of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan 3rd 2022
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TIDBITS® BRINGS YOU MONEY MATTERS by Kathy Wolfe • Author Jonathan Swift said “A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart.” With that wisdom in mind, Tidbits digs deep for these facts on money and riches. • It took nearly 300 years for the U.S. government to accrue a national debt of $1 trillion, a figure reached in 1982. Four years later in 1986, that figure had doubled to $2 trillion, and doubled yet again to $4 trillion by 1992. At the end of November, 2021, the national debt had reached nearly $30 trillion, about $88,000 per U.S. citizen. • In mid-2021, credit card debit in the U.S. exceeded $998 billion. That’s an average of about $5,100 per cardholder. Baby boomers had an average exceeding $6,000 each, while Gen Xers (age 40 to 55) average upwards of $7,000. • Where does the U.S. Government spend some of the budget? A few years back, it gave an $856,000 grant to scientists to study how three captive mountain lions would perform on a treadmill. It took eight months before the animals were even “comfortable on the treadmill,” followed by more research to determine that mountain lions “do not have the aerobic capacity for sustained high-energy activity.”
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan. 3rd 2022
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Evelyn Bevacqua Howe 212. W. Ironwood Dr., Suite D,# 224, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 Cell: 208.755.9120 Email: Tidbitscda@gmail.com www.tidbitscda.com Facebook/tidbitscda
MONEY MATTERS (continued): •
Although you’ve heard that “Money is the root of all evil,” that is a misquote. The correct quote is “The LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil,” written by the Apostle Paul in a letter to his companion Timothy.
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We might call it “paper money,” but it’s not that at all. Currency is made from a blend of 25% linen and 75% cotton. Our banknotes used to be 30% larger. In 1929, the Federal Reserve • reduced the size in order to lower printing costs, so that all bills now measure 6.14 x 2.61 inches. Each is 0.0043 inch thick and weighs about 1 gram. It would take 454 bills to equal one pound of currency. Want to stack your paper money a mile high? You would need upwards of 14.5 million bills. How much does $1 million weigh? If you’re • using one-dollar bills, the weight is 2,040.8 lbs. (926 kg). Use $100 bills and the pile will tip the scale at only 20.4 lbs. (9.25 kg).
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According to the Federal Reserve System, the life expectancy of a one-dollar bill is 6.6 years. A five-dollar bill is in circulation for 4.7 years, a ten-dollar bill about 5.3 years, with the average twenty-dollar bill in use for 7.8 years. • Because larger denominations such as the $100 bill pass between users less frequently, their lifespan is longer. The $100 bill endures nearly 23 years.
Experts say that those who keep track of their nutrition and exercise are more likely to keep it up. This can be as simple as a pencil and notebook paired with a calorie guidebook, or one of the many great apps for your smartphone. In any case, set yourself up for success this year. You deserve it! After-Christmas sales are a great time to buy not only gift wrap (look for solid colors that you can use all year long), holiday cards and decorations, but also next season's winter wear. Things like scarves and gloves can be great bargains. And even coats can go on sale. Take advantage -- especially if you have kids -and buy up. -- A.K. in Tennessee Want to include more produce in your diet? Sources say prep is the step that makes it work. Clean, chop, slice and otherwise prepare all your produce choices for the week on the day you shop. When it's ready and waiting, you're less likely to skip it in favor of something more convenient (and likely less nutritious).
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The Federal Reserve also tells us that there are more U.S. $20 bills in circulation than there are people on Earth, about 9.5 billion bills. Nearly half the money in circulation is $1 bills.
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Paper money is pretty strong stuff. It would take 4,000 double folds, forwards and backwards, to tear a bill.
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Even though the $5 bill has been redesigned several times, it has always featured the face of 16th President Abraham Lincoln since its Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. inception in 1914. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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A pinch of salt tossed in the coffee grounds will cut the bitterness in lowerquality coffee. This is especially useful if you get a good deal on a can of coffee that's not your normal brand." -- P.L. in New Jersey
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 MONEY MATTERS (continued): •
We’re used to seeing the face of seventh President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, but he’s actually appeared on 18 different pieces of currency. Jackson was first on the $10 bill, from 1914 until 1929, when founding father and former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton replaced him. Jackson then moved to the $20, replacing President Grover Cleveland, who moved to the $1,000 bill.
