Vol. 22: #9 • Children's Books • (2-22-2026) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
by Kathy Wolfe
Once upon a time in a world before there was an internet, TV and mesmerizing video games to capture the interest of kidʼs minds, they satisfied their curiosities through the literary resources of the public libraries, magazines and comic books. Fortunate youngsters had classic tales read to them by caring adults. This week Tidbits looks back to the day when a child's imagination would take them on fascinating discoveries and wonderful adventures through the printed pages found in childrenʼs books. Follow along as we peruse some of those classic stories and the gifted authors who penned them.
• British author Michael Bond conceived the idea of Paddington Bear from a teddy bear he saw on a shelf in a London shop on Christmas Eve, 1956. He purchased the bear, of which he said, “it looked rather forlorn,” as a gift for his wife.
• The bear inspired him to write a story, which he finished in 10 days. Bond designed the bear wearing a blue coat and a red floppy hat, always
TRIV
TRIVIA NEWSFRONTAIVIRT TNORFSWEN
(Answers on page 16)
1. FOOD & DRINK: What is a bunch of bananas called?
2. MOVIES: Who is Neo’s nemesis in “The Matrix”?
3. MUSIC: The Broadway show “Jersey Boys” is about which music group?
4. TELEVISION: In which U.S. city is the sitcom “New Girl” set?
5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What is the name of the helicopter that transports U.S. presidents?
6. GEOGRAPHY: The Lake of the Ozarks is in which U.S. state?
7. HISTORY: When did construction begin on the Berlin Wall?
8. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in the condition called mageirocophobia?
9. ASTRONOMY: Which planet in our solar system has the Great Red Spot?
10. LITERATURE: Which country is the setting for the novel “The French Lieutenant’s Woman”?
Classic Games & Toys
THE RUBIK’S
CUBE
This week in our series of classic games and toys, Tidbits explores the origins of the most popular puzzle of all time, a brlliant concept conceived in 1974 by a 30-year-old Hungarian architect and sculptor.
• ErnŐ Rubik was employed as a professor at the Academy of Applied Arts and Crafts in Budapest, Hungary. He was attempting to help his students understand 3D objects by developing a mechanical puzzle of moving parts.
• He had spent months experimenting with wood and paper blocks, rubber bands and paper clips before settling on a cube with nine colored squares on each side in six different colors – red, green, yellow, orange, blue, and white.
• The cube was held together by an internal pivoting mechanism that enabled each of the layers to turn independently, allowing it to mix up the colors. The object of the cube was to manipulate each side to display just one solid color.
• Rubik did such a good job of creating a difficult puzzle that he had no idea how to solve it himself. In fact, it took him a full month to figure out how this could be done. In his words, “I was without any background for that, because I was the first one who ever tried to do it.”
• In 1975 Rubik applied for and was granted a Hungarian patent for his “spatial logic toy”, which he called the “Magic Cube”. It appeared in Hungarian toy stores in 1977 and it was licensed to be sold by Pentangle Puzzles in the U.K. in 1978. When the cube was featured at an international toy fair in 1979, it fascinated entrepreneur and marketer, Tom Kremer. Kremer presented the idea to the U.S. company, Ideal Toy. The Rubik’s Cube was released internationally in 1980, and was an immediate success.
• The Rubik’s Cube started out with a 3x3x3 design, and has expanded to 4x4x4 and 5x5 x5 versions. The total number of potential arrangements of the standard Rubik’s Cube is about 43 quintillion.
• In 1981, the Rubik’s Cube was the cover story in “Scientific American,” and was called “one of the most amazing objects ever invented for teaching mathematical ideas.” It was ErnÖ Rubik’s belief that his invention would appeal to people with science, math, or engineering training, and was astounded that its appeal had expanded so far beyond that scope.
• Because there is a certain sequence of movements to be performed in successive order, most people could only solve one or two sides. As a result, several books and tutorials were published on how to do this, including 1981’s best-selling “The Simple Solution to Rubik’s Cube,” which sold upwards of 6 million copies. In 2020, ErnŐ Rubik published a new book “Cubed: The Puzzle of Us All,” in which he details the cube’s development and its massive success and impact on the world.
• The world’s first international Rubik’s Cube championship occurred in 1982 in Budapest, introducing the concept of “speedcubing,” the practice of solving the puzzle in the shortest time possible. That first contest resulted in a winner with a time of 22.95 seconds. There are now many speedcubing competitions worldwide. As of February 2026, the world record is an incredible 2.76 seconds for a 3x3x3 cube, accomplished by Teodor Zajder of Poland.
• The Knoxville, Tennessee World’s Fair held in 1982 boasted the world’s largest Rubik’s Cube, which stands 10 feet (3.048 m) tall and weighs 1,200 lbs. (544.3 kg). This cube can still be seen inside the city’s Convention Center.
• ErnŐ Rubik’s patent expired in 2000, paving the way for knock-offs to appear, particularly from Chinese companies.
• The Cube remains the world’s best-selling puzzle game as well as the world’s best-selling toy, with estimated sales exceeding 500 million since its initial launch.
Test answers page 16)
Answers
1. A hand, and each banana is a finger.
2. Agent Smith.
Children's Books (from page one)
carrying a jar of marmalade in his suitcase. As Bond lived near Paddington Station, he named the bear Paddington.
• In the story, the bear is discovered at the station by the Brown family, who saw a label around its neck reading, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” Bond had conceived the idea of the label for the bear after seeing hundreds of European Jewish refugee children arriving in London during World War II and being evacuated to the English countryside, all bearing tags around their neck with their name and address.
• There have been 29 Paddington Bear books about his adventures across London, with the final one published a year after Bond’s death in 2017. There are several Paddington statues scattered across the city, the most notable one in the station itself, and another in London’s Leicester Square.
• Author/illustrator Don Freeman had a vision of a picture book with a character that roams a department store after hours, and created “Corduroy” the bear in 1968, giving him that name because it was his son Roy’s nickname.
• In his story, the stuffed bear sits on a shelf for months waiting for someone to take him home, but his green overalls are missing a button which makes him a bit defective. After hearing the mother of a little girl named Lisa pointing out the missing button, Corduroy sets out once the store closes on the search for a button in various departments.
