CONDIMENTS CONDIMENTS
by Kathy Wolfe
July is both National Hot Dog Month and National Horseradish Month, and following close behind is National Mustard Day on August 2nd. What better time for Tidbits to tastefully add a little zing to your reading with these facts about the various condiments we use to season up our meals!
• Where do we get the word “condiment”? It comes from the Latin “condimentum,” which appropriately means “to season.”
• Ninety-seven percent of American refrigerators contain a bottle of ketchup. The word “ketchup” has its roots in the Chinese language, with their word “ke-tsiap” translating “fish sauce.” The original ingredient of this spicy sauce was pickled fish. In fact, tomatoes were not even an original ketchup component. Instead, it was fermented fish brine that served as the flavoring agent used in soups, meats, and sauces.
• In 1812, a Philadelphia scientist published the first
TRIV
(Answers on page 16)
If you’ve never heard of Sepak Takraw, you’re not alone! Tidbits is here to enlighten you on this sport with roots in Southeast Asia.
• The direct translation of Sepak Takraw is “kick ball,” but this sport is far more complicated than traditional kickball. The game is a combination of soccer and volleyball, with a touch of martial arts thrown in.
• Sepak Takraw is played on a court similar to that of volleyball by teams of two to four players. Typically, the team consists of three players, with the “Tekong,” (the server) standing at the back. Another player known as the feeder or tosser stands close to the net on the left side, and a third, the attacker or striker, on the right side.
• The game is sometimes called “foot volleyball” or “buka ball,” and resembles volleyball in that a team is allowed a maximum of three touches of the ball on their side of the net before they must return it. The trick is to do it without using the hands or arms. Any other body part can be used – feet, head, knees, shoulders, and chest -- but no hands or arms can touch the ball.
• Because of the strict limitations, the game is filled with dazzling acrobatic and martial arts jumps and flips to propel the ball across the net. A spiked ball can sometimes travel at speeds up to 80 mph! Players must be in top physical shape to participate effectively.
1. MOVIES: How many dream levels does the crew enter in the film “Inception”?
2. U.S. STATES: Which state’s nickname is “Treasure State”?
3. LITERATURE: Which 1969 novel begins with the line, “All this happened, more or less”?
4. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a baby horse called?
5. ACRONYMS: What does the acronym GIF stand for?
6. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president served the shortest term?
7. TELEVISION: In which fictional town is “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” set?
8. GEOGRAPHY: What international city’s nickname is “The Eternal City”?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many time zones exist on Earth?
10. SCIENCE: Who is known as the father of medicine? Answers
1. Five (four dream levels and limbo).
2. Montana.
Thailand indicates that the game was played as early as the 15th century. The first rules for today’s modern game were drafted in Thailand in 1929, with the first public contest held there in 1933, followed by its introduction into school curriculums shortly afterward. The first official competition was held in 1945.
• The sport’s certified name didn’t come along until 1960. The Asian Sepak Takraw Federation was established in 1965, with their initial task to translate the rules into English, which made the first worldwide competition that year possible.
• Sepak Takraw was brought to North America when Laotian refugees immigrated to Canada in the 1970s. Thousands of immigrants fled Laos during the Laotian Civil War, which took place between 1959 and 1975.
• You might think that Sepak Takraw is relatively rare and obscure, but an estimated 20 million people play the game. Close to 40 countries have national-level teams and three World Cup championships are held annually. Indonesia is ranked number one in the world. It’s Malaysia’s • According
• The ball was initially made of woven rattan, but synthetic fibers such as rubber or other soft material are also used in modern games. Synthetic rubber balls are required to have 12 holes in the surface. Weight is restricted to between 6.0 and 6.3 oz. (170-180 g). The ball is smaller than a volleyball, with a 5.3-inch (13.5cm) diameter.
• Sepak Takraw is an ancient sport, believed to have originated in China as a military exercise known as Cuju. Soldiers in a circle kicked a leather ball filled with feathers back and forth, trying to keep it airborne for as long as possible. It wasn’t a competitive game, just a means of improving dexterity. Evidence in
Week of July 27, 2025
Condiments: (from page one)
known recipe for ketchup that added tomatoes. The J.H. Heinz Company started selling ketchup in 1876. Heinz introduced individual foil ketchup packets to the public in 1968. The 37th U.S. President Richard Nixon was known for topping his cottage cheese with ketchup.
• If you like tzatziki sauce on your gyro, it’s easy to make! It consists of yogurt mixed with chopped cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and dill, mint, or parsley. A recipe for the sauce was in print for the first time in an 1844 Turkish cookbook.
• If you’ve ever had a Chicago hot dog, the first thing you’ll notice is the neon green relish. It’s made from pickles, mustard seed, celery salt, vinegar, onions, turmeric, and poppy seed. The bright color is achieved by adding blue dye, which, when mixed with the other ingredients, turns it a brilliant green. An authentic Chicago hot dog never includes ketchup. The word “relish” comes from the French word “reles,” which translates “something remaining.”
• The roots and leaves of the horseradish plant were used as a medicine in ancient Egypt. It progressed into use as a condiment on meats throughout Europe, and was brought to North America during colonial times.
• The English word “horseradish” during the 16th century, when it was served with roast meats. Although we associate horseradish with a pungent odor taste and odor, the raw root has very little aroma. Yet once it’s cut or grated, enzymes from the broken plant cells produce allyl isothiocyanate, or mustard oil, which stings the mucous membranes of the sinuses, throat, and eyes. If the exposed horseradish is not mixed with vinegar it becomes quite bitter-tasting.
• Horseradish has been shown properties and has been used to treat sinus
infections and bronchitis.
• The recipe for mayonnaise is quite simple –raw egg, oil, and vinegar. It’s believed that this condiment was invented in 1756 by the chef of the French Duke de Richelieu. The Duke was in command of French forces on the island of Minorca and attacked Port Mahon. The island lacked cream, so the chef created an egg and oil dressing and called it “mahonnaise” after their location. However, some say the word “mayonnaise” comes from the French word “moyeu,” meaning “egg yolk.”
