Westchester College Student’s

Extra-Long Tongue Lands Him In
‘Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!’ Book
October 13, 2014

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A

Westchester County college student is
tasting fame thanks to his extra-long
tongue.

Philip Romano, whose tongue measures

3.9 inches from its tip to the outside of his
lips, appears in the 2015 edition of the book
“Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Reality Shock!”

“About two years ago, I saw the record for

the longest tongue in America in the
‘Ripley’s Believe It Or Not’ book, and I
thought my tongue was longer, so I
checked, and then it was,” the 21-year-old Purchase College student explained to WCBS 880.

Romano then contacted Ripley’s, which set in motion a rigorous process of the Armonk native
submitting many photos and a video of his tongue being measured in a manner consistent with
Ripley’s standards.

“People are usually surprised,” he said of his tongue Sunday. “Yeah, it’s entertaining to see how
different people react. I mean, it came up yesterday. We were at a comedy show in the city, and my
tongue came up. And they showed the whole audience. Everyone was screaming. It was really
funny.”

Romano said not many people at Purchase College know about his tongue — at least now until now.
According to The Journal News, 36 people from New York state are featured in the latest’s Ripley’s
book, including a Poughkeepsie woman who taught her pet fish how to play soccer.

 
 Ripley's: Suburban New York college student has
America's longest tongue
October 13, 2014 – By Ryan Gorman

A suburban New York college student made it into the

latest "Ripley's Believe it or Not" -- for having the longest
tongue in America.

Philip Romano, 21, of Armonk, New York, has a 3.8-inch

tongue, according to measurements taken for Ripley's. His
record-setting organ was included in the latest tome of the
strange titled "Reality Shock."

Romano saw the record-setting tongue in a previous

"Ripley's" book and thought his was longer, he told AOL
News. So he contacted the organization and set out to
verify his claim.

The group asked that he measure from his lips to the tip of
his tongue, take multiple pictures and make a video, he explained.

Nearly two years later, he was validated as having the longest tongue.

A comic published in February began making the rounds at SUNY-Geneseo, where Romano was a student, and he
became a campus celebrity.

"It spread pretty quickly there," he recalled.

Then came the book and another aspiration, world's longest tongue.

Romano's tongue is less than a fifth of an inch shorter than the record holder, whose tongue is 3.97 inches-long.

"I would have to get it measured by a doctor for that," said Romano. "Hopefully I can have that done by next year.

"I think it can grow... it's a possibility it can change, " Romano added. "I don't know if tongue measuring is an exact
science."

Romano added that he can also lick his elbow, which this reporter verified is no easy task.

The extra-long licker has earned him a free copy of the book he's featured in and gratis admission to the Ripley's Believe
it or Not museum, in Times Square.

Romano is currently a senior graphic design major at SUNY-Purchase.

 Believe  it  or  not:  Armonk  man  has  
supersized  tongue  
 
Philip  Romano,  a  21-­‐year-­‐old  from  Armonk,  is  featured  in  a  new  Ripley's  book  with  his  
supersize  tongue.  He  always  knew  his  tongue  was  long,  and  contacted  Ripley's  to  see  if  he  
could  get  in  the  book.  
 
Stick  out  your  tongue  and  try  to  reach  your  elbow.    
 
Can't  do  it?  That's  because  you're  not  Philip  
Romano,  the  21-­‐year-­‐old  from  Armonk  whose  
impressive  tongue  won  him  a  spot  in  the  new  
"Ripley's  Believe  It  or  Not!  Reality  Shock!"  
 
The  2015  edition  of  the  book,  out  now,  features  36  
people  from  New  York  state,  including  a  woman  
from  Poughkeepsie  who  taught  her  pet  fish  how  to  
play  soccer.  
 
Romano,  a  senior  at  Purchase  College,  said  his  
tongue  measures  3.9  inches  from  its  pointy  tip  to  
the  outside  of  his  lips.  Although  he  looks  normal  
when  he  smiles,  the  sight  can  be  shocking  when  he  
opens  his  mouth  and  lets  it  all  hang  out.  
 
