Month: June 2011

Did You Know – About Bridges?

I stumbled across a neat website when trying to find out if a road near me was flooded. The site has listing of bridges across the US; some historic, some abandoned, but all feats of engineering– I’d say. You can browse by location, year built, builder, roadway, waterway, railroad or operational status. Check it out!

http://www.bridgehunter.com/

Dripping Springs Bridge, St. Louis County, Missouri

Iris Folding

Iris Folding is an easy and pretty way to use up all those scraps of colored paper (maybe you have left overs from scrapbooking). You start with a pattern and end up with a nice picture worthy of framing or giving as a nice gift in card form. Google ‘Iris Folding’ or click here for free patterns and instructions.

Clever Usage for New Pennies

1. Curtain Straightener

Make an opening in the bottom hem, slide in a penny or two, and sew the hem back up to keep curtains hanging level and stick-straight.

2. Tread Checker

Insert a penny into a groove of a tire with Lincoln’s head pointing into the tire. If the groove covers part of his head, you’re safe to drive; if the head is in full view, it’s time for new wheels. (The distance between the rim of a penny and Lincoln’s head is 1/16 of an inch―the minimum suggested tread depth.)

3. Table Anchor

If you dine out and the table is unsteady, put a coin under the leg to restore balance.

4. Game Token

Misplaced the thimble? No problem. Sub in a cent.

5. Reader Tip: Makeshift Screwdriver

Use a penny to screw open a toy’s battery pack.
Caroline Brant, Collegeville, Pennsylvania

6. Reader Tip: Icebreaker

Hand out pennies at your next gathering and ask each guest to share a story that happened during the year his or her penny was minted. If the coin predates a friend, let the person improvise.
Rachel Harrison Massa, Stamford, Connecticut