Name That Flyover City! — May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

Welcome back! We hope you are enjoying Name that City! In what US city would you find an annual public arts celebrations called FestiFools? What was the first major city to begin desegregating its public facilities? In what city was Kurt Vonnegut born? And here are the answers: Ann Arbor, MI–Every April (this year’s event was virtual), hundreds of people from around Ann Arbor show off giant paper-mache puppets and costumes while marching down Main Street. The event was the brainchild of University of Michigan art professor Mark Tucker who started it in 2007. It was instantly a hit. Nashville,…

Name that City! April 24, 2023

April 24, 2023

Welcome back! We hope you are enjoying Name that City! The first Ferris Wheel was erected for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. What city played a crucial role in its creation? What city’s hockey fans stack beer cans in a tall tower against the glass during game-time? What city boasts the only replica of the Greek Parthenon? And here are the answers: Pittsburgh, PA—The wheel was the brainchild of successful engineer and bridge builder George Washington Ferris, who owned G.W.G. Ferris & Company in Pittsburgh. The giant steel hammer needed for the forging was manufactured in Pittsburgh by…

Name That City! — March 4, 2023

March 4, 2023

Here’s a review of the questions: Joseph Pulitzer’s name is best known for the Pulitzer Prizes which were established as a result of his endowment to Columbia University. But in what city did he begin his own journalism career? There is a museum that is devoted to sign history. In what city is it located? They’re a routine sight now, but did you know that dumpsters weren’t a thing until 1935? Do you know where dumpsters got their start? And here are the answers! St. Louis, IL—In 1878, Pulitzer bought the fading St. Louis Dispatch and merged it with John…

Test your nerd knowledge: Jan. 25, 2023

January 25, 2023

  This device, invented at Bell Labs in 1959, is considered the most common type of transistor and semiconductor device in the world and is still used today in automotive control units. What is the device called? What filmmaker wrote the screenplays for the Mark Zuckerberg biopic, “The Social Network,” and the Steve Jobs biopic, “Steve Jobs”? What search engine’s name was inspired by the fictional valet in British author P.G. Wodehouse’s series of Bertie Wooster novels? And here are the answers: Answer: MOSFET. Defined as a Metal Oxide Silicon Field Effect Transistor, there are multitudes of MOSFETs in every…

Name That Flyover City! — Jan 19, 2023

January 19, 2023

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What city is the birthplace of country music superstar Garth Brooks? This city’s three downtown bridges are all painted yellow, in reference to the “Golden Triangle” that makes up its downtown area. What city is it? What southern city is home to a university whose basketball program ranks second in all-time wins, with over 2300, and refers to its legion of fans as “Big Blue Nation”? And here are the answers: Tulsa, OK. Troyal Garth Brooks was born in February of 1962, in Tulsa, and named for his dad, a draftsman for an…

Name that Flyover City! — Jan 12, 2023

January 11, 2023

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, ranked #10 on Forbes’ list of largest privately owned companies in the U.S., is headquartered in what city? What southern city was the home of Cas Walker’s Farm and Home Hour, a 1950s radio and television variety show that gave Dolly Parton her start in music? What city is home to the university where football legend Johnny Unitas played college ball? And here are the answers: Answer: Oklahoma City, OK. If you have ever wondered where the “Love” in Love’s Travel Stops comes from (and who hasn’t?),…

Name that Flyover City! — Jan 5, 2023

January 4, 2023

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city got its name from a river in the south-central part of the state that intersects with the Raccoon River? What southern city is situated on the edge of the widest part of the Mississippi River? The White River runs 722 miles through the U.S. state that is home to this midwestern city. What city is it? And here are the answers: Des Moines, IA. The Des Moines River originates in Southern Minnesota and traverses the state of Iowa. Early French explorers named it La Rivière des Moines, literally meaning “River…

Name that Flyover City! — Dec 22, 2022

December 20, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to the university where Pat Summitt coached women’s college basketball? What midwestern city is the birthplace of Harley-Davidson motorcycles? What southern city is known as the “Smithsonian of the South,” due to its being home to more than 40 free attractions and museums? And here are the answers: Knoxville, TN. Though she was born 224 miles away from Knoxville, in Clarksville, Tennessee, Pat Summitt became the official mayor/ambassador/queen of Knoxville during her tenure as head coach for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers women’s basketball team. Born Patricia Sue Head…

Name that Flyover City! — Dec 15, 2022

December 14, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: This city’s Phipps Conservatory offers a Winter Flower Show, celebrating the holiday season with an array of gorgeous flowers, festive artworks, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees. What city is it? What southern city is home to trendy music venue Hi Tone Café? This midwestern city contains a living history museum, intended to provide a glimpse of life during the 1800’s, that hosts a “Dickens Walk” throughout December. What city is it? And here are the answers: Pittsburgh, PA. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, located in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park, is an historic landmark and…

Test your nerd knowledge. Dec. 13, 2022

December 13, 2022

What is the name of the popular ticketing platform, launched in 2009, that enables users to buy and sell tickets for live sports, concerts and theater events? What networking device, used every day in today’s computer connectivity, was invented in 1976 by computer engineer Ginny Strazisar? What Australian software company was founded by “accidental billionaire” Mike Cannon-Brookes in 2002? And here are the answers: Answer: SeatGeek. SeatGeek was founded by Russell D’Souza and Jack Groetzinger at DreamIT Ventures, an early-stage startup accelerator program, in 2009. The company is based in New York City and has over 400 employees. Originally launched…

Name that Flyover City! — Dec 8, 2022

December 7, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is home to three trendy cocktail bars – Golden Girl Rum Club, Sweet Boy’s Neighborhood Bar and Best of Luck Beer Hall? What southern city is the birthplace of film and TV actress Constance Wu? What midwestern city’s downtown features an 8-foot-tall statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger? And here are the answers: Springfield, MO. Springfield locals Rogan Howitt and Joshua Widner have operated their tavern-focused business consortium, Good Spirits & Co, since 2012. Each of their unique spots has its own theme and design scheme. Sweet Boy’s Neighborhood Bar, their latest…

Name that Flyover City! — Dec 1, 2022

November 30, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city has a statue of Henry Winkler as “The Fonz” on its riverwalk, and why? What city was almost given the name, “Rabbitville,” as well as the name “Possum Trot”? What southern city is home to Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, offering 734 acres of lush greenery within the city limits? And here are the answers: Answer: Milwaukee, WI. The “Bronze Fonz” has stood, thumbs up, on Milwaukee’s riverfront, since 2008. Commissioned by the organization Visit Milwaukee and created by American artist Gerald P. Sawyer, the statue stands 5’ 6” tall, the…

Name That Flyover City!