"It's  fun  to  see  people's  reactions,"  said  Romano.  
"It's  very  hidden,  and  it  does  take  people  by  surprise."  
 
Although  Romano,  who  has  two  younger  sisters,  knew  since  childhood  that  his  tongue  was  extra-­‐long,  he  said  
doctors  and  dentists  never  made  much  of  its  size.  But  he  realized  he  deserved  broader  recognition  after  seeing  a  
photo  in  a  Ripley's  book  of  someone  claiming  to  have  the  longest  tongue  in  America  —  and  knew,  for  a  fact,  that  his  
was  longer.  
 
But  getting  into  the  new  edition  of  the  book  —  where  he's  featured  with  a  woman  who  hears  her  eyeballs  moving  
and  another  who  makes  picture  frames  out  of  placentas  —  required  some  verification,  said  Romano.  He  had  to  
send  the  Ripley's  folks  a  video  of  someone  actually  measuring  his  tongue,  and  enlisted  a  friend  to  take  photos.  
 
Edward  Meyer,  vice  president  of  exhibits  and  archives  for  Ripley's  Publishing,  said  the  company  takes  the  whole  
process  seriously.  Its  new  book  has  about  1,000  stories  and  500  photos,  every  one  verified  by  a  Ripley's  staffer.  
 
Though  Meyer  didn't  meet  Romano  personally,  he  said  human-­‐tongue  stories  aren't  featured  in  every  edition  of  the  
book.  "Usually  we're  doing  animal-­‐tongue  stories  —  a  giraffe  has  a  15-­‐inch  tongue  or  a  dog's  got  an  eight-­‐inch  
tongue,"  he  said.  "Most  people  don't  brag  about  how  long  their  tongue  is."  
 
But  while  Romano  isn't  exactly  broadcasting  his  hidden  talent,  his  latest  accomplishment  is  noted  on  his  resume  
and  will  likely  come  up  during  job  interviews  after  he  graduates  next  spring.  
 
"I  find  the  whole  thing  very  entertaining,"  he  said.  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

270 gallon sangria at Tampa's

Ceviche makes Ripley's book
 
 
 
By  Arielle  Waldman  –  September  11,  2014  
 

If Tampa Bay wasn't already known for its bars and

beaches, a new Ripley's Believe It or Not book solidifies
that Tampa likes to party. No longer just the home of the
popular Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Tampa is now also
known as home to the largest sangria, according to
Reality Shock, which chronicles strange stories from
around the world. The staff at Ceviche Tapas Bar and
Restaurant took 200 gallons of red wine, 17 gallons of
brandy, 17 gallons of triple sec, 28 gallons of syrup and
505 pounds of fruit to fill a 9-foot-tall pitcher with, all
told, 270 gallons of sangria, earning a page in the new
book, available now. Cheers to that.

Available in print September 12, 2o14.  

JAMES BORCHUCK | Times

 5 things you don't need to know but might want to
and in-flight texting — for a chosen few
Staff  –  September    12,  2014  
 
Starbucks  may  soon  let  baristas  bare  their  tattoos.  According  to  an  internal  
memo  obtained  by  news  sources,  the  company  is  revisiting  its  dress  code,  
including  the  portion  that  requires  employees  to  cover  any  tattoos.  
 
Not  just  lip  service:  Scientists  have  named  the  fossil  of  an  extinct  pig-­‐like  
swamp  creature  after  Mick  Jagger.  The  fossil  of  the  large-­‐lipped  animal  has  
been  dubbed  the  Jaggermeryx  naida,  or  Jagger's  water  nymph.  The  scientist  
naming  the  fossil  said  she  was  a  huge  Rolling  Stones  fan,  adding  that  some  
of  her  colleagues  suggested  naming  the  fossil  after  Angeline  Jolie  "because  
she  also  has  famous  lips,"  the  scientist  said.  "But  for  me  it  had  to  be  Mick."  
 
