IN THIS ISSUE
Quote Unquote: Who’s Your Philly Daddy?
Summer Public Scavenger Hunts
Pop Quiz: Philly’s Strange Bedfellows
Hunt News: Hunters Hit Facebook
Jokes: Animal Wisecrackers
Web Adventures: The Monty Hall Problem (and a Heavy Metal Dog)
FAQ: Where’s My Culture Vulture?
The Culture Vulture Archive
If you’d like to receive The Culture Vulture in your own mailbox, with the latest hunt news and special discount offers, sign up here—and on the next page you’ll see, be sure to check off “Philadelphia Area.” If you have a spam filter, please add “watsonadventures.com” to your “safe list.”
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QUOTE UNQUOTE: WHO’S YOUR PHILLY DADDY?
In Boston they ask, How much does he know? in New York, How much is he worth? in Philadelphia, Who were his parents? —Mark Twain
SUMMER PUBLIC SCAVENGER HUNTS
On teams of up to six people, you’ll search for answers to tricky, humorous questions. No hunt requires that you know anything about the hunt location—all you need are sharp wits and a good pair of shoes. You can bring your own team, or we’ll help you join up with kindred spirits at the start. Our hunts have been recommended by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Metro, PhillyFunGuide.com, GoCityKids.com, National Geographic Traveler, Time Out, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure and many other media outlets. More than 87,000 hunters served since 1999! To buy tickets, click on the links below or call 877-9-GO HUNT (877-946-4868), extension 22.
The Secrets of Old Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, June 21, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
If you think you know Old Philadelphia—from Society Hill to Old City—then prepare to be surprised. This irreverent tour reveals the quirkiest and most curious aspects of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Carpenter’s Hall (where Continental Congress first met), Elfreth’s Alley and museums featuring Ben Franklin, portraits of Founding Fathers (and Mothers) and the military. If you ever wished you could time-travel, this is the hunt for you. Price: $22.50 per person. Also available August 9. Buy tickets now
The Princeton Prowl Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, June 28, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
A whirlwind tour of the best of Princeton, New Jersey, and the delightful Princeton University campus. See for yourself why this is one of our staff’s favorite hunts. The historic town—where George Washington defeated the British—and the stunning campus combine to provide a hunt landscape that is filled with history, outdoor sculptures, dramatic Gothic and ivy-clad buildings, goofy gargoyles, famous Americans and amazing views. Guest stars include Russell Crowe (from locations for A Beautiful Mind), F. Scott Fitzgerald, John F. Kennedy, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Henry Moore, Aaron Burr, Woodrow Wilson, Albert Einstein, William Hurt (from locations for One True Thing), David Duchovny of The X-Files, Meg Ryan (in the movie I.Q.) and an enemy bulldog. We highly recommend making a day of it: There are great places in Princeton to dine before or after the hunt—ask us for recommendations. Special price: $17.50 per person. Buy tickets now
The Haunted Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philly.com
Saturday, July 12, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Armed with a flashlight, you’ll visit ghost-plagued buildings and secret cemeteries while learning the stories of the restless souls you might disturb. Starring the spirits of 1776 in Independence Hall, Ben Franklin (of course), the Hag of Pine Street, the spectral poltergeist of St. Peter’s, a Quaker to make you quake in Washington Square, the burning bride of City Tavern, and various other apparitions, sudden chills, rustlings and knockings. Price: $22.50 per person. Buy tickets now
The Munch Around the Market Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, July 26, 12 to 2:30 p.m.
