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January 6, 2016

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JANUARY OBSERVANCES

by Kathy Wolfe

Michelle Johnson DDS University of Texas, 1999

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Everyone is familiar with New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day, but how about some of the lesser-known observances in the month of January? This week, Tidbits starts off 2016 by apprising you of some of the more unfamiliar ones.

• National Kazoo Day will be celebrated on January 28, commemorating this member of the membranophone musical family.

The player hums into the kazoo, which modifies the voice through a stretched vibrating membrane. This interesting instrument made its U.S. debut at the Georgia State Fair in 1852 as the “Down South Submarine,” the brainstorm of an African-American named Alabama Vest and a German-American clockmaker, Thaddeus Von Clegg. Production for the masses didn’t begin until 1912. You can visit the kazoo museum in Eden, New York, which also functions as a factory.

• Go ahead. Make someone’s day by giving them a compliment on January 24, National Compliment Day. Researchers have discovered after monitoring activity in the brain’s striatum, that receiving a compliment registers the same effects as receiving a cash award or gift. If you’re looking for a means of motivating someone, give it a try! turn the page for more!

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JANUARY OBSERVANCES (continued):

• January 6 is Epiphany, observing the day that the three Wise Men reached the site of Jesus’ birth in Nazareth. Considered the last day in the Christmas season, it’s often called the 12th day of Christmas. In some cultures, it is the day for the annual blessing of homes. Residents will use chalk to write the letters “CMB” on their doors, symbolizing the initials of the names traditionally ascribed to the three kings.

• Glaucoma Awareness Month was created to inform people of the risks of this potentiallyblinding eye disease. The damage is the result of fluid build-up in the area in front of the eye called the anterior chamber. When the fluid builds up and the pressure rises inside the eye, it can harm the optic nerve, resulting in eye pain, blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, tunnel vision, and potential blindness. There is no cure, and the damage cannot be reversed. Although anyone can develop glaucoma, people over 60 are more prone to it, particularly African-Americans and Latinos. Those with high blood pressure are also at an increased risk. Regular eye exams are critical since the disease can progress slowly with no symptoms and vision seems normal until it is too late.

• Be sure to celebrate Fig Newton Day on January 16! We’ve been eating Fig Newtons since 1891 when the first of these little pastries were baked at the F.A. Kennedy Steam Bakery, a Cambridgeport, Massachusetts-based company.

James Henry Mitchell had invented a machine with a funnel system that pumped fig paste into pastry dough. The cookie took its name from the nearby community of Newton, Massachusetts.

Since 2012, the cookies have been known simply as Newtons.

Visiting Dog Ruins Holidays DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My sister-in-law insists on bringing her yappy, ill-tempered lap dog, “Mitsi,” to our house every Christmas through New Year’s. Mitsi gets along with no one but her owner, frightens our two cats and barks at everyone in the house during dinner, nonstop.

I love having my brother and his wife over, but Mitsi is making things hellish. How can I politely ask her to leave Mitsi in a kennel during visits?

-- Barked Out in Birmingham, Alabama DEAR BARKED OFF: I don’t know that there’s a way to tell your sister-in-law to leave her dog at home that would be taken well. Mitsi clearly is a full member of their family and travels with her.

Can a compromise be reached instead? Ask her if Mitsi can be placed in a separate room during mealtimes while they are visiting. She’ll probably still bark, but at least it won’t be right in your ear.

You also need to discuss how Mitsi is stressing out the cats. Sometimes people think it’s funny when a visiting dog chases the family pets around, but it’s not fun for those pets. It’s like having a schoolyard bully walk right into your

home. Try to keep the discussion civil.

Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what level of compromise to ask for in order to keep peace in your house, and you’ll have to be firm.

Your sister-in-law takes her relationship with her dog seriously; she should respect your concerns as well. That discussion probably won’t be comfortable, but if Mitsi’s barking and bullying are making the holidays a living hell, you need to say something.

