'National Superhero Day' 🦸♂️ 28th April
- Simon O'Donovan
- Apr 26, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: Apr 29, 2024
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve
It was 'Earth Day' on 22nd April and David Attenborough suggested the world had just 11 years left before irreparable damage was done and called on governments to declare a 'Climate Emergency'.
Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teenager, very impressively addressed politicians and media (again!), urging them to do more to protect future generations from climate change impacts.
Some things for members to think about, in making the world a better place (ask them to comment): - Eating less red meat / becoming vegan - Planting trees / keeping a nature friendly garden - Eating locally produced food / buying from local farm shops - Growing your own / keeping an allotment - Avoiding single use plastics / using a ‘bag for life’ - Recycling / reducing rubbish sent to landfill sites - Picking up litter / taking part in beach clean ups - Investing in solar / using less power generally - Riding a bike or walking / using the car less, or not having one - Using public transport / over 60s bus pass (in Wales) - Fewer air miles / UK holidays (staycations) - Reducing carbon footprint generally / turning down the central heating to 19c.
There are also things that we can do that are not directly related to the planet.
- Being kind
- Being more compassionate
- Donating to charities
- Rescuing an animal
- Sponsoring a third world child
- Enjoying nature and leaving only footprints!
SONG BREAK. 'He's Got The Whole World In His Hands', Laurie London - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12CmOw5MY0E
HEROES Getting on to this week's CST session theme, it was the 82nd anniversary of the first 'Superman' Marvel comic on 18th April. Also, it is ‘National Superhero Day’ on 28th April. However, we decided to start our discussions focusing on real life heroes and heroines. People that generally enrich society and who should be honoured for it. We asked, who are members’ heroes or heroines? It could be someone famous, or somebody that they know personally and hold in the highest regard. It could be somebody that they would like to meet and get their autograph or have a selfie taken with. Or somebody they would like to invite round for dinner or buy a drink for down the pub to say "Thank. You!". Has anyone met anyone famous? Take this opportunity to encourage story telling. What type of heroes can people think of. Here's a list: - War heroes - Olympians & Paralympians - Sporting heroes - Firefighters - Police - Ambulance - RNLI - NHS heroes - Mountain rescue - Armed forces - Army, Navy, RAF - Ordinary people who do extraordinary things
We discussed how heroes are honoured in the UK? It could be on the news or in media print, with heroes welcomes and open top bus tours of cities, being given the keys of the city, having a golden letterbox in your honour, or being awarded a Queen’s medal. We noted the ‘Honours System’ and the various ranks of honours awarded by Government and HM Queen. The main ones are ... MBE - Member Of The British Empire OBE - Order Of The British Empire CBE - Commander Of The British Empire KBE - Knight Commander DBE - Dame Commander We asked if anyone knew any person who has been awarded a Queen's Honour for their public service and if so, for what particular reasons.
IDIOMS
We asked members to complete the following phrases together (shout out) ...
Go from zero to - HERO Courage of your - CONVICTIONS Dutch - COURAGE Put on a brave - FACE Fortune favours the - BRAVE Famous for fifteen - MINUTES Become famous - OVERNIGHT One in a - MILLION
Folk - HERO
Trail - BLAZER Claim to - FAME Stand out from the - CROWD In the public - EYE A household - NAME Super - STAR
Knight in shining - ARMOUR
As proud as - PUNCH (or a PEACOCK) Unsung - HERO
Salt of the - EARTH
Bask in - GLORY
A giant of the silver - SCREEN
Rock - LEGEND
Hero - WORSHIP
With great power comes great - RESPONSIBILITY
SONG BREAK. 'Simply The Best', Tina Turner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC5E8ie2pdM
What is her real name? - ANNA MAE BULLOCK
Ask members what they are 'simply the best' at (or suggest their greatest gift or asset based on biographical assessment). Give a round of applause for each person as their skills are mentioned.
