Did Ya Know... Today is the last day Family Literacy Council is gift-wrapping at Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Did Ya Know... No Friday Fair by the Area Agency on Aging Dec. 26 & Jan. 2.

Did Ya Know... Carthage Library will be open 10-noon today. No storytime. The library is closed Thursday and Friday.

An American tourist was looking down the crater of a large volcano in Greece and said, "It looks like hell."

The Greek guide responded, "You Americans have been everywhere."

Wife: Aren’t you driving a little too fast, dear?

Husband: Don’t you believe in a guardian angel? He’ll take care of us.

Wife: Yes, I do. But I’m afraid we left him miles back!

When the traffic cop asked the prostrate man if he got the number of the hit-and-run driver, he said, "No, but I’d recognize my wife’s laugh anywhere."

Do you know how to keep an idiot in suspense? I’ll tell you tomorrow.

The hardest decision in life is when to start middle age.

Water Co. Docked for Bad Hydrants.

The chief engineer reports that the water pressure of the fire hydrants at the corner of Macon and James streets; at Grand and Centennial avenues; on Main street near the college; at the corner of Garrison avenue and Clevenger street, and at the corner of McGregor and High streets, is so low that in case of fire said hydrants would be practically useless. The pressure could be made good by cutting off the stand during time of fire and pumping direct into the mains. It is the understanding that the water company will provide means to cut off the standpipe when necessary.

It is doubly sure that they will do something, as the council last night refused to pay the bill for these hydrants for the past six months and reduced the water bill $62.50 on that account.

The Water Co. was ordered to place a fire hydrant at the corner of Oak and Case streets.

Bracht Appointment.

NationsBank has appointed James R. Bracht as Market Executive and senior vice president in its Private Client Group in southwest Missouri. In this role, Bracht will be responsible for managing a group of professionals who deliver a wide range of financial services to high-net-worth individuals. Bracht's office is located in Springfield, Mo.

Bracht previously held the position of NationsBank regional executive of West Missouri, a 16-bank region. He joined the bank in 1982 and has held various management positions, including his eight-year role as president and chief executive officer of predecessor Boatmen's Bank of Southwest Missouri in Carthage, Mo. Bracht has more than 20 years of management experience.

He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics. He also received a graduate degree in banking form Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers

Bracht has been active in charitable and civic activities in the Carthage area. He has been president of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and chairperson of the Untied Way. He has also served in various capacities for several economic development organizations.

The NationsBank Private Client Group focuses on building and preserving the wealth of families and related private businesses. It provides clients comprehensive credit, fiduciary and investment expertise through a single point of contact. Services offered are customized lending; investment and asset management, including real estate management; traditional trust services; tax and estate planning consultation; asset allocation; mutual funds and brokerage. The Private Client Group manages $60 billion in assets for affluent customers.

NationsBank corporation (NYSE: NB) is the fifth largest bank holding company in the country with total assets of approximately $242 billion as of September 30, 1997.

We never had a fireplace ta hang a stockin’ for Christmas when I was growin’ up. Usually the rockin’ chair would act as the hangin’ place.

I also, needless to say, never experienced "Chestnuts roastin’ on an open fire." Don’t remember ever worrin’ ‘bout it much.

‘Fact is I don’t ‘member anyone I knew in our small, agricultural based community havin’ a fire place. Maybe a wood stove made out of a fifty-five gallon drum out in the workshop.

My kids grew up hangin’ stockin’s on a fire place mantle. Don’t know if they thought much of it either. Needless to say, they never experienced the Chestnut thing either. They also never had ta chop the wood, light the fire, or clean out the ashes durin’ their stockin’ hangin’ days.

I love a roarin’ fire in a fire place, just don’t have the hankerin’ to stoke it up much anymore. Sucks all the warm outa the house. Smokes up things. Gets ashes on the rug. It is good for hangin’ stockin’ though.

This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.

by Randall Kunze, D.P.M.

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