Dr. Ron J. Bigalke

The day prior to Halloween in 1938, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre deceived the United States. They performed a radio adaptation of H. G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” transforming the four decade old novel into fake news bulletins dramatizing a Martian invasion of Earth. The broadcast was too realistic, with the actors’ voices and sound effects convincing listeners that the bulletins were genuine. Confusion and fear led to phone calls to the police, newspaper offices, and radio...

John G. Paton was a pioneer missionary in the New Hebrides Islands (now Vanuatu) of the South Pacific Ocean. One night, hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters. The natives intended to set the building ablaze and to kill the Patons as they exited. Paton and his wife prayed all night for God’s protection. When morning came, they were amazed to see none of the hostile tribesmen remained, and had no idea what led to their departure. Years later, the chief of the tribe became a...

Fresh fruit can be expensive, especially when organic or not in season. While the average price of fruit at the local grocery store may only cost a few dollars, some fruits can sell for thousands. The most expensive fruit is the rare Kanyao Durian, which costs nearly $50,000. Most of the world’s costliest fruits are grown in Japan, but the greenish-yellow Durian is found in Thailand. Durian is slightly controversial because of its pungent scent, which is compared to rotten meat or stinky...