The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Friday, October 9, 1998 Volume VII, Number 81

did ya know?
Did Ya Know?. . .The Carthage High School Class of '53 will host a mixer from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. October 16, at the Coachlight RV Center in Fidelity. Upper and lower classmates are invited to drop by and visit with old friends.

today's laugh

"Now," said the teacher, impressively,"why should we endeavor to rise by our own efforts?"

"Because," replied Tommy, "there's no knowing when the alarm-clock will go wrong."

 

A school girl was required to write an essay of two-hundred and fifty words about an automobile.

She submitted the following:

"My uncle bought an automobile. He was riding in the country when it busted up a hill. I guess this is about fifty words. The other two hundred are what my uncle said when he was walking back to town, but they are not fit for publication."

 

"Jimmie," said the teacher, "why don't you wash your face? I can see what you had for breakfast this morning."

"What was it?"

"Eggs."

"Wrong, teacher. That was yesterday."

1898
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

Sunday School Class Picnics.

The Westminster Sunday school classes of Mrs. Chas. Tobias, Mrs. W.H. Butts, and Miss Alice Bradford picniced yesterday at McDaniel's mill bridge on Spring river east of town. They drove out at 8:30 a.m. in several rigs, quite a number of the boys going in a big transfer wagon. Fishing and swimming were the pastimes indulged in by the boys. A big picnic lunch was spread at noon.

Married Three Couples Today.

W.R. Dunham, of Montevallo, Vernon County, and Miss Dora Basnet of Webb City, and Francis M. Phillips of St. Louis and Jessie P. Henry of Webb City, were no sooner licensed to marry today than Judge T.M. Garland chanced on the scene at the recorder's office and performed a double wedding. At 10 o'clock this morning Judge Garland married Jas. King and Mrs. Annie Kinser of Joplin.

  Today's Feature

Marching Cobras To Perform.

Maple Leaf Festival activities will include a special appearance of the Kansas City based Marching Cobras. The group is comprised of over 150 inner-city youth ranging in age from seven to seventeen, and coming from over forty different public and private schools. The group will be in the parade and also have a special performance at 1 p.m. on the Square.

Members must meet eligibility standards of good conduct and scholastic achievement. A grade average of "C" or better is required and they must also complete a rigorous six-week training session. A positive attitude is considered a must.

According to information provide by the Boys & Girls Club, members receive benefits that surpass the average student. They a said to include special classes on personal health and development, cultural enhancement and the achievement of realistic goals. Cobras are able to receive counseling on drug and alcohol prevention and learn responsibility to others as well as themselves.

The performance is sponsored by Goodman Manufacturing.

(see accompanying article below)


Goodman Manufacturing Company is pleased to bring the Kansas City Marching Cobras to the Maple Leaf Parade. This is our way of saying thank you to the people of the Carthage area for supporting our business over the years. We believe the spectators will enjoy their performances. We admire the efforts of Willie Arthur Smith and the Kansas City Boys & Girls Club.

 

Connie Goodman

 

The Marching Cobra History.

Provided by the Kansas City Boys & Girls Club.

Founded by Willie Arthur Smith, the Marching Cobras are a precision drill team that have become renowned as Kansas City's finest ambassadors. Since 1969, Willie has dedicated his time, talent and life to the successful development of the Cobras, and remarkably, he has contributed this while holding down a full-time teaching position with the Kansas City, Missouri School District. Over 200 inner-city youth make up the internationally-known marching and performing unit.

The Marching Cobras were founded because of Willie's vision to offer kids a safe alternative to the streets, and a positive place to grow up. With 13 kids and almost no money, Willie Arthur Smith founded the Marching Cobras. Willie knew that idle time often led to young people getting into trouble, and so, the Cobras were formed. As well as teaching young boys and girls about hard work and good health, the Cobras also gave Willie an arena to pursue what he calls "his own personal ministry" of developing values, a strong work ethic, and self-esteem in young people.

For many of these kids, Willie Smith is the only "farther" figure, and often the only positive male role model they've ever known. Over the years, many young boys and girls have been taken in by Willie during crises in their lives. They stay for 2 weeks, 6 months or several years. Two of his "sons" were abandoned children. Willie found them, raised them and sent them into the world. Many of the children Willie takes in are Cobras, but they don't have to be. He just cares about children. He's gone to court with his kids when they've gotten in trouble, and promised the judges to keep the kids "clean," and he does. He's acted as guardian more times than anyone can count. Most of all, he's there for them, rain or shine, day or night. Willie's kids always know they can count on him.

From 1969 to 1986, Willie supported himself professionally as a high school Social Studies teacher for Lincoln Junior High School. In 1986, with the Cobras in financial trouble, Willie made the difficult choice of walking away from 18 years with the School District to work full-time with the Cobras. It was then that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City invited the Marching Cobras into their organization. The mission to promote youth development for the disadvantaged was the same, and so, the Cobras became a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs. After 17 years of volunteering, Willie spent the next four years working solely with the Cobras, earning a moderate living with the Clubs. Even during that time, Willie's commitment never matched his 40 hour a week salary. He worked 80 hours a week or more, often performing 2-3 times in the same day.

