A Brief History of Chickens: Where Do They Come From?
Chickens aren't the most glamorous birds, but they have quite an interesting story, and that story begins in the dinosaur age. Curious? Here’s a primer on chicken evolution and domestication.
The chicken’s origins lie in a group of dinosaurs called the theropods, which evolved into two categories some 230 million years ago. Eventually, one lineage resulted in the genetic line that produced the Tyrannosaurus rex.
In 2003, paleontologist Jack Horner discovered a 68-million-year-old T. rex fossil in Montana. Inside its thigh bone, scientists found a blood vessel they were able to analyze. Their phylogenetic analysis revealed that genetically speaking, the domestic chicken is the closest living relative of T. rex.
The modern chicken is descended from several of four known species of wild jungle fowl that inhabited parts of Southeast Asia about 50 million years ago. Scientists believe the red jungle fowl, Gallus gallus, is the most likely progenitor of the modern chicken, although research suggests that the domestic chicken’s yellow skin is a trait inherited from the gray jungle fowl.
So, it’s more than likely that today’s chicken has multiple ancestors.
Chickens became domesticated between 8,000 and 10,000 years ago. There’s also genetic evidence to suggest that there were simultaneous but independent domestication events in different parts of Asia and India. It’s difficult to pinpoint domesticated chickens' exact origins because the long history of interbreeding between wild and domesticated birds has resulted in inconclusive DNA evidence.
Once egg-laying chickens were domesticated, they were used for food, fighting, and religious purposes. Various cultures spread them around the world over the course of thousands of years via migration, trade, and territorial conquests.
The Polynesians brought chickens to the Pacific coast of South America around 1200 A.D. Over a period of several hundred years, and mostly due to the popularity of cockfighting, inhabitants of the New World became well versed in chicken care and breeding. Spanish explorers brought chickens to North America, and chickens soon became widely dispersed across the continent.
The chicken is one of the most dominant symbols in our history dominating aspects of our culture and culinary habits. For goodness sake, chickens joined the Romans in battle to help predict the outcomes of war!
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Whatever Happened to Schlitz Beer?
Schlitz is not only a well-known old Milwaukee beer; it's the beer that made Milwaukee a beer town. Schlitz beer got its start in 1848 in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, tavern brewery owned by August Krug. In 1850, Krug hired Joseph Schlitz as a bookkeeper, and then Schlitz took over as brewery manager when Krug died in 1856. Two years later, Schlitz married Anna Maria Krug, August Krug's widow, and changed the name of the brewery to the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.
In 1902, Schlitz produced one million barrels of beer, making it the largest brewery in the country. The brewery's namesake beer, an American-style lager, was known as "the beer that made Milwaukee famous."
During prohibition the company was forced to change its name from the Schlitz Brewing Company to the Schlitz Beverage Company and changed "beer" to "drink" in its famous slogan.
In the 1950s a slew of bad decisions help lead to the downfall of the American beer company. First, the brewery cut costs by starting to swap in cheaper ingredients including corn syrup for malted barley and hop pellets for fresh hops. Other brewmasters accused the Milwaukee brewery as serving "green beer".
The accusation was founded in truth. The brewery didn't age its beers for as long as other breweries. For that reason, the brewery added silica gel to the beer to keep it from getting hazy when it was chilled. There was a concern that beer makers would be required to list all ingredients on the bottles and beer cans, which would have shown a clear difference between Schlitz and its competitors.
Then the Schlitz brand added a different stabilizer which caused white flakes to show up in the beer bottles. When Miller released Miller Lite, the Schlitz brewery responded with Schlitz Light beer in 1976, but the new beer wasn't a hit with customers.
On top of that, the brand's advertising was seen as aggressive. A boxer asked "You want to take away my gusto?" when offered a chance to swap Schlitz for another beer; consumers found the ad somewhat threatening and sales continued to fall.
Thanks so Pabst Brewing Company and their ability to rediscover the beer formula, the beer is still being produced in small quantities.
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5 OF OUR FAVORITE CONCEALED CARRY 9MM
These are some of the best 9mm pistols for concealed carry you can find.
So, you've been thinking about finally buying a concealed carry handgun for some time now. Maybe you've already settled on a 9mm. We can't blame you.
Sure, it doesn't have as much stopping power as a .40 S&W or a .45 ACP, but 9mm is a lot cheaper and easier to come by. Plus, it is proven in the field by many military and law enforcement agencies.
But which one should you get for concealed carry? Do you go single-stack or double-stack? Full-size or compact?
Hopefully we can help you narrow down your decision with this rundown of 12 of the best concealed carry guns chambered in 9mm.
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Inside 'Good Morning America' Anchor Robin Roberts and Partner Amber Laign's 16 Year Love Story
The Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts has long been one of the brightest smiles on our screens every morning. For years, she's had partner Amber Laign by her side but it wasn't until 2013 that the ABC broadcaster announced that she was seeing the licensed massage therapist to the public.
It was really Roberts' bone marrow transplant due to her myelodysplastic syndrome that led to her opening up about her family and longtime girlfriend in a Facebook post. She explained to Ellen DeGeneres in 2014 that though her girlfriend didn't like the spotlight, she wanted to share with the public how important she had been throughout her illness and recovery.
"She's very, very supportive and she's been right there beside me every step of the way," Robin gushed. "And it was actually the end of the year on my Facebook and I had been thanking my doctors, my nurses and my sister who was a perfect match and I said [to Amber] I want to say thank you."
The couple met on a blind date set up by friends back in 2005 and they've been together ever since. While we do get glimpses of Laign with her partner on red carpets, she still prefers to be fairly out of the limelight. In addition to being a massage therapist, we also know that she is the co-founder of the brand Plant Juice Oils which makes CBD and essential oils.
