casino card game 4 letters For the past 39 years, I’ve devoted a column to help folks shop for those useful but sometimes hard to find gifts for the sportsmen, and women, on their Christmas shopping list. Many of the items I highlight are not available on the shelves of the larger package stores but there’s still time to order online. I always list a few gift ideas that range in cost from a few dollars to a few hundred. Hopefully you can find that ‘just right’ gift among my picks this year. Shopping for an outdoor person can be a daunting task, especially if you aren’t familiar with what your outdoors person uses or needs. I will include some basic tips that should help you find the perfect gift. ELECTRIC SMOKER: I’ve said many times that the one outdoor item that it would be tough to live without is my Smokin Tex (www.smokintex.com) electric smoker. These smokers come in various sizes and are built to last. I have cooked hundreds if not thousands of pounds of game and domestic meats on mine through the years. Smokers come in many price ranges and you get what you pay for. These units are great, long term investments. BIG GAME TAGGING KIT: How many times have you harvested a deer just before the close of legal shooting time and fumble around looking for a flashlight, pen to fill out the tag and some way of snipping out the tiny “V” for the date of harvest? Those days are over if you carry a Big Game Tagging Kit from Vineyard Max (www.vineyardmax.net). These little kits come with everything needed to make tagging your deer, even in the dark, easy. With a lighted pen, snipper to cut out the date, reusable snap ties, pockets for licenses, tags and ID and trail markers these kits make ideal stocking stuffers for the big game hunter. Larry Weishuhn’s signature hunting knives are also available through the Vineyard Max website. THERMAL SCOPE FOR NIGHT HUNTING: The cost of thermal scopes has dropped appreciably the past few years, thanks to improved manufacturing advancements. Today, a very serviceable scope for night hunting hogs and predators out to about 100 yards is available through AGM Global Vision www.agmglobalvision.com for under a thousand dollars. The Rattler V2 comes with an onboard camera that also records audio and is a great buy for folks that keep their shots relatively close. JUG LINES FOR CATFISHING: Setting out a few ‘jug lines’ while rod and reel fishing is a great way to put together a catfish fry. Doug’s Jugs www.dougsjugs.com makes quality jug lines from swimming pool noodles and PVC pipe. These noodles come fully rigged with sharp circle hooks and stout lines that will hold the big ones. Conventional homemade jug lines work but they are extremely unhandy to store and handle in a boat, these noodle jugs take up little space in a boat and are very easy to work with. GUIDED FISHING OR HUNTING TRIP: Even the most veteran fisherman or hunter enjoys fishing new waters or hunting different areas with a veteran guide. Most guides offer gift certificates. It’s always best to check some references before booking a trip. Chances are good that your outdoor person has a circle of friends that you can quiz about a trip that would be perfectly suited. Guided hunting trips can be tailored to suit the interest of the individual, everything from a day upland bird hunt on a quality facility to a late season deer hunt on a hunting ranch. Prices vary greatly, everything from day hunts to hunts that include food, meals and lodging. Again, if you are not comfortable choosing a hunt, consult with your outdoor person’s friends, they can be of great help in helping choose the ‘just right’ outing. FIREARMS OR HUNTING BOWS: Choosing a new rifle, shotgun or bow is a personal thing and you will want to do a bit of research before making the purchase. A deer hunter doesn’t want just “a gun.” He or she wants a particular action, caliber or gauge shotgun. Rather than guess, it’s much better to give a gift certificate at a gun store which will allow your hunter to choose the firearm that suits his needs. Bows are even more specialized, with the exception of a crossbow which usually is a universal fit. Compound bows come in different draw lengths, draw weights, etc. A bow that fits a person 5 ft 5” tall with a 26 inch draw length is next to useless to someone 6 foot tall with a 30 inch draw length. It’s always best to shop for bows at a quality bow shop rather than a big package store, in my opinion. Experienced bow technicians can be of great help not only choosing but setting up a new bow. A gift certificate is always a good bet when gifting a bow. PREPAID PASSES TO PARKS FOR CAMPING: For the camper on your shopping list, consider a prepaid cabin or an RV space with hookups at a nice RV Park. One such destination that comes to mind is Wind Point Park https://www.windpointparktx.com/ on