September 30, 2024

In 2023, the NRF estimated that Americans spent, on average, $108 per person on costumes, candy, decorations and greeting cards.

- Today.com, Sarah Lemire (July 6, 2022)

September 29, 2024

An estimated 64 million Americans—or 38% of the U.S. workforce—did freelance work last year, up by 4 million people from 2022, according to a 2023 study from Upwork Research Institute.

- Forbes.com, Edward Segal (May 15, 2024)

September 28, 2024

Amusement rides constitute one of the safest forms of recreation available to the public. Bicycling, ATV recreation, skiing, watercraft, snowmobiling and numerous other similar participatory recreational activities lead to numerous more injuries and many more fatalities every year than those stemming from mobile amusement rides.

- Outdoor Amusement Business Association, oaba.org

September 27, 2024

What are the Various Types of Wayfinding Signage? Identification – Identification signs tell you what’s at that particular point or space, like a street address, office numbers, door plaques, donor signs, and more. Informational – These signs provide details about where you are, such as amenities or business hours, what hazards may be around you, what’s important about the location, and other space-related details. Regulatory – Regulatory signage provides safety information or regulatory rules for the space or environment such as traffic signs like "don’t walk" or "stop."

- colorreflections.com (February 20, 2023 )

September 26, 2024

Contrary to the name, an air fryer doesn't fry at all. Instead, the air fryer works more like a convection oven, circulating hot air with a fan into a compact cooking chamber.

- cnet.com (Sept. 23, 2024)

September 25, 2024

Fillings are one of the most common dental treatments that we give as a local dentist. In fact, local dentists perform about 175 million fillings on American patients each year.

- firsthilldentalcenter.com

September 24, 2024

Crane flies, often called mosquito hawks, are large flies known for their slender bodies, extensive legs (typically 4 inches long!), and lengthy thin wings. Their distinct legs and transparent wings lead many to think of them as oversized mosquitoes. Like mosquitoes, crane flies are commonly found in moist environments such as wetlands, gardens, and near bodies of water. But unlike mosquitoes, crane flies don’t bite or transmit diseases

- mosquitosquad.com (September 24, 2024)

September 23, 2024

Gnomes are known by different names throughout different parts of Europe - for instance: they are called ‘barbegazi’ in Switzerland and France, ‘kaukis’ in Prussia, ‘leprechauns’ and ‘clurichauns’ in Ireland, ‘saunatonttu’ in Finland, ‘nisse’ or ‘tomte’ in Scandanavia, and ‘voettir’ in Iceland.

- justsaygnome.net (2009)

September 22, 2024

The “back” of the Marbled Orb Weaver is spectacular: a bright yellow background with a ghoulish dark pattern that resembles marbling, hence the common name. They can vary in color but I have read that they tend to turn darker with age and often appear more orange than yellow just in time for our pumpkin-spiced holiday. Prior to laying eggs (usually in late October), females have a large globular abdomen that gives rise to another name you may see: Pumpkin Spider.

- WalterMagazine.com (October 2022)

September 21, 2024

Good friends are good for your health. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also: Increase your sense of belonging and purpose Boost your happiness and reduce your stress Improve your self-confidence and self-worth Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise

- mayoclinic.org (January 12, 2022)

September 20, 2024

The Federal Aviation Administration says there is no safest seat on the plane, though a TIME study of plane accidents found that the middle seats in the back of the plane had the lowest fatality rate in a crash. The research revealed that, during plane crashes, “the seats in the back third of the aircraft had a 32% fatality rate, compared with 39% in the middle third and 38% in the front third.” However, there are so many variables at play that it’s impossible to know where to sit to survive a crash. Plus, plane crashes are incredibly rare.

- Travel + Leisure (January 11, 2023)

September 19, 2024

There are three different types of stances for catchers, each of which serves a specific purpose out of the squat. A signal stance is narrow and tall, with the knees angled towards the middle infielders. Designed for when a catcher is giving the signs to the pitcher, with the knees closer together the signs cannot be seen by the runners and/or coaches at first and/or third base. A non-action stance comes in situations with nobody on base and less than two strikes on the hitter when there is no potential for a runner to advance on a ball that gets by the catcher. Fundamentally, it’s a bit of a wider, lower base athletic stance to give the pitcher the biggest possible target to throw to. The action stance is necessary when there are runners on base or two strikes on the hitter where the catcher has to be ready to block a ball in the dirt or throw out a potential base stealer. Mechanically this stance is still athletic with a higher backside to allow the catcher to be quicker should the pitch be down, or the runner take off.