You can literally taste victory on this hunt, which combines tricky questions and a challenge to sample some of the best foods in the Reading Market Terminal and nearby Chinatown, while discovering other surprises in the neighborhood. Price: $20 per person, plus bring $10 cash for food purchases. (We ask you to bring cash so that you can have a wide range of food options to suit your taste and diet. We’ll point you toward our favorites, but the ultimate choice is between you and your tummy.) Buy tickets now
The Hidden Philadelphia Family Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by GoCityKids.com
Sunday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Here’s a kid-friendly version of our popular adult hunt. If you think you know Old Philadelphia—from Society Hill to Old City—then prepare to be surprised. This irreverent tour reveals the quirkiest and most curious aspects of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Carpenter’s Hall (where Continental Congress first met), Elfreth’s Alley and museums featuring Ben Franklin, portraits of Founding Fathers (and Mothers) and the military. If you ever wished you could time-travel, this is the hunt for you. Plus, can you find the hidden giant? For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and vice versa. Price: $17 per person, all ages. Buy tickets now
The Secrets of Old Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, August 9, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
See June 21 for details. Buy tickets now for August 9
The Wild Wildlife Family Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by GoCityKids.com
Saturday, August 16, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kids and adults work together to uncover the secrets of the zoo, from ants to apes. Highlights include the Pachyderm House, the Rare Animal Conservation Center, Bear Country, the Reptile Exercise Yard (“Give me 20 push-ups, iguana!”) and of course Monkey Junction (“...what’s your function?”). For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and vice versa. Price, which includes zoo admission: $29.50 per person, all ages. Buy tickets now
The Naked at the Philadelphia Museum Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Metro and PhillyFunGuide.com
Saturday, August 23, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Beat the summer heat by heading into air-conditioned galleries in search of cool nudes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You’ll scrutinize paintings, sculptures, period rooms, extra-large bathers, a sultry sea monster, saints with shocking piercings, and a Peeping Tom who discovers a new meaning for the term “stag party.” No knowledge of art, or nudity, is required. Price, which includes museum admission: $36.50 per person; college students with current I.D., $32.50. Buy tickets now
The Murder at the Museum Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by ABC Action News and Play Magazine
Saturday, September 13, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
A murdered curator has left behind a cryptic trail of clues connected with secrets in works of art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As your team gathers answers, you begin to piece together a sordid tale about greed, lust, pride, revenge and treachery, all revolving around the museum’s planned multimillion-dollar purchase of a Rembrandt. The murder victim knew too much—and now it’s your turn to learn what he knew and discover what drove one of four suspects to commit murder. To find out, you’ll have to crack a secret code left in the victim’s appointment calendar. Can you figure out who dunnit? Price, which includes museum admission: $36.50 per person; college students with current ID, $32.50. Buy tickets now
Summer Highlights in Other Cities
• Boston: The Secrets of Old Boston Hunt on the Freedom Trail, July 19
• Chicago: New! The Wild Wildlife Hunt at the Lincoln Park Zoo, July 19
• Los Angeles: The LACMA Mania Hunt, featuring the new Broad Contemporary Art Museum, July 19
• New York: The Sex and the Village hunt, featuring locations from the hit TV series Sex and the City, July 5
• Washington, D.C.: The N*ked at the Art Museum Hunt, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, August 9
See the Latest Schedule
We add hunts to the schedule more often than we send out this newsletter—particularly if a hunt sells out, we add another chance to do it. Stay tuned to the Hunt Schedule page of our Web site. Or call the toll-free Hunt Hotline at 877-9-GO HUNT, extension 22. If you’re heading to Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago or Los Angeles, check out the schedule for public hunts you can join.
How to Purchase Tickets and Learn Meeting Place Information
Advance payment is required for all hunts—we do not accept cash “at the door.” To purchase tickets online, click on the Buy tickets now link following the hunt listing above. To purchase tickets by phone, call us toll-free at 877-9-GO HUNT (877-946-4868), extension 22. You will receive meeting place information at the end of the transaction. You can also get more extensive meeting place info on the Schedule page: After each hunt description, look for a Meeting place information link, which gives you details on the meeting site, how to get there, how you’ll get your e-ticket and more.
Questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page first. If you still can’t get no satisfaction, contact us by calling the Hunt Hotline, 877-9-GO HUNT (877-946-4868), extension 22, or by e-mailing us. Please note that, though we follow group visit procedures, we are not affiliated with the museums mentioned above, so if you call them with hunt questions, you will most likely reach someone who won’t know about the hunts.
