Maple Leaf Festival Pageant Criteria.

The 45th Annual Maple Leaf Festival committee has announced the criteria and deadlines for this year’s pageants. All listed ages are as of October 1, 2011. All applications must be signed by a custodial parent or legal guardian. No exceptions. Applications may be found at www.carthagechamber.com or may be picked up at the Chamber office, 402 S Garrison.

Baby Pageant to be held Monday, October 10, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

*0-12 months of age, boys and girls.

*Diapers only (no bows, ribbons, earrings, painted nails, etc.). No exceptions.

*At least one parent or legal guardian must be a resident of Jasper County.

*Pre-register by October 7, 2011 4:00 p.m. for discount or register on-site.

Toddler Pageant to be held Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

*13-24 months of age, boys and girls.

*Blue or black jeans only. Short or long sleeved white t-shirt decorated as you wish. Any type of shoe and any type of hair accessories allowed.

*At least one parent or legal guardian must be a resident of Jasper County.

*Pre-register by October 7, 2011 4:00 p.m. for discount or register on-site.

Little Miss and Little Mister Pageants to be held Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.

*2-4 years of age, boys and girls.

*Blue or black jeans only. Short or long sleeved white t-shirt decorated as you wish. Any type of shoe and any type of hair accessories allowed.

*At least one parent or legal guardian must be a resident within the Carthage school district or the child must attend school in the Carthage R-9 school district.

*Application must be received with application fee no later than 4:00 p.m., September 28, 2011.

Junior Miss Pageant to be held Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

*5-9 years of age, girls only.

*Blue or black jeans only. Short or long sleeved white t-shirt decorated as you wish. Any type of shoe and any type of hair accessories allowed.

*At least one parent or legal guardian must be a resident within the Carthage school district or the child must attend school in the Carthage R-9 school district.

*Application must be received with application fee no later than 4:00 p.m., September 28, 2011.

Princess Pageant to be held Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

*10-14 years of age, girls only.

*Blue or black jeans only. Short or long sleeved white t-shirt decorated as you wish. Any type of shoe and any type of hair accessories allowed.

*At least one parent or legal guardian must be a resident within the Carthage school district or the child must attend school in the Carthage R-9 school district.

*Application must be received with application fee no later than 4:00 p.m., September 28, 2011.

Queen Pageant to be held Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

*15-19 years of age, girls only.

*Introduction outfit, formal attire and attire appropriate to the contestant’s talent will all be required.

*At least one parent or legal guardian must be a resident within the Carthage school district or the child must attend school in the Carthage R-9 school district.

*Application must be received with application fee no later than 4:00 p.m., September 28, 2011.

For more information, contact Mary Jo at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, 417-358-2373

Jasper County Jail Count

197 August 22, 2011

Total Including Placed out of County

Ever’time the recyclin’ recycles I have ta wonder ‘bout the benefits of any of the plans. Now my uncle, he lives a recyclin’ life-style. He built his house from old lumber, drives a used car with recapped tires, reads his neighbor’s newspaper, and is happily married to this third wife.

He frequents auctions and saves hundreds of boxes of junk from bein’ hauled to the dump and sells it to the tourists in the flea market one piece at a time.

He used ta buy a soda at the fillin’ station and leave the empty bottle in the rack, now he’s told ta put it in the trash. He used ta save his milk bottles and exchange ‘em with the dairy, now it’s all plastic. He likes chewin’ gum after its left on the bed post overnight. He may be the originator of the sayin’ about another man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Weekly Column

HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

• A trio of sewing tips from S.R. in Idaho: 1. "Store patterns in plastic baggies. It’s hard to get them back into their envelopes, and I find that the baggies store just as well. 2. I keep my pattern from tearing by spraying them with spray starch. 3. I also sharpen needles by stitching through very fine sandpaper. These tips have worked for me for many years."

• "It’s almost time for Scouts to start up again. I have been washing uniforms and sashes, and find this trick to be helpful when it comes time to stitch on badges. Put a bit of plain school glue on the back of your badge, place it where you want it on the sash, then let it dry. It will stay in place long enough to stitch the edges. When you launder it, the glue will wash right out." -- R.D. in Florida

• Solve the case of the tricky screw: Coat problem screws with clear fingernail polish right before you insert them. They will hold tightly after that.

• To keep hair shiny and soft, rinse weekly with a 50-50 mix of vinegar (apple cider or white) and water. The smell goes away quickly, but the softness and shine stick around.

• If you have a cracked or otherwise leaking vase that is opaque (not glass), try heating a bit of paraffin wax and coating the inside of the vase with it. Let it harden, and it should be watertight again.

• "To keep plywood or thin materials from splitting, I tape my cut line with low-tack masking tape. It keeps my cut sharp, reduces the fraying and it’s easy to remove when I’m done." -- G.S. in Minnesota