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great-grandson of founder Edmund McIlhenny. The sauce is distributed to 195 countries around the world. The McIlhenny Tabasco Company offers any U.S. active duty military service member free bottles of hot sauce.
• Monkey gland sauce doesn’t sound very appetizing, but have no fear, this sauce does not contain any monkey glands! This sweet, tangy sauce has its origins in South Africa and is used on steaks and burgers, and as a dipping sauce for
1.Whowasknownasthe MotheroftheCivil RightsMovement?
• Soy sauce is an ancient condiment, originating in China more than 2,500 years ago. It’s a mixture of fermented soybeans, wheat, salt, and water which is set aside in order for it to grow Aspergillus. It doesn’t sound too appetizing, but Aspergillus is a fungus that creates a mold called koji, necessary in the production of soy sauce. The brewing process takes anywhere from six months to two years.
2.Whofrontedthe unusualbandThe Mothersof Invention?
• Due to its high salt content, soy sauce can last indefinitely if unopened, and up to three years in the refrigerator after opening. The salt prevents bacteria from growing and keeps it from spoiling. The Kikkoman Corporation produces 400 million bottles of soy sauce a year.
In the 1920s, Cleveland grocer Joe Bertman invented a spicy brown mustard that has been used at Cleveland sports stadiums since 1925. It's appropriately called Bertman Original Ballpark Mustard.
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NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE
In 1837 two pharmacists from Worcester, England, John Wheeley Lea and William Perrins, developed a condiment they appropriately dubbed Worcestershire sauce. It's a mixture of malt vinegar, molasses, sugar, salt anchovies, tamarind extract, onions and garlic. The sauce is aged for 18 months before being bottled.
1. What brand of mustard made its debut at the 1904 St. Louis Word's Fair?
2. What is another name for Japanese horseradish?
“Didn'tItellyounottoeatthatfruit?”theFirstParentasked.
By Lucie Winborne
* The sun emits sound through pressure waves, but their wavelength makes it impossible to be heard by humans.
* In 1989, PepsiCo introduced a breakfast drink called Pepsi A.M., with a caffeine content that was 25% higher than a cup of coffee. Unfortunately for the beverage maker, most Pepsi consumers didn’t really care for the idea of mixing soda with breakfast, and the idea was scrapped.
* The 2007 film “Ratatouille,” about the alliance between a garbage boy and a rat, spurred an uptick in adoption of the rodents. As rat expert Steve Fairburn noted, the film helped to promote the fact that “contrary to popular opinion, rats are one of the cleanest and least smelly pets you can own.”
* The Hollywood sign originally read Hollywoodland.
* There is no number before 1,000 that contains the letter “a.”
* Penicillin’s original name was “mold juice.” Yes, we think the revised moniker has a much nicer ring, too.
* The average person is made up of around 56% bacteria.
* In Japanese, the word “kuchisabishii” refers to eating not when you’re hungry, but when your mouth is lonely.
* It takes 90 days for one drop of water to travel the length of the Mississippi River.
* In the village of Brockworth, England, folks gather on every spring bank holiday to chase wheels of Double Gloucester cheese down Cooper’s Hill. First one over the finish line wins. The tradition was first recorded in 1826 but may actually be around 600 years old and is world famous.
* Popsicles were originally marketed as a health food. ***
Thought for the Day: “Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent people ignore.” -- Albert Einstein
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
Another Brilliant Way to Use WD-40 Around the House
glass actually become permanently etched, it is not likely that WD-40 could not have fixed the problem.
WD-40 is a great product. The blue and yellow can is about as familiar as anything. Banished to a shelf in the garage, most people assume WD-40 is only an automotive thing. Wrong! This stuff is amazing. And relatively cheap.
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
I had to laugh when I opened my mail to read how one reader was able to get his glass shower doors so clean and sparkly that they looked like new. I had a can of his remedy sitting right there next to my computer.
Hold on! That can of WD-40 was NOT there to be used as a computer screen cleaner. I’ve never tried it, do not intend to and hope you do not either. There is a much better way to do that.
It was on my desk because I had just used it to test the theory that WD-40 would waterproof my leather boots. Supposedly, WD-40 acts as a barrier so moisture can’t seep into your shoes and get your socks wet.
DEAR MARY: We bought a home not long ago, and the glass shower doors were so badly stained I actually thought the glass had become etched. But I wasn’t ready to give up on them without a fight.
I took the doors off, thinking I could put more pressure on them if they were lying flat. Then I tried all the cleaners you’ve mentioned over the years, and then some. Still the spots remained. That’s when I remembered what I had used on my car when I found a few spots of tar on it. The answer was WD-40.
I took the doors outside, covered my picnic table and then laid a door on it. Next, I sprayed the door with the WD-40 with the open spray (“straw” setting off), let it set a few minutes then just wiped it off with a paper towel. A couple of spots required more application. When done, I put some Blue Dawn in a bucket, used a sponge to soap it down, then leaned it against a fence, putting a wood block under it to keep it off the ground. I sprayed it with the water hose and allowed it to dry. Then I repeated the process on the other door. They looked great!
The only problem encountered was when I went to retrieve them, I discovered a bird had found one before me, but THAT was a simple cleanup! -- Randy
Dear Randy: Remarkable! And a what a great idea to use WD-40 to clean those doors. Although we need to make it clear that had the
Most of us already know to use WD-40 to loosen bolts and fix squeaky door hinges, and even springs. But there are quite possibly thousands more ways WD-40 can make our lives easier. Here are a few of my favorites!
REPEL SPIDERS AND OTHER BUGS
Just spray some WD-40 on windowsills and other places spiders can get in. Wipe away the excess and that’s it. It will keep spiders and other creepy crawlies away.
