Today's Feature

Tax Rate Information.

According to information from the State of Missouri Department of Revenue the one-fourth percent county law enforcement sales tax will put total tax rate at 7.388%. The 1/4% sales tax increase is scheduled to go into effect on April 1. After the implementation of the tax Carthage will have the highest total tax rate in Jasper County. Webb City and Joplin’s tax rate will be the second highest at 7.325%. Sarcoxie, Jasper and Carterville follow at 7.2%.

Other counties in Missouri imposing sales tax change include Taney County, where Branson is located. Branson’s tax rate will be raised to 9.1% in the Branson Hills Community Development District and 8.6% in the Tourism Community Enhancement District.

A Truly Selfless Gift.

News release

On Tuesday, March 21st Randy Dickerson and Cecile Woodmansee, accompanied by their families and other members of First Christian Church Carthage, will meet in Kansas City. They will share adjoining surgeries at K U Medical Center as a transplant team places one of Randy’s healthy kidneys in Cecile’s abdomen to replace one of her failing kidneys.

Cecile Woodmansee is a long-time Carthage resident. She taught in the Webb City School District for 28 years. And she is remembered fondly by the students she helped to shape in her first, second, and kindergarten classes. Soon after retirement Cecile’s kidneys failed and by February, 2004 they functioned at only 8%. She continues on dialysis awaiting a transplanted kidney. Cecile’s medical insurance will soon "top out" and will pay only partial costs of the transplant surgery and none of the continuing care and medication required of a transplant recipient. As a result, even though Cecile has worked her entire adult life, there will be gaps during which she will be without medical coverage, and when she will be only partially covered. When asked about her medical and financial condition, Cecile was quoted as saying, "I have placed the burdens of this season of my life on God, as I have done throughout my life. I will continue to do so until my passing."

Randy Dickerson smiles quietly when asked about his gift. His hope is that by sharing with others his relationship with God and by showing that real Christian beliefs and real life can merge into a selfless act, he will not only help Cecile with her immediate need, but might also influence others to come closer to God and get to know what God asks of us. Randy wholeheartedly believes God placed him in Carthage, and at First Christian, for this very purpose. He tells of a time when he and his wife, Robin, were relocating from Colorado to Carthage. Unbeknownst to them Robin was being pursued by news of an inheritance. Had she received the bequest while still in Colorado, they would have undoubtedly remained there. But, the news was delayed until after they arrived in Carthage, and so they settled in here. Randy began work at Leggett & Platt where he now works in the Automated Bed area. Robin works for the Carthage Junior High School in a job which allows her time at home to raise their four natural children and their newly adopted daughter. When the news of Cecile’s dilemma arrived, Randy’s heart was moved from within. He had a matching blood type and "just knew" that he was the donor God would select for Cecile. However, another donor stepped forward before him.

"It is an amazing thing to see unfold.", said Jim Swatsenbarg, an elder. We saw a donor step forward from the population of our relatively small congregation and we cheered as she cleared each screening. We were all thinking surely, she was God’s choice. In the meantime, Randy, without telling anyone, began to process himself through the screenings. In one of the last steps, our first donor was disqualified. I remember the whole congregation being disappointed at the time. But like He so often does, God had a better plan. Randy soon arrived with the news that he was, indeed, a match. In fact, he matched so closely that had he been a blood relative, he would be the perfect match for Cecile. God just had a better plan. The whole congregation is cheering even louder now."

Leggett & Platt has been gracious in allowing Randy time off for the screenings, the transplant operation, and his recovery. His medical costs will be covered jointly by the Kidney Foundation, Medicaid, and private insurances. But his salary during recovery will be only partially paid.

David Cook, Senior Pastor at First Christian Church is quoted as saying, "We are just blown away. God is so good! Our purpose, as God’s children, is to build a bridge between God and others in our community. You know one of the Christian authors, Henry Blackaby, says that if you want to experience God firsthand, if you want to be close to God; then find out where God is at work – and go join Him. So we are announcing today, that First Christian Church, Carthage is beginning a campaign to cover the costs incurred by two of God’s children who are doing His work. We invite friends, former students, and co-workers of Cecile and Randy, and all others, to join us in this endeavor. Beginning today, anyone may make a contribution at any Hometown Banking Center, or at the church, 800 South Main Street, Carthage. Please make all contributions payable to ‘FCC Medical Fund’... Also, we want everyone to know that one of Randy’s concerns in revealing news of his gift to the public, is that his motive might be mistaken for greed. He has told us that if paints his house this summer, or adds the other bedroom his family so badly needs, he does not want anyone to think their medical contributions paid for it. So, the body of First Christian Church wants to state up-front, that in accordance with Randy and Cecile’s wishes, all contributions made to the FCC Medical Fund will be used only to cover costs associated with the transplant. The Fund will be administered by our Trustees and any amounts remaining after Cecile and Randy’s needs are met will be donated to another medical need.

