Monday paper

Breaking down the numbers Monday, December 27, 2021

How the Cowboys fare after fall semester

Alex Hernandez

a margin of 127-0.

10: Most team points allowed in a dual by the Cowboys thus far — a 23-10 win at Minnesota on Nov. 20.

This comprised of three Golden Gopher wins, two of which were multitime All-Americans, Brayton Lee at 157 Adam Engel pounds and heavyweight Gable SteveStaff Reporter son, the defending national and Olympic champion. The Cowboys have not lost 3: Dual shutouts recorded by OSU more than three bouts in a dual so far. in the fall semester — a program first.

6: Total individual losses from The Cowboys rolled through Cowboys in duals so far. competition blanking Drexel, Air Force Luke Surber, OSU’s heavyweight, and Utah Valley while allowing one is responsible for two losses while Cartindividual loss against Oklahoma and er Young, Kaden Gfeller, Wyatt Sheets, Wyoming. The three shutouts totaled to Travis Wittlake and Dakota Geer have

lost once. Four Cowboys carry undefeated records into the new year — Trevor Mastrogiovanni, Daton Fix, Dustin Plott and A.J. Ferrari.

34: Takedowns recorded by Geer, OSU’s All-American 184-pound starter.

The sixth-year continues to hoard takedowns in bunches using his catch and release style of offense. Often times, when looking for bonus points, No. 12 Geer will take down his opponent and slowly allow his vulnerable foe to regain footing only to pounce again. In Geer’s two regular decisions, his opponents, Isaiah Salazar and Tate Samuelson used their lengthy limbs to keep Geer close and prevented any serious attacks.

4: Wins against ranked opponents for Plott, OSU’s sophomore 174 pounder.

After struggling through a torn left labrum a season ago, No. 9 Plott has healed from surgery and attacked opponents in all ways — trips, throws and gliding takedowns. With a healthy left shoulder, Plott showcases his offense while limiting opponent’s scoring chances. In the season opener, then No. 31 Tyler Eischens of Stanford recorded six points against Plott — the most allowed this season. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Absentee ballot applications available Anna Pope News Editor

Absentee ballot applications for 2022 election year are available.

Tribune News Service

If voters wish to vote by an absentee ballot, absentee ballot applications for 2022 election year are available.

Although some Oklahoma State students travel to their polling places, some vote absentee. Casting absentee ballot The new deadline to request an absentee ballot in Oklahoma is 15 days before an election at sometime before 5 p.m. Voters can get these ballots through the OK Voter Portal, State Election Board website or through a County Election Board. Voters can apply by mail or online.

Absentee ballots can be requested by any registered voter for one or all elections in the state. These ballots can be casted through the mail or in person. In Oklahoma, it is not necessary to give a reason to vote absentee, but there are some voter who may qualify for special conditions.

Although there are types of absentee ballots, voters, no matter the type of ballot or how they vote, must provide proof of identity under state law.

Voter may prove their identity by: - Showing photo identification given by federal government, state government or a federally recognized tribal government.

- Presenting a county election board voter identification card.

- Or an affidavit a with a provisional ballot.

Next elections in Payne County will be on Feb. 8, 2022. The City of Stillwater will be holding it’s mayoral race and two propositions will be on the ballot. Also on this date, there is a proposition on the ballot for Ripley Public Schools and Cushing Public Schools.

For February elections absentee ballots must be received before Jan. 24, 2022 at 5 p.m.

Other counties will also be holding elections, for more information, visit the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website. news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 2 Monday, December 27, 2021

O’Colly

News

Fauci warns of complacency with virus set to fill hospitals

Tribune News Service

Ben Bain Bloomberg News Americans should stay vigilant against the omicron variant despite evidence its symptoms may be less severe because the volume of cases can still overwhelm hospitals, President Joe Biden’s top medical adviser said Sunday.

“The issue that we don’t want to get complacent about, Jon, is that when you have such a high volume of new infections it might override a real diminution in severity,“ Anthony Fauci told ABC’s Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl on “This Week.”

