Today's Feature

Mudstock 2008.

Mudstock, the annual mud obstacle course for Carthage kids, will be held on Saturday, July 19 from noon to 3:00 p.m. behind the Carthage Walmart.

The obstacle course has historically included swings (for initial entry into the mud), hills of mud (for climbing over), trenches (for swimming through) and many large pits of mud which must be navigated in order to reach the other side. Children are allowed multiple attempts at the course.

A large fire-hose is sprayed from a firetruck ladder raised up to the sky, so that children may partially clean themselves prior to re-entering the family car.

Mudstock is a free event for Carthage kids. The slogan for this year’s event is "Messy Outside... Clean Inside."

A signed permission form is required to attend, as well as a shirt, shorts (or jeans), shoes (no sandals or flip-flops) and socks. Participant’s shoes are taped to their feet with multiple layers of duct tape, to decrease the chances of shoe-loss in the mud pits. Parents and guardians of kids 12 and under must stay on the grounds.

Permission slips will be available as an insert in Thursday’s Mornin’ Mail.

Saw the guy on PBS the other day that uses household stuff to keep the yard and garden in good health. He says that sprayin’ the yard with diluted dish washin’ liquid will give bugs the runs and they’ll go to the neighbor’s yard.

He says sprayin’ beer and soda pop will the yard clipin’s dissolve easier and get the yard breathin’ better. He also says workin’ in the yard in golf shoes help to break the surface so the yard breathes easier.

Now I haven’t had the opportunity to try any a these little bits of wisdom as yet, and I don’t have any golf shoes. I’ve often wondered how they kept those golf greens lookin’ so good.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’

Here’s A Tip

By JoAnn Derson

"Whenever I walk my dogs, along with doggie bags for cleaning up their messes, I also bring an extra plastic grocery bag with me. I often see empty bottles, cans and other trash that has been haphazardly thrown to the side of the road by environmentally unfriendly motorists and passersby. I’ll pick up what I can along the route and throw the bag of garbage away in the Dumpster when the dogs and I return home." -- C.E. from Florida

Another great icepack idea: Keep a bag of unpopped popcorn kernels in the freezer to use as an icepack for bumps, bruises and swelling. It’s easy to mold to any body part, and there’s no melting!

To deter grass from growing in the crevices of patio stones, sprinkle the stones with a little salt, then sweep it into the cracks. Be careful not to use too much, though.

"I mash my guacamole with a whisk instead of a fork. It does a super job." -- O.L. in North Carolina

To make potatoes last longer, don’t store them with onions. The onions give off a gas that can speed deterioration of the potatoes.

If you have an old rubber glove that has just about outlived its usefulness, don’t toss it yet. Cut off the fingers and slip the tips over the handles of brooms and mops. When leaned against a wall, the handle won’t slide down -- it’s instant nonslip. You also can cut strips from the wrist portion and use them as large rubber bands for bundling newspaper or other materials.