I respect Randy’s intentions," Pastor Cook continued, "but I’m also sure God will bless Randy’s gift – and all his needs will be met. That’s just the way God is."

Stench Report:
Thursday,
3/16/06

No Stench Reported

Fightin’ such temptations is a lot easier sittin’ in front of the tv. Ya don’t see that little spot ya missed paintin’ up in the corner, or that one last piece a trim that ya never quite nailed down. Up ta now we’re just talkin’ ‘bout things actually on the porch. Out in the yard there is always that stubborn elm that keeps tryin’ to sprout up ever’ spring. Somehow that one section a fence is startin’ ta sag a little. Seems like most of my porch sittin’ sessions end up with me tinkerin’ with this or that. At least this time a year, the sun goes down soon enough ta keep those big projects on the back burner.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Energy and spring, just seem to go hand in hand..or so we hope. Fatigue appears to be a common complaint these days. It is just that spring offers so many opportunities to overwork and under love oneself? Is it a time when we have been given the opportunity to smell the roses and spring flowers and have forgotten how for any number of reasons?

Spring is often referred to as a time for cleaning and new beginnings. A time for cleaning the garage, yard, drapes, workshop and even one’s head. Letting go of past experiences so that new ones may enter our lives, going on a diet, new hair cuts and a look at where we stand with our "new year resolutions." This is a time to plant seeds and new ideas and traditionally to "spring clean" the body.

Traditionally this was a time of the year to drink sassafras tea. Sassafras was called a "spring medicine" to purify the blood and cleanse the entire system. It was used to flush out the system and the aroma was enjoyable. Sassafras is often found in combination with other cleansing herbs for its delightful flavor. It is suggested in Jethro Kloss’s book Back to Eden that the tea should not be taken for over one week at a time.

For internal cleaning Cascara Sagrada bark was used for chronic constipation. Again, Mr. Kloss considers it one of the most reliable and time proven remedies and states that he has used the product safely for over thirty years when needed. Our native Americans called it "sacred bark." It is noted that only the aged bark should be used. One year seems to be sufficient.

artCentral
Art Notes from Hyde House
By Sally Armstrong

As preparations at artCentral turn towards our next art show beginning on April 28th, and as we continue to receive people to enjoy viewing the Becky Golubsky Pet Portraits for another month, business at Hyde House turns toward planning for children’s artCamp in July.

For quite a number of years, artCental has held Children’s artCamp for area young people aged 8-14 who are interested in either specific arts or in general creative activity. artCamp is held here at Hyde House in our wonderful classroom building which has been reconstructed from an historic structure, probably a barn originally, into a two story - classroom upstairs, pottery studio and lab downstairs. We also have a "clean classroom" in the house itself which is also utilized when needed. Printed information will soon be circulated through area elementary and Jr. High art teachers, at children’s libraries, churches, and through any other outlet we know that might reach interested children. We will begin by mailing these fliers to those kids who attended last year and indicated interest for 2006 on a pre-signup sheet. Call us here if you would like a flier mailed to your home: 358-4404.

Fifteen local art teachers and instructors were also mailed letters this past week requesting knowledge of their desire to teach again or for the first time. Those that accept will submit creative ideas for the classes they wish to teach and supplies that would be needed for those classes. Each class lasts one day and begins at 10:30, finishing at 3:00, with a break for lunch. Pre-registration and pre-payment are a MUST as supplies must be gotten in advance. The cost is $15.00 per class, and kids can take as many class-days as they like. Some very popular classes may be offered twice if the need arises. Examples of classes offered last year were, "Clay Day" teaching various clay techniques, "Watercolor 1, Still Life Painting", Watercolor 2, Landscape Painting", "Monotypes: Fun With Printmaking", "Ancient Egypt: Animals and Plants of the Nile", "Famous Architecture/Architects", "Pop Art - Food", a paper mache making class, "Lines and Shapes in Space", a sculpture-construction class. No cell phones allowed and raggedy clothes are encouraged!

There are approximately 10-13 kids in a class and all ages together. Drinks are available at 50 cents each and sack lunches are brought, to be eaten on the beautiful grounds under the trees. Mark your summer calendars for July 17-29th and let us help give your kids a fun art-experience!