Hats off to
the Flyers fans

Kids Stuff
By William Feldman

Welcome to Kids Stuff. Today’s column includes a charitable thought by thousands of Flyers fans; a review of the production Annie; an awesome mind teaser; a weekend family fun idea; and a cryptogram with no hints.

FLYERS FANS HAVE A HEART
Philadelphia Flyers fans tossed more than 1,000 of their new or gently used hats onto the ice at the Wachovia Center March 23 during the second intermission of the Flyers vs. New York Islanders game and scoring a hat trick for kids battling cancer. Hats were collected on the ice by members of the Delta Dental Ice team and Flyers staff.
The Hat Tricks for Kids Hat Toss is an extension of the Flyers Hat Tricks for Kids Program, which was developed to recognize and show support for children battling cancer in oncology units of local Delaware Valley hospitals.
Various members of the Flyers organization visit local hospitals to show support and distribute Flyers goodies. During the visit, each child receives a Flyers goodie bag including a Flyers hat and activity book and possibly a hat collected at the game. I was proud to attend and see how many people truly care. P.S., the Flyers won, increasing their chances of securing one of the final spots for the playoffs.

ANNIE, THE NATIONAL TOUR
I was afforded an opportunity to review the production Annie for my column, which was performed at the Academy of Music from Mach 21 to 23. Annie, Sandy, Daddy (Oliver) Warbucks, Grace Farrell, Miss Hannigan, and the nefarious pair of Rooster and Lilly were back for Annie’s 30th anniversary tour. The sun’ll come out again with a new production of Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, book by Thomas Meehan and again directed by its lyricist, Martin Charnin, along with Tony Award-winning set designer Ming Cho Lee.
Most people of all ages are familiar with the storyline inside and out.
I thought the history behind Annie would be refreshing, interesting and maybe educational.
However, I must first commend the outstanding performances of Amanda Balon, who portrayed Annie, and Lynn Andrews, who portrayed Miss Hannigan.
Lyricist and director Martin Charnin in 1971 took his collection of Little Orphan Annie comic strips and began to visualize a musical comedy based on Annie. I could not believe when I read that it took four and a half years for this production to get to Broadway.
Andrea McArdle, the Northeast girl who played the original Annie, began her fame at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. After Mike Nichols loved the production, he offered to produce it on Broadway. Annie was born on Broadway on April 21, 1977. In its first year it won seven Tony awards, including best musical, book and score.
This is interesting: There were four road companies of Annie, which toured for three and a half years.
I never even knew there was a sequel to Annie, Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge, prior to writing this column. The name was then changed to Annie 2 before re-opening at the Goodspeed Opera House, only to be renamed again Annie Warbucks before opening in New York at the Variety Arts Theatre in 1993.
I read that the original production is one of the top 20 longest running shows in Broadway history, and Annie continues to be one of the most successful musicals ever.

TEST FOR DEMENTIA
Marlyn Sabatino of Florida, formerly from the Philadelphia area, thought my readers would like this:
Below are four questions. You have to answer them instantly. You can’t take your time. Answer all of them immediately. Let’s find out just how clever you really are. Ready? Go!
First question: You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?
Answer: If you answered that you are first, then you are absolutely wrong! If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second!
Now answer the second question, but don’t take as much time as you took for the first question:
Second question: You are participating in a race. If you overtake the last person, then you are...?
Answer: If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST person?
Third question: Very tricky arithmetic! Note: This must be done in your head only. Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator. Try it.
Take 1,000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000 . Now add 30. Add another 1,000. Now add 20 . Now add another 1,000. Now add 10 . What is the total?
Did you get 5,000?
Answer: The correct answer is actually 4,100. If you don’t believe it, check it with a calculator! Today is definitely not your day, is it? Maybe you’ll get the last question right.
Fourth question: Mary’s father has five daughters: 1. Nana; 2. Nene; 3. Nini; 4. Nono. What is the name of the fifth daughter?
Did you answer Nunu? NO! Of course it isn’t.
Answer: Her name is Mary. Read the question again!

WEEKEND FAMILY FUN IDEA
Ringling Bros. The 138th edition of The Greatest Show On Earth takes Philly Over the Top at the Wachovia Spectrum for 19 shows from Wednesday, April 16 to 27.
Free to all ticket holders! Circus fans can arrive one hour before show time for the interactive all access pre-show to learn circus skills, become CircusFit, meet Ringling Bros. performers and get an up-close look at the animal stars of The Greatest Show On Earth.
There is a discount for opening night: All tickets $12 (not including facility fee). All other tickets at $15, $23 and $27 are on sale now through ComcastTIX.com, by calling 1-800-298-4200 or by visiting the Wachovia Complex box office.
A select number of VIP and Circus Celebrity seats are available for each performance.

CRYPTOGRAM
This is for the Sun Valley senior group that meets Mondays and Wednesdays and requested I write a cryptogram with no clues. Good luck!
AZBWY CLD MLJ JSBOTWE FC HLGDFW, YTOK KADMM
Columnist William Feldman can be contacted by e-mail at wmkidscolumn@aol.com