Author: Ms. R.

You are probably familiar with the Rubik’s cube, one of the most famous Hungarian inventions of all time. It was made by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik and more than 350 million had been sold worldwide, making it one of the bestselling toys ever. What significantly fewer people know, is that Ernő Rubik Sr. was also an inventor, but in a slightly different field. He designed the shoulder-wing training glider known as the Rubik R-26 Góbé…….

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Gracing the halls of the US Army War College are large plaques that contain the names of honored graduates dating back to 1902. Upon closer inspection of the plaques, some surfaces reveal bare spaces on the list of names where those that have dishonored their position have been removed from the ranks for plagiarism, ethics, dishonor, and scandal. The Army War College is part of the Professional Military Education (PME) structure. …

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It is difficult to imagine the Christmas season without baked goods. Holiday cookies, cakes, pies, breads, and a variety of other well-loved treats are at the heart of countless traditions. While a plate of festive indulgences is sure to inspire delight and comfort, rarely do we associate health and healing with such foods. However, in the North American region of Appalachia, it was once believed that any sweets baked on Christmas Day held the power to prevent and heal……

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This week, Gastro Obscura is looking at wondrous wintertime cocktails. Yesterday’s recipe was Moose Milk, the sweet, potent eggnog of the Canadian military. In addition to being an accomplished poet, playwright, and royal spy for King Charles II, Aphra Behn threw a hell of a party. A cultural maverick in 17th-century England, Behn didn’t care much for the norms imposed on the women of her day. She was married just long enough to snatch her husband’s last name and……

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Playa de Arena Blanca is a stunning white sand beach on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. But that’s not the only reason to visit. During the dry season between December and February, thousands of butterflies populate the beach to breed. The spectacle is known to create dense “clouds” of butterflies. Bioko Island is the largest volcanic island in the Gulf of Guinea, located 100 miles northwest of Equatorial Guinea’s coast and 60 miles from the southern coast of Nigeria…….

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While little remains of Indian Mounds, those located in Winterville are incredibly unique. The mounds are a stark contrast to the flat Mississippi Delta that they are built on. Mound A, one of the tallest in the country, is over 50 feet high.  Because of how well the mounds site is preserved, the Winterville Mounds were added to the National Register of Historic Places. However, archaeologists are still puzzled as to whom the mounds belong. The Winterville Mounds are……

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The Glenturret Distillery might date as far back as 1717 when it is believed that illegal distillation operations took place in the site of the modern distillery. The Hosh was the first official distillery registered in this location in 1775. Both dates place it among the oldest distilleries in Scotland, although the switches between illegal and legal operations, as well as name changes, make the claim one that is highly disputed. What is clear is that the current distillery……

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