Episode 69: Canada’s Syrup Cartel, Billion Dollar Dynasties, & The World’s Drunkest Countries Revealed

Kathleen opens the show drinking a Mad Elf Ale from Troegs Brewing in Hershey PA, and gives the Termites a review of her weekend of shows and fun in Newark, Philly, and Reading PA. She shows off her Hallmark Holiday “Jingle” and “Joy” wines, and celebrates the recent wins by her NFL Fantasy team and her domination in the Madigan Family pick-em pool. She shows off her KFC Fried Chicken Log, which she can’t wait to light with her cousins over the holiday break. “GOOD BAD FOOD”: In her quest for new and delicious not-so-nutritious junk food AND in continuing her search for the best Ranch, Kathleen shows off her On The Border Holiday Tortilla Chips, which she’s taking to her brother’s house. She won’t be dunking those chips in Litehouse Purely Balanced Garden Ranch dressing, which she thinks is way too tangy. She finishes her tasting with Guinness Thick-Cut Chips from Termite Amber, which she thinks taste more like Worcestershire sauce than Guinness. UPDATES: Kathleen gives updates on the Sherman murders in Toronto, and Houston’s Mattress Mac helps out the Kentucky tornado victims. KATHLEEN REVIEWS HALLMARK MOVIES: Kathleen loves the cheesy nature of Hallmark holiday movies, and has expanded her seasonal viewing to Lifetime movies as well as Hallmark movies on their “Movies and Mysteries Channel,” which she thinks are more relatable than the wholesome background depicted on the regular Hallmark Channel. Some of her favorites this year are “Christmas At Castle Hart,” Dolly’s 2013 Lifetime movie “A Country Christmas Story,” and she thinks her friend Caroline Rhea was brilliant in “A Mrs. Miracle Christmas.” CANADIAN SYRUP CARTEL: Kathleen reads an article announcing that Canada has released 50M pounds of maple syrup from their reserves to meet the current surging demand as people are cooking more at home. COUNTRIES MAPPED BY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: Kathleen laughs as she reads the results of a study showing the 2019 breakdown of countries and their alcohol consumption by capita. Kathleen can’t wait to see the revised map when alcoholic consumption during the first few months of the COVID19 pandemic are incorporated. Kathleen tells a story about drinking in an Irish pub on the way to a USO tour in Afghanistan with her friend Kellie Pickler. BILLION DOLLAR DYNASTIES: Kathleen reads an article listing the 25 richest families in the US, according to data collected and released in Dec 2021. The richest American family remains the Walton family, with a net worth of $247 billion USD. MONTANA GRIZZLY PROTECTION LIFTED: Kathleen reads a news release advising that Montana's governor is seeking to end protections for some grizzlies, which could allow hunting of the bears for the first time in decades if approved by US Fish and Wildlife officials. THE DEATH OF ANNE RICE: One of Kathleen’s favorite authors is Anne Rice, and she shares her feelings while reading a press release about Rice’s death resulting from complications from a stroke. BITCOIN CREATOR REVEALED: As a regular trader of cryptocurrency, Kathleen is thrilled to read that the identity of the creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, has finally been confirmed in court beyond reasonable doubt to be Dr. Craig Wright alone, and did not include a partnership with former friend David Kleiman. CALIGULA’S GARDEN FOUND: Kathleen is thrilled to read that the remains of Roman emperor Caligula’s famous pleasure garden are set to go on public display in Rome. The extravagant compound featured a bathhouse adorned with precious colored marble and space for exotic animals. Kathleen tells a story from a trip to Italy with her mom and sister Kate where they toured many coliseums. WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK: Kathleen recommends watching as many Hallmark and Lifetime holiday movies as possible before the holiday season ends. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.