Anchors for the Cosmic Distance Scale: the Cepheids U Sgr, CF Cas and
  CEab Cas
  New and existing X-ray, UBVJHKsW(1-4), and spectroscopic observations were
analyzed to constrain fundamental parameters for M25, NGC 7790, and dust along
their sight-lines. The star clusters are of particular importance given they
host the classical Cepheids U Sgr, CF Cas, and the visual binary Cepheids CEa
and CEb Cas. Precise results from the multiband analysis, in tandem with a
comprehensive determination of the Cepheids' period evolution (dP/dt) from ~140
years of observations, helped resolve concerns raised regarding the clusters
and their key Cepheid constituents. Specifically, distances derived for members
of M25 and NGC 7790 are 630+-25 pc and 3.40+-0.15 kpc, respectively.
