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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®

TIDBITS® DELIVERS INFO ABOUTOCTOBER CELEBRATIONS

by Kathy WolfeThere is something for just about everyone during the month of October. Take a look at several things to celebrate this month.• October was officially declared National

Popcorn Poppin’ Month in 1999 by then-Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman. Popcorn is a member of the maize family alongwithfiveother typesof corn–pod,sweet,flour,dent,andflint.However,onlypopcorn pops. A kernel has the potential to pop up to 3 feet (.9 meter) in the air. A cup of air-popped popcorn is definitely yourbestchoice–thissnackhasjust31calories,compared to 55 calories for popcorn popped in oil. Lightly butter that cup of popcorn and the count zooms up to 133 calories.

• Undomesticatedferalhogshavemadesucha name for themselves that October has been proclaimed Feral Hog Month, also called Hog Out Month. Feral hogs are much meaner than farmyard hogs and are well-adaptedtolivinginthewild.Thesetuskedpests destroy millions of dollars of property, livestock, and crops and are also carriers of cholera, tuberculosis, salmonella, and anthrax.Therearemorethan500,000wildhogs in Florida, and a staggering 2.6 million in the state of Texas. Many states sponsor a campaign each October to eliminate as many as possible.

• Since there are more than 1,200 speciesof bats, perhaps they deserve some recognition. October is Bat Appreciation Month, honoring this group that comprises one-fifthofallmammals.Althoughtomany,bats seem scary and creepy, they are vital to the ecosystem in controlling pests and

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OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS (continued): participating in pollination. The bumblebee

bat, the world’s smallest mammal, weighsless thanapenny,while the largestbathasasix-foot(1.8-m)wingspan.Mostbatsfeedoninsects,withtheaveragebrownbatconsumingup to 1,000 bugs in one hour. A very small percentagedineonfish,mice,andfrogs.Outof the 1,200 species, just three are vampires, and all three are native only to Latin America. Although these blood drinkers are perceived as frightful, their saliva contains an enzyme that dissolves blood clots, beneficial in treatinghuman stroke victims. Many people associate batswithrabies,butintheU.S.,anaverageofonlytwopeopledieperyearfromrabiesfroma bat.

• It’s estimated that more than 20 millionAmericans are philatelists, that is, they collect stamps!Because it’soneof theworld’smostpopular hobbies, October is National StampCollecting Month. It’s unlikely there are many collectorswhoownanyof thefirst twoU.S.stamps ever printed, stamps featuring Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, in 1847. However,therewere120millioncopiesmadeof the most popular stamp, a 1993 stamp of ElvisPresley.Famousfolkswhohaveenjoyedthis hobby include Franklin Roosevelt, Warren Buffet, James Earl Jones, James Michener, and John Lennon.

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1. MOVIES: Who played the male lead in the movie musical “Grease”?

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3. HISTORY: When was the Sherman Antitrust Act approved?

4. TELEVISION: Which 1980s comedy show featured a character named “Reverend Jim”?

5. FAMOUS QUOTATIONS: What 20th-century American writer and monk said, “Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul”?

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Q: I’m painting my apartment next week, the first time I’ve ever done this. Do you have any painting tips? -- Lana, Columbus, Ga.

A: Tons of tips, but limited space to list them all, unfortunately! First-timers often are daunted by the amount of paint and paint products to choose from, conflicting instructions from various sources, and sometimes a lack of helpful information from home-improvement store paint sections. Others feel it’s simple enough to just buy a bunch of paint and brushes and just go for it. The reality falls somewhere in between.

Preparation is the most important rule to follow, however. You’ll want to prepare the walls (and presumably trim) in the apartment for painting. You’ll need to figure out not just what color paint to use, but how much of it to buy, and if the colors even work the way you think they will. Here are a few tips to get you started:

--Buy sample sizes of paint colors you’re interested in, and paint a stripe of each in an inconspicuous section of the wall. Paint looks different when wet and when dry.

--How much paint should you buy? A gallon of latex paint covers 350 square feet. Measure the length of each wall and

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OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS (continued):• In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared

OctoberasNationalRollerSkatingMonth.Althoughthefirstknownrollerskateswere

invented in the 1760s with a single line ofwheels, James Plimpton is considered the“father of modern roller skating” due to his 1863inventionofafour-wheelskate.In1935,aChicagorestaurantownerdevisedaschemefora roller derby marathon. Fifty skaters teamed up in 25 male/female teams and took their starting positions in front of 20,000 fans at the ChicagoColiseum.Theywerepreparedfora3,000-mile (4,828-km) jaunt around the track, thedistanceequivalentbetweenSanDiego and NewYorkCity.ThemarathonbeganonAugust13andwrappeduponSeptember22,withjustnineteamsfinishing.Rollerderbiesbecameacraze, and before long, 50major citieswerehosting them before five million spectators. When World War II began, the majority of the skatersenlistedandthefaddieddown.

