Topics accidentally brainwashed Glen Fredericks, of Adamstown Heights, with one of our columns last week.
Glen picked up a copy of the Newcastle Herald and, as is his custom, he turned to the Topics column "to see what's going on in the world of fun and frivolity" before he reached the counter to pay for the paper.
"I think there was a bit of subliminal advertising going on here, because I found myself grabbing a few chocolate bars to go with my morning news consumption," Glen said.
Glen was referring to the chocolate-related puns in last Monday's edition.
This was right down Glen's alley. He's a chocolate connoisseur and a dad jokes aficionado. He runs the Premium Dad Jokes page on Facebook, which recently hit 450,000 likes.
Glen confessed that he recently got over an "addiction to marshmallows, nuts and chocolates".
"Not gonna lie. It was quite a rocky road," he quipped.
Being fascinated by the universe, he also sent us a photo of a "view of the Milky Way from the surface of Mars".
When it comes to puns, Glen always has a couple of Twix up his sleeve.
We can hear the Snickers, which is fine. We just hope this column gave you a Boost.
A Talking Frog
If we've brainwashed you into craving chocolate, a Freddo Frog might be an option.
Cadbury is featuring 30 species of critically endangered frogs from Australia and New Zealand on Freddo packets to raise awareness of the issue.
Freddo has partnered with major zoos and conservation groups, pledging $600,000 over three years for projects that will tackle threats facing the endangered frogs.
The "save the frogs" projects support breeding programs and restore habitat.
In Topics last Thursday, Dr Kaya Klop-Toker - of University of Newcastle - told us about threats to frog species during Amphibian Week.
The column reminded Tony Davis, of Elermore Vale, of an old Probus joke about a frog.
"An older man found a frog on his front step one evening after coming home from a Probus meeting.
"The female frog told him that a simple kiss on her forehead would turn her into a beautiful princess. She'd then live with him forever.
"He picked up the large green frog and put her in his top pocket. She immediately asked him, 'Didn't you hear me?'."
"Yes," the man replied.
"However, I don't know how I'd handle a beautiful young princess in my life at my age.
"But with a talking frog in my top pocket, imagine what an attraction I'll be at Probus and other gatherings. I'll be the star of the show."
- topics@newcastleherald.com.au
