Literacy Awareness Week.

The Family Literacy Council, located at 706 Orchard in Carthage, has activities planned for each day this week to raise the awareness of the community of the services available through the nonprofit organization.

The week began with a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon yesterday at noon. Board President Tom Flannigan told the volunteers at the luncheon that over 7,000 hours of tutoring had been delivered during last year. Richard Huggins was recognized as "Tutor of the Year," and Kaylene Cole as "Volunteer of the Year."

The Family Literacy Council receives approximately $15,000 a year from the Carthage Area United Way and depends on individual and business donations for the majority of its annual budget of around $60,000.

Flannigan says the only way the organization can offer its broad range of services is through the continued efforts of volunteers. Over 150 tutors donated more than 4,500 hours last year.

Literacy Awareness Week activities continue this evening with the Fourth Annual Spelling BEE beginning in the Carthage High School Auditorium at 5:15. In addition to the traditional adult spelling bee, the new Carthage Young Spellers BEE will be introduced. This BEE is a "spell-off" between the first and second grade spelling bee winners from community elementary schools.

The Carthage High School Jazz Band will perform and the Carthage Community Teachers Association will sponsor a "Nectar Bar."

A record number of businesses are sponsoring teams for the adult bee. The include: Alumbaugh Construction Company; Beimdiek Insurance Company; Carthage Community Teachers Association (two teams): H.E. Williams (two teams); Leggett and Plat, Wire Group; Leggett and Platt, Wire Mill; Main Street Carthage; McCune-Brooks Hospital; Re/Max Realty; Southwest Missouri Bank; and St. Catherine’s Grace Episcopal Church. Southwest Missouri Bank will defend last year’s first place award.

On Wednesday, March, 17, the Family Literacy Council will hold a dedication ceremony of the John A. Alumbaugh Life Skills Learning Center. The addition to the existing building will almost double the space of the facility and was financed largely by NAP (Neighborhood Assistance Program) credits. Alumbaugh has been a long time supporter of the Center and has been instrumental in the planning and construction of the addition. The dedication will be followed by a pancake lunch.

On Thursday the Center will be distributing free books to first grade students at the six area elementary schools. It is hoped that these books, and a word about the importance of reading, will encourage the students to build their reading skills.

The week will conclude with an Emerald Ball at the Phelps House. Although there will be no room for dancing at this "ball" music will be performed and a meal served and the presentation of the Excellence in Literacy Award will be part of the evening’s festivities.

For more information about this volunteer organization, call 358-5926.

letter to the editor

Dear editor

Noticed in the Mail this week, some senior citizens wanted to use the hall for walking in the mornings for free, but Jackie Boyer said if we did that ever other group in town like them would want it free too. Horror, Jackie don’t let them get away with things like that, sock it to them.

I also noticed you city council persons want to raise taxes for all the big projects you have in mind, you know a half cent here and half cent there, either sales tax or property tax. You people are getting almost 50% percent of all the money we earn now, by you people I mean politicians at the state, federal and local levels in this country, but it sure is easy when you are spending someone elses money.

Do we really need a million dollar cloverleaf on fairview, I know it is federal money, but it is still our tax dollars.

Rudy Mueller

Carthage, Mo.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

If your like most folks, ya haven’t really paid much attention to the Family Literacy Council and what it does on a daily basis. This group typically goes about its business without much fanfare and just does what needs ta be done. It’s been doin’ it for over fifteen years here in Carthage.

What is amazin’ to those of us who have watched it grow is that it isn’t a government agency, just a bunch of volunteers who see a need in the community. Most of the volunteers are tutors, but there is always the need for other assistance in day-to-day activities like mowin’ the grass, or shovelin’ snow, or just bein’ around to help out from time to time. If you have an hour or two you want to feel good about, give ‘em a call. You won’t find a more rewardin’ place to spend some time.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes.

ALLERGIES GOETH NOT BEFORE (or during the fall): Many people assume that with the first cooler days of the season, their allergies will disappear. This is particularly true for those who have had the so-called summer sniffles caused by air conditioner filters that weren’t cleaned or by industrial irritants trapped by hot weather smog conditions.

But the fact is, a change of season doesn’t always mean an alleviation of allergy symptoms. Indeed, according to Sister Maria Salerno, associate professor of nursing at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., allergy sufferers should visit their family doctors or allergy specialists to learn what they’re allergic to and during which season. "

1. Keep your windows closed and use an air conditioner (make sure the filters are clean) when you sleep;

2. Consider using commercial filters to clean pollens from the air;

3. If you jog, remember, the peak times for most airborne pollens are between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. A morning jog during these times can set you up for a miserable day.

4. If you must go out during these hours, especially if you need to commute at this time, Sister Salerno suggests you take an antihistamine first.

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