• It’s Spinach Lovers’ Month! This would bea good time to reap the health benefits ofthis iron- and nutrient-rich vegetable. This member of the goosefoot family (alongwithbeets and Swiss chard) is a powerhouse ofdaily requirements, aiding in red blood cell production, bone strength, prevention of anemia,andslowingdowndamagetoneuronsin the brain. And because there are only seven caloriesinacupofrawspinach,it’salsoagreatcontributiontoweightlossprograms.MostofAmerica’sspinachisgrowninCaliforniaandTexas. Crystal City, Texas makes the claim as thespinachcapitaloftheworld.In1936,thecommunity (present-day population 7,200) establisheditsfirstannualspinachfestival,anderected a statue of famous spinach consumer Popeye the Sailor Man across from City Hall the following year. Back in the 1930s, theCrystal City Cannery was producing 10,000cans of spinach every day

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add the figures together. Measure the height of the room from floor to ceiling. Multiply the first number by the height of the room and you’ll have your square footage.

--Wash all surfaces to be painted with a damp sponge soaked in a soap and water solution and then squeezed to remove most of the water. Let the surfaces dry for about a half-day, longer if it’s rainy or humid.

--Remove protruding nails and patch nail holes and small (less than 1/2 inch) dents and holes with spackling compound. Once it’s dry, sand the compound lightly and wipe with a damp sponge to remove dust.

--Mask off areas you don’t want to paint using blue painter’s tape, which comes off more easily than masking tape.

--Covering a dark wall with a lighter paint? Prime the wall first with a primer that is close to or matches the color of the new paint.

--Ditto for covering one type of paint, such as an oil-based paint, with a different type, such as latex paint. A primer coat will keep your new paint from bubbling, cracking or peeling.--Make sure the area being painted is well ventilated; additionally, wear a filter mask (not a dust mask) to reduce inhalation of paint fumes. HOME TIP: Paint stores will pre-mix your paint after you purchase it, saving a lot of time, but you still should stir the paint for a few seconds immediately before beginning to paint with it.

Send your questions or comments to ask@thisisahammer.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

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OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS (continued):• TheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationofthe

UnitedNations was founded onOctober 16,1945, and to commemorate the date, World Food Day is now celebrated every year onthat day. It’s aworldwide event that aims toincrease the public’s awareness of worldhunger.NationalFoodBankWeekisobservedOctober14-20 incorrespondencewithWorldFoodDay,withallcitizensurgedtocontributeto their local food banks.

• Nothingismoredevastatingthanthedeathofan infant, and many organizations have been formed to educate parents and caregivers on how to reduce the risk of Sudden InfantDeath Syndrome. October is National SIDSAwareness Month, a time to learn moreabout the leading cause of death in children betweentheagesofonemonthandoneyear.About 2,500 SIDS deaths occur per year in the UnitedStates.ResearchindicatesthatAfrican-Americanbabiesaremorethantwiceaslikelyto die of SIDS thanCaucasian babies,whileAmerican Indian and Alaska Native babiesarenearlythreetimesaslikely.Studiesshowthatinfantswhosleepontheirstomachhaveamuchhigherrisk,asdothosewhosemotherssmoked during pregnancy. An elevated body temperature contributes to the danger, as does sleeping on a soft mattress. Some scientists think that defects in an infant’s nervous system, where breathing and heart rate areregulated, contribute to the likelihood, as do less-developedbrainstems,whererespiratoryfunctionsarecontrolled.Thegoodnewsisthatsince physicians began instructing parents to put babies to sleep on their backs around 1994, the number of SIDS deaths has declined by more than half.

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A World Without BaconI’mnotsurewhatI’mmorealarmedabout--theNFLreplacementrefereesortheforecasted2013worldwidebacon shortage.

Forthosewhomaybeunaware,duetotheprolongeddrought experienced in the American Midwest thisyear, an industry tradeassociation from theU.K.hasissued a dire warning about those sizzling strips ofgoodness, namely there’ll be a lot less of them grac-ingour sandwichesandbreakfastplates.Pigs,whosebacks provide the necessary lettuce, tomato and/or eggs over-easyaccompaniment,willbeinshortersupplyatslaughterhouses next year because they themselves have not been given enough to eat.

“Aworldshortageofporkandbaconnextyearisnowunavoidable,” was the tersely worded announcementfromBritain’sNationalPigAssociation.

Led by bacon, pork accounts for nearly 70 percent of the British diet, so it’s easy to understand their alarm. Have you ever seen the traditional British diet? If those Cryovac packages of porcine delight fail to make it totheirshores,wecouldbelookingatarealproblem... when theBrits go intoBeefeatermode, it usuallymeans their boys are on the march.

InAmerica, it’sprobablysafe tosaywewon’tsuffertoomuchfromthebaconshortage.Wealwaysseemtofindawaythroughthesesortsofthings,andifwehaveto,we’renotaboveartificialflavoringsandBac-OBits.Ourfieldswill once again spill forthwith the grainsnecessary for our hogs.

Whatwe’remostconcernedaboutrightnowistakingplaceontheotherfieldsofgreen--namelytherefereesituationinfootballthatisthrowingoursteadydietofqualityfootballoutofwhack.