If members were to be gifted with a super power which would they choose and why? Here's a list of possibilities:
- Invisibility
- Ability to fly
- Time travel
- X ray vision
- Amplified hearing
- Super strength
- Mind reading
- Telepathy
- Levitation
- Powers of healing
- Longevity
Ask members to discuss the pros and cons of each.
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
ROUND 1. Heroes & Superheroes
Name the superhero & who played him in the 1978 movie?
What was his earthly name? Which newspaper corporation did he work for?
Movie & music clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78N2SP6JFaI&t=50s
Name the superhero & who played her in the 1970s TV series?
How did she change into her superhero outfit?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wtDRs99leU
Name the superhero & which actor played him in the 2002 movie?
What was his earthly name?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o29VoxtsFk
Name the superhero & what made him turn green?
What was his earthly name & which actor played him in the TV series?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9MysTXM_P4
Name these two superheroes?
Which city were they protecting?
What were their proper names?
In this TV clip, who played 'Cat Woman'? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK4H-LkrQjQ&t=6s
Name the superhero & what was his earthly name?
Who starred in the 1970s TV series?
How much would $6m be worth today?
Name the hero & what vegetable made him super strong?
What was his girlfriend's name?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu7iqrBxmJc
Name the superhero?
Who was his sidekick?
Name the superhero?
Who was his sidekick?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1DAXXv5bVw
Name the jungle dwelling hero?
What were the names of his girlfriend & his chimp?
Can anyone make his call?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q67x_6Wp3SI
Name the masked hero?
What was his real name?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Bh2SE-g5A
Name the hero & who played him in the 2001 movie?
Name the book & who wrote it?
Here is a movie clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V75dMMIW2B4&t=77s
Name the hero & which actor played him in the 1938 movie?
In which forest did he live with his merry men?
Who was his arch enemy & who was his girlfriend?
Here is a TV clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbyYr6L5xQM
Name the archeological hero & the actor who played him?
Complete these movie titles:
- 'Raiders Of The Lost ***' (1981)
- 'Indiana Jones And The Temple Of ****' (1984)
- 'Indiana Jones And The Last *******' (1989)
- 'Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal *****' (2008)
Here is another classic movie trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh_BJXG1-44
Name the hero & which actor played him?
Complete these movie titles:
- 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's *****'
- 'Harry Potter and the Chamber Of *****'
- 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of *****'
- 'Harry Potter and the Goblet Of ****'
- 'Harry Potter and the Order Of The *******'
- 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood ******'
- 'Harry Potter and the Deathly *******'
Official trailer for the first movie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyHV0BRtdxo
Name this superhero and his arch enemy?
Here's a clip of the song by 'Queen' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfmrHTdXgK4
Song break - 'Everything I Do, I Do It For You', Bryan Adams - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=519188749309872
ROUND 2. Some More Heroes
Name as many Doctor Who actors as you can?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fnzcAFy8d8
Name the TV series?
Who wore the 'bling'?
Name the TV series?
What were their powers?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AccLo_yQgFg
Name the TV series?
How many second were there before the tape self-destructed?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7alss3sDJdg
Name the TV series?
Name the characters?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWr_1uLjqic
Name the TV series?
Name the actor?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWr_1uLjqic
Name the character?
Who wrote the books?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk2FME6HVdA
Name the characters & actors?
Name the author?
TV titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvrj5E_elzg
Name as many James Bond actors as you can?
Who sang these songs (play a few of them - members choice):
- 'We Have All The Time In The World'
- 'From Russia With Love'
- 'Goldfinger'
- 'You Only Live Twice'
- 'Diamonds Are Forever'
- 'Live And Let Die'
- 'The Spy Who Loved Me'
- 'For Your Eyes Only'
- 'A View To A Kill'
- 'The Living Daylights'
- 'Licence To Kill'
- 'Skyfall'
Here is my favourite (and my favourite James Bond) ...
ROUND 3. Real Life Heroes
Identify the real life heroes?
