November 20, 2024

Q: Green Bean Casserole, a classic side dish served at many Thanksgiving dinners, was created in what company’s kitchens?

A: Green Bean Casserole was created in 1955 by an employee in the test kitchen at the Campbell's Soup Company. 

November 6, 2024

Q: Displaying pieces of renowned artists from around the world, how many works does the collection of the U-M Museum of Art currently hold?

A: The U-M Museum of Art collection currently holds over 20,000 works of art. 

October 23, 2024

Q: The ghost of a fire chief who died in 1922 reportedly haunts what Ypsilanti landmark?

A: Chief Alonzo Miller died in a fire at the station in the building that now houses the Michigan Firehouse Museum. 

October 9, 2024

Q: Solar flares may result in what phenoma in our skies this week?

A: Thanks to increased solar flares interacting with the Earth’s magnetic fields, the Northern Lights may be visible in southern lower Michigan this week. 

September 25, 2024

Q: What walking/biking trail spans 35 miles across Washtenaw County? 

A: The Border to Border Trail stretches from Chelsea to Ypsilanti, featuring six different “corridors” in our local communities. 

September 4, 2024

Q: How many free frozen treats were given away at Researchpalooza last year?

A: 850 ice cream sandwiches, fudge bars, bomb pops, and raspberry popcicles were distributed at Researchpalooza in 2023. 

August 7, 2024

Q: What American city will host the next Summer Olympics in 2028?

A: Los Angeles will be the host in 2028. The California city also hosted the games in 1932 and 1984. 

July 11, 2024

Q: What annual event in Ann Arbor is celebrating its 65th year this July?

A: The Ann Arbor Street Fair (“The Original”) is one of the three fairs that make up the Ann Arbor Art Fair, and is marking its 65th year, July 18-20. 

June 12, 2024

Q: “CSA” is the acronym for what source for fresh produce that is popular in Washtenaw County.

A: “Community Supported Agriculture” offer subscriptions to the fresh vegetables and other staples produced by local farms. 

May 29, 2024

Q: How much money did the U-M Regents allocate in 1922 to establish the Peony Garden at the Nichols Arboretum?

A: $2,000, along with a large collection of peonies donated by Dr. W.E. Upjohn, provided the original groundwork for the famous Peony Garden. 

May 15, 2024

Q: While many know that the state stone for Michigan is the Petoskey stone, what is our state gem?

A: In 1972, Chlorastrolite (literally “green star stone”) was adopted as the state gem for Michigan. It is also known as the Isle Royale greenstone, and is primarily found in the Upper Peninsula.

May 1, 2024

Q: What is the number of currently living alumni of the University of Michigan? 

A: There are 668,000 living alumni in 180 countries around the world. 

April 17, 2024

Q: What is the average date of the last spring frost in Ann Arbor?

A: May 11 is the average date of the last light freeze in Ann Arbor. 

April 3, 2024

Q: What “foolish” activities are returning to Ann Arbor the weekend of April 5?

A: After a break in 2023, FoolMoon and FestiFools are returning to the streets of downtown Ann Arbor for 2024. FoolMoon will get started the night of Friday, April 5 at 8:00pm, and the FestiFools parade will kickoff at 4:00pm on Sunday, April 7.

March 20, 2024

Q: This year, why does spring equinox occur on Tuesday for residents of Ann Arbor, but on Wednesday for residents of Dublin, Ireland?

A: Spring equinox occurred at 3:06 Universal Coordinated Time on Wednesday, March 20. In Ann Arbor, that meant 11:06pm Tuesday, and in Dublin it was 3:06am on Wednesday.

March 7, 2024

Q: When was the last time the building now housing the Gandy Dancer restaurant was actually used as a train station?

A: The Michigan Central Railroad Depot, built in 1887, was sold to Muer Restaurants in 1969. 

February 21, 2024

Q: What is the name of the stadium in Lakeland, Florida, where the Detroit Tigers host spring training?

A: Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland was named after former Lakeland Parks and Recreation Director Marcus "Joker" Marchant. The 50-year-old stadium underwent a $37 million renovation in 2014, and has a capacity of 8,500 fans.

January 24, 2024

Q: Why is the color of the Detroit Lions’ uniform called “Honolulu Blue?”

A: George Richards, the franchise owner who brought the team to Detroit in 1934, dubbed the color “Honolulu Blue” because it reminded him of the water in Hawaii.  

January 10, 2024

Q: After Monday night's big game, how many teams have gone 15-0 in the history of the FBS Championship?

A: The University of Michigan football team joins Clemson, LSU, and Georgia as one of only four teams who have gone undefeated all the way to the national title.  

December 20, 2023 

Q: Why will there be more opportunity to see the northern lights in the coming months?

A: Sunspot observations, a key indicator of the likelihood of northern lights, have increased dramatically since the end of 2022, surpassing recent forecasts and in some cases increasing the phenomenon. If the trend continues, the next 18 months will bring the strongest northern lights activity of both the coming decade and the past 20 years.