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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your batteries should be fully recharged by now, making you more than eager to get back into the swing of things full time. Try to stay focused so that you don’t dissipate your energies.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You’re eager to charge straight ahead into your new responsibilities. But you’ll have to paw the ground a little longer, until a surprise complication is worked out.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Rival factions are pressuring you to take a stand favoring one side or the other. But this isn’t the time to play judge. Bow out as gracefully as possible, without committing yourself to any position.

CANCER ( June 21 to July 22) Reassure a longtime, trusted confidante that you appreciate his or her words of advice. But at this time, you need to act on what you perceive to be your own sense of self-interest.

LEO ( July 23 to August 22) You need to let your warm Leonine heart fire up that new relationship if you hope to see it move from the “just friends” level to one that will be as romantic as you could hope for.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) There’s still time to repair a misunderstanding with an honest explanation and a heartfelt apology.

The sooner you do, the sooner you can get on with other matters.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Expect

a temporary setback as you progress toward your goal. Use this time to re-examine your plans and see where you might need to make some significant changes.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Some missteps are revealed as the cause of current problems in a personal or professional partnership. Make the necessary adjustments and then move on.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Jupiter’s influence helps you work through a pesky problem, allowing your naturally jovial attitude to re-emerge stronger than ever. Enjoy your success.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Set aside your usual reluctance to change, and consider reassessing your financial situation so that you can build on its strengths and minimize its weaknesses.

AQUARIUS ( January 20 to February 18) Some recently acquired information helps open up a dark part of the past. Resolve to put what you’ve learned to good use. Travel plans continue to be favored.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Act on your own keen instincts. Your strong Piscean backbone will support you as someone attempts to pressure you into a decision you’re not ready to make.

BORN THIS WEEK: You embody a love for traditional values combined with an appreciation of what’s new and challenging.

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JANUARY OBSERVANCES (continued): • January is National Polka Music Month, honoring this European dance music that originated in Bohemia. The term for this Czech peasant dance has its origins in the Czech language’s word Pulka, meaning “half-step,” a characteristic of this 2/4 time dance. The dance migrated from villages into Prague ballrooms in 1835, and on to Paris in 1840, where it became extremely popular. Eastern European immigrants to America originally brought the polka to the Midwest and Great Lakes area. Typical instruments in a polka band might include a clarinet, saxophone, tuba, accordion, and concertina, along with a rhythm section.

• Speaking of dancing, the week of January 11 – 17 is National Cuckoo Dancing Week. This observance is in honor of the comic duo Laurel and Hardy. The thin Stan Laurel (born in Lancashire, England) and the heavyset Oliver Hardy (born in Harlem, Georgia) teamed up in the late 1920s with a slapstick comedy act. Appearing in 107 films together, they used a tune known as “The Cuckoo Song” (or “The Dance of the Cuckoos”) as part of the opening credits of their movies.

• The Ford Motor Company paved the way for better working conditions on January 5, 1914, when it announced an eight-hour workday for its employees and a “living wage” of a minimum of $5 for a day’s labor. This was more than double the wages of most of the workers. Henry Ford hoped this action would help reduce his company’s high turnover rate, while retaining the best employees, a goal that was achieved.

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There are a lot of things you’ll have to research in order to be an informed buyer.

First, you’ll need to build a team of trusted people to help you with your home purchase.

This includes a real estate agent, a mortgage broker or lender, and a home inspector. In addition to researching your team, you’ll want to do a lot of research on the market. Individual home markets differ, and knowing what the trends are in your market can give you the tools to make an advantageous offer. You’ll also want to research neighborhoods. Things like schools, access to public transportation, crime rates and resale value in homes can make a big difference in your quality of life and in your long-term investment.

Finally, get pre-approved for a loan. A preapproval—which is different than a prequalification—is a guarantee from a lender that you will be able to acquire a loan in that amount. This is key with sellers, particularly those who are choosing from multiple offers. It provides them with assurance that your deal won’t fall through.

