Today's Feature

Month End Report.

Public Works Director Chad Wampler presented the July month end report to the Public Works Committee this week.

The total cost of construction projects for July is listed at over $26 million. Total fees collected by the department are listed at $54,114.00.

The final permit for construction at the site of the new McCune-Brooks Hospital was issued, and contributed largely to the amount collected. This permit was for mechanical, electrical and plumbing at the hospital site. The cost of the construction is shown at over $23.6 million, with the permit costing over $47 thousand.

Other large projects include 6 new single family dwellings costing approximately $849 thousand and 5 new duplexes costing approximately $805 thousand.

The year-to-date construction costs in Carthage from January through July are listed at approximately $81 million. In this period of time, 21 single family dwelling permits and 7 new commercial permits have been issued.

At the same meeting Street Commissioner Tom Shelley reported on the condition of Hazel Street, which has been established as a temporary truck route until the completion of the Fairview interchange. Shelley said that the Street department has worked on Hazel three times recently, and the damage due to the trucks was worse than he had originally thought. He told the committee that the street would definitely require repairs after the completion of the interchange.

Shelley told the committee that the amount of repair needed would depend partially on the severity of winter weather this year.

New Location for United Way.

The Carthage Area United Way has announced a new location at 616 W. Centennial, just across the street from McCune-Brooks Hospital front entrance. The building will be shared between the United Way and the Carthage Caring Communities/The Alliance, led by Corinne Waggoner.

In a recent news release, Carthage Area United Way Executive Director Susan M. Williams said, "We are extremely grateful to Bob Copeland and other Board of Directors of McCune-Brooks Hospital for allowing us to use the building.

Williams also announces a new e-mail address; unitedway@ecarthage.com and the approach of the 50th Anniversary Campaign ribbon cutting. It should be noted that the phone number and fax number for the United Way will not be changed in this move.

Stench Report:
Thursday,
8/3/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage
Square

‘Course the locals know it’s just the markin’ of property lines. Some to indicate where certain groups are to be campin’, some to indicate no campers allowed.

Most campers return year after year to their favorite sites and have built a friendship with their hosts.

I hear that typically the campers put together a collection to help out with any expense for utilities, etc. One lady I understand recieves enough to help out considerably on her property taxes.

It’s amazing what responsible adults can do if they put their heads together.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Do remember to drink plenty of water, in most cases one could consume 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of weight in a day to remain hydrated. This sounds hard, but once one is in the habit of drinking fluids in sufficient quantities it becomes a good habit as you will feel better.

I have always found it easier to consume small amounts of water, say 4 ounces frequently than sit down and try to drink a couple of 8 ounce glasses.

The point though is to get it down, so make it easy on yourself. When sweating and drinking lots of water, one should consider a good trace mineral and electrolyte formula. It is a pleasure to hear feedback from those who work out in the heat, try these simple ideas and feel better that day. Also a simple reminder to carry water in your car in case of any kind of emergency which could keep you out longer than you expect. It happens, so be prepared.

Some say that drinking water makes them swell up. In my studies, I have repeatedly heard that it is lack of fluids that will make one retain fluids as the body is "saving" it. Of course, one must consider diet when talking water retention.

* 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.

artCentral
Art Notes From Hyde House
By Sally Armstrong, Director of artCentral

Well, we have cleaned house and it’s quiet again! For the past two weeks, I had gotten used to the slamming of doors, sounds of water running and the patter of feet. Now that a very successful artCamp 2006 is under our belt, I sit back and reflect how things could be done differently and better next year. The teachers and I have already discussed some new class ideas; have decided to have more units of the favorite ones. Several of you in the community have told me of children in your family who would like to be involved next year, and now that the wrap-up reports have been completed, we move on to the next activity that follows.

On August 25th I will be pleased to show the beautiful hardwood sculptures of Larry Oliver of Mansfield, Missouri. Larry is a long time professional artist who moves around the country much as some of our local artists do, selling his art in shows. He grew up in a Colorado mining and fruit growing town where the local wood material available was cherry and peach boxes and occasionally an imported surplus of orange and dynamite boxes. His involvement with wood sculpture started as a hobby when running a lumberyard with his brother. After six years there was a desire to try sculpting full time, and thus the move to the Ozark area of Southern Missouri where for 26 years the native woods of walnut, cherry and ash have been plentiful. Now after those 26 years in the woods near Mansfield, he and his wife Ginny are preparing to move to the "city" of Springfield, now that their "chicks and grand-chicks" are scattered and the city beckons. Their move takes place this month too, so Larry has already delivered his art to artCentral for safekeeping until his show opens. I think everyone will be interested in what he has done to make wood so smooth and filled with motion! His pieces are carved from one single piece each, and yet look as though they have been blown like glass or spun like candy. Many themes are explored--- musical symbols, Celtic and ethnic- traditional symbols, hearts, crosses and stars, swans and dancers, some not recognizable at all but pleasing to look at as the woods reflect their natural colors and sheen. This show is for the men!