Like everyone else, the couple had to adjust to their new normal after the pandemic started last year. The anchor packed up her dressing room in New York City and they headed to quarantine at their home in Connecticut. The GMA host was working from her living room like most of the country but more importantly, was getting some quality time with Laign that she hadn't been able to get in years past.
"We're going on 16 years now," the GMA anchor, 60, tells PEOPLE of her relationship with Laign, 46. "We spent more time together this past year than in the previous 15 years combined. We've never been stronger."
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What Happened To Andy Griffith's On Screen Love Helen Crump?
Mayberry really was the quintessential small town of America that everyone dreamed of. The Andy Griffith Show remains popular in reruns to this day not only because everyone loves watching Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), but because truly all of the citizens in the fictional town were so charming. The show really wouldn't have been the same without schoolteacher Helen Crump who becomes Deputy Andy Taylor's longtime sweetheart. Aneta Corsaut brought the character to life which is one of the roles she is best known for throughout her entire career.
When we're first introduced to Helen Crump, there's a reason she has such an unattractive last name. Opie (Ron Howard) complains about "Old Lady Crump" to his dad which makes it hilarious when he meets her in person later on and discovers she is actually an attractive young woman.
"The character's comical name suggests that the writer of the episode, John Whedon, thought of her as little more than a schoolmarm," Gustavo Pérez Firmat wrote in A Cuban in Mayberry: Looking Back at America's Hometown.
Helen's character was initially just meant to be a one-off but after producers were impressed with Corsaut's performance as well as her on-screen chemistry with Griffith, she ended up becoming a recurring character throughout the series that marries Andy Taylor in the premiere of the spinoff show, Mayberry R.F.D. and also appears later on in the TV movie Return to Mayberry.
Similar to her character, Aneta Louise Corsaut was born in Kansas. After moving to New York City to pursue an acting career, she made her big-screen debut opposite Steve McQueen in The Blob. She went on to appear on various TV shows including the sitcom Mrs. G. Goes to College as well as Bonanza, Robert Montgomery Presents, Producers' Showcase, Valentine's Day, Gunsmoke, The Blue Knight, The Runaways, House Calls as Head Nurse Bradley, Hart to Hart, and more. She even appeared opposite her former co-star Griffith in multiple episodes of his TV series Matlock.
Read More: Frances Bavier: What Happened to Aunt Bee From 'The Andy Griffith Show'?
Outside of her acting career, Corsaut never got married or had any children. According to author Daniel de Visé who wrote Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show, there was a reason Corsaut and Griffith had such great chemistry on-screen. Apparently, they were having an affair behind the scenes and the entire cast and crew knew about it despite the pair's attempts to keep things under wraps. At the time, Griffith was married to Barbara Bray Edwards.
“Andy couldn’t get enough of Aneta...Eventually, he proposed, even though he was already married,” the author said. “He popped the question at least once and possibly two or three times, as Aneta hinted in later years. She turned him down.”
It's widely known that Griffith liked to play pranks on the set of the show and according to the author, as soon as everyone found out about the affair, they decided to try a prank on the star that didn't exactly go over well.
“One evening,” de Visé wrote, “members of the Griffith crew unleashed a practical joke on Andy and Aneta: a young crewman donned a waiter’s uniform and delivered dinner to the couple’s love nest at a Hollywood hotel. Andy was furious.”
It's interesting to speculate on how long the alleged affair lasted considering Corsaut made her final on-screen performance as Judge Cynthia Justin on Matlock. She passed away from cancer in 1995 in Los Angeles.
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EVER HEARD OF THE TANKGEWEHR M1918, THE WORLD'S FIRST ANTI-TANK GUN?
The Mauser Tankgwehr 1918 anti-tank rifle was one of the first of its kind.
Military history is rife with firearms experiments that have been developed quickly out of pure necessity on the battlefield. One of those guns is the slightly obscure Mauser Tankgewehr M1918 or "T-Gewehr" for short. In a way, this massive 5', 7", 35-pound, rifle was sort of the great grandfather for modern anti-material rifles like the Barrett .50 BMG.
In the first World War, Germany was taken by surprise when some of the first-ever tanks began rolling onto the battlefield during the bloody trench warfare. Tank crews were protected by crude armor that was not nearly as effective as what is used today.
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Coachwhip Snake: What You Need to Know About This Southern U.S. Serpent
The Coachwhip snake is an interesting reptile. Here's all there is to know about this reptile and its life history.
The Coachwhip snake has a unique history as a resident of the southern United States. Coachwhips are a fairly slender but unduly fast snake that can sometimes reach eight feet in length. The coachwhip has a pattern of scales on the tail that resembles a braided whip, giving this species of snake its common name.
It lives and breeds from southeastern North Carolina to central California.
One of the reasons why this reptile loves its southern lifestyle is the fact that it is diurnal, or mostly active during the daylight hours. They are also very much at home during the hottest part of the year; more so than other snakes.
Let's discuss what the Masticophis flagellum is all about, including breaking a couple of myths about the snake. We'll share a little more about their natural history, including what they look like and where they live, with some references from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.
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9 Sonic Secret Menu Items for Your Next Trip to the Drive-In
America's favorite drive-in fast-food restaurant, Sonic has a lot to offer. If you love Sonic's slushes, onion rings, corn dogs and cheeseburgers, you'll want to know the inside scoop on Sonic's secret menu. Yes, that's right a secret menu to add to their ever-growing regular menu!
9 Sonic Secret Menu Items
Dr. Pepper Orgasm
Okay, not the most family-friendly named drink out there, but at least you'll know you're ordering something delicious from Sonic Drive-in! The Dr Pepper Orgasm is a mix of Dr Pepper, lemonade and Powerade and is available on Sonic's secret menu.