A home is the biggest purchase most people make in their life. As such, it deserves extra time, attention and research to make sure that you make the right decision. If you do the right kind of work beforehand, once you get your keys you’ll have nothing to worry about -- And if you need assistance with the process, give us a call-- you’ll benefit from our experience, we guarantee it.

Rogue Valley Real Estate Homeownership is back on the rise, and you might be thinking about putting down some roots and taking on a mortgage. It can be a daunting task, but following a few simple steps can help put you in the best position to be successful with your home purchase.

First, check into your credit score. Along with your income, your debt and your assets, this is one of the primary factors determining how much money you will be able to get from the bank. This is essentially a rating of how good you are at paying your bills, so you’ll want to shore it up after getting a report. Even a small problem like an old, unpaid traffic ticket can reduce the credit score and can easily be taken care of. It’s best to tackle this problem several months before you start seriously looking to buy a home.

Do a home finance audit. A home is a major commitment. Along with the actual mortgage come insurance, property taxes and any home repairs. You can’t just call a landlord in the middle of the night to fix a problem; you’ll be responsible. One easy way to do this is assiduously to track all of your income and expenses for two weeks, including small things like an extra coffee and even your tips. This will let you know if there is any wiggle room in your finances where you can cut back to increase savings or make payments on a house. If you are already at the edge of your spending range, you may need to cut your spending or increase your income in order to afford a home. Buying a home you can’t actually afford will leave you stressed out each month and may lead to things like missing payments or even foreclosure in the long run. If you’re not prepared, it may be best to wait. Do your research.

To Your Good Health

By Keith Roach, M.D.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Is Increasingly Common

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 59 years old and am having problems with my lower abdomen.

After colonoscopy and ultrasound, my doctor called to say I have a fatty liver. When asked what that means, I was told to lose weight. I weigh 170 pounds, and am 5 feet, 6 inches tall.

Research online suggests that alcohol is an issue, but I don’t drink. I may have a drink or a beer when I go out, but most times I am the designated driver, so I don’t drink. The only medication I take is estradiol-norethindrone 0.5-0.1; I take one daily. Diabetes does not run in my family, and I have not been tested for it.

Can you give me information on “fatty liver” and treatment? -- J.A.

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ANSWER: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasingly common problem; in fact, it is the most common liver disorder in industrialized countries. Recent studies have suggested that 30 percent to 46 percent of people in the U.S. have NAFLD. Most people are diagnosed in their 40s or 50s.

Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity (as opposed to fat around the hips and thighs) is common in fatty liver disease. People with suspected NAFLD should have other possible causes evaluated, especially viral hepatitis (types B and C), hemochromatosis and autoimmune hepatitis.

Simple fatty liver is a benign condition; however, some people will develop the more serious condition non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Seventy percent of people with NASH are obese, and up to 75 percent have Type 2 diabetes.

NASH without treatment can lead to fibrosis and even cirrhosis of the liver.

Your body mass index is 27, so you are considered overweight, not obese. Still, I would recommend gradually losing 10 pounds or so. I also would recommend that you continue to drink very moderately or not at all. Exercise also can help. ***

JANUARY OBSERVANCES (continued): • January is National Hot Tea Month! Did you know that tea is the world’s second most popular and cheapest beverage (after water)? Every day about three billion cups of tea are consumed around the world. In America, it can be found in 80% of households, and an estimated 127 million Americans are drinking it on any given day. Most of that tea comes from India, the world’s largest tea producer, processing about 850,000 tons each year. More tea drinkers sip black tea than any other type, 90% of total tea consumption.

Although black, oolong, green, and white teas all come from the same shrub, black tea is more oxidized than the other three. The invention of the tea bag came about by accident. In 1904, a New York tea importer was looking for a cheaper way to send samples to customers. Thomas Sullivan had been using tin boxes, but as this proved expensive, he began wrapping the tea in small silk bas. His customers didn’t realize that the bags were just packaging, and brewed their tea in them. Soon after, Sullivan was receiving orders for the new product. Today, 96% of the world brews its tea using a tea bag. The average cup of black tea contains between 40 and 120 mg. of caffeine, with green tea total 60 mg., depending on how long the bag is steeped.