November 16, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon is one of the largest in the world. What exactly is it and in what city is it located? What city boasts a sporting event in which it is traditional for the winner to take a celebratory drink of milk? Bohemian émigré Anthony Philip Heinrich led the first known performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 ever heard in the United States in this city. What city was it? And here are the answers: Springfield, IL—“Carillon” is a fancy word for bell tower. This one stands 132 feet high…

Name that Flyover City! — Nov 10, 2022

November 9, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to Pinky’s Westside Grill, where they serve the famous “Ding Dong Style Crunchy Chicken Sandwich”? In what midwestern city was the typewriter patented by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1867? What city is the birthplace of stage and screen performer Kristin Chenoweth? And here are the answers: Answer: Charlotte, NC. When Guy Fieri brought his legendary show, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” to Charlotte, there was never any doubt they would visit Pinky’s! Owner Greg Auten opened his new place in 2011, after the closing of the legendary Penguin Diner,…

Name that Flyover City! — Nov 3, 2022

November 3, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What Southern city is considered the “Pimento Cheese Capital of the World?” The St. Louis Cardinals MLB team has a Double-A affiliate, also called the Cardinals. What city is home to this minor league baseball team? What city is the birthplace of radio legend Paul Harvey? And here are the answers: Answer: Charlotte, NC. In 1953, a family-owned kitchen on Wilkinson Blvd. began mass producing and selling pimento cheese to local grocers. Traditionally comprised of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos, with numerous seasoning variations, the concoction has been referred to as, “the pâté of…

Name That Flyover City! — Oct 27, 2022

October 26, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to Society, an indoor skate park and coffee lounge? What midwestern city is home to the Slippery Noodle Inn, which has been in operation (under several different names) since 1850? What midwestern city is home to the Henry Vilas Zoo, one of the only remaining free zoos in the United States? And here are the answers: Memphis, TN. Open since December 2019, Society Skatepark and Coffee features one of the only 10-foot vertical ramps in the country. The entrepreneurs who opened Society transported the ramp from a defunct…

Name that Flyover City!: Oct 20, 2022

October 19, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: The U.S. National Whitewater Center is located just outside of this southern city. What city is it? What midwestern city is home to chef James Rigato, who competed on season 12 of “Top Chef” and now owns the restaurant Mabel Gray? The hugely successful 1990s musical group Hanson got its start in what city? And here are the answers: Charlotte, NC. Offering training and recreational opportunities for those interested in whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing and mountain biking, the U.S. National Whitewater Center is located near the Catawba River in Charlotte, NC.…

Name that Flyover City! – Oct. 13, 2022

October 11, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to Auntie Betty’s Gin and Absinthe Bar, the unique “craft cocktail lounge with a focus on gin and absinthe”? Movie star Brad Pitt grew up in what midwestern city? What midwestern city is home to Drake University, one of the nation’s most prestigious private colleges? And here are the answers: Raleigh, NC. Located in the Morgan Street Food Hall, in the heart of Raleigh’s bustling downtown, Auntie Betty’s Gin and Absinthe Bar is the brainchild of restaurateur and entrepreneur Greg Ewan. Ewan’s partner, Niall Hanley, named the bar…

Test Your Nerd Knowledge for Oct. 11, 2022

October 10, 2022

Thanks for playing! Here’s a quick review of today’s questions: In computer parlance, what does URL stand for? What did network engineer Mark Kempf invent in 1983 while working for the Networking Advanced Development group of Digital Equipment Corporation?  What enterprise software company is based in Walldorf, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany? And here are the answers: Answer: Uniform Resource Locator. People toss the initials, “U.R.L.” around every day, but how many people actually know what URL stands for? While it could be easily defined as a “web address,” URL has deeper origins that involve syntax, schemes, queries and paths, all components of…

Name that Flyover City! — Oct 6, 2022

October 5, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: “Seabiscuit” is among the many movies filmed in this midwestern city. What city is it? What midwestern city is home to Bub’s Burgers, where competitive eaters can attempt the “Big Ugly” Burger Challenge? Which American city is home to Cain’s Ballroom, open since 1924, where Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys played their very first concerts? And here are the answers: Cincinnati, OH. People who only watch movies but don’t make them may not be aware of how many movies have been filmed in Cincinnati, as well as across the river in the…

Test Your Nerd Knowledge for Oct. 4, 2022

October 3, 2022

This producer of fiber optic connectors was founded in 1932 as American Phenolic Corp. In 1957, the company name was changed. What is the current name?  Which Amsterdam-based company purchased Wang computers in 1999?  What does LTFS stand for?  And here are the answers: Answer: Amphenol. As stated on its website, Amphenol’s products, “Enable the electronics revolution across virtually every end market including data communications, commercial aerospace and mobile networks.” Founder Arthur J. Schmitt started producing tube sockets for radio tubes in Chicago in the 1930s, and expanded his business as the need for network connectivity grew, both in the…

Name that Flyover City! — Sept 27, 2022

September 26, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: In this city’s Jeffersontown neighborhood, you will find Rec Bar, a bar/restaurant/arcade that offers old-school video and pinball games, along with a huge beer selection and eclectic food menu. What city is it? What city can brag that one of its former mayors was the inventor of a bulk trash compactor called the Dempster Dumpster? What city is home to the Farmers Market of the Ozarks? And here are the answers: Louisville, KY. Voted “Best Bar in Louisville” by readers of the weekly culture newspaper, LEO, Rec Bar has two locations – one…

Name that Flyover city! — Sep 22, 2022

September 21, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: Which American city holds the record for the world’s largest tuba ensemble, set in 2018? This southern city is home to a neighborhood called the Third Ward, where its professional football team’s stadium is located. What city is it? What southern city is home to ItalX, an upscale Italian dining destination with an extensive Italian wine list? And here are the answers: Kansas City, MO. While “Tuba Christmas” performances are held worldwide each year, the event that Kansas City hosted on December 7, 2018, was one for the record books. Guinessworldrecords.com explains it…

Test Your Nerd Knowledge: Sept. 20, 2022

September 19, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: In tech-speak, what term is defined as a quick-repair job for a piece of programming designed to resolve functionality issues, improve security, or add new features? This state will be home to Intel’s new manufacturing facility for producing advanced semiconductors. What state is it? What is the name of the programming language introduced by Guido Van Rossum in 1991? And here are the answers: Answer: Patch. A patch is sometimes referred to as a bug fix since a reason for a patch is an imperfection that is discovered by its developers or users.…

