“So -- is it a boy or a girl? It's the question thatʼs always asked when a couple proudly announces a babyʼs on the way. Some folks have a ready answer, while others choose to wait until the baby arrives to learn the news themselves. But thereʼs another group of expectant parents who want their announcement to be a dramatic surprise to everyone -- and they often go to flamboyant extremes to make that happen. Follow along and youʼll see how some of these gender reveal events abruptly end with disastrous conclusions. This week Tidbits shows you how it all began -- and eventually grew a bit out of control!
• Blogger and journalist Jenna Karvunidis unintentionally started a new tradition in 2008. After several heartbreaking disappointments, she finally held her pregnancy long enough to learn whether she was carrying a girl or a boy.
• She baked a cake, secretly spreading the middle layer with a thick pink icing. She invited friends to a celebration, ceremoniously cutting into the cake Reveal Fails: Turn to page 3
TRIV
(Answers on page 16)
1. TELEVISION: Which TV sitcom features a French bulldog named Stella?
2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Algeria?
3. MUSIC: Which famous song starts with the line, “I read the news today, oh boy ...”?
4. MOVIES: Who wrote “Hedwig’s Theme,” the main music in the Harry Potter movies?
5. FOOD & DRINK: What is the origin of popcorn?
6. HISTORY: Where was Napoleon Bonaparte exiled to after his defeat in 1815?
7. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “The Sound and the Fury”?
8. ANATOMY: What are the smallest blood vessels called?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: In what year did the international version of TikTok launch?
10. SCIENCE: What substance makes plants green?
As various sports have evolved, new situations have led to the creation of new rules. Here are the stories behind a few of these recent changes.
JUST FOR KICKS
• Tom Dempsey was born missing the toes on his right foot. This did not stop him from a career as a kicker in football. He was outfitted with a blunt-nosed half boot that ended where his foot ended, which was an improvement over having a half-empty shoe with newspaper stuffed in the toe.
• In 1970, in a game where the New Orleans Saints were up against the Detroit Lions, Dempsey was wearing this half-shoe when he kicked a game-winning, record-setting 63-yard field goal for the Saints.
• Some people complained that his disability, corrected by the specially made shoe, gave him an advantage. The Dallas Cowboys president insisted that his remarkable kick be entered into the record books with an asterisk next to it, explaining the special circumstances of the feat.
• In response to the controversy, seven years later, the NFL passed Rule 5, Section 4, Article 3, Item 7, which states that all shoes used to kick a field goal, regardless of the disability of the kicker, must conform to the specifications of a normal shoe. In other words, a prosthetic is allowed, but only if it matches the uniform requirements of players who are not wearing a prosthetic. It was called the Tom Dempsey Rule.
• Dempsey was upset by this new rule and went to the Commissioner to object. The Commissioner reassured Tom that his record was grandfathered in and would be unaffected by the ruling. Dempsey held the record for 43 years until it was broken by Matt Prater, who kicked a 64-yard field goal while playing for
the Denver Broncos in 2013. WHICH SWITCH?
• Pat Venditti was born with ambidextrous ability, meaning he was able to use either hand equally well. When he became a pitcher in the minor leagues, he was a switch pitcher. He was playing for the Stanton Island Yankees in 2008 against the Brooklyn Cyclones when Ralph Henriquez stepped up to bat. Ralph was a switch-hitter. So now a switch-pitcher was throwing against a switch-hitter.
• Seeing Venditti preparing to pitch with his right hand, Henriquez stepped to the right side of the plate. Venditti then prepared to pitch with his left hand, and Henriquez stepped to the left side of the batter’s box. Venditti switched hands again; Henriquez switched sides again. This continued until the Umpire called a timeout and tried to figure out how to handle the situation.
• It was the bottom of the 9th. The Cyclones were behind by five runs with two outs. Finally, it was ruled that Venditti would pitch righthanded, and Henriquez would bat right-handed. Venditte struck him out.
• Major League Baseball later added a rule, specifying that a pitcher is required to indicate which hand he intends to pitch with, and is obligated to use that hand for as long as the batter is at bat. The pitcher is allowed to switch throwing hands in between batters.
STICKY SUBJECT
• Rule 5, Section 4, Article 4, Item 8 of the NFL rulebook states simply that no adhesive or slippery substances are allowed. This rule originated with Lester Hayes, who played for the Oakland Raiders. He started using a sticky-tacky substance to help him catch the football. In a single season, Hayes caught 13 interceptions, setting an NFL record. He then started slathering his entire uniform in glue. In 1981, the Lester Hayes Rule outlawed the use of any such substance.
Reveal Fails (from page one)
to reveal that she was expecting a baby girl. Pictures posted to her blog went viral. It was the first “gender reveal” party people had ever seen.
• Viewed by thousands, this unique method of announcing a baby's gender spurred the creative juices of others and kicked off a fad that soon spread widely around the nation. By 2010, gender reveal parties had evolved in scope and methods limited only by the wild imaginations of the hosts. They ranged from simple to elaborate, from opening box lids releasing colored helium balloons, to popping balloons filled with pink or blue powder, fireworks, piñatas, colored smoke bombs, confetti bombs -- and more. Following are some examples of gender reveal brainstorms that ranged from tacky to tragic.
GATOR GUEST
• When a couple in Florida learned they were expecting in 2019, they agreed the gender reveal should involve their pet alligator, Amos. The dad, dubbed a “nuisance wildlife trapper” by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, had acquired the gator as a pet in 2000. To accomplish the gender reveal, he dangled a black balloon attached to a long pole in front of the alligator, a typical feeding technique.
