ODDLY ENOUGH

ODDLY ENOUGH

NYC ad campaign: Stay put if trapped in elevator

NEW YORK

New York City is starting an ad campaign that urges people to stay put if they’re trapped inside a stalled elevator.

According to the city buildings department, five people died and 51 were injured in elevator accidents last year. The agency says the worst deaths occurred when passengers tried to save themselves.

The Daily News reports that the “Stay Safe. Stay Put” ad campaign being launched Wednesday encourages elevator passengers to remain calm and push the elevator’s alarm button.

Other advice: Don’t try to pry open the doors or jump up and down. That could affect the brake system and shift the car. And don’t leave the car through any other means until emergency responders arrive. Also, don’t worry about a free-fall. The buildings department says that won’t happen.

Mr. U.P. Pageant winner

NEGAUNEE, Mich.

A 22-year-old man who says he’s a “genuine Yooper” has won the second annual Mr. Upper Peninsula Pageant at a historic theater in Negaunee.

Brady Skewis was crowned Friday night at the Vista Theater after competing in many categories, including “Yooper talent” and “Yooper swimsuit.” The oldest contestant was 61.

Theater director Andrew “Bear” Tyler says the show’s popularity “exploded,” with ticket sales topping the 2015 event when more than 250 people attended the pageant.

The winner is a Negaunee native who lives in Marquette. Skewis was asked to describe himself in three words. His reply: “Definitely not lumberjack.” The pageant was open to any man, 18 or older, who lives in the U.P. or was born there.

Onlookers heed call to aid largest square-dance attempt

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.

Some spectators at a Tennessee bluegrass festival jumped in at the last minute to help locals try to break the Guinness World Record for largest square dance.

Gloria Christy says they may have tipped the balance. She’s president of Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesboro.

The Daily News Journal reported 808 dancers were needed to break the record Thursday. Organizers counted 736 dancers before they put the call out to onlookers. Christy says she thinks 200 more people joined.

The potential record could take weeks to verify. Festival officials say regardless of whether they broke the record, they plan to do it again next year.

Associated Press