Name that Flyover City! — Sept 15, 2022

September 12, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to Chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, childhood friends that have opened six different restaurants since 2008? Gold-medal gymnast Simone Biles was born in what midwestern city? Psychedelic rock band The Flaming Lips got their start in what city? And here are the answers: Memphis, TN. Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman opened their first restaurant, the appropriately named Andrew Michael, in 2008. It featured Italian cuisine rooted in traditional southern cooking, and became hugely successful for the duo, who grew up together and are both classically trained chefs.…

Name that Flyover City! — Sep 6, 2022

September 3, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: This midwestern city was the first to establish a municipal fire department and install a fire pole. What city was it? This southeastern city has two nicknames – “City of Oaks” and “The Triangle.” What city is it? This American city is the only state capital in the country that has a working oil well on its grounds. What city is it? And here are the answers: Cincinnati, OH. The origin of this story involves Miles Greenwood, a native of Cincinnati and the owner of Eagle Ironworks. This is not an example of…

Name that Flyover City! — Aug 23, 2022

August 22, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: Which American city has played host to Queen Elizabeth of England, at its Lane’s End Farm? What midwestern city is home to Grove restaurant, nationally recognized for responsibly sourcing their ingredients from local, sustainable farms and businesses? Which midwestern city is the birthplace of legendary film actor Steve McQueen? And here are the answers: Lexington, KY. A lifelong devotee of raising, training, and breeding horses, it was only fitting that Queen Elizabeth II would visit Kentucky royalty during her three trips to Lexington’s Lane’s End Farm. Her hosts for the visits were Lane’s…

Name that City: Aug. 18, 2022

August 18, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is the hometown of “Mad Men” actress Christina Hendricks? Bryant’s Lounge, located in this midwestern city, offers 450 different cocktail concoctions that are kept in a rolodex behind the bar. What city is it? What American city is the location of the infamous 1865 shootout between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt? And here are the answers: Knoxville, TN. Christina Hendricks was born in Knoxville in 1975. Her mother was a psychologist, and her father, a native of Great Britain, worked for the U.S. Forest Service, which meant that the…

Test Your Nerd Knowledge: Aug. 16, 2022

August 16, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: 1. What is the name of the email marketing platform that became popular when advertised on the podcast “Serial” in 2014? 2. Now considered an unsung innovator, Gary Thuerk sent the first one of these annoying inbox items in 1978. What was it? 3. What computer hardware company featured a “cow motif” on its packaging and once had over 300 retail stores?               And here are the answers: Mailchimp. The 2014 podcast sensation, “Serial,” featured brief audio clips at the beginning and end of each episode from…

Name that Flyover City! — Aug. 11, 2022

August 11, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What city is the home of Duquesne University? In what midwestern city would you find a “speakeasy-themed” tavern called Ball & Biscuit? What midwestern city is the birthplace of Gillian Flynn, author of “Gone Girl” and “Sharp Objects”? And here are the answers: Pittsburgh, PA. Officially recognized as Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit and pronounced “du-kane,” Duquesne first opened in 1878 with an enrollment of 40 students. Named for Michel-Ange Du Quesne de Menneville, the Governor General of New France, the small, private research university in Pittsburgh’s Bluff neighborhood has a current…

Name that Flyover City! — Aug 4, 2022

August 4, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: Multi-instrumentalist and producer Jerry Harrison, who played with the Talking Heads and the Young Lovers, was born in what midwestern city? What midwestern city is home to the Jack Nicklaus Museum? In what southern city will you find the Haberdish restaurant, famous for its brined and battered fried chicken? And here are the answers: Milwaukee, WI. Jerry Harrison graduated from Shorewood High School in Milwaukee in 1968 and then attended Harvard University. After playing in numerous high school bands, he kindled his interest in music and continued pursuing it in Boston, where he…

Name That Flyover City! — July 28, 2022

July 28, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: The movies “Ready Player One,” “Traffic” and “Air Force One” all feature scenes filmed in this midwestern city. What city is it? This southern city is the only U.S. city to win the “Nation’s Cleanest City” award four times. What city is it? In what midwestern city would you find a delicacy called “Ma Baensch Herring”? And here are the answers: Columbus, Ohio. Columbus residents are reported to have gone nuts upon seeing the trailer for “Ready Player One,” prior to the film’s 2018 opening. The first line of the trailer has the…

Name that Flyover City! — July 21, 2022

July 21, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is the birthplace of comedy legend Gene Wilder? This city was the home of the Rampage, an arena football team that played at the Van Andel Arena. What city is it? JPMorgan Chase employs over 18,000 people at its offices in this midwestern city. What city is it? And here are the answers: Milwaukee, WI. Jerome Silberman, known professionally as Gene Wilder, was born in Milwaukee on June 11, 1933. The star of the 1970s film classics “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Young Frankenstein” graduated from Milwaukee’s Washington…

Name That Flyover City — July 14, 2022

July 14, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: This city’s Municipal Auditorium has played host to more NCAA Championships than any other venue in the country. What city is it? What city is home to the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art? What city is the birthplace of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr.? And here are the answers: Kansas City, MO. Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium was opened in 1935, and was considered “one of the ten best buildings in the world” by the Architectural Record. The campus consists of three halls – the Arena, the Music Hall and the Little…

Name That Flyover City! — June 30, 2022

June 30, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: This midwestern city’s annual cultural event, Summerfest, first took place in 1968. What city is it? This southern city is the hometown of Michael C. Hall, star of “Dexter” and “Six Feet Under.” What city is it? In what city will you find the Bunker Club, a cocktail lounge with a Cold War era theme, including black and white TVs and “retro futuristic” décor? And here are the answers: Milwaukee, WI. Attracting nearly 800,000 people each year and billing itself “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” Milwaukee’s Summerfest offers shows on a multitude of…

Name That City! — June 23, 2022

June 22, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to the world’s largest ceiling clock, a five-story Foucault pendulum and frieze? What midwestern city is the birthplace of author R.L. Stine? What city’s downtown is home to the Blind Bear Speakeasy, a prohibition-themed bar with a 1920s-style twist? And here are the answers: Lexington, KY. Built in 2001, the ceiling clock at Lexington’s Public Library holds the distinction of being the world’s largest ceiling clock. Lexington philanthropist Lucille Caudill Little provided a substantial donation and dedicated the project to her late husband. It depicts the history of…

