John Carpenter, director, in 2001

The Thing is a 1982 American science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter (pictured) and written by Bill Lancaster. Based on the 1938 John W. Campbell Jr. novella Who Goes There?, it tells the story of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter a parasitic extraterrestrial life-form that assimilates and imitates other organisms. The group is overcome by paranoia and conflict as they learn that they can no longer trust each other. The film stars Kurt Russell and also features A. Wilford Brimley, T. K. Carter, David Clennon, and Keith David. Of the film's $15 million budget, $1.5 million was spent on Rob Bottin's creature effects, a mixture of chemicals, food products, rubber, and mechanical parts used to represent an alien capable of taking on any form. The Thing was released on June 25, 1982, to very negative reviews and earned $19.6 million during its theatrical run, but has been favorably reappraised. It found an audience when released on home video and television. (Full article...)

Wilhelmine Holmboe-Schenström

• ... that the mezzo-soprano Wilhelmine Holmboe (pictured), who studied in Paris with Pauline Viardot and moved to Italy to perform, was one of the first Norwegian women to be acclaimed internationally for her singing?
• ... that Faith Cabin Library at Seneca Junior College in South Carolina is also called the "Oberlin Unit" because of the donations of books by the students of Oberlin College in Ohio?
• ... that as a member of the El Alto Workers' Center, Martha Yujra participated in mass mobilizations that led to the resignations of two Bolivian presidents?
• ... that Central City College was established as an African American-led alternative to the historically black Atlanta Baptist College?
• ... that Arlene Kelly made her international debut for the Ireland women's cricket team after nine of their regular players were unavailable for selection?
• ... that One Griswold Street in Detroit, now owned by the Church of Scientology, was built on the location of the first church building in the city, Ste. Anne de Détroit?
• ... that
  Girl Guiding
  "the most important youth movement in the world"?
• ... that the Gould Memorial Library once hosted pie-throwing contests to raise money?