• When the alligator chomped at the balloon, it exploded into a cloud of pink powder. The startled gator instantly took off running in panic into the crowd of gathered guests, knocking some to the ground and terrifying everyone. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, but the gathering quickly dispersed as shaken guests hurried to the safety of their cars.
PINK PERIL
• The gender reveal craze crossed the border into Veracruz, Mexico in 2020 when a reveal party turned deadly. The parents-to-be had rented a single-engine crop-dusting plane and pilot to
perform a fly-over above their gala party and release the colored spray at an appointed time.
• With dozens of guests gathered in their rural farmyard setting, the father instructed the crowd to watch over the treeline for the big surprise. Soon they could hear the sound of the engine as the plane suddenly appeared over the treetops. Flying at a low altitude, the pilot released a long trailing plume of pink above them as the excited crowd cheered, whistled and congratulated the happy couple.
• A short second later after the plane had passed over, the pilot pulled up sharply to impress the crowd with a steep climb. But those watching the stunt were horrified to see the left wing suddenly buckle upright, causing the plane to spin out of control and dive inverted into a nearby flield.
• Many people attending the party were seemingly unaware of the sudden crash and continued cheering as the couple locked in a smooch in front of an elaborate decoration of blue and pink balloons printed with large question marks.
• The plane was totally destroyed, the pilot was killed instantly, and his passenger later died at an area hospital. FAA authorities blamed the wing failure on excess stress caused by pilot error in exceeding the airplaneʼs weight limits while carrying an extra passenger in a one-seat airplane.
FLUBBED PHILLY FIREWORKS
• In July of 2018, a family gathered on the sidewalk of a residential Philadelphia neighborhood to set off a gender-revealing fireworks cannon. The fireworks tube, set up on a rickety stand, was unstable. As the fireworks burst into the sky, the unsecured launch tube tipped over, blasting pyrotechnics helter-skelter, careening off parked cars and buildings and into the crowd.
• Screaming and scrambling, the frightened spectators ran in all directions for cover. One partygoer reported, “My wife was filming with her phone and I immediately grabbed my son and covered his face and ran.” Several people were struck by the fiery missles and suffered burns, requiring ambulance service to a local hospital. Citations and several lawsuits were issued against the sponsoring host, who vowed to never do such a stupid thing like that again.
BLUE BURNOUT
• An Australian gender reveal disaster involved using a car to spin donuts in a gravel parking area. The exhaust blew out clouds of blue smoke, but the spinning tires also spewed the loose gravel
and rocks directly at the crowd of spectators. As the car continued to perform its “burnouts,” the smoke increased. Suddenly, a fierce fire burst forth and the driver quickly bailed out as the car suddenly became fully englufed in flames.
• Queensland Police later released footage of the incident, showing the abandoned car sitting in
1. How many nights of sleep will the average new parents lose in the first year?
2. At what age does a baby recognize the difference between day and night?
At a 2023 backyard gender reveal party, father-to-be William Breck was set to kick a ball filled with colored powder, and burst into a cloud. He slipped on wet grass, landed wrong and broke his ankle, which required a trip to the hospital. He was still in a cast when the baby arrived. It was a boy.
CLIP AND SAVE
By Lucie Winborne
* America’s first dentist, John Baker, trained Paul Revere to be a dentist.
* Canadians eat more macaroni and cheese than any other nation in the world.
* No matter how badly fingerprints are damaged, they will still grow back in their original pattern.
* The band name Imagine Dragons is an anagram. Lead singer Dan Reynolds described it as a “phrase that meant something to all of us,” but the group has yet to confirm what that is.
* Though dragonflies have six legs, they cannot walk.
* Ancient pagan cultures such as the Celts believed that benevolent, helpful spirits lived in trees. Knocking on tree trunks roused a spirit for protection, which led to the saying “knock on wood.”
* Sea otters have the thickest fur of any mammal, at 1 million hairs per square inch.
* The Muppet vampire Count von Count, from “Sesame Street,” was based on actual vampire myth. One way to supposedly deter the bloodsucking creatures is to throw seeds outside a door. Vampires are compelled to count the seeds, delaying them until morning.
* In 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of Guinness Brewery, got into a spat with someone over the world’s fastest game bird. When the pair couldn’t locate an answer in a book, Beaver had the idea of writing one that would solve pub arguments. ***
Thought for the Day: “The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.” -- Albert Einstein
by Mary Hunt
Like It or Not, You Need a Good Credit Score
Think of utilization rates as you would golf: The lower the score, the better. Generally, to achieve the best credit score, your utilization rate should be under 30%, with the goal to get it down as low as possible.
Pay down your credit cards as much as you can. There’s nothing good about having a lot of credit card debt. It’s expensive debt and it wreaks havoc on your FICO score. If you can get your utilization rate below 10%, your score will thank you!
* * *
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
In my perfect world, there would be no credit scores. And while I do not believe that credit is a necessarily evil, in that perfect world of mine there would be no need for any of that because it would be, well ... perfect!
by Mary Hunt
Back to reality. There are myriad reasons we need to have good credit histories and excellent credit scores.
Like it or not, lots of things are now predicated on one’s credit score. Take automobile insurance premiums, for example. Want the best rates? You’ll need a good credit score.
Want to make sure that out of all the applicants, you get that really great apartment? You must assume that your potential landlord is going to look to your credit history to determine if you will make a reliable, on-time-paying tenant.
Are you vying for a job with a great employer? Better hope your credit file is clean and represents you well because, in most states, employers are allowed to look at the way you handle your finances.
We live in a world where, in select situations, one’s credit report is considered a character reference. Look in my credit file and you will get a good idea of how I manage my life. You’ll see evidence for how seriously I take my commitments, a little about my personal integrity.
