Map walk: In the village of Klejtrup in Denmark, a farmer turned the edge of a lake into a walkable map of the world using stones gathered from nearby fields over many years. What began as a personal pastime grew into a full outdoor model where visitors can step from one continent to another in minutes. Each section was carefully shaped to match coastlines, with certain northern regions repeated to avoid the size distortions found on common wall maps. Paths, flags, and small bridges now guide travellers across the layout, making the globe feel surprisingly compact. The project remains a local landmark, offering a simple way to explore geography on foot.

Owl currency: Long before the modern Greek one-euro coin was minted, an earlier version of the same owl was used across the ancient world, first appearing around 2,500 years ago. In Athens, silver tetradrachm coins showed Athena on one side and her owl with an olive sprig on the other, becoming a well-known trade currency for merchants and travellers. The design stayed mostly the same for generations, making the owl one of the most familiar coins of its time. Greece later chose this symbol for the national side of its one-euro coin, keeping the bird inside a border shaped like an old piece of silver. Today the image connects the coin in people's hands with Greece's long history and the stories that shaped it.

Cactus sealant: Builders in parts of rural Mexico still rely on a cactus-based mixture to protect adobe homes, using a method passed down since long before modern materials arrived. The process begins by boiling pieces of prickly pear cactus until they release a thick gel that blends with water and lime, creating a coating that helps walls resist moisture and pests. Researchers have recently revisited this approach, studying faster ways to collect the gel for natural building work. The mixture can also strengthen handmade bricks, helping homes last in tough climates. Beyond construction, the same cactus is inspiring biodegradable products, showing how an old plant tradition remains useful today.

Waldo goodwill: While helping build a new children's hospital, a construction worker in Indiana USA found an unexpected way to lift young patients' spirits. Drawing on his love of art, he created a large wooden Where's Waldo figure at home and painted it with help from his daughter. Once finished, he began placing the character in shifting spots around the work site so kids watching from an upper floor could search for it each day. Nurses soon joined in by passing along sightings, turning it into a small routine that brightened hospital stays for many children. The simple game also built a connection between the crews and the children's families, showing how a light idea can offer comfort during difficult moments.

The power to question is the basis of all human progress. ~ Indira Gandhi

If science fiction is the mythology of modern technology, then its myth is tragic. ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

Free notices for not for profits bop@coffeenews.co.nz

1. Which actress starred in the movie Some Like It Hot?

2. How many bones are in the adult human body?

3. No bears are native to Australia - T/F?

4. A tennis ball has fuzz to slow it down, speed it up, or extend its use?

5. Fauntleroy is the middle name of this beloved Disney character.

Frog bite: Frogs might look toothless, but some secretly have tiny teeth neatly tucked along the top of their mouths. Others even grow small, fang-like edges, showing that frogs' mouths aren't quite as simple as they seem.

Brow power: Eyebrows do more than simply frame a face. They help block sweat and rain from the eyes, and their shape guides moisture safely to the sides. Even so, they still manage to reveal every emotion you try to hide.

Sprout story: Brussel sprouts are named for Belgium's capital, where they became a favourite long ago. Their plant ancestors grew around the Mediterranean, but these tiny greens now thrive in cooler climates and are popular worldwide.

Rhythmic seal: A California sea lion named Ronan surprised scientists by learning to bob her head to music. She could even match new tempos, proving that keeping a beat isn't just for humans and parrots after all.

Painted skies: High above Iceland, nacreous clouds can glow with soft, shimmering colours that change as the light moves. Made of tiny ice crystals in the cold stratosphere, they often form smooth, rolling patterns, giving the sky a striking, unusual look.

When construction workers party, they really raise the roof!

I told my suitcases, No vacation this year. Now I'm dealing with emotional baggage.

Al: Why did you move to Hawaii? Sal: So I could spend my vacations at home and still enjoy myself.

What do you call a man with a seagull on his head? Cliff.

Some butchers make cutting remarks to those they meet with, and get in a real stew.

1. Marilyn Monroe 2. 206 3. True 4. Slow it down 5. Donald Duck