Small Business Nominations.

Chamber of Commerce will thank one exceptional small business in January when they present the Small Business of the Year Award. Nominations are currently being accepted for this award. Customers and employees are encouraged to nominate businesses for this award.

The Small Business of the Year Award will be presented to a local business that has presented a positive image and has been a vibrant entity within the Carthage business community. Recipient must be a Chamber member in good standing and have fewer than 50 employees.

Past recipients are ineligible for nomination and include: Main Street Mercantile, Oak Street Health & Herbs, ServPro of Carthge/Joplin, Central Pet Care, Cloud’s Meat Processing, Grundy’s Body & Frame Shop, Steward’s Frame Shop, Block-By-Block Quilt Shop, and Smith Midwest Realty.

Nomination forms are available by contacting the Chamber office. Nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 3 to be considered.

I grew up hearin’ ya gota jump in and start swimmin’. The idea bein’ that ya can’t sit around waitin’ for somethin’ ta happen.

‘Course, as water safety folks will explain, its not such a good idea to jump in head first if ya aren’t familiar with the swimmin’ hole.

I’m guessin’ that most folks have felt they got in a little deeper than they anticipated ever’ now and then. That’s when the rest of the lesson comes in. "Learn from your mistakes and go on."

I suppose that havin’ an attitude that gettin’ your feet a little wet now and then is a good thing. I’d hate ta think that ever’thing has been tried that’s worth tryin.’ It’d be a shame ta not have anything left ta learn.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Weekly Columns

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Vacuuming Up Wasps

Q: I’m writing regarding your article in which a reader suggested removing wasps from a home’s siding by using a vacuum hose. You weren’t certain exactly how this worked.

I have used a shop vacuum for years to get rid of wasps, with great success. When they are entering the opening in the wall or wherever their nest is located, the wasps cannot escape the suction created when the vacuum hose is placed next to the hole.

This is a safe, chemical-free way to get rid of literally thousands of wasps. They do not attempt to sting or bother you in any way because they are intent on entering their nest. All you have to do is stand motionless with the vacuum hose held in place. The last time I did it, I counted (yes, counted) over 2,000 wasps in a relatively short time period.

I have also used the same method to get rid of a bat in the house. All I had to do was wait for it to alight (usually somewhere up high), put the hose over it and "plunk," it was in the vacuum canister.

Remember though, don’t open the shop vac inside the house or leave the vacuum hose unsealed after turning it off. This is just in case the wasps aren’t all dead. -- Alberta T., Batavia, N.Y.

A: Many thanks for expanding on the original tip! Shame about the bat (they’re really good for pest control as they catch and eat a number of insects), although I can see where having one inside your living space would be annoying. Still, the shop vac idea is really neat, and if it works to rid a house of wasps, go for it.

HOME TIP: To prevent wasps from rebuilding a nest in the spot you’ve just cleared them from, dab the area with something strongly scented, like tea tree oil. Repair small holes or cover niche areas with fine mesh.

Remember, when in doubt as to whether you can safely or effectively complete a project, consult a professional contractor.