Today's Feature

Chamber To Offer Marketing Seminar.

News release

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce will host a ‘Better Your Business’ seminar titled "Marketing: The Key to Small Business Success" on Tuesday, April 19 from 11:30AM-1PM at the Chamber office (402 South Garrison Avenue). Cost is $10 for Chamber Members and $25 for Non-Members. Lunch will be provided.

"A successful business has a successful marketing plan," said Karen Bradshaw, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at MSSU and seminar facilitator. "Small business owners tend to think they don’t have the time or resources to create a marketing plan that will work for them. However, in today’s world to succeed you have to make the time and find the resources. That’s where I can help."

During the lunch-n-learn style seminar attendees will learn how to create, implement and manage a marketing plan suited for their business. They will also learn how to determine their target market, set marketing goals and generate a manageable budget for marketing/promotions.

Developed as a quarterly series by the Chamber’s Retail and Small Business Committee, ‘Better Your Business’ seminar topics were derived from results of the Chamber’s Membership Survey.

This seminar is open to the pubic. Fees are $10 for Chamber Members and $25 for Non-Members. Class size is limited to the first 20 reservations. Payment is due prior to class. Lunch will be provided. Reservation deadline is Friday, April 15.

For further information about this seminar or other upcoming Chamber events, contact the Chamber office at 358-2373.

For additional information contact Debra Smith at 417-358-2373

I’m thinkin’ they should expand their product line into somethin’ for the truly hardcore environmentalists. Cowplates would surely show your dinner guests your committment. Cowbowls for breakfast along with the Cowcup for your coffee would have a lastin’ impression.

For those who haven’t walked across a pasture on a warm day there may be a real market developin’ here.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Knobby Trouble

Q: We live in a house that was built in the 1890s, and I think the original knobs and locks are on all the doors. Most of them are fine, though a little loose. However, the doorknob on the entrance to the third floor always falls off when I tug on it. Can I fix this, or should we replace all the old doorknobs? — Sarah M., Oklahoma City

A: Fixing the handle on that old doorknob may be as simple as repositioning it. On the back of the handle you’ll see a single attaching screw (called a setscrew) that holds the handle in place on the spindle (the piece of metal to which the handle attaches). Loosen that setscrew, rotate the handle to a different position, and replace the setscrew, making certain it is tight. This should solve the problem of the handle coming off.

As far as replacing the old doorknobs, remember the adage: "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." If the doorknobs work smoothly and aren’t corroded or otherwise damaged, don’t replace them. (Besides, most old lockset doorknobs are good-quality, solid metal pieces that fetch a good price at antique shops. Why throw away that investment?)

The old keyholes in those locksets aren’t used very often by modern homeowners, who don’t need them inside the home. However, if you have keys to fit each door but can’t turn them in some locks, consider removing and cleaning the locksets.

Loosen the setscrew and remove the handles on both ends, as well as the spindle. Then, loosen the faceplate screws (on the side of the door) and gently pry the entire lockset from the inside of the door. Several layers of paint applied over the years could make this difficult; try scoring the paint along the edges of the faceplate with a razor blade before prying the lockset out.

Scrub away any dirt or rust with a small brush and wipe clean. Spray all-purpose lubricant on all the parts and wipe away any excess.

Replace the lockset, reattach the spindle and knobs, and test the assembly by turning the handles left and right. The latch should move smoothly. Try turning the key in the lock; if it doesn’t work at first, give it a couple more attempts. The lubricant should work in as you work the key. However, be gentle when trying to turn the key in the lock; don’t force it, or you could bend or break the key.