Frito Pie
Frito Pie on Sonic's secret menu is a generous serving of Frito chips covered with chili and nacho cheese.
Grilled Ham & Cheese
Grilled cheese sandwiches are magical, but when you add ham into the mix, that changes everything. Sonic serves Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, which is a twist on a classic. Filled with melted cheese and ham, there's no going back to a plain ol' grilled cheese sandwich.
Pickle-O's
Deep-fried pickles deserve a round of applause. They're tangy, crunchy, and deep-fried. What could be so bad? Good thing Sonic knows how to make customers happy with this secret menu item. Pickle slices dipped in their tasty batter mix and fried until golden brown.
Purple Sprite
Remember way back when Sprite came out with a bunch of fun flavors? Also, know as Sprite Remix. I'm brought back to those days hearing all about Sonic's secret drink option called, Purple Sprite. It's a sugary-sweet mix of Sprite, Powerade, lemonade and cranberry juice and totally refreshing.
Sonic Sunrise
The Sonic Sunrise is a simple concoction made with orange juice and Cherry Limeade and has that colorful 'sunrise' look to it. It's almost like a Tequila Sunrise but without the addition of tequila.
Made-to-Order Burgers
Sonic loves to make their customers happy, so if you have a custom burger in mind that's not on the regular menu, Sonic can do it as long as they have all the ingredients and condiments on hand. See what kind of burger you can come up with next time you're at a Sonic location.
Sunshine Smoothie
Some Sonic employees might remember this drink since it used to be on the regular menu. This tasty smoothie is made with strawberry, banana, orange juice and either ice cream or frozen yogurt. With this smoothie as an option on the secret menu, it's worth a shot asking a Sonic employee if they wouldn't mind blending up a Sunshine Smoothie for you.
Extreme Tots
Sure you can order chili cheese tots with all the added toppings, but make it easy on yourself and order Sonic's Extreme Tots, which consists of tots, chili, cheese, onions, jalapeños, and ranch dressing. It's a little heavy for sure, so be prepared!
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What Happened To All the Woolworths?
Before Department stores we had General Stores. Many young boys worked as stock-boys to earn wages, including Frank Winfield Woolworth, who would eventually open up his own retail empire, F.W. Woolworth Co. Working at Augsbury & Moore's Drygoods in Watertown, Frank Woolworth noticed early on that most items in the store didn't carry a price tag, prompting Frank to question the business practices of the store. He set up a table in the store and filled it with merchandise that usually didn't sell well and customers couldn't help themselves from buying!
F.W. Woolworth opened his own five-cent store in Utica, New York with $321 worth of 5-cent goods. It was one of the first stores to put the merchandise in front of the customer rather than rely on a store clerk.
In 1912 there were over 596 F. W. Woolworth stores in the nation. One year later in 1913 the Woolworth building in Manhattan in New York City was completed. The skyscraper kept its title as the tallest building in the world until 1930.
Keeping prices low became a large challenge in the 1930s. After 55 years you could no longer go into the store and buy anything for a nickel or a dime. The company raised the prices to twenty cents, then in 1935 the board decided that "the selling-price limit of twenty cents on merchandise be discontinued in the store chain. It became a variety store rather than a dime store.
The Greensboro Sit-in
On February 1st, 1960, four black students sat down to eat at the segregated lunch counter at an F.W. Woolworth in Greensboro, North Carolina. Just a few minutes before, the men, which are also known as the A&T Four, had bought toothpaste and other products at the desegregated counter. However, once they sat down at the segregated counter, they were refused service when they asked for a cup of coffee. The store policy forbad service of black men at the "whites only" counter, so instead, the men stayed at the lunch counter until closing to protest the inequality of segregation.
It took until 1965 for all American Woolworth stores to desegregate.
The 1960s were a rough time for the Woolworth name. Not only had they lost profits due to boycotts, but they had also gained competitors such as Wal-Mart and Kmart. In October of 1993, Woolworth's closed over 400 general variety stores in hope to gain profits. On July 17, 1997, the last Woolworth's store was closed and the company renamed, becoming Foot Locker Inc (which Woolworth started all the way back in the '70s).
Even though the company went under in the '90s, Woolworth's lunch counters are still alive and true in the 21st century, complete with sodas and burgers.
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10 Mean Cat Breeds Who'd Rather Be Left Alone
These cats are not your average lap cat. While cute and cuddly, these cats are also, well, how should we put it: feisty. Here are the 10 meanest cat breeds.
As cat lovers know, every cat has their own unique personality. While these domestic cat breeds might seem like they like to cuddle, they are also known as the meanest cat breeds. That’s right, these felines really embrace their wild cats’ side -- these are definitely not your average lap cats!
Stay on your house cat’s good side by knowing these top 10 most aggressive cat breeds -- you might even get a snuggle in!
Although Siamese cats are one of the most popular (and cutest!) cat breeds, it’s general consensus that they are also the meanest -- that’s why they landed as No. 1 on this list. Siamese are very territorial and get jealous quite easily and tend to be a “one-person cat."
The Sphynx cat is one very demanding feline. These hairless cats like being the center of attention and can be quite needy -- and will act out aggressively to get what they want.
Bombay cats are well-known to be attention-seeking. Even though they love being around people, they will also lash out and get mean when they’re scared.
With the Asian Leopard cat in their bloodlines, Bengal cats might be more “wild” than others. These cats, despite being a great pet, also have a mean streak -- they’re quite demanding and might show aggressiveness at times.
A Taylor Swift favorite, the Scottish Fold is a pretty famous (and so adorable!) cat breed. These kitties prefer the company of just their primary caregivers (or caregiVER!) and will not really give anyone else the time of day.
