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January 29, 2013 The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

OVER 4 MILLION

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In winter most areas of North America are dealing with cold weather. Some people love it; some hate it. In this Tidbits we will look at ice fishing and icebergs, as well as how you can be left “out in the cold,” and that has nothing to do with the weather!

• Cold is defined as “having a relatively low temperature; having little or no warmth.” Also, in regards to behavior or personality it can be: “lacking in passion, emotion, enthusiasm” or “not affectionate, cordial, or friendly.”

• If you’ve ever been in a situation where you were ignored, neglected or forgotten, you probably felt like you were “left out in the cold.” In this situation, the term is used as an idiom. This idiom originated in the 1800s in reference to someone who was left outdoors without shelter. Hopefully this doesn’t happen often!

• Many fishermen (mostly men, but there are women enthusiasts as well) love to drill through deep ice and wait for fish to bite! Ice fishing is a major winter past-time in Canada and northern states in the U.S. that are cold enough for thick ice. Some great advantages of ice fishing: not as many anglers trying to get your spot, fewer insects “bugging” you, and you’re not likely to perspire!

• Because Canada has long winters, it is no wonder that they have a lot of people who like to ice fish. It is home to the greatest number of participants in the sport. In the year 2000, Canadian anglers spent a combined total of 4,489,296 days ice fishing!

• A small fishing village on the south shore of Nova Scotia, West Pubnico, was named for the native Mi’kmaq word, Pombcoup, which means: “a hole that has been cut in the ice for fishing.”

• More than 60% of the fish Canadians catch beneath the ice are caught and released. They eat less than one third of their catch. They practice CPR: “catch, photograph, release!”

turn the page for more!

Vol 2 Issue 5of the River Region

TIDBITS® GOES OUT

IN THE COLD!by Patricia L. Cook

Page 2 Tidbits® of the River Region

IN THE COLD! (continued):• Minnesota is nicknamed the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” There are actually 11,842 lakes in the state that are 10 acres or larger (4 ha). With so many lakes and cold winters it is no wonder that ice fishing is a popular sport.

• Minnesota is known for its abundance of ice shelters set up on the state’s lakes. If you’ve ever flown into or out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport you have probably noticed all of the dots on the lakes! Each year it is estimated that around 150,000 ice fishing shelters are set up. The state’s Department of Natural Resources estimates that about 30% of the fish caught in the state are caught when the lakes are frozen.

• Ice fishing is a risky sport and the depth of the ice is something to be taken very seriously. In 2009, over 100 people were stranded on the Great Lakes. They became stranded when ice broke away where they were fishing. The Coast Guard rescued all, however, one died in route to the hospital due to hypothermia. This life threatening condition occurs when body temperature falls below 95° F (35° C).

• It is imperative when ice fishing to get expert advice. Knowing the area and the ice conditions can make the sport fun; not knowing can lead to disaster. It is recommended that ice thickness for someone fishing alone (not really advisable) be almost four inches (10 cm). For groups, where more are standing on the ice, the ice should be about 7.5 inches (18 cm). When vehicles are taken on the ice, which does happen in some cold climates, the ice should be 11-12 inches (28 cm).

• Icebergs are much thicker than the ice that freezes over lakes in the winter. Icebergs are chunks of ice that developed on land, then break off and float in a lake or ocean. The word “iceberg” originates from the Dutch “ijsberg”, which means ice mountain.

• Icebergs are found in all shapes and sizes, from very small pieces to ice islands that can be the size of a small country. The term “iceberg” actually refers to ice larger than 16 feet (5 m) in diameter. Smaller icebergs are known as growlers and bergy bits. Even though they are smaller, they are harder to spot and therefore very dangerous for ships.

• Even though most icebergs are found floating in oceans of salt water they are made of pure

fresh water. Most of the icebergs on earth are found in the frigid waters surrounding Antarctica and in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Most icebergs originate near the west coast of Greenland.

• “Iceberg Alley” is the name given to an area from Baffin Bay, off the west coast of Greenland where many massive icebergs break into the water, to the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador on the east coast of Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador area is known as the Iceberg Capital of the World.

