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Olympic hero "fighting for her life" in intensive care

<p>In the world of gymnastics, few names shine as brightly as that of Mary Lou Retton. The Olympic gold medallist and legendary American gymnast has long been celebrated for her incredible contributions to the sport, etching her legacy into the annals of history. But now, a dark cloud of concern hovers over this American icon, as she battles a rare and relentless adversary: a severe form of pneumonia.</p> <p>The shocking news has shaken the hearts of fans and sports enthusiasts worldwide, as the daughter of the 55-year-old Retton shared the news that she is "fighting for her life" in an intensive care unit, unable to breathe on her own for over a week now.</p> <p>McKenna Kelley, Retton's daughter, recently set up a <a href="https://www.spotfund.com/story/a2e0582c-e62f-4e5b-a586-18349014f761" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fundraising account</a> to share her mother's grave situation and the urgency of her need for support. The emotional plea disclosed that Mary Lou Retton was uninsured, leaving the burden of her healthcare costs in the hands of her loved ones and well-wishers.</p> <p>In an emotionally charged post on the fundraising platform, Kelley wrote: "My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life."</p> <p>While respecting her mother's privacy, Kelley refrained from divulging further details about the nature of the pneumonia that has gripped Retton's life, instead requesting the one thing we can all offer – our prayers.</p> <p>Mary Lou Retton's remarkable gymnastics career needs no introduction. She etched her name into the annals of history during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, securing her place as one of the greatest gymnasts in history.</p> <p>At those Summer Games, Retton achieved an astonishing feat by winning five medals, including a groundbreaking gold in the individual all-around competition, a first for any American woman. Her achievements garnered her the title of Sportsperson of the Year by <em>Sports Illustrated</em> in 1984, a testament to her indomitable spirit and unparalleled dedication to her craft.</p> <p>At the time of writing, the fundraising account dedicated to supporting Mary Lou Retton had received an overwhelming outpouring of love and support. With more than 2,000 donors and counting, the campaign has already raised over $US300,000, surpassing its original goal of $US50,000.</p> <p>The outpouring of generosity underscores the enduring impact and admiration that Mary Lou Retton has left in the hearts of many.</p> <p>Beyond the gymnasium, Retton's influence extended into the world of entertainment, appearing in movies and TV shows, including a memorable stint on <em>Baywatch</em> in 1993 and the film Naked<em> Gun 33 ¹/₃: The Final Insult</em> in 1994. She also served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports during President George W. Bush's administration, underscoring her enduring commitment to promoting physical health and well-being.</p> <p>In recognition of her remarkable contributions to the world of gymnastics, Mary Lou Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997 and became the first woman to be honored by the Houston Sports Hall of Fame in 2020. Her legacy extended to the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame, inducted in 1992, and in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia, a street and park bear her name, a lasting tribute to her enduring impact.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Singer Stan Walker marries in private ceremony

<p>Singer Stan Walker has tied the knot with partner Lou Tyson in an intimate romantic ceremony in New Zealand.</p> <p>The couple, who first began dating in 2013, said “I do” in a private service last month.</p> <p>Given ongoing COVID restrictions both in Australia and in New Zealand - where they’re based - their plans for a big wedding were put aside in favour of a low-key ceremony with only immediate family.</p> <p>Tyson’s son, who Walker affectionately refers to as “Boy”, was their pageboy, while both of their parents were in attendance, as well as a celebrant.</p> <p>Walker’s siblings — he has three brothers and one sister — all live in Australia so they were unable to attend.</p> <p>But they’ve posted a hauntingly-beautiful video of their wedding on YouTube for all of their friends and family who could not attend – as well as fans. They’ve said they see it as a virtual bonbonnière to share with loved ones.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pqr2Q5f6-kI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>Plans for a huge event were put on hold</strong></p> <p>The couple had been planning a huge event with hundreds of guests, incorporating both of their extended large ‘whanau’, or family. But they’ve said they still intend to put on a big party in the new year when travel is hopefully back on the table.</p> <p>Tyson wore a traditional white dress, while Walker opted for loose-fitting silk pants and shirt.</p> <p>Walker, 30, first rose to fame when he won <em>Australian Idol</em> in 2009. He went on to become a top recording artist – both in Australia and in New Zealand. He also embarked on some successful television and acting projects.</p> <p>The couple have taken a while to get married. While Tyson has long been the love of Walker’s life, touring and recording commitments separated them in 2017 for some time and they went their separate ways. But they reunited in 2020.</p> <p>While lockdown means live gigs are currently off the table, Walker has been busy working on some new music. His eighth and ninth albums will be released this month and in October.</p> <p>As a backdrop to the couple’s wedding video, Walker sings his song titled: <em>Mateamateaone.</em></p> <p>He is a cancer survivor, who underwent treatment for stomach cancer a few years ago, and he is a passionate First Nations advocate.</p> <p><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

