Summer Junior Ranger Program.

George Washington Carver National Monument announces the 2010 Summer Junior Ranger program, geared for boys and girls 10 to 12 years old. Summer Junior Rangers spend three Saturdays, much of it outdoors, exploring the grounds of George Washington Carver National Monument.

Several exciting activities are planned. Jeopardy and a daily safety message begin each day. A storyteller will be "spinning yarns" at the 1881 Moses Carver House. The lye soap and laundry station will help junior rangers learn about one of Carver’s childhood chores. Painting, knitting, and a spelling bee are part of the fun. Junior rangers will learn to identify trees, read tree cookies, and go birding. To learn about cultural resources, participants will study the cemetery and make headstone rubbings.

Children will receive a badge, certificate, and special T-shirt. This program is free of charge, however space is limited and reservations are required, so please call the park to reserve a place for your child. The program runs each day from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The dates are: July 17th, 24th, and 31st. 417-325-4151

I’ve read where time is the real commodity of the day. The old sayin’ that I’ve got the time, if you’ve got the money may be loosin’ all relationship to the real world.

‘Course the fact that only a couple a generations ago folks worked twelve or more hours a day just ta get by often gets forgotten. With close ta 90% of the population livin in rural areas back then, most time was spent just tryin’ to keep food on the table and the barn full a hay.

The fact is, anyone wantin’ to live, as the pioneers did, in a home without runnin’ water or electricity, not havin’ an automobile, washin’ clothes in a tub, burnin’ wood ta heat and cook, without phones or computers, they would prob’ly have lots a time.

Time isn’t a commodity, it’s a given. The choices come in how we spend it. Today time is just earnin’ more interest.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Weekly Columns

HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

• This is an easy do-it-yourself project: Cut a bleach or laundry detergent bottle in half. Use the handle to scoop pet poop, and the bottom as a receptacle. You can line the bottom with a plastic bag and do the whole back yard. Tie the bag and dispose of it in the trash. Store-bought scoops can cost as much as $20!

• "I have a lot of plastic film containers around, since I still like to take regular photos. But I have found a use for them that crosses over into digital. I store a couple batteries in a container and stick it in my digital camera case. That way I always have a fresh refill ready to go." -- P.E. in Massachusetts

• After you have addressed a package using a felt-tip marker, either rub it with a white candle or cover it with tape to protect it from rain.

• A great camping tip: "To keep ants off your camp table, bring four clean tuna or cat-food cans. Fill them about three-fourths of the way with water and stick them under the table’s legs. The ants can’t climb up the legs." -- K.R. in Georgia

• Keep tablecloths and cloth napkins from creasing by rolling them around a cardboard tube and securing the ends with fabric ties. Store in a drawer.

• Clean the screens on your patio or window with a carpet scrap. Cut a carpet scrap to fit a block of wood, nail it down and use it to clean the screens.