Alaska is Now Down to One Dairy Queen

Since early 2025, Dairy Queen has been in a franchise meltdown, closing at least 46 locations nationwide, with Texas taking the biggest hit. After Project Lonestar, the franchise operator, refused to renovate its restaurants, the got iced out of the DQ family. In Alaska, three DQ locations in Anchorage, Wasilla and Palmer all shuttered at the start of July, leaving the 49th state with just one Blizzard maker left. The lone location is in Soldotna, a small city with just 4,332 residents and 200 protected acres for bears, moose, caribou and wild sheep. Franchise owner Pete Ischi said he had been approached by corporate about possibly buying one or all three of the other stores, but elected not to because they’re just too far away for him to operate effectively. Operating a Dairy Queen in Alaska can be challenging, with huge costs for transporting food to the state. Sales at the Soldotna Dairy Queen are going strong and Ischi has no plans to close the franchise, especially after owning it for 40 years. The closures appear unrelated to anything happening with the chain internationally, which is doing well. The Dairy Queen chain is owned by Berkshire Hathaway and consists of more than 7,800 locations in over 20 countries. 

Continue Reading...

What That Tiny Hole in Your Bathroom Sink Is Actually For

Homes are full of so many weird and quirky details, many of which have become so familiar you don’t even think about them. Then one day, you’re brushing your teeth and begin to wonder, “Why is there a tiny hole in every bathroom sink?” It turns out that small hole is not there by accident. Typically located right near the upper rim, the hole is technically referred to as the overflow drain. That already tells you a lot about its purpose. The overflow drain’s job is to keep the sink from overflowing should you forget to turn off the faucet while the drain is closed. When the water rises to the hole, it begins draining instead of overflowing onto the bathroom floor. While the hole’s primary purpose is to prevent flooding, it also helps the sink drain more quickly. Essentially, the overflow channel lets air into the drain system, which reduces suction and allows water to go down the drain more quickly. Unfortunately, the tube that leads to the overflow hole is a great trap for soap scum, toothpaste, beauty products, and mold — all of which can get pretty smelly. A simple mixture of baking soda and vinegar can help break up any buildup. Then flush it down with hot water. You can use a small brush or even a cotton ball around the hole to get rid of any gunk there.

Continue Reading...

The Community-Owned Island That Powers Itself

Eigg is one of a collection of islands in the Scottish Inner Hebrides called the Small Isles. Measuring just 5 miles wide by 3 miles long, it’s one of the smallest islands. It lies 15 miles from the mainland and is reliant on a ferry that runs a few times a week, weather permitting, to deliver mail and supplies. Despite having just 110 residents, the Isle of Eigg is a model of forward-thinking, sustainable, eco-conscious living. Since residents can’t just pop down to the mall and get something, sustainability has been a major part of life on the island. The island does have one grocery store that doubles as a post office, but it carries only the basic staples. It also has a small complex that houses a cafe, craft shop, bike rental and a laundromat. Launched in 2008, Eigg was the world's first community to launch an off-grid electric system powered by wind, water and solar. The three systems complement each other so that almost any weather condition is conducive to producing electricity. To ensure a ready supply, there are still backup generators, but the overwhelming majority comes from renewable sources. Before, the island was reliant on diesel generators, which were supplied by diesel fuel that was shipped to the island. For heating, most of the residents use wood-burning stoves. A tree nursery has been set up to replant where the old trees were cut down for fuel. Residents say all these improvements can be made because they own the island and have no city government to deal with.

Continue Reading...

The ER Actress Who Developed a Medical Problem By Pretending She Had One On the Show

If you were a fan of the 1990s medical drama ER, chances are you’re familiar with Dr. Kerry Weaver. Played by actress Laura Innes, the character was famous for using a forearm crutch to navigate because of a limp. While not a disabled person herself, Innes’ depiction of a disabled doctor was still a big deal at the time. At first, the show’s producer didn’t want to reveal the malady Weaver had, but in Season 11 the viewers found out that Weaver’s limp was caused by congenital hip dysplasia. In the following season, she had corrective surgery that allowed her to walk without the use of a cane. Amazingly, the surgery was driven by Innes’ real life health issues. As a result of using a cane and faking a limp for so many years on the series, the bottom of her spine began to curve on one side. Rather than opt for surgery herself, Innes sought physical therapy and chiropractic treatment to correct her spinal alignment. She was required to stop using the cane, which forced producers to work the character's surgery into the show. In January 2007, Innes left ER in the middle of Season 13, having appeared in a total of 249 episodes. Today she is an advocate for the disabled community, using her role as a director to help employ disabled people.

Continue Reading...