CLEAN GREASY HANDS
When you’re done with a messy job that got your hands all greasy, painty or sooty, spray them with a little WD-40. Wipe with a paper towel and then follow with soap and water. So much better than getting the sink super dirty.
REMOVE PAINT FROM LEATHER
It happened to me once. I got paint on my jeans, didn’t realize it and while it was still wet, got into the car. Yep. Paint on the leather seat. A quick spray of WD-40 followed by a soft, clean rag took that paint away in a flash -- and didn’t leave a trace. Took it out of my pants, too.
CLEAN UP CRAYON MARKS
Whether they’re on the walls of your home or your clothes dryer, WD-40 works like a dream to soften crayon marks, making them easy to remove. Always test first, especially if that wall happens to be wallpapered.
FREE STUCK DISHWARE
Do you ever get a small bowl or drinking glass hopelessly stuck inside one that is slightly larger? A quick spray of WD-40 just might be all you need to get them unstuck. Give it a try!
As for the boots? Yes! In my test, WD-40 did make my boots repel water and snow, so my feet stayed nice and dry. Pretty cool!
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
International Clown Week is celebrated during the first week of August each year, and Tidbits is recognizing the comical contributions of these dedicated folks who make us laugh.
• Bozo the Clown first appeared in 1946, portrayed by former vaudeville performer Pinto Colvig. Colvig’s history included producing printed and animated cartoons, serving as the voice of Disney’s Goofy and Pluto, a “Wizard of Oz” Munchkin, and Popeye’s arch-enemy Bluto. Colvig played the role of Bozo for ten years, including Bozo’s television debut in 1949. Bozo was quite recognizable with his bright red hair, bulbous red nose, and gigantic “slap” shoes. Former “Today” show weatherman Willard Scott portrayed Bozo the Clown on a Week of
daily one-hour program from 1959 to 1962, and even visited the White House to entertain John F. Kennedy’s children.
• Following his stint as Bozo, Willard Scott became Ronald McDonald, portraying the hamburger chain’s clown from 1963 through 1967. When Bozo went off the air, McDonald’s asked Scott to come up with a new character, and Ronald became the spokesman for the company. Ronald first appeared in national TV advertising during the 1965 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Surveys of the early 2000s revealed that 96% of all children in the U.S. recognized Ronald McDonald. Willard Scott abandoned the role when he was offered the full-time weatherman position at NBCʼs “Today” show.
• Perhaps as recognizable as Ronald McDonald is Krusty the Clown, a character on the animated series “The Simpsons.” Krusty’s birth name was Herschel Schmoeckel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky. He’s a clown who rarely behaves himself, with his behavior including an addiction to alcohol and cigarettes that he lights with hundred-dollar bills, running up gambling debts to mobsters on horse races and sporting events, and cheating on his taxes.
• One of the most famous clowns in history was Emmett Kelly, who created the hobo clown Weary Willie in 1933. Kelly based his character on the tramps of the Depression era. Originally trained as a trapeze artist, Kelly’s first professional appearance as a clown was in 1921, appearing in white-face. After a short stint with the Cole Brothers’ circus, Kelly joined the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1942, where he remained for 14 seasons. A 1944 fire under the Big Top in Hartford, Connecticut, claimed the lives of 168, impacting Kelly profoundly. A famous photo showing the clown Kelly carrying buckets of water attempting to stop the fire appeared in LIFE magazine. When he left Ringling Bros. in the late 1950s, Kelly was the most recognized clown in America,
touted as “the world’s funniest clown.” In 1957, Kelly’s ragged, melancholy Weary Willie character was hired as the official mascot of the Brooklyn Dodgers for the season. Kelly appeared on Broadway, television, and movies, and was preparing for a new movie at age 80 when he passed away.
• Comedian Red Skelton introduced his hobo clown character “Freddie the Freeloader” on his popular TV variety show in 1952. Unlike Emmett Kelly’s Weary Willie clown, who always seemed sad, Freddie was always a happy upbeat clown, a generous personality with a love for people. Freddie lived in a shack at the garbage dump, where he slept in a bathtub. “The Red Skelton Show” was in the Top 10 highest-rated shows for 17 of the 20 years it aired. Skelton not only played a clown, he was a gifted artiest who produced more than 1,000 oil paintings of clowns, earning $2.5 million a year selling his prints and lithographs. At the time of his death in 1997, his originals carried price tags of $80,000 and more.
by Dana Jackson
Q: Is it true that Ozzy Osbourne is dying? Is that why he had his farewell concert recently? -- C.M.
A: According to his daughter, Kelly Osbourne, her 76-year-old father is not dying. She also condemned a video circulating the internet in which it appears Ozzy is saying, “I don’t need a doctor to tell me that I’m going to die.” But it’s not his voice; it’s AI.
Ozzy revealed publicly in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. While Kelly admits that his mobility is “completely different than it used to be,” Ozzy
1. Superman (PG-13) David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan
2. Jurassic World: Rebirth (PG-13) Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali
3. F1: The Movie (PG-13) Brad Pitt, Damson Idris
4. How to Train Your Dragon (PG) Mason Thames, Nico Parker
5. Elio (PG) Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña
6. 28 Years Later (R) Jodie Comer, Aaron TaylorJohnson
7. Lilo & Stitch (PG) Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong
8. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (PG-13) Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell
9. M3GAN 2.0 (PG-13) Allison Williams, Ivanna Sakhno
10. Materialists (R) Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans
© 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
was able to perform with his band Black Sabbath in early July.
***
Q: I read that Tom Ellis’ new FBI show is undergoing changes and won’t be ready this fall. I hope it doesn’t get shelved for good. He’s my favorite actor since I saw him in “Lucifer.” -- Y.B.
A: Don’t worry, Tom Ellis’ upcoming series has been pushed back by CBS as a mid-season replacement instead of premiering this fall, but it’s not being scrapped.
