Page 28 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024 BEACON | FROM Page 27 855-GO-4-GLAS 1. On Dec. 20, 1790, the fi rst American cotton mill went into operation on what river in Massachusetts and Rhode Island? 2. Wha holiday’s name (created by an American activist) is in Swahili? 3. How are Ask Jeeves, Lycos and WebCrawler similar? 4. On Dec. 21, 1913, the New York World newspaper published the world’s fi rst of what puzzle? 5. What writer who once lived in Vermont wrote in poems “East is East, and West is West” and “The Law of the Jungle”? 6. How are USS and HMS similar? 7. On Dec. 22, 1989, what gate between East and West Germany was opened? 8. Can you ski in Hawaii? 9. What is the French word for Christmas? 10. What kind of candy is gelt? 11. On Dec. 23, 1947, what winner of four Boston Marathons (now a Mass. resident) was born? Answers 12. Where did fondue originate: Belgium, France or Switzerland? 13. What is Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s World of the Year (meaning being divided)? 14. On Dec. 24, 1912, one of the fi rst USA public Christmas trees was lit on Boston Common; for decades what province has gifted Boston a Christmas tree? 15. What holiday plant is a parasite on other plants? 16. In what fi lm would you fi nd the Kingdom of Arendelle? 17. On Dec. 25, 1758, what comet was visible from earth — the first comet sighting predicted beforehand? 18. Why was Mariah Carey — nicknamed Songbird Supreme — also given the nickname “Queen of Christmas”? 19. How are cheque, draught and tyre similar”? 20. December 26 is Boxing Day in Great Britain and some other countries; traditionally, what was it? According to Politico, a session on the media included “the recommendation that if a reporter calls, let it go to voicemail, or wait for them to send a text; fi nd out what they’re calling about before you answer; and let leadership know what’s up — their offi ce may be fi elding the same questions.” COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSES (H 5139) — The House approved and sent to the Senate a new version of legislation, originally sponsored by Gov. Maura Healey, that would prevent commercial drivers from losing their licenses due to passenger vehicle off enses they committed prior to September 30, 2005. The Registry of Motor Vehicles recently notifi ed hundreds of bus and truck drivers that they were ineligible for commercial licenses due to at least two past major off enses, blindsiding many motorists who for years thought their infractions were behind them. “Over time, the relevance and predictive value of these older off enses has diminished, particularly for those drivers who have remained offense-free since,” said Healey. “In most circumstances, a commercial driver who meets the safety requirements of federal law should not be disqualifi ed from driving due solely to passenger vehicle off enses that occurred 19 or more years ago. She noted her bill would remove consideration of pre-September 30, 2005 passenger vehicle offenses from our disqualification law, except for multiple instances of operating under the infl uence. $3.2 MILLION FOR MASSACHUSETTS COASTAL COMMUNITIES — The Healey Administration announced the awarding of $3.2 million in grants for projects that proponents say will support the economic vitality, tourism and ecosystem health of the Bay State’s waterfront and harbors, while helping the state reach its ambitious climate resiliency goals. “Coastal communities play a critical role in our economy,” said Gov. Healey. “The …. Grants help cities and towns make infrastructure improvements to prepare for extreme weather caused by climate change while also investing in important blue economy businesses, commercial fi shing operations and tourist and recreational enterprises.” “These investments will support a range of critical initiatives, from coastal resilience and dredging projects to pier infrastructure enhancements that protect our shorelines,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “By funding these eff orts, we’re ensuring a safer and more enduring future for our coasts from the North Shore to the Cape and Islands.” “Maritime communities are important centers of economic activity, drawing many visitors each year and supporting the coastal industries that have been integral to our state’s economy,” said Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba. “We are proud to fund these projects and look forward to their lasting impact on the future generations of these towns.” BAY STATE TO GET MORE THAN $55 MILLION FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Massachusetts will receive more than $55 million to purchase more than 200 zeroemission vehicles through its fi rst-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. The program will replace existing internal combustion engine heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, while also supporting the build out of clean vehicle infrastructure, as well as the training of workers to deploy these new zeroemission technologies. Recipients of the funds to replace current school buses with zero-emission vehicles include four school districts: $35 million for Boston; $6.6 million for Springfi eld; $2.9 million for Hingham; and $4.9 million for the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will receive $5.8 million to replace some vehicles with battery electric vehicles and install 16 Level 2 charging stations and eight direct current fast charger stations at eight sites. “Everyone deserves clean air and a healthy environment, and the … program is another step toward making that a reality,” said EPA Regional Administrator David Cash. “By replacing older, polluting vehicles, like school buses and box trucks, with zero-emission alternatives, this program is driving innovation in clean transportation, reducing harmful air pollution in Massachusetts communities and creating good-paying jobs. These grants are an investment in healthier communities, cutting-edge technology and a cleaner, more sustainable future for our children.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Expanding our mountain biking trail system will create destinations that connect visitors to our rural communities and the mountains and forests that surround them. It is without a doubt, that investing in accessible outdoor recreation is beneficial not only for our state’s regional economies but also for our health.” --- Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation Director Paul Jahnige on the announcement of $300,000 in grants to build and maintain destination mountain biking trail systems that include accessibility features, off er scenic routes and stimulate rural economies. 1. Blackstone 2. Kwanzaa (Dec. 26— Jan. 1) 3. They are internet search engines created in the 1990s. 4. Crossword 5. Rudyard Kipling 6. They are abbreviations for ship titles (United States Ship and His (Her) Majesty’s Ship, respectively) 7. Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate 8. Yes (on Mauna Kea, an extinct volcano on the Big Island) 9. Noel 10. Chocolate coins often given at Hanukkah 11. Bill Rodgers 12. Switzerland 13. Polarization 14. Nova Scotia 15. Mistletoe 16. “Frozen” 17. Halley’s 18. Due to the popularity of her hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” 19. They are British spellings of English words (check, draft [the beverage] and tire). 20. A day when the poor, servants and tradespeople received gifts
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