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We can only remember the face of George Washington on the front of the one-dollar bill, but it wasn’t always so. When the bill was introduced in 1862, it featured the Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase. He was replaced by Washington in 1869. There was also a $10,000 bill, with Chase’s face, but the Treasury discontinued printing it in 1945, along with the $5,000 bill featuring fourth President James Madison, and the $500 and $1,000 bills. The bills remained in circulation until 1969.
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Although Susan B. Anthony and Sacajawea have appeared on U.S. coins, Martha Washington is the only woman whose likeness has been on paper currency. Her face was on the front of the one-dollar silver certificate in 1886 and 1891, and on the back in 1896.
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In 2013, plans were announced to redesign the $20 dollar bill to honor Underground Railroad and Civil War spy heroine Harriet Tubman. Initial hopes were to put the bill into circulation on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, signed into law on August 26, 1920. Because of the complex security and anti-counterfeiting measures required for a redesign, the release was delayed. The U.S. Mint states that it can take up to ten years to develop a single security feature on a bill. The Tubman currency is tentatively scheduled for 2030.
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TIDBITS Tidbits of Kootenai®County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 of Dallas County
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MONEY MATTERS (continued): •
The likenesses of writer Maya Angelou and astronaut Sally Ride are slated to appear on the back of U.S. quarters beginning in 2022.
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In 1861, shortly after 11 southern U.S. states seceded from the Union, they developed their own Confederate States of America monetary system. After seizing the U.S. Mint facilities in North Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana, they issued 10 denominations of banknotes and two varieties of coins. When the Confederates began to lose the war, confidence in the money weakened, but the Confederacy to print unbacked currency. By 1864, one dollar was worth just three cents of the U.S. currency. The money was quickly becoming totally worthless, with a ham selling for $300, a bar of soap for $50, and a man’s suit at $2,700. Today, Confederate currency is highly collectible, with bills in poorer condition started at $20, and those in good condition fetching thousands of dollars.
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If all the stars in the Milky Way were grains of salt, they'd fill an Olympic-size swimming pool.
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The Louvre museum in Paris was originally built as a fortress to repel Vikings.
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In 1887, a group of men added Susanna Madora Salter of Argonia, Kansas, to a mayoral ballot as a prank intended to embarrass and curtail the influence of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, of which she was an officer. Instead, she won over 60% of the vote and became America's first female mayor.
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Olympic medalist Mark Spitz was famed for his large mustache in an era when swimmers shaved their bodies to become more hydrodynamic. He once joked to the Russian team's coach that his mustache helped him swim faster by deflecting water from his mouth and making him more bullet-shaped. The following year, a mustache was sported by every member of the male Russian team.
When we refer to “plastic” money, we mean our credit cards. But in Canada, plastic currency is now the standard. In 2011, that nation replaced the cotton and paper banknotes with bills made from a synthetic polymer. There are numerous benefits to plastic money, including its longevity. It lasts from two to five times longer than paper • money and is much more difficult to counterfeit. It works better in vending machines and ATM’s. It’s waterproof, doesn’t • absorb perspiration or oils, and is less likely to spread disease, making it a much cleaner option than its paper counterpart. Canada isn’t • the only country doing this – at least 20 others have made the change to plastic. The first ATM came along in 1963, installed • in New York City.
Despite their humps, camels have straight spines. The first use of the word "Superbowl," credited to a Chinese writer named Lom Ba Di, dates to the third century. In 2008, Chile minted 1.5 million 50-peso coins with a spelling error, only noticing a year later they'd spelled "CHIIE" instead of "CHILE." Honeybee venom has been found to destroy some types of cancer cells.
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There's a Google map for Mercury, Venus, Earth's moon, Mars, Pluto, three out of four of Jupiter's moons, and all but one of the round Saturnian moons.
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Juan Ponce de Leon brought cattle when he landed at Charlotte Harbor in 1521, his second trip to La Florida. When he came under attack, four of his heifers and a bull fled into the scrub, thus introducing cows to America.
