Did Ya Know... The Maple Leaf Fun Walk will be held Sunday, October 12 at 2 p.m. For information or to register, call the Carthage Chamber at 417-358-2373.

Did Ya Know... Advance tickets are available for the Cruise Night Dinner and Dance Concert at Red Oak II. Call the Carthage Chamber at 417-358-2373 or Red Oak II.

Did Ya Know... Maple Leaf T-shirts are available by contacting the Carthage Chamber at 358-2373.

Advertising certainly brings results. Why, yesterday I advertised for a night watchman and just last night I was robbed.

"One time I won a prize in arithmetic. The teacher asked us what was 2 X 20 and I said 34."

"You know that was wrong - 2 X 20 is 40."

"I was closer to it than anyone in the class."

"Well, I see you went to a fraternity."

"Oh, no. I just sat on a stove by mistake."

He had tough luck. He had a check for ten dollars and the only person who could cash it was a fellow to whom he owed nine dollars.

A New Whist Club Organized.

A number of ladies and gentlemen who last year composed what was known as the "Now and Then Whist Club" met last night at the residence of Dr. L. E. Whitney and perfected a more substantial organization for the coming year. Dr. Whitney was chosen president and Mrs. W. W. Walters, secretary and treasurer. The club was then officially christened the "Junior Whist Club."

Baptists at Webb City.

Quite a number of members of the Baptist church of this city attended the meeting of the Spring River district Baptist conference last evening at Webb City. Rev. W. F. Harris, pastor of the church here, delivered an address, and the Baptist choir, composed of Messers, Cicero and Charles Spencer and Mesdames Stickney and Crocker, sang. Mrs. Stickney also sang a solo. The party returned on the 10:30 car and had a jolly time singing.

Mall Sidewalk Concept Discussion.

The Public Works Committee meets this afternoon at 5:15 in City Hall. On the agenda is the mall sidewalk reconstruction project on the south side of the Square.

Approximately $85,000 was budgeted for the project this year. At the September Public Works Committee meeting a barebones renovation plan was presented by the engineering department. This included a new four-inch concrete slab and the availability of water outlets. It did not include eliminating the open space beneath the sidewalk as had been discussed in previous years.

City Engineer Steve Lett attributed most of the cracking and deterioration of the sidewalk to the misalignment of the joints in the superstructure and the surface concrete slab and to the type of concrete aggregate used, not to the elevation. Being elevated allows the structure to get colder and freeze more quickly, but, according to Lett, the cost of filling in beneath the sidewalk would be prohibitive.

After addressing this structural concern, the Committee focused on widening the scope of the project.

"I think we could probably afford to spend some more money...spend another 10 or 20 or whatever to make something a lot nicer, "said Committee Chair Bill Fortune. "I’d be inclined that way."

The Committee asked the engineering department to return with a more ambitious plan which would include upgrades such as Victorian-style lighting, a stenciling pattern in the concrete, brick planters and additional access to water.

At tonight’s meeting, Assistant to the City Engineer Joe Butler will present preliminary architectural plans reflecting this request. The plans indicate the number and placement of planters and light fixtures. Butler will also have samples of stencil patterns and stain colors for the decorative concrete being considered. The plans being offered tonight would increase the cost of the project by $20,000 to $25,000.

Butler stresses that the plans are still very debatable. The number and type of planters, the lighting and the stenciling pattern are all variables which are up for discussion and which affect the final cost.

This project has been under discussion since at least April 1993. During budget talks that spring, Street Commissioner Tom Shelley listed the mall sidewalk project as a capital improvement item needing special attention. He considered the sidewalk beyond repair at that time.

"It’s the old case of pay me now or pay me later," Shelley said then.

The cost of demolishing and rebuilding the mall sidewalk was estimated at $59,656 and that amount was budgeted for the project.

Problems with the sidewalk seem to result from its design and the materials used. In March 1994 Shelley and then Assistant to the City Engineer Harold Neely explained the problems to the Street Committee (now Public Works).

