Author: Ms. R.

In the Pendle village of Newchurch, St. Mary’s Church tower features a curious oval opening in its west face. Known locally as the ‘Eye of God,’ many debate whether the eye’s purpose is practical or paranormal. The most straightforward explanation suggests that the eye served as an observation point. The church warden likely used it to monitor and prepare for approaching funeral and wedding processions. However, Pendle’s history casts a shadow over this simple explanation. The region is infamous……

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While one might not expect to find natural springs in central London, a few arise within the urban landscape. One such spring is located near the southwest corner of Kensington Gardens. This spring is commonly described as being an “ancient spring,” but it was only given the name St. Govor’s Well in 1856 by Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner of Works who would later be entitled Lord Llanover. Hall chose the name St. Govor for the well as a……

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established the Maratha Empire in the 17th century. Shivsrushti, a large theme park in Pune, now stands in honor of his legacy.   Visitors are welcomed into a grand, fort-like building. The theme park is divided into multiple sections based on various aspects of Maharaj’s life and achievements. One section, for example, is dedicated to his forts, and recognizes some of his most important fortifications such as Sinhagad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, and Sindhudurg. Another section displays weapons……

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The rhythmic thwacks and taps of the local coppersmiths reverberate through the chambers of Hammam Seffarine, a beautifully restored bathhouse in the medina of Fez. Located on the southwest side of Place Seffarine, the hamman is no longer operational, but visitors are welcome to tour the premises. The hammam likely dates back to the 14th century during the Marinid period, and originally served the local coppersmiths working around Place Seffarine. Countless artisans still operate in and around Place Seffarine. ……

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The 7-Eleven in Monterrey was the first ecological store the company built in Mexico. When leaders at the chain realized the building site was home to a 50-year-old walnut tree, they decided the best way to honor their commitment to sustainability was to keep it. So, they built the store around the tree. The store earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, ensuring that the building meets certain “green” standards, such as energy efficiency, origin of……

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It was the 1920s. The city of Los Angeles needed outside supplies of water to sustain its growth. William Mulholland, the legendary engineer who spearheaded Los Angeles’s attempts to secure water, looked to the Colorado River as an ultimate source.  Before Parker Dam was even completed in 1938, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (a consortium of cities that had been incorporated in 1928, at Mulholland’s behest) was implementing plans for what became the Colorado River Aqueduct. Designed by Chief……

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Taiwan is an island of divided and conflicting memories. Since the end of martial law, the country has slowly moved toward transitional justice, with many symbols of the authoritarian past removed or relocated—like those sent to the well-known Garden of the Generalissimos in Taoyuan. But some statues are more durable than others. It’s estimated that nearly a thousand Chiang Kai-shek statues still remain across Taiwan—in schools, parks, and government offices—still respected by some, and controversial to others. One set……

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Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps. Dylan Thuras: Hey Amanda, how are you doing? Nice to see you. Amanda McGowan: Hey Dylan, nice to see you too. I have a little bit of a random question to start with, but I wanted to know if you have any experience with cicadas. Dylan: Yeah, sure. I grew up in Minnesota, so they hatch there. They hatch in New York where I live now. I……

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In 1905, the sprawling estuaries of South Florida were a hotbed of sinister activity. Men with shotguns quietly skulked around the mangroves, marshes, and bays of present-day Everglades National Park, staking out rookeries of birds to kill and sell for their feathers. Plume hunting had just been outlawed, which made plumage all the more coveted. So the Florida Audubon Society hired a family man from the small town of Flamingo to be the region’s official bird guardian. Guy Bradley……

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