I didn't even notice that you posted a clue. Where? I was just quickly looking for the last post on any thread on which I had posted and didn't realize there was more than one post here today. No I never talk to anyone at Fodors. But I can't picture them following a thread like this, when people are posting clues and getting answers so quickly, and they'd need to do reasearch to verfiy answers.

Found your post with the clue.

Stockausen.

Maybe I should be mean and say that your answer is wrong because you left out the "h." (Just kidding.)

Well Fodor's could just adopt an honor system of letting the participants keep score. All they have to do is to award some prizes. That requires little effort on their part.

There can be quarterly 3m competition periods (say) and all they have to do is to check back at the end of each period who has the most points.

Periodically they can post some challenging questions (or maybe post at some weird times -- like 4 am) with lots of bonus points to keep things interesting.

See, all you need is a little something to sweeten the pot to keep people interested! :-)

Once upon a time there was a bishop living in what's now Turkey who was known for his kindness and his generosity to the poor. It has been reported that during the first crusade, his bones were stolen and taken to Italy, where they are now kept in a religious structure in the province of Puglia. This real person was the inspiration for a popular and famous figure of folklore, who is called ----- --a-- in English. (Two part name; five letters in each part; the A from Stockhausen is the 3rd letter of the second part.

Someone should be able to figure this out. (See post immediately above.)

Santa Claus

Actually I didn't know this, but when you topped it again, I guess it was obvious.

Happy new year everyone!

Correct. I thought this would be timely and not too difficult.

It appears that the treasures associated with this ancient city that lends its name to a famous war disappeared during the Second World War but then resurfaced.

The treasures were exhibited once a little more than 10 years ago, but it appears that they have been returned to storage.

The treasures were excavated by one of the most famous archaeologists of all time, whose methods were subsequently questioned.

What's the name of the museum that houses these treasures? The museum is named after a famous poet.

7 letters: 2nd = "u" from claus.

Pushkin?

Yes, that's right. The treasures are "Priam's treasures" (from Troy). The archaeologist is Schliemann.

A famous pasta dish is said to have been named after a lyric opera by this composer. (It's widely reported that the dish was given that name to honor this local composer, but one famous chef says this story isn't true.) Name the composer.

First name: 8 letters
Surname: 7 letters; the 6th is the "n" from Pushkin.

Vincenzo Bellini wrote Norma.

Correct. Your turn.

(The dish is pasta alla Norma, dressed with tomato, eggplant, and dried ricotta, and a specialty of Catania.)

This strictly controlled product is often paired with a dry but fruity white wine from the same region (not the name of this tasty morsel) of France. Three words: 7-2-9

First and last words begin with the letter "C".

Maybe "crevette de champagne".

Unless grandmere miscounted, crevette doesn't fit her clue. Also why would shrimp be controlled?

Grandmere -- are you asking for the tasty morsel = controlled substance for your answer?

Yes, I am asking for the tasty morsel, which is a controlled agricultural product.

The first word refers to something that one might find on a country road, literally a "road apple." Couple of explanations for this, but I digress.

Sancerre is the wine.

Ok, I'd not have gotten this, but there's enough to Google.

It's crottin de chavignol.

There's a Wikipedia page and crottin can have something to do with dung.

However there're a lot links that use one "t." So I don't know what the right spelling is.

Aren't we supposed to be make this easier so more are tempted to play?

:-)