Kellogg Lake Fountain.

Parks Department Manager Alan Bull reported last week that the reconditioned pump for Kellogg Lake was ready to be installed. Bull stated that the pump is ready for the water and should be installed soon.

According to Carthage Water & Electric the wiring for the pump is scheduled for installation tomorrow morning at the lake.

Bull stated that they may have a rededication for the Kellogg Lake fountain and perhaps coincide it with Kids Fishing Day scheduled for June 12th.

"It’s not a bad idea," said Bull. "Kids Fishing Day is coming up soon and there will already be people out at the lake."

The pump for the fountain was rebuilt late last year and a stainless steel pump housing box was made to help keep silt and debris out of the motor.

The Parks Department received a $10,000 grant from the Helen S. Boylan Foundation for the restoration project. The completed project will cost approximately $6000, $1300 for rebuilding the motor, $3800 for the pump housing box, and approximately $900 for new wiring, replacing cables and anchoring system.

Maturity prob’ly means different things to different folks.

Kids are often spoken of as bein’ mature "for their age." I’m not so sure the same qualifier shouldn’t be used for all ages.

‘Course we all know those "who never grew up." That, I would observe, has nothin’ whatsoever ta do with maturity. Nor do those who "act older than their age."

I suppose maturity has little to do with age and more ta do with attitude. To some of the younger set, bein’ grumpy seems to be a sign of maturity. No wonder some don’t ever wanna grow up.

Of course the myth that with maturity comes wisdom is prob’ly rendered most often by those who have neither.

I’m not sure what it is to "mature gracefully," but the fact is that most of us don’t.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Two Great Books for Homeowners

This spring’s book releases hold much information for homeowners and those shopping for a house. Two in particular are worth a look.

Plumbing, insulation, heating and structural elements are just a few of the subjects addressed in "Inspecting a House" (Dearborn Trade Publishing). Alan Carson and Robert Dunlop have been home inspectors for 25 years, and this new release reveals their depth of knowledge. This book is invaluable for several reasons: For the first-time homebuyer, a little knowledge can help avoid costly mistakes; and for current owners, a do-it-yourself inspection can uncover potential maintenance and repair issues before they really become a problem. Inspections prior to home renovations are also important in order to learn the amount of work that will actually be required.

The authors recommend hiring a professional inspector when purchasing or renovating a home. "Spending a few hundred dollars for a home inspection is well worth the expense when faced with having to replace an inadequate electrical system or a worn-out roof that could have been detected before the home was purchased," says Carson. Clean illustrations and clear instructions make this an essential reference, and at $17.95, it’s worth the small expense.

For homeowners looking to give their yards a facelift, or just improve a troublesome garden, give "The Weather-Resilient Garden" (Storey Publishing, $19.95) a try. Author Charles W.G. Smith offers a defensive approach to planning, planting and growing a hardy garden, from soil improvement to protecting fully grown plants from the hazards of wind, rain, drought, floods or ice. Region-specific guidelines are given, as well as a profile of 100 weather-tough plants, many of which both protect other plants and prevent soil erosion. Weather is always doing its best to hinder one’s best gardening efforts; fortunately, there’s a section on healing the garden after bad weather strikes, providing advice on solving damage from 11 different weather conditions for many types of plants and trees.

Henry Mitchell once wrote, "By the time one is 80, it is said, there is no longer a tug of war in the garden. ... All at last is in balance and serene. The gardener is usually dead, of course." With this book in hand, gardeners may win the tug-of-war a little earlier.