The series originally titled “FBI: CIA” -- now simply titled “CIA” -- is set to launch as the fourth series within the “FBI” franchise. But creative differences have emerged, and original showrunner David Hudgins has been replaced by Warren Leight (of the “Law & Order” universe).
According to Matt Webb Mitovich of TVLine, other than Tom Ellis, no other casting announcements have been made, and scripts are undergoing “further polishing.”
A fan asked if any cast members from the canceled “FBI” franchises could land on “CIA,” but it’s doubtful now that “FBI” has been axed out of the title.
“Watson,” a medical drama starring Morris Chestnut, has now been moved up from mid-season to the fall by CBS. It will make its sophomore season debut on Oct. 13 at 10 p.m. ET, following the season eight premiere of “FBI.” ***
Q: What ever happened to Mary Louise Parker? I loved her in “Weeds,” but I haven’t seen her in anything since. -- W.U.
A: Mary Louise Parker’s career was at its peak in the early 2000s, but it’s far from over. Now aged 60 and looking fabulous, she’s still building a long resume with one acting role after another, but no project was as impactful as Showtime’s “Weeds,” where she earned three Emmy nominations. You can currently see her in the limited series “The Institute” on MGM+, which is based on a novel by Stephen King. Over the years, she’s had recurring roles on shows like “The Blacklist,” “Billions” and “Elsbeth.”
Next up, she’ll be starring in “The Auction” with Audra McDonald (“The Gilded Age”) as well as her ex Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”). Their relationship was all over the tabloids when they split late during her pregnancy when he fell for actress Clare Danes, but they are now amicable.
She’ll also star in the upcoming political satire “Kissinger Takes Paris,” opposite Tim Roth (“The Hateful Eight”), in addition to the film adaptation of Justine Bateman’s book “Face” with Carrie-Ann Moss (“The Matrix Resurrections”) about society’s reaction to women who age naturally.
* * *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Ozzy Osbourne Singer-songwriter
Good Recipes from
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tagine
This Moroccan stew features tender chicken and butternut squash whose flavors have melded with garlic, onion and rich spices in the gentle heat of the slow cooker.
1 medium (1 1/2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed with press
1 can (15- to 19-ounce) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup raisins
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 pounds bone-in skinless chicken thighs
1 box (10-ounce) plain couscous
1/2 cup pitted green olives
1. In 6-quart slow cooker, combine squash, tomatoes, onion, garlic, beans, broth and raisins. In cup, combine coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt and ground black pepper. Rub spice mixture all over chicken thighs; place chicken on top of vegetable mixture. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook as manufacturer directs, on low 8 hours or
on high 4 hours.
2. About 10 minutes before serving, prepare couscous as label directs.
3. To serve, fluff couscous with fork. Stir olives into chicken mixture. Serve chicken mixture over couscous. Serves 6.
Each serving: About 545 calories, 9g total fat (2g saturated), 107mg cholesterol, 855mg sodium, 80g total carbohydrate, 10g dietary fiber, 39g protein.
Sliced Citrus Topped with Lemon-Lime Syrup
Served on top of plain or vanilla yogurt, this versatile fruit dish can be eaten for breakfast or dessert. It also makes a fun addition to a brunch buffet.
1 to 2 lemons
1 lime
1/4 cup sugar
2 navel oranges
2 clementines
2 red or white grapefruit
1. From lemons, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 3 tablespoons juice. From lime, grate 1/2 teaspoon peel and squeeze 1
tablespoon juice.
2. In 1-quart saucepan, combine lemon and lime juices and sugar; heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in lemon and lime peels. Cover syrup and refrigerate until cold.
3. Meanwhile, cut peel and white pith from oranges, clementines and grapefruit. Slice all fruit crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Arrange slices on deep, large platter.
4. Spoon syrup over citrus on platter. If not serving citrus right away, cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Makes 6 servings.
By John Allen DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
Holidays & Observances This Week
7/27 National Parents Day
7/28 National Waterpark Day
7/29 Army Chaplain Corps Day
7/30 Father-In-Law Day
7/31 National Mutt Day
8/1 U.S. Air Force Day
8/2 National Clown Day
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Canine Homewreckers
It’s one thing to battle over who gets the dog once divorce is imminent. It’s another to argue about the dog until divorce is imminent. This is a real problem -- poorly behaved dogs that destroy marriages and deflate budding romance. What to do about these canine homewreckers?
Heed the following letter from a reader:
“My dog will not let my boyfriend kiss me without growling or barking the whole time, and it is impossible to be intimate without my dog wanting to be on the bed with us. I have tried removing him from the room, but the barking only gets worse. It has become very awkward and uncomfortable. Please help.”
It’s clear who’s wearing the pants in this relationship -- and that someone else would prefer to be wearing less of them. But this dog’s running the show, and he’s determined to drown out the competition.
Since we can’t sit our pups down in front of an after-school special on the birds and the bees, we’re left with only one solution: training. Basic obedience training is an education all dogs should receive. It’s like sending your child to school: nonnegotiable.
Simple commands like “come,” “down” and “stay” are powerful tools in thwarting a canine homewrecker. And the appropriate supplies are essential. Provide your pup with a crate or doggie bed, and teach him to retreat to it on command. Adorn it with soft blankets and favorite chew toys to make it a desirable place to visit. If he resists, stand firm. You want your dog to love his resting place -- never banish him to his bed as punishment -- but he doesn’t get a say in when and whether to retire. Your “bedtime” is his bedtime. But your bed is not his.
No pup should have the run of the house before the age of 2. When you are home, confine the dog in an area of the house where you can at all times see him and quickly reach him to correct problem behaviors. Baby gates work great.
When you are not home, leave your dog in a comfortable crate with good visibility or confine him in a small area of the house. This is a necessary element of training and will help to establish
Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10
(CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)
SENIOR NEWS LINE
by Matilda Charles © King Features Synd., Inc.
