Sammy Sosquirrely's Common Bond Quiz

Answer: Aspen

Aspen, Colorado was originally called Ute City. In 1880 the name was changed to Aspen. In 1891-1892, it passed Leadville as the USA's prime silver mining area. After silver mining suffered due to the 'Panic of 1893', the city languished until the development and promotion of the city as a skiing and resort destination in 1946. John Denver wrote several songs about Aspen, including 'Starwood in Aspen' and 'Aspenglow'.

Answer: Snow Falling on Cedars

Set in 1954 in Puget Sound, Washington, the novel follows the supposed murder of a fisherman by a Japanese-American, and the ensuing trial. With anti-Japanese sentiment still prevalent in the wake of World War II, the characters are drawn into examining their pre-conceived attitudes and beliefs, and as the investigation and the trial progresses, their prejudices and doubts.
The novel won a Pen/Faulkner award in 1995, and was made into a movie starring Ethan Hawke, Youki Kudoh and Max von Sydow in 1999.

Answer: Spruce Goose

Born in Texas in 1905, Howard Hughes was an accomplished film producer and director, industrialist, philanthropist, aviator and engineer. He was also one of the wealthiest men of his time. Despite his eventual decline into an obsessive-compulsive maelstrom of personal madness, his contributions in many areas were significant.

Howard Hughes built the Spruce Goose - a plane constructed of wood instead of metal - for use by the American government during World War II. Unfortunately, it was not completed before the war's end. The Spruce Goose, which was constructed mainly out of birch, only flew once and only for a mile.

Answer: Willow

A sword and sorcery movie, 'Willow' follows the story of a 'Nelwyn' - a little person - named Willow. A farmer and a want-to-be magician, Willow finds a baby floating on the river, and is selected by the town council to return the baby to the 'Daikini' - the large people. Unknown to him, an evil queen had ordered the baby's death due to a prophecy that foretold that the baby would become her downfall.

In an action-filled journey, Willow joins forces with a 'Daikini' named Madmartigan and two 'Brownies' named Franjean and Rool. He thwarts the evil queen and her minions and learns more about magic than he had ever imagined.

Answer: I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time

'I'll be With You in Apple Blossom Time', which reached number six on the Billboard list, was recorded in November, 1940 and was the lead song on the album titled 'Apple Blossom Time'. The 1941 movie 'Buck Privates' featured the Andrews Sisters' 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy', which is believed by many to be their best-known song.

They were a versatile group, producing songs that included the genres of swing, boogie-woogie, jazz, folk, country-western, gospel and novelty. During the 1940s, Bing Crosby was the only performer who sold more records than the Andrews Sisters. And, over the years, they recorded 47 songs with Bing Crosby, 23 of which became Billboard hits.

Answer: Andrew Jackson

Earning his nickname of 'Old Hickory' due to his toughness, Andrew Jackson served as president from 1829 until 1837. In 1835, he was the first president to be the object of an assassination attempt. Before his presidency, Jackson was the governor of Florida and both a senator and representative for Tennessee.

He also served in the Tennessee Militia and the United States Army, attaining the ranks of colonel and major general. He led forces during numerous battles, and apart from his military engagements, he fought thirteen duels. Andrew Jackson's portrait is on the front of the American twenty dollar bill.

Answer: O Tannenbaum

'O Tannenbaum', or 'O Christmas Tree', has been recorded by hundreds of different orchestras and singers. A holiday classic, the most popular version was created in 1824 by an organist named Leipzig and a teacher by the name of Ernst Anschutz, using the melody of a folk song. The first recorded lyrics, which differ somewhat from today's version, can be traced back to 1550.

Germany is credited with being the first to bring evergreens into the home - in the 1500s - and decorate them for Christmas. In the USA, the average live Christmas tree available for purchase is 15 years old.

Answer: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in Massachusetts. His birth name was 'Hathorne', but he changed the spelling in order to separate himself from less-appreciated members of the family. He wrote both short stories and novels, and most are classified as dark romanticism. 'The Scarlet Letter' was published in 1850 and 'The House of the Seven Gables' was published in 1851.

Answer: Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a part of the Inyo National Forest in the White Mountains. Located in the shadow of the Sierras, the park receives less than a foot of precipitation yearly, most of which is snow. With a climate that is cold, dry and windy, the trees grow in seemingly impossible locations.

The park has two groves of ancient Bristlecone pines, with several trees that are 3000-4000 years old. The tree nicknamed 'Methuselah' is believed to be the oldest known living organism at 4700 years old.

Answer: tree

Trees are an integral part of our lives. They provide us with fruits and nuts, shade, timber for building, sap for syrup, bark for canoes, wood pulp for paper, herbal remedies and so many more needed and desired products that any list might be incomplete. And all the listed products and benefits come in way behind their most beneficial function: the storing of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen into the atmosphere.