Name that Flyover City! — June 16, 2022

June 16, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city had a city ordinance that made dancing between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. illegal? What southern city is home to the Byrd Theatre, which has operated continuously as a “grand movie palace” since 1928? What midwestern city is home to the corporate headquarters of the Steak N Shake restaurant chain? And here are the answers: Des Moines, Iowa. Des Moines’ “antiquated ordinance,” overturned in 2009, was rarely acknowledged or understood, let alone violated by citizens of Iowa’s capital city prior to its demise. Few even were aware of the ban,…

Name that Flyover City! — June 9, 2022

June 9, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: The first nighttime baseball game took place in 1935. What city’s home team hosted and won the game? What midwestern city has a shopping area that includes a half-sized replica of La Giralda, the cathedral bell tower in Seville, Spain? Which city’s Museum of Art has the most comprehensive collection of Chihuly blown-glass sculptures in the world? And here are the answers: Cincinnati, Ohio. On May 24, 1935, the first night game in major league baseball history was played at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field, where the home team defeated the Phillies, 2-1. At 8:30…

Name that Flyover City! — May 26, 2022

May 26, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What city is home to the newly opened Bob Dylan Center? What city was the birthplace of “Walking Dead” actress Melissa McBride? In what city would you find Paul’s Pel’meni, a restaurant specializing in pel’meni, or delicious Russian dumplings? And here are the answers: Tulsa, OK. The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa celebrates the life and music of a true American icon. Though born in Minnesota and weaned on New York City’s folk music scene in the early 1960s, Tulsa was chosen by benefactor George Kaiser and agreed to by Dylan himself. The…

Name that Flyover City! — May 19, 2022

May 19, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: In what southern city would you find a state museum housing “The People’s Collection?” What midwestern city is the birthplace of Ryan Murphy, creator of “Glee” and “American Horror Story?” What southern city is considered the birthplace of a hearty stew called burgoo? And here are the answers: Raleigh, NC. Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the North Carolina legislature designating state funding to create an exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh known as the People’s Collection. The exhibit got its name in 1947, referring to art that can be seen for free throughout the…

Name That Flyover City! — May 12, 2022

May 12, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is the birthplace of legendary film director Francis Ford Coppola? Which American city has a museum with an exhibit dedicated to Mr. Rogers? In what midwestern city would you find the corporate headquarters for Hallmark Cards, Inc.?   And here are the answers: Detroit, MI. Although his most famous movie, “The Godfather,” is the story of Italian-Americans in New York City, Francis Ford Coppola is actually an Italian-American born and raised in Detroit. His directorial attention did eventually turn to Detroit with 1988’s “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” about…

Name That Flyover City! — May 5, 2022

May 5, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is the location of the first Piggly Wiggly grocery store? What southern city was named after the wife of King George III? “The Center of the Universe” is located in what American city? And here are the answers: Memphis, TN. Piggly Wiggly grocery stores were truly innovators in their field. After their humble beginnings in Memphis in 1916, they became the first “self-service grocery store,” as well as the first to use check-out lanes to ring up orders. Clarence Saunders gave the company its name, and its meaning is still…

Name that Flyover City — Apr 28, 2022

April 26, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is the founding location of Oscar Mayer meats? What southern city is home to Marbles Kids Museum? In the 1980’s, musicians and DJs in this midwestern city “invented” techno music. What city is it? And here are the answers: Madison, WI. Though the company’s headquarters is now in Chicago, Oscar Mayer (go ahead, sing the jingle while you check the spelling) got its start in Madison, Wisconsin. German immigrant Oscar F. Mayer arrived in America at age 14, and by the time he was 24, had his own butcher shop.…

Name that Flyover City! — April 21, 2022

April 21, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city was home to the Chicks women’s baseball team, the inspiration for the team in the Tom Hanks movie “A League of Their Own?” What southern city is the location of the corporate headquarters for Bank of America? What midwestern city is the birthplace of singer Adam Lambert? And here are the answers: Grand Rapids, MI. The Grand Rapids Chicks were affiliated with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 to 1954. The AAGPBL was founded in 1943 by Phillip K. Wrigley and is the forerunner of women’s professional league…

Name that Flyover City! — Apr 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is the founding location and current corporate headquarters of Nationwide Insurance? What southern city is the birthplace of Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates? Despite being first erected in Chicago, the Ferris wheel was actually invented in this American city. What city was it? And here are the answers: Columbus, OH. Formerly known as Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance, the organization that eventually became Nationwide Insurance got its start in Columbus in 1926. Ensuring businesses for farmers and ranchers in Ohio, the company expanded into West Virginia and into the northeast, ultimately…

Name That Flyover City! — Apr 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is home to the yearly celebration known as Brat Fest? Aside from Tallahassee, Florida, there is another city whose name is derived from the Muscogee words, “tallasi” and “tulasi,” both of which mean “the old town.” What city is it? What southern city got its name from an English statesman and scholar who was beheaded in 1618? And here are the answers: Madison, WI. Brat Fest has been held every Memorial Day weekend in Madison, Wisconsin since 1983. The story goes that Tom and Margaret Metcalfe held the very first…

Name That Flyover City! — March 31, 2022

March 31, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is home to the largest children’s museum in the world? What midwestern city is home to WLW, the first “Super Station” in the United States? What southern city is the home to Kaizen, a Japanese-style pub opened by chef Jesse Newmister? And here are the answers: Indianapolis, IN. Opened in 1925, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis comprises over 400,000 square feet of museum space at its five-story structure on North Meridian Avenue. With exhibits including Natural Science, World Culture and even an art installation dedicated to sports, the museum has…

Name That Flyover City — March 24, 2022

March 24, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city has a minor league hockey team called the Capitols? What southern city is the birthplace of actors Michael Shannon and Harry Dean Stanton? What midwestern city is the home of the restaurant Service Bar and its chef, Avishar Barua? And here are the answers: Madison, WI. Since Madison is the capitol of Wisconsin, it makes sense that their AAA hockey team calls itself the Capitols. Founded in 1984, where they played their games at the Hartmeyer Ice Arena, they changed their name to the Wisconsin Capitols in 1991, and then…

Name That Flyover City! — March 17, 2022

March 17, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What city boasts that it had the first-ever electric streetcar in the United States? What city has been trying for years to erect a statue of one of its favorite sons, film legend Gene Kelly? What city is home to the Renaissance Center, a group of seven connected skyscrapers built in 1976? And here are the answers: Richmond, VA. The electric street railway system that began operating in Richmond in 1888 became the prototype for similar systems across the US. Designed by Frank Julian Sprague for The Richmond Union Passenger Railway, the streetcars…

