Today's Feature
Hospital Plans Move Forward.

Carthage City Council approved an ordinance authorizing the purchase of property for the construction of the McCune-Brooks Hospital replacement facility at the meeting this week. The Council also approved ordinances authorizing the City to enter into an agreement for the purpose of constructing the new facility and entering into a line of credit for the construction process involved in the new building.

Council member and McCune-Brooks Health Care Foundation Chairman Tom Flanigan said that the hospital hopes for a September ground-breaking. Flanigan abstained from voting on these ordinances to avoid any conflict of interest.

Accepting Nominations for Grand Marshal.

The Maple Leaf Planning Committee is currently accepting nominations for this year’s parade Grand Marshal. Candidates must have resided in, or be a current resident of Carthage and have made a significant and positive impact on the community and its residents throughout their lifetime. To submit a nominee for Maple Leaf Parade Grand Marshal, call the Chamber at 358-2373 by Friday, June 17.

State Senator Gary Nodler
News release

Nodler Declares Session a Success.

With the 93rd General Assembly adjourned for the year, Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, considers the past session a success after lawmakers accomplished many of their legislative goals.

"Thanks to remarkable support from the governor, we were able to make sweeping changes to areas in need of improvement," Nodler said. "With thorough deliberation and efficient bill handling, we also were able to bring a finer balance to our priorities as a state."

Nodler is pleased that the Legislature was able to craft a new school funding formula, promote a business-friendly economic climate, and responsibly plan the state budget to cover the most worthwhile programs and services without having to raise taxes for Missouri citizens.

"Although the session has ended, I will continue to serve the people of the 32nd Senate District," Nodler said. "I encourage my constituents to bring their concerns to my office so that I can best represent them in Missouri’s upper chamber."

The Second Regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly will convene January 4.

Hopefully our ratings average out over the long run. Some days when the wind is right those north or east of the bottoms may get an entirely different reading.

All we can do is document that there is still a problem. We seldom are out at late hours of the night, but we’ve heard reports of stench after midnight also from time to time. Wednesday evening it was particularly bad just south of the Square around suppertime.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

It is hard to lose people we love even though we know in our hearts they are in a better place. We lost a great lady recently. If you are a believer in your natural products, honesty and integrity in this field, and the continuing right to purchase these nutrients, she was a great advocate of yours too. This dear 85 year old woman, Nita, did not stop working to save our supplements and also help so many people on an individual basis up until the time of her death. She was busy writing Representatives, Senators and even the President to tell them to respect our freedom of choices in health care. She did the work for those of us who considered ourselves way too busy to make that a priority. I respect all who spend their time fighting the battles which will have a positive impact on our everyday lives.

Seeing many elders gathered at her funeral reminded me of the things we are losing: Traditions which are going by the wayside; Practicality gone awry; Frugality unheard of; And most importantly the roots which keep family trees firmly together. Lamenting a lost way of life will not bring it back, but passing on the traditions of freedom in all areas, kind acts on a daily basis, love for one another, an understanding that material possessions are NOT more valuable than personal relationships and an unshakeable faith in our Creator can be passed on by example and practice. These actions are minute by minute choices that effect our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Since we all have an effect on each other either knowingly or unknowingly, it is important to be aware of our actions. While I sit back and have my cup of kava to calm my nerves, I will be asking myself if I passed on a smile or frown, if I was patient or impatient, if I took the time to care, was I REALLY listening, seeing beyond spoken words to the heart of a matter? This my friends, is probably the true basis of Natural Health.

artCentral

Members gallery showcases art by workshop teachers

artCentral is most fortunate to have members such as Carthage resident Bill Snow, undoubtedly the best known sculptor in this area, smithy Joe Davis, and clay artist Jack Sours, who are accomplished artists as well as competent teachers. The three offered instruction in their respective areas of expertise for the recent June Weekend Workshops and currently have samples of their work on display in the upstairs Members Gallery at artCentral, 1110 East 13th Street, now through July 8.

It’s worth the trip over to artCentral just to see Bill Snow’s magnificent sculpture, "A Story Set in Stone." Carved in Indiana limestone, this large piece narrates an encounter of an owl grasping a snake and two crows set in a tree. The textures of the bird feathers and tree bark make the piece come alive. Bill also has two smaller limestone sculptures of otters that show his artistic instincts to contrast sleek forms against rough, blocky rock shapes. Joe Davis works in contrasting materials, too. His pounded forged steel pieces are black and dense, compared to the light, fluid fragility of blown glass bowls and sculpted glass. Jack Sours’ stoneware pieces range from large platters, incised with intricate patterns of shapes and textures, to his three-foot tall covered urn, completely embellished with complicated Celtic designs and buffalo head handles.

Although this show was intended to inspire the weekend workshop students, it is certain to delight and amaze viewers who admire these artists and their work. Come by...you won’t be disappointed!