Haffner Family Scholarship Announced.

The Carthage R-9 School Foundation has announced the creation of the Haffner Family Scholarship. Offered in support of graduating Carthage High School seniors, the first Haffner Family Scholarship will be awarded this spring in the amount of $2,000.

The Haffner Family Scholarship Fund was established by David and Connie Haffner of Carthage in December. Bemis Company, of which Mr. Haffner is a board member, also provided a supporting donation through their educational gift matching program.

Financial need is the primary scholarship criteria, followed by grade point average.

"Obtaining a higher education is more important today than ever before," said Mr. Haffner. "Connie and I clearly understand that there are graduating seniors that have the capability to excel in college, but lack the financial wherewithal to pursue that challenge. We want to try to help some of those young students."

Mr. and Mrs. Haffner are graduates of Carthage High School, as are their three children, Carley Haffner Porter, Morgan Haffner Housh, and Dr. Jon Haffner, all of Carthage. The Haffner Family Scholarship is a reflection of their commitment to CHS students and the Carthage community.

Students interested in applying for the Haffner Family Scholarship should complete the general scholarship application available through the Counselors’ Office and submit on or before February 12, 2010. The scholarship will be presented at the CHS Awards Ceremony on May 13, 2010.

The purpose of Carthage R-9 School Foundation is to develop additional resources to assist the school district in improving educational opportunities for students, faculty and patrons of the district. For more information, contact Foundation Director Vicki Cash at 417.359.7047.

Sometimes an asset can quickly become a liability.

I can remember the adventure of bein’ able to ride my bicycle out in country as a kid. Part of the fun was seein’ how many miles could be traveled in an afternoon. On one of those five mile or so trips, a tire went flat. Then I realized both tires were flat. All the sudden that wonderful machine became a real burden. Thinkin’ I couldn’t show up at home without the bike, and knowin’ I couldn’t ride on a the flat, I pushed.

Now walkin’ a bike on pavement with the tires inflated is fairly effortless, but pushin’ two flats on a gravel country road becomes a chore after a couple a miles. I’ve learned to carry patches and an air pump.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Clearing an Ice Dam

Q: I try to keep my home’s gutters clean, but I noticed an ice dam has formed at one corner of the roof gutter. Should I try to clear this dam in mid-winter? How can I safely do this? -- Bill T., Springfield, Mass.

A: Whether to clear an ice dam in mid-winter, particularly in freezing conditions, is something of a judgment call. You’ll need to evaluate by answering a few questions.

Is it safe? Is the ice dam the only icing problem occurring on the roof, or are there other ice issues (such as buildup on the shingles)? Is there also a lot of snow on the rooftop that could be dislodged when clearing the dam? Is the weather calm and clear?

Is it necessary? Is the ice dam causing structural damage to the roof or house, or just to the gutter system? Is water leaking into the house near the ice dam?

Will a temporary solution suffice, or is a complete repair or replacement of the damaged gutter necessary?

If the surrounding area is safe and the weather is good (above freezing, too, if possible), and you feel you absolutely have to get to that ice dam -- say, the gutter looks like it’s about to tear away from the roof -- go ahead and tackle it. Be sure to have a helper along to steady the ladder (or hold the rope, if you’re working from the rooftop).

The least destructive way to clear ice is to use hot water or a de-icing chemical to gradually melt away the dam, rather than chipping away at it with tools and possibly damaging the gutter or house structure. First try to create a drainage path for the water along the downward sloping side of the gutter system. You may need to clear ice from the top of the downspout as well to facilitate this. Pour the water or de-icer in the direction of the drainage path.