• On January 19, 1937, Howard Hughes went into the record books with the fastest flight from Los Angeles to New York City. He flew the 2,490mile (4,000-km) distance in 7 hours, 28 minutes, and 25 seconds, with an average speed of 332 mph (535 km/h) in his Hughes H-1 racer. This flight broke his own previous record of 9 hours, 26 minutes, and 10 seconds.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 77, female and in great health except for being diagnosed with achalasia. I know it is rare, and I was happy to find out why my digestive system had discomfort. Do yoga twists or shoulder stands worsen this? It seems worse when I do these. -- E.H. ANSWER: Achalasia is a disease of abnormal movement in the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the back of your throat to the stomach. It is caused by damage to the nerves in the esophagus, possibly from destruction by the body’s immune system. Because of the nerve damage, the food gets stuck in the esophagus, leading to difficulty swallowing and vomiting of undigested food. Both solids and liquids are affected, as opposed to esophageal cancer, in which the problem is mostly solids.

Gravity helps us swallow, so being upside down will make gravity work against you, and I would expect the condition to worsen with yoga positions that turn the esophagus upside down. I wouldn’t recommend those types of positions, especially since they may cause or worsen vomiting.

Treatment of achalasia should be done by an expert in the condition, and may include dilation of the esophagus, injection with Botox into the muscle or surgery.

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UNUSUAL ANIMALS:

PENGUINS

January 20 is Penguin Awareness Day and what better time to make our readers aware of this flightless bird’s characteristics!

• It’s a common misconception that penguins are found only in Antarctica. They actually live on every continent in the Southern Hemisphere – Australia, South America, Africa, and Antarctica.

The first written mention of penguins was in a diary from a member of the crew on Vasco da Gama’s 1497 voyage around the Cape of Good Hope, an entry that mentioned large flightless birds. The first published account of a penguin was written by Antonio Pigafetta, a crewman aboard Ferdinand Magellan’s ship during the explorer’s first circumnavigation of the world in 1520. The writer referred to the penguins as geese.

• It’s also a myth that penguins have to live in a cold climate. The Galapagos Penguin lives on tropical islands near the equator. Larger species of penguins dwell in the colder climates because their body size enables them to survive in the conditions. Warmer climates are home to smaller penguins.

• There are 19 documented species of penguins, varying in size and appearance. The smallest is the Little Blue Penguin, standing about 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall, weighing only 3 lbs. (1.4 kg). The largest species is the Emperor Penguin, which can reach a height of 44 inches (112 cm) and weigh up to 90 lbs. (41 kg). Some species are strictly black and white, while others have orange and yellow markings on their little tuxedos.

• Although penguins have wing-bones, they are more like flippers, making the birds very quick swimmers, able to swim up to 22 mph (35 km/ hr).

Singing, Music Helps Those With Dementia

It was a year ago that researchers revealed that singing could greatly help Parkinson’s disease patients with breathing, speaking and memory. Now researchers have discovered that singing also helps those with dementia.

In a study from the University of Helsinki, 89 pairs of patients (with mild to moderate dementia) plus their caregivers were assigned for 10 weeks to one of three groups: listening to music, singing or only standard care. After nine months, patients were assessed, and researchers found better memory function, focusing, planning, multi-tasking, orientation and mood in the groups that participated in music.

The results weren’t the same, though. The biggest benefit for memory and orientation came from the singing group, especially those with mild dementia.

In patients with more severe dementia, it was

Camp Lejeune Vets Offered Fresh Hope If you served at Camp Lejeune and were made ill by the toxic drinking water, there is more hope being offered. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald wants to classify certain illnesses as presumptive for service connection after seeing more reviews by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

It determined that numerous petroleum products, vinyl chloride, benzene, perchloroethylene (dry cleaning fluid) and trichloroethylene (a degreaser) leaked from storage tanks from 1953 to 1987 and contaminated the drinking water. Per a VA news release, McDonald wants to create a list of presumptives for: kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, scleroderma, Parkinson’s disease and aplastic anemia/myelodysplastic syndromes.