The most highly regarded, and the one used by most lenders and others who look at credit scores, is the FICO score. Each of the big credit bureaus has its branded version of FICO.
How these scores are determined, based on the collected information in one’s credit file, remains proprietary with the Fair Isaac Corporation, creator of the FICO score.
We do know, however, that FICO looks at what it calls “utilization rate.”
Your utilization rate is your credit limit compared with how much of that available credit you are using at any given time, expressed as a percentage.
So, if you have a credit card with a $1,000 credit limit and a $100 balance owing, then you are 10% “utilized” on that card. You figure utilization rate by dividing the balance owing on the account by the limit on the card and then multiplying that figure by 100 ($100 / $1,000 = .01 x 100 = 10).
You can figure your “aggregate utilization rate” by adding together all your credit card balances, dividing by the total of the credit limits on all those accounts and multiplying by 100. Credit scoring looks at both utilization rates.
The best utilization percentage to have is 0% because then you have no credit card debt and you’re not paying interest. But, since that’s not realistic for everyone, the best percentage is the lowest percentage you can achieve. In fact, according to FICO, consumers who have exceptional credit scores above 800 have an average utilization percentage of 4%.
There are reports all over the internet that insist 30% or 50% are the “target” percentages in order to achieve great scores. Those are false reports. In fact, nothing terrific happens at either 30% or 50%. Certainly, 30% is better than 50% but not as good as 20%.
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https:// www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
• Ahmed Best was a jazz musician from the Bronx when he joined the energetic percussion group called Stomp, touring with them for several years. Along the way, Ahmed became skilled at the acrobatic body percussion that eventually characterized Stomp’s performances. At one show in 1996, a casting director in the audience noticed how limber Ahmed was. At the time, the casting director was looking for someone to play the part of an alien in the first Star Wars prequel, “The Phantom Menace.” The character’s name, suggested by George Lucas’ young son, was Jar Jar Binks.
• Ahmed Best was thrilled and did his best to work with the producers and directors to come up with what turned out to be history’s first CGI hybrid character. Lucas patterned the part after Disney’s Goofy, and Ahmed came up with the voice, the moves, and the pratfalls accordingly. Jar Jar Binks was supposed to provide some comic relief, appealing to children.
• However, Ahmed Best was unprepared for the backlash of ridicule that resulted when the movie was released in 1999. Jar Jar Binks was compared to a Jamaican mammy, a Vaudeville black-face minstrel, or a stereotypical plantation slave. Ahmed was accused of racism, although he is black.
• Ahmed was so distraught over the derision
that one day, he nearly threw himself off the Brooklyn Bridge, feeling that he had unintentionally destroyed the movie franchise he had adored.
• Nearly 20 years later, Ahmed Best brought his young son to the place where he had nearly taken his life. He took a picture of himself and his son at that spot, and posted it to Twitter, explaining the whole story of how he nearly ended it all. The post went viral.
• Now people come out of the woodwork to apologize to Ahmed Best. Suddenly, his story was all over the media, and he started receiving calls. One of them was from the producers of “The Mandalorian” who offered him a new role: that of Jedi master Kelleran Beq, handsome and brave. He nailed the role.
• Meanwhile, the character of Jar Jar Binks was also redeemed, with experts pointing out how the entire story is hinged on his actions.
• Here are some facts you might not have known about Jar Jar Binks, the hero: Jar Jar Binks was a member of the species called Gungans, native to Naboo. Gungans are amphibious and can hold their breath underwater for extended periods, making them comfortable both in water and on land.
• The costume, which cost about $100,000, gave actors something to interact with, and a focus for animators. It was a cross between a duckbilled dinosaur, an emu, and a heron.
• Michael Jackson wanted the role, but Lucas worried his fame would overshadow the part.
• When the movie was lampooned on “The Simpsons,” the character was named “Jim Jam Bonks.” When it was spoofed on “South Park,” he was named “Joon-Joon.”
• In a 2018 Saturday Night Live skit, guest star Natalie Portman reprised her role of Queen Padme Amidala. In the sketch, she holds a gun to the head of an actor and shouts, “Say something [expletive] nice about Jar Jar Binks!”
• Jar Jar Binks went on to become a Junior Representative for his people in the Galactic
• Despite the initial negative reaction to Jar Jar Binks, the film turned out to be the biggest box office hit in 1999, bringing in over $400 million.
CLIP AND SAVE
by Dana Jackson
Q: I was really sad to see Andy Richter go on “Dancing with the Stars.” He and Emma Slater have such a great friendship. Will they find a way to work together again? -- F.F.
A: The ratings for the ABC competitivereality series “Dancing with the Stars” were higher than ever this past season, and part of it was due to the audience’s love of former “Conan” sidekick Andy Richter. He and Emma Slater, the dance pro with whom he was paired, developed a close bond and will surely remain lifelong friends. They enjoyed making TikTok videos together during their rehearsals, and she’s even been a guest on his podcast “The Three Questions with Andy Richter.”
As for future projects, Slater posted on social media that the two will “continue to work together (somehow!),” including making more
1. Wicked: For Good (PG) Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande
2. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (PG-13) Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson
3. Predator: Badlands (PG-13) Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi
4. The Running Man (R) Glen Powell, Alyssa Benn
5. Rental Family (PG-13) Brendan Fraser, Paolo Andrea Di Pietro
6. Sisu: Road to Revenge (R) Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang
7. Regretting You (PG-13) Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace
8. Nuremberg (PG-13) Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon
TikTok videos together. With Richter’s soaring popularity, I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t land a gig hosting a game show or something. The future looks very bright for both of them.
