Today's Feature

Relay for Life Chair Named.

News release.

Crystal Jones, a kidney and ovarian cancer survivor of five years and Nora Tebbets, an ovarian cancer survivor, also of five years, have been named to co-chair the 2006 American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Carthage.

Both women have held various committee positions on the Relay planning committee for the Carthage event over the past several years.

"Being a cancer survivor myself helps me stay passionate about working to raise the much needed money for cancer research. In addition to my own battle with cancer, I watched leukemia take away my father’s life. I don’t want my daughter or my grandson to have to battle this disease. I hope a cure for all types of cancer can be found in my lifetime," said Ms. Tebbets.

"I have always said ‘Cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me.’ Not a week goes by that we don’t hear that someone has the big "C" word. Because of this fact, we each need to be more pro-active to help eliminate cancer for future generations. Within the last five years, great strides have been made with your donations. Please help us again this year, and find out why it’s the best thing that ever happened to me," said Crystal Jones.

The Relay for life of Carthage will be held June 2-3, 2006 at Carthage’s Central Park. For more information on the Relay or information about forming a team, contact Crystal Jones at 358-8131, extension 4804, Nora Tebbets at 358-8131, extension 2402, Roger Kirby at 358-3654, or Catherine Singleton, Community Specialist Income Development with the American Cancer Society at 417-627-7506.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Stench Report:
Friday,
11/25/05

No Reports of Odor

‘Course I’m wonderin’ why they don’t just go out in a cornfield somewhere and pick up a piece of an astroid. I know most of ‘em burn up on the way down, but surely there are a couple out there.

I’m guessin’ the idea of bein’ the first to chip off a piece of astroid in space is a big part of what’s goin’ on. Just the fact that it can be done is pretty amazin’. I’m still lookin’ for that rock I put through the garage window with the lawn mower last spring.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Wood-Pellet Stove Won’t Stay Lit

Q: I installed a wood-pellet stove last fall. It has worked brilliantly and saved me a lot of money, but this fall when I tested it, the pellets would not stay lit. What is wrong? — Will T., Lawrence, Mass.

A: Pellet-burning stoves are an increasingly popular way to heat homes, providing an affordable alternative to today’s sky-high oil and natural gas prices. These appliances use compressed wood pellets that burn very efficiently. The heat generated by burning the pellets is distributed through the house via a forced-air system; automated circuitry controls the number of pellets fed into the burn chamber and regulates the temperature.

The homeowner’s job with a pellet stove is to refill the hopper (frequency depends on the stove’s size and the amount of heat needed) and to clean out the ashes regularly. Off-season cleaning and maintenance of the stove components is also necessary to keep everything working at peak efficiency.

My first thought about your pellet-burning problem is that not enough oxygen is reaching the pellets. An electric vent system controls air flow into the burn chamber and out through the vent pipe. If the system isn’t working right, not enough air is getting to the pellets. The issue could simply be a buildup of ash or creosote deposits in the burn chamber. In any case, I would recommend contacting the dealer that installed your stove for specific instructions on cleaning your stove model, or to schedule a repair.

Alternative heating appliances, like pellet-burning stoves, traditional wood-burning fireplaces and even coal-burning stoves are getting plenty of attention. Homeowners should look into them as good supplemental heat sources, and do a price comparison. The purchase price and the cost of professional installation (recommended if not required by your local government) should be factored into the cost of the appliance.

CORRECTION: Thanks to Pete W., who wrote about a recent column on maintaining furnaces that suggested using 10W30 oil to lubricate the motor: "(Automotive) motor oil has detergents that can score the bearings of the motor. The proper oil for electric motors of the sizes found in furnaces is SAE30 non-detergent."

HOME TIP: For safety’s sake, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces should always be professionally installed or repaired, and maintained regularly. And, just as in any home, a carbon monoxide detector should be installed.