• Approximately 90% of the icebergs that are in the waters near Newfoundland and Labrador originated from the glaciers of western Greenland. They are among the fastest moving icebergs in the world. Even so, by most standards, the four miles (7 km) per year that they tend to move seems slow. It takes an estimated two to three years for the massive icebergs to cover the 1600 nautical miles (2963 km) and reach the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. If icebergs reach the Atlantic Ocean before melting, they melt rather quickly in the warm waters.

• After the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, near Newfoundland, the United States, Canada, and eleven other countries formed the International Ice Patrol. The patrol uses airplanes and radar to track icebergs that make their way into the major shipping lanes. The U.S. National Ice Center monitors icebergs larger than 5,400 square feet (500 sq/m) near Antarctica using satellite data. Icebergs are not just studied and watched to protect ships, scientists use them as tools for studying ocean processes and climate.

• A way that some inventive Canadians have chosen to use the abundance of icebergs floating in their waters is in creating vodka and other alcoholic spirits. The Iceberg Vodka Corporation, based in St. John’s Newfoundland, produces spirits “made from naturally pure 12,000-year-old icebergs harvested off the coast of Newfoundland.” They use Ontario-grown sweet corn in making their beverages as well. They also make Iceberg Rum and Iceberg Gin.

• The largest iceberg ever recorded was found near Baffin Island in 1882. Eight miles long and three miles wide (13 km long/6 km wide), its height above water was 65 feet (20 m).

“Be known before you’re needed” Advertise with Tidbits (334) 202-7285 Page 3

My favorite kinds of cookbooks are ones that have been inspired by family recipes. I enjoy reading the stories about the family member that prepared the dishes in the cookbook and trying the recipes that have been passed down from one generation to the next. “Nahima’s Hands: Unique Mediterranean Cuisine” by Andrea Cassell is a loving tribute to her grandmother (Nahima) and her flavorful, Mediterranean recipes.What started out as a granddaughter’s love for her grandmother and a desire for her four children, and subsequent generations, to carry on these cooking traditions is now a moving tribute to family and Mediterranean cuisine.Andrea says that she wants people to read her cookbook and say “this looks easy and I can cre-ate this without a lot of work.” She also wants to encourage families to come back to the table. She says that the cookbook is not just about food, but about “our heritage, friends and families coming together through the food we eat.”Andrea’s Syrian grandmother, Nahima (Abouid) Albert, immigrated to the United States shortly after marrying her husband, Antonio in 1926. They owned and operated a corner grocery store in Miami. This is where young Andrea spent her childhood days while her mother and father went to work. It was there at Nahima’s knee that An-drea says she learned about hospitality and cook-ing. Her grandmother worked all day in the gro-cery store, and still found the time to cook dinner for her parents to take home. Andrea witnessed her grandmother’s selfless love and compassion daily. She was always in the kitchen helping her grandmother prepare food. Nahima passed away in 2009. She lived to be 101.Her grandmother’s love and talents with food in-spired Andrea to create “Nahima’s Hands: Unique Mediterranean Cuisine.” While she includes many of the Mediterranean dishes that she learned from

her grandmother in the cookbook, it also con-tains some of her original recipes that are easy to prepare.The cookbook contains a variety of Mediter-ranean appetizers, soups and salads, rice and legumes, vegetarian, beef, pork and chicken, slow-cooker recipes, desserts and breads, and many more. Wine pairings are offered for several recipes, making this cookbook a unique family entertainment guide. “Sharing the love of cooking with your hands,” is Andrea’s motto. “I hold my grandmother in my hands everyday with my cookbook, so I can never forget her.”You can order Andrea’s cookbook “Nahima’s Hands: Unique Mediterranean Cuisine” for $19.95, plus shipping and handling, at www.na-himashands.com or andrea@nahimashands.comHere is Nahima’s recipe for Tabbouleh, a tradi-tional Middle Eastern salad with fresh herbs and tomatoes.