Q: When is “House of Dragon” coming back with new episodes? Also, are there any other “Game of Thrones” spin-offs in the works? -- T.C.
A: ”House of Dragon,” the big-budget “Game of Thrones” prequel, has been confirmed by Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO, to return sometime in the summer of 2026. The budget for season one averaged about $20 million per episode, so a lot of money goes into each season, which takes time. Season three will hopefully be worth the wait.
According to TVLine, a formal cast list for the next season hasn’t been announced, but actors who are expected to return include Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, and Tom Glynn-Carney, just to name a few. For those who haven’t finished season two, I won’t spoil who isn’t returning due to their character’s death.
There are several prequels and/or spinoffs to look forward to, including another prequel called “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” which is based on George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas. It will be set almost 100 years before “GoT.” (“House of the Dragon” is set about 200 years before “GoT.”)
Unfortunately, a series centered around the character of Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) has been shelved indefinitely as they couldn’t develop a story that met Martin’s expectations.
Q: Is it true that Maurice Benard is leaving “General Hospital” soon? I hope not because Sonny is my favorite character. -- D.W.
A: No, three-time Daytime-Emmy-Award winner Maurice Benard has no plans to exit “GH” anytime soon. According to TV Insider, 62-year-old Benard has a year left on his contract and says that he isn’t considering retiring until he’s at least 65. He also has a successful podcast called “State of Mind” and recently welcomed his legendary costar Genie Francis (Laura) to his show. He’s hoping to land an interview with his friend Vanessa Marcil (Brenda) and hints that she might come on the podcast if and when she has a book to promote.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Courtesy of CBS
Andy Richter (“Dancing with the Stars”)
Good Recipes from
Spaghetti Pie with Prosciutto and Peas
8 ounces thick spaghetti
4 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
3/4 cup reduced-fat (2 percent) milk
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and ground black pepper
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
1 bunch green onions cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Heat large covered saucepot of water to boiling over high heat. Add spaghetti and cook 2 minutes less than label directs.
2. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites, ricotta, milk, nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until blended. Set aside. In oven-safe nonstick 12inch skillet, melt margarine over medium heat. Add green onions and cook about 5 minutes or until softened. Remove skillet from heat.
3. Drain spaghetti. To green onions in skillet, add spaghetti and frozen peas; toss to combine. Pour egg mixture over pasta and arrange Prosciutto slices on top.
4. Place skillet over medium-high heat and cook 3 to 5 minutes or until edges just begin to set. Place skillet in oven and bake 15 minutes or until center is set. Slide pie onto large plate to serve. Serves 6.
Each serving: About 535 calories, 13g total fat (4g saturated), 68mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 65g total carbohydrate, 6g dietary fiber, 36g protein.
Classic Onion Dip
At 1950s dinner parties, cream cheesebased onion and clam dips were two of the most popular offerings. In 1952, the Lipton Soup Company made preparing onion dip even easier by developing a dehydrated onion-soup mix. A consumer, however, is credited with creating the
first dip using the soup mix, which Lipton has featured ever since. “Just open a couple of packages and fold into a cup of sour cream.” Instantly, this never-fail onion party dip was ready for guests. Soon it became known as California Dip.
Our onion dip is even better, for it’s made the old-fashioned way: from slow-simmered onions folded into -- of course -- sour cream.
PREP: 10 minutes plus cooling COOK: 30 minutes
MAKES: 1 2/3 cups
2 large onions (12 ounces each), finely chopped (2 cups)
2 cups canned or homemade chicken broth
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Crackers or potato chips
1. In 2-quart saucepan, combine onions, broth, garlic, bay leaf and thyme; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat and cook until liquid has almost completely evaporated, about 25 minutes.
2. Transfer mixture to medium bowl; stir in vinegar. Cool to room temperature.
3. Stir in sour cream, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate up to overnight. Serve with crackers or potato chips.
Each tablespoon: About 27 calories,
1 g protein, 2 g carbohydrate, 2 g total fat (1 g saturated), 4 mg cholesterol, 93 mg sodium.
By John Allen
by Brett Koth
NEXT WEEK in
TIDBITS REVIEWS SOME CLASSIC
Holidays & Observances This Week
12/7
12/8
12/9
12/10
12/11
By Matthew Margolis
The Writing on the Wall
Sometimes it’s hard to see the writing on the wall. We’re too close to a situation to prioritize, make decisions and set boundaries. The following letters are from readers who stare at the writing on their wall and see only hieroglyphics.
Sammo:
“My girlfriend and I recently adopted Sammo, her parents’ 9-year-old Shar-Pei. He had become too much for them to handle and her father was ready to put Sammo down after he bit his wife -twice. We decided to adopt him since we did not see signs of aggression toward people during our time with him.
“At a recent checkup, Sammo snapped at the vet. Sammo has already snapped at me twice. Last night, we were on the back porch and he was enjoying a treat. It was getting dark and my girlfriend got up to get Sammo some water. He growled and charged at her. He has not had any real training outside of housebreaking and learning how to sit. What should we do?”
The writing on the wall: Sammo had bitten twice before they adopted him, and they knew this. He’s an aggressive dog that requires professional training and firm boundaries. They will have to make concessions to keep Sammo safely in their lives and in their house.
Rex:
“Our 2-year-old Australian shepherd, Rex, has shown signs of aggression toward strangers and my daughter’s friends -- never toward family members. He won’t let anyone touch my daughter. If someone is on our yard, he will snarl and try to bite. Some mothers won’t let their girls come over anymore because Rex bit them. He has even broken skin. We tried to socialize him, but it didn’t get any better, so we want to do something about it.”
