New one family housing permits jumped to 17 for the month of May according to the regular report from the City Engineering Department. The total value of the homes was estimated at $1,196,000.

Other permits included 3 one family dwelling additions, 1 one family dwelling alteration, 3 one family dwelling repair, and 1 private storage shed.

Commercial building permits included 2 commercial alterations valued at $311,826 and 1 commercial carport.

Fees collected for all permits totaled $3,887 and included 28 building permits for $3,422; 29 plumbing permits for $320; 9 roofing permits for $90; 3 siding permits for $30; and 5 fence permits for $25.

Director of Engineering Joe Butler requested funding for an additional staff member for the department during the City budget hearings. He told the Budget Committee that increased work load was justifying an additional employee. The Committee denied the request citing lack of justification for the new position.

The Missourians To Perform At Main Street Mercantile.

The Missourians, the 4-States’ leading Southern Gospel Quartet, will be appearing in concert at the Main Street Mercantile in Carthage at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16th. This year marks the group’s 12th year together and comes during a time when Southern Gospel style music is enjoying a nation-wide revival of sorts. There is no mistaking the full, rich sound of the Missourians as they weave together a program that blends old-time favorites with chart-climbing hits from today’s leading songwriters.

When the group was formed in 1988 by Charlie Burnett, it was originally a male trio. The group sang with commercially available prerecorded tracks. In fact, the very first song they ever sang was "Tumbling Tumble Weed," which they sang along with a recording of the Foggy River Boys. Within a year the guys asked local piano virtuoso and teacher, Bob Durham, if he would accompany them until they found a permanent keyboard player. Bob agreed to do it on a temporary basis. Apparently, no one else was available, because Bob is the keyboard player to this day. He also does all the musical arrangements and handles their bookings. He is now the Missourian with the longest term of service.

Their original mission statement committed the Missourians to be good enough to sing on the same stage with any nationally known group, but to take that sound to people in the region who would not otherwise be able to hear top notch gospel music in person. Over the years the Missourians have experienced several personnel changes, always enhancing the sound.

The most dramatic change came in January of 1998 when Michael Clinton, a world-class bass singer, added his talent, shaping the sound into that familiar, traditional, full southern gospel quartet sound. The Missourians have acheived their greatest successes since becoming a quartet.

Nathan Terry, a Carthage, Missouri, native son and the youngest member of the group, sings the baritone part with a voice mature beyond his years.

Lou Gutheil sings the lead and is complemented by the rich tenor vocals of the newest member, Scott Luton, although you will often hear these two switching parts to add a different dynamic to some arrangements.

The group has produced 7 recording projects, the two latest of which, "Something New," and "Live in Kansas," are currently available at their appearences. "Live in Kansas," which was recorded last year at a concert at Coffeyville Community College, is also available on video. The Missourians also produce the weekly radio program "Make Mine Southern," on KKOW 860AM from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sundays. The program is sponsored solely by the Missourians, the Crusaders for Christ of Neosho, the Halls of Miami, and the Revelators of Cassville. "Make Mine Southern" features favorites old and new from nationally known artists as well as recordings of the sponoring groups.

In addition to their regular concert schedule, the Missourians co-sponsor several "Make Mine Southern Jubilee Concerts" throughout the year, featuring the sponsor groups of the radio program. This year the Missourians will host their Second Annual Maple Leaf Festival Gospel Concert in Carthage on October 20th. The Missourians appearance at Main Street Mercantile on June 16th is a fund and awareness raising event for the October concert.

For bookings contact: The Missourians, c/o Bob Durham, 2627 Matthews Street, Joplin, MO 64801.

For those who want to keep track of such things, the Mornin’ Mail will begin its ninth year at the first of next week.

A lotta folks are surprised at that fact. Most think the Mail (as we tend to call it) has been ‘round for longer than that. Part of the fixtures.

As far as newspapers go, nine years ain’t much. The fact that any of ‘em survive mist the computer age seems to go against the thinkin’ of many. I’m suspectin’ the main reason the Mail continues to be picked up ever’ mornin’ by large numbers of Carthage citizens is ‘cause it deals with things that actually effect their lives ever’ day.

We tend ta think the bigger some papers get, the more is left for the little guys ta pick up on. Plenty of it for what it is.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

by Donna Erickson

My mother sent my daughter a surprise envelope the other day filled with interesting beads in assorted shapes and colors for her jewelry-making projects.

But these weren’t the typical beads we find at our local bead shop; they were made out of potatoes!

Eager to make similar "cheap" beads ourselves, we experimented and came up with these steps for making a necklace. We think it’s a project your preteen or teen will enjoy too.

Peel and cut one large white raw potato into 1/2- to 3/4-inch chunks (with adult assistance). Poke each chunk through its center onto a bamboo skewer, making sure the chunks aren’t touching. (One potato will fill about four skewers.) Poke skewers into florist’s foam blocks for support, or set them on a wire cooling rack.

Let them air-dry in a dry room, turning the chunks every two to three days. Within two weeks, the potato chunks should be rock hard.

Paint the beads with acrylic paint. If you wish your beads to resemble stones such as turquoise, paint the chunk turquoise color. Let dry. Dab black paint on the chunk. Wipe off the black paint with a paper napkin and notice that some of the paint will be stuck in the crevices of the chunk for a realistic, natural look.

To string the necklace, thread a needle with fishing line, elastic or cording. String the potato beads, mixing them with other beads or charms you may already have.