Today's Feature

Treats Around the Square.

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Treats Around the Square on Halloween day, Friday, October 31 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Carthage area children are invited to trick-or-treat early, and local businesses will distribute candy and treats around the historic Carthage square.

A costume contest for newborns through 6th graders will be held from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. on the south side of the square. Prizes and Cash will be awarded for winners in five categories. The contest is coordinated by Barrister Title Company.

Homeschool Day at GWC.

News release

The staff of George Washington Carver National Monument invites area homeschools to participate in a pioneer day program on Tuesday, October 28th. This program begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 1:00 p.m. and focuses on life on the Moses Carver farm during the 1860s and 1870s, the childhood years of George Washington Carver. Students will dip a candle, wash clothes with lye soap, learn how Dutch-ovens were used, attend a 19th century school program, and hear a storyteller talk about young George.

Bring a sack lunch and enjoy autumn in the park. Following the program, students may enjoy the Junior Ranger program and the interactive exhibits inside the visitor center. All activities are free but space is limited. Please register your group by calling the park at 417-325-4151 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

George Washington Carver National Monument preserves the birthplace and childhood home of George Washington Carver. The monument is located two miles west of Diamond, Missouri on Hwy V, then south ½ mile on Carver Road.

Mornin'
There are some things that our ancestors just didn’t have to deal with.

Like havin’ to live with one knife short of a full set ‘cause it got stuffed in the sink disposal. Nothin’ more aggravatin’ than a knife with the tip chewed up. Specially when you’re eatin’ peas with it.

‘Course those same ancestors never had ta worry ‘bout the electricity goin’ off in the middle of their favorite tv show. Like they say, it’s a good thing Edison developed the light bulb, or we’d have ta watch tv in the dark.

They also never had ta worry ‘bout runnin’ outa gas. From what my grandad told me, the biggest problem with horse drawn carriages was the opposite, too much gas. He said a little perfume in the oats didn’t help that much.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Door Won’t Latch? Here’s a Quick Fix

Q: Your recent column about the door that wouldn’t latch was good with all the mention of using shims, but missed the easiest fix. In more than 35 years, I have seen many doors where the hole in the frame is in the wrong place by up to a quarter-inch. Simply take out the striker plate, file the hole bigger and replace it. You may have to carve on the wood behind a little bit. When the door otherwise is mounted plumb and square, this is the simplest way. -- Owen, via e-mail

A: Thanks, Owen! This sounds like a faster way to line up a door with the latch.

Q: I appreciated your recent article on putting together an electrical repair toolkit. I’m interested in doing repair jobs as safely as possible. Do you have any other safety tips for do-it-yourselfers? -- A.S., via e-mail

A: I have several, but today I’ll list a few common hazards around the home that everyone should look for. An article in the November issue of "ShopSmart," a magazine produced by Consumer Reports, listed these and several more, along with recommended fixes.

Making your home safer can be as simple as adding a non-slip bath mat to your tub or shower and installing a grab bar on the wall. It can be as easy as turning down your hot water heater to no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent accidental scalding in the shower (it saves energy, too).

Having test equipment around is important. A voltage tester is a must-have in a repair kit, but did you know a block of wood can be used to test the garage door? It should automatically reverse when the block is detected; if not, you need to upgrade the mechanism. Do-it-yourself radon and lead test kits will help keep your family healthy.

HOME TIP: When childproofing your home, have a ruler handy. Use it to measure spaces between crib bars (no more than 2-3/8 inches) or deck railing slats (no more than 4 inches) to ensure a child’s head won’t get caught between them.