J. Michael Andresen

The elder statesman of the the 2011 Prognostication Quiz has passed on. Colonel Potter of M*A*S*H retires to the great Korean war in the sky. That makes A. Harry Morgan a correct answer on Question 13-15 of the quiz. The Ageists Marcus Russell Megan Paul Stacey Cameron M. Dave Zoe Katie Rachel F. Todd Beth Tina Leanne Ted Larry Missy Leaderboard This death has a profound effect on the leaderboard. What was a four-way race just two weeks ago has been winnowed down to two. Russell will pull even with Marcus and best him in the tiebreaker if the Dow ends the year between 12,361.5 and 12,499.99. Otherwise, Marcus wins. The Dow has not been higher than 12,200 since late July, but some good news from Congress or Europe could easily set it rising in the last two weeks of the year. If Zsa-zsa Gabor (in and out of the hospital all year) finally buys the farm, Russell would expand his winning range and win if the Dow finished anywhere above 12,000. Megan, Paul, Adrian, and Stacey are all dark

Question 10. Storms Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs June 1 to November 30. There were twelve hurricanes in 2010, three in 2009, eight in 2008, six in 2007, five in 2006, an all-time record fifteen in 2005, nine in 2004, and seven in 2003. Will we beat the recent average of 7 hurricanes (over the last 12 years)? How many Atlantic hurricanes will there be this season? a. 3 or less b. 4-5 c. 6-7 d. 8-9 e. 10-12 f. 13 or more Kudos to those who thought we would exactly match the recent average of seven hurricanes. There were precisely seven Atlantic storms that made it to hurricane strength this year. This means the answer to Question 10 in the 2011 Prognostication Quiz is C. 6-7. The 7 Winners Irene Katia Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Those who predicted the 7 winners Russell Ryan Stacey Lorraine Ron Collette Gloria Beth Question 13-15. Death One more death to tick off: r. Andy Rooney, 60 Minutes Journalist (92) Rooney was one of the media's great workaholics. He died just f