Glad You Asked: Why are pincushions shaped like tomatoes?

Monday, July 9, 2007 11:27 PM CDT

Today's Logo

Thirteen-year-old Anne Marie "Dot" Matelski, a student at St. John Nepomuk, created today's excellent logo. Thanks, Dot!

What is the Racine Zoo going to do with the African penguins now that the American alligators have taken over their swimming pool? I hope they don't plan on keeping them indoors all summer in that little room next to the pool. I think they got the short end of the fish on this deal.

GYA writer Christopher Rosin answered this question for us. Here's what he came up with:

According to Eric Hileman, the Racine Zoo's director of conservation, education and animal welfare, the African penguins are in their normal indoors holding area until September. Inside, they have exposure to natural sunlight, a ventilation system, a water source, and safety from the cohabitation issues if kept with the American alligators. The main difference is that they are viewable through a glass pane until they are moved outside again in September, with a new pool heater that will extend their outdoor season.

Thanks to Eric and Christopher for their help!

Today I drove by Humble Park and noticed a huge hill. Is this an Indian Mound? I've heard there was a large Indian mound near Island Park in Racine. Do you know if this is true?

These were actually sent in as separate questions. GYA writer Janet Petrik answered them both. Here's what she found:

According to the book "Indian Mounds of Wisconsin" more Indian mounds were built in Wisconsin than in any other equivalent area of land in the Midwest. The mounds in Wisconsin were constructed by various Native American societies in the relatively recent prehistoric past, from about 800 B.C. to A.D. 1200. Most of the 15,000 to 20,000 mounds have since disappeared under farmers' plows and urban expansion but as many as 4,000 remain.

The most familiar class of mounds is round or oval, also known as a conical mound. Commonly, mounds of this type were constructed in groups and they almost always contain human burials. The other classes of earthwork are effigy, mound groups in complex forms and patterns; enclosures, low, narrow ridges that form circles, squares and rectangles; and temple, a platform for special ceremonial structures.

Author Alice Sankey, in her book "Racine, The Belle City," tells us that of dozens of mounds along the high bluffs lining the Root River, including the current Island Park area, only 14 conical mounds, all circular, remain. Their location is quite easy to discern if you just think about it: Mound Cemetery. A plaque just inside the entrance informs us, "Mound Cemetery derives its name from the fourteen prehistoric Indian mounds found here." In 1850 Dr. Philo Hoy, a Racine physician and naturalist, wrote, "The city cemetery, just located, embraces a part of these mounds which will be preserved, adding not only beauty but interest to the rural spot." Yes, West Racine was a rural spot in those days! I took a field trip myself and was very impressed by the quiet majesty of the mounds which are on the west side of the cemetery.

As to the "mound" in Humble Park, Jack Schumann of Racine's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department says it was built from construction material specifically for sledding in the winter.

Why are pincushions shaped like tomatoes with a strawberry hanging to the side?

Not having many reliable resource books on sewing, we relied on the Internet for this answer. We got to answers in return: 1.)

The tomato is a holdover from the 16th century when pincushions were considered a status symbol. Once they pincushions became mass-produced, the tomato was favored because of its simple design and became a symbol of the sewing community. As for the strawberry, it's also red (so it matches?) and is filled with fine sand to sharpen needle points. 2.) It was believed that placing tomatoes on the mantle of your home warded off evil spirits. In place of real tomatoes, which would rot, stuff tomatoes were used. This doesn't account for the strawberry, though, so we'll again assume it was used because it matches.

We'll let you choose your favorite answer ... or send us a definitive response. Thanks!

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