friends at The Hustle to find out!

STORY IS HERE