Today's Feature

Relay For Life Begins Tonight.

June 1, 2007 marks the 12^th annual Carthage Relay For Life. Survivors and current cancer patients, their families, businesses, civic organizations, and the public are invited to take part in this exciting event. Relay For Life takes place from 7 pm on Friday, June 1, 2007 until 7 am on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at Central Park in Carthage. This year’s theme of "Let’s ‘Toon Out Cancer" promises a good time for all. For more information on the Relay For Life, please contact Crystal Jones at 358-6862 or Kathy Hill at 358-2581.

Maple Leaf Planning Underway.

News release

The planning of the 41st Annual Maple Leaf Festival hosted by the Carthage Chamber of Commerce is underway. The week-long festival, which brings over 50,000 visitors to the local community, is scheduled for October 13-20.

"The planning committee met just last month," said John Bode, Chamber President. "We are currently in the process of compiling event information from the community to create the festival’s brochure that will be distributed throughout the four-state region later this summer."

Over 12,000 event brochures will be printing in English and another 3,000 in Spanish for this year’s event. Event planners may include their event information in the brochure for a $25 fee which will help offset the printing costs. The deadline to submit event entries is Friday, June 22nd. Call the Chamber at 358-2373 for an event submission form and additional details.

The Planning Committee is also accepting Grand Marshall nominees through Friday, June 22.

"Carthage residents are asked to submit their nominees for Grand Marshall" said Bode. "Grand Marshall candidates must be current or past residents of Carthage who have made a significant and positive impact on the community and its residents throughout their lifetime."

Past Grand Marshalls include George Beimdiek, Ray Grace, Laural Rosenthal, Detective Laverne Williams, Harold Short, Marvin Van Gilder, and Senator Richard M. Webster.

For more festival information, contact the Chamber at 358-2373.

When I was growin’ up most you’d hear different levels of complaince to ethics. There were those who were "too honest for their own good."

Then there were the ones ya didn’t know ‘bout for sure. They were "pretty honest folks, I suppose."

Next level was the ones that ya tell your friends, "ya gotta watch that one."

Course the worst was the fella that would "steal from his own mother, if he figured he’d get away with it."

But the other factor that was important was intent. If a lawn mower blew up the second time ya mowed, unless the neighbor ya bought it from knew it was junk, ya didn’t blame him any. Sometimes that happens. But ya prob’ly wouldn’t buy a pitch fork from that guy without thinkin’ ‘bout it first.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Natural Nutrition
By Mari An Willis

Why bother to take vitamins? What is the "right" way to eat? Our fast food society looks at a salad bar and that is our answer to all our nutritional needs. Our local drive thru establishments probably account for 30-50% of meals for an average family. This, my friends, is what we call "filler food." It fills us up, but does not meet our bodies’ needs.

According to studies, the average American is deficient in trace minerals, enzymes and vitamins. It has been stated that a B-12 deficiency may account for early dementia, a lack of chromium may result in hypoglycemia or diabetes, mineral shortages aggravate arthritic conditions, preservatives and additives may be a major cause of behavioral problems and on and on.

The ideal is to get all we need from our food, but if you know you are among the millions of Americans who are not eating plenty of fresh vegetables, grains, fruits, dairy and meat on a daily basis or if stress depletes your intake; vitamin and/or herbal supplementation may be necessary. Ask your professional practitioner, read some books and listen to your body.

This brief rundown may give you some ideas:

Vitamin A - necessary to new cell growth. Helps fight infection. Beta-carotene is a precursor to A, and has received lots of press as an antioxidant.

Vitamin K - essential for normal liver functioning and maintaining vitality. Required for blood clotting.

Zinc - a necessity in healing process. Aids enzymes in digestion. Important for healthy reproductive organs, especially in men.

Vitamin B-12 - powerful blood building factor. Important factor in maintaining a healthy nervous system, including brain cells. Energy.

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.