Today's Feature

Maple Leaf Planning Continues.

The Carthage Chamber and the Maple Leaf Committee are continuing preparations for the 42nd Annual Maple Leaf Festival. The Maple Leaf brochures were released to the public on August 21st. Copies of the brochure can be found at all sponsor locations. Any business needing Maple Leaf brochures may stop by the Chamber office for a supply. Those requesting a large number of brochures are asked to call the Chamber office first, so that the proper amount may be set aside.

Registration forms are now available for the Little Miss & Mister, Junior Miss, and Queen Pageants. They may be picked up at Hometown Bank, the Chamber office, or downloaded from the Chamber website at www.carthagechamber.com. Other registration forms available include; Baby Contest, Three Minutes of Fame Lip Sync Contest, 5K Run, Sprint Duathlon and Mile Fun Walk, Quilt Show, Auto Show, Parade Applications and Craft Booths. A complete schedule of events for the 42nd Annual Maple Leaf Festival may be obtained by visiting the new Chamber of Commerce website at www.carthagechamber.com.

The World Famous Willie Arthur Smith’s Marching Cobras will return to the Maple Leaf Festival this year to be in the parade. They will also hold a special performance in the High School Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. following the Maple Leaf Parade. The cost for this special event is $3.00 at the door, with ages 10 and under free.

"The Chamber is so excited that the Marching Cobras could do a special performance this year. They have such a busy schedule, it has been hard to book them for a performance after the parade," says Amber Carrier, Director of Member Services.

Tickets for the Boots, Bands, and BBQ concert went on sale September 6th at the Chamber office for $20 in advance. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more at $18 per ticket. The ticket price will be $25 at the door the day of the concert on October 11th. Tickets may also be ordered by calling 359-8181.

The 42nd Annual Maple Leaf Festival is sponsored by Southwest Missouri Bank, Leggett & Platt, The Carthage Press, KDMO, 95.1 Mike FM, KSN, Fair Acres Family YMCA, Four Corners Quilter’s Guild, Carthage Humane Society, Central Pet Care, Hometown Bank, McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital, Grundy’s Body & Frame Shop, Shcreiber Foods, Zimmer Radio Group, and The Joplin Globe.

Further information about the 42nd Annual Maple Leaf Festival may be obtained by contacting the Chamber office at 417-358-2373.

Mornin'

Workin’ for farmers was the main source of summer employment for students in the rural town I grew up in.

Spendin’ the summer on a harvest crew was thought to be one of the more glamorous jobs, although by the end of the season, those who stayed at home and worked typically ended up with more money in their pocket. The crew I was in one summer discovered if you pumped a grease gun real hard, a gob a grease would fly through the air from some fifty yards or so. This discovery wore thin on the owner of the combines when he saw the splatters of grease all over his machines.

With a little practice, a grease gun can be amazingly accurate. On the threat of bein’ abandoned in South Dakota, we only had that one day of target shootin’ however.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Terminal Connections.

Q: In a couple of earlier articles you mentioned attaching or tightening wires around their "terminals." What are terminals, and how do I attach a wire to one? -- Gerry P., Huntsville, Ala.

A: A "terminal," in the parlance of minor electrical repair, is a common term for the position in an electrical device where a connection is made or broken. In short, it’s where you hook the wires up. A terminal in a small electrical item, such as a lamp or a receptacle, is generally a common screw -- you’ll typically see two terminals (screws) side by side.

To connect a wire to a terminal, the insulation around the tip of the wire is stripped away (so that the bare wire will contact the terminal, completing the connection). The wire is then bent around the terminal, underneath the screw head, and the screw is tightened just enough to hold the wire snugly.

Connecting the wire to the terminal properly is essential to make sure a receptacle works. Wire that is nicked and scratched or that is loosely connected to the terminal can interfere with the flow of electric current (meaning the receptacle won’t work right). Bare wire extending past a screw terminal can cause a short circuit if it touches another metal part.

Fixing these problems can be as simple as ensuring a clean, snug connection to the terminal. To do this, always turn off power to the circuit and test, using a circuit tester, to make sure no current is reaching the unit. Then, access the connector area of the unit (in a low-voltage thermostat, that’s behind the control dial; in a wall receptacle, unscrew the receptacle and tug out from its metal box). Locate the terminal screws and inspect the wire ends for damage.