Author: Ms. R.

What goes up must come down. The same applies for the dozen bottles of red wine blasted into space in November of 2019, which splash-landed in the Atlantic earlier this year. They’ve dried off, cleaned up, and now one bottle is being sold by the auction house Christie’s. After aging for 14 months aboard the International Space Station, a bottle of space-aged Merlot can now be yours. Christie’s expects a selling price of an astronomical $1 million. From 250……

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Horse races, hard cider, and dynamite are some of the raucous elements peppering the history of the last water-powered mill in Oregon. Thompson’s Flouring Mills, once known as Boston Mill, has perched over the Calapooia River since it was built in 1858, before Oregon was even a state. So it’s no wonder that a little drama has popped up from time to time. But much of that history is not obvious to visitors today—at least not at first. Since……

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This story was originally published in Wired and appears here as part of our Climate Desk collaboration. As massive bushfires raged across eastern Australia in January 2020, a deadly haze settled over Melbourne, an obvious signal for residents to stay indoors. Bouncing over their heads, though, was a less conspicuous signal: Cellular data was flying through the air in an odd pattern, one that scientists may be able to use to better understand and predict severe smoke events in……

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A sweet and sorrowful piece of history awaits when visiting the newly named Prospect Park in Shrewsbury. The Park encompasses the Garden of Sweet Remembrance—a pergola, low-lying walls, and a now empty reflecting pool. These are the ruins of the beautiful grounds where the Whittall mansion once stood. Matthew J. Whittall was a prominent businessman and Mason. In 1912 he commissioned his mansion, Juniper Hall, to be built on the tallest hill overlooking the town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The……

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In a small courtyard in a passageway between York Place and Park Place, resides a mural by Manchester graffiti artist Russell Meecham. Better known as “Qubek” in the world of street art, he has crafted several notable murals, particularly in his home city where he created the “22 Bee” mural.  This mural features elements of Leeds’ heritage and is dominated by ‘Winifred,’ an elephant in armor inspired by those on display at the Royal Armouries. Also part of the……

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Born free around 1785, William Lanson moved along with his family to New Haven in 1803. By 1810, when the city wanted to expand its Long Wharf to accommodate larger ships, Lanson was the only contractor capable of completing the herculean task. His success in that project led to other ventures including a livery stable, store, and hotel. In 1825, he was contracted to help build the harbor basin for the new Farmington Canal. Lanson’s business acumen allowed him……

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While Singer Castle is the lesser-known castle in this area, those visiting the Thousand Islands region that only venture to Boldt Castle are missing out on an amazing wonder.  Visitors must travel by boat to Dark Island, the ominous-sounding spot of land that bears Singer Castle. Along the way are several impressive houses on private islands, but Singer Castle humbles them all. The island garnered its name from early navigators as it appeared dark with its high granite peak……

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Situated down a farm track lies this historic World War II site, west of Carmunnock on the outskirts of Glasgow. This was one of at least 43 similar sites around the city constructed to intercept any incoming air attack from German forces on industrial sites across the banks of the River Clyde. The battery site originally held four gun emplacements, two magazine buildings, a command post, a gun store, and a road that was constructed between the buildings. Interestingly, this……

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