Necklace tells the story of a marriage

Question: I have been watching reruns of the TV series "Bewitched" with my granddaughter. We were wondering about the heart necklace Samantha wears. We think she wore it in every episode -- or almost every one, anyway. Do you know if there was some significance to it?

B.W.

Answer: The necklace is a puffed pave diamond heart pendant that was given to Elizabeth Montgomery by her then-husband, director-producer William Asher, in 1963. The heart measured 7/8-inch and was made of white gold. The necklace was a prominent part of her on-air wardrobe until around episode 100, when it is seen less and less. Some say that is when the marriage began to fall apart. The TV series ran from 1964-1972, the marriage from 1963-1973.

Question: My family was traveling in Florida and saw a town called Punta Gorda. Can you please tell me what this means in English?

S.S., Macon. Ga.

Answer: The English translation for "punta" is "point," and "gorda" means "fat." The city of Punta Gorda is on a point of land that is, well, hefty.

Question: My husband wonders if NBA player Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers was named after Kobe, Japan. Do you know the story behind his name? My husband is a Navy veteran, and he was stationed in Kobe in the Korean War.

J.J., Whittier, Calif.

Answer: In a way, yes, Kobe Bryant was named after the Japanese city. His parents saw a sign in a restaurant advertising Kobe beef. They liked the word and named their son after the famous beef of Japan. His dad, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant (which probably explains Kobe's middle name, Bean), is a former player with the Philadelphia 76ers and head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks. Kobe was born in Philadelphia on Aug. 23, 1978.

Question: I'm curious about Amnesty International. When was the organization founded? How many members are there?

E.L., San Francisco

Answer: British lawyer Peter Benenson founded Amnesty International in London in May 1961. Its organization has grown to be a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. It claims to have more than 3 million members and supporters in more than 150 countries and regions.

Question: Since my early days, I recall knowing about Molly Pitcher, who supposedly replaced her wounded husband in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Is the story fabricated? Even her name sounds made up.

B.V., San Antonio

Answer: Some historians insist Molly Pitcher is nothing more than part of American folklore. Others say she is a composite of several women who fought in the war. Still others insist she was, in fact, Mary Ludwig Hays, who replaced her husband at his cannon after he was wounded during the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.

As for the name Molly Pitcher, it is said Molly was a common nickname for Mary, and the last name was probably given because she carried water to thirsty men on the battlefield. Thousands of women served in Washington's army as cooks and nurses.

Question: I have long enjoyed the Irish folk music of The Clancy Brothers. Are they really brothers?

E.N.N., New Orleans

Answer: They are indeed brothers: Patrick "Paddy" Clancy, Tom Clancy, Bobby Clancy and Liam Clancy.

Question: Which state is the flattest?

T.H.L., Bartonville, Ill.

Answer: Surprisingly, Florida is the flattest. The difference between the highest and lowest point is only 345 feet. If you're a ski enthusiast, you probably won't head to Delaware either: The elevation range is 447, making the nation's first state the second flattest.

Question: In mid-February, I heard a story about an athlete who competed wearing a multi-thousand dollar wristwatch. If the story is correct, who was it?

G.L., Santa Rosa, Calif.

Answer: The story is correct. Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal has worn a Richard Mille watch since 2010. The first one was worth $525,000. Around this February, Nadal started sporting a new timepiece worth a whopping $690,000! The watch is a recent innovation, designed to survive the torture of less-than-ideal situations.

The new system incorporates suspension cables that hold the watch mechanism in the case without being mounted with screws, as is traditionally done.

Richard Mille is a French businessman and owner of a Swiss luxury watchmaking company. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Les Breuleux, Switzerland.

Question: When someone dies, it might be said that he "kicked the bucket." How did this saying come about?

H.M.L., Fort Smith, Ark.

Answer: There are several explanations, but only one stands out as a real possibility.

When someone commits suicide by hanging, he needs to stand on something, possibly a bucket, with the rope around his neck. When ready, he "kicks the bucket" and finishes his final act.

Question: I like the TV series "Castle," and I am especially impressed with Stana Katic. I was wondering what her background is. Can you help me?

P.W., Torrance, Calif.

Answer: Stana Katic was born in Hamilton, Ontario, on April 26, 1978. Eventually, her family moved to Aurora, Ill., where she graduated from high school. She then studied acting at Goodman School of Drama in Chicago.

Katic is proficient in many languages; she speaks French, Italian, Croatian, Serbian and Slovene. She is best known for her portrayal of Detective Kate Beckett on ABC's "Castle." In 2008, she created her production company, Sine Timore Productions, which, in Latin, means "without fear." She lives in Los Angeles.

Question: I found a small photo in my grandparents' collection that shows an oil derrick with a gusher blowing in. The only thing written on the back is "Signal Hill." Where is Signal Hill?

R.W., Canadian, Okla.

Answer: Signal Hill is a small city in Los Angeles County, Calif., that is completely surrounded by the city of Long Beach. On June 23, 1921, Shell Oil Company's Alamitos No. 1 well erupted, causing an oil rush. Before long, Signal Hill's population of oil derricks exploded to more than 100, giving the landscape a prickly appearance and the nickname "Porcupine Hill." Signal Hill became one of the most productive fields per acre the world has ever known. If you are in the area, Alamitos No. 1 remains on display today.

Signal Hill has a population of approximately 11,465 people.

Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.