Today's Feature

Lip Sync Competition Scheduled.

Due to Popular demand, the "Three Minutes of Fame" competition will be held Thursday, October 19th during Maple Leaf Week. Teams from business, organizations and groups will compete against each other in a family-friendly lip sync contest. More than one team from each business or organization is encouraged. The winners and runner-ups will receive a plaque.

The event will be held in the Carthage High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. on October 19th. Local singer Duke Mason will be the guest emcee. Each team entered will be given three minutes to lip-sync to the music of their choice. It is asked that music and skit be suitable for all ages as the audience may include a wide variety of people looking for a fun evening during Maple Leaf Week.

Two categories will be offered this year, including a junior division for contestants ages 14 and younger, and an adult category. Awards will be given in each category and will be judged on stage presentation, costumes and lip-sync ability. Contestants must provide a cassette or cd of chosen music. Entry forms are due at the Chamber office by closing Monday, October 16th, 2006. For more info call 358-2373

Stench Report:

Friday,
9/15/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

Most folks don’t change habits unless they are somehow forced to. Now they may say they wanta change, but they usually only change when we have to.

Changin’ is uncomfortable. Some habits, like smokin’ are not only mentally uncomfortable, but physically too. Losin’ weight’s the same way (so I’m told.)

Course some folks take a philosophical look at things. Like the old story of the guy who only continued to work outta habit. The habit of wantin’ to eat everyday.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Saggy Door Needs Straightening

Q: One of our bedroom doors doesn’t close all the way because it sticks on the doorjamb. How can we fix this? -- Clive C., Birmingham, Ala.

A: Over time, all houses settle a bit, and door frames can get a little out of whack. Or, a door’s hinges can start to work loose. Or both. The result is a door that sticks a little whenever it’s opened or closed. To straighten out that door in its frame, grab a helper, your toolkit and some cardboard shims.

Check the health of the hinges first. Have your helper try to straighten the door a bit, and look at the hinges as he does so. If screws holding the hinge plates in place seem loose, they need to be tightened.

This is best done by removing the door from its hinges before tightening the screws. Remove the door by knocking out the lower hinge pin first, then the upper hinge pin (always have your helper in place to control the door). Tighten the hinge screws; if any of the screws won’t tighten down, remove the entire hinge and reset the screw holes by tapping a wooden dowel (a golf tee works well, too) coated with wood glue into the stripped hole. Allow the glue to dry for an hour, then drill a new pilot hole, replace the hinge and screw into place. Re-hang the door and check to see if it still sticks.

If it still sticks significantly (you need to tug the door to open it), try placing a cardboard shim (a thin piece of any cardboard cut to the same size) underneath the lower hinge to see if that raises the door a bit. This can misalign the latch, so don’t shim too much.

If the bottom of the door sticks only a bit, try sanding the bottom of the door where it scrapes the jamb, until the door closes and opens smoothly.

HOME TIP: If a door has a tendency to bang shut, locate where the door is hitting the frame first and press a strip of adhesive-backed weatherstripping along that section of the frame.