“So that if you have many, many, many more

people with a less level of severity, that might kind of neutralize the positive effect of having less severity,” said Fauci, who leads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Preliminary data from Scotland shows that omicron “is associated with a two-thirds reduction in the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization when compared to delta.” However, the same study showed that it was 10 times more likely than delta to infect people who’d already had COVID-19.

New daily omicron infections in the U.S. have surpassed those in the delta wave, CNN reported. U.S. airlines scrapped almost 1,900 flights for the holiday weekend because of personnel shortages linked to a spike in cases.

Editorial board

Meanwhile, China reported the highest number of local infections since January and France had a daily record of more than 100,000 new cases. Since the start of the pandemic, cases globally have now surpassed 279 million.

The Biden administration is focused on making sure that “we don’t get an overrun on hospitals, particularly in those regions in which you have a larger proportion of unvaccinated individuals,” Fauci said.

Fauci’s comments come as the administration faces criticism over a shortage of at-home rapid tests.

Last week, Biden said he had used wartime powers to advance the production of a billion more test kits. news.ed@ocolly.com

Reporters/photographers

Editor-in-chief Chris Becker editorinchief@ocolly.com

Assistant sports editor Sam Hutchens sports.ed@ocolly.com

News editor Anna Pope news.ed@ocolly.com

Design editor Karisa Sheely design.ed@ocolly.com

Lifestyle editor Dru Norton entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Photo editor Abby Cage photo.ed@ocolly.com

Sports editor Dean Ruhl sports.ed@ocolly.com

Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu

Sports reporters: Adam Engel Ben Hutchens Sudeep Tumma Davis Cordova Calif Poncy Ashton Slaughter Daniel Allen Gabriel Trevino Jarron Davis Gavin Pendergraff Kaleb Tadpole

Newsroom

108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405)-744-6365

Monday - Wednesday: 10:00am - 10:00pm Thursday - Saturday: 10:00am - 11:00pm

128 N Main St. Stillwater, OK 74075 Great selection, prices, & staff!

405.372.5080

News reporters: Alli Putman Luisa Clausen Jake Sellers Sierra Walton Rachel Williamson Teyte Holcomb Kylie Hammack Dru Norton Mak Vandruff Reagan Glass Stephen Stumpf Lifestyle writers: Dru Norton Bryanna Nickel

Emmett McKeel Jadyn Betesda Kendall Suess Mak Vandruff Rowdy Baribeau Photographers: Jaiden Daughty Braden King Branson Evans Habbie Colen Abby Smith Alicia Young Ali Isabell Alex Hernandez

O’Colly

sports

Monday, December 27, 2021 Page 3

Punter from down under

File Photo

31-year-old Tom Hutton’s voyage from Australia to Oklahoma in Hutton, who at the time was 28 years old and working in a paper mill, to be the Cowboys next punter.

“He said he was from Oklahoma State and I had to Google it,” Hutton said.

Dean Ruhl The Google search sold Hutton.

A scholarship offer arrived, and Hutton Sports Editor moved to Stillwater. For three years, Hutton has been the Cowboys’ starting M.K. Taylor picked up his phone punter, routinely pinning opponents in the early afternoon of late 2017. deep in their own territory, and being He dialed in an irregular phone a figurehead on the team, despite being number. He had to dial “011” first, the almost a decade older than the rest of United States’ exit code, then a “61”, the roster. the country code for Australia. Then Living in America a one-digit area code and eight-digit Hutton didn’t know much about phone number, and his phone began college football. ringing at 2 p.m.