Carmel,  California's  ban  on  high  heels,  which  dates  back  to  1975,  has  
made  it  in  the  latest  Ripley's  Believe  It  or  Not!  book.  The  ban  requires  
those  wearing  heels  higher  than  two  inches,  with  less  than  one  square-­‐
inch  of  bearing  surface,  to  obtain  a  permit  at  city  Hall.  
  Mick Jagger, lead singer of
T-­‐Mobile  customers  may  be  able  to  text  inflight  as  soon  as  next  week   The Rolling Stones
thanks  to  a  new  in-­‐air  Wi-­‐Fi  service  that  inflight  Internet  company  Gogo  is  
rolling  out.  
 
Major  brand  sponsors  —  from  FedEx  to  PepsiCO  —  are  keeping  a  close  eye  on  the  NFL's  investigation  into  how  
its  execs  handled  evidence  in  the  Ray  Rice  domestic  violence  case.  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Seven-­‐minute  video  interview  of  David  Warther  by  Mark  Longsinger  of  The  Voice  of  Holmes  County.  a  
Warther  is  a  fifth-­‐generation  carver  of  Sugarcreek,  Ohio  who  has  painstakingly  carved  more  than  80  ships  
from  antique  ivory.  His  story  is  featured  in  the  Ripley’s  Believe  It  or  Not  Reality  Shock!  book.  
 
Direct  Link  to  video  and  article:  http://thevoiceofholmescounty.com/news-­‐from-­‐david-­‐warther/  
  
 
 
 

Fifth-generation carver from Sugarcreek

featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not! book
“Reality  Shock!”  the  new  Ripley’s  Believe  It  or  Not!  book  —  a  collection  of  strange  stories  from  
around  the  world  —  hit  the  shelves  Tuesday  and  it  has  a  local  twist.  

By  Alex  Knisely  –  September,  10  2014  

 
 “Reality  Shock!”  the  new  Ripley’s  Believe  It  or  Not!  book  
—  a  collection  of  strange  stories  from  around  the  world  
—  hit  the  shelves  Tuesday  and  it  has  a  local  twist.  
 
Fifth-­‐generation  carver  David  Warther  II,  of  Sugarcreek,  
is  featured.  Warther  II  is  recognized  for  painstakingly  
carving  more  than  80  ships  from  antique  ivory,  depicting  
the  history  of  the  ship  from  3000  B.C.  to  the  present  day.  
 
“It’s  pretty  exciting,”  Warther  II  said  about  being  
featured  in  the  book.  “I  had  no  clue  at  all.  Nobody  told   David Warther II works on the hull of the USS
me  I  was  nominated,  that  I  might  be  in  it  or  anything.  All   Germantown, an early American warship, in the
workshop of David Warther Carvings in
of  sudden  I  hear  I’m  in  it.”   Sugarcreek.
 
Warther  II  added  that  being  included  in  the  book  of  strange  stories  affects  him  on  a  personal  level.  
 
“It’s  also  nostalgic  because  grandpa  (Ernest  ‘Mooney’  Warther)  knew  Robert  Ripley  in  the  1930s,”  he  said.  
 
…  
 
“That  was  a  really  nice  thing,”  Warther  II  said  of  the  Governor’s  Award.  “That’s  the  highest  thing  an  artist  can  
achieve  in  the  state  of  Ohio.”  
 
Sections  in  “Reality  Shock!”  include:  
    Animals  —  meet  real-­‐life  wolf-­‐man  Werner  Freund,  who  lives  with  a  pack  of  wolves  and  feeds  them  
directly  from  his  mouth.  
    Sports  —  find  out  why  the  new  British  sport  of  bubble  soccer  is  such  a  kick.  
    Body  —  you  won’t  believe  how  a  56-­‐year-­‐old  grandma  can  function  with  18-­‐inch  long  fingernails;  she  
hasn’t  cut  them  in  20  years!  
    Feats  —  Canadian  Lonnie  Bissonnette  is  like  no  other  BASE  jumper  —  he  hurls  himself  off  bridges  in  his  
wheelchair.  
    Art  —  learn  about  one  photographer’s  “Snot  Shots”  —  they  certainly  are  something  to  sneeze  at.  
    Food  —  people  at  one  festival  dine  on  octopus  —  while  it’s  still  alive!  
“Reality  Shock!”  is  available  through  all  major  book  sellers.  
 