Although this feline is known for its love for playtime, the Pixie-Bob can be wary of strangers. These cats will use a bunch of different sounds (other than meows of course!) to communicate with you -- which might include some mean growls too.
Egyptian Maus bond fiercely with their humans, and this kitty gets shy around strangers and has a protective nature.
Having an independent streak, American Wirehair cats just wants to be left alone sometimes -- and won’t be shy about being mean and defending themselves when bothered or provoked.
The Korat is a cat that likes quiet environments, so they might get annoyed by loud noises and rowdy kids. When scared or aggravated, these cats will act meanly in self-defense.
While the Singapura cat can be a lot of fun, they can also be wary of strangers -- and will be aggressive and mean if they feel threatened. They’re also easily startled, so be sure to socialize them properly at an early age -- if not, they might hide often!
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Fascinating Facts About Texas Longhorn Cows
You thought you knew everything about Texas Longhorns, but there's more to these country bovines than meets the eye. Every Texan knows what a Longhorn looks like, as does every country-dwelling cowboy or girl. In fact, most Americans could point out the Longhorn in a line-up. It's not hard when their name implies their appearance.
But we uncovered some fun facts about this bovine breed that might surprise you. Just how well do you know your Texas Longhorn cows? Read on to find out some new trivia about these iconic Southwest cattle!
Their population plummeted to near extinction in the 1920s. It took guidance from the United States government to increase their numbers.
Both male Longhorn bulls and female heifers have horns.
The breeds of cattle traveled from Spain to the West Indies and then Mexico before arriving in Texas and the rest of the USA.
The Longhorn didn't become the Texas state large mammal until 1995.
They come in all colors and patterns, including spotted.
Longhorn herds traveled long distances because, unlike other cattle, the animal could forage on brush and survive for days without water.
Known for their hardiness, Texas Longhorn calves stand quicker than other breeds.
Their horns are said to be exemplary of evolution's natural selection.
Texas Longhorn cattle sales to cattlemen and ranchers post-Civil War brought the state of Texas out of an economic depression.The ancestral Spanish cattle were first brought to North America by Christopher Columbus in 1493 to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.
The longhorn cow is so famous there are novels about it! "The Longhorns" by J. Frank Dobie is a masterpiece, and he was instrumental in the saving of the Texas Longhorn breed of cattle from extinction.
Longhorns are certainly a unique breed of cow. While they are often quite aggressive, they can still make loving farm companions as well as beef cattle, as they are known for their lean beef. Visit the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America for more information on this beautiful cattle breed.
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How ‘Flo the Progressive Girl’ Made Millions Acting in a Commercial!
Most actors bide time doing TV commercials, waiting for their big break. But then there are those excellent character ads that can really put a performer on the map. You know, Lily the AT&T Girl, Allstate’s “Mayhem,” Jake from State Farm, the GEICO Caveman, and of course, Flo the Progressive Girl. As the red-lipped mascot for Progressive Insurance, Flo has appeared in more than 100 advertisements since 2008. So who’s the real woman behind the beehive? And what’s her net worth?
The comedian and actress Stephanie Courtney was born in Stony Point, New York in 1970. She grew up as the youngest of three; her father is a retired history teacher and her mother is a singer. After high school, Courtney went on to attend Binghamton University where she majored in English but had dreams of becoming an actress. Naturally, she moved to New York City after graduation and began to study acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse.
Eventually, Courtney moved to Los Angeles with her sister Jennifer Courtney — also an actress. The two even performed together at the Aspen Comedy Festival. Soon after, Courtney joined the famous sketch comedy improv group The Groundlings and became part of the main cast in 2004. Courtney also met her husband, Scott Kolanach, through the troupe; Kolanach was the lighting director. They wed in 2008.
“Every crazy old lady character I ever walked out as on that stage had beautiful, peachy gem lighting because he liked me,” Courtney once sweetly told People Magazine.
Though Courtney is inarguably most known for her role as the perky insurance company spokesperson, she’s appeared in numerous films: The Brothers Solomon, Blades of Glory, The Heartbreak Kid, Melvin Goes to Dinner, Fred: The Movie, and its sequel Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred. She’s also on TV shows! On The Goldbergs, Courtney played the recurring Essie Karp. On the animated Adult Swim series Tom Goes to the Mayor, Courtney voices the lead role of Joy Peters. And you can also catch her, briefly, in old episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond and 2 Broke Girls. She even had a walk-on role in the first season of Mad Men as Marge, the deadpan switchboard operator!
It was in 2008 though that Courtney’s career took off as Flo. She said the insurance company was looking for a friendly “neighborhood waitress” type — the type whose kindness is almost maddening. And for that, the actress took inspiration from her dear mother Jane Courtney. Her mom (and source material) even accompanied her to the audition. And it paid off.
Stephanie Courtney’s “Flo” salary is $1 million per year. But since becoming the car insurance corporation’s official spokesperson, she likely experienced a serious pay bump. Plus there’s usually SAG contract negotiations, an ad exclusivity buyout… altogether Courtney likely has built up a net worth of $6 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. Not bad for an insurance lady.
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Former Bikini Model Had an Impressive NASCAR Career
The female race car drivers that compete in the highest levels of racing never cease to amaze me. It’s hard enough to make a career out of racing in general, but a good majority of these women that make it to the big leagues also maintain other professional jobs on the side. Maryeve Dufault is a perfect example of this.
Dufault has certainly created an impressive resume for herself. This Canadian built her career as a motorsports racer and professional model, and she’s even been involved with a wide variety of television programs.
Like most professional drivers, Dufault started getting into racing at a young age. She grew up in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, and started riding dirt bikes by the age of four. By the time she was eight, Maryeve was already racing in motocross events, however, she took more interest in the go-kart track. Competing in karting events in both the United States and Canada, she won multiple championships during this time.