He had heard of around 10 proFor Tom Hutton, his didn’t ring grams. The Notre Dame’s, Alabama’s until 7 a.m. That time difference can and Ohio State’s. He knew about Duke be accredited to the 9,355-mile gap in men’s basketball. But outside of between the two. Taylor, Oklahoma his Google query on the Cowboys, he State’s special teams analyst, resided couldn’t tell you anything about OSU. in Stillwater, while Hutton, now OSU’s After deciding college in the starting punter, lived in Newborough, America was a route he wanted to Victoria, Australia. pursue, Hutton signed with Prokick The call regarded OSU’s interest Australia, a firm which helps Austra-

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

lian athletes connect with college and NFL teams in the United States.

“I’d been given a little bit of background from Prokick Australia that this is a good program to come into,” Hutton said.

Despite knowing nothing of the sport, or the country, It wasn’t a difficult decision for Hutton to make.

He knew this was an opportunity he would never have again. Despite his steady job working four, 12-hour shifts a week at a paper mill, and having nearly a decade of experience as a carpenter and foreman, Hutton accepted the considerable change of lifestyle.

He would soon commit to the Cowboys in January 2018, take an official visit that summer and sign before Christmas 2018. He would enroll weeks later.

For Hutton, and his wife, Kelsey, it led to them streamlining their lives in Australia to get Tom ready for OSU. The couple, who at the time had known each other for nine years, had to hastily plan their wedding and hold the ceremony, pack their belongings up and

say their goodbyes.

“I think she planned our marriage and wedding in like eight weeks,” Tom said. “That is massive for her to just give up everything to come over here for me to chase a dream.”

With the hectic preparations, it didn’t occur to the couple what they’d done until they got to the airport.

“It didn’t hit me until I had to say goodbye to Tom at the airport,” Kelsey said. “And then I think both of us were like ‘What have we done?’”

Tom left for Oklahoma in January 2019, leaving Kelsey behind until she could join him later in March of that year.

In less than a year, the Hutton’s had uprooted their lives and replanted on the other side of the world.

Learning the game The hardest thing Tom, a construction engineering technology/ building major, had to learn wasn’t in a classroom.

See Punter on 4

Page 4 Monday, December 27, 2021

O’Colly

sports

Punter...

Continued from 3 After exiting the plane, he needed to learn a sport he never had played before.

Tom had been playing played Australian rules football, a hybrid of soccer, American football and rugby with an emphasis on punting the ball around the field, since he was 10.

The steady pipeline of Australian-born punters having success in the United States was something Tom has always kept track of. He predicts there has been more than 200 Australians who have came to the U.S., with a handful ascending to the NFL. But before he could have the success his compatriots had, he needed to learn the game. He admits his knowledge of the sport was sparse. As far he knew, he thought the team would bus to every game.

“My first day of practice, people blow the whistle and everyone goes different directions,” Tom said. “I had no idea where I was going. So I just had to pick someone and follow them around.”

Tom would learn parts from

Zach Sinor, OSU’s punter prior to the Hutton’s arrival. By backing people at practice he picked up on the nuances in football. He grew close to the other specialists on the Cowboys’ roster, including fellow Australian, kicker Alex Hale.

Hale, a 23-year-old from Point Frederick, Australia, also never played American football prior to OSU. “(The specialists) are a really close group,” Tom said. “Especially this year I guess, but I’ve made relationships with a lot of the older guys I guess when I first came in.”

The sea of 20-somethings Coach Mike Gundy strolled to the center of the stage inside the OSU locker room.

After Tom had just arrived in Stillwater, Gundy opted to formally introduce the newest punter to the team.

“He is 28, he is married and he has seven kids,” Gundy said.

Gundy, playing Tom’s introduction lighthearted, was correct about the first two, but his joke on the last is something Hutton still gets asked about occasionally.

Tom said his age compared to that of a normal college kid does lend itself to those type of questions, but for him, being significantly older than everyone else on the team doesn’t affect

him.

“It was more awkward for other people,” Kelsey said.

When playing in Australia, Hutton would frequently have teammates from a wide age range. One could be pushing 40 years old, another at the ripe age of 16. With Tom having already been exposed to that for the majority of his life, playing with a group of people between the age of 1822 wasn’t difficult.