Clue 'ENDURANCE'
Clue 'EVEREST'
Clue 'BATTLE OF BRITAIN'
Clue 'THE ENIGMA CODE'
Clue. 'ASSASSINATED IN 1968'
Clue. 'APOLLO 11'
Clue. 'ROBBIN ISLAND'
Clue. 'RFA SIR GALAHAD'
Clue. 'PRINCESS OF PEOPLE'S HEARTS'
CLUE. 'UKRAINE'
SONG. 'Hero', Maria Carey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IA3ZvCkRkQ
Her nickname is 'The Queen Of *********' what?
ROUND 4. Famous Quotations
You could ask the questions, or just discuss the quotes ...
Famous for the theory of what?
The name of her character in 'Breakfast At Tiffany's'?
Where was he born?
Who, in one of his books, kept a painting of himself in the attic?
What was her disability?
Who is the mascot of the 'Walt Disney Company'?
Which two characters did he create?
Best known for his theory on what?
What did he launch in 2007?
He was the tallest ever US President. How tall do you reckon (nearest guess)?
And my favourite ...
SONG. 'Hero', Enrique Iglesias - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koJlIGDImiU
What was his singing father's name and nationality?
SONG. 'Holding Out For A Hero', Bonnie Tyler - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWcASV2sey0
What was her 1983 number 1 hit single?
SONG. 'Heroes', David Bowie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXgkuM2NhYI
"We can be heroes, just for one day." So goes the lyric.
Has anyone ever done anything they would consider heroic, brave or good? Or been in the papers or credited elsewhere for an act of courage or for their contribution to society? Or been awarded a Queen's medal or other honour for something they have done? Or jumped out of a plane, run a marathon or walked a mile or done anything else for charity? Perhaps if not them they might have a story to tell about a family member or friend who has?
Just a reminder, living a good life and being fulfilled and happy is also a fantastic contribution to society.
And coping with memory loss and cognitive impairment and living well with dementia is heroic in and of itself.
SONG. 'We Are The Champions', Queen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY
Ask members to sing along and wave their hands in the air ...
PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES Help members make 'Hollywood Walk Of Fame Stars' for themselves. Perhaps pre prepare cut outs. Help members write their names with a flourish in bold ink in the centre of the star and adorn them with as much colour and glitter as possible. (Walk Of Fame Stars have five categories: motion pictures, television, recording, radio and live performance, each represented by an emoji under the person's name of a film camera, TV, microphone, radio and drama masks. Maybe choose an emoji from the internet to represent members' greatest gift or skills, or an area which they have excelled in... Have some Heroes Chocolates on hand to pass around.
ANSWERS
Name the superhero & who played him in the 1978 movie? SUPERMAN / CHRISTOPHER REEVE
What was his earthly name? CLARK KENT
Which newspaper corporation did he work for? 'DAILY PLANET'
Name the superhero & who played her in the 1970s TV series? WONDERWOMAN /. LINDA CARTER
How did she change into her superhero outfit? SHE SPAN AROUND AT SPEED
Name the superhero & which actor played him in the 2002 movie? SPIDERMAN / TOBY MAGUIRE
What was his earthly name? PETER PARKER
Name the superhero & what made him turn green? INCREDIBLE HULK / ANGER
What was his earthly name & which actor played him in the TV series? DAVID BANNER / BILL BIXBY
Name these two superheroes? BATMAN & ROBIN
Which city were they protecting? GOTHAM CITY
What were their proper names? BRUCE WAYNE & DICK GRAYSON
In this TV clip, who played 'Cat Woman'? EARTHA KITT
Name the superhero & what was his earthly name? SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN / STEVE AUSTIN
Who starred in the 1970s TV series? LEE MAJORS
How much would $6m be worth today? $30 MILLION