Her success in karting eventually landed her a spot in Formula Racing. She has competed in multiple series events, including Formula BMW USA, Formula 3, Pro Star Mazda, Formula Renault, and Skip Barber Racing Series, bringing home several victories and podium finishes. Additionally, she did extensive testing on Formula cars in China and Great Britain, and performed precision driving for Honda, Yamaha, and Polaris.
Maryeve’s auto racing career continued even further when she got involved with stock car racing in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series back in 2010. After she signed a driver development contract with FAZZT Race Team, she became the first female driver selected to be part of the Dodge Motorsport Driver Development Program. In 2011, Dufault made her ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona International Speedway and NAPA Auto Parts 200 in Montreal, quickly impressing fellow driver Brad Keselowski. By the end of the 2011 racing season, she grabbed a top-10 finish at Chicagoland Speedway along with six other top-13 finishes, despite missing around five races that year.
She then graduated up to the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve driving for MacDonald Motorsports. She became the first Canadian woman to race in the Nationwide Series since it took that name. Maryeve proved her talent on the track, and she was even listed as one of the “Top Female Drivers in Racing Today” by Fox Sports, as well as “Top 12 Up-and-Coming Female Drivers in Motorsports” by Bleacher Report.
After competing with Carter 2 Motorsports in 2012, she joined on with Go Green Racing for 2013. By the time 2014 rolled around, she began racing full-time for Team Stange Racing, as well. Eventually, after a merger deal fell through, mixed with the lack of funding and sponsorship, she ended up taking a break from racing in the series for a while.
Maryeve Dufault has appeared on a wide variety of movies and television programs. While most popularly noticed from her time on The Price Is Right, she’s also been involved with Driven, Relative Strangers, Entourage, Jay Leno’s opening show, and The Bold and the Beautiful. She was even used as a stunt driver for the movie Fast Girl.
On top of her television features, she’s doubles as a model. Dufault won the Miss Hawaiian Tropic International in 2000, beating over 35,000 other competitors in the process. She, along with co-winner Lisa Kessous, both represented Canada at the world competition in Las Vegas. Her participation granted her prizes including a jet ski, motorcycle, and prize money.
She’s noted on multiple occasions that she pursues modeling simply in an attempt at winning prize money so that she can put it back toward her racing career. No designer clothes. No excessive shopping sprees. It all goes toward funding racing. She wishes to be known for what she can accomplish on the track. How awesome is that?!
Maryeve Dufault’s multiple careers has resulted in a sizable net worth. She’s estimated to be worth around $9 million in 2020. While she stays extremely busy with different ventures, it’s good to see that it’s paying off quite well for her.
The race car driver has also done charity work, including raising $10,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue her racing career, but now currently resides in Mooresville, North Carolina. I’m sure we’ll see even more out of this woman in the near future!
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Who is Freddie Freeman's Stunning Wife?
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is coming off his best season in the big leagues. The slugger won the 2020 National League MVP award after crushing 13 home runs and hitting .341. He became the first Brave to win the award since Chipper Jones took home the hardware in 1999.
Braves fans cheered Freeman on from their homes in 2020 and into this season, but no one was rooting harder for him to earn the title “NL MVP Freddie Freeman” than his wife Chelsea.
The 31-year-old Freeman is married to his loving and supportive wife Chelsea Freeman. The pair began dating in 2011 and tied the knot in 2014 at St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami, Florida.
In 2014, Chelsea appeared on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress.”
According to Heavy.com, she was formerly Chelsea Goff and attended the University of Central Florida, where she also worked as a model. She modeled at gigs for brands like Harley Davidson and Ferrari. She’s also worked as a real estate agent for Keller Williams Real Estate, per her LinkedIn.
They have three children together.
Freddie Freeman was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of El Modena High School in Orange, California. After a few years in the minor leagues, Freeman made his Major League Baseball debut in 2010.
He earned his first All-Star Game appearance in 2013 after hitting 23 home runs, driving in 109 RBIs and logging a .897 OPS. The following year, he signed an eight-year, $135 million contract extension with the Braves. He’s currently in the last year of that deal.
Freeman returned to the All-Star Game in 2018 and 2019 before stepping up his game during the 60-game 2020 season and winning the Most Valuable Player award after hitting .341 with a 1.102 OPS during the shortened regular season. He helped lead the Braves to the NLCS for the third time during his career, but fell short of a World Series berth.
While the Braves haven’t won it all during Freeman’s tenure, the first baseman is certainly finding success when it comes to raising a family.
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Gear Review: Polaris RANGER XP 1000 Texas Edition
We were lucky to have been able to ride around in this Polaris RANGER XP 1000 Texas Edition. Check it out to hear our review.
Mike Tyson’s Daughter’s Tragic Death Drove Him to Cocaine
Iron Mike has been a polarizing figure in the sports world for as far back as many can remember. The former heavyweight boxing champion and Brooklyn, New York native famously bit Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997, once told Lennox Lewis he wanted to eat his children and has allegedly fought a great deal outside of the ring.
Tragedy struck in 2009 when Tyson’s 4-year-old daughter Exodus died.
She was playing on a treadmill in her mother’s home in Phoenix, Arizona, when she accidentally hung herself with a treadmill cord that was handing from the exercise machine. Her 7-year-old brother found her and alerted his mother, who called 911 and began CPR. She was taken to a nearby hospital and placed on life support but was declared dead the day after the tragic accident.
Tyson was in Las Vegas at the time but immediately flew to Arizona upon hearing the news of his little girl.
