Today's Feature

18th Annual Lighting Ceremony.

The Annual Lighting Ceremony at Precious Moments Park marks the beginning of the Christmas season. This year Precious Moments celebrates the 18th Annual Ceremony which has become a tradition for many regional residents November 3, 2006. "I try to come every single year," said JoAnn Passley of Oronogo, MO. "The ceremony gets me into the Christmas spirit and also reminds me of the real meaning of Christmas."

The free Ceremony will begin in the Fountain of Angels Theater promptly at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2006. Passes will be available beginning at 3 p.m. that day at the main ticket desk and will be limited to 6 per person. "Every seat is usually filled at this ceremony," said Shelby Bates, Public Relations Coordinator for the Park. "I would strongly recommend that those who want to attend come to get their passes that day." Passes will be given out on a first come, first served basis until all seats are filled.

The Ceremony will feature performances by Duke Mason, Sarah Tilton, and GARCE dancestudio. There will be a Christmas reading by Boyce Mouton from Carl Junction Christian Church and a flag presentation by members of the Carthage National Guard. The "Springs of Living Water" Fountain of Angels performance will also be presented. At the finale of the Ceremony the candle lighting will illuminate the Fountain of Angels Theater and thousands of Christmas lights will be lit throughout the Park.

Guests that day may also enjoy dinner at Souper Sam’s Buffet from 4pm to 6pm. Those with a Lighting Pass will receive 10% off their total purchase in the Christmas Shop or any Christmas items that evening and through Dec. 24, 2006. This excludes Precious Moments figurines and ornaments. They will also be eligible to enter a drawing for a $25 gift card. Specialty treats in Royal Delights including s’mores, hot chocolate, and peppermint ice cream will all be available before and after the Ceremony.

Stench Report:

Thursday,
11/2/06

Stench Detected Wednesday evening Around Carthage Square

I don’t know ‘bout the rest of the country, but there seemed to be a larger number of national ads in this area this year. Maybe I’m just becomin’ less tolerant of commercials in general on tv. There are several that just plain irritate me.

I’m sure you have your favorite bad commercials. I try not to watch ‘em. Switch the channel or turn the volume down.

Somehow they seem to know what we watch on tv. Now I’ve never been asked, but the reports of ratings indicate they are able to know. I’m hopin’ they are payin’ attention. I don’t know if turnin’ away from offensive commercials help, but I’m doin’ my part.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

A few pieces of nutritional trivia:

• Fast foods are notable for their lack of Vitamin A. If this is your frequent food choice during the rushed day, be sure to consume lots of vegetables and possible supplementation with antioxidants.

• A 12 ounce cola beverage may contain as much as 50 milligrams of caffeine. In the body of a 60 pound child, two or more such cola beverages are equivalent to the caffeine in 8 cups of coffee for a 175 pound adult.

• Even when a person is asleep and totally relaxed the cells of many organs are hard at work expending energy. Cells maintain all life processes without any conscious effort; however, it represents about two-thirds to three-fourths of all the total energy a person spends a day. The remainder is utilized by the muscles.

• In many cases, lactose-intolerant people can tolerate fermented milk products such as yogurt, hard cheeses, cottage cheese and acidophilus milk. The bacteria in these products digest lactose for their own use leaving a product lactose intolerants may consume.

*Source: Understanding Nutrition, 6th Edition. Whitney Rolfes.

* 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

Since last writing, we are finalizing our plans with Barbara Woods Courtney for our final show of 2006. Barbara will be bringing her paintings in next week and we are excited to see what we will have to show! When we last talked, I told Barbara that we would be following a holiday theme for her show and decorating the house for Christmas in time for her November 10th Opening. She said she would be featuring two paintings that have specific Christmas themes so that will be a perfect fit. Invitations will be completed tomorrow and will be gotten ready for mailing at the end of the week.

Separately, in the Member Gallery, will be presented the art of Sean Shuster, a Carthage artist and member of artCentral. Sean’s art reflects religious themes and will be most appropriate for the Christmas season. His large canvases are colorful and inspirational.

As we look towards the last weekend of the Elizabeth Pauly exhibit, we announce that beginning with this weekend’s " Christmas Open House" in the stores here in Carthage, Betsy’s paintings may be purchased through ALL THINGS GRAND! and ACCENTS ON GRAND both located on Grand Avenue. Charlie Rogers and Chet Massoth were so impressed with her work when they attended the last Opening that they inquired if anyone was handling her paintings in this area. All of the current framed and unframed prints will be available at the same prices that were offered during her show with artCentral, and we will continue to have her things available at the gallery as well. Additionally there will be small packaged cards available soon. We thank Betsy for a great show and to the patrons for a great response to her paintings. Come out on Friday or Saturday if you still have not seen this beautiful show. Purchased originals may be picked up upon request after Saturday.

And again, I remind artCentral member -artists that we would love to share your small prints and reproduction cards as well as any other art-related merchandise with our visitors to be purchased during the holiday season. Please call me if you have anything to bring, 358- 4404. These things will be displayed in the gift area of the Library and regular commission policy will apply.

LETTER to the EDITOR.
Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Mornin’ Mail.

Editor:

This may be an "off-year" election, but there is a very important county race to be decided - the race for Presiding Commissioner of Jasper County. Only one name will be printed on the ballot, but Danny Hensley has filed as a write-in candidate.

I have known Danny for at least 40 years and I am very familiar with his performance during the 16 years he served as Presiding Commissioner. I could see that he made it a full time job, working hard and putting in long hours.

The thing that impressed me most was seeing that he was always trying to do what was in the best interest of the county. He was not one to spend county money or promise to blacktop some road in exchange for political support.

Danny is a friendly man and he worked well with other county officials. But he didn’t let friendship override his determination to act in the best interest of the county. The commission is the governing body of the county and it is important that it not be controlled by any other county official. That will not happen with Danny Hensley.

I know Danny to be a good, honest, Christian man, and I urge you to write in his name for Presiding Commissioner. And be sure to fill in the "dash" following his name.

Yours Truly,

Herbert Casteel