Name the hero & what vegetable made him super strong? POPEYE / SPINACH
What was his girlfriend's name? OLIVE OIL
Name the superhero? DANGERMOUSE
Who was his sidekick? PENFOLD
Name the superhero? SUPERTED
Who was his sidekick? SPOTTY
Name the jungle dwelling hero? TARZAN
What were the names of his girlfriend & his chimp? JANE . CHEETAH
Name the masked hero? ZORRO
What was his real name? DON DIEGO DE LA VEGA
Name the hero & who played him in the 2001 movie? FRODO BAGGINS / ELIJAH WOOD
Name the book & who wrote it? 'LORD OF THE RINGS' / J.R.R. TOLKIEN
Name the hero & which actor played him in the 1938 movie? ROBIN HOOD / ERROL FLYNN
In which forest did he live with his merry men? SHERWOOD
Who was his arch enemy & who was his girlfriend? SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM / MAID MARIAN
Name the archeological hero & the actor who played him? INDIANA JONES / HARRISON FORD
Complete these movie titles:
- 'Raiders Of The Lost ARK' (1981)
- 'Indiana Jones And The Temple Of DOOM' (1984)
- 'Indiana Jones And The Last CRUSADE' (1989)
- 'Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal SKULL' (2008)
Name the hero & which actor played him? HARRY POTTER / DANIEL RADCLIFFE
Complete these movie titles:
- 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's STONE'
- 'Harry Potter and the Chamber Of SECRETS'
- 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of AZKABAN'
- 'Harry Potter and the Goblet Of FIRE'
- 'Harry Potter and the Order Of The PHOENIX'
- 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PRINCE'
- 'Harry Potter and the Deathly HALLOWS'
Name as many Doctor Who actors as you can?
William Hartnell 1963 – 1966.
Patrick Troughton 1966 – 1969.
John Pertwee 1970 – 1974.
Tom Baker 1974 – 1981.
Peter Davidson 1981 – 1984.
Colin Baker 1984 – 1986.
Sylvester McCoy 1987 – 1989.
Paul McGann 1996.
Christopher Eccleston 2005.
David Tennant 2005 - 2010.
Matt Smith 2010 - 2013.
Peter Capaldi 2014 - 2017.
Jodie Whittaker 2018 - 2022.
Name the TV series? 'THE A TEAM'
Who wore the 'bling'? MR T.
Name the TV series? 'THE CHAMPIONS'
What were their powers? Extrasensory powers to communicate with one another over distances (telepathy) and to foresee events (precognition) and enhanced versions of the ordinary five senses (hearing and sight especially)
Name the TV series? 'MISSION IMPOSSIBLE'
How many second were there before the tape self-destructed? 5 SECONDS
Name the TV series? 'THE NEW AVENGERS'
Name the characters? JOHN STEED, MIKE GAMBIT, PURDY
Name the TV series? 'THE SAINT'
Name the actor? ROGER MORE
Name the characters? MISS MARPLE & HERCULE POIROT
Who wrote the books? AGATHA CHRISTIE
Name the James Bond actors? Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan & Daniel Craig
Who sang these songs (play a few of them - members choice):
- 'We Have All The Time In The World' - LOUIS ARMSTRONG
- 'From Russia With Love' - MATT MONROE
- 'Goldfinger' - SHIRLEY BASSEY
- 'You Only Live Twice' - NANCY SINATRA
- 'Diamonds Are Forever' - SHIRLEY BASSEY
- 'Live And Let Die' - WINGS
- 'The Spy Who Loved Me' - CARLY SIMON
- 'For Your Eyes Only' - SHEENAH EASTON
- 'A View To A Kill' - DURAN DURAN
- 'The Living Daylights' - AHA
- 'Licence To Kill' - GLADYS KNIGHT
- 'Skyfall' - ADELE
Ernest Shackleton
Edmund Hilary & Sherpa Tensing
Douglas Bader
Alan Turing
Martin Luther King
Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin
Nelson Mandela
Simon Weston
Diana Princess Of Wales
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy
Princess Diana
'Theory Of Relativity'
Miss Holly Golightly
Hawaii
Dorian Gray
Blind, deaf & dumb
Mickey Mouse
Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn
Black Holes
iPhone
6 ft 4 ins
Julio Eglasias
'Total Eclipse Of The Heart'
The final word goes to Diana Princess Of Wales
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”
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