The NFL locked out the regular officials before theseason,anditwasmostlytreatedlikeanafterthought.AftertheSeattleSeahawksstoleagamefromthehands(literally) of the Green Bay Packers on Monday night inweek3, fans saw theproblema little clearer.Theleague’s head coaches had already smelled blood in the water. Everymistake theymade had beenmagnifiedtogargantuanportions,bestexemplifiedbyabellicoseBill Belichek trying to rip off the arm of a linesperson after a loss. It’s been a disaster. Troy Aikman is even tweetingabouttherefereesinbetweenconcussions.

Unlikeporkproduction, this shortcomingwasavoid-able. If anything, the poor officiating has led to twothings: a reminder that in order for the games to be played right, youneed the right officials in place. Inthis land of plenty, a poor game of pigskin is like a worldwithoutbacon...andthatjustisn’tanywaytolive.

MarkVastoisaveteransportswriterwholivesinKan-sas City.

(c)2012KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.

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• On Oct. 18, 1767, Charles Mason and Jeremi-ah Dixon complete their survey of the bound-arybetweenthecoloniesofPennsylvaniaandMaryland,aswellasareasthatwouldbecomeDelawareandWestVirginia.TheMason-Dix-on line created the boundary at a northern lati-tude of 39 degrees and 43 minutes.

•OnOct.21,1797, theUSSConstitution, a44-gunU.S.NavyfrigatebuilttofightBarbarypirates off the coast of Tripoli, is launched in Boston Harbor. During the War of 1812, the Constitutionwonitsenduringnickname“OldIronsides” after witnesses claimed that theBritish shots merely bounced off the Constitu-tion’s sides.

• On Oct. 19, 1931, David Cornwell, laterknownasspynovelistJohn leCarre, isbornin Poole, England. He published his first spy novel, “Call for the Dead,” in 1961. The novel, like his second, “A Murder of Quality” (1962), featured spy George Smiley.

• On Oct. 15, 1946, Herman Goering, com-manderinchiefoftheLuftwaffeandheadofthe Gestapo, dies by his own hand. He wasfound guilty at Nuremberg and committedsuicidebyswallowingacyanidetablethehadhidden from his guards.

• On Oct. 20, 1968, 21-year-old Oregonian Dick Fosbury wins gold medal and sets anOlympicrecordwhenhehigh-jumps7feet,41/4 inchesat theMexicoCityGames.Itwasthe international debut of Fosbury’s unique jumpingstyle,knownasthe“FosburyFlop,”which, according to one journalist, “lookedlike a guy falling off the back of a truck.”

• On Oct. 17, 1973, the Arab-dominated Or-ganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announces a decision to cut oil ex-portstotheUnitedStates.InDecember,afulloil embargowas imposed, prompting a seri-ous energy crisis and gasoline rationing in the UnitedStates.

• On Oct. 16, 1987, 18-month-old Jessica Mc-Clure is rescued after being trapped for 58 hoursinanabandonedwaterwellinMidland,Texas. McClure had fallen through the 8-inch-wide opening of an abandoned well in thebackyard of her aunt’s home day-care center. Afterdroppingabout22feetintothewell,thelittle girl became stuck.

(c)2012KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc,

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By Maleta Dunne

There are three things I don’t usually discuss: my age, my dress size and my physical fitness.

But today, I’m making an exception. I’m 55. I wear a size 4. As for physical fitness, well, up untilthree years ago, I didn’t have any.

Yes, I was out of shape and looked it. I wasn’t exactly a poster child for the anti-aging healthcenter that my husband, a vascular surgeon, and I operate in Bradenton.

It’s not like I didn’t know about the importance of staying fit. I’m a registered nurse.I know that after age 30, we lose 8 to 10 pounds of muscle a decade. For people over50 like me, it gets worse. The less fit we are, the more susceptible we are to a wholerange of ills, from bone thinning, hip fractures and diabetes, to cholesterol and bloodpressure problems.

It’s also not like I didn’t have good intentions. I mean, I had a gym membership. Buthere’s the thing: a gym membership really only works if you actually USE it. I never did.

And frankly, who has the time or the interest? Not me. I was busy. I was tired.

All that changed on October 11, 2005. That was the day I tried a medically-proven form of fitness training that takes just 20 minutes a week and changed the way I look at exer-cise forever.

You read that right: 20 minutes a week. It’s done on special physical therapy equipmentunder the watchful eye of a personal trainer.

Like many people, I didn’t believe it at first. Then I met Virginia Phillips, who operates 20 Minutes to Fitness, the company that brought this form of fitness training to the

Sarasota area. She was my age, but had arm muscles that a 25-year-old would kill for.

So I tried it. (The first session was free, so what did I have to lose?) Long story short – I was hooked.

The results? Forget about the health benefits, which are certainly there. I can hit a golf ballfurther. My knees don’t creak. I feel great. I’ve dropped two dress sizes. (Yes, I wasn’t ALWAYSa size 4.) And how about this: I’ve got actual muscle definition in my arms. Yes, I can gosleeveless!