Video Games for Seniors
A recent annual report by the Entertainment Software Association indicates that over 50 million seniors are playing video games. That’s over one-quarter of the total number of all people playing video games.
Color me shocked! I thought I was the only one, or at least one of a very few seniors who do. Little did I know that so many others 60 and up are also playing video games -- and that more than half of those are females.
When asked why they play, 77% of seniors responded that they play video games to relax, 51% to have fun and 65% to keep minds sharp. There’s social interaction, which helps combat isolation. We can improve memory, problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. We can slow cognitive decline, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and improve mental flexibility. In other words, playing video games can be good for us!
How to get started if you don’t already play? I started playing video games right after I got my first computer, back in 1994. While I’ve gone through several computers over the years, I still have some of the original games, and they’re now classics. For several years I had a membership that sent me a new game every month as well.
To get started now, if you’d like to try your hand at video games, begin with something easy to learn and play, either for your computer or tablet. You have so much to choose from. There are word games and puzzles. There are classic games where you can play chess or checkers against an imaginary partner. There are trivia games, community builders (you build an online town) and shooter games where you kill enemies or monsters. You can play by yourself or in groups online. It's a fun passtime, and rather addicting in a totally good way.
One place to start is the AARP Games Center (aarp.org/games), where you can play dozens of games for free and even more if you’re a member.
Have fun!
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
Cody’s Corner (from page 9)
you as the head of household, to keep him safe, and to give him time to learn the house rules and prove himself trustworthy.
Finally, if it’s all that incessant barking that’s coming between you and true love:
-- Keep a shake can nearby -- a tin can with a few coins inside will do. When your pup barks, give the can a firm shake. The sudden loud noise will immediately divert his attention and eventually deter his barking.
-- Another approach is to use a squirt bottle instead of a shake can. The sudden spray of water to the face will startle and distract him.
-- There are also safe and effective antibarking products on the market -- not recommended in lieu of training, but in tandem with training. Citronella collars release a nontoxic yet irritating spritz of citronella around your pup’s face whenever he barks. Sonar collars work by emitting a high-pitched sound that is annoying to the dog and inaudible to the dog owner.
A belligerent dog should not mean the end of an otherwise sound romance. In cases such as these, don’t get rid of the dog or the relationship -- get rid of the problem. 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
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
World War II History with a Social Security Link
My wife and I were recently doing a little house cleaning and downsizing. Specifically, we were going through many of our old books. We’ve finally decided that having shelves and shelves of hardbacks and paperbacks and other volumes wasn’t impressing anyone anymore -- including ourselves. So, one by one, we are going through them and deciding which to keep and which should go in the library donation box.
As part of that process, I came across a book I decided to re-read. I first read it in 2012 and wrote a column about it back then. And unless some reader has been clipping all my columns for the past decade or more, I doubt if anyone remembers what I wrote back then. So, I’m going to write about it again.
The book is called “Citizens of London” by Lynne Olson. It tells the story of three influential Americans who were living in London in 1940 and who stood by Britain during its darkest hours -- that period when Great Britain alone was essentially defending freedom against the ravages of Hitler’s war machine. (For those of my readers who are not history buffs, America before Pearl Harbor was dominated by isolationists who did not want our country to get involved in what they considered “that European war.”)
But three forward-thinking men were working behind the scenes, serving as emissaries between Winston Churchill and former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, trying to funnel as much military and humanitarian aid as possible from the United States to England.
I’m sure most of my readers have heard of two of those men. One was Averell Harriman, the hard-driving millionaire who owned railroads, established the Sun Valley ski resort in Idaho, dated celebrities, and became our Ambassador to Russia in 1943. But in early 1941, he was running FDR’s “Lend Lease” program in London.
FDR, who knew the United States would have to enter the war eventually, used the “Lend Lease” program to provide military aid to our allies (primarily Great Britain) without immediate payment. This enabled England to acquire vital supplies like weapons, food and equipment, while the United States maintained a stance of official neutrality in the early years of the war. In return, America received long-term leases on military bases and promises of future payments or other benefits.
The other well known emissary was Edward R. Murrow, the CBS newsman who became famous for his realistic and touching radio broadcasts from bomb-ravaged London.
However, I’ll bet many of my readers never heard of the third influential American. And in fact, I bought the book in the first place all those years ago, because I had a small connection with him. His name was John Gilbert Winant.
Winant was a very interesting person. In the 1920s, he had won national acclaim as the youngest and most progressive governor in the country. (He was the Republican governor of New Hampshire.) But in the 1930s, as pointed out in
“Citizens of London,” “this rising Republican star with presidential dreams forfeited his political future by attacking the GOP for its slashing assaults on the New Deal, including Social Security.”
In 1941, FDR appointed Winant to replace the isolationist -- and thus not very popular -- Joseph P. Kennedy (father of John F. Kennedy) as our ambassador to Great Britain. It is in that role that John Winant was arguably the most influential and helpful American in Britain’s hour of need. He worked closely with King George VI and Winston Churchill and won the hearts of the war-weary British public.
But the name John Gilbert Winant attracted me to read this book for another reason. For you see, before his stint as ambassador, he served as the first head of Social Security -- the agency that I worked for from 1973 until 2005.
In 1935, former President Roosevelt appointed Winant to lead the three-man board that would administer the new federal agency charged with running the Social Security program. FDR did so in part because he wanted the well known Republican to help thwart the fierce GOP opposition to the new law. Still, Senate Republicans filibustered and held up funding for the fledgling agency. But Winant and the other two board members, with minimal resources, worked tirelessly to hire staff and patch together a network of regional and field offices that would begin the daunting task of registering most workers in this country, assigning them a Social Security number, and setting up a system to record their earnings and eventually pay them monthly benefits.
Anyway, if you’d like to learn more about the early days of World War II (before Pearl Harbor), I can strongly recommend reading “Citizens of London.”
