R-9 "Carthage 2020 Launched.

The Carthage R-9 School district has launched a new process for the development of long-range plans called Carthage 2020. Key stakeholders from the community, students, school board members, teachers, administrators and support staff supervisors have been invited to serve on a facilitating team charged with organizing and conducting monthly public sessions to chart a path forward for the next ten years.

The facilitating team held its first meeting on September 16 and formed three groups to implement the public engagement process. Co-chairpersons for these groups were named as follows:

Lora L. Phelps, a graduate of Carthage High School, attended the University of Missouri where she earned her bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees.

Beth Simmons who grew up in Carthage and Jefferson City, Missouri. A graduate of Carthage High School, Mrs. Simmons attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and Missouri Southern State University.

Chuck Bryant, CW&EP Plant Superintendent, moved to Carthage in 1996 is a graduate of MSSU.

There is a theory presented in a book I was browsin’ through that says if ya want a new couch, throw out your old one and just leave the space empty. Eventually, some way or another, the couch will be replaced.

The person promotin’ this theory seemed to imply that there was some mystical reason for this. I’m suspectin’ that the practical answer may be closer to the fact that after a while, even havin’ your old couch back starts lookin’ better after a while.

In my experience, if ya got an empty shelf, somethin’ will eventually be put on it. Just a matter of time. Nothin’ mystical, just more stuff than ya have places to stick it.

‘Course you can have less stuff or more shelves. But, who ever has enough shelves?

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Weekly Columns

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Basic Flooring Tools

Q: What kind of tools should I have on hand if I want to do flooring work -- like stripping old wood floors, or putting down tile or hardwood? -- Kyle J., Sanford, Fla.

A: Besides your standard toolkit -- things like a putty knife and scraper, a hand saw, a ruler, a level, hammer, utility knife and measuring tape -- a few specialty items can make floor work easier. Here are a few items to look into if you’re planning work in the near future.

• Carpenter’s square: This L-shaped ruler absolutely rules when making straight measurements.

• Chalk line: Sometimes called a plumb line, this is a string covered with chalk that, when stretched along a length of floor, then plucked so that the string snaps against the floor, leaves a straight line to follow that can be easily erased.

* Masonry chisel: This heavy-duty, wide-bladed chisel can be hammered to force its way through tough-to-loosen surfaces.

• Floor scraper: With a long handle and a reinforced edge, the floor scraper allows you to scrape up large swaths of old tile or vinyl flooring from a standing position.

• Pry bar: Very handy when removing old nails from flooring.

• Trowels: These rectangular tools, which come with either notched or flat edges for different types of patterning when spreading grout or compound, are essential flooring components.

• Putty or wallboard knife: Also called a scraper, this handheld, wide-bladed tool allows you to apply and smooth grout or plaster more easily. Comes in different widths, but you’ll definitely want a 4-inch wide knife to start.

• Heavy-duty stapler: Uses for this go well beyond flooring; it’s almost as essential to the toolkit as duct tape.

• Power tools: A cordless drill is another must for the general toolkit. For flooring work, consider adding a reciprocating saw to your collection, which allows you to make detailed cuts in small spaces.

• Pencil: Don’t start work without one.