• His quest ends when a night watchman sets him back on the shelf. But the next morning, Lisa is back with money from her piggy bank and takes him home, where she sews a new button on his overalls.
• Freeman then penned a sequel, “A Pocket for Corduroy,” which was published in 1978, but sadly, Freeman had passed away before he could see it in print
copies sold between 1942 and 2001, more than any Dr. Seuss favorite. It was also the one-billionth Little Golden Book printed.
• “Babar the Elephant” stories had their origins in a story that French author Jean de Brunhoff’s wife Cecile invented for their children. When the mother of the young African elephant is killed by a hunter, Babar escapes the jungle, making his way to a city, where he is helped by the “Old Lady,” who introduces him to civilization and clothes him in a bright green suit. When the jungle’s King of the Elephants dies after eating a poisonous mushroom, Babar returns and is crowned as the new King.
• The first “Babar” book was published in France in 1931, with the English version following in 1933. Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated seven “Babar” books before his tragic death at age 37 from tuberculosis. His son Laurent took over the series, writing 37 more stories from 1948 to 2017.
Two German brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, were responsible for more than 200 children's stories, including "Hansel and Gretel," "Snow White," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Sleeping Beauty," "Rapunzel," and "Rumpelstiltskin." Their first volume of tales was published in 1812.
• Stan and Jan Berenstain met at a Philadelphia art school during World War II, and following their marriage in 1946 they had a joint career in cartoon illustrating and creating cover art for magazines such as “McCall’s,” “Good Housekeeping,” and “The Saturday Evening Post.”
• Their first children’s book, “The Big Honey Hunt,” was published in 1962 featuring a family of bears that lived in a treehouse in Bear Country. Hundreds of titles followed, with stories inspired by the experiences of their own family, all designed to help children navigate through life’s challenges, including fear of the doctor, of Kindergarten, and ghosts. The books taught honesty, kindness, responsibility, safety, and other family values.
• Following the death of Stan and Jan, their son Mike took over the series and continues to release Berenstain titles. There have been more than 400 titles, with 260 million copies in 23 languages in print. The books have been adapted into two different animated TV series, five TV specials, and 19 video games, and have even had their likenesses featured on postage stamps.
• P. D. Eastman had worked in Walt Disney’s animation department, Warner Brothers’ cartoon unit, and as an artist for the “Mr. Magoo” series before becoming the author of 21 children’s Week of February 22, 2026
books, including “Go, Dog, Go!”, “Big Dog… Little Dog,” and the beloved favorite “Are You My Mother?”
• Published in 1960, “Are You My Mother?” is the
1. Who were the characters in the classic book "The Cat in the Hat" brought into the children's home in a big red box?
2. What character had a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day" in Judith Viorst's book?
By Lucie Winborne
* Ever wonder where the term “jaywalker” originated? Back in the day, “jay” was slang for a foolish person. So when pedestrians ignored street signs, to their own peril, they were labeled jaywalkers.
* Relative to their body size, barnacles have the largest sex organs in the animal kingdom.
* During World War II, Charles Richard Drew, a Black physician, developed blood banks for military personnel. However, when he discovered that the military was separating blood donations according to race, he quit working for the Red Cross.
* If you have a daily routine, some scientists believe that your dog can tell when you’re coming home by the amount of your scent that’s left in the house.
* As astronauts spend months traveling to Mars, their eyeballs may change shape. Some scientists believe this is due to pressure from fluids that won’t drain from their heads, thanks to low gravity.
* Ackwards is an old English dialect word for a creature lying on its back that can’t get up.
* In the popular Roadrunner/Wile E. Coyote cartoons, the latter character shouldn’t have been outwitted by his desperately hunted prey, since coyotes typically outpace roadrunners by a good 23 mph.
* According to a poll of 11,000 Americans, 84% of vegetarians and vegans return to eating meat.
***
Thought for the Day: “I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”
-- Isaac Newton
Inc.
by Mary Hunt
How to Clean Your Keurig Machine and How Often You Should
solve, and then pour it into the water reservoir. Leaving the K-cup holder empty, place a coffee mug underneath the drainage spout, brew a cup of hot water, pour it out and repeat the step until the reservoir is emptied. Fill up the water reservoir with water a second time and keep brewing until there’s nothing left in the reservoir. You can find citric acid at spice shops, in your grocer’s canning aisle or on Amazon.
VINEGAR
Everyday CHEAPSKATE
by Mary Hunt
While drinking coffee has health benefits, using your Keurig machine daily without routine cleaning and maintenance can lead to awful consequences.
It’s essential to clean a Keurig because it can be a health hazard if not cleaned properly. Like any coffee maker (or espresso machine), Keurigs can grow mold if not properly drained, descaled and cleaned. Cleaning keeps mold and bacteria at bay but also removes the mineral buildup in the machine that affects the coffee taste and quality. A clean Keurig makes bettertasting coffee. These are the steps to follow for cleaning the machine:
STEP NO. 1:
Unplug the machine. Next, disassemble your Keurig, taking note of where things go. You should be able to remove the water reservoir and lid, the drip tray and the pod holder. Careful! You’ll see a pointy needle-like spike in the top assembly, which does not come off, so don’t try to remove it. Be careful to avoid poking yourself.
STEP NO. 2:
Thoroughly wash and dry the removable parts using hot, soapy water. Alternatively, you can run these parts through the dishwasher, a good idea if they are particularly skanky. In the meantime, using a damp, soapy microfiber or other dish cloth, clean and wipe down the machine’s exterior. Rinse and then buff dry using a microfiber or other towel.
STEP NO. 3:
Like citric acid, plain white vinegar is great for sanitizing a Keurig, and a simple, homemade way to get rid of any scale that’s formed. Fill the water reservoir to the halfway mark with plain white vinegar. Fill the other half with water. Begin the brew cycle, leaving the K-cup holder empty, and repeat until the entire reservoir is empty. Repeat by filling the reservoir with plain water to flush out the vinegar taste. Is there anything that vinegar can’t clean? Well, yes, there are a few things, but look at all the ways vinegar works so well to make your life easier!
