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It’s a Prohibition-era classic

This spin on the Cider Cup is from my cocktail book “Good Spirits”; the original drink has roots going back to the early 20th century. In Jacques Straub’s 1914 book, “Drinks,” cider, brandy, curaçao, maraschino liqueur, pineapple and citrus fruits came together like a pre-Prohibition party in a glass. During Prohibition, when bartenders had to get scrappy, cider-based cocktails like the Cider Cup gained real traction — lower-proof, easy to disguise, but still full of flavor and finesse. Over in the U.K., the Cider Cup became a staple of British garden parties — light, ...

Lovina takes time to remember loved ones lost

Our sympathy goes to the family of Aunt Caroline, age 94. She passed away on Sept. 15. Although we won’t be able to make it to her funeral, our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Aunt Caroline was married to my dad’s brother Andy. I’ll share a part of her obituary: “Caroline Mae “Carolyn” Coblentz, 94, a lifelong resident of Lafayette, Indiana, passed away on September 15, 2026, at St. Mary’s Healthcare Center. She became a registered radiology technician and began her career at St. Elizabeth Hospital. It was there, passing through the halls at work, that she met ...

Inside Malaysia’s gambit to make its pungent durian the most wanted

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia is pushing to take durian, whose powerful smell delights its lovers and repels its haters, beyond its roadside stalls and family orchards to convince fans of the spiky fruit that its varieties are worth seeking out. Devotees savor durians like wine. For Malaysian ones, the taste of their rich and creamy flesh varies widely across types. Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor. Malaysians’ efforts to elevate the industry can be found in the capital, ...

Conflict erupts between spender and saver

DEAR ANNIE: My husband and I have been married for 12 years, and we agree on most things. We like the same kind of vacations, have similar values and rarely argue about family. Money, however, is our recurring sore spot. I am a saver. I grew up in a household where unexpected expenses could throw everything into chaos, so having money set aside makes me feel secure. My husband grew up very differently. His parents believed that if the bills were paid, you should enjoy life while you can. A few weeks ago, we were having dinner and talking about taking a trip next spring. I mentioned ...

MRIs are generally superior to CT scan

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a pacemaker that was installed in January 2024. This is a newer model that’s said to be safe for those who need an MRI. I have a neoplasm that was recently discovered in the parotid gland on the right side of my head. The doctors at a referral hospital attempted to do a biopsy on the mass in the center of the gland. But the biopsy failed as the tissue samples were only obtained from benign tissue surrounding the neoplasm, not from the mass. My doctor doesn’t want to attempt another biopsy, as the biopsy procedure that failed was very lengthy and lasted for ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Safety plays take many forms, but the underlying principle is always the same: In order to protect against an unfavorable distribution of the adverse cards, declarer risks losing a trick he might not have to lose. The large family of safety plays need not be memorized. They should suggest themselves automatically when a threatening set of circumstances arises. In this deal, South sees he has only seven tricks immediately available at three notrump, and that the best source of additional tricks lies in the diamond suit. The normal way of approaching the diamonds is to cash the king and ...