Today's Feature

Foundation Helps Fight Hunger.

Salvation Army Participates in Feinstein Challenge.

News release

For the eighth straight year, the Alan Feinstein Foundation in Rhode Island will divide $1 million among hunger fighting agencies throughout the country.

Feinstein’s past $1 million challenges to fight hunger have raised over $350 million for agencies nationwide. This has become the greatest grassroots effort ever to fight hunger in America.

The Salvation Army in Carthage will get their share of the $1 million equal to their proportion of the total amount raised by all participants.

The more donations of food and money that the Salvation Army receives from March 1st to April 30th will guarantee more matching money from the Feinstein Foundation. Food items are valued at $1.00 per item or per pound for reporting purposes.

For more information visit www.feinsteinfoundation.org or call or visit the Salvation Army at 358-2272 located at 125 E. Fairview in Carthage.

Most go for the easy out, stick ‘em both in their pockets. Prob’ly the real reason pockets were invented. Hidin’ places for inactive hands.

Some put both hands behind their back and kinda push their chest out. Others fold ‘em in front. One of the more popular places for hands ta be stored when men are talkin’ seems a little unusual, but you see it all the time. Guys cross their arms and stick their hands in their arm pits.

I’m sure those are the first one you ladies like ta shake hands with when ya walk in the room.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Glum Over Glue

Q: I have two questions. First, we are going to take down some old wall paneling from around the tub that was glued to Gyprock with what looks like very good glue. What, if anything, will remove this glue?

Second, can we put (imitation) hardwood flooring on the cement floor in the basement? — Marvin H., via e-mail

A: To your first question, I say, "oy." Removing old glue from the walls can be difficult for many reasons, including how well it has adhered to the Gyprock (paneling made up of a gypsum core sheathed in linerboard).

The glue you’re dealing with is most likely a wet area paneling adhesive (a polychloroprene rubber-based sealant usually sold next to Gyprock or Sheetrock products). It’s designed to form a flexible heat- and moisture-resistant bond between the wall paneling and Gyprock in warm, humid areas of the house, such as your bathroom.

So how do you clean it off the plasterboard? Start with careful steps, and then progress to tougher measures, since the exact brand of adhesive isn’t known.

First, try heating the old glue with a hair dryer or a heat gun. Bring the temperature above 140 degrees F, and then try to gently scrape away the softened glue with a putty knife, being careful not to tear the sheathing.

If this doesn’t work, a tougher measure is required. Apply mineral spirits or petroleum jelly to the glue, and let the solvents soak in for anywhere from several hours to several days. Try an adhesive remover as well, but make sure it’s the right solvent for the right product (in this case, wet area paneling adhesive). As with any solvent, make sure the room is well-ventilated throughout this process.

As to your second question: Yes, it’s possible to install imitation (laminate) hardwood flooring directly over cement, but I’d recommend against it. Concrete is porous, so a thin (6 millimeter) polyethylene film should be installed over the floor as a vapor barrier to keep out moisture that could cause mold and eventual warping. A foam underlayment is also recommended, to reduce noise.

Prior to installation, make sure that the concrete is clean, dry and flat; fill in any indentations greater than 3/16 inch with a leveling compound, and smooth out ridges in the cement.