Today's Feature

MSSU, Carthage R-9 Enter Memorandum.

MSSU President Dr. Julio León and Carthage R-9 Superintendent Dr. Gary Reed on Tuesday afternoon signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a partnership which will help prepare high school students for college. The memorandum is signed in conjunction with McCune-Brooks Hospital moving to its new location and the addition of MSSU classrooms at the former MBH location in Carthage.

A news release from MSSU states that a task force will begin regular meetings to develop and launch educational programs within the MSSU University Education Center during the 2008 fall semester.

Dr. León said, "Our goal is to partner with the Carthage R-9 School District and encourage more students in our region to complete a rigorous high school core curriculum, enter a college or university and graduate with a degree," Dr. León said. "That’s good for the student, that’s good for Carthage, that’s good for the region, and that’s good for Missouri Southern."

Dr. Reed stated the Carthage R-9 School District is "pleased to be a partner with Missouri Southern in the common goal of expanding opportunities for our students and encouraging them to prepare for successful careers. We also are pleased to enter into a formal planning process to further assess needs in relation to the potential uses of the McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital building."

The National Talent Unveiled.

A conference was held on Tuesday morning by the Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Carthage Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of announcing the entertainers for a new event to be held during the upcoming Maple Leaf Festival.

Rich McCready, Ashley Graham and Desi Hickman were announced as the featured entertainment for Boots, Bands & BBQ, a free outdoor concert that will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 20 at the softball stadium in Carthage’s Municipal Park.

According to bios provided by the CVB, McCready is a traditional country music artist who has had three hit songs in the 90’s and has been featured on CMT, TNN and GAC. Graham is a Tulsa native who has recorded demos in Nashville and is currently touring, writing music and singing. Hickman hails from Carl Junction and is developing her country roots into a singing and songwriting career.

"Carthage is America’s Maple Leaf City and the Maple Leaf Festival is the City’s signature annual event," said Convention and Visitor Bureau Director Kate Massey. "Boots, Bands & BBQ is a natural addition to the response we have received from our past visitors for live entertainment. The CVB and Chamber are committed to continuing our tradition of quality during the Maple Leaf Festival."

More information may be obtained by calling the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau at 359-8181.

I suppose that one a the appeals of the many fall festivals in the area is the fact that they aren’t considered as one of the regular family holidays. They are more of a make-your-own holiday.

There isn’t the pressure of Christmas or Thanksgivin’, or for lots a families the Fourth or Easter. In many cases it seems, the fall gatherin’s are more of an excuse to see old friends or some combination of friends and family.

The purchase of presents isn’t required, and the traditional meal can be as informal or formal as is comfortable. With so many activities and food vendors there doesn’t have to be a meal at all.

The addition of a concert is bound to make this year’s Maple Leaf festival one to remember.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip
By JoAnn Derson

• "Two weeks (or more) before school begins, we start getting up at the regular school time (so we’ll be well-prepared to get up on time by the time school actually starts) and reviewing, whenever possible, the previous year’s materials. We try to make it fun by doing quizzes at dinnertime and awarding special privileges for questions answered correctly." -- G.V. in California

• "Whenever I shop for groceries, I look for buy-one-get-one deals or really reduced prices on things I already need. I buy in bulk on those items, sometimes even returning to the store the next day to get another shot at it if there’s a limit." -- C.C. in Georgia

• Use filtered tap water for drinking, and don’t buy plastic bottles. If you do buy one, reuse it -- as much as possible. Less plastic equals less waste, and less waste makes a better planet.

• To remove muffins or rolls from a pan, set it on an old, damp towel for a minute. The steam must loosen the bottoms, because they just slide right out. I thank my mom for this tip." -- Janey R., via e-mail