Today's Feature

Slim Agenda.

Carthage City Council will meet Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The agenda only contains three items including the second reading of an ordinance adding a new section to City code concerning payment of fees, taxes and license charges under protest. Other items include a budget amendment and a resolution entering into agreement with the Carthage Soccer League.

Maple Leaf Grand Marshall Announced.

News release

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce, along with the Maple Leaf Festival planning committee, is pleased to announce the selection of the 42nd Annual Maple Leaf Parade Grand Marshall, Mrs. Marge Housh of Carthage.

"Selecting a Grand Marshall for the parade is one of the biggest challenges our planning committee faces each year," said Amber Carrier, Director of Members Services for the Carthage Chamber of Commerce. "All the nominees are very deserving of the honor. Narrowing it down to one can be extremely difficult."

Carthage residents were asked to submit their Grand Marshall candidates beginning in June. Acceptable candidates must have resided in, or are current residents of Carthage and have made a significant and positive impact on the community and its residents throughout their lifetime.

Marge Housh was distinguished as the 2008 Woman of Distinction in the Joplin Business Journal.

Marge retired from Carthage Water & Electric after 16 years, and went right back to work for Southwest Missouri Bank as the customer service representative for the senior lifestyles program.

Marge volunteered for years in the Soroptimist Club and is now in the Silver Haired Legislature.

Marge Housh has served on the boards of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, the Salvation Army, the United Way and St. Luke’s Nursing Center. She is also a member and treasurer for the First United Methodist Church in Carthage.

"It’s a pleasure to have Marge as our Grand Marshal this year, "said Amber Carrier.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 358-2373.

Mornin'

So this mouse was runnin’ along a muddy country dirt road one day and slipped into a rut in the road. A rabbit friend came hoppin’ by and the mouse pleaded for the rabbit to help pull him out of the rut.

The rabbit thinks the mouse needs to show a little initiative and get out on his own and hops on down the road to town.

A little later the rabbit was in the diner eatin’ a head a lettuce and sees the mouse comin’ along the edge of the road.

The rabbit steps outside and hollers, "Thought ya couldn’t get out of the rut."

"Had to," replied the mouse, "a car was comin’."

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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

Leaky Heart Valve Not Always Serious.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Six years ago, I had a heart attack that resulted in triple bypass surgery, and I had to have my mitral valve replaced. Last year, my cardiologist informed me that my new mitral valve and my original aortic valve were leaking a little. He told me not to worry about it. I do worry. If you have a leak in your pipe in your home, you have it fixed immediately. I would think that applies to the body too. What do you think? -- M.G.

ANSWER: You can’t compare heart valves to leaky pipes. They’re quite different, and they behave quite differently. Many people at older ages have slightly leaky heart valves that don’t interfere with heart action in the least. If the leaks were compromising your heart’s pumping, the doctor would have jumped right in with a suggestion for immediate repair.

Furthermore, unlike a pipe, valve leaks can but don’t always get worse.

Your doctor will check your heart regularly, and if the leaks are increasing, he will tell you then. For now, don’t dwell on them.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would like to know why you lose flesh with age, but not bone, nor skin, nor fat. -- L.J.

ANSWER: People lose muscle with age. The process is called sarcopenia (SAHR-coe-PEA-knee-uh). Muscles generate heat, and they serve as insulation. Shivering is a response to a cold environment. Shivering muscles give off heat.