December 1, 2023

Q: What U-M medical student fundraising event has occurred the first weekend of December since 1927?

A: Med students take to the streets of Ann Arbor during Galens Tag Days, raising money for local children’s charities.

November 15, 2023

Q: How much cranberry sauce is consumed by Americans each year during the holidays?

A: 5,062,500 gallons of jellied cranberry sauce are consumed by Americans every holiday season.

November 1, 2023

Q: What is longest freighter in active service on the Great Lakes?

A: At 1,013 feet, the Paul R. Tregurtha is the longest freighter on the Great Lakes.

October 18, 2023

Q: In what year did “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” first air on TV?

A: The classic Halloween special first aired in 1966.

October 4, 2023

Q: Our weather this winter in Southeastern Michigan will be impacted by an “El Nino” pattern. Does that mean we can expect more or less snow?

A: Climate data shows that in Michigan, we experience less snow during El Niño winters 70%-80% of the time.

September 20, 2023

Q: In what year was the U-M Marching Band born?

A: In November 1896, the U-M Band held its first rehearsal.

August 23, 2023

Q: How many ice cream treats were given out to attendees at Researchpalooza last year?

A: 732 ice cream treats were distributed at Researchpalooza 2022, including ice cream sandwiches, cookies 'n cream bars, and watermelon popsicles.

August 23, 2023

Q: Michigan produces 132,600 tons for processing, and 60 million pounds for fresh market, of what vegetable?

A: Michigan ranks seventh in the nation in the production of fresh market tomatoes.

July 25, 2023

Q: What seemingly random area of Michigan, on Lake Erie, is a part of the state as a result of the “Toledo War”?

A: The “Lost Peninsula” of Michigan juts into Lake Erie on the north side of Ohio's Ottawa River and lacks a land connection to its home state.

June 28, 2023

Q: What unique museum in Ypsilanti is the home of the “Yankee Lady”?

A: The Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti is the home of the “Yankee Lady,” a B-17 Flying Fortress used during WW II.

May 31, 2023

Q: From 1916 to 1959, what U-M unit was on property that now houses Woodbury Gardens apartments off Iroquois Place in Ann Arbor?

A: Before making its home out on Dixboro Road, the U-M Botanical Gardens were on land sandwiched between Iroquois Place and South Industrial on Ann Arbor's south side.

May 16, 2023

Q: Who is the local ceramic tile artist who currently has an exhibit in the Rogel Cancer Center as part of the “Arts in Health” program?

A: Nawal Motawi, graduate if the U-M Stamps School of Art and Design, currently has several pieces on display in the elevator alcove on level 2 at the Cancer Center. She is the owner of Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor.

May 3, 2023

Q: "Cheaper than food" is the slogan of what Ann Arbor dining institution?

A: Along with a lounging brown bear, "cheaper than food" is featured on the signage at Krazy Jim's Blimpyburger.

April 19, 2023

Q: How many scholarly records are in Michigan Experts, the collaboration tool managed by the Medical School Office of Research?

A: There are currently 479,325 scholarly records in Michigan Experts.

April 5, 2023

Q: Last weekend, U-M Football played their annual spring intra-squad game at the Big House. Which team won, the Maize or the Blue?

A: The Maize team squeaked out a win in the final two minutes of the game, defeating the Blue 22-21.

March 22, 2023

Q: What three University of Michigan athletic programs have been making headlines in the past week?

A: Women's Gymastics won the Big 10 Championship, Men's Hockey (link is external) won their Big 10 Championship, and Mason Parris of Men's Wrestling won the NCAA Wrestling heavyweight title.

March 8, 2023

Q: Santa Ono, Ph.D., was formally inaugurated as the 15th president of the University of Michigan on March 7, 2023. How many followers does he currently have on Twitter?

A: Dr. Ono currently has 36.6K followers on Twitter.

February 22, 2023

Q: What criteria must be met for an "ice storm warning" to be issued?

A: An ice storm warning can be issued any time more than 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm) of ice is expected to accumulate in an area.

February 8, 2023

Q: The Cleveland Browns and what other NFL team have NEVER played in a Super Bowl?

A: In addition to the Browns, the Detroit Lions have never played in a Super Bowl. However, they did play in the “NFL Championship” in 1957, where they defeated the Browns.

January 25, 2023

Q: What U-M space, made of glass, first opened in 1964 and is a warm and verdant refuge on a cold winter day?

A: The Conservatory at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens was built in 1964 and contains flowers and vegetation from three different climate zones: tropical, temperate, and arid.

January 11, 2023

Q: What was the name of the settlement on the Huron River that was the precursor to today's Ypsilanti?

A: Woodruff's Grove, founded in 1823, was the first settlement in Washtenaw County and renamed Ypsilanti in 1825. This year Ypsilanti is celebrating its bicentennial, so stay tuned for occasional trivia questions about Ann Arbor's neighboring college town.