PRAIRIE DAY

George Washington Carver National Monument invites the public to participate in Prairie Day on Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event is free of charge. Prairie Day is a celebration of life on a southwest Missouri farm during the mid-1860s and1870s, the years of George Washington Carver’s childhood.

Features include horse-drawn wagon rides through the prairie with a storyteller to entertain.

At the 1881 Moses Carver House history comes alive with candle dipping, Dutch-oven cooking, wool spinning, soap making, weaving, crochet, rag rugs, laundry & making lye soap, butter making, corn shucking, corn shelling & grinding, a chuck wagon, and a kitchen garden. The Town & Country Quilters will host a quilting bee and other quilters will demonstrate fancy quilting and tied quilts.

Professional storytellers include John Anderson as "Brother John", with music and stories about African American life on the prairie from the 1860s & 1870s; Richard and Judy Young presenting Ozark traditional stories; and Bobby Norfolk sharing African American folklore.

A special feature is the music of Rev. John Wilkins with his selections of blues. Ripplin Creek and Flyin Buzzards play traditional bluegrass, Ozark Wilderness Dulcimer Club play hammered dulcimers, Panhandle Slim shares songs of African American life, and Bramble & Rose, an old-time string band, present Civil War-era selections.

At the Carver Family Cemetery visitors may explore the hidden meanings of epitaphs & engravings. Edible & medicinal plants found on the prairie are displayed and prairie walks are conducted. Near the pond basket weavers create works of art, and interesting exhibits show woodland & prairie animals and birds. Kid-friendly activities include painting with natural dyes, old-fashioned toys & games, and a special Junior Ranger badge. An exhibit near the site of the slave cabin shows Civil War medicine, and the role of archeology is explored. Tri State Carvers Guild demonstrates wood carving techniques, the Missouri Department of Conservation discusses the benefit of prescription fire on the prairie, and the Neosho Fish Hatchery presents interactive exhibits.

Visitors are also invited to enjoy the 18th Annual Gem City Days, September 10th & 11th at the Diamond Christian Church parking lot. The theme this year is "Honoring our Heroes." The

Saturday parade begins at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Diamond Jazz Band, Old Fat & Ugly Band, a Car, Truck, & Bike show, children’s games, Billy Jo Gentry, No Apparent Reason, and

Coldcreek Rockin Country Band. For more information about Gem City Days please call 499-3300.

I was given a copy of an article in the Clinton (Mo.) Daily Democrat the other day. In a column called Bits & Pieces, the author quoted a friend who has lived in Carthage at some time. "The dawgondest place she’s ever been," said the article.

"Unless your family has been there for a century or more and moved on higher planes, you might as well be invisible.," it quoted the friend. Guess I never made her acquaintance. I suppose there are some expectations associated with ever’one when they move into a community. I’m sure, like most small towns, Carthage has its share of folks who are slow to warm up to new arrivals. Might even be a few some might call snooty. But bein’ a part of this community doesn’t take much effort, just a little want to.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Weekly Columns

To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Heart Failure Patients Need Activity, Not Rest

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I carry the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Medicines have made me feel pretty good. My wife thinks that I should do nothing. If I do much more than sit, she is all over me. A little bit of activity isn’t dangerous, is it? If I don’t do something, I am going to turn into a blob of fat. -- R.K.

ANSWER: You’re in a boat with 5 million other Americans who have chronic heart failure. Heart failure means the heart doesn’t pump enough blood with each beat to supply the body with oxygen. Shortness of breath on slight exertion is a principal sign.

Rest used to be the rule for heart-failure patients. Too much rest, however, deconditions the body and makes it even more difficult for a heart-failure patient to do things that are part of everyday life, like walking and a few household chores.

You have to ask your doctor what limits you should be bound by. If there’s a supervised exercise program for heart-failure patients in your area, join it. Many hospitals sponsor such programs. I encourage you to become active. You’ll find that regular exercise permits you to do more than you believed you could do.

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DEAR DR. DONOHUE: As you can see from my address, I live in the Deep South. I coach high-school football as well as teach two history classes. I worry about heatstroke in my players because of the high temperatures here. Any suggestions on preventing this? -- L.P.

ANSWER: Your concern is justified. Between 1995 and 2007, 25 high-school students and five college students died from heatstroke while practicing football. These fatalities occurred in the first week of practice. It takes a good two weeks for people to acclimatize to heat. My best advice is to consult these Web sites for definitive tips: www.nata.org (NATA is the National Athletic Trainers Association) and www.acsm.org (the American College of Sports Medicine). I’m positive your school has a computer.