Kelsey added that Tom neither looks or acts his age, which benefitted him in his transition onto the team.

Being around younger people does help Tom feel younger, except for winter conditioning.

“Hopefully I’m not too immature, I’m just younger,” Tom said.

Returning home It has been two years since Tom and Kelsey returned to Australia.

With their busy work schedules, and the COVID-19 pandemic, neither have been able to visit Newborough since 2019. The absence from home is something Tom accredits to personal development over the past several years.

“I knew that if I got homesick or something I was 24 hours away, a flight home, I could see my family and all that,” Tom said. “There is just a time

when you’re completely locked out, it is almost like you’re on a complete other planet.”

Tom, a junior, expects to close out his collegiate career and he and his wife to return to Australia. The couple plans to settle back down and have children, something they want their friends and family to be around for. “(A family) would be the first goal,” Kelsey said. “Whatever precedes, career opportunities for us both, we will be open to it, we don’t have anything set in stone.”

Tom said most people see college football as the next step toward the NFL, but not how he sees it.

For Tom, who traveled nearly 10,000 miles to attend college, rushed a wedding with his wife, was roughly a decade older than all his teammates and had to learn a new sport on impulse, it was about the voyage.

“Although you don’t make big money and all that stuff, it is the life experiences that I’ll take away from it,” Tom said. “That is what I’m still here for.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

File photo

BE DEFINITE!

It has been a number of years ago that the Lord Jesus challenged me to be definite in making myself available to him. I was attending church regularly. My wife and I were giving to the work of God. We were not doing anything that would be considered wrong in the eyes of God. I thought I was available to Christ.

As I prayed about this, I felt the Lord wanted me to spend more consistent time with him. I decided to get up each morning and spend an hour in prayer and in the Bible. The first morning when I knelt at the living room couch, I went to sleep. What a commitment! However, I did not give up. The next morning with my Bible in hand, I walked back and forth across the living room praising, praying and reading the Bible. I was being definite, not perfect, but definite.

King David said, “My heart says of you (God), ‘Seek his Face! Your face, Lord, I will seek.’

(Ps.27:8) David was a man after God’s own heart.

He certainly was not perfect, but one who sought after and followed God. Being definite with God has such great reward. He is the Good Shepherd that will faithfully lead our lives into the best and lasting way. As the Lord challenges our lives in various areas of obedience and service, It is so important to be definite; to be clear, to be wholehearted. Go all the way, and do that thing(s) you are challenged to do. Don’t compromise!

Possibly God is challenging you about a definite time in prayer and in scripture. Maybe it is in giving; not just occasionally, but often and consistently Maybe it is Christian service; helping is mission work; worthwhile projects.

Go for it! Be definite. You will find God definite, and there will be lasting fruit and satisfaction.

he t t ou k c e Ch

way! a e d i H inal g i r O

SINCE 1957,

230 S. Knoblock St. Stillwater, OK 74074

Stop in for fresh Fried Mushrooms or Pizza made to your liking!

O’Colly

Monday, December 27, 2021 Page 5

Lifestyle

Best holiday side dishes Dru Norton Lifestyle Editor The holidays are a time for togetherness. A break to reunite with friends and family to celebrate and give gifts. However, there is an important aspect of the holidays that can never be neglected: the food. Whether you are a fan of mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni or casserole, here are the top 5 best side dishes to savor during the holidays: 1. Cherry fluff This quick and easy no bake dessert is a perfect side dish to any holiday meal. Family and friends are guaranteed to come back for seconds of this delightful treat from allrecipes.com.

Ingredients: 21 ounces of cherry pie filling 14 ounce can of sweet condensed milk 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed.

2 cups mini marshmallows Instructions: Combine the first four ingredients in a large bowl and fold in the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

2. Sausage balls At any holiday gathering, cheesy sausage balls are a must-have side dish.

Paired with a honey mustard or Sriracha sauce, this recipe from allrecipes. com satisfies every taste bud.