The folks at Keurig say you should clean your machine once every three to six months. And that leaves a big question mark in my mind because three to six months is quite a range. A better answer perhaps is to assess your use and the water source you use to brew coffee in your Keurig. If you make coffee several times a day and live with hard tap water, every three months is not often enough; you may need to descale once every month. Check routinely for hard water deposits and let that be your guide. If, on the other hand, you use bottled water or have a reverse osmosis system, descaling every five to six months may be sufficient.
* * *
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.”
Reassemble the machine, making sure you get everything back into its proper place. Next, it’s time to descale your Keurig. When you fill a Keurig reservoir with water with a high mineral content level, over time, this will result in a buildup of hardened calcium and mineral deposits, known as scale. That impacts the taste of your coffee but also prevents the machine from working properly. If it is not cleaned and descaled regularly, you should expect your Keurig to face a slow, painful death. But don’t worry, you can descale a Keurig using a few different methods.
It should be noted that the manufacturer recommends only one method to descale your machine: its proprietary Keurig Descaling Solution. You can purchase this online or possibly at the store where you purchased your machine.
Interestingly, the Keurig Descaling Solution is mostly citric acid, water and inert items like silica and bleaching agents. Hmmm ...
There are two homemade options to effectively descale a Keurig machine that are definitely cheaper than the pricey stuff from the manufacturer, and possibly better and faster:
CITRIC ACID
Citric acid offers a simple, homemade way to eliminate any scale formed in a Keurig. Prepare a citric acid solution by combining 1-2 tablespoons of citric acid (more or less depending on how long it’s been since you descaled your Keurig) with about 4 cups of water. Stir to dis-
Hop in as Tidbits revs up for a quick spin around the globe for a look at the latest data on the number of cars on roads around the world.
• Just how many cars are there on the planet anyway? As of the close of 2024, there were about 1.475 billion vehicles on Earth, with about 19% of those in the United States. North America has about 359 million vehicles, 710 vehicles per 1,000 people, 24% of the world’s total. Asia has 543 million vehicles, and Europe claims 413 million.
• There are approximately 132.8 million households in the United States, of which 121.6 million have a car. In other words, 92% of American households have a car, and more than 10 million households have no car, about 8%. In 2025, there were about 298.7 million registered vehicles in the U.S., up from 296.6 million in 2024.
• Northeastern U.S. states, including New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, have the nation’s lowest car ownership statistics. Only 29% of New York households own a car, only 58 registered vehicles per 100 people.
• The state of Montana has the most vehicles per 100 residents in the nation, 184 registered vehicles per 100, more than triple the rate of New York, nearly two vehicles per resident. South Dakota and Wyoming round out the top three for most registered vehicles per 100 residents.
• Now contrast these figures with the number of vehicles in Africa’s Democratic Republic of Congo – about 4 vehicles per 1,000 people and Pakistan with 20 per 1,000 population.
• There is only one country in the world that registers more than one car per person. The tiny nation of San Marino, a landlocked country completely surrounded by Italy, has a land area of just over 23.5 square miles (61 sq. km), and a population of 34,042. Yet this fifth-smallest
country in the world has about 1,300 vehicles per 1,000 people, which figures to more than 1.3 cars per person.
• When the rates of vehicle ownership are determined, “Cars in the U.S.” includes cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. America’s best-selling vehicle for the past 49 years has been the Ford F-Series truck, with sales approaching 1.6 million trucks for the year 2025. Compare this figure with the Chevrolet Silverado, with about 285,000 units sold.
• And what about the world’s largest automaker? It’s Toyota, which corners over 11% of all global vehicle sales. Toyota’s best-selling car for 2025 was the Rav 4, with sales of over 2.1 million cars through October 2025, the world’s top-selling vehicle.
• The Rav 4 was followed closely by the Toyota Corolla at 1.9 million units. Overall in history, the Corolla has had more sales than any other vehicle, with sales upwards of 50 million cars since its introduction in 1966.
• From the inception of the Ford Model T in 1908 until production ceased in 1927, the Model T had experienced sales of more than 15 million cars during its 19 years.
• On February 17, 1972, Volkswagen rolled its 15,007,034th Beetle off the assembly line, breaking the record held by the Model T for 45 years.
• In 1981 the Beetle became the first car to reach the milestone of 20 million units sold worldwide. In 1994, the company revealed its “New Beetle,” five years before the original prototype
was discontinued. When Volkswagen ceased production of the Beetle in 2019, upwards of 23 million Beetles had been sold. The Corolla bypassed the Beetle in 2021.
• Volkswagen continues to be #2 in global sales, but is solidly in first place in Europe, with a market share of about 25% there.
by Dana Jackson
Q: I saw a news story about Kim Delaney’s personal life recently. I remember watching her on “All My Children” as Jenny when I was younger. Is she doing OK? Is she still acting? -- W.E.
A: The love story between Jenny and Greg is probably only second to Luke and Laura’s in ABC daytime soap history. Kim Delaney earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for the role of Jenny Gardner on “All My Children” -- her first major role. Her time on “AMC” was brief for soap standards, only three years (1981-1984), before she pivoted her career to feature films.
While she never became a movie star, her career did take off once again when she was cast as Detective Diane Russell in the hit series “NYPD Blue.” It was only supposed to be for four episodes, but fans (likely many who knew her from her soap
1. Send Help (R) Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien
2. Solo Mio (PG) Kevin James, Jonathan Roumie
3. Iron Lung
(R) Mark Fischbach, Caroline Kaplan
4. Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience
(NR) Bang Chan, Lee Know
5. Dracula
(R) Caleb Landry Jones, Christoph Waltz
6. Zootopia 2 (PG) Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman
7. Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13) Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana
8. The Strangers: Chapter 3 (R) Hannah Galway, Ema Horvath
9. Shelter (R) Jason Statham, Bodhi Rae Breathnach
opera days) responded well to her performance opposite Jimmy Smits’ Detective Bobby Simone. She was then offered a contract and even won an Emmy in 1997 for the role.
In 2007, she landed another hit show -- a soapy drama series on Lifetime called “Army Wives,” where she played Claudia until 2012. In 2020, “General Hospital” lured her back to daytime television with an offer to play Jackie Templeton, a popular character whom Port Charles hadn’t seen since Demi Moore departed from the role in 1984.