Here’s the best part – this workout is so safe I can keep doing it for pretty much the restof my life. And that’s what I intend to do. It’s the smartest money I’ve ever spent.

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Page 7For Advertising Call 941.928.9458

IT’S A SWEET MONTH!Octoberisfilledwithtributestocakedecorating.It’s been dubbed National Bake and DecorateMonth,NationalAngelFoodCakeDayisOctober10,NationalCakeDecoratingDayisOctober15,andNationalChocolateCupcakeDayisOctober18. Tidbits brings you some sweet facts aboutthese confections. • Thefirstknownwrittenreferencetoacupcake

was in a 1796 recipe inAmerican Cookery, where the treat was referred to as “a caketo be baked in small cups.” It was actuallycalled a “cupcake” in the 1828 publication Seventy-Five Recipes for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats.

• Theterm“cupcake”wastwo-fold.Beforethedaysofmuffintins,cupcakeswereoriginallybaked in heavy pottery cups or ramekins, and were called cupcakes because of the bakingmedium. The name was also derived fromthe ingredients’ measurements. Cupcakes werefrequentlycallednumbercakes,quartercakes, or 1-2-3-4 cakes. The numerical nicknamestartedasaneasywaytorememberthequantitiesofthefourmainingredients–1cupofbutter,2cupsofsugar,3cupsofflour,and 4 eggs. A cup of milk and a spoon of soda completed the recipe.

• TheBritishcallcupcakes“fairycakes,”whilethe Australians have given them the name “patty cakes.”

• About1.6millionviewerstuneineachweektowatchtheFoodNetwork’sCupcake Wars, a competition among bakers to create unique cupcakes. The program, which premieredin 2010, features four contestants who areeliminated one by one in three rounds. During Round One, competitors bake cupcakes corresponding to a certain theme which arejudged on taste alone.

It’s apple season! That means it’s time to make your way to a local apple orchard and harvest your own. Many orchards are jam-packed with

additional things to do in the crisp fall air, such as hay rides, corn mazes and walking trails. You’ll be tempted with a never-ending array of treats, from apple cider to doughnuts and cara-mel apples. But no trip is complete without the experience of picking apples fresh off the tree with your kids and bringing them home to enjoy for snacking, applesauce-making and our family favorite, apple-pie baking.

One year, when we came home with an extra basketful, I thought about how great it would be to preserve that fresh taste of our favorite local apples and enjoy them in a warm apple pie come wintertime.

That’s when a friend reminded me of her novel idea of freezing fresh apple pie filling in the shape of a pie pan. A few months lat-er, when chilly, snowy days were upon us and the family longed for the taste of fall, the frozen filling was placed in a pie shell and baked.

While you peel, core and slice apples for a pie or crisp this week, prepare some extras and freeze them. You’ll be glad you did.

Here’s how to make ahead and freeze apple fill-ing for a two-crust pie:

1. Set a 22-inch sheet of wide aluminum foil over the pie pan you will use for baking. Mold

it in the pan at the center point of the foil. Set a 22-inch long piece of plastic wrap over the foil.

2. Peel, core and thinly slice 6 cups tart apples, and place them in a bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Stir in a mixture of 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

3. Pour apple mixture onto the plastic wrap in pie pan. Press firmly and form a rounded top. Bring edges of plastic wrap to-gether to seal. Repeat with foil. Freeze overnight.

4. Remove pie plate and set frozen pie-shaped apple filling “package” in a plastic freezer bag. Freeze up to four months.

5. To bake apple pie, preheat oven to 375 F. Set unwrapped frozen apple filling in a 9-inch pastry-lined pan. Do not let it thaw. Dot with 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Place top crust over filling. Cut slits to vent, then seal and flute. Set on a foil-lined baking sheet. Allow 20-30 extra minutes of baking time, or until filling is bubbling through the slits.

Tip: Cover loosely with foil if crust gets too brown before the filling bubbles.

***Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.don-nasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”

(c) 2012 Donna Erickson Dist. by King Features Synd.Freeze-Ahead Fresh Apple Pie Filling

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Just because the label says “mashed potatoes” doesn’t mean these dried flakes can’t do a lot more. Here, we’ve turned the ultimate convenience food into delicious pancakes that can be on the table in 25 minutes.

• 2 large eggs• 1 cup water• 2/3 cup potato flakes• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder• 1/4 teaspoon salt• 1 tablespoon canola oil

1. In bowl, with fork, beat eggs with water. Stir in potato flakes, flour, Parmesan cheese, baking pow-der and salt; let stand 5 minutes.

2. In 12-inch skillet, heat oil on medium-high. Drop half of batter by 1/4 cup into hot skillet, and cook 2 minutes per side or until puffed and golden.

3. Transfer to rack on cookie sheet; keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining potato mixture and 1 tablespoon of oil. Makes 8 pancakes.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our web-site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/.

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Flu Shots and MoreEvery year, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and their counterparts around the globe get together to decide which combinations of vaccine should be put in flu shots. This year, of the three types that will be used (H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B virus), two of them are new.