- littleleague.org

September 18, 2024

The Peregrine Falcon is a very fast flier, averaging 40-55 km/h (25-34 mph) in traveling flight, and reaching speeds up to 112 km/h (69 mph) in direct pursuit of prey. During its spectacular hunting stoop from heights of over 1 km (0.62 mi), the peregrine may reach speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph) as it drops toward its prey.

- allaboutbirds.org

September 17, 2024

Duckpin bowling has rules similar to tenpin bowling. In a 10-frame game, bowlers try to knock down pins in the fewest rolls per frame. Bowlers have three balls per frame, instead of two in tenpin bowling, to knock over a set of 10 pins. If a bowler knocks down all 10 pins with their first roll in a frame, it is scored as a strike. If all the pins are knocked down in two rolls, the bowler has made a spare. If all the pins are knocked down in three rolls, it is scored as a ten, as in candlepins, with no bonus.

- duckpins.com

September 16, 2024

Hans Zimmer (1957-present) is a German film score composer and music producer, who has composed music for over 100 films, including Hollywood blockbusters such as the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Gladiator, The Lion King, The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons and Sherlock Holmes.

- classicfm.com

September 15, 2024

Gas stations don't make that much money off gas. They get only pennies per gallon after taxes and operating costs. Most of their profit come from convenience items sold in the stores.

- WomansDay.com, Marlisse Cepeda (June 4, 2015)

September 14, 2024

The Moon does not make its own light —”moonlight” is actually reflected sunlight. At any moment, half of the Moon is brightly sunlit (this is the day side). The other half is in the dark (this is the night side). Throughout the month, as the Moon rotates and orbits, day and night occur on different parts of its surface, just like on Earth. Unlike our planet, though, the Moon takes a whole month to complete one rotation. This means that lunar day and night are each about two Earth weeks long.

- NASA

September 13, 2024

Costco doesn’t plan to raise the price of its beloved franks anytime soon. The retailer has been hawking its hot-dog-and-soda combo for a smooth $1.50 since it first hit menus in the mid-1980s. The price tag has held steady over the years despite inflation — otherwise it would be closer to $4.40 these days. According to legend, as well as past-CEO Craig Jelinek himself, he said, ‘If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you,’ Jelinek recalled in a 2018 interview with 425 Business.

- npr.org, Rachel Treisman (June 4, 2024)

September 12, 2024

The driving range is often used to improve one's game by giving them the opportunity to practice outside of the competitive environment. The range has been called "the most democratic of all golf courses" because it is open to anyone who pays for a round of practice balls.

- liverpoolgolfcentre.co.uk

September 11, 2024

In 1926, Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, started the concept of a five-day, 40-hour workweek for his assembly line workers—down from much longer hours. The 9-to-5 workday was created to serve the needs of business titans who ran manufacturing plants that relied upon lots of people standing on assembly lines. A century later, we’re in a service economy. Times have dramatically changed. Back in the day, a worker was judged by how many widgets were made during his shift. They were basically human robots. Employees would do the same task, hour after hour, day after day. It was pretty mind-numbingly brutal and boring. It's different now, but we’re tethered to a desk in an office setting rather than standing at a conveyor belt.

- forbes.com, Jack Kelly (April 14, 2022)

September 10, 2024

I would be remiss if I did not give credit for this awesome move to my mentor, Peter Hurley. Have the client push their forehead out while keeping their head as tall as possible and then point their chin slightly down. Some people call this “turtling,” since it resembles a turtle’s head coming out of its shell. But, whatever you call it, having your client do this will create distance between their jaw and neck and instantly improve their jawline. Some people believe that this technique is only needed to remove the appearance of a double chin, but the truth is that everyone, even those with very strong jawlines, will benefit from this method. It not only has a slimming effect, it enhances the jawline and creates stronger images.