Delaney left “GH” in 2021, and her last oncamera role was a recurring one on NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” She has no upcoming projects listed on her IMDb page at this time.
***
Q: When is the next chapter of “American Horror Story” coming out, and what is it about? -- J.K.
A: The 13th season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series “American Horror Story” will premiere on FX on Halloween later this year. The story is said to be related in some way to prior season three’s “Coven” and season eight’s “Apocalypse” stories. It will usher in the return of Murphy’s muse, Sarah Paulson, and other favorites like Even Peters, Jessica Lange and Emma Roberts. Pop superstar/actress Ariana Grande (“Wicked”) is also said to be joining the cast. Filming is said to begin this month or in March.
***
Q: I remember seeing the Tom Hanks movie “The ‘Burbs” in theaters back in the day and want to check out the new TV series
of the same name. Is that Julia Duffy I see on the commercials? I loved her on “Newhart”! -- J.J.
A: Yes, that’s the hilarious comedic actress Julia Duffy occupying the neighborhood in the new Peacock series “The ‘Burbs,” which is said to be loosely based on the 1989 movie of the same name. The series stars Keke Palmer (“Nope”) and Jack Whitehall (“Bad Education”) as a young couple who move back into the husband’s childhood home, which is surrounded by creepy -- and nosy -- neighbors.
The eight-episode first season of “The ‘Burbs” is currently available to binge on Peacock. * * *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
Kim Delaney as Claudia Joy Holden in “Army Wives” Courtesy of Lifetime
Good Recipes from
Healthy French Toast
Our slimmed-down take on this Sundaymorning favorite is practically saintly. Subbing in low-fat milk and egg whites gives it half the fat and a third less cholesterol than traditional French toast. Plus, it’s a cinch to whip up. One more blessing in disguise: You can still serve it with maple syrup, which is naturally fat-free.
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
3/4 cup(s) low-fat (1%) milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Salt
2 teaspoons margarine or butter 8 slices firm whole-wheat bread
Maple syrup (optional)
1. Heat oven to 200 F. In pie plate, with whisk, beat egg whites, egg, milk, vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt until blended. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, on medium heat, melt 1 teaspoon margarine.
2. Dip bread slices, one at a time, in egg
mixture, pressing bread lightly to coat both sides well. Place 3 or 4 slices in skillet, and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides.
3. Transfer French toast to cookie sheet; keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining margarine, bread slices and egg mixture. Serve French toast with maple syrup and berries or other fruit, if you like. Makes 4 servings.
Each serving: About 300 calories, 9g total fat (2g saturated), 56mg cholesterol, 755mg sodium, 46g total carbohydrate, 6g dietary fiber, 12g protein.
Blushing Apple Butter
A flavorful cholesterol- and fat-free spread. Yummy on toast or bagels.
3 3/4 pounds Honey Crisp or Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups apple cider or apple juice
1 cup cranberries
3 strips (3 inches by 1 inch each) lemon peel
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
1. In 5-quart Dutch oven, heat apples, cider, cranberries, lemon peel and lemon juice to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes or until apples are very soft, stirring occasionally.
2. Stir in sugar; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook, partially covered, 1 hour or until apple butter is very thick, stirring occasionally (mixture may sputter and splash, so be careful when stirring).
for
to 3 weeks. Yields 4 1/2 cups.
Each serving: About 30 calories, 8g carbohydrates.
* * * For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/foodrecipes/ (c) 2026 Hearst Communications, Inc.
3. Spoon apple butter into blender in small batches and blend (with center part of blender cover removed to allow steam to escape) until smooth.
4. Spoon apple butter into jars or crocks
By John Allen
by Brett Koth
Donald
Holidays & Observances This Week
2/22 George Washington's Birthday
2/23 Iwo Jima Flag Raising Day
2/24 Forget Me Not Day
2/25 Rubber Ducky Day
2/26 Set a Good Example Day
2/27 National Retro Day
2/28 Floral Design Day
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Loose Dogs Say Cheese
Complaints about dog owners who allow their dogs to run loose are as widespread as promises from politicians. They’re also as empty. As the following letter from a reader shows, it takes perseverance to bring an uncooperative neighbor and their unruly dog to justice. Perseverance and a video camera.
“I have two dogs that I walk daily on a paved, public county road. It’s great exercise for the dogs and me, and it prevents many potential behavior problems, especially with our young, high-energy dog.
“One property owner allows his dogs to run loose. Years ago, ‘Dog A’ would run to the fence, slip under the bottom wire and bark at passersby without entering the roadway. After a few years, ‘Dogs B and C’ came along and joined Dog A in her territorial displays, which became more vocal and aggressive with three dogs participating.
“Over the past couple of years, Dog B escalated her aggressive behaviors, darting into the road, lunging and snapping at pedestrians, frothing at the mouth and following pedestrians for distances of 100 yards and more. On several occasions, I’ve gone home scraped, bloodied and bruised from falling while trying to escape harm’s way.
“I attempted to talk to the dog’s owner. His response: ‘My dog won’t hurt you. She knows to get out of the road.’
“Recently, I got fed up and contacted Animal Services. Turns out, Dog B’s owners were the subjects of many complaints, but no one was willing to follow up on their complaints. Doing so would require one to submit a form that served as a citizen’s arrest and required the complainant to appear in court if summoned in the matter.
“The animal services officer gave me some options, one of which was to submit the complaint form for a specific incident regarding the dog in question. If a recording of the incident was provided, a stronger case might be built to declare the dog potentially dangerous.
“Less than a week later I walked my dog, video camera in hand, past Dog B’s territory. Right on cue, the harassment began. As I was recording, the dog’s owner pulled into the driveway and
If you’ve been keeping an eye on recent food recalls you know that salmonella has been in the news. Why? Because salmonella has been in our food.
We have Moringa superfood capsules, the powder of which comes from the leaves of plants in India and Africa, an organic food known for containing healthful antioxidants, protein and minerals ... except it can make us very ill if we get the wrong capsule and salmonella is present in the powder.