NAHIMA’S WHEAT AND PARSLEY SALAD

3/4 cup (No. 1 fine) bulgur wheat3/4 cup green onions, root ends removed, white and green parts finely chopped1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped2 cups fresh, curly parsley, finely chopped2 medium tomatoes, chopped1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. In a medium bowl, place the bulgur wheat and cover it with cold water.Let it soak for 20 minutes. Drain excess water, as needed.2. In another small bowl, mix together onion, mint, parsley, tomatoes,lemon juice, oil, and the salt and pepper. Pour lemon mixture over bulgur wheat. Stir gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate. Serve cold. Serves 6.

Angela Shelf Medearis is an award-winning children’s author, culinary historian and author of seven cookbooks. Her new cookbook is “The Kitchen Diva’s Diabetic Cookbook.” Her web-site is www.divapro.com. To see how-to videos, recipes and much, much more, Like Angela Shelf Medearis, The Kitchen Diva!, on Face-book and go to Hulu.com. Recipes may not be reprinted without permission from Angela Shelf Medearis.

(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc., and Angela Shelf Medearis

Family Cookbook a Love Story With Recipes

Tidbits® of the River Region Page 4

* On Feb. 14, 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, is executed. Claudius the Cruel had banned all marriages and engagements. Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

* On Feb. 17, 1904, Giacomo Puccini’s op-era “Madame Butterfly” premieres at the La Scala theater in Milan, Italy. Set in Nagasaki, Japan, “Madame Butterfly” told the story of an American sailor, B.F. Pinkerton, who marries and then abandons a young Japanese geisha, Cio-Cio-San, or Madame Butterfly.

* On Feb. 11, 1916, Emma Goldman, a cru-sader for women’s rights and social justice, is arrested in New York City for lecturing and dis-tributing materials about birth control. She was accused of violating the Comstock Act of 1873, which made it a federal offense to disseminate contraceptive devices and information through the mail or across state lines.

* On Feb. 13, 1920, The League of Nations, the international organization formed at the peace conference at Versailles in the wake of World War I, recognizes the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland. The League also established its headquarters in the Swiss city of Geneva.

* On Feb. 16, 1959, Fidel Castro is sworn in as prime minister of Cuba after leading a guer-rilla campaign that forced right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile. The United States initially recognized the new Cuban dictator but withdrew its support after Castro nationalized U.S. assets on the island.

* On Feb. 15, 1965, in accordance with a formal proclamation by Queen Elizabeth II of England, a new Canadian national flag is raised above Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. Canada’s national flag was to be red and white with a stylized 11-point red maple leaf in its center.

* On Feb. 12, 1973, the release of American POWs from the Vietnam War begins in Hanoi as part of the Paris peace settlement. Operation Homecoming was completed on March 29, 1973, when the last of 591 U.S. prisoners were released and returned to the United States.

(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Page 5“Be known before you’re needed” Advertise with Tidbits (334) 202-7285

Register to win at www.riverregiontidbits.com and click on “Tommy Tidbits”. Fill out the registration information and tell us how many times Tommy appears in ads in the paper for this week. From the correct entries, a winner will be selected. You must be 18 years of age to qualify. The gift certificates will range in value from $25 to $50 each week. Entries must be received at the website by midnight each Saturday evening or at PTK Corp, PO Box 264, Wetumpka, AL 36092.

This week’s winner receives $25 Gift Certificate from The Gab Salon and Spa, Wetumpka, AL

Last Week’s Ads where Tommy was hiding:1. Alabama Paint and Body, p. 22. Krispy Kreme, p. 33. Innovative Construction Pros, p. 54. Freeman M. Elam CPA, p. 8

Tidbits® of the River Region Page 6

1. Is the book of Simon in the Old or New Testament or nei-ther?2. From Exodus 1, what were the people of Israel forced to make? Blankets, Boats, Bas-kets, Bricks3. What book foretold that none of Christ’s bones would be broken? Micah, Isaiah, Psalms, Exodus4. Who was the deceptive future father-in-law of Jacob? Masa, Laban, Jehoram, Rehu5. What did Shamgar use to kill 600 Philistines? Sword, Stones, Mina, Oxgoad6. Who wrote Revelation, the last book of the Bible? Jesus, Mark, John, Peter

