Today's Feature

Public Hearing for Annexation.

The Carthage City Council will meet this evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Items on the agenda include a public hearing for the municipally-initiated annexation of Southwind Acres. This is the third public hearing for the proposed annexation, during which residents of the area are allowed an opportunity direct questions directly towards members of City Management.

Council is also scheduled to hear the first reading of ordinances that would establish reservation fees at City parks. The fees are to remain the same as what they have been, but the ordinance would officially set the rates. The price for reservations is $25 for smaller shelters and $100 for larger shelters. Parks Director Alan Bull, during the Public Services Committee meeting where this item was forwarded to Council, noted that the fees are not for rental of the pavilions, but for reservations.

Council will also hear a proclamation for National Feral Cat Day, and will have refreshments furnished by the teacher sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa, showing the sorority’s appreciation to City officials.

Mornin'
Sometimes with all the activities goin’ on durin’ the Maple Leaf festivities, it’s easy ta overlook the little things that go on. That may be because hardly anyone sees all the little things that go into makin’ the festival a success. The hours of plannin’ and makin’ sure all the little details are taken care of.

Ever’one out on the street just expects a great parade with all the bands and the floats and a horse or two. And there’s that least noticed but greatly appreciated cleanin’ up process following those horses.

The problem most visitors have durin’ the festival is they just don’t have time ta really see all that Carthage has ta offer. That means they’ve got ta come back sometime durin’ the year and spend a little more time if they want ta take it all in.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

To Your Good Health
By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

A Headache That Can Blind

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Recently I began having severe headaches. I finally drove myself to the emergency room at a nearby hospital and, after numerous tests and a biopsy, the diagnosis was temporal arteritis.

The doctors prescribed prednisone. Since taking it, I do not have the headaches. However, I am very weak and have no energy. The doctors tell me I must keep taking the prednisone or I could go blind. Will you comment? -- K.Q.

ANSWER: Temporal arteritis is artery inflammation. Since the temporal artery -- the one at the side of the head (the temple) -- often is involved, that’s how the name came about. In addition to the headache, the scalp often is tender. Sometimes patients are anemic. Its cause is still nature’s secret.

The urgency of temporal arteritis is the fact that the artery that brings blood to the eye’s retina is often inflamed too. Without prompt treatment, the retina can lose its blood supply, and the person is then blind. This happens to half of those who get no treatment or whose treatment is delayed.

The diagnosis can be made by taking a small portion of the temporal artery for microscopic examination. One simple lab test, the sedimentation rate, is high in people with this condition, and it confirms the suspicion that temporal arteritis is responsible for the headache and other symptoms.

Prednisone is one of the powerful cortisone drugs, the best inflammation-fighting drugs we have. It’s unusual for your symptoms of weakness and lack of energy to come from prednisone. It usually has the opposite effects. Temporal arteritis, however, can make a person listless and pooped out. Give the medicine a chance to work.