Freaky Factoids

Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg

Isn’t it fascinating to learn about little-known facts or statistics? As in, what is the depth of the Atlantic Ocean at its deepest part? The answer: 28,323 feet! See? Now wasn’t that interesting?

Here are some little-known factoids that will bowl you over.

The British Invasion

After the British Invasion, prompted by the appearance of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, literally, from A (the Animals) to Z (the Zombies), Britain produced 48 singers or bands. Of those British groups/singers, only the following British bands/singers are still touring: The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, The Searchers, The Who, Tom Jones, and Lulu.

Which U.S. State Contributes the Least for Public Education per Student per Year?

Arizona (third from last): $10,392 (Sad to read, huh?)

Utah (second from last): $9,673

Idaho (last): $9,369

Note: The average across the U.S. is $19,973 per student per year.

What Do Seniors Spend on Health Care Per Year?

According to a report by RBC Wealth Management, seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 spend about $13,000 a year on health care. That number jumps to $24,000 per year for those age 75 to 84 and then rises to $39,000 per year for those over the age of 85.

When Was the First Televised Major League Baseball Game?

Give up? The game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers was broadcast on Aug. 26, 1939, at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Ebbets Field was demolished in 1960. It had its grand opening in April of 1913.

Why Should We Volunteer?

There is a myriad of ways to volunteer here in SaddleBrooke. And that’s a good thing!

According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteer activities keep people moving and thinking at the same time. Research has found that volunteering among adults who are 60 and older provides benefits to physical and mental health. Volunteers report better physical health than non-volunteers. Volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older.

What Are Your Chances of Getting Alzheimer’s or Dementia?

The chances of getting Alzheimer’s or dementia dramatically increase as we age. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 will develop the disease, 17% of those ages 75 to 84 will develop the disease, and 32% of people age 85 and older will succumb to Alzheimer’s or dementia. In 2021 Alzheimer’s was the fifth leading cause of death in people age 65 and older.

When Was the First Outdoor Telephone Wire Installed?

The wire was installed in 1877 in Appleton, Wis., and stretched three miles.

How Many 501(C)(3) Organizations Are There in the U.S.?

(Note: 501(c)(3) organizations are tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code.)

As of 2022, the U.S. had 1.48 million organizations classified by this manner. For the record, the greater Tucson area has 71.

What Plants in the Sonoran Desert Can Be Eaten by Humans?

Prickly pear fruit, saguaro cactus fruit, mesquite tree pods and seeds, cholla cactus buds and pads, barrel cactus fruits and seeds, wolfberry (goji berry) fruits.