Once again a year has passed since last we celebrated the sun being reborn. But here we are. Slowly we begin watching the length of daylight grow from a scant 9 hours and 10 minutes at its lowest point to sparkling 15 hours plus in June. Now we know we can plant crops and plan parades for yet another year. Seeing the sun come back has been the reason for the season since man understood the link be tween the sun and the food in his tummy. Party On! Dudes and Dudettes!

By the way, I love to sing songs of the season, so forgive me if I break out in song during the quiz.

1) Whoa! This Iowa congressman said he was not going to run for congress this fall claiming he “wanted to spend more time with his family.” We seldom hear that without a scandal. Who is this congressman?

2) Talk about busting glass ceilings. Who became the improbable CEO of General Motors last week?

3) The Iowa gubernatorial race got a little less crowded when what former candidate formally called it quits last week?

Peace on earth, Can it be?

4) Triclosan was in the news last week. What is triclosan?

5) Michelle Bachelet was re-elected as the president of what country?

6) Duck! The head dude of the Duck Dynasty TV show family got into a bit of a broiler over some comments he made about what?

Years from now perhaps we’ll see

7) Which House member and Senate member worked out a “bipartisan” budget?

8) Hollywood lost some legends last week. One death was Joan Fontaine who claimed there was never a feud between her and what equally talented sister?

9) New kid on the block; last week China became what number nation to land on the moon?

We’ll see the days of glory

10) What former governor of Montana spoke in Iowa last week warning the audience not to look in the rear view mirror for a 2016 presidential candidate?

11) What is the name of the early mid-winter festival from which we draw many of our Christmas traditions?

12) Santa Claus is based on what Norse god?

When men of goodwill live in peace, live in peace again

13) 36 years ago, David Bowie and Bing Crosby combined for a beautiful version of what traditional Christmas song and new song combined?

14) Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz has spent over $100,000 in six months investigating what?

15) Dec. 28th a large group of voters have their government subsidy ended due to the new budget. What large group of voters?

Peace on Earth, can it be?

Sorry about breaking into song, I just love that little ditty. Do you recognize it?

And now- some answers and I can start prepping for Christmas and the grandson’s arrival.

1) Tom Latham – sent shockwaves around the country.

2) Mary Barra. She actually started on the factory floor

3) Tyler Olson

4) an anti-bacterial agent that many companies put in soaps and toothpastes. The FDA is concerned too many anti-bacterials will foster the growth of bacterias resistant to treatments.

5) Chile

6) gays.

7) Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray

8) Olivia De Havilland

9) number three

10) Brian Schweitzer

11) Saturnalia

12) Odin

13) “Little Drummer Boy” and the then newly written “Peace On earth” Part of the lyrics for “Peace On Earth” are what I have interjected throughout the quiz.

14) illegal voting. So far he has found 2 cases of illegal voting.

15) the long term unemployed.

Every child must be made aware

Every child must be made to care

Care enough for his fellow man

to give all the love that he can

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!