Thought for the Day: "What matters most is how well you walk through the fire." -- Charles Bukowski (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #46 Nov. TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 15th 202115th 2021
By Healthy Exchanges
Biscuit Breakfast Scramble When my grandkids stay overnight, I like to serve them dishes like this. It doesn't take very long to prepare, but they think I've made a big fuss over them. Let them keep on thinking that! 6 eggs, beaten or equivalent in egg substitute 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper 2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder 2/3 cup water 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese 1 cup diced extra-lean ham 1 (7.5-ounce) can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray an 8-by-8inch baking dish and a large skillet with butter-flavored cooking spray. In the skillet, combine eggs and lemon pepper. Cook over medium heat until eggs are set, stirring often. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan, combine dry milk powder and water. Stir in mustard and parsley flakes. Add Cheddar cheese. Mix well to combine. Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. 3. Fold in ham and cooked eggs. Spread mixture into prepared baking dish. Separate biscuits and cut each into 4 pieces. Evenly sprinkle biscuit pieces over top of egg mixture. Lightly spray tops of biscuit pieces with butter-flavored cooking spray. 4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Place baking dish on a wire rack and let set for 5 minutes. Makes 6 servings. * Each serving equals: 262 calories, 10g fat, 20g protein, 23g carb., 839mg sodium, 2g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Meat, 1 1/2 Starch. (c) 2021 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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® ofIdaho TIDBITS of Kootenai County, IssueCounty #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 Tidbits Dallas
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By Sam Mazzotta
Cat Voices Displeasure With Zoom Meeting Ban DEAR PAW'S CORNER: During the pandemic, my cat "Rusty" would jump into my lap or roam across my keyboard during Zoom meetings with the rest of my team. Everyone thought it was funny. Last month I was hired to work remotely for a new company. My supervisor told me the cat cannot appear on screen. If I put Rusty into the bathroom during video calls (I have a studio apartment), he yowls loudly until I let him out. What can I do? I need to keep this job. -- Jake V., Alexandria, Virginia DEAR JAKE: Pets can be a lot of fun to introduce in casual business meetings, but they can't always be present, especially if your boss has forbidden it. Here are some things you can try: -- Create a "go to work" routine. We tend to follow the same format every morning (wake up, drink coffee, get dressed, sit at our computer), so add two things to the routine: attention time with Rusty, and leaving for work. Give Rusty 10-15 minutes of undivided attention somewhere between coffee and getting dressed. Once you're dressed, say "I'm going to work!" loudly, and ignore Rusty for several minutes. -- Make Rusty more comfortable when separated from you. Put his favorite cat bed, toys and drinking water into the bathroom when he's sequestered. -- Teach "go away" signals. Make a hissing noise or snap your fingers when Rusty tries to jump up. -- Set up physical barriers around the desk, like sticky-side-up duct tape. -- Wear headphones during calls if Rusty continues to meow. -- Incorporate "attention breaks" during the day where Rusty gets your undivided attention, away from the desk. The more structure you can build into a remote workday, the better. If Rusty can count on a comfortable, sequestered space during meetings, plus regular attention breaks from you, he may settle down -- and save your job. Send your tips, questions or comments to ask@pawscorner.com. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai® County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 Tidbits of Dallas County
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Video On Demand 1. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (PG-13) Simu Liu 2. Cry Macho (PG-13) Clint Eastwood 3. Copshop (R) Gerald Butler 4. Jungle Cruise (PG-13) Dwayne Johnson 5. Free Guy (PG-13) Ryan Reynolds 6. Candyman (R) Yahya Abdul-Mateen II 7. Stillwater (R) Matt Damon 8. Old (PG-13) Gael Garc’a Bernal 9. Malignant (R) Annabelle Wallis 10. The Last Son (R) Sam Worthington DVD, Blu-ray Sales 1. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (PG-13) Disney/Marvel 2. The Grinch* (PG) Universal 3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (PG) Universal 4. Elf* (PG) Warner 5. Jungle Cruise (PG-13) Disney 6. The Polar Express* (G) Warner 7. Cry Macho (PG-13) Warner 8. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation* (PG-13) Warner 9. A Charlie Brown Christmas* (TV-G) Warner 10. Ron's Gone Wrong (PG) Disney/20th Century *Re-releaseSource: Media Play News (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue 505-0674 #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 For Advertising Call (334)
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By Dr. Holly Carling
CRANKING UP STRESS
Getting ample sleep rejuvenates the system. According to the CDC, an estimated 60 million Stress is inevitable. Stress comes from many sources: relationships (or lack of), work (or lack Americans are sleep deprived. Racing thoughts of), health challenges, daily overwhelm, frequently keep them awake, but is also education, finances, balancing fun activities, etc. controllable with simple exercises. Speaking of Far too often we unintentionally crank up our exercise, even short walks around the office or neighborhood are helpful in reducing stress. stress in ways that are entirely preventable! First of all, to handle stress, we need certain What we do with our life makes a difference. If physical and mental resources. How we acquire we are self-absorbed, stress tends to be higher. that is significantly dependent upon our physical By contrast, those who serve others actually and mental health, and how we nourish them. A benefit by feeling good about their body and mind that is depleted will not have the accomplishments, and that reduces the impact of reserves