“The Tyson family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all your prayers and support, and we ask that we be allowed our privacy at this difficult time,” Tyson said in a statement at the time. “There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Exodus.”
In one of the most bizarre, tear-filled interviews you’ll see of Mike Tyson, he recounted Exodus’s death to HBO’s “Real Sports.”
When HBO’s Bernie Godlberg asked if Tyson was a changed man following the loss of his baby girl, he offered a pretty shocking response.
The interview then abruptly ended by Tyson asking Goldberg to leave. Tyson could then be seen crying.
“I gotta grow up. It’s tough,” Tyson said. “I gotta be a man and stop crying.”
No, Mike. Even world heavyweight champions are allowed to cry, especially for an incident so devastating and sudden.
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What Happened to Plaxico Burress?
There was a time when Plaxico Burress was the most dominant wide receiver in the NFC, NFL, and NYC.
The former New York Giants star was one Super Bowl into a Hall of Fame career in 2008. He hadn’t attended a Pro Bowl yet, but he had just caught the winning touchdown pass in a Super Bowl victory over Tom Brady and the seemingly invincible New England Patriots.
After Super Bowl XVII, Plaxico Burress and the New York Giants were primed to run it back. Everyone in the Giants organization believes the 2008 squad started as the best they’ve ever had, from kicker to coach.
Burress was a believer as well, and the former first-round pick spent his offseason planning his next parade. It was a parade that would never come.
New York would be Super again, but not with Plaxico. Somewhere between Super Bowl XLII & XLVI, Plaxico disappeared. Most NFL fans know the story, but do they know the man?
Plaxico Burress is more than just one mistake, whether that mistake occurred in sweatpants or not.
What happened to the Norfolk, Virginia, native, and where is he now?
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Teresa Earnhardt: Who Is Dale Earnhardt’s Widow?
If you closely followed the racing career of the late, great NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., then you've probably heard at least a couple stories about his third wife and widow, Teresa Earnhardt.
Born Teresa Houston in Hickory, North Carolina, she's the biological mother of Taylor Nicole Earnhardt and the stepmother of Kerry Earnhardt and JR Motorsports co-owners, Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Dale Earnhardt Jr. On top of that, she's the former president and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Thought it's no longer an active racing team, DEI maintains a historical showroom where fans can visit to purchase memorabilia and other goods.
Now, Teresa was actually at the head of the company for a while. She was in charge during four Busch Series championships in '98, '99, '04, and '05, as well as two Craftsman Truck Series championships in '96 and '98. Her very first win as a team owner was at the Daytona 500 in 2001, when Michael Waltrip took the victory in the No. 15 Chevrolet. Unfortunately, this victory was overshadowed by the tragic death of Dale Sr. at Daytona International Speedway.
By late 2006, Teresa hired Max Siegel as the President of Global Operations for DEI to help expand further into the entertainment industry, and by 2007, DEI had acquired Ginn Racing.
Following her late husband's death, Teresa was unable to retain sponsorship from Budweiser and the United States Army. Because of that, it led the team to a merger with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2008. Going forward, the name would be Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. They even managed to pull off a win at the Daytona 500 in 2010, courtesy of Jamie McMurray. Teresa's ownership in EGR was absorbed by Chip Ganassi in 2014, after he bought Teresa out of her shares. They soon reverted the name back to Chip Ganassi Racing. This turned out to be a good thing, however, since she could now continue to operate DEI in Mooresville, North Carolina.
There were several issues that made themselves known within the company. For one, Teresa and her stepson Dale Jr. already had a rocky relationship. Well, around 2007, he cut his relationship off with her completely after he announced that he would not be returning to DEI for the 2008 season, leaving the team for Hendrick Motorsports. The reason behind it was that they were unable to reach an agreement that worked for both himself and his three siblings, who claimed equal rights to the business.
Additionally, there was more conflict in 2016, when Teresa sued Kerry Earnhardt for using the Earnhardt name in his business venture. He and his wife were planning on marketing a line of homes and furniture with the name "The Earnhardt Collection," however, Teresa won the appeal.
Needless to say, Teresa Earnhardt has found herself at the center of plenty of controversy over the years.
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Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff Met on a Blind Date
Since Kamala Harris is the first woman — and first black and first Asian — vice president, naturally, her husband Doug Emhoff is the country’s first-ever Second Gentleman. Their whirlwind romance, which began just eight years ago, has led to a blended family and blissful marriage. So what’s the real love story behind this historic couple?
In 2013, Kamala Harris met Douglas Emhoff on a blind date organized by one of Emhoff’s clients. Emhoff was a divorced entertainment lawyer living in Los Angeles. At the time, Harris was the California Attorney General — a pretty intimidating set-up, if you ask me. But Emhoff was interested as soon as he saw a photo of the future Madame Vice President. “She’s hot,” was his first thought, according to a candid online interview with Chasten Buttigieg.
Leading up to their first date, Doug Emhoff has described leaving a nervous, rambling voicemail message for Kamala Harris, saying, “It was like the scene in Swingers when Jon Favreau just keeps calling and calling.” Embarrassing! But it was clear that he recognized just how much his future date — and future wife — would change his life. In an Instagram post on Harris’ birthday last October, Emhoff described their meeting as “love at first sight.”
Doug Emhoff had split from his first wife, film producer Kerstin Emhoff years prior. They share two children: Cole and Ella, who you might remember as a breakout star of the presidential inauguration. Cole and Ella were young teens around the time that their father met Harris. Since both Emhoff and Harris were serious professionals, and there were kids to think of, they quickly decided their budding relationship would need to be serious to work. By 2014, they were married.
In marrying Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris became step-mother to his children from a previous marriage: Cole, who is 26, and Ella, who is 21. Lovingly, they refer to her as “Momala.” During the 2020 Democratic Convention, Ella even called Harris “the world’s greatest step-mom” in a video montage introducing the VP candidate to the world.