Name That Flyover City! — March 10, 2022

March 10, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is the birthplace of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ lead singer Anthony Keidis? In what southern city would you find Token Game Tavern, which specializes in “geeks, drinks, food and fun with arcade, pinball and board games” thrown in? In what midwestern city would you find a soccer team called the Menace playing at Valley Stadium? And here are the answers: Grand Rapids, MI. Despite their image as a band deeply rooted in Los Angeles culture, the Red Hot Chili Peppers feature a front man born a long way from SoCal.…

Name that Flyover City! — March 3, 2022

March 3, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is home to Crown Hill Cemetery, the third largest cemetery in the United States? President Harry Truman ran a haberdashery in this midwestern city before entering politics. What city was it? In this city, you can find the best BBQ ribs you’ve ever had at the Rendezvous. Or maybe Central BBQ or Tom’s – all depends on who you ask. What city is it? And here are the answers: Indianapolis, IN. Considered a “rural” cemetery when it opened in 1863, Crown Hill Cemetery was established at Strawberry Hill, whose summit…

Name That City! — Feb 24, 2022

February 24, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is the birthplace of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino? What midwestern city was the first in the U.S. to add fluoride to its water in 1945? Roberto Clemente is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in the history of the game. What city is home to the team that Clemente played for? And here are the answers: Answer: Knoxville, Tennessee. If you’ve visited East Tennessee or have knowledge of the region, you’ll likely have a unique experience when you go see a Quentin Tarantino film. Almost every movie he has…

Name That City! — Feb 17, 2022

February 17, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is the hometown of actress Evan Rachel Wood? What midwestern city is the hometown of actress Kathleen Turner? What southern city is home to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital? And here are the answers: Raleigh, North Carolina. Evan Rachel Wood, who has starred for three seasons on the HBO series, “Westworld,” was born in Raleigh in 1987. She was home-schooled by her parents, both of whom were actors, and received her high school diploma at age 15. She had been acting since she was 5, but her career took off…

Name That City! — Feb 10, 2022

February 10, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to the corporate office of Federal Express? What city is home to the global headquarters of spirits giant Brown-Forman? What midwestern city serves up a delicious local dish called Steak de Burgo? And here are the answers: Memphis, TN. FedEx is based in Memphis because that’s where it all started in 1973. Memphis businessman Frederick W. Smith started the company with 14 small aircraft flying from the Memphis International Airport. He called his new venture Federal Express, and all these years later it is the largest express transportation…

Name That City! — Feb 3, 2022

February 3, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southeastern city is home to Feelgoodz slippers? What southern city is home to the Ice Bears hockey team? What midwestern city is the hometown of motion picture superstar Jason Momoa? And here are the answers: Answer: Raleigh, NC. Kyle Berner founded Feelgoodz in 2007, partnering with artisans in Southeast Asia to create footwear that strikes the perfect balance between comfort, style and sustainability. The company’s headquarters have been in downtown Raleigh since 2014. Answer: Knoxville, TN. The Knoxville Ice Bears were founded in 2002 as a charter member of the Atlantic Coast…

Name that Flyover City! — Jan 27, 2022

January 27, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is home to (formerly-called) Cobo Hall? Which city had an ABA team called the Condors? Which midwestern city has an ECHL hockey team called the Mavericks? And here are the answers: Detroit, MI. Now part of an entertainment & convention complex called TCF Center, Detroit’s Cobo Hall was built in 1960 and has an illustrious history. Detroit Mayor Albert Cobo had a vision for a sparkling new convention center downtown on the Detroit River, but did not live to see its completion (he died in 1957). The venue went on…

Name That Flyover City! — Jan 20, 2022

January 20, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What city is home to the Fountain at Point State Park, the tallest fountain in the U.S.? What city is home to a JIF peanut butter factory that produces more peanut butter than any other factory on earth? What city is home to “Rat Basketball” at its science museum? And here are the answers: Answer: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Fountain at Point State Park in Pittsburgh shapes approximately 6,000 gallons of water per minute into a spout about 150 feet high. The fountain was dedicated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on August 30, 1974,…

Name That City! — Jan 13, 2022

January 13, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What Southern city is considered the “Pimento Cheese Capital of the World?” The St. Louis Cardinals MLB team has a Double-A affiliate, also called the Cardinals. What city is home to this minor league baseball team? What city is the birthplace of radio legend Paul Harvey? And here are the answers! Charlotte, NC. In 1953, a family-owned kitchen on Wilkinson Blvd. began mass producing and selling pimento cheese to local grocers. Traditionally comprised of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos, with numerous seasoning variations, the concoction has been referred to as, “the pâté of the…

Name that Flyover City: Jan 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: David Letterman did the weather for TV station WLWI in what midwestern city? The Legends are a minor league baseball team in what southern city? What midwestern city is the birthplace of Mitch Ryder, the rock singer who scored a #4 hit in 1966 with “Devil with a Blue Dress On”? And here are the answers: Answer: Indianapolis. Letterman was born in Indy and attended college at Ball State University. He was infamous at the TV station for making the crew laugh, and relocated to Los Angeles in 1975 to pursue a career…

Name that City! — Dec 23, 2021

December 23, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is the birthplace of supermodel Christie Brinkley? “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan was born in what southern city? Albert Von Tilzer, the writer of, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” was a native of what midwestern city? And here are the answers: Answer: Detroit, Michigan. Christie Lee Hudson, aka Christie Brinkley, was born in Detroit in February 1954. When her parents divorced shortly after her birth, her mother moved to Los Angeles and married TV writer Don Brinkley. Christie later became a tremendously popular model, appearing on hundreds of…

Name That City! — Dec 16, 2021

December 16, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to the NHL hockey team, “the Hurricanes”? Dick’s Sporting Goods got its start in Binghamton, NY. However, its corporate headquarters are now located in what neighboring state’s second largest city? What southern city is home to Rupp Arena? And here are the answers: Answer: Raleigh, North Carolina. While most professional sports teams referred to as being from “Carolina” are based in Charlotte (Hornets, Panthers), the Hurricanes play their home games at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, referred to as the Canes, are a franchise previously…

Name That City! — Dec 9, 2021

December 9, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: This midwestern city is home to two infamous burger joints, both highly rated in national publications. Where will you find Stella’s and Cottage Bar? In what midwestern city would you find neighborhoods like Broad Ripple, St. Joseph and Trader’s Point? What southern city is the birthplace of actor Jim Rash, who played the role of Dean Craig Pelton on the hit sitcom “Community” and won an Oscar for writing the screenplay for “The Descendants?” And here are the answers: When you visit Grand Rapids, Michigan, make sure you’re hungry for excellent hamburgers! Stella’s…