It’s the H3N2 virus that appears to be taking off like a rocket already. In all of 2011, there were only 12 total cases. Already this year, that number is up to 306 and rising, with most of it happening since summer.

Many pharmacies have been making flu shots available for years, and some of them have now expanded to include a whole array of vaccinations:

--Flu (influenza) --Pneumonia (pneumococcal)--Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis) (Tdap) --HPV (human papillomavirus) --Meningitis (meningococcal)

Senior Bits

The AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans carry the AARP name and UnitedHealthcare pays a royalty fee to AARP for use of the AARP intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members. Neither AARP nor its affiliate is the insurer. AARP doesn’t make individual recommendations for health-related products, services, insurance or programs. You are encouraged to evaluate your needs and compare products. Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Horsham, PA (UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, Islandia, NY 11749 for New York residents). Policy Form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4). In some states, plans may be available to persons eligible for Medicare by reason of disability. All plans may not be available in your state/area. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. This is a solicitation of insurance. An agent/producer may contact you. AARP and its affiliate are not insurance agencies or carriers and do not employ or endorse insurance agents, brokers, producers, representatives or advisors. Call to receive complete information, including benefits, costs, eligibility requirements, exclusions, and limitations.

Medicare questions?

Let’s sit down face-to-face

to talk about your needs.

AS2647ST

Harry "Gene" Wood Licensed Insurance Agent Contracted with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company

941-306-5047

The AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans carry the AARP name and UnitedHealthcare pays a royalty fee to AARP for use of the AARP intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members. Neither AARP nor its affiliate is the insurer. AARP doesn’t make individual recommendations for health-related products, services, insurance or programs. You are encouraged to evaluate your needs and compare products. Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Horsham, PA (UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, Islandia, NY 11749 for New York residents). Policy Form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4). In some states, plans may be available to persons eligible for Medicare by reason of disability. All plans may not be available in your state/area. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. This is a solicitation of insurance. An agent/producer may contact you. AARP and its affiliate are not insurance agencies or carriers and do not employ or endorse insurance agents, brokers, producers, representatives or advisors. Call to receive complete information, including benefits, costs, eligibility requirements, exclusions, and limitations.

Medicare questions?

Let’s sit down face-to-face

to talk about your needs.

AS2647ST

Harry "Gene" Wood Licensed Insurance Agent Contracted with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company

941-306-5047

Call me today:

941-306-5047

Harry “Gene” WoodLicensed Insurance AgentContracted with UnitedHealthcareInsurance Company

The AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans carry the AARP name and UnitedHealthcare pays a royalty fee to AARP for use of the AARP intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members. Neither AARP nor its affiliate is the insurer. AARP doesn’t make individual recommendations for health-related products, services, insurance or programs. You are encouraged to evaluate your needs and compare products. Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Horsham, PA (UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, Islandia, NY 11749 for New York residents). Policy Form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4). In some states, plans may be available to persons eligible for Medicare by reason of disability. All plans may not be available in your state/area. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. This is a solicitation of insurance. An agent/producer may contact you. AARP and its affiliate are not insurance agencies or carriers and do not employ or endorse insurance agents, brokers, producers, representatives or advisors. Call to receive complete information, including benefits, costs, eligibility requirements, exclusions, and limitations.

Medicare questions?

Let’s sit down face-to-face

to talk about your needs.

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941-306-5047

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

--Hepatitis B--MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) --Shingles (herpes zoster)--Chickenpox (varicella)--Hepatitis A

That’s quite a long list. And that’s where a potential problem lies: Should you have all those shots? No. Except for flu, most of these shots are not annual vaccines, per the CDC. For example, the Tdap is generally a booster every 10 years. A number of the others are only for those whose doctor recommends them. Some are taken in a series.

And that’s where your doctor comes in. Before you line up for any shot, ask your doctor what you should get. Or have it done at the doctor’s office so it’s noted in your records.

And remember that it takes two weeks for a flu shot to start working.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.

1. What name did McKinley Morganfield go by for most of his life?

2. Which group had a disco hit with “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart”?

3. Aruba, Bermuda and Key Largo are all mentioned in which song?

4. Chad & Jeremy had a hit in 1964 with which 1930s Billie Holiday tune?

5. Which hard rock band’s 1975 album was titled “Hair of the Dog”?

6. Complete this song lyric: “In the jungle, the mighty jungle ...”

Answers1. Muddy Waters. Rolling Stone magazine

ranked the bluesman at No. 17 on the all-time list of 100 greatest artists.

2. The Trammps in 1972. They created a hit from the 1938 Judy Garland song used in the film “Listen, Darling.”

3. “Kokomo,” by the Beach Boys. While the song references tropical Caribbean locations, this Kokomo is in the Florida Keys.

4. “Willow Weep for Me.” Other notable covers have been done by Wynton Kelly and saxophonist David Sanborn.

5. Nazareth, from Scotland. The group’s best-known song was “Love Hurts.”

6. “... the lion sleeps tonight.” Although known as “Wimoweh,” the misheard chorus is actually “Uyimbube,” which is Zulu for “You are a lion.”