- fstoppers.com, Pete Coco (February 21, 2022)

September 09, 2024

More often than not, flannel is confused and mistakenly used interchangeably with terms “plaid” or “tartan”. These are actually patterns that can be displayed on the flannel fabric, but are by no means exclusive to it. Plaid is a pattern, not a fabric itself. Further, flannel is a soft, loosely woven and slightly napped fabric used for a wide range of garments. Flannel is commonly used to make tartan clothing, blankets, bed sheets, and sleepwear. The fabric is well known for its extreme softness and warmth, which is a result of the loosely spun yarn.

- rockymountainflannel.com (February 23, 2018)

September 08, 2024

While Michael Keaton's self-proclaimed bio-exorcist is known in popular culture as "Beetlejuice", that is not the character's true name. As seen on his tombstone in Adam Maitland's model town, the poltergeist's real name is "Betelgeuse" when written out. That spelling is still pronounced as "Beetlejuice", and given the importance of the name being spoken, it makes sense that the peculiar spelling is simplified. From a marketing perspective, the "Betelgeuse" spelling could be pronounced several ways phonetically, so simplifying it into the sillier, easier-to-pronounce "Beetlejuice" was a benefit in that regard as well, even if it not actually correct.

- ScreenRant.com (May 24, 2024)

September 07, 2024

The first round of women’s golf was played in the year 1811 in Musselburgh, Scotland.

- deercreekflorida.com

September 06, 2024

Flea market - event where vendors sell used and antique goods. Flea markets often take place outside or in large contained spaces. Vendors are generally asked to pay a set fee to display their goods in a designated area or stall. In some states a seller’s permit or license is required to sell goods at a flea market. Some more established flea markets may charge shoppers a fee to enter the market grounds. Flea markets generally happen on a regular basis, occurring weekly, monthly, or annually. According to the National Flea Market Association (NFMA), the more than 1,100 active flea markets in the U.S. produce tens of billions of dollars in sales every year.

- Britannica

September 05, 2024

Humans and dogs have been together since prehistoric times, and both have a primal need for physical touch. When you cuddle with your dog, it stimulates the brain’s production of Oxytocin (also called the “love hormone”) in both you and your dog. This is the same hormone that is released during childbirth and when a mother breastfeeds her baby. It’s associated with the feelings of trust, empathy, and strong bond formation. Oxytocin also inhibits cortisol production. High levels of this stress-hormone can lead to weight gain, reduced immune function, and an array of other problems. Cuddling with your pet can lower your heart rate, reduce your blood pressure, and may even stimulate muscle regeneration.

- RiverLandingsAnimalClinic.com (December 31, 2021)

September 04, 2024

While many dogs may enjoy playing in the water because of the wet and cool sensation they experience, mud has a unique texture that dogs may find satisfying to dig into and roll around in. Unlike water, mud can be soft, squishy, and cool all at the same time! Playing in mud is simply a natural behavior for dogs. Their ancient canine ancestors may have used the mud as a means of hunting and survival by concealing their scent and blending in their environment. In addition, some dog breeds were also bred for outdoor work which required them to get dirty and muddy!

- Dogster.com (August 9, 2024 )

September 03, 2024

The original blue Dawn can be used for many things, not just the dishes, because of it’s grease dissolving properties. It’s also non-toxic, not harmful to your skin, it’s biodegradable and it contains no phosphates. Laundry pre-treater, shower cleaner, unclogging toilets, hair cleaner, eyeglass defogger, make an ice pack, repel insects, and keep poison ivy from spreading.

- classiccleaners.com (July 3, 2014)

September 02, 2024

The parent company of Bob's Stores announced that all Bob's locations will be closed, and all inventory will be liquidated. The announcement comes following the Chapter 11 bankruptcy announcement that was made in June.

- NBC Connecticut (July 1, 2024)

September 01, 2024

Fur, fine, soft, hairy covering or coat of mammals that has been important to humankind throughout history, chiefly for warmth but also for decorative and other purposes. The pelts of fur-bearing animals are called true furs when they consist of two elements: a dense undercoat, called ground hair, and longer hairs, extending beyond that layer, called guard hair.

- Britannica