The community is invited to join family and friends as Carthage celebrates America’s birthday on July 4th. Carthage’s Municipal Park will host several activities that will help provide a safe environment for family fun. While enhancing our appreciation of freedom and helping to keep alive the true meaning and purpose of Independence Day, RED, WHITE and BOOM provides a day of family fun, entertainment and community togetherness. Bring your lawn chair and spend the day in the park!

The day will begin at 7:00 A.M. when more than 100 runners are anticipated to participate in the 5K Run and Fun Walk sponsored by the Carthage High School’s Cross Country Team. The Red, White and Blue Breakfast will be served between 7:00 A.M. and 9:30 A.M. and at 9:00 A.M. all persons are encouraged to show their patriotic colors and support to our flag at the Salute To America Flag raising ceremony.

The swimming pool will open to the public at 11:00 and the Carthage Golf Center, located in the park, will provide miniature golf activities for families along with a drive, chip and putt contest.

Powers Museum will remain open through out the day and visitors are invited to view the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, Produce For Victory, that includes posters from the Home Front.

Lem Sheppard, along with other area performers, will provide free entertainment for those attending the day’s event. This year’s entertainment will also include a karaoke competition.

Food vendors will provide a variety of food items from hamburgers, hot dogs, snow cones, Dominos Pizza, Shake’s Frozen Custard and more.

The evening will conclude with an exhibition of FIREWORKS IN THE SKY. The exhibition will be synchronized to music on Mix 95.1 FM radio. Everyone is encouraged to bring radios and tune it to 95.1.

Time Calendars of the days activities are available to pick up at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, Carthage Administrator’s Office, located on the second floor at Carthage City Hall, and at Powers Museum.

Happened by an outdoor flea market this weekend. Found an item I wasn’t lookin’ for but was just what I needed. And at a price I couldn’t pass up.

I know there are lots a folks who spend a lot a time plannin’ just what it is they want and how to go about gettin’ it. Sometimes it just takes blind luck to get it done.

I used ta shoot pool on occasion and I found the same thing true for my pool playin’. I wasn’t that good, but sometimes I was pretty lucky. I suppose ‘cause I wasn’t smart enough ta know I couldn’t make a shot I’d try it anyway. On those rare time when luck was with me, folks would think I knew what I was doin’. If they say my typical game, they likely think that was an "off" night.

You can beat someone who is good, but ya can’t beat someone who is lucky.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune- Brooks Hospital

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Summer Is the Season

for Lyme Disease

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Our daughter became sick during a visit to us last year. A large red spot appeared on her leg, and it grew in size. Lyme disease was suspected. When she returned to her home, blood tests indicated that she could have the disease, and she was treated with antibiotics. We would like to know more about Lyme disease and its treatment. — S.H.

ANSWER: Lyme disease is an infection that peaks in the warm months, when the tick population is at its height. Ticks carry the germ that causes it.

Three to 32 days following the bite of an infected tick, people break out with a circular spot (or spots) that has a red border that keeps enlarging. The center of the spot generally turns pale. In addition to the rash, people feel exhausted and often have headaches and a rise in temperature. They can also experience joint and muscle pain.

Those symptoms lessen, but weeks to months later, a new set of symptoms appears. One side of the face might droop, and the eye on that side stays opened. That condition is Bell’s palsy, and it is one manifestation of the second stage of Lyme disease. Other nerve troubles are more common. In addition, the heart can become inflamed, and it might develop irregular beats. The rash seen in the first stage can come back.