Did Ya Know... Awards Day for the Summer Reading Club will be held Saturday, Aug. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the Carthage Public Library. Any child earning 100 points or more will receive a free book from the library. Children must be in attendance to win any prizes.

Did Ya Know... The VantAge Point and Area Agency On Aging will host a seminar on skin cancer at the Northpark Mall today. Also, Kelly Jewelers at Northpark Mall will inspect, clean, and answer questions concerning jewelry. For information, call (417) 627-0600.

Did Ya Know... It’s a Topsy Turvy Weekend at the Powers Museum this Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. For details, call 358-2667.

Pastor: How did the assistant pastor do Sunday morning? Member: It was a poor sermon. Nothing in it at all. (Upon seeing the assistant pastor, the following conversation took place.) Pastor: How did it go Sunday morning? Assistant: Excellent. I didn’t have time to prepare anything myself, so I preached one of your sermons.

Employer: How long did you work at your other job? Job Seeker: Fifty-five years. Employer: How old are you? Job Seeker: Forty-five. Employer: How could you work 55 years when you are only 45 years old? Job Seeker: Overtime.

The board of education held a meeting last night in the high school building and did not adjourn until after midnight. All members were present.

Supt. W. J. Stevens reported that by procuring alcohol for the laboratory through the government it could be had much cheaper than otherwise and he was instructed to procure the necessary amount.

The board took up the matter of a school building for the Kendricktown school and decided to rent the mission chapel of the M. E. church, south, which can be had for $5 per month.

The matter of putting a library desk and railing in the assembly room was taken up but postponed. The building committee was instructed to have three cabinets built, according to plans furnished by Prof. Stevens, for the use of the teachers.

Trying to Make Censure of It.

Several Council members objected during last Tuesday's Council meeting to Nolan Henry's depiction of the process involved in choosing a new City Administrator. Characterized as a "flimflam" by Henry, other members remarked that he must have attended another meeting. They felt confident in the Council's decision and the method used to come to a consensus.

There was also objection to Henry speaking about what took place in a legally closed meeting. Council member Lujene Clark went so far as to threaten to call for a censure of Henry if his actions continued. This would apparently require the creation of a process for such a procedure as there doesn't appear to be any currently in the City code.

If such a procedure was enacted it would result in little more than an official notification for Henry that his actions were disapproved of by the Council. Five members expressed unofficial disapproval during the meeting.

There are no State statutes requiring any closed meetings, only statutes that allow closed meetings if so desired.

Henry contends that of the three applicants for the City Administrator position, two received three votes and one received four. During the discussion of which would be chosen, it apparently was pointed out that even the applicant with four votes received six negative votes. Henry is now openly disagreeing with that argument.

Henry says that he has no problems with the eventual person hired, he just doesn't like the procedure taken.

Other Council members state that a consensus of the Council was reached and they wanted to present a united front in support of the successful candidate.

Henry also spoke freely to the media about the meetings last winter in which former City Administrator Mike Randall was asked to resign. Henry objected openly to the procedure for that action also.

The Finance and Personnel Committee, Chaired by Clark, is currently working on an ordinance that would establish guidelines for ethics and conduct of Council members.

The most recent official action taken by the Council in regard to ethics was a letter signed by members and presented to former member Gary Mohr. The Council asked for an appology after Mohr purchased porperty discussed in a closed meeting. Mohr reacted to the criticism of his actions by resigning his seat.

I hear the term "economic prosperity" tossed around alot in the media. Seems like the numbers are there. Unemployment is down, stocks are up, and up, and up. Just doesn't get any better than this.

The prospect of it not gettin' any better is botherin' some folks. They don't seem ta be seein' a difference. Maybe they just aren't lookin' in the right places.

One could argue that only in times of prosperity could produce the numerous petty bickering matches we see at both the local and national level.

This guy wantin' ta be ambassador to Mexico, popped off and now is blocked from even bein' considered officially.

Things must be good.

Locally we seem to be more interested in whether ya need a second in a committee meetin' that actually gettin' somethin' done. What's the heavier, a pot a gold or a bag of bull?. Who's on first?

I submit that there are ideals and ideas worth fightin' over, if there is a void of those, we continue the struggle in jest.

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

Mari An Willis

There is so much more to a good life than just having a good body. I even heard Sylvester Stalone admit to that! He was speaking about how he had gotten into thinking that HE was his body. Wrong. It was refreshing to hear him take the focus off the physical and put it on the mental. LIKE THE TWO ARE CONNECTED!!! Thankfulness and appreciation are excellent for your health. I'll go out on the limb to say that it may even be the cure for what ails you. If you forget to acknowledge the good in your life, you may be missing an opportunity to excite your self-healing center. If you can't think of anything that you may be thankful for, how about the simple things like running water, hot water heaters (I'd really miss my hot water at the turn of a tap), "sliced bread," a telephone, and on and on. Just look around and practice thankfulness.

As summer draws to an end and school is about to begin it is time to put some thought into sending your children back with some health snacks and lunches. Food bars can simplify that job as they taste great, travel easy and require no refrigeration. Most are sources of protein which will help your child or you think better. I love the new THINK bars. They are yummy and have a blend of herbs in them to enhance mental abilities. Unique. There are bars with bee pollen and lots of flavor. Great for on the run lunches and most diets. One thing I have found really handy for rushed mornings is a protein drink. If you plan ahead, you can throw in any additional powdered supplements and save on a lot of pill popping. The protein is wonderful brainfood and the clean up is as easy as a bowl of cereal. The important thing is to give the kids as us too, some nourishment before starting a day. Another thing to be thankful for ... easy foods. If you have dieting, remind them that the metabolism kicks in faster if you have a little something on your stomach.

On the side: I am amazed at the work our Chamber of Commerce is accomplishing. We all benefit from tourism and spreading the word is no easy job. Red Oak II and Precious Moments are two big assets to this community. I think of the personal sacrifices that Lowell Davis and Sam Butcher make by just being such public figures. It is not an easy life, living under the microscope and judgements of those who have never been in the spotlight. It is a challenge. I appreciate all those who bring people to our community. Not only do we get to meet lots of neat folks, but we can enjoy the tax revenue which is generated by their presence.