Reserve and National Guard personnel also would

listening to familiar music that provided cognitive benefits. Researchers suggested that in early, mild dementia, singing could help maintain memory.

In both groups, music helped alleviate depression, especially those with mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Music as a therapy for Alzheimer’s isn’t new. In 1989, researchers in Colorado conducted a small study to determine if music had any impact on patient physical and social behavior. Specifically, they wanted to encourage conversation. The results showed that those who participated in group singing had higher vocal and verbal behaviors than those who were in the discussion-only group.

In a recent study in Israel, researchers wanted to encourage conversation in mostly nonverbal patients with middle to late Alzheimer’s by using familiar songs. Songs were carefully chosen with behaviors noted after each one. The result was that songs related to their social and national identity brought out memories and much subsequent conversation. Afterward the participants had a feeling of accomplishment and belonging.

Have you considered the benefits of joining a local choir or chorus?

qualify for disability compensation and medical care, as well as dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving dependents.

If you served at Lejeune during the specified period (Aug. 1, 1953 to Dec. 31, 1987) and have any of the illnesses listed, you’re encouraged to apply for disability compensation.

Under current rules, if you served at Lejeune for more than 30 days from Jan. 1, 1957 to Dec. 31, 1987, you may be eligible to receive care (and family members may receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical care) for esophageal cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, renal toxicity, female infertility, scleroderma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, hepatic steatosis, miscarriage and neurobehavioral effects. (Note the different time span for these currently covered illnesses.)

For information on family care, go to www. clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov. The link in the VA newsletter doesn’t work, but for veteran care go to www.index.va.gov and put Camp Lejeune in the search box. To establish eligibility for benefits, call 1-877-222-8387, or www.1010ez.med.va.gov.

Note: Some of us have apparently mispronounced the Camp’s name our whole lives. It’s “luh-JERN.”

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Collector Plates Q: I have a set of eight collector plates, all featuring locomotives. Do they have any value, and where would I sell them? -- Steve, Mason City, Iowa A: There seems to be a glut of collector plates, and selling them is more than just a little difficult.

Almost every antique mall I visit has stacks of these plates, many in original boxes and most with so-called certificates of authenticity. My suggestion is to show them to dealers in your area to see if there is any interest.

*** Q: I have three Native American baskets that were purchased on the Navajo Reservation in Northern Arizona during the 1930s. Can you recommend someone who can help me place a value on them for insurance purposes? -- Laura, Sierra Vista, Arizona A: Deborah and Alston Neal are owners of “Territorial Indian Arts & Antiques,” a Scottsdale business since 1969. Alston is the basket expert, and he can help you. This is one of the better stores dealing in Indian crafts and antiques that I have found, and it has an international reputation. Contact is 7077 E. Main Street, No. 7, Scottsdale, AZ 85251; 480-945-5432; www.territorialindianarts.com and territorialarts@ aol.com. *** Q: I have a collection of about 65 back issues of Reader’s Digest from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. Are they worth keeping? -- Sally, Cheyenne, Wyoming A: Although the issues might be interesting, they

don’t seem to be of much interest to magazine collectors. While other publications from this same period such as Saturday Evening Post, Colliers, Look and Life are considered quite collectible, the older issues of Reader’s Digest sell for only $2 or $3 depending on condition and content. Based on this information, only you can determine if your copies are worth keeping. *** Q: When I was in grade school during the 1950s, I received a pack of 12 pencils with the Coca-Cola logo. I got them as a prize for a spelling contest.

Are they rare, and should I keep them? -- Carol, Tyler, Texas A: According to “Kovels’ Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide” by Ralph and Terry Kovel (Krause Books), your pencils are worth about $30. To a Coca-Cola collector, perhaps even more.

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1. GEOGRAPHY: Which borough of New York City is the only one on the U.S. mainland?

2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How many arms and tentacles does a squid have?

3. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “Where the Red Fern Grows”?

