FARMLAND, Ind. (AP) – Seven women who usually gather to play cards are planning to show their neighbors exactly what they’re made of.

They want to strip down and pose for a calendar as part of the fight against plans to tear down Randolph County’s 128-year-old courthouse.

The women ranging in age from their early 70s to older than 90 will pose nude – with strategically placed miniature replicas of the courthouse in front of them – in the fund-raiser for the Save the Courthouse Fund.

“We just thought we have great bods so we thought we’d do it,” 76-year-old Iraida Davis-Leitch said.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) – The Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s new Humboldt penguins weren’t shy about coming out to meet the neighbors.

The zoo’s newest animals made their much-awaited debut Wednesday with a dance, parade and a literal splash before more than 300 onlookers and dignitaries.

After spending almost three months out of view while adjusting to their new home, the 18 penguins helped show off the zoo’s new $3.7 million “Penguin Coast” exhibit.

“They were a little reluctant initially – but there’s no holding them back now,” said Nancy Porter, the zoo’s aquarium collections manager. “Once they came out, they were quite comfortable.”

Right on cue, when zoo officials pulled back the curtains to display the new exhibit, a dozen of the penguins dove into the water and began “porpoising” – a playful trait of diving in and out of the water while swimming.

To celebrate the debut, zoo staff and employees wore tuxedo T-shirts.

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EVERETT, Wash. (AP) – When a would-be bride called off her wedding 12 days before the big event, she threw a party anyway – and invited the homeless.

Residents of the Interfaith Family Shelter attended the bash thrown by Katie Hosking, 22, a medical assistant, and her parents.

“They had a DJ and really good music. It was a warm, friendly atmosphere. The food was delicious. It was a nice break with people not worrying about anything for one night,” shelter manager Carol Oliva said.

One homeless woman got her son out of a wheelchair and danced with him. “It was a beautiful sight,” said Susan Hosking, Katie’s mother. “It was an eye-opener.”

The almost-bride would not say what led to the breakup, only that it happened 12 days before the scheduled June 6 date of her nuptials. Her parents knew they’d be stuck with the bill.

More than 50 family members and close friends were joined by about 40 homeless people, shelter workers and volunteers. The shelter staff arranged rides to the venue, a country club.

Instead of a wedding cake, a strawberry shortcake was offered, topping off a menu that included baron of beef, salmon, shrimp cocktail, fettuccine and fruit.

“Oh my gosh, we had so much fun,” Katie Hosking said.

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