With the space I have left in today’s column, let’s go down a tangential path to the topic we’ve been discussing. I am going to give you a series of names. I would give any reader a huge congratulation if he or she could tell me who they are and what they all have in common. Here are the names: Stanford Ross, William Driver, John Svahn, Martha McSteen, Dorcas Hardy, Gwendolyn King,
1. The book of 2 Peter is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. During biblical times, what was a rough, coarse cloth worn as a mourning symbol? a) Frock b) Ephod c) Sackcloth d) Enod
3. What Old Testament book's ninth chapter mentions the constellation Orion? a) Isaiah b) Job c) Jeremiah d) Ezra
4. From Luke 13, which king was referred to by Jesus as "that fox"? a) Ahab b) Darius c) Ceasar d) Herod
5. Who said, "Be sure your sin will find you out"? a) Moses b) David c) Matthew d) Jesus
6. What is "Jebus" another name for? a) Celebration b) Ceremonial rite c) Judah d) Jerusalem
(Answers on page 16) For comments or more
Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
Shirley Chate, Kenneth Apfel, Andrew Saul and Martin O’Malley.
So, who are they? They are 10 of the past 36 commissioners (including acting commissioners) of Social Security. The Commissioner of Social Security is the top spot within the Social Security Administration. He or she is responsible for running one of the largest agencies in the federal government, in charge of maintaining Social Security numbers and earnings records for nearly every working American and for paying retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to about 80 million people every month.
Yet, almost no one knows who these people are. Most folks can probably name the FBI director or the head of the CIA. But SSA is one of the many federal agencies whose top dog might as well be named “Underdog.” Who heads the VA? Who is the Commissioner of the IRS? Who runs the Federal Highway Administration? How about the Bureau of Labor Statistics? The heads of these and so many other federal agencies are almost always nameless political appointees.
For part of my career with the SSA, I worked for several Social Security commissioners. Usually, in the role of a speechwriter. Sometimes, as a deputy press officer. By no means was I a major player on any commissioner’s staff. If the commissioner had a meeting with his or her top deputies, I would be sitting in a chair in the corner of the room -- usually taking notes. But as I used to say: “At least I was in the room.” And I sure would have loved to be in the room with John Winant when he was building the organization that would become the Social Security Administration! *
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 Easy-to-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 and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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Understanding How PSAs and DREs Help Identify CANCER
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 53-year-old healthy male, and I always request to check my PSA levels each year. My 57-year-old brother’s new doctor denied his request for a routine PSA check on their initial visit. She said that the test now produces more false positives as well as unnecessary procedures and surgeries, so she said “no” and wouldn’t order it.
Are primary care physicians discouraging the PSA test for older men now? I don’t get any push back when I request to check it. Also, I heard the digital rectal exam (DRE) isn’t as valid anymore for screening. His new doctor also did not do a DRE.
I’m curious to know your thoughts on the current DRE and PSA screening guidelines for primary care physicians. -- C.C.
ANSWER: The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a screening blood test for cancer, and the recommendation for its use has gone back and forth over decades since it’s been introduced. Since screening and prevention are my areas of expertise, I have followed the literature on the use of PSAs and other screening tests very closely.
sults of the blood test. Approximately 1% of men will get prostate cancer that is diagnosed by the DRE as part of combined screening. Many men will refuse screening if it includes a rectal exam, and it’s estimated that 90% of abnormal rectal exams will be false positives. On the other hand, I’ve had instances where quite a few men don’t feel like they have been adequately screened unless they get the DRE.
I have a discussion with every man about PSA testing, and I recommend it for most men in this age group. But I only rarely have had a man say that he doesn’t want it once he understands that we won’t recommend surgery unless the combination of all the studies show this is a highrisk situation.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, at an event sponsored by our community, an expert on the gut microbiome gave a lecture on how to keep it in balance. While the lecture was generally informative and useful, at one point, he stated that vaccines were detrimental to the microbiome. Is there any evidence (other than anecdotal) that supports such an opinion? -- W.G.
ANSWER: The huge number of bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract is referred to as the microbiome, and our microbiome can have effects on many aspects of our functioning. How much of an effect it has is debated.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
A Big Thumbs-Up to the VAOIG
A recent report says that during this year’s multi-agency health care fraud takedown, they’ve nailed 324 criminals to the tune of $14.6 billion. That’s “billion” with a “b.” And that dollar amount is over double what they’ve seized before. This time they also seized cars and cryptocurrency. They stopped $4 billion in fraudulent claims payments. They stopped millions from going overseas to foreign banks.
And those weren’t just street-thug-level criminals they nabbed. These were bigger guys, including 96 doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other medical professionals. Scammers included foreigners sent here to pull off schemes that used stolen identities of Americans.
Working with several other agencies, all the way from federal level (including the IRS, Homeland Security, the Department of Labor and more) down to local law enforcement, the OIG has brought charges to keep thieves from stealing money from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Here are a few examples of the lowlifes they corralled.
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In my opinion, your brother’s doctor was wrong to refuse to order the test. She was right that it does produce false positives, which could potentially lead to unnecessary surgeries; however, there are good ways to reduce unnecessary treatment while still ordering the test, which can save lives.
Most prostate cancer is so slow-growing that it is likely never to bother a man until he dies from something else. So, we don’t want to operate on these relatively indolent cancers because there’s a possibility of a serious side effect from surgery, such as urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction (neither of which any man wants).
Before operating, careful testing is done on the prostate cancer, including imaging (ideally by an MRI scan), a biopsy with pathological examination, and often genetic testing of the tumor. Along with the PSA results, we can separate prostate cancer into categories of very low risk and low risk versus intermediate and high risk.
Once we have the diagnosis, we can make good recommendations so that we can identify the rare high-risk cancers while not unnecessarily treating the low-risk cancers. Without screenings, we can’t keep rare, small and aggressive tumors from spreading until it’s too late.
