Today's Feature

"Free Ride Into The New Year."

New Year’s Eve is Fridayand the City of Carthage will again provide its "Free Ride Into the New Year." This service is designed to reduce the risk of impaired driving after New Year’s celebration. The Carthage Taxi Service will take persons from anywhere in Carthage to anywhere in Carthage no questions asked.

The service will be provided from 10:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. People can request the service by calling 359-6589.

Salvation Army Christmas Goal.

News Release

As of December 28, 2004 the Salvation Army in Carthage has not met its Christmas Goal of $53,000 standing approximately $2,800 away, with time still available to accept donations.

A representative of the Salvation Army said the Carthage community once again made sure that everyone had a nice Christmas and offers thanks to all who sent in Donations, put money in a kettle, gave food, toys or volunteered time.

This year 345 families were helped, which is many more than the previous year.

Labor relations was a lot simpler when I was growin’ up. A farmer pulls up as school was gettin’ out and spread the word that he was lookin’’ for some hands to haul hay. The first three or four guys to make it in the bed of his pick-up were hired.

Out in the field, you were expected to pull your weight and pitch in and get the job done. If the farmer was happy with your performance, he’d ask ya ta come back the next night. If not, he’d either tell ya that you weren’t cuttin’ it or he’d ask one of the better hands to bring a buddy with him tomorrow.

The evaluation process was quick and usually pretty accurate. Either you could do the work or you couldn’t.

Most of the time the farmer could care less if you were the captain of the football team or a champion title-de-wink player, he just wanted his hay in the barn.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip

By JoAnn Derson

• Resolutions can be daunting, especially if you have a long list. Why not focus on one resolution per month? Mark a single resolution for every month on your 2005 calendar: January could be "get the house organized" month, March could be "drink more water" month, June could be "eat healthier" month, etc. You only have to focus on the single resolution, and it gives you a whole month to turn it into a habit.

• Don’t forget to stock up on plain red and green partyware at after-Christmas sales. Red can be used for Valentine’s Day and Fourth of July celebrations; green is great for St. Patrick’s Day parties.

• For unbreakable, long-lasting "rubber bands," writes E.M. of Indiana, Pa., just cut strips from nylon stockings or stretchy shirts that have worn out (or been stained). They can be made in varied sizes and there are so many uses for them, she can’t even count the ways. Great tip!

• "My hands get dry easily, so I am constantly putting lotion on them. When I go out in the evening and carry a small purse, I put a bit of lotion in a plastic sandwich baggie. It is a super space-saver, and it still is easy to get to." — E.S. in Virginia

• "If you have a pan with burned-on food, throw in some cut-up onions and water. Let it set for 5 minutes and then wash. The onion will loosen the charred food." — F.P. in Louisiana

• Winter-driving safety tip: Beware the snow-draped shoulder. It might look like a nice wide space to pull over into, but it could be a ditch that is filled with snow. Approach the shoulder with caution and be prepared to ease back onto the road in the event you feel any softness.