 Edmonds’ Frog Lady featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

October 13, 2014

Edmonds’ own Thayer Cueter (aka The Frog Lady) is featured in

“Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Reality Shock!,” the annual book that
delivers what it describes as “the strangest, weirdest, most amazing
stories from around the world.”

The book notes that Cueter, featured on page 176, “has built up a
collection of over 10,000 items of frog-related memorabilia, including
400 Kermit the Frog toys, 490 plush frog toys and 20 different pairs of
frog pajamas

Larry Vogel stopped by Cueter’s Just Frogs Toads Too Amphibian

Center to get a few photos of her extensive collection.
  
 
 
 
 

Three Wichita-area items are featured in

latest Ripley’s Believe It or Not! book
By  Beccy  Tanner  –  October  3,  2014  
 
There  is  never  a  dull  moment  when  it  comes  to  Ripley’s  Believe  
It  or  Not!  annual  books.  

This  year’s  edition,  “Reality  Shock!,”  features  three  items  from  

the  Wichita  and  Mulvane  area.  

On  page  220  of  the  book,  which  is  now  on  sale,  Wichitan  Leslie  
Canaday  was  featured  for  keeping  a  Christmas  cookie  28  years  
in  a  blue  velvet  jewelry  box.  The  cookie,  according  to  the  book,  
still  looks  as  good  as  when  it  was  made  for  Leslie  by  her  mother  
when  Leslie  was  five  months  old.   Larry W Smith/ File Photo  

On  page  127,  Mya  Whittington  was  taken  to  a  hospital  when  she  was  seven  months  old  with  a  lump  in  her  
neck.  Doctors  pulled  out  a  two-­‐inch  black  feather.  She  may  have  either  swallowed  it  or  inhaled  it  and  it  
pierced  the  inside  of  her  cheek  or  throat.  

And,  on  page  191,  Ken  Larry  Richardson  from  Mulvane  is  featured  for  his  150-­‐foot-­‐long  replica  of  San  
Francisco’s  Golden  Gate  Bridge  spanning  a  small  creek  on  his  farm.  Richardson  spent  11  years  building  the  
bridge  and  used  90  tons  of  concrete.  

None  of  the  three  Kansans  were  able  to  be  reached  Thursday.  

But  Ripley’s  officials  had  plenty  to  say.  

“Our  entries  have  to  amazing,  they  have  to  be  unbelievable  and  true,”  said  Edward  Meyer,  vice  president  of  
Ripley’s  exhibits  and  archives.  

Meyers  told  The  Eagle  that  since  1929,  when  Ripley’s  began  a  syndicated  newspaper  cartoon  feature,  it  has  
done  643  stories  on  Kansas-­‐related  items.  

“A  whole  lot  of  entries  get  weeded  out  and  are  not  as  good  as  people  might  think,”  Meyers  said  on  Thursday.  
“We  have  had  so  many  entries  on  cats  with  multiple  toes.  Right  now,  we  are  waiting  before  we  do  anymore.  
Every  item  has  to  have  a  wow  factor.  It  is  something  we  want  to  impress  on  everybody.  You  have  to  have  a  
visceral  gut  reaction  of  ‘Wow.  Holy  smokes,  you  have  to  see  this!’”  

More  than  5,000  entries  were  submitted  for  the  making  of  this  year’s  book,  Meyers  said.  Only  1,000  were  
accepted.  

And  believe  it  or  not  –  even  with  the  latest  entries,  Meyers  said:  “Kansas  isn’t  one  of  our  hotbeds.”  
 Believe it! Paper towel artist featured in
Ripley’s new book  
 
By  Matt  Kiernan  –  September  20,  2014  
 
STAMFORD  —  Between  pages  telling  
“unbelievably  true  but  incredibly  hard  to  
believe”  tales  from  around  the  world  in  the  
latest  edition  of  Ripley’s  Believe  It  or  Not!,  
readers  will  find  the  story  of  Stamford  artist  Ken  
Delmar.  
 