Please
Now I have to tell you that 57 isn’t so much “older” than 53, at least from the perspective of prostate cancer screening. The most important time for prostate cancer screening is ages 50-70. There are some men who benefit from starting screening at a younger age (those with a family history, Black men, and men with certain genetic risks), and there are some who benefit from starting screening when they’re older than 70.
The DRE does not add much to the re-
Based on this recent study, I disagree with your community speaker and conclude that if you’re concerned about your microbiome, you’d be much better off getting vaccinated and taking other steps to prevent infection.
*
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.
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Estate Planning Attorney
Rights Reserved
● Wills
● Trusts
● Power of Attorney
● Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
● New to California? Update your existing Estate Planning Documents!
“Don’t die without it!”
J Arthur Law Firm 12th pg 4C 13x Dec. 15, 2024 Vol. 20 - No. 51 MON., DEC. 9 Joshua Arthur, Esq. Attorney at Law J. Arthur Law Firm
One group was shipping out medical equipment that wasn’t really necessary and then billing for it. Working with a marketing company, they pressured recipients to receive and keep the equipment, even if it wasn’t needed. Scammers even pressured doctors to sign the orders by repeatedly faxing them documents claiming that the patient had specifically requested the equipment. Eventually the doctor would sign the forms. This scam was good for a cool $39 million.
And there was the wound care scam -where wound patches were applied to vulnerable patients who should not have had them -- that netted $600 million.
Then there was the massage therapist who billed over $2 million for services never rendered. For example, they billed for aquatic therapy when they had no pool, for wheelchair therapy for veterans not in a wheelchair and for pacemaker monitoring for veterans who did not have a pacemaker.
Once again I’m hoping the VA’s Office of Inspector General has seen their operating budget increased so they can do even more of what they’ve been doing.
* * *
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.
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How to Get Relief from Dry Eyes
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: What kinds of treatments are available to combat dry eyes? Since I turned 55, my eyes have become increasingly dry and sensitive, and drops don't seem to be helping much. -- Blinking Brenda
Dear Brenda: Dry eye is a very common problem that affects an estimated 16 million Americans. But you don’t have to just put up with it. There are lifestyle adjustments and multiple treatment options available to keep your eyes moist and healthy. Here’s what you should know.
Dry Eye Problems
Dry, red, burning, irritated eyes are one of the most common reasons for visits to the eye doctor, but discomfort isn’t the only problem of dry eyes. Light sensitivity and blurred or fluctuating vision are common problems too, and worse yet, dry eyes are more likely to get scratched or infected, which in severe cases could damage your vision permanently.
The reason people get dry eyes are because they either don’t produce enough tears to keep their eyes properly lubricated, or because they produce poor quality tears.
In some cases, dry eyes can be triggered by medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid diseases, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome. It can also be brought on by age (tear production tends to diminish as we get older), eye conditions, eyelid problems, certain medications, environmental factors and even LASIK and cataract surgery. Dry eyes are also more common in women, especially after menopause.
Lifestyle Adjustments
The first step experts recommend in dealing with dry eyes is to check your lifestyle and surroundings for factors that might be contributing to the problem and make these adjustments:
Avoid airflows: Keep your eyes away from air vents, hair dryers, oscillating and ceiling fans and consider buying a home humidifier.
Blink more frequently: When you’re reading, watching television, or using a smartphone, tablet or computer, take frequent breaks because these activities cause you to blink less often.
Avoid irritants: Avoid smoke-filled places and if you swim, wear goggles to cut down exposure to chemicals.
Use moisture chamber eyeglasses: These goggles/glasses wrap around the sides of your face to seal off your eyes from wind, dust and other drying irritants. These are available in many styles, and some in the Airshield collection from 7Eye.com can be made with prescription lenses.
Check your meds: Dozens of prescription and over the counter (OTC) drugs like antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and Parkinson’s medications can all cause dry eyes. If you’re taking any of these, ask your doctor about alternatives.
Get more omega-3s: Studies show that eating more fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (or take a supplement) helps some people.
Treatment Options
If adjusting your environment and habits doesn’t do the trick, there are a variety of OTC eye drops called artificial tears, along with moisturizing gels and ointments that may help your eyes feel better. If you experi-
ence a lot of burning, try another product or opt for a preservative-free formula. Or, if you have itchy dry eyes, you may get more relief from antihistamine eye drops, like olopatadine (Pataday) and ketotifen (Alaway, Zaditor), or decongestant eye drops like naphazoline/glycerin (Clear Eyes).
If the lifestyle and OTC treatments don’t help, see an ophthalmologist. He or she can offer additional advice and may prescribe a medication. There are several FDA approved medications for dry eye like Restasis, Xiidra and Miebo.
If your dry eye is severe and does not improve, you doctor might recommend some office procedures like punctal plugs, thermal pulsation, meibomian gland expression, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. These procedures target the underlying causes of dry eye, such as meibomian gland dysfunction or tear drainage issues.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
-- by Jim Miller
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Windmill Mark Identifies Maker
Q: Enclosed is a photo of a vase that I have. I believe it is silver and stands over 7 inches tall. Marked on the bottom is a windmill with a smoking pipe on both sides. Also there is the number 3836. It is decorated with a raised ornate pattern of scrolls, flowers and cherubs. Even though it is tarnished and badly in need of polishing, it is in very good condition.
Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.
A: You have a silver plate vase that was made by Barbour Silver Company. Samuel L. Barbour and his brother, Charles Barbour, founded their silver company in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1889.
The number is the design number. The ornate pattern is repousse, a method of hammering a design from the reverse side of an object. Barbour Silver Company became part of International Silver Company in 1898.
Your vase was made around 1900, and it would probably be worth $250 to $300.
Q: I have enclosed the mark that is on the bottom of a pink teapot that I bought at a garage sale last summer. It stands about 4 inches high, has a flower-shaped handle on the lid, and is in mint condition.