"At the joints where water and condensation get underneath, it freezes and cracks and has caused the steel girders to rust," Shelley said then. "We’ve tried a number of different sealants and have patched it several times...But as long as the space remains open underneath there are going to be problems with cracking," he continued.

Neely said the kind of crushed rock used for the sidewalk was not suitable for outdoor use.

Plans at that time were to remove the concrete slab and build a wall on the east side, then to fill it with base rock and pour concrete on top. According to Neely this would leave no hollow space beneath the sidewalk and reduce the expansion and cracking problems.

Committee members also explored the possibility of a business building in the area of the mall sidewalk. They had no success with this, but felt it might be a better option than just having a sidewalk in that location.

No reconstruction work had occurred on the mall sidewalk before it was closed in 1996 out of fear of liability because of its poor condition. During this time, the City became aware of deed restrictions on the property that included reverter rights if the land was used for anything other than a sidewalk. This discovery slowed consideration of improvements for the area.

Talk of the project resumed in earnest in August 1997. It appears now that the City and the other parties involved have reached an agreement concerning the property rights, and work in the area can proceed.

Second Annual R. W. Stanfield Scholarship Benefit

Big Band Sounds of the 40s, 50s, and 60s will thrill crowds in the Second Annual Maple Leaf Dance to benefit the R. W. Stanfield Scholarship Fund. Featuring live entertainment from Jim hunter and the Mellotones, the dance will be held Saturday, October 11th, from 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. at Memorial Hall in Carthage.

After its first year, the scholarship fund has raised over $10,000 for local music students to further their education and talents through college. The R. W. Stanfield Scholarship committee utilizes the Carthage R-9 Foundation as a vehicle to hold and account for the funds, which also makes all gifts to the scholarship fund fully tax deductible. Serving on this year's committee is President Jim Hunter, Nancy Sanders, Marvin VanGilder, Irene VanGilder, and Earnie Vaile. As one of the largest scholarships in the Carthage School District, the committee hopes to provide for at least one or two student scholarships each year.

The first student to use the scholarship is Music Education Major Justin Hall from Carthage. Justin was the first chair trombone in the Marching Band, Concert Band, Pep Band, and Jazz Band. "During the Marching season, Justin took the initiative to call several practices with his fellow trombonists," according to Carthage High School Music Director Gary Greek. "During these rehearsals, he would solely work his section until their parts could be played proficiently," Greek said.

The scholarship not only benefits music students from the area, but honors the memory of a legendary Carthage educator as well. Mr. Stanfield touched the lives of hundreds of music students in his career at Carthage High School. He was also a moving force in establishing the Maple Leaf Festival 31 years ago, which has grown to be one of Southwest Missouri's highest quality family events.

More information or credit card orders for the benefit dance are available by calling 358-8186. Advance tickets for the benefit dance are available at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, Hunter Tire and Alignment, College Pharmacy, and Earnie Williamson Music.

Talking With by Jane Martin

Release by Stone’s Throw Community Theatre"A curious mixture of standup comedy, ‘Tonight Show’ opening monologue, just plain homey conversation, and personal catharsis," says director Sonya Kew-Johnson of her next presentation at Stone’s Throw Community Theatre, Carthage, Missouri, Jane Martin’s "Talking With." The highly touted regional theatre hit runs Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11 at the theatre on Old Highway 66, just west of Carthage’s city park.

"What my cast is dealing with here," observes Johnson, "are eleven separate pieces, each about a different character one might meet anywhere. One of my ladies sleeps over nightly in a McDonald’s, thanks to a concerned assistant manager. Another is a snake handler on the revival circuit. There’s a baton twirler who got stepped on by an oversized horse, an actress, a housewife who is losing it somewhere over the rainbow in Oz. Each character has a fantastic story to tell about life and living. This makes for an absolutely riveting evening of good theatre and acting."

