Did Ya Know... The January Share Parckage must be purchased by Jan. 7 at a cost of $14. For details, call the Family Literacy Council at 358-5926.

Did Ya Know... A free mentoring seminar is Tues., Jan. 6 at Western Sizzlin' in Joplin. RSVP by calling 417-782-1290.

Did Ya Know... The Winter Reading Club will continue until spring break in March 1998. Sign up at the Young People’s Library through January 16. Winter storytimes will resume Jan. 6.

The pastor was invited over for dinner and asked to lead in prayer for the meal. After the brief prayer, Junior said approvingly, "You don’t pray so long when you’re hungry, do you?"

Pity poor old George Washington. He couldn’t blame his troubles on the previous administration.

Counsel: Do you wish to challenge any of the jury?

Prisoner: Well, I think I could lick that little fellow on this end.

Wife: My husband frightens me the way he blows smoke rings through his nose.

Psychiatrist: That isn’t unusual.

Wife: But my husband doesn’t smoke.

Baptist Church Officers.

At the regular annual meeting of the congregation of the Baptist church last night officers for this year were elected as follows: S. A. Stuckey, M. E. Armstrong, G. W. Caffee, A. Bistline and Dr. J. B. Thomas, trustees; Mrs. Rosine Crocker, treasurer; C. N. Wetherel, superintendent of the Sunday school; M. E. Armstrong, superintendent of the Macon street mission Sunday school; clerk of the church, J. E. Wetherel; president of the B. Y. P. U., Prof. J. M. Yater; president of the Junior B. Y. P. U., Miss Viola Bistline; president of the woman’s aid society, Mrs. Susan Thomas; president of the woman’s missionary society, Mrs. C. B. Stickney. A pleasing feature of the meeting was the annual roll call, with response in scripture quotation or personal reminiscence. Four new members were received. Reports from officers showed the body to be flourishing. The pastor and deacons are chosen to serve indefinitely.

I suppose that all those things that were "gonna get done after the holidays" will have ta be addressed now. The list has been growin’ since ‘fore Thanksgivin’.

I’m not sure how big a list I’ve put together. Like many, I think makin’ the list was one a those things supposed ta be on the list.

One a the big decisions for some this time a year is whether to carefully put away those miniature Christmas lights. At the after Christmas price of a couple a bucks for a string of a hunderd or so, the hours needed to pack them away may not make much sense to some.

‘Course the practice of makin’ resolutions always come up. From what I’ve observed, most folks just dig out last year’s list and use it again. That is why I only make the one resolution of not makin’ any resolutions.

The most agravatin’ problem is rememberin’ to put 1998 on checks and such. The most disturbin’ thing is how easily the year slips by.

This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.

by Carthage Farm & Home Supply, Inc.

The Super Handyman

Dear Al: I’ve learned to use cat litter instead of salt in the winter for the ice. It’s better for the concrete and the grass. One little quickie tip that I’ve discovered is to use your fertilizer spreader to put the cat litter on your walks and driveway. It takes only a few minutes to distribute it, and the spreader does a super job. Cat litter is less expensive than store-bought de-icers too. - S. C.

Super Hint - If you have trouble getting rubber gloves off and on, sprinkle a little talcum powder on your hands first. The gloves should slide right off later. The talc also cuts down on the sweating.

Dear Al & Kelly: I like gardening and have discovered a nifty trick to keep your feet dry even if your boots get wet. Save the plastic bags that your produce comes in, and slip them over your feet before stepping into your boots. Your feet will stay dry and warm. It’s a tip that comes in handy, especially if you’re a hunter or enjoy other outdoor activities. - D. M.

Q: The bricks in my fireplace are red, with a white mortar between them. They are badly stained with soot. I tried a 20 percent muriatic acid solution; it helped some but didn’t take care of all the stains. What else can I try to restore the original color of both the bricks and the mortar? - J. R.

A: We think the best soot remover is trisodium phosphate. You can buy the TSP at paint stores, hardware stores and home centers. Mix a tablespoon of it in a quart of water, and use a stiff brush to scrub with. Wear protective gloves and goggles, as TSP is a strong cleaner.

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