to handle stress. Far too often we try to stress. Many times, it also helps to gain make up for the deficiencies by slamming the perspective when you help someone who has body with false pick-me-ups that may work at greater challenges than yourself. Along that line the time; however, they frequently result in of thinking is to express gratefulness. The more further diminishing an already compromised we appreciate what we have, the better we feel overall. system. These false pick-me-ups include things such as Of course other things like eliminating sugar, coffee, energy drinks, energy unnecessary commitments, getting things done supplements, drugs, participating in explicit in good timing rather than procrastinating (and movies or internet sites, and the list goes on. The feeling the continued pressure on your ingestible forms could so easily be exchanged shoulders), organizing your surroundings and for things that build up the body’s resources, time better, controlling what you can and letting rather than tearing them down, thereby enabling go of those things you have no control over, better stress control. For most, that just takes a simplifying your life, and creating a more relaxed environment, are all classics that help little bit of tweaking. For instance, substituting coffee for healthy with stress. Dealing with health issues will also herbal teas, such as ginseng or astragalus can lift allow for more energy to handle stress. Using you up, without depleting you. Eating healthy acupuncture, herbal medicine, food as medicine, meals with ample amounts of veggies, and etc. are critical components for getting healthy. quality proteins are building, rather than going Life is full of stress. If we do the right things to for the junk carbs and fast foods that tend to reduce the impact of stress on us, and not crank up the stress by doing things that deplete us, our deplete more than build. response to stress will be much healthier. Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with over three decades of experience. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic. Visit Dr. Carling’s website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Dr. Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Dr. Carling can be reached at 208-7651994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue 505-0674 #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 For Advertising Call (334)
by Freddy Groves
Buddy Check 22 Buddy Check 22 is an American Legion program that reaches out to possibly at-risk veterans. The "22" in the name is most significant: it is the average number of veteran suicides per day. On the 22nd of each month, veterans in Buddy Check will call (or text or email or drop by) another veteran to let them know they're not alone. Whether it's PTSD, suicidal thoughts, difficulty coping or anything else, BC22 veterans will be there to help. Do you have a Buddy Check program in your area? Do you participate in either the national or a local group? Some local groups go beyond the phone calls and host monthly meetings and events. By providing a venue for making social connections and getting suicide prevention information, veterans come to know they're not alone. To look for groups in your area, search for: "Buddy Check 22" veterans and your state. To go to the source, the American Legion, check: www.legion.org/buddycheck. If you especially want to start a BC22 in your area, this is the place to begin. Not affiliated with the American Legion is a nightly Zoom Buddy Check. Get there through the WarriorNOW Nightly Buddy Check at warriornow.org/buddy-check. WarriorNOW is a nonprofit committed to veteran mental health and suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is struggling, call Veteran's Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. Recently the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to designate one week per year as "Buddy Check Week." During that week, veteran mentors will learn how to do buddy checks and to access the support their buddies need. The bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to pitch in with education and materials for mentors to help their buddies. The House of Representatives, however, went home for the year without addressing the Buddy Check bill. They referred it to a subcommittee, where it now sits. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
1. Which Eagles song netted a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1978? 2. What did Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty have in common? 3. Which Neil Sedaka tune was released as both a slow ballad and a fast pop song? 4. Who released "Tighten Up"? 5. Name the song that contains this lyric: "Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea, To the open arms of the sea." Answers 1. "Hotel California." Rolling Stone magazine rated it at No. 49 on the list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time." 2. They joined together in 1988 as the Traveling Wilburys and released two albums. 3. "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," in 1962 and 1975. The "doo-be-doo" words at the beginning of the fast version were a place holder, before the lyrics were written. Sedaka decided to keep it as part of the finished song. 4. Archie Bell & the Drells, in 1968. 5. "Unchained Melody," most notably by the Righteous Brothers in 1965. The song was originally written as the theme song for the 1955 film "Unchained," about a prisoner who has to decide whether to escape ... or not. (c) 2021 King Features Syndicate
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue 505-0674 #50 Dec. 13th 2021 For Advertising Call (334)