The cast features Alyssa Bell, Betty Bell, Hillary Brattin, Elisia Conrardy, Janice DeGraff, Betsy Fleischaker, Johnson, D’Lisa McKee, and Dorcia Meares. According to Johnson, "At audition, I let the cast read the script and told them to choose a couple of characters that they felt comfortable with. Invariably, each chose a characterization dealing with an aspect of life they had been touched by in the past. I think this personal association with a particular event or character is going to make this ‘women’s’ show a really worthwhile theatrical evening, and one that will appeal to men and young people as well, particularly those young people in speech and debate who are looking for really great contest material." Eric Conrardy is stage manager, with Henry Heckert in charge of the setting, lighting, and sound. William Roehling is the producer.

Admission for this presentation is $7 for adults and $5 for all students twenty and under. A deli bar featuring sandwiches, salads, chips, sweet, and drink is extra. Doors and deli open at 6:00 p.m., with curtain at 7:00 p.m. Reservations are required. VISA or MasterCard are accepted to confirm all reservations. The box office is open from 10 until 1 daily. Season memberships may not be used for this production. For information, call 417-358-9665. "Talking With" is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., New York City; and is funded in part by Missouri Arts Council.

Building Bridges Fair

Release by University Outreach and Extension

The Building Bridges and Strong Families Fair will be held on October 25, 1997 at the Northpark Mall from 1 to 5 p.m. The purpose of the fair is to bring people and families together to celebrate the success of the Building Bridges program, recognize the program participants, and raise awareness of bridging generational gaps and building strong families. Displays, performances, and recognition are main activities.

There will be about 34 display booths from various agencies, schools, and groups to share their resources and services. Special entertainment will be performed by area youth agencies and volunteers such as dance, song, magic, etc. Jennafer Stokes from KODE-TV and Paul Miller from AARP will host the entertainment and recognition.

Tootsie Roll Drive

Release by Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus, local Council 9190, as well as other councils statewide and nation-wide will hold their annual Tootsie Roll Drive on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. All proceeds go to not-for-profit agencies that help persons who are mentally retarded or developmentally disabled. The Knights is the only statewide organization that raises funds specifically for this cause.

Knights will be seen during the weekend of October 11 - 12 in front of Bob’s IGA, Ramey’s and the Wal-Mart supercenter. Local Knights will be wearing their distinctive red and yellow smocks and will be offering Tootsie Rolls for a contribution.

In all the time I've spent lookin' through flea markets and the such, I have run across all sorts of gadgets that someone has an explanation for. I have come to the conclusion that most of the time the explanation is little more than a guess in most instances.

Some will just outright tell ya they don't have the faintest idea, but there is always that one who has an opinion ta fit any oddball mechanical device on the shelf.

The one gizmo that I've never come across, and looks ta me like would have been implemented by someone, is an automatic toilet seat lowerin' device.

It would appear to be a simple enough setup of a couple a levers and a foot pedal of some sorts. Stand in front of the throne and place your foot on the pedal, the lid comes up. Step back and it automatically lowers to the more feminine position.

From all the talk about this major point of contention between the sexes, looks like someone would find an answer.

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

Health Notes.

POINTS OF INTEREST: With autumn comes falling leaves and falling bodies on the gridiron. Dr. Maureen Finnegan, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, cautions football players not to overlook warm-up exercises before the game. Professional and college team coaches make warm-ups mandatory. Too many high schoolers or younger people, unfortunately, don’t warm up, which means they leave themselves wide open for injuries. "A good warm-up," Dr. Finnegan says, "reduces the chances of some of the most common football-related injuries - muscle pulls." Especially vulnerable is that hamstring muscle which is found along the back of the thigh. Also vulnerable are the Achilles’ tendon at the back of the heel, and the abductor muscles inside the thigh. Dr. Finnegan suggests a light jog around the field at about half-speed, followed by gentle stretching of the main muscles. Make sure everyone who gets into the game is outfitted with the right gear, especially, the helmet.

Calcium is a vital nutrient for everyone, but especially so for younger women and girls who need to build strong bones that will help reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later years. Skim milk added to cereals instead of water during cooking is one way to get more calcium into the diet.