Name that City! — Dec 2, 2021

December 2, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: In what city would you find The Spudder, a steakhouse that has been serving steak and seafood for decades, in a setting filled with museum-quality oil field memorabilia? What southern city is home to Red Mile Gaming and Racing? What midwestern city is considered, “the birthplace of Route 66”? And here are the answers: Tulsa, Oklahoma’s The Spudder restaurant has been serving up delicious dinners since 1976. The restaurant’s namesake, “The Spudder,” is a cable tool rig made for drilling shallow wells. The spudder in question sits in front of the restaurant and…

Name that City! — Nov 18, 2021

November 18, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is home to Schmidt’s Real German Food, serving authentic German cuisine since 1886? What southern city is home to Burger Bach, a go-to destination so famous for hangover cures that they have a burger called – you guessed it – The Hangover Cure? What city is home to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History? And here are the answers: Visitors to Columbus, Ohio can find cuisines representing just about every nation and culture. Schmidt’s Real German Food may be the oldest of that group, dating back to 1886, when J.…

Name That City! — Nov. 11, 2021

November 11, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: The movies, “Hustle & Flow,” Great Balls of Fire” and “The Firm” were all filmed in what southern city? What midwestern city is home to Zug Island? Celebrity chef Guy Fieri is from what midwestern city? And here are the answers: Memphis, Tennessee has been the backdrop for numerous movies and TV shows in recent years, including those previously mentioned, as well as TV shows like, “Bluff City Law” and “Sun Records,” as well as the Netflix movie, “Uncorked,” with Courtney B. Vance. The 2008 movie, “Nothing but the Truth,” with Kate Beckinsale…

Name That City! — Nov 4, 2021

November 4, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: This Flyover city is the state’s capitol, and the Capitol Building’s dome contains over 100 ounces of pure gold. What city is it? This southern city was a shooting location for the movies, “Days of Thunder” and “The Hunger Games” as well as the TV show, “Homeland.” What city is it? Two of the most useful inventions of the twentieth century, the answering machine and Carmex lip balm, happened in this Flyover city. What city is it? And here are the answers: Visitors to Des Moines, Iowa are drawn to the huge gold…

Flyover IT Strategy Trivia – Nerd Knowledge! November 2, 2021

November 2, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What was the first-ever web browser? What company invented Ethernet networking? What is the origin of the word “spam” in the context of email spam? And here are the answers: In 1990, almost four years before Netscape, W3C Director Tim Berners-Lee (founder of the World Wide Web Foundation, developed the first web browser. It was called…wait for it…WorldWideWeb. It was renamed Nexus. The networking platform that ships with virtually every modern computer was born at Xerox PARC around 1973 with Robert Metcalfe and three of his colleagues credited as inventors. An early experimental version…

Name That City! — October 28, 2021

October 28, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: In what midwestern city did Dave Thomas open the first Wendy’s restaurant? Jazz legend Charlie Parker played his first gig at the Country Club Plaza in this midwestern city. What city is it? In what southern city would you find a 13-foot bronze statue of “Roots” author Alex Haley? And here are the answers: On November 15, 1969, Dave Thomas opened his very first Wendy’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio at 257 East Broad Street. He named the restaurant after his daughter, and it was immediately popular, with a second Columbus restaurant opening a…

Name that City! — Oct 21, 2021

October 21, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What midwestern city is the home of the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park? What midwestern city is the birthplace of Bass Pro Shops? Actors Michael Jeter and Dixie Carter, as well as senator/actor Fred Thompson are all alumni of the major university in what southern city? And here are the answers: Grand Rapids, Michigan-The city has much to offer visitors and locals, and one of its greatest attractions is the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. One of the nation’s most significant sculpture and botanic experiences, Meijer Gardens includes Michigan’s largest tropical…

Name That City! — Oct 14, 2021

October 14, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What southern city is home to Oakwood Cemetery, where seven governors, five US Senators and four Civil War generals are buried? Blues legend John Lee Hooker, in his signature tune, “Boogie Chillun,” refers to the “Henry Swing Club” on “Hastings Street.” What is the midwestern city where these sites were located? Zoologist Jack Hanna represented his hometown and its zoo in numerous TV appearances. In what city is the zoo located? And here are the answers: Raleigh, NC–Initially founded as a Confederate cemetery after the Civil War, it owes much of its history…

Name that City! — October 7, 2021

October 7, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: Which American city produced over 650 B-24 bombers per month in 1944, at the height of World War II? In which American city was actor/writer and “Saturday Night Live” alum Bill Hader born? The sports teams associated with the college located in this southern city call themselves the Wolfpack. What city is it? And here are the answers: Detroit, MI–During World War II, Ford Motor Company built 8,685 B-24 Liberator bomber airplanes at its Willow Run plant, 35 miles west of Detroit. By the spring of 1944, employees on Ford’s bomber assembly line…

Know your Geek Speak!—October 12, 2021

October 1, 2021

Thanks for playing Geek Speak! Here’s a quick review of the questions: What does RPA stand for? What is a GPL and what does it give you? What is a choropleth map in data visualization? And, the answers are … Robotic process automation is a form of business process automation technology based on software robots or on artificial intelligence. It is sometimes referred to as software robotics. The basic ideas originated in the 1950s, and later with data scraping in the 1980s and indexing of the web in the 1990s. GPL stands for a general public license, and is often…

Name that City! — September 30, 2021

September 30, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: What Midwestern city was home to the Civella crime family? Which American city is the home of Primanti Brothers, a sandwich shop famous for putting fries and coleslaw ON the sandwich? Which Southern city houses the NASCAR Hall of Fame? And here are the answers: Kansas City, Missouri–KC was the home of the Civella Family, also known as the Kansas City Mafia. Organized crime that falls under the auspices of “La Cosa Nostra” (Italian for “our thing”) has been active in Kansas City since 1912, when Sicilian immigrants settled there and undertook various…

Name that City! — September 23, 2021

September 23, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: Country musician and actor Dwight Yoakam has been known to sing about Kentucky (“Readin’, Writin’, Route 23”) and California (“Streets of Bakersfield”). However, he grew up in this midwestern city and attended the huge state college located there. Name the city! In 2019, this city celebrated the 40th Anniversary of “Scotfest,” a three-day event that recognizes Scottish and Celtic culture. Which city is it? Residents of this midwestern city are way into a local delicacy called the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. You can find them at joints like the Aristocrat, the Big Lug Canteen and…

Name That City! — September 16, 2021

September 16, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: The 1982 World Series garnered the nickname “the Suds Series,” since the St. Louis Cardinals, from the city where Budweiser beer is produced, took on the team from what city that is also famous for brewing beer? “White Lotus” actor Steve Zahn, a native of Minnesota, has lived for the past 17 years in what Southern city, famous for raising, training, and racing horses? What is the name of the Midwestern city that is the burial place of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, as well as the location…