The writing on the wall: Rex is a dangerous dog, and it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured. This family stands to lose a lot -- friendships, homeowners insurance, the home itself or even lives. Rex should be securely confined whenever anyone visits their home, and he must be kept away from small children.
An informal poll of friends and neighbors got me a range of responses, from grimaces to laughs to snarls. My question was about how they were going to spend the approximate extra $56 that Social Security beneficiaries will be receiving as of January when the new COLA kicks in.
That 2.8% increase in the average Social Security benefit ($2,071 for individuals, $3,208 for couples) won’t get us much when compared to what is happening in the grocery stores -- and everywhere else.
We have been complaining about this for years: the Cost of Living Adjustment price index (CPI-W) that’s used to calculate Social Security increases doesn’t apply to us. Instead, we keep saying, they should use the Research Consumer Price Index (R-CPI-E), which is more in line with how seniors over the age of 62 actually spend money.
And then there’s the wee problem of Medicare Part B also going up -- again -- from
Making Your Home Grow
Do you feel like Alice in Wonderland sometimes? Do you have the feeling that your house has shrunk around you? Even in larger homes, this sensation is possible. From time to time, we need to look at our surroundings and make adjustments that can give us the illusion of more space or, better yet, create space for all the items we own.
Take advantage of all corners and nooks. The space underneath a staircase, for example, is a great place for luggage storage or a bookcase. An ample staircase landing could be the perfect place for a desk or chest. Hallways, especially if they have a dead-end wall, could accommodate a row of thin shelves for collectibles or art glass. Kitchen cabinetry often does not go all the way up to the ceiling. This space could also serve as storage for items that are used less frequently, such as serving platters and other kitchen equipment. If your home has higher ceilings, the space above a door is great for shelving and discreet, out-of-sight storage. The perception of space involves a bit of fooling the eye and mind. Using the same paint color on the walls and materials gives a sense of unity and continuity. This prevents the rooms or areas from seeming blocked off from one another or chopped up. The use of the same flooring material throughout a home visually allows the rooms to flow from one to the next. Painting the ceiling a shade or two lighter than your walls
$185 this year to $202 for 2026. That amount has to be subtracted from the $56 increase, which means an actual $38 increase in Social Security.
There is, however, a movement afoot in Congress to give us a temporary (six months) increase of $200 per month from January to July 2026. Called the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act, the proposal is being batted around in Congress at this point.
The bill (S.3078) text says it would provide payments to “recipients of social security, supplemental security income, railroad retirement benefits, and veterans disability compensation or pension benefits.”
In my informal poll of several dozen friends and neighbors, I asked what they would do with that extra $200 per month should the proposal pass: Stick it in savings for an emergency ... pay off a medical bill ... turn up the thermostat ... buy a good winter coat ... stock up on canned goods for the pantry ... make needed house repairs ...?
The responses ran the gamut of possibilities, but the consensus was loud and clear: We all are definitely in need of that extra money.
Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
(c) KingFeaturesSyndicate2025
will make the ceilings seem higher and give a loftier feel. Mirrors and mirrored walls in the right locations can aid in connecting rooms, making spaces appear larger and bouncing light around a room.
Furniture also plays a big role in your perception of space. The scale of the furniture should be relative to the space you are decorating. This is perhaps the area of decorating that requires the most attention. Placing a large overscaled and overstuffed sofa in a small room is a big mistake and just won’t do. For tight locations, my recommendation is to use a sectional sofa. Since these are composed of individual seating sections, it is easier to arrange them to fit into your area. Another suggestion for confined areas that require more seating is to use an L-shaped sofa. This offers the same seating as two sofas in less space.
Finally, multifunctional furniture is a great trick for tight spaces. An upholstered stool that has a storage compartment within is perfect because it can act as a coffee table, accessible storage and additional seating when needed. Stackable chairs and tables are great because they take up the space of one item, yet can be pulled out when guests arrive for more seating and serving surfaces. The same goes for a foldable table that when closed looks like a console, yet when opened can be a dining table.
Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. These ideas can make your home “grow” without adding any additional square feet of construction. Think out of the box and into your home.
Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
an abandoned dog. We have rescued animals in the past, but I was hesitant to take in a new animal because I’d just lost my job and money was -- and still is -- an issue. Nevertheless, I let “Maddy” stay.
“In no time, I realized this little dog has some serious issues. She is afraid to be alone and is food aggressive. She is also afraid of any kind of noise. She will aggressively bark and snarl at me if I raise my voice in the slightest to discipline my three kids, and she goes ballistic if the kids start to argue. Maddy has bitten every member of the family at one point or another.
“I’ve had a rotten time trying to find a new job, so I have been making strides to open an in-home day care. Yet, I am afraid that Maddy will freak out at the sound of a baby rattle and bite one of the children. After watching her random attack on my daughter today, I realize I am out of my league when it comes to attending to her psychological needs. Any advice?”
The writing on the wall: A dog driven berserk by arguments and noise and that has already bitten at least three children is not a candidate for “day care dog.” Maddy is dangerous and can’t be around children. With Maddy running around a day care facility, this woman will lose her license and her shirt within a week -- not to mention the very real danger to other people’s children, as well as her own. Woof!
* * *
Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM
kissed her goodbye forever!”
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
Giving Thanks for Social Security
Although Thanksgiving Day has aleady come and gone, it has become a bit of a tradition this holiday time of year for me use this column to remind people what Social Security is all about.
I’m going to suggest that we Americans give thanks for the Social Security program. I know lots of people like to think that the “good old days” (before Social Security) were, well, good old days. But many times, they were not. And if you’d like to get a glimpse of what life was like before the Social Security program came along, I suggest you read a book called “Growing Up,” by the late Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Russell Baker.
