Today's Feature

30 Year’s Service.

Mayor Jim Woestman and the Carthage Police Department were present at the Police Department on Thursday to help celebrate Interim Police Chief Barry Duncan’s 30 years of service with the Department. Duncan was hired in 1977.

The Department also welcomed the arrival of two new officers, Chad Harris (top picture) and Zach Hartley (lower picture).

Fact is, I don’t ‘member anyone I knew in our small, agricultural based community havin’ a fire place. Maybe a wood-stove made out of a fifty-five gallon drum out in the workshop.

My kids grew up hangin’ stockin’s on a fire place mantle. Don’t know if they though much of it. ‘Course they never had ta chop the wood.

I love a roarin’ fire in a fire place, I just don’t have the hankerin’ to stoke it up much anymore. Sucks all the moisture outa the air. Smokes up things. Gets ashes on the rug. It is good for hangin’ stockings, though.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Natural Nutrition
By Mari An Willis

Off the subject today.....what is it about shopping that just gets to me? Is it the crowds? Definitely. Is it the attitude of overwhelmed clerks? Yes, but I’ve been there myself so try to have a little more than average patience. Is it being around all the coughing and sneezing? You bet! Or is it the noise? For sure! I am one of those who can’t think in a crowded area so a trip to the Mall is just a sight-seeing tour for me anyway. It is also one of my most favorite places for observation and hearing conversation not meant to be private.....how could you get privacy in a place like that? The funniest comment is "what are we doing here?" Well, what are we all doing there? Looking for a bargain. Sometimes you actually find one, but as I have accrued more shopping years (Okay...gotten older!) I have chosen to shop only smaller stores. The American way of life that has been threatened comes home to me as I am greeted by a small business owner who is present in the business and truly cares what is happening with the store and the people who shop it.

I also find the statement about "I used to like to go downtown, but there is nothing there." Why? Because you did not go there. You picked up those extras at the giant conglomerate store. Both types of stores have a place. One is the character of a community and the other is a representative of a one world order. Both have their place, I suppose. Since I have always "gone for the heart" of things, it is only logical that I would prefer smaller shops.

Where did all this come from? It has absolutely nothing to do with herbs...or does it? Yes! I believe it does! Herbs were the medicine of the past and they are back, as it is with small business if you let it.

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

Does it seem ironic to anyone else that the very same trees that we celebrated just two short months ago in such festive fashion, have now, through no fault of their own, turned on us? I know that the maple trees in my own yard are mostly gonners, and not just the old ones. I, like most of Carthage, was house-bound last week, and though we were able to keep partial services, enough was missing to make things complicated. I was unable to submit my article last week, and my apologies to MORNIN MAIL. Our own yard is one of the worst, and there are several old Carthage trees that will have to go I think, including the largest silver maple in Jasper County, the 2007 award winner. The same is the case at our gallery, Hyde House on 13th street, which had many trees damaged on the property and lines were down, phone and computer out. We have cleared away somewhat, and the power is back, but we were open Saturday and Sunday for the final weekend of our Donna Roberts show. Work that was purchased may be picked up at any time, call (if the phone is back) for an appointment after the 17th if the art is desired before Christmas. We have had an excellent show and much work has been sold by both artists, and it is a good way to end our year. The gallery will be closed now until our first show in 2008, which will be in February, and I will be showing our new schedule of shows in this column in the next few weeks. Our thanks to all those who have come out for shows this year, to those who participated in classes and workshops. We will have some new things on our schedule for 2008 as well as the familiar ones and look forward to another good year. To all our members, patrons and those reading today, a very blessed and Merry Christmas to you all, and see you in 2008!