Weird News: No Smurfin’ Way!
Wiener’s Circle
Sure, the Indianapolis 500 is loud and dangerous, but after 100-plus years of racing, you might not be faulted for stifling a big yawn before the cars cross the finish line. But fear not! On May 23, six Wienermobiles will compete in the first-ever Wienie 500, KTLA-TV reported. Each Wienermobile will represent a regional hot dog, to wit: The Chi Dog (Midwest), the New York Dog (East Coast), the Slaw Dog (Southeast), the Sonoran Dog (Southwest), the Chili Dog (South) and the Seattle Dog (Northwest). A finish-line celebration in the “Wiener’s Circle” will include a condiment spray for the champion. If you miss the Wiener 500, tune in during the Indy 500 pre-race show on May 25 for highlights.
No Smurfin’ Way!
As of May 18, Landerneau, France, holds the distinction of being home to the largest gathering of people dressed as Smurfs, United Press International reported. Perhaps because of excitement about an upcoming Smurfs movie, the town gathered 3,076 costumed people together, breaking a record set in Germany in 2019. “Schtroumpfs,” as they are known in France, were created by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford.
Sharing His Af-fin-ity
On May 15, swimmer and environmental advocate Lewis Pugh set out on a special mission: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the movie “Jaws,” Pugh is hoping to urge people not to view sharks as monsters but as part of a healthy ocean ecosystem. The Martha’s Vineyard Times reported that Pugh is planning to swim all the way around the island, where “Jaws” was filmed -- about 60 miles -- in 11 or 12 days. “I’m frightened of sharks,” Pugh said, “but I’m more terrified of a world without them. We need a new narrative about these magnificent animals.”
Breaking News
Olivia Jaquith co-anchors the WRGB-TV morning news in Albany, New York, with Julia Dunn, United Press International reported. On May 21, the pair shared some truly breaking news: At 4:15 a.m., Jaquith’s water had broken, but she went to work, and the show went on with her in the anchor seat. Jaquith, who was two days past her due date, said it was “early labor” and her contractions were far apart, but she headed to the hospital after the broadcast.
Valuable Original
In 1946, Harvard Law School spent a whopping $27.50 on what it thought was a copy of the Magna Carta, Sky News reported on May 15. It was dated as being made in 1327 under King Edward III. Fast-forward to 2023, when professor of medieval history David Carpenter saw the document on Harvard’s website and realized it might be an original. Further examinations revealed that the Harvard version was indeed an original, dating from 1300 and issued by King Edward I. As such, it’s worth millions of dollars -- but Harvard isn’t selling. The Magna Carta was established in 1215; there are four of that original issue and seven of the 1300 version, including Harvard’s. Carpenter, of King’s College London, said he was astonished “that Harvard had been sitting on it for all these years without realizing what it was.”