In it, Baker tells the story of what it was like to grow up in the 1920s and 1930s. For most of us, the Great Depression is the stuff of history books and hard luck stories revealed in an occasional documentary. But Baker lived one of those stories and writes eloquently about his life and those times.
His book brings the era into focus for people whose vision of history has been blurred by the good life. For me, it also illustrates the reason why we have and need a Social Security system in this country.
Many people have attempted to explain to me that America would be better off without Social Security. They point out that this nation was founded on the principles of personal freedom and that our pioneer spirit encourages people to make it on their own without government interference. As one recent letter writer told me: “If people could make it on their own in the good old days before we had Social Security, they ought to be able to make it on their own now without the government’s help!”
The problem with that argument, of course, is that many people were not “making it” before Social Security came into existence.
Case in point. Before Social Security, about 70% of senior citizens were living below the poverty level. In other words, those “good old days” were actually very bad for very many older people. Today, after more than 90 years of life with Social Security, less than 10% of seniors live in poverty.
In his book, Baker describes the period just after his father’s death. His father left a widow and three small children, including Russell, who was then about 10. Russell’s youngest sister, Audrey, was 18 months old. His newly widowed mother decided to leave their home in Virginia to move in with relatives in New Jersey. Immediately following the funeral, she had many tough decisions to make. One of them was giving up Audrey!
“The giving up of Audrey was done in a time of shock and depression for my mother,” Baker writes. “When the undertaker was paid, she was left with a few dollars of insurance money, a worthless Model T, several chairs, a table to eat from, a couple of mail-order beds, a crib, three small children, no way to earn a living and no prospects for the future.”
A few days later, Baker’s Uncle Tom and Aunt Goldie arrived to pick up his little sister. “My mother helped them carry out the crib and boxes packed with baby clothes. When the car was loaded, my mother bundled Audrey into blankets, carried her outside, handed her to Aunt Goldie and
That scene struck a nerve with me because my father also died when I was young. Like Baker’s father, my dad left a widow and small children. And like Baker’s family, my mother was left with a little insurance, a few pieces of furniture and an old car. But unlike the Bakers, we had brighter prospects for the future because my father left behind something else: Social Security survivors’ insurance. My mother, brothers, sister and myself each received a monthly check from Social Security based on my father’s earnings. My siblings and I were able to receive benefits up to the age of 22 if we stayed in school. And my mother received checks until my youngest brother turned 18. (The laws have changed slightly since I was a beneficiary. Today, benefits to children are generally cut off at age 18 and a widowed mother’s checks stop when the youngest child turns 16.)
Survivor benefits are a very important part of Social Security. They have been paid since 1940. Yet even today, many young workers are not aware of this protection they are guaranteed through their Social Security tax deductions.
Most young people complain about the amount of Social Security taxes they pay. But I think if they really consider why our society provides a comprehensive Social Security program, they might be more inclined to accept Social Security taxes so that no other young, widowed mother has to give up her little Audrey and “kiss her goodbye forever.”
And here is a postscript to what I just wrote. I’ve run Thanksgiving columns similar to this in the past. They always generate comments from the government-bashing and Social Security-bashing crowd. I saved just one example. Here is what he wrote -- in part. (His rant went on for more than a page!)
“It’s the namby-pamby liberals like Baker and you who have ruined this country. Russell’s father should have provided for his family and your father should have provided for you. We don’t need the government to make up for slackers like your fathers. And don’t even get my started on widow’s benefits. These women should work and take care
1. The book of Advent is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. What was the innkeeper's name who turned away pregnant Mary as there was no more room? a) Mathias b) Barigus c) Eliada d) Bible does not say
3. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the wise men saw the star a) In yonder sky b) Above Israel c) In the East d) Moving
4. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of _____? a) Jerusalem b) Judea c) Nazareth d) Capernaum
5. About how old was Jesus when the wise men found him? a) 7 days b) 14 days c) 3 months d) Two years
6. Where did the wise men find Jesus? a) In a tent b) In the temple c) In a house d) In a manger
(Answers on page 16)
comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
of themselves and not expect the government to show up each month with a widow’s dole!”
My goodness! I sure am glad I don’t live in that guy’s world. What a cold, uncaring and empathy-starved place it must be! My so-called “slacker” father served and was injured in World War II. And before he died at age 47, he struggled for 25 years at low-paying jobs to provide a modest life for his family. Maybe I should have pointed out to him that Russell Baker’s mom spent many years scrubbing floors in tenement houses to help take care of her family. And my mom worked all her life to help pay the rent and put food on our table. Oh well!
One final note. I’ve been coming at this column from the “social” side of Social Security. But here is a look at the “security” side. As I was writing this, the National Institute on Retirement Security issued a new study. Here is the heading from their report. “New research from the National Institute on Retirement Security finds that Social Security benefits play a powerful role in supporting the U.S. economy, generating $2.6 trillion in total economic output and supporting more than 12 million American jobs.”
I’m out of space in this column to delve into that angle on Social Security. But if you want to learn more about that NIRS study, just Google it.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easyto-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. To find out more about Tom Margenau visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
day-to-day function as a result of a psychiatric diagnosis, especially mood disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder.
VETERANS POST
Please
Breaking Down the Difference Between a Cold and Influenza
DEAR DR. ROACH: What is the difference between a cold and the flu? -- A.T.R.
ANSWER: Both colds and influenza (the “flu”) are respiratory illnesses that are caused by viruses. Influenza is caused specifically by the influenza viruses, which come in two main types (A and B). Influenza A is further broken down into different subtypes based on hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).