Taking over official duties from Mike Pence, Kamala and Doug’s playful relationship feels so directly at odds with the previous administration. Pence famously referred to his wife as “Mother” and was discouraged from spending time alone with other women — even in professional contexts. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris defines our perception of the current White House crew with Doug Emhoff stepping up to become the ultimate Second Gentleman: sharing selfies, stories, and trying to make the most of a ceremonious role.
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“The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour”: Where Is The Cast Now?
The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour was a variety show starring the pop duo of Cher and Sonny Bono. When the couple divorced in 1974, the show was canceled but revived in 1976 as the (quite similar) Sonny and Cher Show. The Sonny and Cher Show ran for two additional seasons, ending in 1977. During its disjointed five-year run, the Sonny and Cher collaboration won an Emmy, flaunted a gorgeous array of Bob Mackie designs, and featured many popular guest stars. Some notable cast members included Teri Garr, Murray Langston, Steve Martin, Peter Cullen, Billy Van, Carol Burnett, Ted Zeigler, and Freeman King. So where are they now?
Cher and Sonny became friends, then lovers, during the early 1960s. Cherilyn Sarkisian was only 16-years-old when she left home to become a performer in Los Angeles and she met not long after. The older Sonny was a somewhat established songwriter who worked for the (now infamous) pop record producer Phil Spector. Instantly recognizing Cher’s unique talent, Sonny wanted to represent her solo career. But suffering from severe stage fright, Cher preferred when Sonny got on stage with her to sing harmonies. This is also why Cher, so often, performed while looking into Sonny’s eyes.
The Hollywood pair marketed themselves as Caesar and Cleo, but didn’t find much success. In 1965, they rebranded as Sonny and Cher (who is a successful Golden Globe winner) and released their “I Got You Babe.” It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and remains one of the most treasured love duets of all time. Now superstars, Sonny and Cher’s funky fashions began to catch on. At the start of their career together, they donned bell-bottoms, frilly shirts, and fur vests. With her jet-black, pin-straight hair, Cher’s vamp style instantly influenced trends. And her statuesque figure, next to the short mustachioed Sonny, made for a funny combination. Enhanced by their on-stage banter, it didn’t take long before Sonny and Cher had a television variety show of their own: The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour.
Although some of the comedy is pretty cheesy by today’s standards, more than 30 million viewers tuned in weekly on Sunday Nights to The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. The TV show was praised for the central couple’s comedic timing: usually a sarcastic Cher mocking Sonny’s unusual looks. Americans were drawn to the seemingly authentic warmth that radiated from the Bono family, especially during shares musical numbers. The CBS show also marks the early roots of Cher’s illustrious acting career, as she honed a range characters through short, goofy skits. She also emerged, further, a style icon thanks to the immaculate costumes designed by the endlessly creative Bob Mackie; his creations were the highlight of every episode.
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Richard Rawlings’ Wife Katerina Was Previously Married to a Billionaire
Fast N' Loud star Richard Rawlings has proven to be a hot commodity, not just as a TV personality, but in his own personal life. The Dallas, Texas native never really stays single for very long, but I guess that's just a benefit of being a celebrity. As of 2020, Richard officially married Katerina Panos Deason, and they definitely appear to be living the good life.
If you remember, Rawlings was previously married to Karen K. Grames for a short stint in the 1990's. His most recent ex-wife is Suzanne Rawlings, and they were married twice, totaling 14 years. Eventually they ended up divorcing in 2019, but it didn't take long for Richard to meet his next, and hopefully true love, Katerina.
Now, in August of 2019, Richard posted a photo of himself to social media kneeling in a bed of sandy rose petals as he proposed to Katerina in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Of course, she said yes. The couple originally had plans to do a big wedding in Greece, but they had to make some adjustments as the pandemic first started to develop. Rather than attempt to wait it out, the two figured out how to get it done.
They decided to ditch the idea of a big wedding, and change their location to Key West, Florida instead. Even though there was no big audience for the beach wedding, the pictures and videos that were posted on Instagram (@rrrawlings) drew in lots of attention from the fans, and rightfully so. It was a big moment.
So who exactly is Katerina Deason? Well, Katerina was actually freshly divorced herself prior to her and Richard's marriage, but her lifestyle normally consisted of many types of luxuries during their relationship. Her ex-husband happens to be Texas billionaire Darwin Deason. He was the founder of Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) which he later went on to sell to Xerox for a cool $6.4 billion back in 2010.
Katerina married Deason in 2008, just before he sold the company. Since that point, their life started to revolve around private jets, supercars, mansions, traveling, and living a private life on their mega-yacht named Apogee. Normally, they would spend three to six months out of the year on the yacht just living life in the best way possible. After the two started having issues, they separated, and officially finalized the divorce in 2019.
Katerina was Deason's fifth wife, and now she has become Rawlings' third. You might think that it would be tough to stack up to a guy who has an estimated net worth on the Forbes list, but Richard and Katerina seem to both be extremely happy with one another. He may not be a billionaire, but Rawlings has stacked up a nice little nest egg from his business, and TV show involvement. On top of that, he loves indulging in the finer things in life. The newlyweds actually seem like a pretty fit couple.
Hopefully that happiness they feel together sticks around in the long run, and who knows, maybe we'll even see Katerina appear more often one of the TV show programs with Richard. She's naturally comfortable being in front of the cameras, and I'm sure the audience would love to get to know her.
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Monkey Jokes We Think Are Ape-solutely Hilarious
Let’s face it: monkeys are some of the funniest mammals in the animal kingdom. Their amusing expressions, their mischievous personalities, and not to mention, the funny noises they make -- Yes, monkeys are ape-solutely adorable! (We think the ever-so-lovable Curious George would agree!)