Then there are the organic chia seeds with salmonella. And the pouches of super greens supplements that promote health via kale, barley grass and parsley -- with salmonella. And the chocolate candy bars -- with salmonella. And the dog biscuits -- with salmonella.
But salmonella isn’t all that’s been discovered in our food recently. We have plastic in baby
Past and Present
Designers are sought out for their talent for creating interiors with a point of view. Truthfully, they are much more than that. Interior designers are part decorator, urban archaeologist, tastemaker, historian, therapist, organizer, furniture designer, art consultant, inspirational speaker and family friend. Designers wear many different hats at various stages of a project.
Therein lies the allure of the profession: There is hardly a moment to contemplate boredom. Chances are they may also be great barometers of the economy. Interior design is a service most consider a luxury and, thus, dispensable when there is an economic crunch.
The ups and downs of the economy -- and this is true around the world most definitely have an impact on the interior design arena. While a bullish economy opens the door to many exciting projects with generous budgets, an economic crisis leads to a scaling back of excess, which may push designers to do their best creative work.
biscuits, specifically in the flour used to make those biscuits for toddlers. We have significant levels of lead in cookware that can cause lead toxicity. We have mold in nasal spray. And there are defective lids on cans of tuna that allowed the food to be contaminated, potentially leading to food poisoning in those who eat the product The current recall on these cans of tuna is a re-do: The cans were in storage because they were already recalled once, a year ago, and the quarantined product was accidentally released back to stores.
Several cheese products sold at a number of major locations have tested positive for listeria, as have tamales, burritos and chicken fillets.
Part of taking care of ourselves is to stay on top of these food recalls to be sure we don’t have those items in our home. Make it a point to start your week on Mondays by going to the government’s food safety website. Go to www. foodsafety.gov and click on “Recalls & Outbreaks.” Or see the food safety website at www. fsis.usda.gov/recalls
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
design has a short shelf life and will tire out soon with the next must-have “it” trend. Great design and decor will be around for a long while and endure the test of time.
In flipping through some current shelter magazines, some tendencies that are evident are eclectic interiors, minimalist contemporary and unique projects seemingly curated with very personal points of view.
Keep in mind that most of the projects you see in glossy magazines have been completed over the past few years. While they are a great source of inspiration, projects designed today won’t hit the general public for at least a year. I share this bit of insight because it is important that one realizes that projects should be designed to conform to your lifestyle and taste.
What goes around comes around. Like the ups and downs of the economy, Interior design fluctuates with furnishings and concepts from the past that are freshened up to represent the present. Color palettes that have been seen in the past are given new life and seem so very much today. Classic furniture pieces are reimagined with textiles and patterns. Rugs from shag to dhurries gain popularity as inexpensive floor treatments in lieu of classic Orientals.
saw me recording the incident. I continued walking, with the necessary evidence in hand. Dog B’s owner then followed me in her car and stopped me on the road to ask, ‘Do you have a problem with my dog?’
“She repeatedly assured me that her dog wouldn’t hurt me, told me that Animal Services had spoken to her recently about her dog, and that I shouldn’t be afraid of her dog. I told her that the only judgment I could make about her dog was based on the very aggressive behavior I saw every day. I then went home, filled out the necessary paper work, burned a DVD of the recorded incident and submitted it to Animal Services.
“Over the next six weeks, Dog B remained loose and harassed me three times. The third time, I submitted a complaint, which began legal proceedings to declare Dog B potentially dangerous or vicious. We ended up in court several months later, and the dog was declared potentially dangerous.
“Dog B’s owners now have a long list of requirements to meet in order to keep the dog on their property. They are subject to annual inspections by Animal Services, increased homeowner’s insurance premiums and very restrictive rules on where they can take their dog.”
It’s hard to imagine why anyone would ignore the obvious dangers inherent in this scenario and risk costly litigation and an avalanche of financial headaches. But some people have a tendency to do what they can get away with. For the rest of us, thereʼs determination and video cameras.
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.
The goal for a designer is to obtain the maximum effect with a reasonable budget. Clients are usually very thankful of any savings that do not affect the quality of the project. No need to be glum, though. Even in times of austerity, interior design and decoration are intended to be uplifting and a celebration of all things of beauty.
Today, the challenge for designers is to produce projects that are representative of our times, that are stylish and bring fun and enjoyment, but that are also cautious of trends. Trendy
The past meets the present in the marketplace, which is more diversified than ever as designers look to shed old rules in favor of new designs. Allow your designer’s advice, your lifestyle and your budget to be the determining factors of your home’s design. Today’s creation -- your creation -- might be tomorrow’s featured project.
* * * 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 Pubil
lones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
whatever you were getting at the time of death.
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
Questions About Spousal Benefits Never Stop
I’ve been saving up questions I’ve gotten from readers about benefits for spouses. It’s an issue I’ve covered a hundred times in this column. But the questions still keep coming. So, here is column No. 100 -- one about benefits paid to wives and widows -- and occasionally, husbands and widowers.
Q: I am about to turn 63 and am thinking of starting my Social Security then. My wife is 67 and has been getting her own Social Security since she was 62. My benefit is significantly higher than hers. I’ve heard that if I do take my benefits at 62, my wife’s spousal share will be based on that reduced amount. But her widow’s benefit, assuming I pre-decease her, will be based on my full retirement benefit rate. Is this true?
A: No, it’s not true. In fact, it’s just the opposite. The benefit paid to a wife while her husband is still alive is based on his full retirement age (FRA) rate. But the benefit paid to a widow includes any reduction he incurred in his own benefit if he started them before his FRA:
If you do take benefits at 63, here is roughly how they will figure your wife’s spousal benefit. They will take her full retirement age benefit rate and subtract that from one-half of your FRA rate. Any difference will be added to her reduced retirement benefit.