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POP QUIZ: PHILLY’S STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
Our hunts are more a test of teamwork than trivia knowledge, but you’ll discover many fascinating facts and places along the way. And as you might expect of the birthplace of the republic, you’ll encounter quite a few political figures, especially on the Secrets of Old Philadelphia Hunt. In this election year, here’s a quick
look at politics, politicians, First Ladies and conventions who have hit this town. But don’t worry if you hate politics: these tales are more Jon Stewart than John Adams....
1. “I Did Have Sex with That Woman!” Most government officials caught in a scandal will hem and haw and deny it. Not Alexander Hamilton. While serving in Philadelphia as Secretary of the Treasury under President Washington, he had an illicit liaison with 23-year-old Maria Reynolds. Her husband, James Reynolds, found out and actually encouraged the affair—provided Hamilton give him money. The randy patriot coughed up a total of $1,000 over several years. But then James got ensnared in a scandal involving wages for Revolutionary War veterans, and he implicated Hamilton, figuring he’d come to Reynolds’ defense rather than admit the affair. Reynolds was wrong. Hamilton would rather admit to adultery than have his integrity as a public official impugned. A Congressional inquiry exonerated Hamilton and decided to keep the matter quiet. But when a scheming political opponent learned of the scandal, he spread whispers and made sure the details reached the press. Hamilton responded by writing and publishing the sensational, though blandly titled, Observations on Certain Documents, in which he confessed everything, in surprising detail. He resigned from Washington’s cabinet, and his career slid downhill from there. Who was the political opponent who played a crucial role in Hamilton’s exposure?
(a) Thomas Jefferson (b) Aaron Burr (c) John Adams (d) Snidely McBlabsalot
2. First Lady, First Turban: One woman who would become First Lady lost her first husband in Philadelphia during a yellow fever epidemic. When most people, including the nascent government, fled town, this man remained to help the sick and dying. His widow, a Quaker, married a man who became president, and as First Lady she became known for her love of wearing turbans. Yes, turbans. Who was she?
(a) Martha Washington (b) Abigail Adams (c) Dolley Madison
(d) Hannah “the Sultry Swami” Van Buren
3. Philly First: The first ever Republican Party convention took place in Philadelphia in 1856. John C. Fremont won the nomination for president. A young upstart named Abe Lincoln drew 110 votes for the vice president slot, but William Dayton beat him with 259 votes. The gathering took place in the Music Fund Hall, which still stands on Locust Street. What does the building contain today?
(a) an auditorium (b) a basketball arena (c) a warehouse (d) apartments (e) a Starbucks
4. Rough Ride: At the 1900 Republican Convention in Philadelphia, it seemed that everyone wanted Theodore Roosevelt to run for vice president except for one: Theodore Roosevelt. He thought his current job as governor of New York was far preferable to the do nothing, dead-end job as No. 2. But New York political kingpin Thomas “Boss” Platt hated Roosevelt and wanted to be rid of him. It was his scheme to put Roosevelt on the ticket as vice president with incumbent President McKinley. (The first term veep, Garrett Hobart, had died in 1899 of heart failure and the position remained vacant for more than a year.) In the end Roosevelt couldn’t argue with the convention, which gave his nomination every vote but one—his own. And yet his dead-end job led quickly to the top job. How did he become president?
(a) he ran for president four years later (b) McKinley died from a seizure (c) McKinley was assassinated (d) the vice president accidentally shot his boss on a hunting trip
5. Unconventional Disaster: In an amazing trifecta, Philadelphia was host to three political conventions in 1948, for the Democrats, the Republicans and the Progressives. The delegates were appalled by the shortage of rooms, the price gouging and the stifling heat they endured. Officials had balked at spending $300,000 for air conditioning during construction of Convention Hall, and 108 people were treated for heat prostration. Many delegates vowed never to return to the City of Brotherly Love. In what year was the next major politician convention in Philadelphia?
