Plans for July 4th.

While celebrating our appreciation of freedom, this year’s RED, WHITE AND BOOM event will serve as an educational tool while providing a day of family fun, entertainment and community togetherness, according to Red, White, and Boom 2003 Committee Chair Gloria Lawrence.

"Festivals provide communities with the opportunity to celebrate the qualities that make them special and Carthage has many special qualities that can be exhibited on July 4th such as RED, WHITE AND BOOM are important to our community as they provide a safe environment for families and allow us to share with our neighbors," notes Lawrence."While celebrating our appreciation of freedom, RED, WHITE AND BOOM provide a day of family fun, entertainment and community togetherness. This event serves as an educational tool as it helps us keep alive the true meaning and purpose of Independence Day."

Lawrence says the city of Carthage has been known for years as having one of the most outstanding fireworks exhibitions in Southwest Missouri and this year will be no exception. More than a ton of fireworks are planned to fill the Carthage skyline beginning at 9:35 P.M.

A Red, White and Blue breakfast will serve as the official opening for the event. Everyone is encouraged to take a veteran to breakfast. The presentation of Colors and ‘We Love America’ ceremony will follow.

Free entertainment will be provided through out the day along with a miniature golf tournament and activities. The annual 5K Run and Fun Walk will be held. Persons who enjoy playing a musical instrument or who just enjoy sitting back and listening to the music created by others will enjoy getting together with their friends for an old fashioned Jam Session. The Food Barn will be filled with a variety of food concessions. Additional activities are currently being planned.

The goal of $30,000 has been set to meet this year’s Red, White and Boom expenses. Contributions of $22,500 have already been received. This is a community-supported event and we depend on donations and contributions from area organizations, businesses and individuals.

Those who would like to contribute to Red, White and Boom may contact the office of Tom Short, City Administrator and request a contribution form.

Mrs. Lawrence adds, "Organizations and businesses are still being invited to add to the day’s event by planning additional activities for families." Those who may be interested in planning activities may contact Mrs. Lawrence at 358-9567. "We hope everyone sees the importance of this event – not just the fun activities – and the community will join us as we keep alive the true meaning and purpose of Independence Day."

Exhibit Changes at artCentral.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

The photography exhibit of Bill Perry III ends today. The next exhibits will begin on Friday, February 28. In the Main Gallery we will have the collective works of the Ozark Pastel Society. The Members Gallery will showcase the paintings of David Winward.

Winward’s oil paintings can be seen in hospitals and banks in the Joplin area. His show will offer viewers a chance to see scenes of Germany and its architecture; including ancient ruins. The artist lived in Germany during the 1980’s when he was stationed there as a military pilot.

The Richard Logsdon exhibit continues at Shellie’s on East Third Street. Stop in to see his oil paintings of New England scenes.

Thanks again to the Women’s Service League of Carthage for their generous contribution of a scholarship fund for our summer artCamp program for youth ages 8-14.

HOURS: T – F 11 - 5

Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and Sat.

1110 E 13th • 358-4404

ozarkartistscolony.com

Seems kinda silly to pay someone eight or ten bucks just ta cut a piece of glass. All ya gotta do is buy onea those glass cutters and run it down a straight line.

‘Course that was my opinion last week, before I practiced the craft for a window replacement.

I cut glass kinda like I whittle. When I whittle I just start out ta make a tooth pick. If somethin’ more grand results, I take it as good luck.

Unfortunately, my glass cuttin’ was supposed ta end up with somethin’ more than a sliver.

I’m figurin’ my glass cuttin’ practice cost a good bit more than I woulda spent for someone who knew what they were doin’. May be the best part of experience is learnin’ your limitations.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

Today is another beautiful pre-spring day! With so much gloom and doom in the news, the sun is a welcome relief. Prior to the new year 2000, many people were learning about and putting away "stores" just in case the computers or something drastic happened at the stroke of midnight of the new millennium. As in most situations where some "unusual" action is taken by generally "normal" people, there can be lots of smirking and some outright laughter. Now that our government has issued some suggestions for family preparedness, take it. It does not matter who says what about you. Remember the fable of the ant and the grasshopper? I don’t mean panic, but why not prepare in some simple easy ways??? It could save you feelings of panic at a later date.

Changing the subject. I was recently reading a book by Missouri author Bob Liebert entitled Common Medicinal Herbs of the Ozarks. This book was found at George Washington Carver National Park. Liebert is a stickler for those just learning about herbs to become conscious gatherers of the weeds. It is so important to preserve what we have. Liebert works with the common herbs such as dandelion from the roots to the flowers. Dandelion has traditionally been used to treat conditions involving liver, to making wines and salad dressings and even flowers as an addition to salads. Liebert also shares his knowledge about Boneset stating that it "has special properties beneficial for flues such as relieving muscle aches and headaches and causing sweating to relieve fevers."