Whether it’s the cheeky chimpanzee or the oh-so-fuzzy gibbon, these funny primates are just as amusing as their punny wordplays. So, let’s go ahead and take care of some monkey business.
1. Where do monkeys go to grab a beer? The monkey bars.
2. Where do monkeys get all their gossip? Through the ape-vine.
3. What do you call a monkey in a minefield? A Ba-boom.
4. Why don’t monkeys play cards in the jungle? There are too many cheetahs around.
5. What do you call a monkey that sells potato chips? A chipmunk.
6. What kind of key unlocks a banana? A mon-key!
7. What do you call an angry monkey? Furious George.
8. What are monkeys’ favorite Christmas carol? Jungle Bells.
9. Where do baby monkeys sleep? In ape-ri-cots.
10. What do you call a monkey who won the World Series? A chimpion.
11. What do monkeys wear when they are cooking? Ape-rons.
12. What do you call a monkey flying in the sky? A hot air baboon.
13. How do monkeys get down the stairs? They slide down the banana-ster.
14. When do monkeys fall from the sky? During Ape-ril showers.
15. What is a monkey’s favorite dessert? A banana split.
16. What do you call monkeys that share an Amazon account? Prime-mates.
17. What are monkeys’ favorite type of cookies? Chocolate chimp cookies.
18. What do monkeys like to do at parties? Get funk-key.
19. Who is a monkey's favorite teacher at Hogwarts? Professor Sn-ape.
20. Why did King Kong climb up the side of the skyscraper? Because the elevator was broken.
21. Where do monkeys go when they lose their tails? To a retailer.
22. What do you call a baby monkey? A chimp off the old block.
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Katherine Webb Gave Up Her Model Life to Become a Mom
With 4 minutes, 22 seconds left in the first quarter of the 2013 BCS National Championship Game — and the Alabama Crimson Tide out to a quick two-touchdown lead over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish — the sports world was officially introduced to former Miss Alabama USA Katherine Webb.
Little did she know that she was even on camera or that the moment would actually change her life forever.
At the time, Webb was a student at Auburn University and had already been crowned Miss Alabama USA in 2012. For this story, and for her career, perhaps her best title back then was being Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron’s girlfriend.
So when ESPN cameras found her, Webb instantly became the “lovely lady” everyone wanted to find out about.
ESPN announcer Brent Musburger and color analyst Kirk Herbstreit sure had some nice things to say. The rest of America did, too.
In a matter of hours, Katherine Webb became a celebrity, from New York to Los Angeles. Her Twitter account went from 2,000 followers to more than 160,000. “A.J. McCarron girlfriend” began trending and was searched over 1 million times on Google. She also received several job offers.
Donald Trump offered her a job to be a Miss USA Judge, given her experience as a contestant for Miss Alabama and Miss Georgia when she was in high school.
She covered Super Bowl XLVII for Inside Edition, was a contestant on ABC’s Splash, and became a bikini model in the 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Webb also starred in a very risqué Carl’s Jr. commercial.
Katherine Webb-McCarron and her husband A.J. McCarron got in engaged in 2014 and tied the knot a couple of months later in Alabama.
Their personal life isn’t fully known, but the former Miss Alabama winner admits she traded Hollywood for a family.
The couple first welcomed to two boys: Tripp and Cash Carter.
Then, during the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 outbreak, the NFL quarterback and former beauty queen announced they are expecting their third child.
In April 2021, Webb-McCarron announced the birth of their new baby boy, Gunnar Cruz McCarron, on Instagram.
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5 Surprising Ways to Use Pizza Dough (Besides Making Pizza)
A homemade pizza dough recipe or store-bought pizza dough can turn into a bunch of different savory appetizers and even dessert. While it can be used as the base of your favorite pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, veggies, mozzarella, and pizza sauce, the dough itself can be transformed into a whole new meal. We love you, chewy pizza crust, but there's more room on the table for you!
1. Zeppoles
These crispy and pillowy Italian doughnuts can be made with leftover pizza dough. It's best served warm with some Nutella!
2. Cheese Monkey Bread
Parmesan cheese and oregano add flavor to this simple monkey bread recipe. Use pizza dough to make this quick!
3. Cinnamon Sugar Messy Bread
Melted butter and cinnamon make this dessert bread a hit! Top with a sprinkling of sea salt to add a salty factor.
4. Garlic Knots
This easy pizza dough recipe is a cousin to the breadsticks. Make sure to roll these out on a floured surface and use olive oil to add a golden brown shine when baking on a baking sheet. A sprinkle of Italian seasoning couldn't hurt either!
5. Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts
Served at room temperature or hot, these doughnuts are the perfect accompaniment to your pizza pie. Load with cinnamon sugar or your favorite toppings.
6. Cinnamon Rolls
Cook these in a cast-iron skillet for the perfect crispiness.
7. Calzones
Why have a pizza when you can eat a calzone?
8. Deep Dish Pot Pies
Making a delicious pot pie couldn't be easier!
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These Reptiles Are Perfect for First-Time Pet Owners
Forget cats and dogs; today, we're talking about the best reptile pets for beginners and experts alike
Reptiles as pets are a great option for a multitude of reasons. For owners who are looking for something relatively easy to care for, unique, or hypo-allergenic, reptiles are a great choice. However, each animal has a particular and important set of reptile care requirements and it's best to choose the requirements that work well for your lifestyle.
Reptiles are available in many shapes and sizes, and while some pets have higher care needs, others are fairly low-maintenance. Whether you're just getting started in reptile ownership or are a veteran reptile owner, these reptiles make great pets.
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