(a) 1968 (b) 1974 (c) 2000 (d) there hasn’t been one since then
6. Swear to God: Philadelphia has had its share of colorful mayors—for example, it was Mayor Frank Rizzo who spoke the immortal line, “The streets are safe in Philadelphia—it’s only the people that make them unsafe.” But it’s hard to top this tale from Boston: During a 1914 campaign rally in front of St. Augustine’s Church in South Boston, mayoral candidate James Michael Curley was leading the crowd in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses...” At that moment he noticed someone reaching into his car and shouted, “Get that sonuvabitch, he’s stealing my coat!” The candidate then quickly resumed, “...as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The election was two days later. Was that gaffe enough to lose the election for him?
Answers
1. (a) yes, Jefferson, America’s Founding Iago
2.
(c)
3. (d)
4. (c)
5. (c)
6.
No, he won.
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HUNT NEWS: HUNTERS HIT FACEBOOK
Watson Adventures on Facebook: Where Hunters Meet and Chat
Become a “fan” of Watson Adventures on Facebook to learn about special discounts and offers, share your favorite hunting experience, offer advice to new hunters, reconnect with people you’ve met on past hunts, ask advice on which one to try next and much more.
1. Click here to view our fan page:
If you have a Facebook account, log in using the link at the top of the page. If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can register for one there.
2. Click on “Become a Fan”: The link is on the upper right-hand corner of the page.
3. Tell your friends: Click on the “Share” link on the lower right-hand corner of the page to send a message to your friends and post information about Watson Adventures to your personal profile.
4. Participate in the Watson Adventures Facebook community: You can upload photos you’ve taken at hunts, post your favorite Watson Adventures experiences on the Wall, or start a topic on our discussion board.
5. Enter our contest: Hop on our Facebook discussion board and add your thoughts to the thread: “What was the most interesting thing you discovered on a Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunt?” We’ll feature three responses on our Web site—and if yours is chosen you’ll win free admission for yourself and three friends to a public hunt of your choice! (Museum admission not included where applicable.)
Private Hunts: A Cost-Effective Way to Boost Morale or Enjoy a “Staycation”
Maybe your department or friends don’t have a budget to take everyone to see the Phillies or to board a booze cruise or go rock climbing in Timbuktu. But you can have an amazing adventure within blocks of your office or home on a Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunt—and still have money left for a post-hunt gathering at a bar or restaurant. Our hunts are a cost-effective way of making your favorite neighborhood, park or museum seem new and exotic. And wise managers know that there’s no more important time to keep up morale and boost teamwork than during times of economic uncertainty.
To find out how we can help you go on a memorable “staycation,” visit the Private Hunts page of WatsonAdventures.com, or speak with our sales team at 877-9-GO HUNT (877-946-4868): director of sales Julie Jacobs (extension 14), or sales managers Maryann Roberts (extension 21), Janet Christmann (extension 16) and Mitchell Olson (extension 17). Or you can fill out our handy e-mail form. Don’t miss out on adventures in your own city.
A Tip of the Hat to Our Newest Clients
We send a special word of thanks to the companies and other groups who recently did their first team-building event with us, including...
Education: Catholic University of America, M.I.T., The National Society of College Scholars
Event Planners: PRA New York, RBY Event Planning
Financial: Adams Street Partners, BlackRock, Brinster & Bergman, Group M, TSG Consumer Partners
Insurance: Continental Corp., Nationwide Mutual, XL Insurance
Legal: Allen & Overy, Davis Shapiro Lewitt & Hayes, Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner
Media: Crave Online, Avenue A | Razorfish, Selecciones Magazine, Threespot Media
Medical: Atlantic Health, C.R. Bard, The Medicines Company, Revera Healthcare Systems, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America
Technology: ASML, IBM Market Intelligence
Travel: Allied Pilots Association
Other Companies: Gel Conference, Lincoln Property Company, Performance Development Group
Charities and Other Not-for-Profit Organizations: Juvenile Justice Initiative Program, Tuesday’s Children
We look forward to providing more amazing adventures for you. See the complete client list
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JOKES: ANIMAL WISECRACKERS
Do you experience animal magnetism? That is, you find you are irresistibly drawn to furry creatures? Then join us on August 16 for the Wild Wildlife Family Hunt at the Philadelphia Zoo. To prepare you, here are some pointers from comedians about behavior around animals....
