Q: IN 1949, WHEN I ATTENDED THIRD GRADE IN COALGATE, OKLA., OUR TEACHER READ US A STORY ABOUT AN INDIAN BOY CARVING A TOY CANOE AND PUTTING IT ON A SNOWBANK.
Q: In 1949, when I attended third grade in Coalgate, Okla., our teacher read us a story about an Indian boy carving a toy canoe and putting it on a snowbank. When the snow melted, the canoe slipped into a stream on its way to the ocean. As I remember, several people found the canoe, took it home, cleaned it up, and put it back in the river where they found it. Can you tell me the name of the story? Who wrote it? – J.H., Angleton, Texas
A: The name of the book is “Paddle-to-the-Sea” by Holling C. Holling.
Q: I watched the 2011 Grammy Awards and enjoyed the performance of Bob Dylan. How old is he? Also, when was Kris Kristofferson born? – L.M., Franklin, Ky.
A: Robert Allen Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan, entered the world on May 24, 1941. Kristoffer Kristofferson’s date of birth: June 22, 1936.
Q: More than one person told me that July 2011 contains five Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays making this a lucky month because it only happens once every 823 years. I checked my calendar, and July does have that many Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this year. Is it really that rare? – W.N., Winston-Salem, N.C.
A: In order for this to happen, it must be in a month with 31 days and the month must start on Friday.Bottom line: It is not a rare occurrence.
Q: I have long been aware of the statement “What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar.” Who said it? – Y.N., Lee’s Summit, Mo.
A: Thomas Riley Marshall, vice president under Woodrow Wilson for two consecutive terms, uttered those famous words. In response, someone said, “Our country has plenty of good five-cent cigars. The trouble is they cost a quarter.” That someone is often said to be humorist Will Rogers, but other sources credit journalist Franklin P. Adams.
Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.
Copyright 2011, Gary Clothier
Distributed by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.