In 1992, Willie returned to Lincoln Academy at the request of the new principal to work as the In-School Suspension Coordinator. No matter where Willie goes, he's always working to turn the lives of troubled kids around. With Willie's support, children rarely get suspended more than once at Lincoln Academy, and the kids are almost never Cobras.

Since 1992, Willie has received a stipend of $12,500 annually from the Boys & Girls Clubs for his work with the Cobras. However, between practices and performances, Willie spends 40-50 hours per week with the Cobras. He also pays the majority of his own expenses.

 

Gwen Long's Paintings Showing

Opening Reception Tonight 6-8 pm.

by Robin Putnam

new release artCentral

Hey....we hope to see you out here tonight!! It's our seventh show this year!! Gwen Long, Bella Vista, AR will be showing her paintings with us from now until November 13th. Gwen is a native of Oklahoma and has lived and taught all over the U.S. She has won several awards and has been featured in galleries from Virginia to the four-state area. We'll be hosting a reception tonight from 6-8 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and as usual there is always the great company to round out a cultural evening....come by before you head out to dinner...it's fun!!

Can you believe we have been doing 'this' for a year! Our one year anniversary in the Geranium is this month! One year, seven shows, more than a dozen different mediums and almost 40! different artists!! Something to cel-e-brate!!

By the end of 1998 we will have brought you 40 artists.....not bad, huh? Thanks for the support from all of the great art lovers out there and the artists!!

We've also had numerous classes and or...and still a few more yet this year.

Kit Tuck will be holding a two-day paper mache workshop Oct. 12 & 19, two Monday nights, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Kit is an artist from Lamar, she sits on the board of Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin and travels to third world countries teaching the local women the art of hand-made paper. She shows her original paper paintings locally as well as throughout the country and has won numerous awards. Don't miss this great opportunity!! Call and reserve a space for you and a friend! See you there!

About renting the Geranium House for a Holiday shin-dig...our enviroment...a beautiful gallery....limited floor space, metal folding chairs...doesn't exactly scream formal, sit down, catered diner...however...socials for about 30, family gatherings and snacks, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres (again about 30), potluck gatherings (family or friends, co-workers, club members, card players!)..lots and lots of possibilities but remember..we can only provide our premises, some set-up, and some clean-up.

Caterers, bartenders, foods, and beverages and wait staff is all up to you! We will gladly work with any of the above mentioned persons!! Thanks to everyone who called and asked for more details...we appreciate the thought!!

A big THANK YOU to Debbie Reed and her family, Richard and Stephanie (Eric & Tim escaped be being away at college!)....they hosted the October meeting of the Art Forum!!

It was sooo nice of them to invite us into their lovely home!! AND they have a great collection of original art!! We all checked out Debbie's studio, ate (and ate) and Stephanie played something wonderful on the piano!

We welcomed new comers Carol and Carrie Ackelmire!! Jorge's all smiles these days..glad to see he's feeling better.

Again thanks to everyone who has shared their home or studio with this great group of people!! Thanks to Jane and Jorge for doing the nitty-gritty stuff that keeps it flowing!

Call if you have any questions or if it's YOUR turn to have 'the ladies' to your house...maybe we can be of service!!

More..................next week.


 

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

It's time ta start plannin' your Maple Leaf activities schedule. Brochures are around town with the full list of things to do and see for the upcomin' week. The Mail is plannin' to print a schedule for next weekend on Thursday if ya need the info then.

The Little Miss and Mister pageant will be the official, official start of the Maple Leaf Festival this year. It's tomorrow night at the Junior High School Auditorium.

A reminder for those K-9 lovers, the dog show is still on schedule and will be sponsored by Shoe Wearhouse. The store may be closin', but the show must go on.

With the Cobras, Janet Kavandi, and the dog show and other activities on the Square after the Parade, it should be an excitin' time downtown that day.

Don't forget the Maple Leaf Walk on Sunday and the Maple Leaf Queen Contest on Tuesday evening.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

Sponsored

by

Oak Street health & herb

Weekly Column

Natural Nutrition.

by Mari An Willis

On a recent trip to the Buffalo River, I was pleasantly surprised to find several chestnut trees. They are such pretty leaves and shape, but the seed pods are just horribly spiny. I had to use paper just to gently pick them up. The pod is wicked, but protects that yummy nut.

Yes, these are the same chestnuts we roast on an open fire in the Christmas song.

While living in West Virginia, we had one in our back yard and our oldest daughters would sell them to the local grocery store. The wood is beautiful.

Of course, chestnut also has been used in traditional medicine. According to D. Paul Barney, M.D.; an extract from the seed has been clinically studied in the past ten years and widely published in German medical journals.

It has been used as a vascular protectant in the treatment of varicose veins and for postoperative and post traumatic edema. It has been used in creams for hemorrhoids and soft tissues injuries. One should not use chestnut if there is chronically renal insufficiency.

The finest remedy is often a good attitude.

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