Search for the 3rd Street Lizard.

Carthage landlord Teddy Boan says the stories about a large lizard being spotted in the area of 3rd and River are no rumor. She says she has seen what she describes as a four to six foot lizard in and around her storage building.

"I don’t drink and I’m not crazy," Boan told the Mornin’ Mail yesterday morning.

Boan says she has been looking at pictures and thinks the gray reptile is a Monitor Lizard.

One source with some knowledge of this type of animal told the Mornin’ Mail that if in fact the lizard is as large as reported, it should be avoided if happened upon.

A quick inspection of Boan’s property did not uncover any convincing evidence of the presence of the creature. A cat was seen lazing in the yard next door, so apparently small animals are not at risk.

Anyone having seen the reptile should report it to the Police Department and not attempt to capture the animal.

The White Throat Monitor and the Savannah Monitor can grow to be four to six feet in length and like to climb trees. They typically eat birds and bird eggs.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

From what I can learn, most likely nobody is in danger if the 3rd Street Lizard is lurkin’ about. As long as ya don’t mess with it. Even folks who keep the critters as pets warn to be careful of feedin’ the reptiles.

The pictures I’ve seen that seem ta match the description of the eye witness look like what is called the White Throat Monitor. It is gray with white spots and look like somethin’ out of the cave man days.

If you have any quail around, ya might want to check your covey. They say quail eggs are a real treat for the little monsters.

This particular one would be three to four years old if the length is correct. Prob’ly someone’s pet gone astray. They aren’t from these parts.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

When my kids help me pull the tired, tangled and snarled plants out of our little garden plot, it’s an official reminder that the warm and balmy days of summer and early fall have neared completion.

Cleaning the modest 8-by-8 square of dried-out tomato plants, zinnias and dill gone to seed is a chore my kids do half-obligingly, but for me it has become a ritual.

Here’s how we transplanted our rosemary plant and made it into a charming topiary-like design to nurture and display in our kitchen window through the winter months. You may also use thyme or a small ivy plant.

Decorate a clean, medium-size clay flowerpot with acrylic paint or paint pens. We used a gold paint pen and wrote ROSEMARY in fancy letters around the middle of the pot. Let dry. Plant the rosemary plant in the pot. We washed our plant outside before we brought it indoors and enjoyed the plants’ lovely aroma as we rinsed it off.

Meanwhile, an adult or older child may bend a metal coat hanger in the shape of a circle for a form for your topiary. Its size should be in proportion to the clay pot. Use pliers to straighten out the curved hanger portion.

Carefully poke the straightened end directly into the soil as close as possible to the center of the rosemary, being careful not to injure the plant.

Wrap the trailing plant around the wire form, tying with string or wire to hold it in place.

Place the rosemary topiary in a sunny spot. As new growth appears, clip it off for use in your winter meals or tuck it into the form for a full topiary that will look lovely in your kitchen for months to come.

Note: If you don’t have a garden, small inexpensive plants suitable for growing a topiary may be purchased at a garden shop.