By Peter Glaser – On the evening of September 15, 1885, tragedy befell the world: Jumbo the elephant, superstar of the Victorian era and P.T. Barnum’s circus sensation, was dead. Beloved by millions, Jumbo’s distinctive and catchy name became a means of conveying any object’s enormous size, and quickly entered the lexicon of everyday speech.
Long time SCA member Keith Sculle forwards the story of the “been here so long we’re hip again” Goldpanner Chevron in Fairbanks, and Jeremy Ebersole, now on break from his Master’s, adds four more quirky finds.
Will the U.S. Senate designate Route 66 a National Historic Trail and fund restoration of the NY State Pavilion at the 64/65 World’s Fair? How is the movie Green Book leading to an examination of discrimination against travelers of color nationwide? And will a classic Maryland diner become the “Mary Jane Diner?” Read this week’s news wrap-up courtesy of Raina Regan.