H1N1 and H3N2 are currently the mostcommon circulating influenza A viruses. Even within these subclasses, there is strong variability among flu viruses, which is one reason why we need a new flu vaccine each year.
Many viruses cause colds. Rhinoviruses (“rhino-” is the Greek word for nose) are the most common, but corona-, parainfluenza- and enteroviruses, as well as respiratory syncytial viruses, are all well-known causes of respiratory illnesses, which can be difficult or impossible to tell apart from any other type of cold.
Unfortunately, there are so many of these viruses, some of which change quickly and others that escape our immune system, so it is (so far) impossible to get immunity by an infection or a vaccine to all the cold viruses. Viruses are generally less severe than influenza.
It isn’t always easy to tell flu from a cold, especially in young people. Both can cause a fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat. However, the flu often causes muscle aches, which can be severe. The flu tends to cause higher fevers, more cough and worse headaches, and it often comes along suddenly. (“I got hit by the flu truck.”) Runny nose and nasal congestion tends to be worse with a cold.
Since there is specific antiviral treatments for influenza, clinicians will sometimes make decisions on whether to treat a person based on their symptoms, or they may get a lab test to look for the flu specifically. (Some tests will also check for COVID-19, a special type of coronavirus, at the same time.)
People who are at a high risk for severe flu may be recommended antiviral treatment, whereas there is not a specific antiviral treatment for colds. It’s particularly important for people over 65 and those with any heart, lung or immune system issues to get the influenza vaccine. The optimum time to get it was from October through the end of November. ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: What do we now call what was once referred to as a “nervous breakdown” in the 20th century? -- A.M.
ANSWER: I asked this question to my psychiatry professor way back in the late 20th century when I was a first-year medical student. My professor replied that the term didn’t have a meaning anymore. There is no formal medical or psychiatric diagnosis of a “nervous breakdown.” The term is used by laypeople to describe when a person has severe impairment of their
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An adjustment disorder may resemble a major depressive disorder, but it occurs within a few months of a traumatic life event. A severe case might also be termed a “nervous breakdown.” It is not usually used to describe a person with acute psychosis (a term meaning a grossly distorted sense of reality), such as a person with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder in their acute and uncontrolled state.
All these conditions have effective treatments. Treatment starts by talking to someone, who might be your own regular doctor or a mental health professional. For people who are in acute distress with thoughts of hurting themselves, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is an option in the United States and Canada.
*
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
by Freddie Groves
Involuntary Discharge for Vax Refusal?
If you stood your ground and did what you thought was right in refusing the COVID vaccine, you might have thought your veterans benefits were lost forever when you were involuntarily discharged.
There’s been a change.
It’s been a long five years. If you were bounced out of the service for your refusal, you were not alone. Over 8,000 service members were in that group, and half were saddled with a less than honorable discharge label.
There went the benefits -- and there were legal challenges, of course; a big one being that the Defense Secretary didn’t have the authority to make the demand for vaccination in the first place, and that mandate hadn’t come from an executive order.
In 2023 that mandate was rescinded. Too late for many already separated from the service. The rescinded mandate didn’t have much to offer -- it didn’t include back pay or a restoration of benefits. In January of this year an executive order called for reinstatement in the service, along with back pay and benefits to be paid.
In April there was a change in policy (courtesy of another executive order) that saw the DoD having to send out apologies to all those discharged under that mandate, as well as giving information on how to get the back pay and possibly return to service. Their “welcome back” campaign included phone calls, emails and notes on social media that all indicated that they would be delighted to have you back -- as well as give you the money you would have received had you not been involuntarily discharged.
If you were discharged for refusing the COVID vaccine and if your file still shows a less than honorable discharge because of it, you can ask for a review from a Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction of Military or Naval Records. You have until April 2026 to get that done.
If you want more information, go online to www.milreviewbds.mil
* * *
Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
How to Prepare Your Online Accounts
Before You Die
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: I recently had an estate plan drafted, including a will, power of attorney and advance directive, but I’m not sure what to do about all my online accounts – email, banking, and social media. What can I do to make sure my family can access what they need while still protecting my digital information after I’m gone? -- Almost 80
Dear Almost: In addition to creating an estate plan, you should also make a “digital will” that lists all your online accounts and login information. This will help your loved ones access your electronic devices and online accounts more easily so they can manage your electronic affairs, according to your wishes, after you’re gone.
Montana State University offers a Digital Assets Inventory Worksheet (see Montana.edu/estateplanning/digitalsssetsworksheet.pdf) to help you get started. Or consider purchasing a “password book” on Amazon for a few dollars. This will let you
record and organize your online account information alphabetically. Here are a few other tips to help you prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple: If you’re an iPhone, iPad or Mac user, you should nominate a “legacy contact” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. This is a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system. iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks need macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Signin & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on – including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google: Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager (see Support.google.com/accounts/answer/3036546), which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait – from three to 18 months – before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can choose what types of data they can access – including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram: If you’re on Facebook or Instagram, both of which are owned by the parent company Meta, you can have your accounts either memorialized or deleted after you die if the companies get a valid request from a family member or friend. See Facebook.com/ help/1111566045566400 or Help.Instagram. com/264154560391256 for details.
Meta also strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after your memorial accounts – see Facebook.com/help/1070665206293088. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but
they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also must have a Facebook account.
Passwords: If you use a password manager – a service that creates, saves and manages passwords for all your online accounts – see if it has an emergency access feature. Some services, like Keeper, Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access your keys in case of an emergency or death.
-- by Jim Miller
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Delta Sign Climbs as a Collectible
Q: This is a photo of a porcelain Delta Airlines sign that I have. It measures 14 inches from top to bottom and has a 29-3/4-inch wingspan. It could have been made between 1927 and 1932. It could have been part of a larger sign or maybe hung over a hangar door.
