HANDY TO KNOW

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- NOVEMBER 9, 2024

There are some things that are good to know. These are items you can toss into any conversation. Having a quiver of these will come in handy when you want to demonstrate that you are the most brilliant person in the room. 

For example, Halloween has just passed by and there is a chance some of that holiday's candy is left over. So, how long can you keep those treats before they expire?

According to Eater.com, that candy should last a long time. “Compared to other seasonal treats, candy has a pretty long shelf life. Certain types of confections contain preservatives designed to prevent spoilage. The shelf life of chocolate varies based on type. Dark chocolate will last one to two years in foil if kept in cool, dark, and dry places, while milk and white chocolate will last up to ten months. Hard candies essentially have an indefinite shelf life, provided they are stored properly.” 

(https://www.eater.com/21551096/halloween-candy-expiration-date-chocolate-expire)

Of course, these limits may be unnecessary. Everyone knows you have to inhale Halloween candy in a hurry so you can make way for Christmas candy. A seasonal favorite is already on store shelves. “Snickers Trees have officially returned for the holidays.” 

What are Snickers Trees? “The Snickers Trees encapsulate all the wonderful qualities of the classic bar shaped like a miniature Christmas tree. These Snickers are filled with even more of sweet, peanut-y filling underneath that delicious chocolate.”

According to TasteOfHome.com, you can use the trees in a uniquely Midwest recipe for Snickers salad. “This is one of those retro dessert salads from the Midwest. These salads are ever-present at casual potlucks and end-of-the-year holiday parties. With tart apples and pieces of Snickers held together by an airy vanilla pudding, this five-ingredient salad recipe is ready in about fifteen minutes.” (https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/snickers-trees-november-2024/)

Daylight saving time is upon us, but have you wondered why we switch times at  two in the morning? It's because of trains. The practice dates back to 1918. 

“President Woodrow Wilson's wartime plan tried to be minimally bothersome. Wilson chose 2 a.m., a time when no passenger trains were running in New York City.  Daylight saving time was considered a relatively easy workaround for the railroads. The 2 a.m. adjustment is still considered the least troublesome time today, since most bars and restaurants are closed and the vast majority of people are at home, asleep.” (https://interestingfacts.com/human-body-myths/)

The topic of sleep brings up an interesting question. On which  side of your body do you sleep? Wellnesstar.com notes: “The human body is a fascinating and mysterious machine, filled with surprising and strange facts. We've explored the intriguing realms of biology, anatomy, and everyday quirks.”

Here's how to rest easy. “Sleeping on your right side might be doing more harm than you realize. It can put pressure on your heart and lungs, making it harder for your body to function smoothly. This position also aggravates issues like acid reflux or heartburn, which can disrupt your sleep and digestion. Sleeping on your left side can improve circulation and help your digestive system work better.” (https://wellnesstar.com/29-weird-body-facts/?)

It's always handy to have some facts about sports at your disposal, so a report issued last week could fir the bill. “The annual report, put out by Aspen’s Sports & Society Program, details how girls sports participation is increasing while boys participation is significantly declining. However, 39.8 percent of children aged six to seventeen regularly participated in a team sport in 2023, the highest rate since 2015.” 

The boys/girls participation rates are reveling. “Half of boys aged six to seventeen participated regularly in sports in 2013, but only forty-one percent percent did in 2023. But girls aged six to twelve (thirty-four percent) and thirteen to seventeen (thirty-eight percent) regularly played at higher levels in 2023 than in any recent year dating to at least 2012.” (https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2024-introduction)

There is a sport that is not offered on the high school level. “No state offers girls baseball as a high school sport, according to representatives at the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Still, there were 1,372 high school girls who played on boys baseball teams across America last academic year.” 

That may change in the future because of the incentive of turning pro. “By summer of 2026, the organizers of the newly announced Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) hope to have six teams of women competing on diamonds that have been used almost exclusively by men for nearly a century and half. The league aims to play approximately forty games from May to August in college or minor league stadiums with the capacity for about 2,500 to 5,000 fans.” (https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/womens-professional-baseball-players-rcna178279)

Thoughts of baseball appeal to people who just endure the winter months while waiting for summer. To that end, it's lucky Cadillac has two lakes within its environs. Plus, there are scores of lakes nearby. All this means our area is perfect for prime gongoozling. (https://www.dictionaryscoop.com/article/Yarn-bombing-gongoozling-and-other-unusual-hobby-names)

So what is this activity? “Strange as the term may sound, if you’ve ever been near a bridge or canal lock, you might have found yourself gongoozling. It simply means to leisurely watch boats and vessels as they pass through waterways.” You know, there's nothing like a good gongoozle on a lazy summer day. 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.