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1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the largest island in Africa? 2. LANGUAGE: What does "Auld Lang Syne" mean? 3. MOVIES: How many spirits visit Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol"? 4. THEATER: On which opera is the rock musical "Rent" based? 5. FOOD & DRINK: What is marmite? 6. GAMES: How many weapons are available in the original board game "Clue"? 7. TELEVISION: What is Jean-Luc Picard's catchphrase as captain in "Star Trek: The Next Generation"? 8. LITERATURE: Which Victor Hugo novel was made into an animated Disney movie in the 1990s? 9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: When was the first Times Square Ball Drop on New Year's Eve? 10. SCIENCE: What is it called when a gas changes into a liquid? Answers 1. Madagascar 2. Times long past 3. Four, including Jacob Marley and the spirits of past, present and future 4. "La Boheme" 5. A savory food spread that is the byproduct of beer brewing 6. Six -- revolver, wrench, knife, lead pipe, candlestick and rope 7. "Make it so." 8. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" 9. 1907 10. Condensation (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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TIDBITS Tidbits of Kootenai®County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 of Dallas County
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On Jan. 14, 1639, in Hartford, Connecticut, the first constitution in the American colonies, the "Fundamental Orders," is adopted. The Fundamental Orders declared that "the foundation of authority is in the free consent of the people." • On Jan. 13, 1842, a British army doctor reaches the British sentry post at Jalalabad, Afghanistan, the lone survivor of a 16,000strong Anglo-Indian expeditionary force that was slaughtered in its retreat from Kabul. He told of a terrible massacre in which the Afghans killed 4,500 soldiers and 12,000 camp followers. • On Jan. 14, 1875, Nobel Prize-winning physician Albert Schweitzer is born in UpperAlsace, Germany. Schweitzer's philosophy revolved around what he called "reverence for life," the idea that all life must be respected and loved. • On Jan. 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," is ratified and becomes law. Large-scale distribution of alcoholic beverages and organized crime flourished anyway. • On Jan. 11, 1937, nearly two weeks into a sit-down strike by General Motors auto workers at the Fisher Body Plant in Flint, Michigan, a riot breaks out when police try to prevent food deliveries to the strikers from supporters on the outside. The melee was later nicknamed the "Battle of the Running Bulls." • * On Jan. 10, 1946, the first General Assembly of the United Nations, comprising 51 nations, convenes in London. Then, on Jan. 24, the General Assembly adopted its first resolution, a measure calling for the peaceful uses of atomic energy and the elimination of atomic and other weapons of mass destruction. (c) 2021 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue 505-0674 #1 Jan. 3rd 2022 For Advertising Call (334)
SPEECH PURE GOLD, BARBARA’S STORY
By Matilda Charles
Lending a Helping Hand I've been looking at 2022, hoping to find some value in my time and money in this chaotic world we find ourselves in, a chaos that doesn't show any sign of ending soon. Two new activities have found their way to my to-do list. For several months I've been buying a food donation card each time I shop at a certain grocery store. It's not much, but I believe I can continue to do this. My goal is to make it through the year without missing one time. These cards are given to the local food bank, which can then use that money to buy food at a discounted rate. This has more financial benefit than if I purchased food at the regular store rate and delivered it to them. I know the food banks around here have been scrambling to keep supplies available, especially since they're serving more families than ever before. Maybe my humble donation will help just a little bit. The other item on my new to-do list is probably the more valuable. I'll be collecting groceries weekly for three very elderly people in the neighborhood. I learned that two of them had been ordering groceries for curbside pickup -and taking taxis to go get them because they don't drive. The third ordered her groceries for curbside, but has had them delivered. So, instead of the extra expense of taxi or delivery, I'll pick up their orders myself. I did a test run with one to be certain there was no problem with me using someone else's credit card to pay for the curbside pickup. The bonus is that these three neighbors, who had never met, now know each other and talk frequently. I understand that there has already been a bit of coupon swapping and recipe sharing. Maybe 2022 will be a good year after all. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
(Written by Barbara Powell, a resident at The Lodge Assisted Living) When I learned to talk as a small child, it was discovered that I was tongue tied. Hardly anyone could understand me. In addition to being tongue tied I was extremely shy. I had these two disabilities when I started school. One day I overheard my Mother and father talking. My father said that he thought that they should take me to the doctor and have my tongue ‘clipped’. This would enable me to speak more clearly. The thought of having my tongue cut scared me so badly that I determined to teach myself to speak correctly. There was a sitcom on the radio. It was about a teen age boy by the name of Henry Aldridge. This radio program always began with the mother calling, “Henry. Henry Aldridge!” henry responded by answering, “Coming. Mother!” Our family always listened to this program. It was a part of our life. These phrases were spoken loudly and clearly. The name “Henry Aldridge” would be a perfect name to begin my determined effort to speak correctly. I began my journey by learning to slay “Henry Aldridge” loud and clear. My parents saw that I was beginning to speak correctly. The ‘clipping of the tongue’ was never mentioned to me. Throughout the years, I wrote words down and marked the accent and vowel sounds. I cannot remember ever sharing my self-taught accomplishment with anyone. I was a very shy person. At the age of 35, a friend told me that there was to be an all-day healing service the following Saturday at Bishop Lynch High School. I went to this healing service and stayed all day. I took part in everything. I did not talk to anyone or say anything all day long. It was a nice day. Not long after this healing service I began to notice that I was not so shy. I started to express my thoughts and opinions. I determined that I “step out” and speak even if I was wrong or thought that I might sound stupid. I joined the Toastmasters, not to make public speeches, but to learn to talk to people on a one to one basis and to be able to express myself to other individuals in an intelligent way.
