The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Monday, November 7, 2005 Volume XIV, Number 99

did ya know?

Did Ya Know?... The Relay For Life Planning Committee will be meeting Monday, November 7th at 5:45 in the Cafe at Leggett & Platt, Inc. Corporate Office, No. 1 Leggett Road, Carthage. For directions for the Cafe contact Nora Tebbets at 358-8131, ext. 2402.

Did Ya Know?. . .You can now adopt some of the Carthage Humane Society’s cutest kittens at the Carthage Animal Hospital, 2213 Fairlawn Dr., during regular office hours. For more info call 358-4914.

Did Ya Know?. . .The McCune- Brooks Hospital Blood Pressure Clinic is open M-W-F from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Clinic is located at 2040 S. Garrison in the MBH Wellness Center. Call 358-0670 M-W-F for more information. BP Logbook available.

today's laugh

The film at the local movie theater was three hours long, and Toby was amazed to find herself sitting next to a man who had brought a large German shepherd to the theater with him. Throughout the film, the dog didn’t make one sound. In fact, at the end of the film, during the saddest scene, it appeared that the dog was crying.

Toby turned to the man who brought the German shepherd and said, "Sir, I’m really amazed how your dog responded to the movie. I’ve never seen a dog act that way."

"I’m surprised too," the man replied. "He didn’t like the book at all."

1905
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

In Society.

Several of the "Monticello Girls" - young ladies who have attended or are about to attend Monticello seminary at Godfrey, Ill - were the guests of Miss McReynolds of South McGregor street at an elaborate luncheon yesterday afternoon.

The seminary colors, yellow and black, were conspicuous in the dainty decorations which surmounted the table. The repast was followed by an afternoon of recalling old college days and instructing two new "recruits," Misses Myrtle Irwin and Sarah Lehnhard, who are to go to Monticello this year.

Going to Portland to Live.

Mrs. Williams and her daughter Miss Hattie left this morning for Portland, Ore., where they will make their future home. Mrs. Williams disposed of her property some time ago. The Williams family have resided here a long time and have many friends who regret to see them leave the City.

 

Today's Feature
Election Tomorrow.

The election for the proposed Jasper County Law Enforcement sales tax will be held tomorrow, November 8.

At the close of last week reports from the election office showed 410 absentee votes received. Employees from the office said that the number was quite high for a special election with no more than three items for any area in the County.

As it is worded on the ballot, the tax would be used for the purpose of providing law enforcement for the County. In a more detailed list furnished by Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn the funding would be used to increase officers, improve equipment and upgrade pay scales.


New Tax Payment Options.

News release

Jasper County Collector of Revenue Stephen H. Holt today announced the completion and opening of the new Jasper County Collector on-line services program. The announcement was made jointly with Newton County Collector of Revenue James W. (Jim) Otey, who announced a Newton County website opening as well.

"We are extremely pleased to be able to offer these new services and information to the citizens of both Jasper and Newton Counties," Holt stated. Residents may now inquire as to payment status and amounts due for both their real and property taxes. In addition, taxpayers may make payments on-line for their taxes that are due. There is a small service fee that is charged for paying on-line by the servicing company. Neither Collector receives any portion of the transaction/convenience fee.

In addition to paying taxes or making payment inquiries, additional information concerning the payment of taxes and additional tax links are available. The new website is www.jaspercountycollector.com. In addition to the new on-line payments and web-page system, Hold also announces several other new and existing options to make the payment of 2005 taxes more convenient.

New 24-hour drop-payment boxes have been installed at the Carthage Courthouse. The new payment box in Carthage is located at the west outside entrance to the Courthouse. These payments will be processed daily, with paid tax receipts being mailed upon completion of the payment posting.

The office to pay taxes is located at the Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday.

Convenient return payment envelopes are included with this years 2005 tax statements. In addition payments may be made in person, by phone or on the form provided with each statement for payment by Mastercard or Visa. Again there is a slight service fee that is not received by the Collector or Jasper County.

Holt stated that his office is happy to offer these new and improved services to the residents and taxpayers of Jasper County and it is hoped that the new website will aid the taxpayers, title companies, and lending institutions with complete and accurate updated information.

2005 tax statements will be mailed beginning November 7th of next week.

Stench Report:
Friday,
11/4/05

No Stench Detected

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin
My class never got to go on field trips. I was like the teachers warned each other as we moved through the grades. I always though this was unfair. I personally don’t remember ever doin’ anything to deserve such admonishment.

‘Course, our class did have the distinction of bein’ the only 8th grade class to have all the male members called to the office in mass (it was based on the flimsiest of evidence and no formal reprimand was issued. At least until I go home).

In fact, I don’t think the class ever did anything that they were harshly punished for. Teachers just had this uneasy feelin’ that although we stayed in check, there was always a dormant volcano that could erupt at any minute. They didn’t want to be one of the casualties of the fire lava flow.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Sponsored
by:
Oldies & Oddities Mall
This Is A Hammer
by Samantha Mazzotta

Fireplace Basics

Q: A few years ago you printed directions on safely lighting a fire in the fireplace. This winter will be the first time we will use our new fireplace. Can you print those instructions again? — Charlie, via e-mail

A: Sure can! Your request comes at the perfect time, as we move into November and cold weather sets in for most of the country.

Here are step-by-step instructions for lighting a fire safely and successfully. If you own a gas-lit fireplace, skip Steps 3 and 5.

1. Open the damper and visually inspect the firebox and flue to ensure that they are clear.

2. Stack firewood in the center of the fireplace, being careful not to place the logs too close together. The wood stack should take up no more than one-third of the space in the fireplace.

3. Place loosely rolled newspaper in the gaps created by the wood stack, on all three sides. (Use newspaper only — avoid magazines or color inserts.)

4. Preheat the flue. Carefully light a rolled piece of newspaper and hold it about 2 inches inside the flue. Move the paper in slow circles for 10 to 30 seconds. This will encourage warm air to flow up and out the chimney.

5. Light the newspaper between the logs, on all three sides. A good-sized flame should leap up shortly, but will die down as the last of the paper burns. Look for smaller flames flickering along the bottom of the logs; this shows that the wood has caught and that a nice, small- to medium-size fire will build in a few minutes.

6. Add wood to the fire one piece at a time. To maintain the fire’s size, add one new log for each one that burns away. To increase its size, add one log every five minutes or so to a steady fire, and note the amount of flames and heat after each addition.

For new users, the hardest part of fire-building is finding the right amount of kindling to get a steady fire going. Dry twigs and wood chips can be added to newspaper; leaves don’t burn as well and are better left on the mulch pile.

Use a combination of woods for the best results: oak burns slowly and cleanly, while pine ignites more easily and burns hotter, but is consumed quickly.

Enjoy your new fireplace — but with a dose of common sense: Don’t burn trash in it, keep the gate closed and have the fireplace and chimney cleaned once a year.

HOME TIP: Leave about 1 inch of fine ash in the bottom of the fireplace. The ash will insulate the firebox and help the fireplace heat more efficiently.

Copyright 1997-2005 by Heritage Publishing. All rights reserved.