But if you die first, her widow’s benefit will be based on your reduced retirement benefit. In a nutshell, her own benefit would be bumped up to
1. The book of Simeon is found in the: a) Old Testament b) New testament c) Neither
2. Whose first chapter begins, "Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab"? a) Exodus b) ll Kings c) I Samuel d) Numbers
3. From the Gospel of Luke, what was the name of Elisabeth and Zacharias' child? a) Thomas b) John c) Simon d) Jairus
4. In Genesis 4, who is considered the father of all musicians? a) Jeremiah b) Joash c) David d) Jubal
5. From Luke 7, where did Jesus raise a widow's son from the dead? a) Nain b) Nazarath c) Lystra d) Philippi
6. Who is the youngest brother in the 12 tribes of Israel? a) Reuben b) Joseph c) Benjamin d) Judah
Q: My husband is 67 and starting his Social Security. I am 62. Other than a few years after high school when I had some parttime jobs, I have spent my entire adult life as a wife or homemaker. So, I have no Social Security of my own. A neighbor told me that after my husband dies, I will never be able to get widow’s benefits because I don’t have my own Social Security account. Is this true?
A: It’s absolutely false. As I always tell my readers, and as I just pointed out in a recent column, never listen to friends or neighbors offering Social Security advice. It’s almost always wrong. In fact, not only will you be due widow’s benefits when your husband dies, but you are due dependent wife’s benefits on his record right now. Call Social Security at 800 -- 772-1213 and file a spousal claim right away.
Q: I am a kind of rare bird. I have been a stay-at-home husband and father most of my adult life. My wife is a doctor and has been the primary wage earner in our family. We are both about to turn 62 and are starting to think about Social Security. Will I be due any Social Security on my wife’s record?
A: Yes, you will. For the most part, Social Security laws are gender neutral. So you will be able to get your dependent husband’s benefits once your wife retires. And if she dies before you do, you will get widower’s benefits.
Q: I am 68 and thinking of signing up for my Social Security. I have a 45-year-old wife and we have two children. The 16-yearold daughter is her child from a previous marriage. The 10-year-old son is our child. I just learned our son might be due benefits on my record. Is this true?
A: Yes, it’s true. And not only your son, but also your stepdaughter. And for that matter, if she is not working, your wife could also be due benefits. But the amount of money you all would get will be restricted by “family maximum” rules that limit the amount of benefits payable to a retiree with minor children. I don’t have the space to get into all of that today. But you should call Social Security at 800-772-1213 to talk about filing for benefits for you and your family.
Q: I am waiting until age 70 to claim my Social Security. I am doing that to get the bonus added to my retirement rate for delaying starting my benefits until 70. But I was also doing that so that my wife would get my augmented benefits after I die. (Her own benefit is about a thousand dollars less than mine.) So imagine my shock when a Social Security rep recently told me that after I die, my wife’s widow’s benefit will be based on my full retirement age rate, not by age 70 rate. Is this right?
I’ve always wondered this. Why don’t women in my position get Social Security credits for the work we did as homemakers and childcare providers?
A: As I’ve explained in prior columns, this is a topic that has been debated for years. But the issue always comes down to this: Where would the money or earnings come from to put on your Social Security record? And the only viable solution policy planners have ever come up with is a concept known as “earnings sharing.” In a nutshell, that means a working husband and a stay-at-home mom would split the earnings the husband makes For example, if Husband Henry makes $100,000 per year, $50,000 would go on his Social Security record and $50,000 would go on Wife Wilma’s Social Security record. Now that might make Wife Wilma happy that she’s being “paid” for Social Security purposes with earnings and credits going on her account. But just ask Husband Henry how thrilled he is that he only gets Social Security credit for half the money he makes -- and eventually ends up with a much smaller Social Security benefit!
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 and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM (Answers on page 16) For comments or
www.TriviaGuy.com
A: No, it’s not right. And for some reason (lack of training?), Social Security Administration reps frequently get this wrong. While you are alive, any spousal benefits she might be due are based on your full retirement age benefit. But after you die, her widow’s benefits are based on your augmented age 70 rate, including the bonus you got for waiting that long to claim your benefits.
Q: I am 63 and have been a wife and homemaker all my life, so I get a small percentage of my husband’s Social Security. But
The Cost of Medicine for IBS Is $811 Even With Insurance
DEAR DR. ROACH: After a month of testing from my gastrointestinal doctor, I have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I have been sick for several months and have lost 12 pounds. (I’m now down to 100 pounds.)
I have been prescribed Xifaxan. The cost from my pharmacy is $811. Normally, I never have a co-pay. I checked around, and there are no discounts with any other pharmacies. I read many chats about the medicine, and 50% of people in these chats believe that it does not work well and is very hard to digest for the two weeks that you have to take it.
I am meeting with a nutritionist to increase my weight, but every couple of days, I get so sick due to the IBS and can’t gain weight. What are your thoughts on taking this medication? --
V.H.
ANSWER: IBS is a functional disease of the intestine. The cause is not certain, and there are several factors involved in IBS, including abnormal movement of the intestine; changes in pain sensitivity; unhealthy bacteria in the gut; and often sensitivities to certain foods. The hallmarks of IBS are changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation or both) and abdominal pain, which is often but not always improved after a bowel movement.
Bill LeGrave
Rolfing in the Desert (1 of 6) 1/8 pg BW 6x disc. Nov. 24, 2024
Xifaxan (rifaximin) is an antibiotic that is not well-absorbed in the body, so it only kills the bacteria in the gut. It is intended to preferentially kill harmful bacteria in the gut, improving the microbiome and decreasing bacterial products that cause symptoms of bloating and diarrhea. I have several patients who take it occasionally when other therapies aren’t working, and their experience has been favorable.
Severe weight loss with IBS is not common and should be considered an alarming symptom. I have seen many patients who were diagnosed with IBS, sometimes for years, before another comprehensive evaluation is performed. This sometimes lead to the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). If you have not had a recent evaluation, including an endoscopy and/or a colonoscopy as well as stool studies, it may be time to repeat these. * * *
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.
(c) 2026 North America Synd., Inc.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
Rate Increase for Veteran Directed Care
Veterans with very serious and complex medical conditions will see a hefty increase in the amount of money paid for their home care.
Specifically, those veterans will now have their community and home care costs covered at a rate that is 100% of what would be charged at a VA Community Living Center -- a nursing home.
The benefit here is that veterans will then be able to stay home and take advantage of adult day care, skilled home health, a home health aide and Veteran Directed Care (VDC). This last is the most valuable for veterans as it targets veterans who need help with daily tasks (eating, bathing, grocery shopping, anything for daily living) and keeps them out of nursing homes.