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Mustache CupQ: I have a mustache cup that I purchased at a flea market. I paid $10 and think it could be worth much more. -- Susan, Metarie, La.

A: Maybe and maybe not. It depends on who made the mustache cup, when, and its design. Victorian-era mustache cups are always in higher demand than those made during the 1970s and ‘80s.

In recent years, mustache cups and shaving mugs have become more collectible, and good ones more difficult to find. Look for cups and mugs with elabo-rate Victorian designs or occupational mugs. A shav-ing mug with a fireman and hose cart recently sold at auction for $450. In special demand are mustache cups with matching saucers and left-handed cups and mugs.

***Q: I have several paperback novels from the late 1940s and early ‘50s that I think might be worth a little money. They belonged to an uncle who took me-ticulous care of his property. How can I find out current values? -- Steve, Ramona, Calif.

A: One of the better references is “The Antique Trad-er Collectible Paperback Price Guide” by Gary Lovisi (Krause, $19.99). This book proves that you can, in-deed, sometimes judge a book by its cover. The color-ful, edgy illustrations on the cover of many paperbacks from this period often can translate into real money. For example, the lurid novels about sex, drugs and

juvenile delinquency are currently commanding top prices.

Mint copies of “Born to Be Bad” by Sheldon Lord, “Man Hungry” by Alan Marshall, “Incest Street” by Carlton Miller, and “Thrill Kids,” a Gold Medal book with a James Meese cover, are worth as much as $100 each. As with most collectibles, rarity and con-dition are extremely important.

***Q: I recently found an “Uncle Wiggily Water Color Box,” with 16 little vats of colors and a brush, all con-tained in a metal box. On the lid is Uncle Wiggily in full color. Do you have any idea of its value. I don’t think the set was ever used. -- Mark, Rio Rancho, N.M.

A: In mint condition, $50 to $100, according to “A Century of Crayola Collectibles: A Price Guide” by Bonnie B. Rushlow and published by Hobby House Press.

Write to Larry Cox in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to questionsforcox@aol.com. Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox is un-able to personally answer all reader questions. Do not send any materials requiring return mail.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Page 9For Advertising Call Becky at 941.928.9458www.GulfCoastTidbits.com

Acupuncture Helps Perk Up Old Dog

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m writing in response to your column on alternative treatments for pets. A vet I used to work for studied acupuncture for pets. She had an old dog with arthritis, and he was really grumpy because he was in so much pain. The vet did acupuncture on him, and within a few weeks he was running around and playing with the puppies. Total change in that dog. Dogs can’t fake it! Made a believer out of me! -- Mrs. J., via email

DEAR MRS. J: Thank you for the anecdote! While studies about the effectiveness of acupuncture and other alternative treatments -- such as homeopathy, reiki, massage and aromatherapy -- are still being done, many pet owners swear by these treatments and say that their pets’ lives have been profoundly changed for the better.

Do they really work? I don’t know. However, speaking with a medical doctor a few years ago about alternative treatments, she said that since most alternative treatments have few-to-no side effects, and her (human) patients felt better after having them, she felt that they were a positive benefit that could boost the effectiveness of more conventional Western medicine.

This idea could hold true for treatment of pets, as well. I think it’s important to consult your pet’s veterinarian for any illness or injury -- physical or emotional -- and make sure your pet gets conventional treatment. But alternative therapies can provide additional benefits.Readers, do you have a story about a pet that was helped through alternative treatment? Let me know!

TM

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

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► When making pastry, start with cold ingredients; when making cakes and cookies, the ingredients should be room temperature. If you stick with this rule, you’ll have lovely, flaky pastry and warm, fluffy cake!

► “Keep rolls or breads warm at the table with this OLD trick: Line your bread basket with foil, shiny side out. Drape a towel over that, and snug the bread inside.” -- G.R. in Wisconsin

► Want to know the secret to great biscuits? Handle the dough gently. The more you mess with it, the tougher the biscuits. If you use a cutter, dip it in water for each press, and DON’T twist: You’ll create a seal on the edges that will hinder the biscuit from rising, making it denser.

► “Got a dome on your cake? Measure your ingredients well. Use a pan that is big enough. And if all else fails, use a thermometer to

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

SWEET MONTH (continued): RoundTwo’s cupcakes are judged on

taste and presentation, while RoundThreechallenges teams to produce 1,000 cupcakes in justtwohours.Thesumof$10,000isawardedtothewinner.

• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world’s largest cupcake wasproduced by Gourmet Gift Baskets in August of2009.Itweighedinat1,224lbs.(555kg)and required 800 eggs. There were about 2millioncaloriesinthe4-foottall,10-footwidecupcake.

• Hostesscupcakes,thebest-sellingsnackcakein history, came along in 1919. As a child, Florida resident Suzanne Rutland started up a Hostess Cupcake Club among her friends, and estimates that she has eaten more than 50,000 of the confections over her lifetime, sometimes as many as four per day.

• Therecordforthemostcupcakeseateninonesitting is 29 cupcakes in 30 seconds.

