Mine Rescue Training.

The City Council Public Safety Committee met for their regular monthly meeting in the Fire Station on Monday evening.

The Committee voted to allow personnel of the Fire Department to Virginia for mine rescue training.

Fire Chief John Cooper requested that he be allowed to send two men to Mine Rescue Instructor School in Virginia. According to Cooper, the only cost to the City would be transportation for the four day school. He spoke to the school and they will cover the cost of room and board and the tuition.

Cooper was made aware of the need for the training when America Cold sold its mining interests and the Carthage Fire Department was listed as the mine rescue organization. With no certified mine rescue personnel, Cooper said, Carthage would have to wait for a crew from Springfield in case of an emergency. Cooper also hopes to have the instructors train personnel at the mining operation as well as local paramedics.

In other business the Committee voted to accept a bid on eleven hand held radios and to recommend that the old command trailer be sold for the bid price of $250.

Accordin’ to Police Chief Dennis Veach, the City will again offer free taxi rides within the City New Year’s Eve. For the last couple a years, the City has made the service available for anyone wishing to use it.

Last year about 20 folks took advantage of the courtesy rides. Veach says that may not sound like a lot, but the effort is worth it if only one accident is avoided. He says more details will be available this week.

This year’s Christmas Party sponsored by the Department was well attended by just over 500 youngsters. Funds for the event came from citizen donations and a fund raiser by the Junior High students. Students also assist in the preparation and the presentation of the event says Veach. Another worthy tradition.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

The kids will love pounding hard candies into bits for unique, edible sun catchers! Here’s how:

Step 1: Prepare a batch of basic sugar cookie dough, or use refrigerated sugar cookie dough from your grocery store.

Step 2: Let children unwrap and sort colored fruit hard candies. Place each sorted pile into a plastic bag and fasten shut. An adult should set bags on a cutting board and carefully crush candy with a hammer or mallet. Empty bags into bowls, keeping colors separate.

Step 3: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface, using a flour-covered rolling pin. Roll to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out dough with medium- or large-size holiday cookie cutters that have been dipped in flour. Then use a smaller cookie cutter such as a star, heart or alphabet letter to cut out a shape in the middle of each cookie. Carefully place each large cookie on foil-lined cookie sheets. Sprinkle crushed candy evenly into the empty, cutout portion of each cookie. Make a hole at the top with a drinking straw.

Step 4: Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned and candy is melted. Let the cookies cool completely before carefully removing from the foil. String ribbon or yarn through the hole and the cookies are ready to hang in your window, tree or as a decoration on a gift bag or box.