Instead of being given staff and helpers by the VA, veterans and their families can choose who they want as care providers, including family members or friends chosen by the veteran (and respite services for the primary care provider), even interviewing and selecting the desired staff. And those helpers are paid.
Eligibility for VDC status requires that the veteran be enrolled for health care with the VA, have a VA primary care provider, meet eligibility criteria and need nursing home level services. Eligibility is not determined by specific medical conditions, but rather by the actual help and services that a veteran requires.
In a series of 10 sessions, Rolfing® actually changes the
is structured. You become straighter, taller, more graceful, flexible and free-moving. Possibly many aches and pains will
Please review carefully. Double
When used wisely, it can help people with their symptoms. Of course, patients in whom it doesn’t work aren’t going to use it again, but it does work well for some people. The $811 cost with insurance is much better than the $2,500 to $3,200 cost for a course of treatment without insurance.
manipulate
the body together and gives it shape. Fascial
Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with
body. Dr. Rolf’s discovery was that if you put
of pressure on fascia, the shape of the tissue will change in a lasting way. She worked with a very firm level of pressure. Since then, we have found that lighter pressure combined with your movement makes the body reshaping occur quicker. Call to schedule an appointment or for a free consultation:
People do not take it for a long time; my patients typically take a course one to four times per year. If it helps you, I hope you find it worth the expense, but I don’t know whether you are fortunate to have this much money to spend on prescriptions that are over and above your insurance costs.
® in the Desert 760-219-5301 Bill Peter LeGrave Certified Advanced Rolfer www.RolfingintheDesert.com
Veterans, if you’re in danger of needing placement in a nursing home and would rather stay home, your first step is to talk to your primary care provider at the VA.
You should be directed to the Veteran Directed Care Coordinator, who will act as liaison to assist with analyzing goals and developing a plan, working out a budget, hiring helpers and monitoring the situation.
If you haven’t signed up to receive Veteran Directed Care benefits because of the low payments (65% of what would be charged at a VA Community Living Center), this increase to 100% should help significantly. Work with the Coordinator on a budget to be sure it’s manageable for you.
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) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
Bill LeGrave
LeGrave Talks About
How To Navigate Inheriting an IRA From a Parent
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: What are the rules regarding inherited IRAs? My brother and I recently inherited our father’s IRA when he passed away last year and would like to know what we need to do to handle it properly. -- Oldest Sibling
Dear Oldest: I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your father, but you’re smart to be planning ahead. Inheriting an IRA from a parent comes with a unique set of rules. Understanding them can help you make the most of the money you inherit and avoid an unpleasant surprise at tax time. Here are some basics you should know.
Setting It Up
Many people assume they can roll an
inherited IRA into their own IRA, but that’s not allowed for most beneficiaries. If you inherit an IRA from a parent, sibling, or anyone other than a spouse, you cannot treat the account as your own. Instead, your share must be transferred into a newly established inherited IRA, properly titled in the deceased owner’s name—for example, John Smith, deceased, for the benefit of Jane Smith.
If your father named multiple beneficiaries, the IRA can be split into separate inherited accounts. This allows each beneficiary to manage withdrawals independently, as if they were the sole beneficiary.
You can open an inherited IRA at most banks or brokerage firms, although the simplest option is often to set it up with the firm that already holds your father’s account.
The 10-Year Withdrawal Rule
Under the SECURE Act, signed into law in December 2019, most non-spouse beneficiaries must withdraw all the money from an inherited IRA by the end of the 10th year following the original owner’s death. This rule applies if the owner died in 2020 or later.
If your father had already begun taking required minimum distributions (RMDs), you generally must continue taking annual RMDs while also emptying the account within 10 years. If he had not yet started RMDs, annual withdrawals aren’t required, as long as the entire IRA is withdrawn by the end of the 10-year period.
You may take withdrawals faster if you choose, but distributions from a traditional IRA are taxable as ordinary income in the year taken. Roth IRA withdrawals, however, are usually tax-free, provided the account has been open at least five years.
If you fail to take a required RMD, or don’t withdraw enough, the penalty is 25 percent of the amount you should have taken. That penalty can be reduced to 10 percent if the mistake is corrected within two years.
Exceptions to the Rule Several beneficiaries are exempt from the 10-year rule, including a surviving spouse, a minor child, a disabled or chronically ill beneficiary, or someone who is within 10 years of age of the original IRA owner. These beneficiaries may be allowed to stretch withdrawals over a longer period.
Minimize Your Taxes
As tempting as it may be to cash out an inherited IRA in a lump sum, or take large withdrawals over just a few years, proceed carefully. Doing so could trigger a hefty tax bill. Withdrawals from a traditional IRA are generally taxed as
income at your regular tax rate.
For many heirs, spreading distributions over the 10-year period can help manage taxes and reduce the risk of being pushed into a higher tax bracket. Other strategies may make sense if your income fluctuates or you’re nearing retirement.
To help navigate these decisions, consider working with a financial advisor. If you don’t have one, you can find a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner through the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors at napfa.org * * *
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.
Smithsonian Museum, the history center opened in 2014.
by Anne McCollam Creators
Dining Set Is Cosmopolitian
Q: This is a picture of a dining table and matching buffet that came down through my paternal grandmother, who was born in 1902. There is a label stating that it was manufactured by the Marietta Chair Company in Marietta, Ohio. Also on the label are the words “The Cosmopolitan -- No. 874.”
It originally had a set of six chairs with leather-type oilcloth covers decorated with beautiful parrots. The parrot image is also on the buffet. There is a built-in leaf in the table so it can be extended. There are pulls on either end of the table that when pulled reveal the gear mechanism that operates the extension.
We love this table and buffet and continue to enjoy them daily. What can you tell me about the set and the manufacturer?
A: The Marietta Chair Company was established by James Brumby in Marietta, Ohio, in 1856. They started out making wooden barrels and in 1874 began producing chairs and rockers as well as a full line of furniture. They eventually had showrooms and a warehouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The buildings were designed by architect Charles Bickel.
