Retired pilot helps historical society buy Neil Armstrong's boyhood home for tours
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A former military pilot has stepped up to preserve Neil Armstrong's boyhood home in Ohio. Ken Schreiber was inspired by Armstrong's legacy as the first man to walk on the moon and decided to buy the house after learning it was for sale. He donated $400,000 to the local historical society. The organization plans to restore the home to its 1940s appearance. The goal is to open it for public tours by 2030, marking Armstrong's 100th birthday. The house, a key part of Armstrong's early life, has never been open to the public. Schreiber hopes this effort will inspire future generations.
A rare family of barn owls moved into Manhattan's Upper West Side. New Yorkers are captivated
NEW YORK (AP) — Manhattan’s Upper West Side has been reveling in the company of its latest celebrities: A family of barn owls nested in a water tower atop a building near Central Park. An expert says this is the first documented instance of barn owls nesting in Manhattan in modern history. The owls have attracted nightly crowds of people in the street eager to get a glimpse of the elusive birds, including a nature photographers. Word of the owl family spread last week when an Upper West Side resident notified a local news outlet that she and her husband saw multiple owls at the water tower, located on West 75th Street close to Central Park West.
Good grief, Charlie Brown! Giant inflatable pumpkin takes pre-Halloween flight
CARY, N.C. (AP) — The Great Pumpkin made an early visit to Cary, North Carolina, this year. It happened as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias passed through. Officials still had a tornado warning in effect Sunday afternoon and a twister even touched down near Phillips Farms. Then the sun peeked out and the farm staff decided to inflate their two-story-high lawn ornament. Just then, the wind picked up and the giant jack-o'-lantern started to tumble. Videos of the Great Pumpkin escape went viral. Farm owner Michael Phillips says it's the best free advertising he's ever had.
Luna, a small dog missing for over a month in Yellowstone, is reunited with her owners
A small dog named Luna has been found after more than a month on the loose in Yellowstone National Park. Despite frequent sightings, the Jack Russell terrier evaded capture since early September amid mounting fears for her survival and the approach of winter weather. Volunteers were able to catch the dog Wednesday in a live trap baited with a T-shirt and pillowcase carrying her owner's scent. The California family that lost Luna believes a housekeeper accidentally let her out of a cabin they were staying in while they explored the park on Sept. 10. The search for Luna had rallied locals and tourists alike.
The building housing London's oldest restaurant has been donated to a conservation charity
LONDON (AP) — The building that houses London’s oldest restaurant has been donated to Europe’s biggest conservation charity. It's a move that will hopefully secure one of the U.K. capital’s go-to eateries for centuries to come. Rules was established in 1798 by Thomas Rule as an oyster bar when Europe was in turmoil in the aftermath of the French Revolution. Rules has survived the British Empire, the Blitz and even plans for a new road that would have seen it demolished. The four-decade owner of the building that houses Rules is J-P Mayhew who has made the selfless decision to donate 34-35 Maiden Lane in bustling Covent Garden in central London to the National Trust.
Indonesia returns 20 green sea turtles to the ocean after Bali smuggling raid
SERANGAN ISLAND, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian authorities on the tourist island of Bali have released 20 protected green sea turtles back into the ocean Tuesday. The turtles were found in an empty boat seemingly abandoned by wildlife smugglers fleeing a police raid. Officers conducted final checks on the turtles at a conservation center on Serangan Island, also known as Turtle Island, in southern Bali. They then transported the animals by small truck to the shoreline. Marine police officers in Bali on Saturday had foiled the attempted smuggling of 22 green sea turtles, known by the scientific name Chelonia mydas, in the waters off Serangan after residents reported possible sea turtle smuggling activity in the area.
Israel returns 22 artifacts as Greece pushes to bring antiquities home
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Israel has returned 22 ancient Greek artifacts that were illegally removed from Greece, marking the first such repatriation between the two countries. Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received the antiquities at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens from the Israel Antiquities Authority. The collection includes a bronze statuette of a woman and pottery decorated with mythological scenes and geometric motifs, dating from approximately 700 B.C. to 320 B.C. The handover comes as Greece intensifies its international campaign to reclaim the Parthenon Marbles, currently housed at the British Museum in London.
Indonesia relocates 8 orangutans into protected forest after rescue from wildfires
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Eight endangered orangutans rescued from areas of Indonesia’s Borneo ravaged by wildfires have been released into a protected forest. Conservationists say the group relocated on Oct. 8 includes three mothers with infants and two adolescent males. They were stranded in plantations inhabited by people after fires destroyed forest habitat and cut off food sources. They were relocated to Batu Nyambu Protected Forest, which was chosen for its intact habitat, water sources and links to neighboring forests. The relocation comes as Indonesia battles worsening forest and peat fires fueled by El Niño-driven drought. Conservationists warn shrinking habitat is leaving more orangutans vulnerable to displacement, injury and death.
What to cut back and what to leave standing in your garden's fall cleanup
Fall is garden cleanup time, but that doesn't mean you should clear everything away. Leaving certain perennials standing over winter can benefit birds and insects. For example, allium and coneflowers provide food and shelter. Most spring-blooming shrubs, like azaleas, should not be pruned now. Neither should ornamental grasses and woody perennials. However, faded hosta foliage and irises should be cut back to prevent pests. Same with perennials that are susceptible to mildew, such as herbaceous peonies and bee balm. Remove any diseased plants, and discard diseased plant parts in the trash, not the compost. Push leaves into garden beds where they can protect beneficial insects all winter.