Name That City! — Sept 9, 2021

September 9, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: What city was the home of Market Square Arena from 1974 to 2001? Name the Southern city that was the birthplace of evangelist Billy Graham. Name the city that is the home of Mud Island. And here are the answers: Market Square Arena held a prominent location in downtown Indianapolis, IN for nearly 30 years, and served as the home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. It was also the site of many great concerts by the likes of KISS, the Grateful Dead and Michael Jackson. From 1974 to 1979, the Indianapolis Racers of the…

Name That City! — September 2, 2021

September 2, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions:  The local delicacy that this Midwestern city serves to its legion of fans is a dressed up hot dog called a “Coney Island.” However, neither the name nor the dog has anything to do with New York’s famous Coney Island amusement park. What is the name of the city famous for “Coneys?” This city is home to the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, nicknamed “Fed Med.” Famous guests have included John Gotti and Robert Stroud, AKA “the Birdman of Alcatraz.” What Midwestern city has been home to this facility for nearly 90…

Name that City! — August 26, 2021

August 26, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: Novelist Michael Chabon, who wrote “Wonder Boys,” set many of his novels in which city? Music stars Chet Atkins, Roy Acuff and Kenny Chesney were all born in what southern city? Which midwestern city is home to an annual arts festival, held at Western Gateway Park and which attracts over 200,00 visitors? And here are the answers: Pittsburgh, PA–Novelist Michael Chabon, who attended both Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, burst onto the literary scene in 1988 with his poignant coming-of-age novel, “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh.” Several of his books were set…

Name That City! — August 19, 2021

August 19, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: What Midwestern city is the birthplace of SNL’s Chris Farley? Which city is the home of Arthur Bryant’s barbecue restaurant, the birthplace of “burnt ends?” Which city is home to Shaw University, the first Historically Black College in the American South? And here are the answers: Chris Farley was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1964. Raised in an Irish Catholic household, Farley and his two brothers attended Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart in Madison, and later, Marquette University in Milwaukee. After a short time at Chicago’s legendary Second City Theater, he was…

Name That City! — August 12, 2021

August 12, 2021

This week’s theme is quirky and fun. We’re going to name some flyover attractions and you tell us the city in which they’re located. Here are the questions: Where would the find The Center Of The Universe? In what city would you find a hotel that features a daily parade of ducks? Where would you find the oldest sanctioned tenpin bowling alley in the U.S.? And here are the answers: Tulsa, OK—The Center of the Universe is an acoustic anomaly, an open-air echo chamber in which a person standing in its center can speak out loud and his or her voice…

Name That City! — Aug 5, 2021

August 5, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: In what U.S. city would you find the first international vehicular tunnel in the world? In what city was the pop-up toaster invented? This city has a song with the same name that has the lyrics “On the corner of Twelfth Street and Vine.” And here are the answers: DETROIT, MI—The Detroit-Windsor tunnel, considered one of the great engineering wonders of the world, is jointly owned by the city of Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. The 5,160-ft long tunnel was formally dedicated on November 1, 1930. President Hoover turned a “golden key” in Washington that…

Name That City! — July 29, 2021

July 29, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: In what city was the first successful bone marrow transplant in the U.S. is performed? Bob Dunn’s first recordings for Decca with Milton Brown are considered to be the first electric instrument recordings. What part of flyover country did he hail from? In what city was the touch screen technology first developed? And here are the answers: Madison, WI—The first successful bone marrow transplant was performed by University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Professor Fritz Bach, MD, and University of Minnesota Professor Robert Good, MD. It was done in 1968 on…

Name That City! — July 22, 2021

July 22, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: This city has as one of its nicknames, “Cream City,” but it has nothing to do with dairy or Eric Clapton. Known as the first Black millionaire, in what city did Robert Church make his fortune? What city is known as the Smithsonian of the South? And here are the answers: Milwaukee, WI– Milwaukee’s known as the Cream City because of the yellow, cream-colored bricks that were first discovered and made there in 1835. The bricks were used for many of the buildings and businesses — breweries, schools — throughout the 19th century. Memphis,…

Name That City! — July 15, 2021

July 15, 2021

Let’s talk food this week. Can you match the famous dish with the city in which it was first served? The Juicy Lucy/Jucy Lucy Toasted Ravioli The Hot Brown Here are the answers: Minneapolis, MN—A couple of bars in Minneapolis– Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club–lay claim to this one, thus the different spellings. The creation is a cheeseburger prepared by putting cheese between two patties of meat, then sealing both patties around the cheese to create a single patty with a cheese core. The rivalry between the bars and their interpretations is longstanding, but has gained more exposure since…

Name That City! — July 1, 2021

July 1, 2021

This week, let’s turn our attention to great writers who hailed from flyover country. Can you match the writer with the city in which he/she was born? Anne Tyler Ralph Ellison Kurt Vonnegut Here are the answers: Minneapolis, MN—Anne Tyler has published twenty-three novels, including Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, The Accidental Tourist, and Breathing Lessons. All three were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and Breathing Lessons won the prize in 1989. She was born in Minneapolis but when she was 11 years old, her family moved to another “flyover” city, Raleigh, North Carolina, where her Quaker parents…

Name That City! — June 24, 2021

June 24, 2021

Here are the questions: We know that Dr. Albert Sabin developed the polio vaccine. But he spent many years during and after World War II in which flyover city? Researchers in this city were the first to develop a mind-powered robotic arm. At what university did this research happen? In what city was the G-suit for airplane pilots developed? And here are the answers: In 1939, Dr. Sabin moved to Cincinnati and worked at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. During World War II, he was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and helped develop a vaccine against Japanese…

Name That City! June 17, 2021

June 17, 2021

Today is National Mascot Day! We’re a trivia feature—we know these things. Let’s see if you can match the mascot with the college team it represents. Pistol Pete Herky the Hawk Scotty the Dog And here are the answers: Oklahoma State University—Sports fans might think that the mascot got its name from “Pistol” Pete Maravich, famed American shooting guard but that’s not the story. The mascot’s name was actually inspired by an admired cowboy named Frank B. Eaton. Eaton was given the name Pistol Pete after beating out many cavalry competitors in a marksmanship contest at Ft. Gibson. The nickname…