Lake Tawakoni. The park offers cabins, both large and small, lakeside RV spaces and hookups in the wooded area in the interior of the park. With a couple of fishing piers that provide good action on catfish both summer and winter and a large herd of deer to observe and photograph, this is a place that I highly recommend. Chances are very good that with a bit of research you can find a quality park close to your home that would be a great destination for the camper on your shopping list. SAUSAGE AND JERKY MAKING: Chances are good many of the hunters on your list butcher their own game and make sausage, cure hams, etc. Butcher Packer Supply www.butcher-packer.com is a one stop shop for spices, meat grinders, seasoning, knives, etc., everything for the home butcher. Visit the website and you will see hundreds of useful items to choose from. HUNTING OPTICS: Stealth Vision www.stealthvision.com , a Texas company headquartered in Crockett, offers top of the line rifle scopes and binoculars. Through the years, I’ve used many rifle scopes and these are the best I’ve used, hands down. The company also offers custom rifles topped with their scopes that offer half-minute angle accuracy. For the hunter/rifle shooter on your list, this would be a great gift. The company invites customers to the lodge near Crockett to try out the rifle/scopes and choose the one that is best suited to their needs. Hopefully one of these contacts will help you with your Christmas Shopping this year. I’ve had personal experience with everything listed and give them all a big ‘thumbs up.’ Listen to Luke’s weekly podcast each week, “Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton and Friends” available everywhere podcasts are hosted.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) — Jordan Sears scored 25 points, Jalen Reed had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LSU defeated UCF 109-102 in triple overtime on Sunday to take third place at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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NonePrime Minister leads tributes to former US president Jimmy Carter

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I styled shimmering gold jumpsuit with glam fur coat from Dunnes Stores for New Year’s Eve – here’s how it looks onENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Cornerback Riley Moss is “good to go” for the Denver Broncos' crucial game at Cincinnati on Saturday. “He's doing good,” coach Sean Payton said Thursday. “He'll be ready to go.” The Broncos (9-6), who would end their eight-year playoff drought with a win or a tie against the Bengals (7-8), have sorely missed the second-year pro from Iowa since he sprained an MCL against Las Vegas in Week 12. The Broncos allowed 26.3 points per game during his absence. With Moss in the lineup opposite superstar Patrick Surtain II, Denver gave up just 16.8 points per game. Aside from allowing defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to go back to employing more man coverage, Riley's return is expected to give the Broncos defense back its bite. “I think he's got an awfully competitive juice, yeah, I would say you definitely felt his absence, not just physically as a player but also his presence," Payton said. Earlier this week, Surtain said, “it’s great to have him back” at practice. “I mean, you talk about a guy who was playing lights-out before the injury, but to see him back out there with confidence, out there practicing, getting his mojo back, it brings a lot of confidence to the team.” Moss has enjoyed a breakout season in Denver with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception. He played in 14 games as a rotation player his rookie season after recovering from core muscle surgery that relegated him to special teams and spot duty in 2023. Moss wasn't available for comment Thursday as he was receiving treatment during the locker room access period. Moss has been the perfect complement to Surtain because of the physical play, bravado and the production he provides as opposing offenses shy away from Surtain. “It's going to be really good” having him back on the field, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto said. “I mean, I know the work that he's been putting in to get back and just knowing the type of season that he's had I'm just happy that he's going to be able to come back against an opponent like this.” Denver's defense hasn't been the same without Moss. The Broncos allowed 32 points to the Cleveland Browns when former teammate Jerry Jeudy caught nine passes for a career-best 235 yards. Jonathan Taylor’s unforced fumble at the goal line as he was about to score a 41-yard touchdown and give Indianapolis a 20-3 lead saved the Broncos in Week 15 and allowed Denver to seize momentum and get the victory. And Denver couldn’t stop Justin Herbert , who led the Los Angeles Chargers back from a double-digit third-quarter deficit for a 34-27 win last week. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Arnie Stapleton, The Associated PressMan Utd flops BOOED OFF by furious fans after woeful 2-0 humiliation at Wolves leaves them eight points off relegationTop Japan defense firms saw revenue increase 35% in 2023: think tank