I hope you can tell me about its history, vintage and value.
A: Your teapot was made by Taylor, Smith & Taylor Co. in East Liverpool, Ohio. Lu-Ray was one of their lines of dinnerware. Complete dinnerware sets were available in pastel colors like Sharon Pink, Persian Cream, Surf Green, Chatham Gray and Windsor Blue.
John Taylor and Charles Smith founded their company in 1899 and produced semi-porcelain. They were joined by Taylor’s son and built a factory in Chester, Ohio. Around 1906, Smith bought out the Taylors, but kept the name.
Lu-Ray dinnerware was made by Taylor, Smith, & Taylor Co.
Lu-Ray-ware was manufactured in plain, soft pastel colors and can be recognized by simple streamlined shapes that were representative of mid-20th century design.
Through the years, Taylor, Smith and Taylor made dinnerware for hotels and restaurants, as well as kitchenware and ovenware. The factory was bought by Anchor Hocking Corporation in 1972. By 1981, due to a decline in profits, they were forced to close.
Your teapot is an example of the Lu-Ray’s Sharon Pink and was made sometime between 1930 and 1950. Ones similar to yours can be seen selling on eBay in the range of $250 to $350.
* * * Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has recently 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.
* On July 28, 1996, two men happened upon a skull in a Washington state park, which was part of a skeleton eventually discovered to be more than 9,000 years old. The remains, christened Kennewick Man, were reinterred 21 years later in a Native American ceremony.
* On July 29, 1862, Confederate spy Maria Isabella “Belle” Boyd was arrested by Union troops and held at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C. It was the first of three arrests for the intrepid teenager, who was 17 when she shot and killed a Union solider for insulting her mother and threatening to search their house. Four years later, she turned her experiences into a book and acting career.
* On July 30, 2004, the cult-classic “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,” starring John Cho and Kal Penn as two burger-craving stoners, debuted. Reportedly, the White Castle chain noted a 30% rise in sales the following week.
* On July 31, 1556, Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order of Roman Catholic missionaries and educators formally known as The Society of Jesus, died in Rome. He was canonized as a Catholic saint in 1622.
* On Aug. 1, 1944, Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl hiding in a secret annex in Nazioccupied Holland whose diary would come to serve as a powerful symbol of the Holocaust, penned her final entry three days before she, her family and four others were arrested and transported to concentration camps.
* On Aug. 2, 1939, Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt with the suggestion that uranium could be used in the creation of “extremely powerful bombs of a new type.” Years later, however, he would describe the missive as the “one great mistake” of his life.
* On Aug. 3, 1936, track-and-field star Jesse Owens earned the first of four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, the most of any American at the Games. Sadly, back in the States, only white Olympians were invited to the White House.
If two people are planning a conspiracy while
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"Poor guy - tried to play big shot and show off his superb golf style to his mother-in-law, and she skunked him all 18 holes. "
Vase made by Barbour Silver Company.
Condiments (from page 3)
onion rings and fries. Its actual ingredients are chutney, tomato sauce, onions, vinegar, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce.
• People have been making mustard for thousands of years, with the earliest evidence found in Syria, dating back to around 9000 B.C. Archaeologists have found signs of mustard cultivation in southeast Asia from 1800 B.C. During China’s Zhou Dynasty (1046 – 256 B.C.), mustard seeds were ground up and made into paste.
• The three main varieties of mustard are yellow, brown, and black. Yellow mustard uses white and yellow seeds along with turmeric, which gives it that bright yellow color. Dijon mustard is made from black and brown mustard seeds, along with a little white wine, and was first produced in Dijon, France, in the 13th century.
• If youʼre a mustard lover, you can visit the world’s largest mustard collection at the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin. Open to visitors, this unique facility features displalys of more than 6,000 jars of mustard in every shape and flavor imaginable from all over the globe.
• The “perfect” flavor of barbecue sauce varies according to region. Kansas City barbecue sauce is a thick tangy tomato sauce with multiple sweeteners such as brown sugar and molasses. Texas-style sauce is similar to Kansas City, but without so much sweetness, and with an added kick of heat from peppers. The Carolinas have two separate and distinct styles, one with a yellow Carolina Gold mustard-base thatʼs popular in South Carolina. It’s sweet and tangy along with the bite of cayenne pepper, while North Carolina combines vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and hot sauce.
• Whatever your particular tastes happen to be, all will agree that seasoning is the art of elevating the taste of food, making it more appealing and delicious. It's not just about adding flavor, but about crafting a balanced and enjoyable culinary experience!
STAN SMITH'S TENNIS CLASS
by Jason Jenkins
Good driving requires a shallow angle of attack from a slight inside downswing path. You’ve maybe heard the term “sweep the ball” off the tee to create this approach. Yet, without a launch monitor by your side, how would you know if you’ve accomplished those goals? Time to look at your tee.
Yes, that two inch piece of wood (or plastic) will tell you a lot about your swing approach:
1. Broken tees show either too steep a downswing or too low of a swing of the clubhead to the ground. If you’re hitting the ground while breaking the tees, you really need some help.
2. No tee movement usually indicates too high a swing above the ground or too inside a downswing approach.
3. The best sign of sweeping the ball of the tee is a tilted tee still in the ground, or one that pops up in the air, landing anywhere around you.
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many time zones exist on Earth?
GO FIGURE!
by Linda Thistle
10. SCIENCE: Who is known as the father of medicine? Answers
The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.
1. Five (four dream levels and limbo).
2. Montana.
3. “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut.
4. A foal.
5. Graphics Interchange Format. 6. William Henry Harrison, who died 32 days after taking office.
7. Sunnydale. 8. Rome, Italy.
DIFFICULTY: � � Moderate �� Difficult ��� GO FIGURE!
9. 24. 10. Greek physician Hippocrates.