• If you plan to bake an angel food cake onOctober10,you’llneedthewhitesof12eggs.Recipes for this dessert first appeared in thelate 1800s, and it’s believed it derived its name frombeingsofluffyand light, itwas“fit forthe angels.”

• October23isNationalBostonCreamPieDay,set aside for baking this American favorite. It’s not a pie at all, but a round cake split and filled with a custard filling and frosted withchocolate. It made its debut at Boston’s Parker HouseHotelin1855andistheofficialdessertof Massachusetts.

gauge whether your oven is too hot. These things more than any others will make a cake pop up in the center.” -- E.A. in Mississippi

► Here’s a fun way to spend a weekend morning: Making pancakes or waffles! Make a double (or triple, or more) batch, and make several varieties -- blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, walnuts, strawberry, even pumpkin! Lay them out in layers and let cool. Stack separated with freezer paper in the freezer. They can be microwaved or toasted in minutes for an easy weekday breakfast.

► Self-rising flour or all-purpose? There’s actually a pretty easy way to tell which is which. Self-rising flour has baking soda added to it, which tastes salty. If you’re facing a canister of flour and the recipe calls for all-purpose, give it a taste. If it’s self-rising, omit any baking soda added to your recipe.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@yahoo.com.

Page 10 www.GulfCoastTidbits.com

1. Name the only French-born pitcher to toss a no-hitter in the major leagues.

2. In the 12 World Series from 2000 through 2011, how many have included at least one team from Texas, California or New York?

3. How many times have the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers met in the playoffs?

4. What school has been to the most NCAA Tourna-ments in men’s basketball without winning a cham-pionship?

5. When was the last time the NHL regular-season conference champions met in the Stanley Cup Finals?

6. Jimmie Johnson tied a record in 2012 for most NASCAR Cup wins at Dover (seven). Who else has seven?

7. Who was the last British men’s tennis player before Andy Murray in 2012 to reach the final of the Wimbledon men’s singles?

Answers

By Chris Richcreek

1. Charlie Lea of the Montreal Expos did it in 1981.2. Eight of the 12.3. Twice -- 1941 and 2010.4. Notre Dame, with 32 appearances.5. It was 2001 (New Jersey and Colorado).6. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.7. Bunny Austin, in 1938.

FAMOUS LANDMARKS OF THE WORLD:

THE LOUVRE On the right bank of the Seine in the heart of Paris stands the majestic Louvre, the most visited artmuseumintheworld.Butitwasn’talwaysamuseum, as you’ll soon learn! • About15,000visitors tour theLouvreevery

day! Its 652,000 square feet (60,600 square meters) are filled with more than 380,000objects, including 35,000 works of art,sculptures, and archaeological finds. Thereare more than 7,500 paintings dating from the 13th century up to 1848.

• TheLouvrebeganasa towered fortressandarsenal to protect Paris, Europe’s largest city, fromAnglo-Norman threat around theyear 1200. In the mid-1300s, King CharlesV ordered the transformation of the fortress into a royal residence. Its interiorwasfilledwith tapestries, ornate paneling, and art,while elaborate gardenswere created in thecourtyard. Two kings called it home until1422, when it was abandoned for over 100years.

• The Louvre once again became home toroyalty in themid-1500s,whenmorewingswereaddedaswellasacorridorconnectingthe structure with the Tuileries, a newerpalace that had been built nearby. Further construction was completed by Louis XIII,andtheLouvrewasdramaticallyenlarged.

• WhenLouisXIVdecidedtobuildapermanenthomeatVersailles,allworkwashaltedattheLouvreforanother100years.TheKingmadethe decision for a gallery of sculptures to be housed in the abandoned palace. In 1793, the Louvre began its permanent function as a monument to science and the arts. Many of theLouvre’smasterpieceswerethespoilsofNapoleonI’swarconquests.AfterNapoleon’sdefeatatWaterloo,manyoftheworksofartwerereturnedtotheiroriginalowners.

If you find yourself frequently overdrawnat thebank,with checksbeing returned forNotSufficientFunds,youcouldfindyourselfwithoutacheckingaccount.Andyoumightnot be able to get an account another bank -- at least not easily.

AccordingtoFDICConsumerNews,banksclosed 30 million consumer checking ac-countsinthepastfiveyears.

If you lose your checking account, you’ll only have a few options when it comes topaying your bills.You can deliver the pay-ment in cash if it’s local, or you can buy mon-eyorderstomail.Youalsowon’thaveaccesstoanATMmachineforcashwithdrawals.

The inconvenience of not having a checking account goes even further -- to your credit record. If your bank reported your bounced checks to a credit-reporting agency (proba-bly ChexSystems, as it handles the reporting for bad checks), it could stay on your record for five years. ChexSystems is a debt col-lector and reporting agency governed by the FairCreditReportingActlaws.

PerConsumerNews,therearewaystotrytofixtheproblemsoyoucanhaveacheckingaccount.

Ask your bank to have the report removed from your ChexSystems information. They

might, if you’ve been a customer for a long time and theoverdraftsweremistakes thatyouclearedupimmediately.Yourbankisundernoobligationtoremove any accurate information, but it does have to report if the account is paid.

