Mornin' Mail

The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Friday, January 29, 1998 Volume VII, Number 159

Did Ya Know?. . .The Carthage Aquatic Team wil hold their first meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999 at Pipe Systems, Inc. 16639 W. Old 66 Blvd. New Board Members will be selected, election of officers and a tentative schedule for the Summer Season are on the Agenda.

Did Ya Know?. . .The Carthage Senior High Band is selling Subway Power Cards for $5. Buy a regular sub and drink and get a second sub for free. These can be used 10 times. For more information call 358-2826.

today's laugh

These are times we must save money and make every nickel count.

That's the reason I bought three loaves of bread today.

Three loaves of bread? I haven't read in the newspapers where there has been a raise in bread.

I don't know anything about the papers, but I saw a sign in the window that sure did say it.

What'd the sign say?

It said: Raisin bread tomorrow.

Mama, why do elephants have such big trunks?

Well, they have to come all the way from India, dear.

1899
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

The Charge to be Quashed.

End Of Case Is Now In Sight.

The end of the case against A.C. Loker, of this city, which attracted so much attention last summer, is now in sight. The prosecuting witness and the two principal witnesses against Mr. Loker are dead and without doubt the indictment which was found by the grand jury at Fayetteville, Arkansas, will be quashed.

As will be remembered Mr. Loker was arrested at midnight the 23rd of last June, at his home on west Chestnut street, by an Arkansas officer and went with him the next morning to Fayetteville without the formality of extradition papers. He was only in Fayetteville five hours and was allowed to return to Carthage on his own recognizance. Later a score of the best people in Carthage secured the Fayetteville bank in going on his $500 bond.

The charge was one of having embezzled several watches which he had taken to repair. After his arrest one of the most prominent of the Fayetteville attorneys offered to bring proceeding for damage free of charge against those who caused his arrest.

Mr. Loker has led an altogether straightforward life while living in Carthage and has made many friends, none of whom ever had any doubt as to his innocence.

The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Baker, living three miles north and east of Medoc, was celebrated. They were married in 1849, at Springfield, Ill., moving to Jasper county, Missouri, thirty-one years ago, having resided here ever since.

Their family consists of four daughters, Mrs. J.W. Winstead, of Pittsburg, Kansas, Mrs. T.F. Phillips, of Kingfisher, O.K., Mrs. J.W. Baker, living north of Medoc and Mrs. E.P. Davidson, also living in the same neighborhood.

Today's Feature

Recycling Efforts in Carthage.

Engineering Department Head Joe Butler informed City Council members Tuesday evening of a recent grant awarded to the City by the Region M Solid Waste Management.

"It’s a grant for $7,000 to cover the costs for the recycling dumpsters at the drop-off center," explained Butler.

Included within the $7,000 grant is money for educational materials such as brochures for the public and for school children.

"The main thing is to get them started thinking about recycling," said Butler.

Currently the City has two dumpsters, one for plastics and one for newspaper and cardboard boxes, at the drop-off center, located at the compost facility on Macon Street. They begin operating this drop-off facility in November 1998.

Butler said it costs approximately $225 to empty one of the bins. The plastic bin is ready to be emptied now for the first time, while there is still room in the paper bin.

Butler said this is the first recycling efforts for the City of Carthage.

Man Hours Saved With Mower.

The City Council voted 8-1 to approve the lease purchase agreement with Textron Financial Corp for a Rotary Mower in last Tuesday's regular meeting.

Council Member Charlie Bastin questioned the expense of this mower.

"I just have a feeling, this could just be too much mower for the job," said Bastin. "Also, I think the mower is just too expensive when you look at the bottom line. I also think that the deal made with Textron - I think that the interest is to high.

"It's nothing against what we need the mower for or against the people in the parks department, but I think it is a matter that we need to take a look at our budget first on everything nowadays, rather than go bankrupt or go into the red, I think that we need to consider that on every issue."

Alan Bull, Parks Superintendent reminded the Council that the lease interest rate is 6.5 percent.

Council Member Brewer said she believed this was a good deal for the City because of the amount of man hours the mower would save.

"If you look at it at just face value, then there are cheaper mowers," said Brewer. "But the amount of man hours saved will more than off set the cost of the mower - if you look at the whole picture."

In other business, the Council approved unanimously resolutions which would provide developers incentive funds for the expansion of asphalt paving and curb and guttering within new subdivisions within the City.

Both resolutions provide developers with $9 per running foot, which would not exceed $20,000 from each fund per year.

Council Members also approved council bills 98-75 and 99-04 which detailed funding of the Carthage Public Library, and amended Section 16.32 of the Carthage Code which increases the Library's Revolving Fund.

