Sideswipe: Nov 28: Sugary treats

Photo / Supplied

Iain Tetley sent in this photo of meringues at a Countdown supermarket in Pukekohe.

Clothes-horse escape

A University of Derby student had to be cut free by firefighters after being trapped in a clothes horse. Danielle Morgan said she was "mucking about" in her flatmate's bedroom when she fell out of bed and got tangled in the clothes-drying apparatus. The 18-year-old, who claimed not to have been drinking, said she was left with bruising to her neck and shoulders but could now laugh about the accident. (Source: bbc.co.uk)

'Schmoozing' cuts crime

Officials in Prince George's County, Maryland, say crime fell as much as 23 per cent during the first nine months of this year - and attribute their success to holding meetings with 67 of the most likely recidivist offenders and schmoozing them. The crims were offered help to apply for various programmes, but were told they would be watched more closely. (News of the Weird)

Finger in blender

Scar stories #1: Not a scar ... How's half a finger nail? "While demonstrating health and safety lessons, I said never stick your finger in a blender while it is plugged in," writes Tony. "I did, and still have the finger nail to prove it!"

Splitting bamboo

Scar stories #2: A reader writes: "In high school in art class, I tried to split a thin stick of bamboo with a knife while holding the bamboo vertically with my left hand at the bottom. Forgot that it splits easily. The knife moved fast and sliced open my thumb."

Feeding a ram

Scar stories #3: "I have a scar running along the length of my ring finger," says Chaz. "I tried to feed a ram a hamburger when I was about 6 years old. I have the scars of teeth to prove that sheep do not appreciate being fed ground beef."

Cleaning a bacon slicer

Scar stories #4: Graeme from Kerikeri writes: "When I was an apprentice butcher, my boss went out, and I managed to cut my finger badly while cleaning the bacon slicer. I went to the doctor, who took one look at the finger and asked where the other bit was. He sent his nurse up to find it at the shop and sewed it back on."