Committee Says It's a Good Sign.

The City Council Budget/Ways and Means Committee voted Monday evening to recommend appropriating funds for new City limits signs. The signs are being purchased from the State Highway Department and will be placed on the north and south boundaries on 71 Highway, and on the east and west boundaries on Highway 96.

The $4,600 originally estimated did not include a ten year vandalism and maintenance contract according to Mayor Kenneth Johnson. That added approximately $2,000. The Committee voted to recommend up to $6,000 for the project. Half will come from the Lodging Tax fund and half from the Civic Enhancement fund.

The signs will feature a large Maple leaf and recognition of Carthage being the childhood home of astronaut Janet Kavandi on a separate plaque.

Committee member Bill Putnam, Jr. moved to approve the recommendation with the stipulation that a policy would be developed to designate how other individuals could be chosen for recognition and a procedure for rotation. The Public Service Committee will formulate that policy.

I’m a slow learner.

It took me ‘bout three trips down Grand Avenue last week to finally get the idea it was not a quick way to get to the south part a town.

The Marian Days Celebration of course was in full swing and in typical fashion was a hub of activity. From what I observed and other reports, it seem like a fairly routine festival. ‘Course havin’ fifty or sixty thousand folks over for the weekend is hard ta classify as routine.

After workin’ 24 of these events, the police, street, and fire departments seem to have the job of movin’ traffic, keepin’ fire lanes open, and emergency vehicle availability down. Their expertise, along with the cooperation of the organizers, neighborhood and community makes Carthage shine.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

Whoops! Summer is almost over and my kids’ reading goals have slipped to the back burner.

The summer reading projects their teachers sent home on neon-orange paper are fading on the fridge door covered from view by pizza coupons and postcards. But it’s not too late to tune up!

If your kids need a reading boost too, here’s a fun incentive activity that will have your whole family turning pages until fall. It’s a zany paper caterpillar that grows with each new book you read. This conversation piece may hang from your stairway or creep across your mantel or kitchen window.

Cut colored construction paper in circles, three inches in diameter. On the first circle, draw a caterpillar face. It’s fun to form the caterpillar’s mouth with the letters of your kids’ names.

For each book your children read or that you read to them (encourage the teens in the family to read to the younger ones, too), write the book’s title on its own circle. Decorate the circle with markers and stickers in bright colors. your children may take a theme from the book for inspiration. For example, if their first choice is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, draw pictures of several of the foods the caterpillar ate in the story. Paste the circle to the preceding circle, allowing for a half-inch overlap.

For older readers who enjoy chapter books, let them fill out a circle for every 50 or so pages.

Mom and Dad may also record the books they read. Setting a good example is one of the best ways to encourage children to become lifelong readers.

Watch your reading caterpillar grow. Maybe it will grow into another room! On the last day of vacation, measure the caterpillar with a yardstick and celebrate the achievement.