The Jasper County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Carthage Courthouse. Eastern District County Commissioner Jim Honey announced that Jasper County will have it’s 163rd birthday Thursday, January 29th.

Elected Officials are putting together a celebration and working to obtain sponsors to help fund the event. There will be cake and punch served next Thursday in the hallway of the Carthage Courthouse.

In other discussions, Honey reported that the Commissioners went to Jefferson City Wednesday. They met with the Elevator Safety Board to appeal for variances on recent citations by state inspectors on the elevator at the Carthage Courthouse.

"They were very receptive," said Honey. "We saved about $45,000 by going. It was very exciting."

Honey stated that the Commissioners agreed to the minor and inexpensive signs that needed to be in place.

"We have to put a sign upstairs that says, Authorized Personnel Only," said Honey. "And a data head plate on the elevator that says how much it weighs, who built it and how big the cables are."

Residing County Commissioner Chuck Surface stated that Honey did a great job putting the presentation together and the Board gave them permanent variances on the elevator so this matter shouldn’t come up again.

Artist’s Reception Friday at artCentral.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

A new exhibit with the watercolors, acrylics and oils of Joe Prater will be on display at artCentral from January 23 to February 27. An artist’s reception will be held Friday, Jan. 23 from 6-8pm. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

This artist has exhibited at numerous art shows in the four state area. He likes to paint landscapes, wildlife and western subject matter. His Choctaw heritage shows in his love of nature as a central theme in his paintings.

In the Members’ Gallery at artCentral, the oil paintings of Gary Younger are now on display. This Noel, Missouri artist likes to paint Ozark scenes with glowing skies.

Now showing at Shellie’s restaurant are the oils and pastels of Judy Maurer of northwest Arkansas. Judy has been interested in drawing and painting since childhood. She has won numerous awards and her work is in private collections in Colorado, Utah, Iowa, Arkansas and Missouri. On display at Shellie’s are some wonderful paintings of horses, mules, cattle and Ozark landscapes. We were very fortunate to come across this artist who has never exhibited here before!

HOURS: T – F 11 - 5

Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and Sat.

1110 E 13th • 358-4404

ozarkartistscolony.com

Those long awaited "high 50’s" are bein’ predicted for tomorrow. Looks like spring is just around the corner (‘cept for those short weeks of February and a little snow next week). At least we are on the backside of winter, makin’ it through December and the most of January without any serious interruption of routine.

I really think the breakin’ of routine is more bothersome to most rather than the cooler temperatures. Ever’thing seems ta take longer in the winter time. Lettin’ the car warm up, gettin’ the coals stirred, carryin’ the water from the creek, especially usin’ the outhouse.

I suppose it’s good ta slow down a little from time to time. Winter just makes us watch our step and plan a little more. Makes spring that much more appreciated.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

By Mari An Willis

It is so exciting to see the bulbs coming to the surface. Just when I get sick of winter, those little sprouts start coming out and I know I can hold out until spring and that last snow that will cover those jonquils that pop out a bit too soon. In the meantime, we have to deal with the run of flu that has plagued us so intently this year.

Elderberry is an herb that has anti-viral properties that can reduce cold and flu symptoms. Elderberries contain vit.C along with other ingredients to fight infection and increase the body’s ability to fight back.

Echinacea is an excellent immune enhancer. At a recent seminar with Steven Foster, an expert on echinacea, he explained that echinacea is not something to take all the time, but best taken at the onset of flu or cold and discontinued after the illness has run its course. Two good adaptogenic herbs to use as an everyday replacement for echinacea may be astragalus or ginseng, saving echinacea for times of illness.

Royal jelly is the food produced from honey and pollen for the queen bee. When the female eats the royal jelly for energy and stamina her life expectancy is aprox. 60 times greater than the average bee. It is utilized by the human body for the concentrated enzymes and amino acids and immunity support.

There are nice combinations of herbs to help fight these winter set-backs.

* 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.