The Final Stage.

Final preparations are being completed for the Carthage Acoustic Music Festival to take place on the Carthage Square this Saturday.

The event is sponsored by Main Street Carthage will feature nine different groups performing on stage from 1:30 p.m. until 10 o’clock at night. The festival will start at 10 in the morning with an open stage for anyone wishing to give an musical acoustic performance. No tapes or electrified instruments will be allowed.

The Carthage bluegrass group, No Apparent Reason will close the show and will begin their performance at 9 p.m.

"We have tried to bring a variety of acoustic styles to the show," says organizer H.J. Johnson of the Mornin’ Mail. "Although most of the groups do bluegrass, we also booked the five piece group Granny Chicks from Neosho who do more of a country style with great harmonies and feature two accordions. Coody’s Bluff does more of a country/folk style."

"We have three groups that will feature young talent," said Johnson. "The Harroll Kids from Diamond I would guess are all under 15 and do great traditional bluegrass. Kentucky 31 from Stockton has a mandolin player that I believe is ten. Dave Johnston and his teenaged son from Columbus, Kansas will kick off the show at 1:30."

"The Clayton Singers combine a bluegrass/country style with some gospel. Traditional bluegrass fans from this area are most likely familiar with the Johnson Family Bluegrass from Diamond and the Whisman Family from the Monett area."

NASCAR to the Max

Sunday’s MBNA 400 from Dover (DE) Downs International Speedway was a dual of pit crews and strategy as much as it was of pure racing. With 92 laps to go, Ricky Rudd emerged from a round of caution period pit stops with the lead. A few laps later, another caution period occurred with Rudd electing to maintain the lead and stay on the track while other challengers pitted for fuel and tires. Whether or not Rudd could race the final 92 laps on the one-mile track on a full tank of fuel was a big question. Rookie Jimmie Johnson chased Rudd down with less than 40 laps to go. As the final laps wound down, the final caution of the afternoon was shown with all of the cars on the lead lap pitting except Johnson. Rudd emerged in third place with plenty of fuel and four new tires. Rudd quickly passed Jeff Burton for second. Rudd’s fortune changed quickly. During his final stop a crew member failed to get all of the lug nuts tight and Rudd began experiencing a serious tire vibration which relegated him to a 19th place finish. Johnson was able to hold off hard charging Bill Elliott over the final few laps to card his second career victory.

This week the tour will take the racers to Pocono (PA) Raceway. The track is a 2.5-mile, fairly flat triangular shape with each turn having a different angle and banking which makes adjusting the chassis a challenge for the crews. It features the longest straightaway on the schedule and speeds will be near 200 miles per hour. Oddly, it also features one of the tightest turns (Turn 2) in the sport that requires the drivers to maneuver the turn in single file order. Exiting turn three, it is common for the cars to run 3, 4 or even 5 abreast down the long front straightaway before falling back in single file line for turn 1. Recent winners include Ricky Rudd and Bobby Labonte who will again be likely to pace the 43 starters.

If you are one a those who have never experienced a couple hundred musicians sittin’ ‘round in small groups pickin’ tunes in the shade, this is you chance to see it up close. In addition, there will be close ta twelve hours of entertainment on stage. The Carthage Acoustic Music Festival will take place on the Square this Saturday, 10 to 10.

Just as an added bonus, the Helen S. Boylan Foundation is pickin’ up the tab for your ticket. The Foundation, along with considerations from the City of Carthage, the Jasper County Commission, the Mornin’ Mail, and Main Street Carthage, is makin’ the event absolutely free to the public. Most festivals like this would be chargin’ from eight to twenty bucks a ticket. All you have ta do is show up and bring your lawn chair. The pickin’s free, you supply the grin.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

CLICK & CLACK
TALK CARS

by Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray: I want to buy a new or recent-model car but I am very tall and can’t find one that allows me to see out of the windshield without looking through the tinted glass at the top. Some models have enough headroom for me, but then I end up looking at the world through that blue tint. Do you have any suggestions for a sedan, minivan or utility vehicle that might fit me? - Charles

Tom: This is a tough question to answer, Charles, because everyone’s body is different. Some people come with very long legs. Some people come with long torsos.

Ray: Well, as a general rule, Charles, trucks tend to have more headroom than cars. So you might look at a sport utility vehicle based on a truck, like the Ford Explorer.

Tom: And in our experience, Japanese cars tend to be hard on taller people, too. So if you’re looking for a sedan, you’ll probably be better off with a big American or European model.

Ray: Finally, you should look for something with a height-adjustable driver’s seat. The more adjustments you can make, the greater the likelihood you’ll find a comfortable driving position.

Tom: But if you’ve already found a car you like that fits you, and the only problem is that blue "sunscreen," we have an even better solution for you. Just replace the windshield.

Ray: Right. Most windshields can be ordered with or without that screen. And if the dealer won’t order one for you on the new car (which he probably would do in order to make the sale), you can always go to an auto glass place and order one yourself.

Tom: Check first to make sure one’s available on the car want, but that solve you should your problem, Charles.