Hope for City Golf Course Improvements.

The City Council Public Services Committee, during Monday evening’s regular meeting, gave a group of golfers a glimpse of hope that the City Golf Course will see major improvements. The group pledged support of any efforts to secure approximately $1.5 million in funding that is estimated to be needed for the proposed enhancements. The Committee voted to meet with the architect of the Golf Course Master Plan and get ideas as to possible funding possibilities.

Randy Shippy, a spokesperson for the golfers, said the group will "take the heat" for efforts to increase user fees to support the project. He also said that if a bond issue was needed, the group would help promote the benefits of a "state of the art" golf course in Carthage. The group presented a lengthy recommendation to the Committee. He said the back nine is approximately 65 years old and in need of work.

Committee Chair J.D. Whitledge told the group that he and Parks Administrator Alan Bull had been working on ways to improve the course. Whitledge will inform the Council of Committee’s recommendations.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Most folks I’ve had the occasion to talk to about y2k seem to be resigned to what ever is goin’ to happen on the turn of the new year. The typical response I hear is somewhat optimistic that things won’t be so bad. It’ll come and go, there will be some problems here and there, but it won’t dramatically affect large numbers of folks.

Most seem to look at it more like bein’ prepared for an ice storm or other natural occurrence. Time ta put in an extra can or two of sardines and an extra box of crackers.

Carthage has the advantage of bein’ able to generate a good portion of electricity for a time. With that and the water supply, we should fair fairly well under any circumstances.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

Rudolph will show up in unsuspecting places this holiday season when your kids create his image on gift bags and even on a hat for the youngest in the family. The secret charm in these projects is that your kids’ hands make the antlers!

Here’s how to make the gift bag:

Trace your child’s hands on brown construction paper, cardboard or craft foam. Cut out each hand shape.

Close the top of a brown paper lunch bag by folding it down 2 inches. Punch two holes about 1 inch apart through the folded top of the bag.

Glue the hand-shaped "antlers" (at the wrist) to the top corners of the folded bag. The fingers and thumbs will extend beyond the top fold of the bag.

Then cut out two small oval ear shapes from light brown paper and glue one ear on each reindeer antler (at the palm of the hand shape).

Use markers or crayons to draw a reindeer face on the bag. A red pompom is perfect for Rudolph’s "nose so bright."

Place a gift inside the decorated bag and refold it. Run ribbon through the two holes and tie. Add jingle bells, if you wish, and a gift tag.

Note: Once the present is removed, cut off the base of the bag for a fun holiday hand puppet!

To make a reindeer hat:

Fill two stretch gloves (available for under $2 at many discount stores) with fiberfill or scraps of old fabric. The filled gloves will be the antlers. On a plain cotton baseball-style hat, stitch the open ends of the gloves to the right and left sides of the top of the hat. Try the hat on your child to determine the exact placement. It will be about 1 1/2 inches from the top center of the hat and 3 to 4 inches from the brim. Stitch jingle bells to the antlers for extra fun.