Ingredients: 1 pound pork sausage 2 cups biscuit baking mix 1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine sausage, biscuit baking mix and cheese. Form into walnut sized balls and place on baking sheets. Then, bake in a preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and sausage is cooked through.

3. Deviled Eggs Deviled eggs are a classic complimentary dish to any entrée. However,

Tribune News Service

Deviled eggs are a classic complimentary dish to any meal.

each recipe varies. This easy recipe from simplyrecipes.com is sure to indulge all holiday party-goers.

Ingredients: 12 large eggs 2 teaspoons dijon mustard ⅓ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon minced onion Salt and pepper ¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce Paprika Instructions: Start with hard-boiled eggs, then peel and cut each egg in half. Next, de-yolk the eggs by gently scooping the yolk out. With the yolk filling in a bowl, mix mayonnaise, dijon mustard, onion, salt, pepper and Tabsasco in a bowl using a whisk. Then, use a spoon to fill the eggs with the yolk mixture.

4. Corn casserole This casserole never fails to be the one of the most enticing side dishes during any holiday gathering. This recipe from tastesoflizzyt.com creates a

corn casserole that serves as a comfort food and the perfect side dish.

Ingredients: 1 can of corn, drained 1 can of creamed corn 1 cup of sour cream 1 stick of melted butter 1 box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix Instructions: Throw all ingredients into a bowl and mix up. Then, transfer the mixture into a greased 8x8 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

5. Candied walnut salad Every holiday dinner needs a side dish with a little green, and a candied walnut salad is the perfect way to provide a healthy option with a sweet finish. This recipe from allrecipes. com combines cranberries and candied walnuts for the perfect amount of savory and sweetness. Paired with the tanginess of the raspberry vinaigrette, the salad is a go-to for every holiday occasion.

Ingredients: ½ cup walnut halves 3 cups mixed greens ½ cup dried cranberries ½ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese 1 tablespoon raspberry vinaigrette 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1 tablespoon olive oil Instructions: Place walnuts and sugar in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves into a light brown liquid and coats the walnuts.

Remove walnuts from the skillet, and spread them out on a sheet of aluminum foil to cool. Place in a large salad bowl the mixed greens, cranberries, cheese, vinaigrette, vinegar and olive oil. Toss gently, then add candied walnuts and toss again. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

STILLWATER’S MATTRESS STORE 424 SOUTH MAIN STREET, STILLWATER,OK 74074

@Greige_Stillwater

ShopGreigeGoods.com 405-624-3212

WWW.STILLWATERFURNITURESHOWCASE.COM

MONDAY-SATURDAY | 9:30 - 6:00 SUNDAY | 1:00 - 5:00

707 S. Main St. Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074

Page 6 Monday, December 27, 2021

O’Colly

SFC Welcomes Back a Fellow OSU Alumni!

Monica Harden, D.O. is Now Accepting New Patients of All Ages

Party/Semi-formal Pageant/Performace Wedding

121 E 9th Ave, Downtown www.formalfantasy.com 405-780-7720

Call To Schedule an Appointment Today!

4 0 5 . 5 3 3 . 2 4 3 3 | w w w. s t i l l w a t e r f a m i l y c a re . c o m

O’Colly

Monday, December 27, 2021 Page 7

Classifieds

FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 27, 2021

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Houses For Rent Business Squares Church Meetings Spacious 1100 sq. ft. 2 bedroom home. Recently remodeled, Wood floors, CH/A, Nice yard.

2214 E. 6th Ave., Scarlett bus route.

405-372-7107

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University.

Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Business Squares Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy!

Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater The best selection of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main $100/year parking on East side of Campus, near Eskimo Joe’s. Call Salem Luteran at 405-372-3074 and leave message.

Join the New Covenant Fellowship for service every Sunday at 10am and share in our passion for Jesus Christ!”

Enhance your resume!

• Learn how to sell and make money!

• Salary includes commission and generous bonuses.

Apply now for Spring 2022 Advertising Sales Positions at the O’Colly Media Group!