CallChexSystemsyourself to seewhat is inyourfile. You can get instructions by calling them at1-800-428-9623.

ChexSystems is under no obligation to remove any accurateinformationfromyourfile.Butitisobli-gated to add a statement from you, if you submit itinwritingtoChexSystems,Attn:ConsumerRe-lations, 7805 Hudson Road, Suite 100, Woodbury, MN55125.

If you need a checking account after being turned down,keeptrying.Youmightfindabankorcreditunionthatwillletyouopenanaccount,withrestric-tions.

The key to maintaining a checking account is to carefullytrackyourbalance.Fees,automaticwith-drawals,debit-cardtransactionsandchecksallgetdeducted.If twoofyouareonajointaccount,besure to communicate on a daily basis aboutwhatdepositsandwithdrawalsyou’vemade.

DavidUffington regrets thathe cannotpersonallyanswerreaderquestions,butwillincorporatetheminto his columnwhenever possible.Write to himincareofKingFeaturesWeeklyService,P.O.Box536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send email to columnreply@gmail.com.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

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(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Page 11For Advertising Call 941.928.9458

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 84 years old, and I have spinal stenosis, which is causing me pain. I would like to know more about it. Will you furnish more information? -- T.P.

ANSWER: Spinal stenosis is a common back problem of older people. It’s said that 20 percent of those older than 60 have it. The spinal cord is an offshoot of the brain, and it travels from the brain to the lower back. It’s about the width of your little finger and is extremely delicate. That’s why nature encased it in backbones -- vertebrae. Running through the backbones is a tunnel, the spinal canal that serves to protect the cord.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the tunnel. It happens mostly in the neck and lower-back regions. Thickened ligaments surrounding the spinal cord or arthritic changes of the backbones impinge on the spinal cord or the nerves that spring from it.

When the process occurs in the back, pain is felt there and often in the buttocks or thighs. The pain worsens if a person stands for too long. People can ease the pain by bending forward at the waist or by sitting down. Bending opens the tunnel to give the spinal cord some breathing room. The amount of bend that works is the amount of bend a person assumes when pushing a shopping cart.

Have you tried Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain? It’s safe when used as directed on the label. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) also are helpful. They can cause stomach upset and stomach bleeding, so follow directions given for their use. Hot packs or cold packs might work. Try both, and see if either gets the job done.

At night, lying on your side in bed with a pillow between your knees lessens pain. A program of physical therapy might help you turn the corner. Ask your doctor for a referral. And finally, the opinion of a back surgeon will let you know if any surgical technique can bring you relief.

Health Bits

The booklet on back pain offers other advice for the many conditions causing back pain. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 303W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

***DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I just received my grandmother’s death certificate. It says: “Cause of death: uterine hemorrhage. Contributing cause: surgical shock.” She died in 1931 at the

young age of 33. What does all this mean? -- J.F.

ANSWER: Hemorrhage is massive bleeding. She bled from her uterus either during an operation or from a tumor, a twisted fibroid or an infection. Surgical shock isn’t a term used these days. Shock means that the bleeding was so great, her blood pressure

dropped. Not enough blood could circulate to her organs, including her brain and heart. In those days, such a catastrophe almost always resulted in death. I’m guessing at the meaning of surgical shock. I take it to mean that the bleeding occurred during surgery.

***Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

(c) 2012 North America Synd., Inc.All Rights Reserved

Spinal Stenosis Causes Back Pain

THE LOUVRE (continued):• WhenWorldWar II broke out in 1939, the

majority of the art was evacuated, hiddenacross France in various sites, and moved several times for security purposes. In early 1945, the masterpieces began their journey back to their permanent home.

• In 1986, the art collectionwas divided,withall pieces completed after 1848 moved to the Musee d’Orsay, a converted train station.

•ItshouldbenosurprisethattheLouvre’smostpopular attraction is the Mona Lisa. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci sometime between1503 and 1506, the subject is thought to be LisaGherardini,thewifeofaFlorentineclothmerchant. It’s believed that da Vinci wasinvited byKing Francois I towork near theking’s castle around 1516, and that da Vinci took thepaintingwithhim.Theartworkwaseventually returned to Italy when da Vincibequeathed it to his assistant, who possiblysold it to the king around 1518. Before taking up permanent residence in the Louvre, the Mona Lisa hung in Francois I’s Palace of Fontainebleau, the Palace of Versailles, and in Napoleon’sbedroomintheTuileriesPalace.

• TheLouvreisalsohometothearmlessVenusde Milo, a marble statue discovered in 1820 on aGreek island in theAegeanSea. Itwaspresented to LouisXVIII,who donated it tothe museum.

• Thereisasmallremnantoftheoriginalfortresswalls still standing in the basement of thecurrent structure, dating back to the late 12th century.

• When the Da Vinci Code was produced in2006,manyof its scenes werefilmed in theLouvre. The museum was paid $2.5 millionfor allowing the filming to take place in itsgalleries.

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