Sue's Morning Stretch: The crossword puzzle is 100

The first crossword puzzle was published 100 years ago!

• Even though the crossword puzzle made its debut 100 years ago, it wasn’t until 1924 that they became super popular, according to “CBS This Morning.” That’s when Simon & Schuster published its first book, which was a book of crossword puzzle. It was widely popular and launched the company, which now is one of the largest publishing houses in the country. If you’ve got a short name, heavy on vowels (Ito, Uma, Eno), good chance it’ll be in a puzzle, Will Shortz, crossword puzzle editor at the New York Times, told CBS’ Mo (short, but needs more vowels!) Rocca.
• New way to lose weight? Bet on yourself that you’ll lose weight and you could win big bucks, according to “Good Morning America.” At HealthyWage.com, you tell them how much you want to lose and in what time period. They tell you what you need to wager. If you really need the money, this could be the motivation. But what will keep the pounds off once the money’s been spent?
• OK, it won’t be in the morning, but still want to mention it. Steve Harvey will telecast his interview with President Obama that was done at the White House on his show Friday (in Chicago it airs at 2 p.m. on WMAQ-Channel 5). Harvey told listeners to his radio show (and remember, he hosts “Family Feud,” too; he’s everywhere that Steve Harvey is), they talked about family, raising daughters, kids getting drivers license and more family, life-type subjects. And the entertainer sounded pretty pleased with himself that he made the prez bust a gut a couple times. Not surprised; Steve Harvey is pretty darn hilarious, especially when he really gets going.

— Sue Ontiveros