Time for Christmas Lights.

Heather Kelly, Executive Director of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, has requested that the Council set an annual date for turning on the City’s Christmas lights. Kelly appeared before the Public Services Committee to explain that in order to make the best of use of the money spent promoting tourism during the Christmas season she would like to know that the lights would go on at the same time each year.

In the past few years the date has fluctuated from November 7 to November 12 to after Thanksgiving. There has been much debate about whether the lights should go on early in order to help the tourism and commercial aspect of the season or whether they should go on after Thanksgiving at what many people consider the true beginning of the Christmas season.

According to Kelly, Precious Moments will turn their lights on November 12, the Way of Salvation will open on November 19, the County elected officials will light the Courthouse on November 12. Branson lights their Christmas lights on November 1. Kelly pointed out that Carthage is becoming a stopping point for people going to and from Branson.

"It’s not so much that I want to get away from tradition, if the Council prefers that we do it after the holiday weekend, I’m happy with that," said Kelly. "We’ll work with that, I would just like for us to sit down once and for all and decide the date for the official City lighting."

As in the past, Committee members were divided in their opinions. Larry Ross expressed a personal preference for later, but said the purpose of the City’s Christmas lights was to generate revenue and sales tax.

"Let’s just throw out the tradition and go for something that’s commercial," said Ross. "Because that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?"

Both Ross and Committee Member Don Stearnes agreed that the lighting should be coordinated with the Way of Salvation opening.

Committee Chair J.D. Whitledge questioned whether the lights could generate sales tax if the downtown stores are not open in the evening when the lights are on. Kelly pointed out that people stay in hotels and eat meals in town when they come to view the lights.

"I still think it’s too early, but if we have to turn them on early I think the Friday after Thanksgiving is the day that it needs to be," said Whitledge. "At what point do we draw the line and become a totally tourist community and lose our own identity....I’m not going to support anything prior to the day after Thanksgiving."

"I just need a date to work with," said Kelly.

Whitledge will raise the question in his report to the Council next week.

Fireworks Bids In.

City Administrator Tom Short reviewed the bids for the annual 4th of July fireworks display at Monday night’s Public Services meeting. Three bids were received, each consisting of a base bid and an alternate bid for additional shells. The base plus alternate bids were $7,564 from Fireworks Spectacular, $11,000 from Premium Pyrotechnics, and $13,340 from J&M Displays. Fifteen thousand dollars has been budgeted for the fireworks show. Fireworks Spectacular was the winning bidder in 1998 and in 1997.

"They had some problems last year," said Short. "They only sent one person."

Short said he was not aware of any problems in 1997 and that Fireworks Spectacular had assured him there would be an adequate number of people sent to run the show if they were the successful bidders.

"I would like to see a really good display," said Committee member Larry Ross.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

It’s the time a year that folks start payin’ close attention to the weather. Those thunder clouds start rollin’ and spinnin’ gets the hair up on the back of the neck for anyone who has been close to a tornado.

I’ve never been smack dab in the middle of one, but have on occasion been hunkered down within’ a few blocks from the path. I have felt a travel trailer raise up a might as one passed over head.

Like most, I don’t have an unnatural fear of natural disasters, but I do have a healthy respect for the power of a twister in the spring time. I’ve heard various suggestions over the years as ta how to deal with a tornado comin’ your way. The best of all is the simple "DUCK." Keep your head down and let it blow over. Not bad advice for other adverse situations too I suppose.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

Bump and bruise season is here. Sore backs from gardening to painting or jogging, bike riding, canoeing and other spring related activities may be alleviated with the help of arnica gel or cream. Arnica is described in homeopathic literature as THE solution to the aforementioned conditions.

Who is more prone to falls than that toddler or what about the track enthusiasts? In the MATERIA MEDICA by William Boericke, M.D. states " it is especially suited to cases when injury, however remote, seems to have caused the present trouble." He also suggests it in " traumatism of grief, remorse or sudden realization of financial loss" letting us know that it can be used when the emotions are involved. Arnica should not be used on open wounds.

On a different note, I find it interesting that a certain ad on television has been stating that it is the ONLY source of pryruvate or fat grabbers. How do these people get away with such straight out lies? The herbs they are promising are good, it is just the fact that they are not the first nor the only to have the product. Maybe it is just the exorbortant prices they ask that makes them unique. Why do we put so much stock in what a TV. personality says? I don't know, but it is obvious that we must as companies keep paying big bucks to have "personalities" send us their message. I tend to believe my Grandparents, parents and gifted teachers who tell it clearly and honestly. Enough.....

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