Main Street Ideas.

Carol Green, Director of Main Street Carthage, outlined proposed ideas to enhance customer traffic to the Square in an informal meeting held last Wednesday evening.

Over twenty interested merchants and city officials attended the forty-five minute session to express concerns and get ideas about what can be done to bring people to the downtown area.

Green told the group that all of the proposals she was suggesting had not been approved by any board or committees, but wanted comments and suggestions as the ideas were developed.

One of the ideas that was received well by the group were to have planned activities on the Square for at least thirty Saturday afternoons a year. Green also suggested targeting a specific community near Carthage and making a special day for customers from that community coming to Carthage to shop. Suggestions included free tours on the Double Decker Bus, discounts on merchandise and services, and a general VIP treatment.

Weed Control and Cover Crops.

by Marion Mitchell, Agriculturalist

Cool-season broadleaf weed control with postemergence herbicides is most effective from about mid-September through the end of October. Why? Because during the fall, perennial weeds such as dandelions are growing vigorously and are translocating assimilates to the root system in preparation for winter. Consequently, fall-applied herbicides are translocated to the roots and the entire plant is killed. During the spring, dandelions and similar weeds are funneling resources to the shoots and flowers, so less herbicide reaches the root system and the weeds may recover.

Summertime applications often are less effective because weed growth has slowed and the plants do not take up the herbicide as readily as in the spring and fall.

Another good reason to treat now is that trees, shrubs, and other garden plants are much less susceptible to herbicide drift injury than in the spring and summer. Still, injury can occur in windy conditions, so do not spray if the wind speed exceeds 5 mph. Amine formulations will give effective control and are less volatile than the esters.

Postemergence broadleaf herbicides should not be applied to turf that is drought-stressed or when temperatures are above 80 degrees F. Best control with postemergence herbicides such as trimec will be achieved when the weeds are actively growing, i.e., when soil moisture is plentiful and air temperatures are in the 60 to 75 degree F range. Do not mow for several days before and after the application to allow for maximum uptake and translocation of the herbicide. Do not water for at least 24 hours after application, and do not treat if rain is expected within 24 hours. Remember, always read and follow the herbicide label instructions carefully.

Ideas are, as are opinions, like belly buttons, ever’one has at least one. The real test is whether ideas are acted on and continued through.

That is the test for the Square and of course Main Street Carthage, to make it happen. From the enthusiasm and support shown at last week’s meetin’ at Main Street, I’d say there is a good chance that somethin’ is startin’ to happen. Merchants are ready and willin’ it appears to support any activity that has a chance of drawin’ attention to the unique setting of the Carthage Square.

With the support of the City and organizations like the Boylan Trust, there is a likelihood that Ms. Green will have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to get the ball rollin’.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

Had an unexpected guest this morning . . . David Williams. If you recall David was the man who was passing through on his run from Chicago to L.A. the entire length of Route 66. He looked fine! His health held out except for a 6 day layover to treat a lower back problem. Said it was quite a nice trip all in all, but the most impressive thing was on his trip home (after Sept. 11) the overwhelming numbers of people displaying their patriotism. Route 66, according to David, is the "life road" of America comprised mainly of small town America still surviving and supporting the old ways, occupied by mostly home owned/operated businesses which were eager to express support for their heritage. Carthage is among those small towns that still maintains that atmosphere. Hardworking self-employed business people set the stage for it to remain that way be presenting "individual" faces and fronts recognizable as the "American Way" along Route 66.

Time to be gathering in the last of the herbs. Boneset is ready to gather for those aches and pains accompanying flu, colds, or just plain soreness. The mullein is about past it’s peak, but still some there to harvest for any lung related condition. To dry just spread out on paper, turn twice a day until dry and store in a brown paper bag in dry place. I check mine a few times just to make sure no moisture is gathering on the bag, if so, just change bags. Moisture can cause the leaves to mold and should not be used.