4. LANGUAGE: What does the notation “a.c.” mean when it is written on drug prescriptions?

5. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is a phillumenist?

6. MOVIES: What was the name of the town where “It’s a Wonderful Life” takes place?

7. MEASUREMENTS: How many gallons are in a firkin?

8. TELEVISION: What is Kramer’s first name in the “Seinfeld” comedy series?

9. MATH: Who is known as the father of geometry?

10. MEDICINE: What is the common name for tinea pedis?

1. When was the last time before 2015 that the Detroit Tigers started a season 6-0?

2. Who had more stolen bases in his career: George Brett or Pete Rose?

3. Name either of the two Ohio State quarterbacks to be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft.

4. Entering this season, who is the Memphis Grizzlies’ leader in career blocked shots?

5. In the 2014-15 season, Carey Price set a Montreal Canadiens record for most wins by a goaltender (44). Whose mark did he break?

6. Montreal’s Didier Drogba in 2015 became the oldest MLS player (37) to record a hat trick. Who had been the oldest?

7. Which horse holds the record for fastest Breeders’ Cup Classic victory?

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Page 7

Flip Into New Year With Swedish Pancakes

PENGUINS (continued): • Penguins spend about 75% of their lives in water, where all of their hunting is done. They don’t swim out into deep water, since their prey – krill, fish, and squid – is within 60 feet (18.3 m) of the surface. Most sea animals rely on a layer of blubber to stay warm, but penguins are able to endure the cold because their feathers trap a layer of warm air next to their skin that serves as insulation. Some species have four layers of feathers to keep them warm in the cold waters. Every year, penguins undergo molting, when all their old feathers are replaced by new ones. Most birds molt a few feathers at a time, but penguins do it all at once, and because they are not waterproof during this time, must remain on land for two or three weeks until the process is complete.

• Penguins have a special oil gland that produces waterproofing oil that further insulates their body as well as improving their glide through the water.

• Even though they’re carnivores, penguins don’t have teeth! The inside of the mouth is lined with fleshy spines that guide the fish down their throat. They swallow their prey whole as they swim.

• Many species live in large groups, numbering in the thousands, called rookeries. Even in this huge community, every penguin has a distinct call and can find its mate or chicks in the crowd. Most penguins are monogamous and breed with the same mate for most of their lives. The Emperor Penguins have just one egg each breeding season and keep it warm on the top of their feet under a fold of skin containing a high concentration of blood vessels that keep the egg incubated. The Emperor has a long life span, up to 50 years.

As traditional recipes poured out of family cookbooks over the holidays, I went on a quest for the “best” Swedish pancake recipe from my friends and their Swedish-American friends. I soon discovered that there are probably as many recipes as there are Swedish grandmothers -- and grandfathers.

Growing up, I recall that my Grandma Ruth, a secondgeneration Swede, actually didn’t work from a formal recipe. “A little bit of this, a lot of that,” she’d say to me as I stood on a footstool by her side, carefully pouring milk into a wide bowl. A lot of “that” usually meant the melted butter that would blend smooth as silk into the batter.

I later learned the basic techniques for flipping the pancakes from my dad. (Unlike the thicker American flapjack, a Swedish pancake is more like a French crepe, so flipping can be unwieldy at first.)

Happily, my family and I have continued the tradition of making Swedish pancakes topped with bright-red lingonberry preserves and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar. A satisfying, easy meal for a lazy Saturday morning breakfast, or a casual weeknight supper.

Here’s my easy “best” recipe. Stir it up for your family and make it your own with a little of this ... maple syrup on top? Or that. How about some freshly sliced strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream?

SWEDISH PANCAKES 1 cup flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups milk, or 1 1/2 cups milk and 1/2 cup half and half (optional) 3 eggs 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled, plus butter for cooking.

1. In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients with a whisk until smooth. Do not overbeat.

2. For each pancake, lightly butter griddle or large skillet; heat over medium-high heat. When quite hot, pour 1/3 cup of the batter into skillet. Swirl it around so that it forms a thin 8- to 9-inch layer on the bottom of the pan.

