Weird News Roundup
Solomon Palmer, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Jesse Gardner on Unsplash
The late Dolly Parton immortalized in cornfields across North America
Farmers in the United States and Canada have carved the country star’s likeness into massive mazes to raise money for the Imagination Libraries, one of her many humanitarian projects.
The mazes, which were being coordinated months before her death, were a convenient addition to the countless tributes in honor of her recent passing.
Guests say that the easiest area to navigate were the giant letters spelling “Dolly,” and that the most difficult to navigate was the hair.
“She has a lot of it, and it comes to little tips…You don’t know where the next little opening is going to be. I got lost several times.” Danielle Gallop, one participant, states about the corn likeness of Dolly’s locks. (Check out more here)
Chihuahua joins Mexican National Guard as latest K-9 recruit
A miniature Chihuahua proved his worth as a search and rescue unit, capable of crawling through smaller spaces which typical enlisted breeds cannot.
The dog was adopted at just 7 months after its elderly owners were no longer able to care for it, and promptly became a cadet alongside German shepherds and Labradors.
Upon graduation, the Chihuahua received his own uniform and high-grade gear, including a helmet, vest and mounted camera. Now the canine is prepared for even the most stifling search and rescue missions.
Appearing in Mexico’s Independence Day parade and civic ceremonies, the tactical canine has become a public hero and salient subject of online memes.
While being suitable for tight-spaced operations, the dog also helps to soften the public image of the Mexican military, and brings a humane levity to their presence and public image. (Click here to learn more)
Myrtle Beach prankster haunted by past self
Jason Cooper, a Myrtle Beach electrician, was doing his routine attic crawling when he came across a chilling note nailed to a rafter, along with a pair of boots.
The note informed Cooper that the boots belonged to the late David English, the truss worker of ‘Broadway at the Beach.’ The note warned that the ghost of English will roam until the boots are returned to their rightful owner. The note is signed by English, or rather his poltergeist, with the date Feb. 24, 1995.
Though initially unnerved, Cooper remembered a David English, alive and well, who has sold cars in Myrtle Beach for over 45 years.
When asked about the ominous findings, English realizes his longest practical joke has finally paid off. English explains how the beat up boots were a gag gift for an old friend 30 years ago. At the time, the boots were already 20 years old.
The wear and tear made them the perfect prop to haunt the rafters of a Build-A-Bear Workshop, left in the dark for 31 years to scare one unlucky electrician. (Read the full story here)
Invaluable herb poachers caught in Great Smoky Mountains
Two National Park visitors were caught illegally harvesting ginseng root, a traditional medicine herb.
Ginseng Root, the panacea of ancient China, is a slow growing root, taking over ten years to mature, with some living over 75 years. It is native to only China, Japan and America.
It is highly sought after in the modern wellness market, taken in capsule, powder and tea form. Wild ginseng root fetches upwards of $500 dollars per pound due to its rarity and unhurried germination.
Illegally collecting ginseng from National Parks can lead to fines of up to $5,000 or six months in jail. On account of poaching 688 roots in total, these two can look forward to a fresh harvest upon their eventual release from prison. (Read more here)
Cockroach milk wins the hearts of judges in an ironic science convention
The Annals of Improbable Research, a scientific humor magazine, held a convention in Zurich, Switzerland to showcase the latest and greatest in the field of human imagination.
Several other projects received awards along the cockroach milk study, such as the comprehensive history of kissing, soil decomposition proved via buried underwear and the science behind blowing one’s nose.
The winners of this convention were given an Ig Nobel Prize, a satirical award named after a fictional cousin of Alfred Nobel, dubbed Ignatius Nobel.
The Ig Nobel Prize is a miniature statue of surreal nature: a mushroom blending into a human foot. (Check out more here)
Hospital fundraiser creates record-smashing table
The construction of Romania’s first pediatric psychiatry hospital garnered funds from an event held in the capital, where a flood of guests sat on a three mile long table.
The table extended throughout Bucharest, the capital city, stretching through streets and palace courtyards. The table seated a reported 20 thousand guests, who snacked and chatted as they would on any reasonably sized furniture.
In recent years Romania has seen an alarming increase of children diagnosed with behavioral and psychological disorders and substance abuse, and has had little in the way of treatment. The current state of pediatric facilities are insufficient to properly care for the children in need, but the 3,900-square-meter facility under construction aims to fix that.
In addition to supporting efforts for child flourishing, the 20 thousand participants got to be a part of a Guinness World Record for the longest table made out of recycled materials. (Click here to learn more)