This weekend is one of the busiest of the year for Christmas tree farms all over the region, as the holidays approach and people start decorating their trees. At Johnston Brothers Tree Farm, located about 71 kilometres south of Ottawa, it's no sweat for founder Pud Johnston. Johnston is 99-years-old and it's his 72nd season selling Christmas trees. "I'm 99 and going for 100," he said. Johnston started the business in 1952 with his brother Eric and they worked alongside each other until he passed away in 2009. Johnston's son Kerry is now the main operator of the farm but he is still engaged every day, spending Sunday pruning some of the smaller trees. "I think it's a healthy activity," Johnston said. "I think it's provided lots of exercise and kept me fit and kept me young, and I wouldn't be 99-years-old now if I hadn't been Christmas tree farming." Pud didn't start the business until his late 20's but for Kerry, it's all he's known his whole life, cutting his first tree when he was about 8-years-old. "Ever since then, I've been in the tree business," Kerry said. "I know nothing else apart from growing up on a tree farm." As for the trees themselves, they can take up to a decade to fully grow. The Johnston's say it takes patience and discipline to run a Christmas tree farm. The Johnston Brothers Tree Farm allows customers to either cut their own trees or choose from the wholesale section. Trees start at $80 with the price depending on the size. Some of the trees on the lot can grow up to 20 feet. Because they've been established in the community for so long, it's allowed them to build a strong clientele, despite customers only needing to visit once per year. "Generally, our business is steady, It's the same people," said Kerry. "They come here because the trees are good. It's a different experience." Christmas trees at Johnston Brothers Tree farm near Kemptville, Ont. on Dec. 8, 2024. (Jack Richardson/CTV News Ottawa) Picking out a tree at the farm has become a tradition for Lisa Haddow-Green, her husband Mike and their 5-year-old son Jack. "We came here our first year with Jack when he was just a baby," she said. "So, we make it a tradition to come here every year." Brockville, Ont. resident Jackson Traynor has cut down a tree here with his dad and sister every Christmas for over 20 years. They say it wouldn't be the holidays without a real tree in their home. "It's just part of the tradition at this point," he said, after cutting down a tree that stood about six feet tall. "Something about the smell of a fresh Christmas tree and the process of you coming out here and you spend way too long picking the right one." Family is what drives Kerry to continue the operation for years to come, just like his dad. "It's been a long tradition that we've all worked together for as long as we can remember. And that will continue through my children and hopefully their children," Kerry said. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay Connected

The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union served as a sort of contest. Which could develop and produce a long-range strategic bomber and make enough of them to keep the other country on its toes? This led to the development of bombers like the B-47, a record-breaking bomber that was the first of its kind. The B-47 led to the B-52, an incredibly long-range bomber still serving within the United States Air Force decades after its introduction. The Soviet Union developed the turboprop-powered Tupolev Tu-95 bomber, which still sees service in the Russian Federation's air force, and the Tupolev Tu-160 supersonic bomber. Now, the United States utilizes the sneaky B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and a variety of yet-to-be-fully-declassified long-range bombing solutions should a global conflict break out. In the 1970s, the United States sought to develop a new supersonic bomber from scratch to replace the B-52. The XB-70 , a previously attempted rework, was off the table since the Kennedy Administration had canceled it years earlier. Eventually, two new candidates emerged. President Jimmy Carter took one look at one of the potential replacements and shut it down on June 30th, 1977 (though it would later be resurrected). That bomber was the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, "The Bone." Take one look at the B-1, and it's no wonder Jimmy Carter wanted nothing to do with it. It's enormous, with