The Great Depression took its toll on The Marietta Chair Company, and it went into receivership in 1936. The showroom was purchased by Senator Heinz History Center in 2012. After extensive updating to meet the criteria set by the
Your dining set was made around 1920 and would probably be worth $500 to $850.
* * *
Q: This mark is on the bottom of an antique coffee pot that I inherited around 30 years ago. It originally belonged to my greatgrandmother in the 1930s. I would never sell it, but would like to learn more about it. It is decorated with yellow, red and blue blossoms, fruits and an exotic bird. The background is lavender. My mother told me it is a chintz pattern. It is in mint condition. Anything you can tell me about the pattern, maker and value of my coffee pot will be appreciated.
A: You have an example of the chintz pattern, “Florida,” that was made by A.G. Richardson in Tunstall, England. Their “Crown Ducal Ware” chintz patterns were made from 1915 to 1974. Rich floral fabric patterns that were imported from India were the inspiration for the chintz earthenware. In the early 1900s, around six English potteries produced a myriad of transfer print floral patterns.
Your coffee pot would probably be worth $150 to $200.
* * *
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.
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 2026 CREATORS.COM
* On Feb. 23, 1885, John Lee went to the gallows in Exeter, England, for allegedly murdering Emma Keyse, a rich older woman who’d employed him. Insisting he was innocent, he was nonetheless convicted and sentenced to hang. However, the lever to release the floor beneath his feet malfunctioned and he didn’t drop. Baffled authorities sent him back to prison for the next 22 years, though his death sentence was commuted. Upon his release, he emigrated to America, leaving the cause of his reprieve unsolved.
* On Feb. 24, 1961, the first 15 students received their Bachelor of Hamburgerology degree (not a traditional academic one!) from McDonald’s Hamburger University, aka the “Harvard of Fast Food.”
* On Feb. 25, 1837, Vermont blacksmith Thomas Davenport received the first U.S. patent for an electric motor. He insulated the wires with strips of fabric from his wife’s silk wedding dress (cut by his wife, and with her full approval).
* On Feb. 26, 1968, Allied troops who’d recaptured the imperial capital of Hue from the North Vietnamese during the Tet Offensive found the first mass graves in Hue. Communist troops who had held the city for 25 days had massacred about 2,800 civilians whom they identified as sympathizers with the government in Saigon, and one authority estimated they might have killed as many as 5,700 people in Hue.
* On Feb. 27, 1935, 6-year-old rising Hollywood star Shirley Temple received the first-ever kid-size “juvenile” Oscar, measuring about half the height of a full-size Oscar.
* On Feb. 28, 1982, the J. Paul Getty Museum became the most richly endowed museum in the world when it received a $1.2 billion bequest left to it by the late J. Paul Getty. A good portion of the endowment went to construct the Getty Center, a six-building complex on a hilltop in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles.
* On March 1, 1960, the first-ever Playboy Club opened its doors in downtown Chicago. Female servers known as “bunnies” were subject to the rules of a 42-page manual threatening demerits for offenses ranging from chewing gum to unkempt bunny tails.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
Marrietta Chair Company was located in Marrietta, Ohio.
Crown Ducal Ware was made by A. G. Richardson.
Children's Books: (from page 3) story of a hatchling bird looking for his mother. The bird hatches while Mother Bird is seeking food, and goes looking for her, asking a kitten, a hen, a dog, and a cow if they are his mother. He then moves on to inanimate objects including a boat, an airplane, and a steam shovel that finally deposits the bird back into the nest. Eastman was a protégé of Dr. Seuss, who enlisted him to write for Seuss’ “Beginner Books” series.
• After viewing a documentary about Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic expedition in 1932, Richard Atwater was inspired to pen a children’s book he called “Ork! The Story of Mr. Popper’s Penguins.”
• Before he could wrap up the manuscript, the 42-year-old Atwater suffered a stroke in 1934, which left him unable to speak or write. His wife Florence revised the manuscript and entitled it “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” the story of a humble house painter living in 1930s Stillwater, Minnesota. After listening to a radio program about an Admiral’s Antarctic adventures, Mr. Popper sends him a fan letter. The Admiral responds by sending Mr. Popper a live penguin.
• The Popper family cleans out their icebox and houses the penguin there, but after a time, the penguin, named Captain Cook, becomes lonely. A female companion seems to be the answer, and before long, there are 12 penguins to feed. The story continues with Mr. Popper’s attempts to train his penguins as circus performers due to dwindling finances.
• In 1942 Western Publishing released 12 new children’s books under the series name “Little Golden Books.” Each book contained 42 pages, printed in either two or four colors. The first offering included such favorites as “Scuffy the Tugboat,” “Three Little Kittens,” “This Little Piggy,” “Nursery Songs,” and “Mother Goose.” Within five months, 1.5 million copies had been sold. The price was 25 cents and remained so until 1962, when it was raised to 29 cents.
• Over the years, fairy tales and bedtime stories expanded into popular characters such as Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Barbie, Disney princesses, and Thomas the Tank Engine. The price of a Little Golden Book is now $5.99.
Give your golf-related advertising message targeted visibility in full color in this weekly 2” x 6” fixed location $159 per insertion reaches 70,000+ readers each week at the low cost of only $2.27 per 1,000 reader impressions!
Game Changers
by Jason Jenkins
Deadly Headly
There are several movements in the very beginning of the golf swing that can be quite detrimental to the success of the rest of the swing. One of these deadly moves is when the head moves toward the target as a result of poor body movement or weight shift. As a matter of fact, no great player in the history of golf has ever moved their head toward the target in the takeaway.
The takeaway should be a culmination of club, arm, shoulder, and body movements away from the target. The head does not have to move more than a few inches, but it should never go against the grain of the club and arm movement.
To get a better awareness of your own takeaway, place something on the ground in front of you where it aligns with the shadow of your head (left ear preferred). Watch your shadow to see that you don’t move toward the target!
10. LITERATURE: Which country is the setting for the novel “The French Lieutenant’s Woman”?
A hand,
by
Linda Thistle
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.
ger. 2. Agent Smith. 3. The Four Seasons. 4. Los Angeles. 5. Marine One. 6. Missouri. 7. 1961.
