Contest #855: the Atameken Ethno-Memorial Complex in Astana, Kazakhstan

The Atameken Ethno-Memorial map is located in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. It was opened in 2018 and consists of a map of the country.

On an area equal to two football fields, there are smaller copies of over two hundred main architectural structures and monuments of Kazakhstan, as well as forests, mountains and hills.

Found before the hint:

  • Garfield
  • Phil Ower
  • Martin de Bock
  • Paul Voestermans
  • hhgygy
  • Angie CF

Contest #854: the Starship Enterprise in Vulcan, Alberta, Canada

Vulcan, Alberta in southern Canada was our stop this week – home to a large model of the Starship Enterprise FX6-1995-A from the Star Trek series.

Not named Vulcan after the home planet of Spock, but after the Roman god of fire by a railway surveyor fond of the classical world, the town has embraced its link to the Star Trek planet. Throughout the town, one can find Star Trek memorabilia in business names or in the lampposts and painted crosswalks. Vulcan is recognized as the “Official Star Trek Capital of Canada” and attracts tourists visiting to say they’ve been to Vulcan!

Finding the Starship before the hint:

  • Paul Voestermans
  • Graham Hedley
  • Martin de Bock
  • Phil Over
  • Garfield
  • hhgygy
  • Bas van Limpt
  • Glenmorren
  • Hatterman
  • Angie CF

And after the hint:

  • The Curiosity
  • robin

Contest #853 – “A Christmas Story” Leg Lamp Statue, Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA

In the Movie “A Christmas Story”, the father character enters a contest and wins “a major award”. Unaware of what it is, the family awaits the arrival until this very moment:

Ok, so how did that become this? And why in Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA?

Well, it’s quite a circuitious story.

A professor at the University of Oklahoma Art School, Noland James, was born in Chickasha. At some point in his life, he created a lamp using the bottom half of a mannequin

This lamp sat in his office for most of his teaching career and was a subject of interest for many students, faculty and vistors. Once such “admirer” was later to find himself on the production team for “A Christmas Story” and designed the leg lamp for the movie. Was he inspired by Dr. James’s lamp? No one seems to know, but the city leadership of Chickasha took that info and most definintely ran with it.

Starting in 2020, they started using a giant inflatable leg lamp in their Christmas parade. They used the same inflatable in their “Christmas in July” parade in 2021 and their 2021 Christmas (presumably in December?) parade. Such was the publicity and acclaim, that they decided to erect this monstrosity er, statue in the town square by the old train station.

If you visit this small town 50 or so miles south of Oklahoma City, you can also see Dr. James’ original artwork, at the Grady County Historical Society.

Those who won the “Major Award” by finding it before the hint:

  • Graham Hedley
  • hhgygy
  • Garfield
  • Bas van Limpt
  • Angie CF
  • Martin de Bock

and those who had to settle for a “Minor Award” by finding it after:

  • Ashwini Agrawal
  • Paul Voestermans
  • Phil Ower