Today's Feature

Park Funds Granted.

News Release

Gov. Matt Blunt announced yesterday that 22 Missouri communities have been selected for approval by the National Park Service to receive more than $1.7 million in federal grants to assist with park and recreation needs. The grants are part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is a federal program that can be used by local city, county and state governments and school districts to acquire, develop and renovate outdoor recreation projects.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources received 58 applications requesting more than $4.4 million in grant funding. The State Inter-Agency Council for Outdoor Recreation made the award recommendations. Grants were awarded to projects with the highest score based on meeting the recreational needs of the communities, planning goals and unique or specific attributes. The funds are made available through the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service and all projects require a 55 percent match.

"It is good that we can provide funds to help our cities, counties, and school districts provide these valuable facilities to the public. These recreation facilities help build stronger individuals and communities," Gov. Blunt said.

Following is a list of Land and Water Conservation Fund grant recipients, along with projects and grant amounts:

• Archie R-V School District, Athletic and Recreation Facility, $150,000

• City of Birch Tree, Downtown Park Renovation, $30,612

• City of Bonne Terre, Good Earth Park Development, $150,000

• City of Campbell, Park Safety Renovations, $17,286

• Canton R-V School District, Playground Renovation, $17,574

• Clark County R-I School District, Blackhawk Playground Renovation, 15,537

• City of Columbia, Flat Branch Park Renovation, $149,850

• Dadeville R-II School District, Playground Renovation, $6,898

• City of Kearney, Jesse James Park Amphitheater, $150,000

• City of Lake St. Louis, Accessible Playgrounds, $150,000

• City of Mercer, Fannie-Jones McKinney Trail Renovation, $11,698

• City of Morehouse, Public Park and Playground Development, $11,809

• City of Ozark, Ozark Finley River Greenway, $150,000

• City of Pacific, Liberty Park Development, $150,000

• City of Perryville, Soccer Park, $150,000

• City of Richmond, Southview Park Swimming Pool, $150,000

• City of Seneca, City Park Pool Renovation, $37,500

• City of Sugar Creek, LaBenita Park Shelter, $57,600

• City of Sweet Springs, City Park Playground, $22,319

• Thornfield R-1 Schools, Outdoor Recreation Area, $22,745

• City of Wentzville, Fireman’s Park Renovation, $80,685

• City of Willard, Recreation Activities and Connection Enhancement, $68,580

For more information about the grant program, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-334-6946

The thermos bottle, as the old story goes, is an ingenious device. Keeps hot things hot, cold things cold. But, the questions is asked, "how does it know?"

‘Course the obvious answer is it doesn’t know. It just does what it’s supposed to do and doesn’t ask stupid questions. ‘Course most questions aren’t stupid and deserve a rational answer, but just can’t be answered.

"Are we there yet" and the now famous "Can you hear me now" come to mind.

‘Course answers can be just as annoying, like "turn left a mile before the last stoplight."

Truth is that most folks say stupid things from time to time. The time to worry is when the rest of the crowd ya run with starts to notice.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

The "flying ants" which appear this time of year can be rather overwhelming. After being assured by the bug man that they were not termites, but just a kind of flying ant, I decided it was all I could stand of this spring nuissance. Out comes the aromatherapy!

I have found that Aromatherapy for Everyone by P.J. Peirson and Mary Shipley has become one of the simple favorites I use when a reference is needed on aromas. I knew to solve this insect problem that I needed to make an unfriendly air environment(not too unlike what is keeping people out of our town).

The first thing in mind was cedarwood which we have used since I was a kid for keeping away fleas. According to the book, the Egyptians used cedarwood in their mummification processes, cosmetics and to repel insects. The aroma is very pleasant like a freshly sharpened cedarwood pencil. Aromatherapy for Everyone went on to explain that insects and rats hate the smell as well as moths and woodworms. I know a lady who uses it in her barns to keep the flys away.

Since cedarwood has a relaxing effect, I wanted to use something that would be more stimulating along with it since I would be using it in an area where I needed to keep busy and think. So, the trusty lemon came to mind. Confirmed by the book as an aroma which can aid in cases of fatigue and also as an insect repellent, I had the combination I wanted. In aromatherapy lemon has been used to help prevent and treat infectious diseases, especially colds and fevers. It stimulates the immune system and also helps to alleviate emotional stress(caused by flying ants in this case!)

With the help of the vaccuum cleaner and the oil mixture around the building and the atomizer, I am happy to report that the vast majority of the ants have chosen to go somewhere else.

artCentral

artCentral plans art-filled spring and summer

artCentral’s current calendar is just chockfull of spring and summer events, offering the Carthage area community a fine smorgasbord of art activities and shows.

Theresa Rankin’s painting show "Interior Moments", complimented by "Bouquet", an exuberant exhibit of flower and garden artworks by artCentral members, opens April 29th. However, since so many artCentral artists are involved in "St. Avips" Auction that weekend and Spiva’s "Perspectives" show over Mother’s Day weekend that we are delaying the opening reception for "Interior Moments" and "Bouquet" until Sunday, May 15, from 2-4pm.

The first weekend in June is always a big one for artCentral, with our Annual Membership Show opening Friday, June 3, celebrated with the traditional BBQ supper and evening entertainment. Guests will be able to see what the Adult Weekend Workshop participants have accomplished on their first day with either Master Stone Carver Bill Snow and sculptor Robin Putnam, blacksmith Joe Davis, or potter Jack Sours. Students come from all over the US to take these once-a-year workshops. So if you are interested, call artCentral ASAP to find out more and get registered. If you have children or grandkids, call to put your name on the list for artCamp in July (358-4404).

Meanwhile, there is still time to view Dan McWilliams’s painting exhibit, "A Different Kind of Eye", and Koral Martin’s show of gorgeous florals, now through April 22. And if you want to try your hand at painting horses, call about Peggy Dyke’s workshop "Got Oats" on Saturday, April 23.