Delmar,  73,  has  made  a  name  for  himself  in  the  
past  couple  years  with  his  untraditional  method  
of  painting  on  paper  towels.  The  2-­‐ply,  Bounty-­‐
made  canvasses,  Delmar  says,  retain  the  bright  
essence  of  newly  applied  paint.   Paper Towel artist Ken Delmar in his Stamford studio.
 
“I’ve  been  lucky,” Delmar  said  Monday  at  his  Shippan  home,  telling  of  his  sudden  rise  in  artistic  fame.  
 
Last  week,  Delmar  was  surprised  to  learn  that  he  was  featured  in  the  Ripley’s  Belive  It  or  Not!  annual  
book  series  “Reality  Shock,”  released  last  Tuesday.  
 
The  piece  describes  Delmar’s  initial  discovery  of  painting  on  absorbent  paper  towels  and  how  his  oil  
paintings  can  now  fetch  upwards  of  $10,000.  
 
Delmar  stumbled  upon  his  painting  technique  two  years  ago.  While  cleaning  his  brushes,  Delmar  
noticed  the  paint  appeared  more  brilliant  on  the  paper  towels  than  the  canvas  he  was  working  on.  
 
His  lively  paper  towel  paintings,  many  of  which  focus  on  facial  portraits  and  of  recently,  figurative  
depictions,  now  hang  from  the  walls  of  numerous  patrons’  homes.  
 
“Some  artists  project  images  to  canvasses.  I  paint  by  eye.  It  takes  four  times  as  long,  but  you  can  add  
to  the  image  the  emotional  reaction  of  the  person  because  you’re  not  coloring  in  the  lines,” Delmar  
said.  
 
Nearly  all  the  subjects  of  Delmar’s  paintings  come  from  his  imagination,  he  says.  
 
Delmar’s  pictures  range  from  paintings  of  people  with  standard  humanistic  features  to  what  the  
artist’s  daughter  describes  as  “aliens.”  
 
 blog.CTnews.com

Stamford’s Ken Delmar earns spot

in latest “Ripley’s ” tome
By  Christina  Hennessy  -­‐  September  8,  2014  

He  made  a  splash  in  the  newspaper  and  then  in  

a  New  York  City  gallery  before  landing  a  spot  on  
“The  Queen  Latifah  Show,”  earlier  this  year  and  
making  his  first  ArtExpo  NY  show.  And,  now,  
Stamford  artist  Ken  Delmar  will  be  featured  in  
the  latest  installment  of  the  Ripley’s  Believe  It  
or  Not!  book  series,  “Reality  Shock,”  according  
to  a  recent  release  from  the  company.  

Delmar’s  practice  of  using  paper  towels  as  the  

canvas  for  his  paintings  has  earned  in  a  spot  in  
a  collection  of  odd  stories  from  around  the  
world.  It  was  by  accident  that  he  discovered  his  
affinity  for  the  paper  towels,  after  noticing  the  
vibrant  interplay  of  the  colors  while  cleaning  his   Pictured,  Stamford  resident  Ken  Delmar  celebrates  his  art  show  at  George  Billis  
paintbrushes.   Gallery  in  the  Chelsea  neighborhood  of  New  York  City,  N.Y.,  on  Thursday,  Sept.  5,  
2013.  Delmar  creates  his  paintings  on  paper  towels.  File  photo/Jason  Rearick  
The  book,  which  will  be  released  Sept.  9,  
contains  stories,  facts  and  photos,  according  to  the  publisher,  which,  as  promised  range  from  “cute  to  creepy,”  
according  to  the  website.  

You  can  see  his  work  on  his  website,  and  catch  the  talents  he  displayed  on  Queen  Latifah’s  show  earlier  this  
year.  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

Martinez jelly bean artist featured in

‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not!’ book
 
November  18,  2014  
 
MARTINEZ,  Calif.  –  Martinez  artist  Kristen  Cumings  makes  
amazing  pictures  from  thousands  of  colorful  jellybeans,  and  
has  captured  the  eye  of  Ripley’s  Believe  It  or  Not!,  purveyors  
of  all  things  odd.  

