MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Way Government
Spends Is No Joke
To the cdilor:
One of Ihe real tragedies of the
Persian Gulf war will soon be real
ized by many of us. It is time to pay
for the war. And who is going to
pay? For the most part it is going to
come out of the pockets of the tax
payers of this country.
Iraq is already being excused for
some of the debts. Other nations arc
hedging on their part of the debt.
Some are refusing to pay any or
more of the cost. Who is left? The
United States taxpayers! Couple the
new debts with our national deficit;
many of those unable to pay will be
hurt the most.
Who is going to help? No one.
Don't depend on your congressman
or senator. Don't depend on the ad
ministration because the one and
only chore of a government entity is
to spend money. Don't take this
wrong; in some areas the govern
ment should be applauded because
it takes experts to carry out some of
the chores of this country.
For instance last year SI 07 ,000
was awarded to study sex habits of
the Japanese quail. The project con
cluded that the rooster preferred to
have sex with the hen rather than
another male or even a female duck.
This is such an important project
another SI 00 ,000 has been ap
proved for this year.
Our congressmen keep us abreast
of many subjects. They authorized
S84.000 for a study of why people
fall in love; a measly S2.500 to find
why people are rude and will chcat
on a tennis court. All you cooks lis
ten up, they spent S46.000 for a
study on how long it takes to cook
an egg for breakfast.
The taxpayer should feel proud
because a billion dollars have been
spent on the following subjects: Is it
possible to reduce stress levels of
pregnant pigs by having them jog?
Do sun fish that drink tequila sun
rises display more aggressive be
havior than those given gin and ton
ic? Why do monkeys, rats, and hu
mans clench their jaws and gnash
their teeth? Do pigeons understand
economic principles?
Let's don't forget that the
Present authorized extra money to
a $241,764 computer project to as
sist lost travelers who refuse to use
a map. One of the President's pro
jects may have been worthwhile.
The administration spent $86,160 to
send officials to Disney World to
study mass transit. Oh yes, the Air
Force spent $226,800 to fly 21
members of congress and 80 wives,
staff, and friends to the Paris Air
Show.
Your safely is of utmost impor
tance to congress. $19 million dol
lars has been set aside to study the
effects of methane emissions from
the flatulcncc of cows. As an old
farm boy 1 had rather take my
chances with methane emissions
from cows in the pasture than with
over 500 legislators on Capitol Hill.
The S84,000 last year was not
enough. We still don't know why
people fall in love. I have a sugges
tion, let's ask the dadblamed Jap
anese quail rooster. That old boy ev
idently knows his mind.
About that breakfast egg, you
will be amazed to know that a three
minute egg won't cook in three
minutes unless you start the timer
after the water begins to boil. Did
you know that if you put that thing
in cool water it just flat won't cook?
Why do monkeys, rats, and hu
mans clench their jaws and gnash
their teeth? Still no definitive an
swer. 1 am going to help on that
one. I can't speak for the monkeys
or rats, but government spending
my money in such manner really
jacks my jaws. If it wasn't so seri
ous, our government officials would
be hilarious. As a mailer of fact I
think 1 will laugh when I hear
names like Charlie, Jesse, Terry and
George.
Jess Parker
Supply
Placing Flags On
Veterans' Graves
Was Thoughtful
To the editor:
Thanks to Dicky Powell and his
staff at Brunswick Funeral Service
for placing Hags on the graves of
the veterans at Brunswick Memorial
Gardens for Memorial Day. I count
ed almost 80 flags.
1 am grateful for their thoughtful
ness in remembering our loved ones.
Trudy Gore-Freeman
Rl 9, Shallotie
Next Medifast
Classes
Start
July 9
Call today to sign up.
Marilyn J. Boehm. M.D., Ph. D. 919-754-5581
Village Pines. Shallotte 919-754-9949
Callahan's
Calabash Nautical Gifts
welcomes
Artist
Ray Day
Fri., June 21
11 am 'til 2 pm
Bring in and/or purchase your
favorite pieces and Ray will sign
them for you.
limited edition , signed ,
numbered "Honeysuckle and
Roses" print (retail value $30) with
each $100 purchase of Lilliput Lane
collectibles.
Refreshments will be served
Rt. 179, Calabash 579-2611
PHOTO BY 8IU FAVfc
BIRDS AND CRABS and shrimp and fish and many more forms of life depend upon what is hap
pening on the mud flats.
What's Happening On The Mud Flats?
FAVER
KY BILL FAVER
At low tide, the wide expanses of exposed mud
flats appear barren of life and of little benefit in the
scheme of things along the shore.
These broad expanses of land are
covered by shallow water at high
tide and arc exposed to the drying
effects of the sun and air when the
tide is out. These areas develop in
relatively quiet water in our
sounds and rivers where suspend
ed panicles of mud or sand can be
deposited on the bottom.
Organisms adapt to living in
the sand or mud and seem to
thrive on the rich nutrients found there. Often adjacent
to marshes, these flats get fed from the detritus and
minerals washed out of the marshes and made avail
able to the plants and animals of the flats.
Though the flats seem devoid of life and activity
there are many things happening there. Few organ
isms remain on the exposed flats at low tide but bor
row down into the sand or mud or retreat into their
lubes or move with the tide into deeper water. Many
of the worms and mollusks have spccial mechanisms
to rid their systems of the sill that would suffocate
them otherwise. Some creatures use spccial ap
pendages to paddle water through their tubes so they
can feed on the phytoplankton and rid themselves of
wastes. Some snails burrow into the sand or gather in
small pools of water to keep from drying out.
