Washing and storing berries

DEAR HELOISE >> According to the experts, one should not wash a whole container of berries at once. They keep better if you wash only what you plan to eat. I have had good luck with the following method:

I wash and thoroughly drain all of the berries. Then I line the original carton with a paper towel, add half the berries, then another paper towel, the rest of the berries, then one more towel on the top. The berries keep very well using this method, which works well for blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.

— Jane Hudak, San

Antonio, Texas

DEAR READERS >> Whenever you get food burned on a pot or pan, try my nontoxic way to clean it. Fill the pan with enough water to cover the bottom, add 3 tablespoons of baking soda and simmer on the stove until the burned food comes off. If you need more grease-fighting power, add one drop of mild dishwashing liquid.

Baking soda is a useful household product that can be used for cleaning, deodorizing and cooking. Get my pamphlet “Baking Soda Hints and Recipes” by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795001. FYI: If your dog’s fur is a tad smelly, sprinkle a bit of baking soda just onto the fur, and leave for a bit. Then brush off. Don’t let the baking soda get into your dog’s eyes.

DEAR HELOISE >> Today’s paper had a question about how messy it can be to garden on a second floor apartment patio. I’m a diehard gardener and wanted to add the following tip:

Use old bath towels or an old flat bedsheet to spread out on the patio under the project! They are wonderful at collecting debris and give more room to spread out the pots and dirt, with zero mess left on the patio. I use mine for all sorts of messy projects, like protecting a carpet when painting, covering my dining table when kids paint and more.

— Sue in Ohio

DEAR HELOISE >> I enjoy reading your helpful hints. I have clipped many of the tips that were printed in that publication and would like to share one of my own. We all receive packages in the mail that are shipped in white plastic bags. I cut the top off to empty the contents, and when I need to return an item, I turn the bag inside out so the previous labels are not visible. I reuse these bags to either return the item or ship other items through the mail. I have done this many times and find it to be a good way to recycle.

— Vicky K., Rogers City,

Michigan

DEAR VICKY >> That’s such a good idea to extend the usage of all these bags we get and have them live on for others to use.

ACROSS

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“Wish I could live like that …”

Some radio announcements, in brief

First winning presidential ticket to alternate vowels and consonants Schmooze

Where the entirety of the “Lord of the

Rings” trilogy was filmed

Folderol

Common Italian verb ending Brewery supply Amoeba feature Michael of “Superbad”

Shake hands, perhaps

Many jingles People of Burundi Huffing and puffing, e.g. Spread out at a party

Free

Bishop’s group Some fridges Deadlines?

It might be captured on a safari

Who famously said “I really didn’t say everything I said”

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DOWN

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Some seaside gatherings

“In the end …” Rear guard?

Drink that comes with a wide straw Chinese ___, food also called nagaimo

Approval inits. Like much of Sudan

One with news to share, often Musical Case Counter request Sharp

People might have personal ones for what they do

R&B artist with the 3x platinum 1995 debut album “Miss Thang” Went for a ride, in a way

Carpenters, at times

Website with a “Got a Tip?” page Boxing champ

Max

Site for a snipe It turns red in Exodus

B.C. neighbor: Abbr.

Gathering that occurs once per decade

Call everything off 11 12

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Caused a ruckus Poor cell connection? What you find kitsch in

Sources of some tips

Line on a map: Abbr.

Land on the Med. Alternative to a Gallup survey “Utter your gravity ___ a gossip’s bowl”: “Romeo and Juliet”

Tennis great with the most consecutive weeks ranked #1 in the world (377) Devices used to sterilize medical equipment Racket 34 35

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Take the money and run, say

Rule that’s often broken

Kawasaki offering Cold War inits. Walk all over

Put down

Word with fair or film

Garment of the Middle East

Like Meg among the March sisters Close calls

CVS Health acquisition of 2018 Subject of numerous hoaxes Tablet collection Grow out of something, say Doctor’s orders, for short

Mens ___