Local Knowledge: Hank, Flannery and smoking guns

Did you know the late Rev. Jimmy Waters served a combined 86 years in the ministry — 31 years at Mabel White Memorial Baptist and 55 years as chaplain for the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department?

Are you aware that the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, with more than 43,000 square feet, is the largest state sports museum in the nation?

If you already know that, congratulations. Pat yourself on the back. Give yourself an extra scoop of ice cream. Collect $200 as you pass “Go” on the Monopoly board. (But don’t expect me to pay.)

Unfortunately, none of the above is included in this week’s “Local Knowledge” quiz.

Here are 10 other questions to inform and entertain you.

1. Actor James Arness received his basic training during World War II at Camp Wheeler in Macon. Arness was famous for what television role?

(A) Sebastian Cabot in “Family Affair”

(B) Matt Dillon in  “Gunsmoke”

(C) Eddie Haskell in “Leave It To Beaver’’

(D) Spock in “Star Trek”

2. The former Oak Street in downtown Macon once had a reputation as a “red light” district for prostitution. In an attempt to change the  reputation, the street’s name was changed. Ironically, it was renamed after a poisonous plant. What name does it go by now? (Hint: It is the main address for Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center.)

(A) Oleander

(B) Sumac

(C) Hemlock

(D) Poinsettia

 3. Ambrose Baber was Macon’s first doctor, helped build the city’s first courthouse, bank and library, was a founding father of Christ Episcopal Church and was responsible for the formation of Central City Park. He originally was from the Twiggs County community of Marion, which holds what distinction?

(A) It is the geographic center of Georgia.

(B) It became home to a little cafe known as “Eat, Drink and Be Marion.”

(C) It gained a reputation as I-16’s most famous speed trap.

(D) It received notoriety as the hometown of Honey Boo Boo.

4. The Monroe County community of Juliette is famous for its Whistlestop Cafe and the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes.’’ What was the cafe’s original name?

(A) Romeo

(B) Esther

(C) Trepidation

(D) Iceburg

5. Guitarist Duane Allman, of The Allman Brothers Band, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Macon’s Hillcrest Avenue in October 1971.  His brother, Gregg, wrote a song that was one of Duane’s favorites. Gregg played it on Duane’s guitar at his funeral at Rose Hill Cemetery. The song wasn’t released until four months later on the “Eat a Peach” album. What was the name of it?

(A) “It’s Not My Cross To Bear”

(B) “Midnight Rider”

(C) “Ramblin’ Man”

(D) “(Sweet) Melissa”

6.  Which food icon visited Macon in April 1976?

(A) Aunt Jemima

(B) Harlan “Colonel” Sanders

(C) Howard Johnson

(D) Jimmy John

7.  Watts Gunn was a star golfer at Macon’s Lanier High and a two-time winner of the Georgia state amateur golf title. While playing college golf at Georgia Tech, he became a member at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club. Gunn finished runner-up to his friend and rival in the 1925 U.S. Amateur Championship – 100 years ago this year. It marked the first time two players from the same club met in match play for the amateur title. Who was his
opponent?

(A) Bobby Jones

(B) Sam Snead

(C) Ben Hogan

(D) Arnold Palmer

8. This month marks the anniversary of the death of Southern writer Flannery O’Connor in Milledgeville in August 1964. A movie based on one of O’Connor’s short stories was filmed in Macon. What was the name of it?

(A) “The Violent Bear It Away”

(B) “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”

(C) “Wise Blood”

(D) Everything That Rises Must
Converge

9. Legendary country singer Hank Williams Sr. gave a concert at Macon’s Grand Theater (now the Grand Opera House) in July 1952. Red Foley and Les Paul also performed, along with which famous comedienne, known for her unique style of hat. What was her name?

(A) Phyllis Diller

(B) Lucille Ball

(C) Carol Burnette

(D) Minnie Pearl

10. Which wildlife species is NOT  found in Bond Swamp, located 6 miles southeast of Macon?

(A) Alligators 

(B) Black bears

(C) Duck-billed platypus 

(D) Wild turkey

Click here to view answers

(1) B. (2) C. (3) A. (4) D. (5) D. (6) B. (7) A. (8) C. (9) D. (10) C.

REPORT CARD: (9-10) Unbelievable. (7-8) Unstoppable. (5-6) Uncanny. (3-4)Uncertain. (0-2) Uncomfortable.