Relationships

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Lady Lou's papaya scones

<p>This recipe is inspired by Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen’s pumpkin scones. Lady Flo, the wife of former Queensland Premier Jo Bjelkle Petersen, was famous for her pumpkin scones which were credited for keeping her infamous husband in office for so long.</p> <p><em>Recipe by Lou Edney for Ruby Rise Papaya</em></p> <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p> <ul> <li>40g butter</li> <li>¼ cup sugar</li> <li>½ teaspoon of sea salt flakes</li> <li>1 egg</li> <li>1 cup of cooked reduced Ruby Rise Red Papaya* (cooled)</li> <li>4 teaspoons baking powder</li> <li>1 cup plain flour - 1 tablespoon (next time add 1 T back in)</li> <li>1 cup plain wholemeal flour</li> <li>¼ teaspoon turmeric</li> <li>⅛ teaspoon cardamom</li> <li>2 tablespoons plain flour for the bench</li> <li>1 large Ruby Rise Red Papaya</li> </ul> <p><strong>Method:</strong></p> <p>For the papaya reduction:</p> <ol> <li>Cut the papaya in half lengthways and scoop out the seeds.</li> <li>Peel the papaya and puree it in a food processor.</li> <li>Weigh a large saucepan and record its weight.</li> <li>Transfer the papaya to the saucepan and weigh it. Record the weight of the Papaya</li> <li>Cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until the papaya has reduced by over half (~45 minutes). 1kg fresh papaya will yield around 450g reduced.</li> </ol> <p>For the scones:  </p> <ol> <li>Preheat your oven to 230°C (fan forced).</li> <li>Beat together butter, sugar and salt in an electric mixer until light and fluffy.</li> <li>Add egg, beat well.</li> <li>Add papaya and beat well.</li> <li>Combine flours, baking powder and spices and stir into the batter by hand, being careful not to overmix.</li> <li>The dough is quite sticky but that is fine. Flour your hands. Turn dough onto a floured bench and lightly press into 2cm high slab.</li> <li>Cut into circles (4cm in diameter) with a floured cookie cutter.</li> <li>Place on a lightly floured tray on the top shelf of a hot oven for 12-15 minutes.</li> <li>Remove from the oven, allow to cool a little and serve with butter or papaya curd and cream.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Note: </strong></p> <p>As with all scone dough, it is important not to overmix this or you will end up with tough scones. Keep your touch light, knead it as little as possible, and only work it enough to just bring it together. When you have cut your scone rounds out, you can recombine the leftover dough to make more scones, but again, don't overwork the dough.</p>

Food & Wine

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Iconic Neighbours character to leave the show

<p>Almost three decades after his first appearance, <em>Neighbours</em> star Tom Oliver (who plays iconic character Lou) is set to leave Ramsay Street for good. Oliver is the second-longest serving soap star in Australian TV history, just weeks behind <em>Home and Away</em>’s Ray Meagher.</p> <p><img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/29310/tom-oliver_498x280.jpg" alt="Tom -oliver" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><a href="http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/10/tom-oliver-departing-neighbours.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TV Tonight</span></strong></a> reports his final storyline will begin on Friday, November 4, but that we shouldn’t necessarily expect a tragic exit. In fact, Executive Producer Jason Herbison hinted that Oliver may return for guest appearances in the future.</p> <p>“Tom Oliver is one of our all-time favourites and in Lou Carpenter has created one of Australian TV’s most iconic characters,” he said. “And, as with all things Ramsay Street, we try to keep our storylines unpredictable and surprising. Watch this space.”</p> <p>No matter how his storyline wraps up, one thing’s for sure – he will be dearly missed.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/10/a-country-practice-where-are-they-now/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Where is the cast of A Country Practice now?</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/07/prisoner-where-are-they-now/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Where are the cast of Prisoner now?</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/01/stars-who-launched-their-careers-on-australian-tv/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Stars who launched their careers on Australian TV</strong></em></span></a></p>

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93-year-old loves working in haunted house

<p>Haunted houses in the US make the perfect part-time job for high schoolers looking for a bit of extra cash, but as this Halloween-loving 93-year-old shows, it’s not just the kids getting in on the fun.</p> <p>Mary Lou Williams, a mother of five and grandmother of 10, took up the unusual gig five years ago as a way to make money to buy Christmas presents for her family. Little did she know, she’d become an attraction herself!</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/29282/12249727_908138305906684_5231533924615459247_n_500x500.jpg" alt="mary lou williams" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Her son Kevin, the manager of the Warehouse of Fear in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, approached his mother to fill in the position of a spooky retirement home patient trying to get back at her nurse.</p> <p>“Some just run through the room, and then some of them get so scared they back out,” the nonagenarian told <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/93-year-spooks-visitors-hometown-haunted-house/story?id=43013452" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ABC News</span></strong></a>, giggling. “I think sometimes they're kind of goofy. Some of them will say, ‘Oh, there’s grandma!’ I enjoy it and I enjoy the people I work with.”</p> <p>Tell us in the comments, have you ever had an unusual job like this?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/grandpa-graduates-at-88/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>88-year-old grandpa becomes China’s oldest university graduate</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/64-year-old-grandma-becomes-internet-beauty-icon/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">64-year-old grandma becomes internet beauty icon</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/dad-transforms-wheelchair-into-ghostbusters-car/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Dad transforms son’s wheelchair into Ghostbusters car</strong></em></span></a></p>

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