Thank you for any information you can give me.
A: Your sign is an example of a Delta Airlines advertising logo that was used from 1945 to 1962. Huff Daland Dusters Inc. began in Macon, Georgia, as crop-dusters. They moved to Monroe, Louisiana, in 1925 and changed the name to Delta Passenger Service. They started out flying just one passenger in the route/area they flew to dust the crops. Your sign was probably originally bolted to a larger metal background.
Your Delta sign definitely has appeal to collectors of advertising and of Delta Airline/airline memorabilia.
The value of your sign would probably be in the range of $125 to $175.
Q: I have drawn the mark that is on the bottom of a pewter pitcher that I was given in 1945. It was old at that time. It stands about 4 inches tall.
Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated.
A: Joseph Heinrichs Silversmith was in
business from 1897 to 1937. You have a silver-plated chocolate pot. The term “Silver Solder” was used on their silver-plated pieces. The numbers are design numbers.
Heinrichs made silver plate, sterling silver, copper and bronze ware. He started out in New York City, and then expanded to Paris. He made high-end pieces and sold some ware through Tiffany’s. Heinrichs also made restaurant and hotel ware.
In 1937 Heinrichs went bankrupt, and the company was taken over by a group that included Angelo Scavullo. Scavullo began working for Heinrichs as an errand boy and worked his way up to a position that enabled him, along with his associates to buy the company. In 1941 he bought out the other owners.
In the photo that accompanied the sketch you provided, it appears the pot is badly tarnished or the silver has worn away. If your pot is in good condition and is not in need of resilvering, it would probably be worth $75 to $125.
* * *
Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.
To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
* On Dec. 8, 1985, The Byte Shop opened in Mission Valley, California, selling the first 50 Apple-1 computers at a price of $666.66. Nowadays, collectors shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars for them.
* On Dec. 9, 1979, scientists announced that smallpox had been eradicated. Carrying about a 30% risk of death for those infected, it remains the only infectious disease affecting humans to have officially been eliminated.
* On Dec. 10, 1869, Wyoming granted women the right to vote. Some male supporters were motivated by loneliness as much as or more than justice, since the territory had more than 6,000 adult males but only 1,000 females, and it was hoped the latter would be more likely to settle in the area if they could vote.
* On Dec. 11, 1934, following a 13-year struggle with alcohol addiction, stockbroker Bill Wilson took his last sip of booze. The following year, he founded Alcoholics Anonymous, which aimed to treat alcoholism as a disease and not a moral failing.
* On Dec. 12, 1899, George F. Grant, an African American dentist from Boston, received a U.S. patent for the world’s first golf tee. He gave away a few copies of his creation, but was neither a professional marketer or inventor, and made no money on his product before his death.
* On Dec. 13, 1942, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels detailed in his journal his contempt for the relatively humane treatment of Jews in Italian-occupied territories, stating that, “The Italians are extremely lax in their treatment of Jews. They protect Italian Jews both in Tunis and in occupied France and won’t permit their being drafted for work or compelled to wear the Star of David.”
* On Dec. 14, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announced a grant of amnesty for his sister-in-law, Emilie Todd Helm, the widow of a Confederate general, under the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, which allowed former Confederates amnesty if they took an oath to the United States. While Helm received the pardon, though, she never took the required oath.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
"Ah, now I see why they've posted your picture in the caddyshack as the most feared player
Early Delta Airlines Sign is an advertising collectible.
“Joseph Heinrichs Silversmith was founded in 1937.”
the middle of a cloud of thick smoke that turned from blue to black as flames licked the sky.
• The driver was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle in a wanton manner and endangering the lives of others. No word on whether he was the dad.
CONFOUNDED CONFLAGRATION
• One of the worst gender reveals on record involved a man whose innocent plans in 2020 sparked what is now dubbed The El Dorado Fire.
• This immense Southern California wildfire erupted in September 2020, when Refugio Jimenez Jr., his wife and young family planned a photo shoot for their baby gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa.
• Using a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device to emit a cloud of blue smoke, the couple posed in front of the camera and set it to capture them and the scenic background the moment the smoke burst out. However, when the device exploded it immediately sent a shower of sparks that immediately caught the surrounding dry grass on fire.
9/29/25
• Fueled by strong winds and dry timber, the flames quickly spread out of control through the surrounding forest. It ultimately caused over $23 million in damage, blackened 36 square miles of land, destroyed five homes, 15 other buildings, and resulted in the death of a firefighter.
• Jimenez was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and reckless fire endangerment. He spent one year in prison and faces enormous restitution fines he will pay for the rest of his life.
• As originator of the Gender Reveal craze, Jenna Karvunidis now regrets the fad that her original reveal party sparked, not only for the injuries and destruction some have caused, but because she doesn’t feel that such a huge deal should be made over the gender of a baby. She now cautions, “Celebrate the baby, not the gender.”
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Jason Jenkins
Chipping Confusion
For years the chipping set up was taught with a series of mysterious and confusing elements. Point the feet way left. Put the ball behind the right foot. Lean most of the body weight left. All of which created an awkward looking system and typically low, screaming chips that ran off the green.
Modern tour players keep chipping quite simple. They aim slightly left or fairly square with their feet, usually a clubhead apart. No need to aim way left. The ball position is slightly back of center. This keeps the club from leaning drastically, giving the clubhead reasonable loft. The body weight is partially left sided, which again aids in a little more loft on the shot.
If you need a long distance, running chip that comes out hot…grab your 7 iron instead of the sand wedge. Clear out the confusion with a simplified chipping set up.
