Mornin' Mail

The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Thursday, December 4, 2008 Volume XVII, Number 118

did ya know?

Did Ya Know?... Winter Reading Clubs begin this week at the Carthage Public Library with Garfield programs "Some of My Best Friends are Books" and "Top 10 Reasons to Read" for ages 1-12 and the teen program "Master the Art of Reading."

Did Ya Know?... VFW Post 2590 will hold a Turkey Shoot on Sat. and Sun, December 6-7 from 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. Splatter Board, Public Invited, Male and Female. West of Carthage at intersection of 96 and 171.

Did Ya Know?... The Family Literacy Center is located at 706 Orchard and holds classes in Spanish, English, Citizenship, and Computers. There are beginning classes for non-speakers of English to those who want to learn more and receive their high school GED. Closed from Dec. 19 through Jan 5, 2009. Call 417-358-5926 for more info.

today's laugh

A judge’s little daughter, who had attended her father’s court for the first time, told her mother:
"Papa made a speech, and several other men made speeches to twelve men who all sat together, and then these twelve men were put in a dark room to be developed."

Customer: "Satisfied? Certainly I’m satisfied. I have nothing but praise for you."
Tailor: "Then I suppose it’s not much good my sending the bill again, sir?"

1908
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

Royal Neighbors Met.

A meeting of the Royal Neighbors lodge was held last night with the following results. Mrs Flora Cassavan was selected to represent the Carthage lodge at the state meeting to be held about the middle of February in Moberly. Miss Hattie Richmond was appointed her alternate. The business meeting was followed by an oyster supper.

She Would Use "Those Lazy Prisoners."

A Carthage woman on a muddy street crossing was heard to suggest that the crossing ought to be kept clean. "Some of those lazy prisoners might be put to work," said she, "if there is no other way."

It is an Interesting

Sign when so many persons are giving our hand picked screened lump coal a trial. Looks as though they have been waiting for a really good thing. Phone 2. Missouri Pacific.

Today's Feature

CCVB Appoints New Director.

News release

The Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau has appointed Wendi Douglas as the new Executive Director.

"I am honored and thrilled to extend the hospitality of Carthage to visitors in our area," says Douglas. "We have such an amazing amount of history and artistry in southwest Missouri and I am proud to promote all that Carthage has to offer. Our friendly citizens, beautiful landscapes and traditional values make a wonderful setting for a wide variety of adventures."

Wendi Douglas is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and has lived in Southwest Missouri for fourteen years. She has over ten years of public relations and non-profit experience. Additionally, she has appreciated working in Carthage as a Membership Specialist for the Girl Scout Council of the Ozark Area and as Executive Director of the Carthage Area United Way.

Library Booksale.

The Friends of the Carthage Public Library will hold their monthly used book sale on Saturday, December 6, at 510 S. Garrison Ave. from 8:00 a.m. until Noon.

Just Jake Talkin'

Mornin'
Prob’ly nothin’ helps to get in the Christmas spirit as much as the music ya hear durin’ the season. Old familiar tunes that bring back memories of the past and keep ya aware of the deadlines associated with tasks scheduled and details that need to be attended.

Seems like the season is full of "dashing" and "harking," although I’m not sure the lyrics coincide with today’s actual activities.

I’ve personally never roasted chestnut on any kind of fire. Don’t have any idea what that has ta do with Christmas. ‘Course as a kid we never had a fireplace, so several Christmas traditions were rather vague (we always left the back door unlocked on Christmas eve to insure the lack of a chimney wouldn’t hinder timely delivery).

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Sponsored
by
Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack Talk Cars
By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

You guys always make me laugh! And now I’m desperate for some car advice I can trust. I have a ‘98 Volvo V70 with 112,000 miles. A mechanic just told me I’m on borrowed time, as I have not changed the timing belt. He said it should have been done at 105,000 miles, and could break and screw up the engine at any time. Also, he said I should replace the water pump, as it would save the labor cost later on. I am afraid to drive the car at all... the quote was $600, which I just can’t do right now. I am a widow, so I don’t have a "hubby’s car" to drive instead. Thank you for your time, and keep up the laughs! - Vicky

TOM: Unfortunately, Vicky, your mechanic is absolutely right.

RAY: Your timing belt should have been changed by now, and if it breaks, your valves are going to be crushed like the ice cubes in one of my brother’s pineapple-salami breakfast smoothies.

TOM: He’s also right that you should change the water pump. That pump is run by the timing belt. So if the pump seizes, that can also break the belt. And you’d hate for that to happen after you went through the trouble and expense of installing a new timing belt.

RAY: The same goes for the timing-belt tensioner. That’s a cheap little device that keeps the belt tight enough. If that fails, your engine’s a goner, too.

TOM: Unfortunately, this is one of those times when you have to get creative and come up with some cash somehow.

RAY: If you’ve been a longtime customer of this garage, maybe they can put you on some sort of payment plan.

TOM: But you’re right not to drive the car until you fix it. If you think $600 is a lot to come up with, imagine having to come up with $3,000 to rebuild the engine. Good luck, Vicky!