• Applicants must be able to meet clients at their businesses & work office hours as needed.

Previous experience preferred but not required.

To apply: Come to room 106 in the Paul Miller Journalism Building or email resume to Lori@OColly.com

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (12/27/21). Take advantage of a lucrative year. Consistent, disciplined actions add to positive cash flow. Discovering new inspiration and possibilities this winter leads to spring romance and family fun. Summer changes with friends lead to heightened levels of teamwork next autumn. You’re building for the future.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Stay mindful of your partner’s sensitivities. Don’t provoke upsets. Talk about dreams, visions and creative ideas.

Imagination can inspire interesting conversation. Reconnect over shared commitments.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Minimize physical risks. Don’t go along with an idea if you don’t agree. Work with someone who sees your blind spots. Maintain healthy practices.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Despite irritations, distractions or mistakes, a magnetic attraction prevails. Romance arises in conversation. Have fun with your sweetheart. Share sweet memories. Dance together.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Consider long-range domestic plans.

Tackle a small project that fulfills part of a larger vision. Help others see the big picture. Give away excess baggage.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Dig deeper into a favorite subject. Catch up on the latest news. Make a fascinating connection. Patiently clarify and resolve misunderstandings. Articulate new possibilities.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Develop lucrative ideas. Not everyone gets it right away. Keep revising your marketing materials. Define the mission and vision. Make profitable deals.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — A personal dream may not match the current reality. Imagine an inspiring possibility. Small steps, one at a time, can fulfill bold ideas.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Find a peaceful spot to listen to your creative muses. Imagination and inspiration kindle easily. Articulate the vision.

Outline, organize, plot and plan.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Make a sweet connection with friends. Share ideas, introductions and resources. Listen to a variety of views.

Avoid arguments or controversy. Relax together.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — A professional project has your attention. Miscommunications or delays could frustrate things. Refine the objective and vision. Wait for better conditions. Polish presentations.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Sit somewhere comfortable to revise itineraries and educational plans. Traffic, delays, misunderstandings or mistakes could arise. Envision perfection, and line up the pieces.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Avoid financial arguments with your partner by doing what you said. Contribute to shared accounts. Manage for growth.

Discuss possibilities and budget for them.

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Maine’s __ Bay 6 Miner’s find 9 Rotisserie rod 13 __ the time: on every occasion 14 Jinx 15 Saturn’s largest moon 17 Become light-headed 19 Cream of the crop 20 Former Montreal MLBer 21 Mauna __: Hawaiian for “long mountain” 22 “Rolling” rockers 23 H.S. hurdles 24 Reason for a track race do-over 26 Wing measurement 28 “Famous” cookie maker 29 Like the crowd after a home team homer 32 Similar (to) 33 Batter’s stat 36 Choose love over money, say 40 Driver’s aid 41 Pea places 42 Ward off 43 One who saves the day 44 __ Spumante wine 46 Finished version, as of a document 50 Some canine retrievers 54 In equal amounts 55 Nest egg initials 56 Stick-to-it-iveness 57 Mournful melody 58 Totally out of funds ... and what each set of circles shows, casually 60 Passover meal 61 Sleep stage 62 Singer/songwriter Mann 63 Lat. and Ukr., once 64 “__ to Joy” 65 Watchdog’s warning

Level 1

12/27/21

By Catherine Cetta

DOWN 1 Streetside lunch spots 2 Amazon’s virtual assistant 3 Was dreaming, perhaps 4 Humongous 5 Aptly named bug spray with an exclamation point 6 Akron native 7 Kidney-related 8 Phone routing no.

9 Top of Texas?

10 Cockpit occupants 11 “Proud Mary” singer’s memoir 12 Spud 16 Where many eggs hatch 18 __ Romeo: sports car 22 Final Four round 25 “Oh, for heaven’s __!”

