Memorial Hall Concepts Discussed.

The Special Services Committee was given an update on the conceptual development of the plans for renovation of Memorial Hall during its meeting last Monday night. Jerry Hagerman, of the architectural firm of Pellhan, Phillips, and Hagerman from Springfield, talked the Committee through basic space usage ideas that he is considering. A more complete presentation is scheduled for November 30. Hagerman said he would like to have a plan that could be proposed to the full Council by the end of the year.

Some of the more drastic changes discussed included a second level with a walkway around the auditorium, tripling the capacity of the women's rest room, and the addition of a south and west entrance. The stage area will probably be retained, but the space would be used as an extension of the main hall. The addition of an expanded catering kitchen and support space has also been cited as a necessary improvement.

A high priority was also placed on restoring the high windows on the north and south of the auditorium. The cost of the proposed renovation could exceed $1.5 million.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

At this stage, there are a lot of ideas bein' 'tossed around' about the best way ta utilize Memorial Hall. The modifications make some sense on paper, but makin' it all come together without messin' up the purpose of the buildin' may take some doin'.

The main focus of the structure is still to be a memorial to veterans. One a the things that is tryin' to be accomplished is to make that memorial more visible to those usin' the buildin.' Some of that may be accomplished by openin' up some wall space for displays or murals depictin' military service of some sort. The buildin' seems ta be in overall good structural shape accordin to the architect.

The worry some have is that if the buildin' is too attractive, local groups may not be able to afford usin' it. This is another balancin' act the City will face as the plans are drawn.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

Carthage Printing Services

Intro to the Internet.

Twelve percent of American adults, or an estimated 20 million people, say they have access to the Internet, according to a recent Roper Poll. While many have described the new technology as the "information superhighway." for others, the Internet is fast becoming "information RFD."

Rural American have an opportunity to tap into a vast sea of information about every topic imaginable by hooking up to the Internet. Rural small business -ranging from farmers and Ranchers, to budding entrepreneurs-are keeping in touch with the latest business know-how, watching the markets, or advertising their products.

Fact is there are thousands of sites already set up that provide information specifically geared toward rural American, and finding that information is as easy as starting with a few good web site. Communicating for Agriculture, a national nonprofit rural advocacy group offers a few of the most user-friendly sites: Communicating for Agriculture at http://cainc.org, U.S. Census of Agriculture at Http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu/ag-stateis.html, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development at http://www.ag.iastate,edu/centers/rdev/Rural Dev.html, Progressive Farmer online at http://pathfinder.com/FP/, From Safety 4 Kids at Http://www.fs4jk.org/, and New Uses Council at http://ag.arizona.edu/OALS/NUC/NUCHome.html.

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