Twenty-Four Hours of Music.

Over twenty-four hours of acoustic music will be featured in the upcoming Summerfest 2001 music festival to be held in the Precious Moments Convention Center July 6-8. Summerfest 2001 is a non profit organization interested in promoting acoustic music of all kinds in the four state area. This is the 10th year the festival has been held. This is the first year for the attraction to take place in air conditioned comfort.

Included in the festival are over 40 different workshops on Friday and Saturday. Workshops on the mountain and hammered dulcimer, autoharp, fiddle, accordion, guitar, mandolin banjo, psaltery, saw spoons and the mouth bow will be offered. Nine national champions on various instruments will be featured in the workshops and in performances.

All music performed will be acoustic and will include a variety of bluegrass, folk, Irish, old time country, and gospel. Music and food vendors and old time crafts will be demonstrated in the convention center.

Admission is $5 per day, or $20 per day including the workshops. For complete schedules call Mike Tichenor at 358-1800.

You can imagine my amazement when the word psaltery (front page today) did not pop up in my spell check. I had to look it up (the p is silent) and is defined as an "ancient and medieval stringed instrument resembling a dulcimer." Pshucks, I shoulda been knowin’ that.

If ya haven’t made it to one of the past Summerfests, ya might be amazed at the instruments that make it on stage. There is always a saw or two, washboards, spoons, bones and one guy does a fine job playin’ a leaf. Bein’s how this year will be indoors, the heat won’t be an excuse for not droppin’ in this year. They are startin’ the stage shows at 10 in the mornin’ and runnin’ till 10 at night on Friday and Saturday. You will also hear some of the best pickin’ on traditional instruments too.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIMETIME WITH KIDS.

by Donna Erickson

Make family health and fitness a priority during the summer months of going and doing. Whether planning camping trips in national parks, seaside adventures or simple picnics and ball games close to home at a neighborhood park, healthy living is what the season can provide. Here are some ideas to help everyone in the family shape up!

• Great beginnings start with breakfast. Kids and adults can be more productive and feel better throughout the day when they eat breakfast. For families on the run, try some quick a.m. entrees that are nutritious, tasty and include healthy, fresh produce available this time of year. My kids love to smear low-fat cream cheese on a toasted whole-wheat bagel topped off with yummy slices of strawberries, kiwi, apples and grapes.

• Eat your veggies. Start now to plan your backyard or container garden to include plants your kids can eat! The wonder of planting a seed in soil, watching it sprout and grow to yield tasty lettuce, sweet beans or carrots for a summer supper is a marvel for both kids and adults. How about adding some tomatoes, green peppers, onions and oregano to the plot for fresh fixings for a mouth-watering pizza?

• Get in shape together. Teach one another school playground games such as hopscotch and jump-rope. Or find an easy-to-follow nature trail and let your children be the guides. Follow your energetic leaders and let their curiosity set the pace.

• Drink water. When you take a break from your activities, water is the easiest way to quench thirst. Those times when you opt for a flavored beverage, avoid soda pop or fruit-flavored drinks high in sugar. Instead, mix fruit concentrates with sparkling water for a healthy energy boost.

• Mark your progress. Make a record of your family fitness activities on a large sheet of tagboard you hang on your kitchen wall. Across the top, list your favorite family activities such as skating, biking, swimming, etc. Each time you enjoy an outdoor adventure, write the date and any memorable anecdotes under the appropriate column. At the end of the summer, you’ll have a fun record of your family’s activities.