As  well  as  recreating  iconic  artworks  such  as  Van  Gogh’s  

“Starry  Night,”  Kristen  has  immortalized  her  son  and  her  
young  neighbor  in  jelly  bean  art  portraits.  

Starting  from  a  photo  of  the  subject,  she  paints  an  acrylic  
version  onto  a  blank  canvas.  When  it  has  dried,  she  applies  
the  beans,  matching  the  colors  to  the  original  as  closely  as  
possible  and  using  spray  adhesive  to  make  sure  the  beans  
stick.  

Cumings’  candy  murals  will  be  featured  in  Ripley  

Publishing’s  newest  work,  “Reality  Shock!,”  which  will  be  
available  through  all  major  booksellers.  

The  book  is  touted  as  a  fun  page  turner  featuring  stories  like  
real-­‐life  wolf-­‐man  Werner  Freund,  who  lives  with  a  pack  of  
wolves,  and  stories  of  wheel-­‐chair  bound  base  jumper   “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” from the Jelly Belly
Lonnie  Bissonnette.   Candy Company corporate collection. The work was
completed entirely in jelly beans by Martinez artist
Kristen Cumings. (COURTESY / On File)
  
 
 

Local artist featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not

By  Merrick  Eagleton  –  September  19,  2014  
 
A  thousand  words  and  then  some  are  all  Michael  Volpicelli  needs  to  
create  a  picture  and  land  a  spot  in  Ripley’s  Believe  It  or  Not  new  book,  
Reality  Shock!  
 
A  year  ago,  Volpicelli  began  creating  portraits  and  artwork  using  only  
words.  His  most  popular  series  is  the  Voices  of  Compassion.  
 
“They  all  were  trying  to  fight  for  some  type  of  cause  in  a  non-­‐violent  
way,”  Volpicelli  said.  
 
Creating  each  piece  only  takes  a  day  or  two,  but  Volpicelli  spends  
weeks  and  even  months  putting  in  the  research  for  each  picture.  He  
listens  to  speeches  by  the  subject  and  uses  key  words  and  quotes  
they  say.  
 
Volpicelli  has  been  drawing  his  entire  life.  He  said  it  is  therapeutic  for  
him.  However,  his  family  encouraged  him  to  pursue  a  career  as  a   By Merrick Eagleton/Stillwater
doctor  or  lawyer.   News Press
 
“They  always  pushed  me  in  that  direction,  but  I  never  saw  myself  doing  that,”  Volpicelli  said.  
He  studied  fine  arts  in  college  but  joined  the  military  and  became  a  combat  medic.  After  his  service,  Volpicelli  
worked  jobs  in  sales  and  marketing.  He  would  work  during  the  day  and  focus  on  his  art  at  night.  
 
…  
 
After  posting  samples  of  his  work  online,  the  picture  exploded  with  likes,  shares  and  views.  Volpicelli  said  his  
goal  was  to  include  a  message  with  his  artwork.  
 
“I  wanted  to  create  something  a  bit  more  elevated,”  Volpicelli  said.  “I  like  my  art  to  turn  into  a  family  heirloom  
versus  just  a  pretty  picture  for  a  wall.”  
 
His  artwork  also  contributes  to  various  charities  and  nonprofit  organizations.  Each  portrait  in  the  Voices  of  
Compassion  series  has  a  designated  charity.  For  each  print  sold,  Volpicelli  donates  50  percent  of  the  profits  to  
the  charity.  
 
“It’s  a  way  of  trying  to  use  my  art  as  well  to  try  and  support  these  people  and  their  message,”  Volpicelli  said.  
Volpicelli  works  with  other  types  of  art,  such  as  scribble  drawings,  water  colors,  colored  pencils,  sculptures  and  
digital  images.  He  also  teaches  classes  at  the  Stillwater  Multi-­‐Arts  Center.  Visit  his  Facebook  fan  page,  Master  
Work  Artistry,  to  contact  Volpicelli  or  view  his  work.  
 Rubin: With Ripley's, you can believe it
By Neil Rubin – October 29, 2014

Detroiter Herbert Jenkins rates a mention because he

was the only member of his union, the Assistant
Supervisors of Street Maintenance and Construction
Association.

