Indy 500 fun facts celebrating 100 years of racing
The Speedway was constructed on 328 acres of land in 1909. The first race was on May 30, 1911 and was won by Ray Harroun. Ray was also the first person to use a rear-view mirror on a motor vehicle. His race winnings were $14,250. $1.00 was paid for admission by 80,200 spectators at this first race in 1911. The track was once paved with 3.2 million bricks, thus, the name the “Brickyard”. A 3-foot strip of bricks still designates the start/finish line. When peanut shells were found in the seat of a crashed car in the 1940’s, they became known as bad luck. It is also considered bad luck to enter and exit from the same side of the car. Louis Meyer was the first driver to drink mile after winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1936. The fewest number of cars to finish the race was 7 in 1966. Up to 8 miles of hot dogs and 475 gallons of ketchup are consumed during the race. They became food for WWII soldiers. They started an economic frenzy. Today, they are a common sign of spring. Tulips are not only a garden favorite but they have a rich past that covers many continents and many decades.
The tulip originated in central Asia and eventually made its way to Turkey. The word tulip is derived from the Persian word, delband, which means turban, reflecting the shape of the flower. The tulip continues to be the national flower of Turkey. During the 16th century the tulip was introduced into Holland. Flemish botanist, Carolus Clusius became a tulip enthusiast and is considered to have been Europe’s first cultivator of the flower in 1594. As Clusius created many new colors and varieties, tulips became a most valued possession. This tremendous desire for tulips led to a period from 1634 to 1637 known as “Tulip Mania”. The new flower started an economic frenzy and one of the world’s first “speculative bubbles”. The value of tulips shot up nearly overnight, they became the most expensive flower in the world, so expensive that they were treated as a form of currency. At the peak of “tulip mania” some bulbs were selling for 10 times more than the annual income of a skilled worker. A valuable bulb could change hands up to ten times a day. Eventually the whole economy crashed and the tulip bubble burst leaving many Dutch citizens bankrupt. After 500 years Holland is still the world’s main grower of commercially sold tulips, producing as many as three billion bulbs annually as “tulip mania” continues. Mother's Day will soon be over and according to an old adage, it's time to plant the garden. With proper planting, your garden will flourish and bring you a visual treat throughout the summer. First, you must choose the annuals or perennials that thrive in the conditions you have, whether it’s shade or sun, moist or dry soil. Second, properly planted flowers perform much better than those that are set in the ground incorrectly. Here are some tips on proper planting: Water seedlings thoroughly several hours before setting them into their permanent locations. The ground should be damp but not wet. Space the plants as recommended on the label. They should be replanted at the same level they were grown before. You should then tamp the soil around the stem and water gently. If you can, plant flowers in the evening or on an overcast day so they can adjust without having to face the drying sun. If the weather is too warm, you should provide some shading from the sun for the first few days. Water lightly every day. Mulching flowers with at least two inches of organic matter helps to eliminate most weeds while keeping moisture in the soil. The third consideration for outstanding flowers is proper water and food. This can mean the difference between good flowers and great flowers. You should water weekly if rainfall accumulation is less that one inch. Always water plants at ground level to avoid mildew on wet foliage. Work some granular fertilizer into the soil before planting then feed your annuals once a month. If you use a liquid fertilizer, apply it every two weeks. By following these simple tips, you will be the envy of all your neighbors with a summer garden overflowing with color, fragrance and beauty. |
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