The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Thursday, November 8, 2001 Volume X, Number 102

did ya know?

Did Ya Know?. . .The Carthage Public Library’s Winter Reading Clubs begin sign-ups on Mon., Nov 12. "Record Breaking Readers" (preschool-6th grade) will log time reading for incentives and drawing prizes until Spring Break 2002.

Did Ya Know?. . .Project Graduation is holding a Pancake Feed from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the First United Methodist Church. All you can eat for $5. Businesses can still donate to Project Graduation 2002. Call Nita Robinson at 358-5468.

Did Ya Know?. . .The Carthage Masonic Lodge #197 will meet on Thurs., Nov. 8th. They will be working in the 2nd Degree. All Masons are welcome to attend.

Did Ya Know?. . .The Carthage Water & Electric Plant’s Water Department is beginning their annual program to flush and test fire hydrants. Hydrants are tested once each year to insure reliability. Customers may experience water discoloration. Water will be safe within 20 min. after testing.

today's laugh

If you get sparks out of your fork and knife, you’re eating too fast.

If you want to hear everything, keep both eyes open.

What you don’t know doesn’t hurt you, but amuses a lot of people.

1901
INTERESTING MELANGE.

A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

ELKS SOCIAL EVENING.

At their handsome lodge room on the upper floor of the clubhouse the Elks last night initiated five candidates as follows: Maj. J. L. Moore, Dr. Barnett, Wesley Halliburton, Arthur Havens and Thos. Waddell.

The goat got in his first work on Dr. Barnett and Wesley Halliburton which so winded him that he let the other three off comparatively easy. Following the initiation oysters, pickles, olives, etc. were served in the beautiful dining room on the first floor.

During the progress of the repast, toasts were responded to by Cor. Roach to the sentiment "The Carthage Elk a Model Citizen," and Chas. Blair, "Our Herd." The latter proved himself a second Chauncey Depew and was frequently greeted by laughter and applause. Judge J. L. Bright read a humorous article entitled "The Goat."

Over a hundred members were out and the meeting was a rousing one from start to finish.

B. L. Briles who served the oysters came near being unable to fill his contract. He placed his order for oysters so that it reached Kansas City on Wednesday, but the last train from Kansas City arrived and no oysters came. He then sent messengers out to search Carthage and Joplin, but there were few oysters to be found and as no shipments from any point had been made. However, he managed to gather together twelve cans and by good management these were ample, though the caterer was given a big scare.

  Today's Feature



Joint Effort Encouraged.



The Tourism/Lodging Tax Committee meeting at City Hall resulted in several proposals as to how the recommended Convention and Visitors Bureau should be organized. The Committee, appointed by the Mayor, was formed to bring recommendation to the Council on the best way to use the Lodging Tax revenue projected to be around $132 ,000 a year.

Board Chair Dexter Friesen presented two variations of a proposal that would put the CVB in the Chamber of Commerce. One proposal was for a part time CVB director, the other for a full time director. Friesen also entertained the idea of putting the CVB in Main Street Carthage.

A request was eventually made to once again look at the Chamber and Main Street working on a plan to bring both organizations into one building that would also support a CVB. Chamber Director Max McKnight and Main Street Director Carol Green thought they could have some information on that idea for the next Committee meeting on December 5.

Victorian Carthage Director Leann Keepper told the Committee that Friesen’s proposal would put their organization out of business. Funding for operation of the Kendrick Place and the Carthage Historic Preservation Phelps House would be discontinued after 2004.

Keepper also distributed a proposal that suggested that the CVB hire the Main Street Director to also be the director of the CVB. Green would then have two boards, independent of each other, guiding her various assignments.


NASCAR to the Max

This weekend’s race takes place in NASCAR’s most tropical climate, Homestead, Florida, which is approximately 25 miles south of Miami. The track is a 1.5 mile oval with very little banking through the corners. NASCAR has only been racing here since 1999 and only visits the track once a year making it a difficult track to critique historically. Tony Stewart has won both races held at Homestead and will likely contend again this year.

Flat track specialists Dale Jarrett, Jeff Burton, and Stewart’s team mate Bobby Labonte will be among those who pace the 43 car starting grid.

Last weekend’s race from North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC was uncharacteristically uneventful. The race is usually slowed by several caution periods throughout the race but was under caution only twice for 16 of the 393 laps. The lack of caution periods throughout the race meant chassis changes, which often times slow a pit stop, were kept to a minimum. Several top teams struggled throughout the race, most notably this years likely Winston Cup Champion, Jeff Gordon, who finished three laps down in 25th. His closest rival in the championship hunt, Ricky Rudd, finished 8th and closed to within 326 points which is a nearly insurmountable difference with only 3 races remaining. Lame Duck driver, Joe Nemechek, who is leaving the Andy Petree team at year’s end, was the eventual race winner. Nemechek is rumored to be driving for Travis Carter for the 2002 season. Nemechek’s closest competition throughout the day was Kenny Wallace who is substituting for the injured Steve Park. Wallace’s 2nd place finished matched his career best.

