BLOGEMONIUM

How the Olympics Keep the Torch Lit — and What Happens When It Goes Out

One of the exciting traditions leading up to the Olympics is the torch relay, when people can go out and see the Olympic torch as it travels from Greece, where it's lit by the sun and a parabolic mirror, to the Olympic flame in the host city. The relay is prepared for potential bad weather — like rain and wind — as well as other conditions that could cause the flame to go out. However, there are still rare times when the flame does go out. So how do Olympic organizers ensure that the flame lit in Greece is still the same one that arrives in the host city for the Olympics? The flame always travels with a backup, just in case. Officials carry specially-designed containers — similar to a miner's lamp — that house the original flame and a backup for everything from the airplane (a private plane, of course) to the car that gets the flame from Greece to the relay and then keeps the flame lit throughout its journey. If the flame goes out for a torch bearer during the journey, the backup container is used to relight the flame. The relay has typical issues with the flame that could necessitate relighting it during the relay, such as bad weather or a runner taking too long during the relay and using up all the fuel in a torch before it can be passed on. Officials are hoping that none of that happens at this year’s Winter Olympics. The 2026 Winter Games, taking place in Italy, run from today through February 22.

Woman Discovers Childhood Pen-Pal Became a Doctor and Delivered Her Two Children

Megan Lewis (above right) and Suzanne Koziol (above left) became pen-pals in 1995. Little did they know that their relationship would wind up being much more than that. Megan Lewis was just a 2nd-grader at Fern Hill Elementary School in Pennsylvania when she wrote a series of letters to a pen-pal 9 grades her senior. Whether typed up or written by hand, the two girls happily divulged favorite foods, activities, and their hopes and dreams. Three decades passed, and then those letters which Lewis had completely forgotten about were given back to her by her mom who had saved them. Looking up the name Suzanne Koziol on Google returned a professional profile of one Suzanne Koziol Pugh, complete with a photo. “My mouth dropped. I could not believe that my pen-pal was Dr. Pugh, who was my OB/GYN and delivered my kids,” said Lewis. "I had no recollection of this,” Pugh said. “Her mom had given her a box of papers/mementos from elementary school, and in the box were the letters from me. She sent me pictures of the letters and it was me! It’s such a crazy small world,” said Pugh. Lewis said that during her first pregnancy with her daughter Caroline, she and Suzanne grew very close, as it was a difficult 9 months. She made sure she would be the physician in the room for the delivery, and made the same assurance later when Lewis gave birth to her son Jack. “It really made us feel like I was meant to take care of her and we were meant to play a role in each other’s lives,” said Pugh. The women now plan on staying in touch.

Four-Legged “Pooch Pirates” Swipe Package

The Oklahoma City Police Department shared security camera footage revealing that a package-stealing porch pirate was actually a pair of canine "pooch pirates.” The video, posted to Facebook, shows a dog approach the front door of the home, pick up a package in its mouth, and flee the scene with a second dog. "Evidence shows clear intent, flawless teamwork, and zero remorse — just pure tail-wagging confidence," police wrote. The package, which was safely recovered, turned out to contain a set of drill bits. "These thieves were no bark, all bite! If you recognize these fur-ocious felons give them a doggy biscuit," the post said. Police joked that charges pending against the dogs include: "conspiracy to commit snack theft, paw-sitively impersonating master thieves, and being fur-ociously adorable.”

Exquisite Penthouse in Kansas City Hits the Market

Kansas City's highest private residence is about to hit the market for just $4.75 million. The 4-story Antin Penthouse was built in 1931 as the Fidelity National & Trust Building. The 35-story, 470-foot twin-spire building now houses luxury apartments, with the sprawling penthouse taking up its top floors. The iconic apartment has 3 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, and an outdoor terrace. It includes two floors that are the width of the building, and both towers at the top sit above the Kansas City skyline. To get from floor to floor, there’s a private elevator.