Today's Feature

Saddle Club Rodeo.

The 30th Annual Carthage Saddle Club Rodeo will be held June 8th and 9th starting at 8 p.m. both nights. Special guests this year will be 2007 Miss Rodeo Missouri Melissa Houttuin. Also appearing will be the Old Fort Days Dandies from The PRCA Old Days Rodeo in Fort Smith, AR. The Dandies will present some "edge of your seat – breathe taking" horse-back square dancing.

Further entertainment will be provided by the Cowboys and Cowgirls who will bring in the Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Calf Roping, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing and BULL RIDING. Rodeo Clown Dusty Jenkins will head up the cowboy protection team and barrels of entertainment throughout the evening.

Kids will have the chance to enter the arena in the annual boot scramble with cash prizes to the top winners. On Friday evening the ceremonies will be held for the Rodeo Royalty winners. On Saturday evening a rodeo clown dress-alike contest will be held for the kids. The winner will take home a very nice prize. (Past prizes have been bicycles and $50.00 gift cards) this year is a surprise.

The Carthage Saddle Club is a non-profit local organization. The rodeo will be held at the Carthage Saddle Club Arena located within Municipal Park in Carthage. For more information call Steve at 417-358-6408 or 417-359-6107.

Growin’ up all us kids had a pair with the buckles. They were big enough ta fit over the shoe and you could tuck the pants leg down inside. They were great for splashin’ in mud puddles and wadin’ in the small ditch that ran in front of the house.

There wasn’t anything much more fun that gettin’ out after a good summer rain and sloppin’ around in the puddles.

Course now folks might think it a little odd to see the neighbor out jumpin’ up and down in a mud hole.

That’s one of the good things ‘bout bein’ a kid. You could do things just ‘cause ya wanted to.

If someone though your were a little crazy, it just added to the fun.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

When to Call the Doctor

Q: Yesterday I used a spray gun with a compressor to spray latex paint for about four hours in a hall and two small bedrooms. I didn’t wear a mask, but it didn’t seem to bother me at all. However, when I was cleaning up, my nose started bleeding profusely. I got the bleeding to stop and then coughed up a couple of clots of blood, which I assume was from the nosebleed.

This morning, I woke up with a tremendous headache, nausea, chills, low-grade fever and maybe even a little shortness of breath. I stayed home from work, but I’m not sure if I’ve got some type of virus or if this is from exposure to the paint fumes. What do you think? -- Mary J., via e-mail

A: Honestly, I think your doctor can give you the best information as to whether your symptoms were caused by paint fumes or something else -- like a cold or the flu. Anytime you feel lousy or have unusual symptoms during or after a home-improvement project involving chemicals, you should contact your family doctor and describe the symptoms. He or she may want to examine you in order to rule out any serious problems and to treat the symptoms.

If you have severe symptoms, such as extreme dizziness, nausea or vomiting, trouble breathing or chest pain, or if you notice someone having these symptoms or having difficulty responding or speaking, call 911 immediately.

With latex paints or any other chemicals -- including seemingly mild cleaning solvents -- caution should always be taken to minimize exposure. The space in which they are used should be well-ventilated, and wear gloves to protect your skin. When using materials that produce heavy fumes, cover your mouth and nose with either a paper mask or, ideally, a respirator, and wear goggles to prevent eye irritation.

HOME TIP: To restore paintbrushes that weren’t cleaned completely and are stiff with old paint, boil them in white vinegar for 15 minutes to soften the paint and then comb out the bristles.