THE POTATO WAR Beyond Belief by Ron Lyon and Jenny Pacshall

A World War II destroyer once defeated a submarine with the help of a seldom used weapon of destruction: potatoes.

The USS O'Bannon was on patrol off the Solomon Islands in April 1943 when it encountered a Japanese sub. The crew shot off the sub's conning tower, preventing it from diving, but the captain of the sub brought it so close to the destroyer that the O'Bannon's big guns couldn't be aimed at it… When the Japanese came top side, the gallant O'Bannon pelted them with potatoes. The Japanese thought they were being showered with grenades, threw their guns overboard, then panicked, submerged the sub and sank it.

When the O'Bannon was decommissioned, in the early 1970's, a plaque was made to commemorate the event, and donated to the ship, by the Maine potato growers.

CREATIVE MOTIVATION R.Digest 12/83 p. 98

As a music instructor, I work with many classroom teachers. One day I entered a 2nd grade class and began my lesson. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the teacher take out a bright-red lipstick and, very deliberately apply an enormous amount to her lips. How unlike her, I thought.

When the bell rang and I said good-by to an exceptionally well-behaved group of 7 yr. olds, the teacher said, "Class, I am sure Mrs. Johnson thinks that I have been acting very strange today. Who would like to explain?"

One boy spoke right up: "Mrs. King said that if anybody misbehaved today, she was going to give them a big kiss."

WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN? R.Digest 8/93 p. 123

Michael Caine recalls meeting with boxing great Muhammad Ali:

"At one point he asked me, 'Do you want to see my right hook?' A bit apprehensive, I said yes, hoping he would miss my chin in the demonstration. He stood absolutely still for a second or two and then said, "Do you want to see it again?'"

$5000 HAIRCUT R.Digest 1/95 p.67 (Joke)

A bald man took a seat in a beauty shop. "How can I help you?" asked the stylist. "I went for a hair transplant," the guy explained, "but I couldn't stand the pain. If you can make my hair look like yours without causing me any discomfort, I'll pay you $5000.

"No problem," said the stylist, and she quickly shaved her head.