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Toastmasters are generally self-confident, educated people on their way up in their companies. I did not fit into any of these categories. I had a story to tell, but no one knew that. I had a very serious reason for being there, but no one knew that either. A lot of the members did not want me in the group but I hung in there because I was learning. If I was a person who gave up easily, I would still be tongue tied. A really pretty, educated, woman who was an excellent speaker, told me that I was the worst speaker that she had ever heard. She said, ‘If you say, ‘uh…uh…uh…’ one more time, I think that I will scream. I went a couple more times to the meetings and then I quit. When I tell my story, people always say that it was terrible for Jill to say that to me. My answer is that ‘I know that Jill was not trying to do me any favors but she did help me tremendously. I don’t believe that I ever said ’uh…uh…uh…’ again. Another member of our chapter, a wonderful girl by the name of Janet came to my house 2 or 3 times and asked me to come back. However, I felt that my time was up. It was time for me to move on. I had learned a great deal. I had gotten what I needed. All through my life, I keep running into ‘Janet’s’. They are truly kind people. I didn’t qualify to be with this gifted group of people. I needed them for a period of time. Armed with what I had learned at Toastmasters, I enrolled in a class for Public Speaking at the community college. Miss Clara our teacher nor anyone else in my class knew that I had been in Toastmasters. The class was predictable and fun. I got a lot of good feedback and good grades Miss Clara. At the end of the year, I got that ‘A’ on my report card. Miss Clara liked me and my speaking. I have used what I learned at Toastmasters and the community college many times during the last 30 years. Most people think that I am just talking normally and that I may be a little aggressive. But then, they don’t know my story and they don’t know where I came from They probably have never even heard of Henry Aldridge………
Linda Davis Director of building relationships. 208.457.3403 www.LodgeLiving.net
S A F “ c a c … c L o A t c fi T o s t c T s a l m s o d b 2 N n
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan. 3rd 2022
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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The New Year brings challenges that can change many things in your life. You need to be prepared not only to confront them, but also to deal with what happens afterward. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You have what it takes to set your goals quite a bit higher this year. Learn what you need to know and put what you learn into your efforts. A partner offers loving support. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) In true Gemini Twin fashion, you're conflicted about a decision you know you'll have to make in this New Year. Best advice: Get the facts before you make any commitment. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A friend offers you an exciting opportunity for the New Year. Although your positive aspects are strong in most respects, caution is advised. Investigate before you invest. LEO (July 23 to August 22) You can make this New Year a roaring success. Start by readjusting your goals to reflect the changes in the economy. Your den-mate offers both wise and loving support. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) The New Year brings new opportunities for change. But you need to be ready to move from the comfortable status quo to the challenging unknown. It's up to you. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your most important New Year's resolution should be to work out problems with a family member in order to avoid continued misunderstandings. Do it soon, for both of your sakes. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) The New Year has much to offer the intensely determined Scorpian, who isn't afraid to take on challenges and stay with them until they surrender their rewards. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You'll have many fine opportunities in this New Year. But be warned: Reject offers of "help." You work best when you're free to be your own creative self. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) The New Year offers changes that you might feel you're not quite ready for. Best advice: Deal with them one step at a time, until you've built up your self-confidence. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Travel is a dominant aspect of the New Year. This could mean relocating to another city (or even another country) in connection with your education or your career. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) This New Year brings news about a change you've been anticipating. You might have a problem persuading a loved one about your new plans, but he or she will soon go along with them. BORN THIS WEEK: You have a gift for making people feel safe and protected. You would make an excellent youth counselor.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #1 Jan. 3rd 2022
TIDBITS PUZZLE ANSWERS
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #32 Aug 9th 2021
www.tidbitscda.com