The Eads Bridge over the Mississippi River, under
construction in St. Louis, circa 1874.
(Image: Wikipedia Commons.)

Take a break from your routine to puzzle over these trivial matters.

QUESTION 1: What unusual item was used in the construction of Eads bridge?

QUESTION 2: Jim White, the St. Louis talk show pioneer, passed away on September 2, 2009. For what two reasons did he choose “The Big Bumper” as his nickname?

QUESTION 3: What successful fashion brand was created by St. Louis rap star, Nelly?

QUESTION 4: A dish called “Arrozo Con Pollo ‘Homerun Style’” is featured in the restaurant of which St. Louis celebrity?

QUESTION 5: Which singing superstar with St. Louis connections once said, “I heard stories from my mother's mother who was an American Indian. She was spiritual, although she did not go to church, but she had the hum. She used to tell me stories of the rivers.”

Check “St. Louis trivia #009” for answers and new questions to ponder. (Don’t miss out – click “Subscribe to Email” near the top of this page.)

Following are answers to last week’s questions:

QUESTION 1: Which Forbes 100 company, with global headquarters located in St. Louis, sponsors the Great Forest Park Balloon Race every year?
ANSWER 1: Energizer, known for their pink bunny mascot, sponsors the race. The 2009 Great Forest Park Balloon Race is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Central Field in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. The Balloon Glow will take place on Friday, September 18, 2009, also on Central Field.

QUESTION 2: Which two-time Oscar-winning actress, born in St. Louis, once said, “I was so cold the other day, I almost got married?”
ANSWER 2: Shelley Winters (August 18, 1920 - January 14, 2006). Her Oscars were awarded for “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “A Patch of Blue.”

QUESTION 3: An iconic rock song with a St. Louis connection was immortalized on board the Voyager I spacecraft. Name the song, the artist, and the St. Louis connection.
ANSWER 3: The song on board Voyager I was "Johnny B. Goode," the artist was Chuck Berry, and the St. Louis connection is the fact that Chuck Berry was born here and still calls St. Louis home.

QUESTION 4: O’Leary’s, a restaurant located at 3828 South Lindbergh Boulevard, is co-owned by which famous St. Louisan?
ANSWER 4: O’Leary’s is co-owned by actor John Goodman. The restaurant features fried pickles.

QUESTION 5: In 1855, which notable American built a cabin on a St. Louis farm called “Hardscrabble?” Hint: The cabin still stands today, about one mile from its original location, after spending time in Old Orchard, MO and visiting the 1904 World’s Fair!
ANSWER 5: Ulysses S. Grant built the cabin long before becoming President of the United States. Grant’s Cabin is now located at Grant’s Farm, a popular family attraction.

For more St. Louis fun:

• St. Louis trivia #007
• St. Louis trivia #006
• St. Louis trivia #005
• St. Louis trivia #004
• St. Louis trivia #003
• St. Louis trivia #002
• St. Louis trivia #001

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