27 B-29 movers 29 Rear at sea 30 Sushi garnish 31 Bullfight cheer 32 Reply to a ques.

33 Issa of “Insecure”

2

3

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

©2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

34 “It’s cold in here!”

35 “The Addams Family” cousin 37 Hardly succinct 38 Skunk’s weapon 39 Villainous smile 43 Closet accessory for a coat 44 Ski lodge style 45 “Immediately!” in the ER

12/27/21

46 Govt. agents 47 Yale and Penn 48 “The Big Bang Theory” crowd 49 Stayed home in bed, say 51 Smell 52 Pedal pusher 53 Alloy that symbolizes strength 58 To’s partner 59 English lit degs.

4

Solution to Saturday’s puzzle

12/27/21 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

© 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Page 8 Monday, December 27, 2021

O’Colly

Lifestyle

“Spider-Man No Way Home” is a Marvel Masterpiece

Tribune News Service

Jaden Besteda Staff Reporter

der-Man” franchise. This time around, MJ is more of a full-fledged character than she was in the previous two films in this trilogy. The same thing can be How can Marvel’s most hyped said for Jacob Batalon’s character, Ned film manage to exceed expectations?

Leeds.

That’s a question that many film goers Aunt May has progressively and critics will ask themselves for years gotten younger with each Spider-Man to come. “Spider-Man No Way Home” franchise and acquires more screen is, without a doubt, Marvel’s best film time each movie. May has a pivotal and may become one we can look back role to play in this film and director Jon on and enjoy even more.

Watts makes key decisions with her.

At its core, “No Way Home” is This aspect may be divisive for some a movie built on the main characters’ viewers. However, her relationship with relationships and that separates it from Peter is one of the many highlights this any other Spider-Man flick to date. Tom movie has to offer.

Holland’s character Peter Parker and There are plenty of villains in the supporting cast are genuine charac- this movie and I can’t believe how ters in the film. Viewers can feel each they pulled it off. Five villains return, character’s individual bond with Peter some getting more burn than others. If through the screen. you are familiar with the marketing, it Considering the film is an accushould come as no surprise that Green mulation of all the previous Spider-Man Goblin, Dock Ock and Electro have the films, it is only fair to compare them. most screen time out of the five. Still, In “No Way Home,” Zendaya plays MJ, Sandman and Lizard have fun scenes the best love interest to Peter Parker we that improve on their previous iterahave seen since Emma Stone’s charac- tions. Jamie Foxx delivers some of the ter, Gwen Stacy in “The Amazing Spi- film’s funniest lines and you can see

he is enjoying a second go at playing Electro.

However, William Dafoe gives a performance that will go down as one of the greatest in comic book movie villain history. It has been 20 years since we have seen his Green Goblin on the big screen. Somehow, he takes the character and adds new layers to it in “No Way Home.” Dafoe makes Norman Osborn a truly terrifying, however, somewhat sympathetic character.

This movie feels like the ultimate Spider-Man film. Holland has not cemented himself into the role of Peter Parker, but he may be nominated for an Academy Award if the committee is not too pretentious. Holland delivers the best performance we have seen for a Spider-Man film, barely beating out a character that I will not spoil for you here. There have been complaints about Holland’s version of Peter not resembling his comic counterpart. I can assure that this talk will be put to rest after this movie. Holland truly becomes ‘The Spider-Man.’ So many things work in “No Way

Home,” I can’t think of a single thing that does not. Considering the movie is based on nostalgia and the previous Spider-man universes, it is easy to get wrapped up in the good ol’ days. Watts masterfully pulls these universes and characters together and uses them to enhance the story, while improving and closing some story threads that may have been left open. If you are worried about certain moments that could happen, do not worry and trust me. You will get that and much more.

Ultimately, “No Way Home” is a movie about consequences, heart and being the bigger person. It’s the ultimate Spider-Man movie that will leave you in awe and most likely in tears.

There’s a good chance you will be wondering if you actually watched what you did. Without a doubt Marvel’s best movie and one we will remember for the rest of time.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com