1. Name the winningest left-handed pitcher in Bos-ton Red Sox history.2. Who was the manager the only time the Arizona Diamondbacks won 100 games in a season?3. In 2011, the SEC became the second conference to hold the top three spots in The Associated Press college football poll. What conference was the first?4. Name the last NBA team before the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 draft to have two of the top four overall picks. 5. Wayne Gretzky is the all-time NHL leader in career assists with 1,963. Who is No. 2?6. In 2012, American Vincent Hancock won his second consecutive Olym-pic gold medal in skeet shooting. How many other men have won consecutive golds in the event?7. Who was the youngest player to take part in golf’s Ryder Cup?

Why Can’t I Keep Weight Off? It is amazing that we hear clients say year in and year out “ I have tried every diet and even bypass surgery but the weight always comes back.” The following are just a few examples of how weight gain continues when there is no professional behavior modification: I overeat. I reach for food automatically without realizing I done it. I associate food with social-izing. I can’t say no to sweets, carbs and fast food. I eat for tastse. I eat when bored, stressed, lonely,angry,etc. I snack late pm. I use food for reward or comfort. I eat in front of t.v. & computer (tranceboxes). I don’t exercise. I eat when I think of my past and problems. I have no desire for water, vegetables & fruit. I eat too fast & on the go. I eat too much salty food. I eat out to much. I sabotage my success. I can’t stop thinking about food.

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1. Mel Parnell had 123 victories (1947-56).2. Buck Showalter went 100-62 in 1999.3. The Big Eight, in 1971 (No. 1 Nebraska, No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 3 Colorado).4. Houston, in 1983.5. Ron Francis had 1,249 career assists.6. Hancock was the first to do it.7. Sergio Garcia was 19 when he played for Europe in the Ryder Cup in 1999.

BIBLE TRIVIA ANSWERS:

1) Neither; 2) Bricks; 3) Psalms; 4) Laban; 5) Oxgoad; 6) John

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I love getting homemade cards and personalized notes from my kids, don’t you? But sometimes they need a little extra prodding -- a bit of help to get the creativity flowing. If you have young children in your house, give them a “Create a Card” kit this week for some do-it-yourself valentines. You’ll be giving a little gift to get another heartfelt gift started.If you’re a grandparent, assemble inexpensive mini kits for each of your school-age grandchil-dren (as a hint, hint: “I’d love a homemade card from you”). Send the assembled kits in the mail, and who knows, you might in turn find a surprise “craft with a heart” delivered to YOUR address come Feb. 14. Here’s how:A Valentine-making starter kit in a box might contain red, pink and white construction paper, lace or paper doilies and a small bag or tin can filled with valentine stickers, cut-outs from vin-tage valentine cards, conversation heart candy, buttons, pieces from old jewelry, sewing trim such as rickrack and ribbon, glitter, etc. Add a new marker in a fun color, a pair of decorative-edge scissors from a craft store and a new glue stick. Tuck in envelopes and some postage stamps, too.Or, make mini kits to give to grandkids, cousins and friends. They might contain a small tablet of colorful paper, heart stickers and a valentine-themed stamp and inkpad. Put the items together in a sandwich bag or in a clear cellophane gift bag with a decorative ribbon for a nice presenta-tion.Extra idea: Share this fun “sealed with a heart” tip with the kids. Once they have signed and inserted their home-made valentine cards into envelopes, they can seal them with a kiss -- and even their thumbs. A child may press her thumb onto an inkpad and then onto the closed flap of the envelope with the first print angled to the right. Make a second thumbprint to the left to create a one-of-a-kind heart shape.***Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Don-na’s Day” is airing on public television nation-wide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”

(c) 2013 Donna EricksonDistributed by King Features Synd.

“Create a Card” Kit for Valentine’s Day

Tidbits® of the River Region Page 8