Name That City! — June 10, 2021

June 10, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: What city was once known as the Furniture City? What city has a bridge locals call Bob? What city buries cars as time capsules? And here are the answers: Grand Rapids, MI—Today the city is nicknamed Beer City, USA for the more than 80 breweries located there. But in the 1800s, Grand Rapids had a global reputation for manufacturing and selling fine wood furniture. Omaha, NE—Bob’s full name is the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. He is a 3,000-foot bridge that floats over the Missouri River, linking more than 150 miles of hiking and biking…

Name That City! — June 3, 2021

June 3, 2021

Let’s talk about early innovations in Flyover Country. Here are this week’s questions: Dr. Martin Cooper and John F. Mitchell developed the first hand-held cellphone. In what city did they do this? Frederick Jones developed the first successful mechanical truck refrigeration unit. In what city did he do this? John Vincent Atanasoff is considered by some to be the father of the computer. In what city did he develop his computer? And here are the answers: Chicago, IL—Cooper and Mitchell worked for Motorola, rolling out the prototype in 1973. It was far from the sleek, lightweight phones we use today—it…

Name That City! — May 27 2021

May 27, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: What city has the nickname of “Naptown”? A chapel in this city is home to more Catholic relics than anywhere else in the world except for the Vatican. Every July (usually on the Fourth), people in this city gather to promote “satire, liberty, and lunacy” at the annual Doo Dah Parade. And here are the answers: Indianapolis, IN–The term Naptown didn’t result from the fact that citizens in Indy were sleepier than those in other cities. It was actually coined by jazz musicians in the 1930s. One of the first recorded uses was in…

Name That City! — May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

Here’s a review of the teams: University of Michigan Wolverines Notre Dame Fighting Irish University of Pittsburgh Panthers And here are the answers: The Ohio State University Buckeyes—The rivalry between these two became supercharged during the 1970s through the 2000s as most of their games determined the Big Ten Conference. Apparently, the hatred between these two was fueled by an historical event in 1835—the claim of the Toledo Strip, a 468-square mile region of land at the states’ borders. Way to hold a grudge! USC Trojans—This football rivalry began in 1926. It is considered one of the most important rivalries…

Name That City! — May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

We’ve gaining on Summer. Are you planning a road trip with the fam (even after being shut in with the fam for months?!). This week we’re going to list some tourist attractions in Flyover Country. Can you tell us the cities where they’re located? Biltmore Estate Motown Museum Andy Warhol Museum Here are the answers: Asheville, NC—The Biltmore is an historic house museum that was built for George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. It is the largest privately owned house in the U.S. at 178,925 sq. ft. with over 75 acres of gardens designed by renowned landscape architect…

Name That City! — May 6, 2021

May 6, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: What city is home to the world’s largest hockey mural? In what city was an arena nicknamed “The Igloo” located? What city is home to a giant gold ball called “The Sunsphere”? And here are the answers: St. Paul, MN—The city took Canada’s claim of having the largest hockey mural to heart and created its own. “Made in Minnesota” covers 300×50 feet of real estate on a mixed-use facility that is the official practice site for the Minnesota Wild and home of the Hamline Pipers’ hockey program. Pittsburgh, PA—The Igloo’s official name was Civic…

Name that City! — April 29, 2021

April 29, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions; George Webb and Sons was launched as a lunch counter in 1948. It has grown to a chain of restaurants in this state. Name the state and the quirky tradition it’s known for. This city contains an underwater vehicular tunnel built by the same firm that build the Holland Tunnel that connects NYC to New Jersey. In what city is the tunnel located? The first rock concert in the U.S. happened in what city? And here are the answers: Milwaukee, WI—The restaurants in the George Webb chain all have two clocks on the wall…

Name That City! — April 20, 2021

April 22, 2021

Here are three groups of recognizable names. Guess the city in which each group was born . Charles Schultz, Anne Tyler, J. Paul Getty T.S. Eliot, Max Factor Jr., Maya Angelou Fred Astaire, Warren Buffett, Malcolm X Here are the answers: Minneapolis, MN—Schultz, the influential cartoonist, began exercising his gift as a child when he’d draw pictures of the family dog Spike (Snoopy’s inspiration), who was known to eat tacks and razor blades; novelist Tyler has published over 20 novels, three of which were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Her novel Breathing Lessons won the prize in 1989.…

Name that City! — April 15, 2021

April 15, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: Where in Flyover Country was water skiing invented? It has been described as one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States. What is the Scottish Rite Cathedral and in what city is it located? The university in this city has as its sports mascot a Bluetick Coonhound named Smokey. And here are the answers: In 1922, on Lake Pepin in Minnesota, fisherman Ralph Samuelson convinced his brother to pull him behind a motorboat while he stood on two 8-foot pine boards and held on to a clothesline. His brother…

Name That City! — April 8, 2021

April 8, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: What was Bloody Island and where was it located? James H. Suttle served as mayor of this city from 2009-2013. While many politicians come from a law background, Suttle didn’t. In what city did he serve as mayor and what was his background? The USS Cod is a World War II submarine that is now a museum in what city? Here are the answers: Bloody Island was a densely wooded sandbar opposite St. Louis, MO, that was considered “neutral” and not under Missouri or Illinois control. Even though it was only about a mile…

Name that City! — April 1, 2021

April 1, 2021

It’s April Fool’s Day and that means pranksters putting their talents to use. In honor of the day, this week’s trivia revolves around some of the best pranks in the history of the U.S. We’ll give you the prank and you match it up to the perpetrator and the flyover city he was from. Here’s a review of the questions: In 1938, an episode of the American radio drama anthology series The Mercury Theatre on the Air simulated a live news cast of the first Martian spacecraft landing. Who was the perpetrator and where was he from? In 1959, this…

Name That City! — March 25, 2021

March 25, 2021

Here’s a review of this week’s questions: John Davison Rockefeller Sr., widely considered to be the wealthiest American of all time, was born in New York City, but his family eventually settled in what city (from where he started a little company called Standard Oil). Former Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis was confirmed on June 1, 1916. In what city was he born? For years, Marlin Perkins was the face of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, the popular TV show where he and sidekick Jim Fowler tracked animals down in their habitat. He was also the director of the zoo…

Name That City! — March 18, 2021

March 18, 2021

Here’s a review of the questions: Arrowhead Stadium was the first stadium in professional football to bring High Dynamic Range (HDR) to its end zone display. In what city is it located? What city had a sometimes violent conflict over the construction of a bridge? In what city is the Bob Dylan archive located? And here are the answers: Kansas City—For the 2019 season, the Kansas City Chiefs introduced 10-millimeter Surface-Mount Device (SMD) technology that increases the resolution by more than 2.5 times. The Chiefs had installed 16HD tech in 2009. This new installation is capable of providing live video,…