3. Cook until the pancake is golden brown on the bottom (lift up a corner to check the color) and small bubbles are visible on the top. This happens quickly.

Flip with a narrow spatula and lightly brown on the other side.

4. Set on a plate, and fold in half or quarters, if you wish. Serve hot with traditional lingonberry, strawberry or raspberry preserves. Top with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar. Makes 12 pancakes.

Page 8

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daughter. The King offered gold, silver, and half of his kingdom to spare his daughter, but the townspeople refused. As the princess stood by the lake, ready for the sacrifice, St. George happened to ride by. Protecting himself with the sign of the cross, (symbolizing the triumph of the church over the devil), he charged with his lance, slaying the dragon.

DRAGONS

• Not all cultures regard the dragon as evil or frightening. China and Japan paint dragons in a positive light, as symbols of wisdom, happiness, fertility, and longevity, believed to bring good fortune and wealth. Statues and carvings are commonplace, and images of dragons often embellish garments.

January 16 is Appreciate a Dragon Day, and while • German legend has it that the blood of a dragon Tidbits isn’t exactly sure how a person does that, has the power to make a person invincible if we’re happy to provide some information about the skin or armor is bathed in it. A Slavic myth these mythological creatures. testifies that dragon blood is so abominable that • The ancient Greek word draconta, meaning “to Mother Earth will not allow it to be absorbed into watch” is the source of our word “dragon.” This the ground, and the blood remains above ground is thought to suggest that the dragon guards for all eternity. Another saga tells of the blood valuable items. of the dragon having acidic qualities that killed the hero who had just slain the dragon when the • In mythology, dragons were viewed as powerful, blood accidentally dripped on him. destructive, and frightening, needing to be conquered and slain. Battles between heroes and • Children’s films have depicted dragons both as dragons are symbolized as good overcoming frightful and friendly. How to Train Your Dragon evil. The ancient Greeks described them as huge and Pete’s Dragon featured lovable dragons, flying serpents. In some myths, they have wings, while Disney’s 1959 Sleeping Beauty proved to while others don’t; some speak, some don’t. be one of the studio’s scariest creatures.

Their dwelling place varies from caves to under the ocean to inside mountains.

• In the Bible’s Book of Job, the dragon is described as having a double coat of armor, with its back consisting of “rows of shields tightly sealed together.” Referred to as Leviathan, its mouth is “ringed about with fearsome teeth” and “its eyes are like the rays of dawn. Regarding its fire-breathing abilities, Job stated, “Its snorting throws out flashes of light, flames stream from its mouth, sparks of fire shoot out. Smoke pours from its nostrils…its breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from its mouth.”

• Dragons in the Bible are frequently identified with Satan. Many scholars maintain that the firebreathing feature stems from representations of the mouth of Hell, with flames and smoke characteristic of Hades. Legends depict righteous saints defeating Satan in the form of a dragon.

• The legend of St. George the Dragon Slayer tells the story of the people of Selene, a city in Libya, plagued by a dragon that lived in a nearby lake. Every day, the townspeople would feed the dragon two sheep to satisfy it. When there were no more sheep, they had to feed their children to the beast. The children were chosen by lottery, and one day the lot fell on the King’s

1. It was 1985.

2. Brett had 201 steals in 21 seasons; Rose had 198 in 24 seasons.

3. Don Scott (1941) and Art Schlichter (1982).

4. Pau Gasol, with 877.

5. Jacques Plante (twice) and Ken Dryden each had 42 wins in a season.

6. Marco Di Vaio was 36 when he had a hat trick in 2013 for Montreal.

7. Ghostzapper ran a 1:59.02 in 2004.

Answers 1. The Bronx, the rest are islands.

2. Eight arms and two tentacles 3. Wilson Rawls 4. “before meals” or “ante cibum” in Latin 5. One who collect matchbooks 6. Bedford Falls 7. Nine 8. Cosmo 9. Euclid 10. Athlete’s foot