I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls and they say, “Because it’s such a beautiful animal.” I think my mother’s attractive but I have photographs of her. —Ellen DeGeneres
My favorite animal is steak. —Fran Lebowitz
I gave my cat a bath the other day. They love it. He just sat there and enjoyed it. It was fun for me. The fur kept sticking to my tongue, but other than that... —Steve Martin
Two guys were watching a dog lick himself, and one said, “I wish I could do that.” The other replied, “Maybe you should pet him first.” —Doug Benson
I found a snake in my yard, and got a shovel and whacked the hell out of it. Then I didn’t have cable for a week. —Charlie Viracola
We’ve all done this, because we’s so mature: You see a cow on the side of the road, stick your head out the window and go “Mooo!” Like we expect the cow to think, “Hey, there’s another cow, driving that car! How can he afford that?” —Garry Shandling
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WEB ADVENTURES: THE MONTY HALL PROBLEM
Is the car behind Door No. 1, Door No. 2 or Door No. 3? Many a contestant wrestled with this dilemma on the old game show Let’s Make a Deal. But philosophers and logicians have wrestled over what happened after the contestant picked, say, Door 1. Host Monty Hall would then open one of the other two doors—let’s say Door 3—and reveal a goat. Now, would the contestant like to change to Door 2 or stick with Door 1?
You’d probably think that the odds of making the right decision are 50-50. And you’d be wrong. Unless you’re psychic or Monty Hall’s cousin, you should always switch to the other door, because the odds are 2 in 3 (66%) in your favor that you’ll win the car if you do. Don’t believe it? Try for yourself at these amusing Web sites that let you play the game and test the odds:
math.ucsd.edu/~crypto/Monty/monty.html
people.hofstra.edu/Steven_R_Costenoble/MontyHall/MontyHallSim.html
www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/science/08monty.html
Why should this be so? As New York Times columnist John Tierney elegantly explains, “When you stick with Door 1, you’ll win only if your original choice was correct, which happens only 1 in 3 times on average. If you switch, you’ll win whenever your original choice was wrong, which happens 2 out of 3 times.” (See “And Behind Door No. 1, a Fatal Flaw.”)
Or if you are a goatherd with no use for a Ferrari, pick the door Monty just showed you. Then you’ll have the last laugh when no one can afford gas or rice.
If that’s all a bit too cerebral for you, try this: a heavy metal dog.
See a collection of our favorite sites. Scroll down for the weirder stuff
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FAQ: WHERE’S MY CULTURE VULTURE?
So you signed up to receive newsletter in your e-mailbox, or you paid for admission to a hunt, but you haven’t received any e-mails from us. What gives? You may be having problems with an overzealous spam filter. Find out what this means, and what you can do, by visiting the Frequently Asked Questions page, in the Receiving E-Mails from Us section.
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GET THE CULTURE VULTURE IN YOUR MAILBOX
Just type in your e-mail address below to have our free quarterly newsletter sent to your e-mail box, with the latest hunt news and special discount offers. Click on the button below and, on the next page you’ll see, be sure to check off “Philadelphia Area”:
We greatly appreciate your support. And we WILL NOT share your address with purveyors of spam.
Drop us a line by clicking here if you enjoyed this newsletter or have comments. It’s lonely out here in cyberspace.
That’s all, folks. See you at the hunt!
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©2008 Watson Adventures LLC. All rights reserved. Including the right to wish that the whole presidential election process could be condensed into one season of ‘American Idol.’ Plus we think picking David Archuleta as a running mate will really help McCain pull in the youth vote.
Updated:
6/18/08
