Today's Feature

Library Bids to be Let in August.

Public Works Director Chad Wampler has informed the Public Works Committee that plans have been approved by the Carthage Public Library board for the addition to the library.

The bids are planned to be distributed in August and returned by the end of August which would place construction beginning as early as mid-September.

According to Wampler, the new addition should be approximately 13,160 square feet which when added to the existing 7,476 square feet would make the new total square footage 20,636 feet. The blueprints include two stories matching the existing levels of the library constructed of matching or similar materials. The look of the addition will incorporate modern technology with the look and feel of the Carthage marble used on the existing structure according to Wampler.

One item that is planned for renovation if funding allows is the replacement of the shingles on the dome of the library with a period correct copper exterior.

The Public Works department is coordinating the removal of any hazardous materials prior to the construction.

A hand full of twigs will ignite the finger size sticks which in turn will burn the arm size sticks. After that it’s just a matter of how biga fire ya want to sit by.

‘Course you can bypass all those instructions if ya have a can of lighter fluid in the tent. Then it’s just a matter of how close ya wanna be to a burst of flame when it poofs up in your face.

Another, somewhat safer method is ta use steel wool. Believe it or not it burns a pretty good flame for short periods. Just fluff it up a little and watch it roar.

For the pioneer types, rubbin’ two sticks can work. I prefer a Bic.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• "Greeting cards that feature funny pictures on the front with a punch line on the inside are all the rage. I reuse ones that I have received by cutting the front off and gluing a piece of heavy paper to the back. I use it like a post card. That way, the card makes someone else smile too!" — V.J. in Florida

• "Time-saving grocery items are wonderful, but they can be pricey. If you find something you really like, buy the ingredients, make several and store them in plastic containers. My kids have a ball making their own ‘Lunchables’ to take to school for the week." — O.P. in Missouri

• "While denatured alcohol does miracles for ivory piano keys, it will cause modern plastic ones to crack. Use toothpaste to spruce up both old and new piano keys." — T.B. in Arkansas

• "Keep a red washcloth around to wipe off ‘owies’ for kids. Since the cloth is already red, the kid can’t see the blood, so it makes it less traumatic. My mom did this, and now I do it too." — U.C. in Pennsylvania

• "If you break the wand applicator on your eye shadow, just cut a cotton swab in half and stick it in the case. They are usually about the same size." — R.C. in California

• "To get dust bunnies out from under the fridge, or any piece of heavy furniture, wrap packing tape, sticky-side out, on a yardstick. Then just swipe under the furniture, and out comes the dust." — I.E. in Virginia

• Remember your pets as you air out your house this spring. Make sure windows are screened to prevent pets from escaping or accidentally falling from a higher story window.