Hi Gail. Yes, we're out of the running. The square footage of just the basement is the size of our entire home. She refused to place an offer. We've decided to stay put.

What President and First Lady were presiding over a Christmas Eve dinner and party when the office wing of the White House caught on fire?

Truman? I think he at least once spent Xmas at his own home instead of the WH, maybe this happened then?

Good guess, but not right. I think Truman was forced out by the renovations being done to the decaying mansion.

Hint: It must have been depressing to have a fire at Christmas.

The Great Depression? Hoover?

A+ I figured that clue would solve it quickly. BTW: I got the question courtesy of Thomas's tweets about the White House, which led to the White House Christmas ornament collection. They have just announced the 2016 ornament which honors Herbert Hoover. It is a fire truck commemorating that event. It also says that the next Christmas, the Hoovers gave toy fire trucks as presents to honor the good work done by the firefighters.

(02-14-2016 03:50 PM)L Verge Wrote:  A+ I figured that clue would solve it quickly. BTW: I got the question courtesy of Thomas's tweets about the White House, which led to the White House Christmas ornament collection. They have just announced the 2016 ornament which honors Herbert Hoover. It is a fire truck commemorating that event. It also says that the next Christmas, the Hoovers gave toy fire trucks as presents to honor the good work done by the firefighters.

I was gonna mention it when I answered anyway. Thanks for using me as a source, Laurie.

This young man later became a U.S. President. Who is he?

Chester Arthur

Taft?

Good try, Eva, but Gene is correct. Very good, Gene.

You win a free copy of the Chester Arthur Song.

What U.S. President took the oath of office in this building?

T. Roosevelt? I think he was hiking somewhere in the mountains when he became president, far away from DC.

Chester Arthur

Calvin Coolidge