Charles Zigler of Jackson would be the most surprised of

all of them to learn he was included, because all he did
was die. Eighteen months later, notes Ripley's, he was
still sitting in his favorite chair watching television,
because "his housemate, Linda Chase, kept his
mummified body, washing it and dressing it every day,
and talked to it while watching NASCAR races."

Dunning, blessedly, is far more lively. Margaret Dunning, with her 1930 Packard, has a new
accolade for her lengthy time behind the wheel. “Who ever
expected me to be this old?” she asks.
She caught the attention of Ripley's editors after The
Detroit News, saluting her many contributions to
Plymouth, named her a 2013 Michiganian of the Year. Ripley's waved a checkered flag at her for nearly a
century of driving, much of it in her beloved 1930 Packard 740 Custom Eight.

"I just love that car," she says, though it was a 2003 Cadillac she had just taken to Ann Arbor and back
Tuesday.

"People always start at $1 million," says Edward Meyer, 58, who began at Ripley's the day after his
college graduation. "When you tell 'em you have 30 or 40 in a drawer, the price goes down markedly."

Not quite 20 years ago, Meyer gave me a tour of the Ripley's warehouse in Orlando, where you can round
a corner and see two long shelves full of stuffed two-headed calves.

"Literally every single employee," Meyer says — meaning roughly 1,000 of them — "has it as at least a
footnote in their job description: 'Thou shalt look for interesting stories.'"

In Plymouth, Dunning is tickled to have been found, and to still be in the driver's seat.

"Who ever expected me to be this old?" she asks.

But she is, believe it or not.

  

Student gains fame with art

By  Alex  Newton  –  September  30,  2014  

Despite  suffering  from  dyslexia,  Michael  Volpicelli  has  refused  to  let  
words  hold  him  back.    

Instead,  he  has  used  words  to  make  a  difference  in  people's  lives  and  
soon,  the  world.  

Volpicelli,  a  fine  arts  senior,  creates  portraits  of  influential  figures  by  
using  only  words  they  have  spoken  in  an  attempt  to  spread  the  messages  
he  believes  they  were  trying  to  convey.  

His  unique  art  form  has  recently  gained  him  much  notoriety  among  the  
art  community,  and  now  the  public  is  beginning  to  recognize  his  art.  

“People  all  over  the  place  are  starting  to  hear  about  it,”  Volpicelli  said.  
“One  woman  that  recently  lost  a  child  messaged  me  and  wanted  me  to  
do  a  portrait  for  her.”   Art  requires  total  focus.  

"Ripley's  Believe  It  or  Not"  asked  to  use  some  of  his  pieces  for  a  book  titled  “Reality  Shock,  “  and  Fox  25  News  
did  a  piece  on  Volpicelli  that  is  set  to  air  later  this  week.  

Volpicelli's  art  is  also  gaining  recognition  internationally.  

The  Brick  Lane  Gallery,  located  in  London,  has  invited  Volpicelli  and  his  wife  to  be  one  of  the  main  events  at  
one  of  its  upcoming  shows.  

Artists  from  all  over  are  contacting  Volpicelli,  and  various  charities  want  his  help  to  raise  money.  

Yet,  Volpicelli  seems  to  be  taking  his  new-­‐found  fame  quite  well.    

“People  are  taking  notice,"  Volpicelli  said.  "I  don’t  feel  any  different.  Other  than  going  out  for  a  couple  nice  
dinners,  nothing  has  changed,  really.”  

Even  as  his  art  gains  recognition,  Volpicelli  continues  to  work  for  the  future.  

He  is  working  on  getting  an  international  art  show  in  Stillwater  and  on  several  upcoming  charities.  

On  top  of  this,  Volpicelli  has  started  teaching  classes  at  the  Stillwater  Multi  Arts  Center.  

It’s  been  a  busy  month  for  Volpicelli,  and  it  appears  like  he  is  not  ready  to  slow  down.