Tribute Quilt.

A tribute is being made to honor those of the 203rd National Guard Unit stationed in Iraq. The quilt was put together by the women of the Tom and Lela Fullerton family, Pat Beasley, Lin Fullerton, Shirley Fullerton, Helen Hunter, Betty Still and Jan Whitworth.

The quilt was made with camera photos printed onto fabric and the individual pieces sewn together. Helen Hunter says that a special solution was used on the fabric in order for the printing of photos to adhere to the fabric. Hunter reported that the quilt started out small with a few photos, but with the help of members from the Family Support Group, the number of photos grew along with the size of the quilt.

Hunter explained that the Fullerton family does not have any relatives serving in the military, but they felt this was a way to show support for the soldiers in Iraq.

"We picked the 203rd," said Hunter, "because it is stationed out of Carthage."

Once completed, the quilt will be on display in Abbey Title Company, 120 East Fourth Street.

The quilt will be donated to the families of the 203rd Engineering Battalion and will then be raffled off to raise money for the 203rd’s homecoming party.

According to Hunter, there is no official word as to when the servicemen and women of the 203rd will be coming home.

Wildlife Exhibit Opens this Friday.

by Lee Sours, artCentral

An artist’s reception will be held Friday, April 16, from 6-8 p.m. for the wildlife artist Kevin Guinn and the Art of Discovery young artists. This event is free, open to the public, has great art and serves food. How good is that?!

The Main Gallery exhibit features acrylic (not watercolor as I stated previously) wildlife paintings. These paintings have won at several wildlife art competitions. And there will be fox, duck, and bobcat taxidermy. Wildlife art enthusiasts will love this show!

The upstairs gallery will feature artwork by young artists of ages 8-14. The Lewis and Clark expedition is the theme of this show. Participants are from Carthage, Jasper, Lamar and Joplin. They have studied the expedition and show that by the subjects in their art: Sacajawea, Seaman, journal entries, river travel, deer, beaver, prairie dogs, wildflowers, maps and trails, tipis and more. I’m proud of how they really explored this subject.

The exhibit at Shellie’s restaurant will be changing next week. I’ll miss the paintings of Judy Maurer, but I’m looking forward to seeing the photography of Koral Martin.

HOURS: Tue-Fri 11-5 • Sun 12-5
Closed Sat. and Mon. • 358-4404
ozarkartistscolony.com

Ever’ now and then I get the urge ta go campin.’ It usually passes fairly quickly, but ever’ couple a three years it seems ta be a good idea. It is always amazin’ to see a campsite develop outa some wooded area into a comfortable setting. After the initial choosin’ of the site, the two most critical placement decisions are the campfire and the latrine (or more likely nowadays, the portapotty). From there the "camp" pretty much is a matter of preference. (Naturally most try to be up wind of both.)

‘Course a large portion of time is spent around the campfire, mainly preparin’ and cookin’ meals. The activity also allows a good excuse for a nice nap afterward before ya start gatherin’ firewood for the next meal. Campin’ can be really relaxin’, as long as ya don’t forget ta pack the air mattress and the toilet paper.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

By Mari An Willis

Rain. That is the signal for the earth to let go in it’s explosion of color. It appears to turn from brown to green overnight and the sound of the lawn mowers begins! I always heard my elders speak of "time flying," now that I am an "elder," I see what they meant. How could it be past potato planting season already?

One early lawn beauty is the dandelion. It appears bright and early to remind those that kill it off to get off the spray and those of us that eat it to pick the earliest leaves for the most delicate flavor. Dandelion is good in salads as an added green, as is a little plantain and curly dock. The root of the dandelion has traditionally been associated with the cleansing of the liver. The roots are roasted and used as a coffee substitute thus incorporating the benefits of the herb with one’s food.

Plantain is a broad leafed plant with slick dark green appearance. I think it is pretty and sturdy. Folk usage is as broad as the leaf itself. It is commonly used on stings and bites. The leaf is bruised or chewed and the juice is rubbed onto the sting to ease the pain. The seeds are commonly used in laxative formulas as it is a fibre. You may recognize it as psyllium seed.

* This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. References available by request. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.