Several weeks ago I told you Saturday Night Idol was coming to town and I told you what the preliminary plans were. The plans are now "etched in stone" and it’s almost time for the first Saturday night event, so let me tell you what the rules are.

This Saturday, April 19 is the registration. The all important first step that could take you to the finals. If you want to register to be a contestant, you need to be at the First United Methodist Church, across from the high school at 617 Main between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. with $20 in cash – no checks, debit cards or credit cards. The earlier you are there the better as only a limited number will move on to the preliminaries.

The preliminaries will be held this Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. If you make it past the judges and move to the finals, they will be held the following Saturday night, April 26 at the High School Auditorium.

Now, for those of us not singing but wanting to watch the fun, you can attend both the preliminaries on the 19th and the finals on the 26th for $5 each night. Bring the family, because those under 10 years of age are only charged $3 per night. What a great way to show your support for your favorite singer!

The winner of Saturday Night Idol will receive $300 cash and a TV appearance.
Again, proceeds will be donated to our new McCune Brooks Regional Hospital, so it’s a great way to have 2 nights of fun at a low cost AND help our hospital.

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I was so happy to read Buzz Ball’s column on the City of Carthage receiving the most beautiful city in Southwest Missouri recognition. It’s about time isn’t it? This came from Rural Missouri magazine and the five winners were chosen by readers. Carthage’s choice as the most beautiful city in southwest Missouri was based on our Courthouse and our Square and the homes our city’s founders built. It was chosen for the unique architecture found downtown in our old and well preserved buildings, for the beautiful and unique homes and the owners, of both homes and buildings, that take good care of them. This is not said to denigrate all the new businesses that have appeared in the building boom south of downtown, but rather said to remind everyone why Carthage is a unique and beautiful place to live. That said, please don’t forget your heritage. Don’t forget that courthouse and don’t let anyone try to talk you into building a justice center in some as yet unannounced location between Carthage and Joplin that would take vital business away from the downtown and would badly hurt our city. This will become an issue later this year and we’ll talk more about it then.

Meanwhile, be proud of our award and as you drive around town, slow down and look at what we’ve got here. Thank the people who have worked so hard to keep Carthage beautiful.