a length of 146 feet and a wingspan of 137 feet when fully expanded. It was intimidating, with a long nose and otherworldly appearance, and capable of carrying nuclear ordinance. And last but not least, it was costly, with a staggering unit cost of $317 million. The plane didn't mix well with President Carter's famous humanitarian spirit stemming from his deeply-held religious beliefs. The program sat dormant until the Reagan presidency brought it back from the dead and kicked it into high gear in 1981. By 1984, engineers had the plane flying. In 1988, 100 B-1s were made, and the United States developed and pushed into service its first-ever long-range strategic supersonic stealth bomber. Until the B-2 Spirit showed up on the scene in the 1990s, the B-1 was the most advanced piece of war machinery the world had ever seen. Specification-wise, the Rockwell (now Boeing) B-1 Lancer is nothing short of terrifying for any enemy targets on the receiving end and awe-inspiring for soldiers receiving its assistance. It has a payload of 75,000 pounds of ordnance, 5,000 pounds more than the comparatively ancient B-52s. The Lancer is capable of delivering up to 84 500-pound Mk-82 bombs on a target and is capable of shooting air-to-ground missiles, laying naval mines, and whatever else it can fit in its bomb bay. Initially, the plane could carry cruise missiles with a nuclear payload, but the capability was removed in 2011 after a four-year process. As with most military hardware of the stealth variety, exact performance specifications are classified. Still, it has a top speed of 900-plus miles per hour and has a range listed as "intercontinental," according to the United States Air Force. Simply put, the Lancer can get anywhere in the world very quickly. In 2023, the B-1 is the primary bomber of the United States Air Force, with 62 aircraft in active service.Republican Senator Offers Candid Explanation For Why Matt Gaetz’s Nomination Failed

Putin vows more tests of nuke-capable missile fired at UkraineFormer President Jimmy Carter, who aspired to build a "lasting peace, built not on weapons of war but on international policies which reflect our own most precious values," died Sunday in Plains, Georgia. He was 100. Carter was born James Earl Carter Jr. on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, to James Earl Carter Sr. and Lillian Gordy Carter. He spent his childhood in Archery, Georgia, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. While in the U.S. Navy, Carter worked as a submariner and was later assigned to the nuclear submarine program in New York. His work focused on reactor technology and nuclear physics and he oversaw the pre-commissioning crew of the country's second nuclear submarine. Following his father's death in 1953, Carter and his wife Rosalynn returned to his childhood home in Georgia where he had his first foray in politics serving on several community boards. Carter was then won a seat in Georgia's state legislature before being elected the state's 76th governor, an office he held from 1971 until 1975. Then-Gov. Carter announced his bid for the presidency in December 1974. Alongside Vice President Walter Mondale, Carter was elected the country's 39th president less than two years later. During his inaugural address , Carter pledged to make government "both competent and compassionate" and renew "our search for humility, mercy, and justice." His presidential library cites the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the Egypt-Israel peace treaty and the establishment of U.S.-China relations as Carter's major foreign policy achievements. Domestically, Carter and his administration supported energy, education and environmental reform, creating the cabinet-level Department of Energy and the modern Department of Education during his time in office. Carter ran for re-election but lost to Ronald Reagan, though he stayed in the public eye after leaving office. He founded the human rights-focused Carter Center and later worked alongside several subsequent presidents and foreign leaders on peacekeeping, humanitarian and other diplomacy missions. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Camp David Accords -- "itself a great enough achievement to qualify for the Nobel Peace Prize," the committee said -- and other humanitarian work. Carter was last seen on his 100th birthday. In a video published by the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park , the former president was seen with family watching an F-18 Super Hornet flyover from Naval Air Station Oceana in honor of his centennial. Carter also made a rare appearance out of hospice care in a wheelchair to honor former first lady and wife Rosalynn Carter at her funeral in February of 2023. She died on Nov. 19, 2023 at the age of 96. He is survived by his four children.