Watercooler Stories

Couple weds 65 years after first meeting

TROY, Ohio, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- An Ohio couple finally tied knot -- more than 65 years after they first met.

Flora Dilworth dated Oscar "Bus" Allen for a while way back when, but they eventually parted ways and ended up marrying others, the Dayton Daily News reported Thursday.

But, surrounded by friends and family in Troy, Ohio, the couple -- both widowed -- tied the knot Sunday.

Dilworth had married her high school sweetheart in 1942 and the two had eight children. Allen married in 1943 and had nine children.

In August, Dilworth visited Allen at a retirement community in Dayton, and the rest is happy history.

Allen's son said his father was "new fellow" after reconnecting with Dilworth.

Dilworth's son also noticed a change.

"She perked up," he said. "She wasn't so lonely anymore because many of her friends have died or moved away."

The couple are honeymooning in Siesta Key, Fla.

Americans focus on weight loss

NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Bankrate Inc. of New York said Thursday Americans are more focused on shrinking their waistlines than shrinking their debt.

According to a Bankrate poll, 36 percent of Americans are focused on weight loss as opposed to 31 percent who are concerned with eliminating debt.

This is a significant change from the 2003 poll in which 37 percent of those queried were more concerned about their debt and 29 percent were concentrating on losing weight.

This is the first time in the three years that Bankrate has conducted the survey that Americans have chosen weight loss over controlling debt as their New Year's resolution.

The survey revealed the average amount of debt Americans polled need to pay off is $11,288, which is slightly less than the 2004 survey result of $11,895. The poll did not include monthly mortgage payments or the high cost of homeowners insurance or local real estate taxes.

Men are more focused on money matters than women, coming in at 34.1 percent as opposed to 32.5 percent.

Participants were also asked how much weight they would like to lose in 2005. The average desired weight loss is approximately 23 pounds. Women rank higher in this category with the hope of losing 23.9 pounds. Men want to lose an average of 21.3 pounds.

Bankrate is an on-line banking group.

Rocky, Rambo popular dog names

GLASGOW, Scotland, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Rocky or Rambo would get the nod if dog owners were naming their pets after a celebrity, a Scottish survey shows.

After Sylvester Stallone's most famous film creations come rocker Ozzy Osbourne and Elvis.

Overall, the study says, the most popular names are Snoop, Harley, Diesel and Tyson.

The survey was carried out by Pro Plan dog foods in the run-up to the pup of the year final next week, the Glasgow Daily Record said.

It also revealed the changes in the names given to dogs. Fifty years ago, George, Thomas and Arthur were popular while 30 years ago Jasper, Brandy, Rex and Molly were more trendy.

94-year-old lottery winner wants all now

BOSTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Lottery winner Louise Outing wants all her winnings now because, at 94, she doesn't expect to be around for an extended payout.

Outing has gone to court to force the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission to cut her a check immediately for the full $5.6 million, minus taxes, she won in the Sept. 4 Megabucks drawing.

She says she just can't wait another 20 years for the full amount.

"In March, I will be 95 years old. Do you realize that? Ninety-five in March," the Everett woman told the Boston Globe. "Now, you know I'm not going to live 20 years."

The commission has rejected her request, saying Megabucks winners get 20-year annuities, not lump-sum payments. Frustrated, Outing and her Boston attorney asked Norfolk Superior Court Judge Barbara Dortch-Okara to step in.