Nemechek’s win made him the 17th different driver to win an event this year. This is a NASCAR modern era record, which dates back to 1972. Prior to 1972 there were often over 50 races in a season, with a few being run on dirt tracks. With 3 races remaining there is a possibility that the record could be further stretched.

Terry Labonte remains the only driver to start every race this year yet not lead a lap.


Note for Note.
sponsored by Main Street Mercantile


The Signature Quartet.

Combine four talented individuals, great Gospel Music, an energetic sound, and an intense love for the Lord, and you’ve got the winning combination of The Signature Quartet.

The Signature Quartet’s purpose is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people of all denominations and backgrounds through the medium of gospel music and Christian witness. Scott Luton, Angie Morgan, Jason Percy, and Nathan Terry comprise this vocal team bursting with excitement and encouragement.

Most gospel groups usually find their musical style and stay within those confines. The Signature Quartet, however, has broken down many musical barriers with their versatility. Instead of placing the emphasis on the song’s style, they choose to focus on the song’s message, selecting material that they feel best conveys their love for Christ and their commitment to his ministry. This outlook contributes to The Signature Quartet’s unique sound. The group’s musical selection ranges from Southern Gospel to inspirational, giving them a universal "family" appeal that will delight all age groups.

Holding fast to their Christian values, The Signature Quartet constantly strives to pass these values along to their audiences by presenting a quality musical ministry.

Wilders.

For the best of 1920’s string band music, 1930’s country, and 1940’s honky-tonk, The Wilders are hard to beat. For the past several years, these four dynamic musicians have entertained audiences with vintage country classics as well as seldom-heard gems. From honky-tonks to festivals and everywhere in between, fans throughout the Midwest enjoy the charismatic singing of Ike Sheldon; award winning fiddling of Betse Ellis; Phil Wade’s versatility on dobro, banjo, & mandolin; and Nate Gawron’s strong rhythm on string bass.

Like other string bands of the 1990’s, The Wilders play early Country music with a passion and energy that blows the dust off these wonderful old tunes and reminds us how exciting this music can be. You’ll hear the songs of Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams side-by-side with old time fiddle tunes and string band songs from early radio days — when you see how much fun this band has, you’re bound to grin (maybe even hop up and start dancing)!

The Wilders have brought their music to events such as the Walnut Valley Festival (Winfield, Kansas), The Great American Music Festival at Silver Dollar City, Santa Fe Trails Bluegrass Festival, Clay County Fair (Spencer, Iowa), Kansas City Spirit Fest, Nashville's Bluegrass Inn, Frazier Farm Tickfest, and many others. They were invited to perform at the 1999 National Old-Time Music Festival (Avoca, Iowa) after winning third place in their 1998 band competition (at the same festival, Ike Sheldon placed in the Jimmie Rogers Yodeling Championship). Also in 1998, Betse Ellis’ old time fiddling earned her the Kansas State Fiddling Championship, Mid-America Old Time Fiddling Championship, and finalist standing in the Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddling Championship. And, as artists on Kansas City’s Rural Grit record label, they are a key part of KC’s growing vintage country-influenced music scene. But that’s not why you should see The Wilders… see them because you love Country Music as much as they do.


Just Jake Talkin'

Mornin',

Since the voters passed the Lodgin’ Tax increase in April, the revenue has increased significantly. Last year the tax generated a little over $66,000. This year, through October, the tax has generated $82,795. A fair improvement in cash, but at a rate of about 6% less than last year at this time.

Since the tax is now 4% of room rates, fluctuation in what motels charge for rooms could skew the numbers some. If rates were reduced to entice customers, the tax collected could drop even though the same number of rooms were sold.

Indications were at the Lodgin’ Tax Committee that there have been less overnight stays this year compared to last. The fact remains that the tax is generatin’ less than expected and the tourism industry is takin’ a hit this year.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Sponsored

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Weekly Column

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

by Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray: My husband likes to drive with the windows open instead of using the air conditioner. He claims the outside fresh air keeps him from getting sleepy. We are about to go on a trip, and I would like your opinion on this, since the noise from the outside air really gets to me. What’s your advice?- Irene

TOM: Separate cars.

RAY: This is one of those truly age-old husband-wife disputes. It can be traced back to around the same time wives started complaining that their husbands never kept around the cave.

TOM: It’s a tough one, Irene. I feel the same way that your husband feels. That stiff, varying breeze of fresh air on my face keeps me awake, too. And it does a much better job than the air conditioner. But my wife hates it. And just like you, it’s not the temperature or the breeze so much as the noise.

RAY: And as far as I know, no one’s ever come up with a good, practical solution to this problem. I mean, we can suggest many impractical solution:

TOM: You can buy a limo with the glass window between the front and back seats. Then he can stay up front with both windows open and you can sit in the back with the air conditioning, mini bar, television and maybe a boyfriend!

RAY: Or you can go to your local farm supply outlet and buy a cattle prod. That ought to keep him awake, huh?

TOM: I think the only reasonable solution is to compromise. You can share the driving responsibilities, and when he’s driving, the window can be open or partially open. When you’re driving, the window stays closed.

   

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