Many of the filler-feeding animals are waiting un
der the mud and sand for the tide to start in, bringing
nutrients for their feeding.
Oysters pile on top of each other and other attach
ing-forms of life seek any empty shell, piece of lum
ber, old tire, or other debris that promises a fixed loca
tion. Many organisms gather around blades of grass
where they find some protective cover. Many of the
burrowing mollusks have long siphons so they can
stay well beneath the surface and yet reach the water
above for food and oxygen. Clams arc good examples
of these animals. Many of the animals found on the
flats arc the young of larger species, such as the
whelks.
Some of the mollusks common to the mud flats
are augers, moon snails, mud snails, sunray venus,
bay scallops, razor clams, pen shells, arks, and disk
shells. Squid, parchment worms, plumed worms, lug
worms, clam worms, and thread worms are common.
Many shrimp also frequent the flats when the tide is
in. Crabs are common and one of the best locations
for crabbing is a mud flat pool at low tide.
These arc just a few of the criucrs and just a sample
at what is happening on the mud flats. Next time you
look out at low tide to see the barren mud flats where
nothing seems to be happening, remember that birds
and crabs and shrimp and fish and a million more life
forms are waiting for the tide to come in to continue
their cycles of living along the edge of the sea.
, J The
Discount
Merchant
$$$$$$
Adults'-Children's Clothing
s
Jeans ? Slacks
Skirt Sets ? Shorts
Tank Tops ? Plain &
Printed Tee Shirts
& More!
Limited quantities
& sizes on some items
Open Mon-Thurs 10-5,
Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 1-5
Hwy. 17 N., Business
Shallotte
(1 mile N.
I Jones Ford) |
^SAVINGS *
i
Twin Set ?89"
Full Set *101"
Queen Set *129"
Twin Set ?119"
Full Set M 39"
Queen Set Meg"
King Set ^39"
I I J i J ? J ? J
I Outlet
"More Quality For Less Price"
formerly R&R MATTRESS OUTLET
HWY. 17, SHALLOTTE
SHALLOTTE PLAZA
&? 754-5727
as
Back Comfort I Golden Sleep
Supreme 1 Imperial
20 Yr. WarrantyJ 20 Yr. Warranty
Twin Set '139"
Full Set M75"
Queen Set *209"
King Set *329"
Twin Set '169"
Full Set *205"
Queen Set W
King Set *359"
FREE BEDFRAME
FREE PILLOW
FREE CITY DELIVERY
Pieces also Sold Separately
YOUR
CHOICE
WITH $150
BED
PURCHASE
?COD's Welcome ? Layaways -Day Beds
Custom Mattress Sizes Available ,i
5% Senior Citizen* Discount**^
17th & Market St., Wilmington
762-7331
Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-4 Jl
OPEN WEDNESDAYS 1
MEDEIROS FURNITURE SHOWPLACE
INVENTORY
LIQUIDATION
SALE
Thurs-Fri-Sat.
*50% to 70% OFF Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price
*On All In-Stock Furniture, Bedding, Lamps, Accessories
*A11 Sales Final ? As Is ? No Refunds ? No Exchanges
*No Holds ? Free Local Delivery With $500 Purchase
*We must Make Room For New Arrivals
S&acufeCtice
RESORT FURNISHINGS ? DESIGN SERVICE ? CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS ? CARPET
N.C. HIGHWAY 179 AT THE S.C. STATE LINE
CALABASH, N.C.
"We Ship Nationwide" (919) 57S-7994 M-F 9-5, Sst. 10-5 At the S.C. State Line
?ft
LIFE
For all your
life insurance
needs, call:
?
Phillip Cheers
4920-A Main St., Shallotte
754-4366
Ifl
NATIONWIDE
> INSURANCE
--v? m IS on you'
MrctCdnvin)* _
? "?#? '?-? PV./I QM *W*,
t ? %?*?? ^
"rt? >*Ai* >"?%**. ? '
Make your pool
ready when they are.
Open your pool the right way and it
will be ready for fun all season long.
As a BioGuard* dealer, we have the
knowledge you need to make your
(pool more fun and less work.
Relax. Bring your pool to
BioGuard.
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Three steps to
easy pool care |
1. Stingy SucK*
2 Bum Out*
3 Back Up*
PROFESSIONAL
POOL MAINTENANCE
Island Village Specialty Shops
Hwy. 179, Ocean Isle Beach
(Behind IGA) Open Monday-Saturday
579-8828
Daily Maintenance
Chemicals, Accessories & Equipment
v ^pssssssnj
The
CHRISTMAS
PELICAN
5821 E. Oak Island Dr.
Long Beach, NC 28465
278-7627
t
Open 9-9 M-Sat.
12:30-9 Sun.
Come see our
Collectibles
Lines
Americana Village
Byers' Choice Carolers
Fontanini Nativities
Annalee Dolls
Cat's Meow Village
Enesco Music Boxes
Old World Glass Ornaments
Largest Selection of
Christmas trees in the area.
We ship anywhere!
PELICAN
STATION
CARDS &
GIFTS
COLLECTION
Authorized Dealer
rm<.
C A ? 0 I
Largest selection of
cards in the area!
&
5825 E. Oak Island Dr
Long Beach, NC 28465
278-7627
Open 9-9 M-Sat.
12:30-9 Sun.