Members also heard first reading on Council Bill 99-05 which authorizes the city to declare property surplus and authorizes the sale of the property to the Carthage R-9 School Systems.

Council Member Larry Ross said that because the school system is a government body, the Council could transfer the property without cost.

However the School System has agreed to purchase the property from the City.

The Council also approved the following appointments recommended by Mayor Johnson: Andy Thomas to the Civil War Museum Board, and the reappointment of Glen Evans to the Police Personnel Administration Board.

Carthage Lions Club Ground Hog Pancake & Sausage Feed Approaching.

news release

Ground Hog Day is fast approaching, and so is the Carthage Lions Club Annual Ground Hog Pancake & Sausage Feed scheduled for January 30, 1999. It will be held again at the Memorial Hall from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Buy your tickets in advance and save. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased from any Carthage Lions Club Member. Advance tickets are $3.25 and $3.50 at the door per adult. Children under twelve are free when accompanied by an adult. Price includes drink. Raffle tickets are also on sale now by Carthage Lions Club Members.

The annual Ground Hog Pancake & Sausage feed is one of the Carthage Lions Club major fundraiser. The club will use the proceeds for various Lions Club projects and local benefits including purchasing eye glasses for indigent children. The Carthage Lions Club very recently has sponsored qualified candidates to Mid-South Sight & Hearing Hospital located in Memphis, TN.

The Carthage club supports area non-profit organizations. The local club offers support to individuals in need, and with your support of the Annual Ground Hog Pancake & Sausage feed we can continue to help the community.

We're Making Great Progress.

by Robin Putnam, artCentral

Things are going sooo well right now!! So much has been accomplished in such a short time!! Not only do we have fresh paint in our new galleries but we have a group of six artists busy planning their (our) first show at the Hyde House!!

Our library and print room has been painted and is ready and just waiting for someone to bring in all the books!! We haven't set a moving day as yet...some of us will be out of town for a while so we'll deal with moving early in February!! Can you believe January is over!!

We are hoping all our plans come together and everything gets finished so we can keep our March 5th date for our "Hyde House Debut!" That evening will also be the opening reception for a group show called....."Spring River Artists: A River Runs Through Us".

This will be a group of local artists who are busy painting, drawing and sculpting their little hearts out. The artists involved in this group show are..two of our board members....Linda Simpson and Helen Kunze, Carthage, Kit Tuck, Lamar, Kim Kissel-Leffen, Tricia Courtney, Nancy Kissel Clark and Randy Wright-Estes, all of Joplin.

We are all very excited about this upcoming show as well as all of the other great artists we have booked for this year!

So far...so good on the transition from Katherine Hyde's home to artCentral's gallery!! The dining room, living room and foyer are undergoing a minor facelift.

FINALLY a color was chosen for the gallery walls.....we are sooo pleased with the look so far!! When this house was built they were very generous with the decorative wood trim and crown moldings...they even built in two columns separating the entry from the living room!! All this woodwork is white and we felt white walls wouldn't enhance anything so we went with a sort of light tan. Once we get the carpet removed and the beautiful hardwood floors are exposed the walls and the floor should really make the beautiful woodwork stand out!!

While we were fixing some minor cracks in the walls we found a hidden treasure!! Pocket doors separating the living and dining rooms!! We can't wait to see them pulled out!! We just have to wait until we get that darned carpet up!! Never a dull moment around here!!

Mike at AAA Electric will be starting on the lighting soon. We have removed our track lights from the Geranium House and will be installing them in our new gallery rooms. We appreciate Mike and Dan's help with our electrical work!!

Wednesday Life Drawing is still at Penny's in Carl Junction. Anyone needing info or directions call 358-4404.

There won't be an artCentral column next week. Boo-Hoo. SOMEONE is going to Mexico for seven days and was too busy getting ready to leave to have written two columns this week!! Soooo you'll just have to catch us on Friday, Feb. 12. Adios, amigos!!

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

They say that workin' with your hands frees up one side of the brain or the other and allows ya to think better. I suppose that's why folks like diggin' in a garden or workin' with wood from time to time. I'm not sure that typin' helps much however, or there would be a lot more fresh ideas bein' published on a regular basis.

I'd have ta guess that quiltin' circles are fertile ground for enhanced thinkin'. Knittin' would seem ta me to occupy a fair about of dexterity to really let the creative juices flow.

The activities to keep idle hands busy are endless. Whittlin' a stick down to a tooth pick was always relaxin' for me. Some folks think that there is supposed ta be some tangible results from such activities, but mostly it's just a personal thing. 'Sides, ever'one needs a tooth pick now and then.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.