Today's Feature

Powers Museum Veterans Project.

News release

Americans can learn much from those who served. The Veterans History Project honors our nations’ war veterans and those who supported them. The Powers Museum of Carthage is joining this project, created by Congress. The goals of the project are to collect and preserve stories of service, honor those who have served, and make it possible to learn about the past through first-hand accounts of men and women who lived through extraordinary times.

At the present time, the museum is speaking with World War II veterans. Twelve have told their story at this time. The museum is also collecting photographs and other documents for preservation. All originals are returned to their owners. To learn more about this project visit www.loc.gov/vets/ The Powers Museum may be contacted at 358-2677.

2006 Annual Chamber Banquet.

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2006 Annual Banquet on Friday, January 20th at the Carthage Memorial Hall. A social hour, featuring authentic Hawaiian luau music, was held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and followed by dinner, catered by Continental Catering of Joplin, and annual recognitions. A silent auction was also held during the event raising funds to help underwrite the many programs and services of the Chamber.

The planning committee, chaired by Niki Cloud, selected "Wish You Were Here" as the event theme. A tropical paradise was created as plants from Pinewood Nursery, grass skirts and tropical flowers bordered presenters and featured entertainers, Terry Thompson’s Island Breeze Band and Tropical Fire Dancers, on stage.

Awards were presented as follows:

• McCune-Brooks Humanitarian Award - Dr. Richardson, Carthage

• Artist Award - Jorge Leyba

• ATHENA Award - Janet LaFon, Carthage

• Golden Key Awards - Polly Wallace, music teacher at Mark Twain and Columbian Elementary Schools; Jana Sawyer, English as a Second Language at Fairview Elementary School; Sandra Hartley, 8th and 9th grade math teacher, Carthage Junior High; John Dillard, Agriculture teacher at Carthage Technical Center; Eddie Stephens, Director of the Carthage Technical Center

• Spotlight Award - Charlie Rogers and Chet Massoth - All Things Grand!

• Small Business of the Year award - Cloud’s Meat Processing

• Richard M. Webster Citizen of the Year Award - Ruth Kolpin-Rubison

For further information about the Carthage chamber of upcoming Chamber events, contact the Chamber office at 358-2373.

Stench Report:
Monday,
1/23/06

No Stench Detected

I also have a particular pet peeve with drive-up speaker orderin’. Ya turn in your order, but when ya get to the window, after you’ve paid of course, you’re notified that they just ran out that of one thing ya stopped there for in the first place.

And no, I don’t want whatever the special of the minute is, thank you. I couldn’t understand what it was anyway.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Be Still, My Restless Legs

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would like to know what to do about restless legs. When I sit for a while, it feels like there is something crawling in them, and at night they drive me crazy. My doctor put me on gabapentin. I asked him why I have this, and he said he didn’t know. Can you tell me why I have this condition? -- M.R.

ANSWER: Somewhere between 10 percent and 20 percent of people older than 60 have restless leg syndrome. Younger people also get it, but in fewer numbers, so age must have something to do with it. Genes have a role, because it runs in families. Sometimes iron deficiency brings it on, and all those with the condition should have their blood iron level tested. Or it might have something to do with a mix-up in the transmission of dopamine, a body chemical important for brain and nerve function. Theories abound. None is proven.

Most people describe it as creepy, crawly sensations in their legs. The sensations arise at rest and intensify in bed. Along with the sensations, there is an irresistible urge to jump up and move around. Walking brings an end to the annoying feeling.

Gabapentin is often prescribed for restless legs. If it doesn’t work, there are other medicines that can be tried. The newest one is Requip.

There’s often a companion syndrome that accompanies restless leg syndrome. It’s periodic limb movements of sleep. During sleep, the legs, and sometimes the arms, flail about forcefully, pummeling the bed partner. Both conditions make people tired, since they prevent a night of restorative sleep.