Filming will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 11th,and end around 6:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12th, they will begin filming at 9:00 a.m. and end at an estimate of 7:30 p.m. Sunday the crew will be leaving, provided it doesn’t rain. If it rains on the weekend of July 11th, Sunday will be used to film also.

"We need to clean up, have Carthage ready to go on-camera," said Executive Director of the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau Teresa Gilliam, "I want to encourage all Carthage residents to make sure their property is clean; their lawn is mowed, all those type things are perfect, it’s real important."

There are two local personalities who will actually be in the script; Andy Thomas, local artist and historian, and Shelby Bates, a Precious Moments Representative.

"It’s going to happen, folks," said Gilliam, "They’re going to be here."

I eat sardines two or three times a year. I grew up always havin’ a can or two in the cupboard. Maybe a can of Spam and a couple of cans of pork (sorta) and beans. That and a box a crackers made up my dad’s "emergency" food storage.

We never made a sit down meal of it, but sometimes Dad and us kids would break open the cache and have a snack fest. In a week or two, the cupboard would be replenished and not be bothered for three or four months.

After all these years, the habit hangs on. I don’t like sardines that much, but it’s comforting to know I could eat ‘em if I had too. With all the talk of "stockin’ up," I may throw in an extra can just in case. The test would be if I could eat ‘em two days in a row.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Q: We have put 2-inch enameled wood blinds in our bedroom, and our son has been sleeping in there and smoking. There are nicotine stains on the blinds, and we have tried several ways to eliminate them to no avail. Do you have any idea on how to get rid of the stains? Any help at all will be appreciated. — Bob K., via e-mail

A. As I began writing this reply, a friend pointed out (having just returned from an outdoor cigarette break himself) that the real issue at hand is a breach of smoker’s etiquette — in that your son, while staying in your bedroom, smoked regularly without allowing for the consequences of unventilated smoke on the blinds (and perhaps furniture, carpet and electronics). However, since I deal with home repairs, not personal advice, that perceived breach is not for me to address. I would like to remind those readers who smoke that lighting up in someone’s home isn’t a good idea unless invited. The reason lies in my answer below.

Bob, because you’re dealing with painted wood, cleaning the nicotine stains completely from your blinds may be impossible. Deposits of smoke and residual chemicals (i.e. nicotine) from cigarettes can create an icky mess in a room, especially directly above the smoker’s regular smoking spot. These fine particles sink easily into wood grain — even sealed wood.

Typically, dust particles can be swept away with a feather duster or ruffle. But cigarette smoke can leave a sticky residue — especially after several weeks of constant smoking — that does not come up easily except with a scrubbing sponge and soapy water. And that’s the problem with wood blinds. They can’t be cleaned with lots of soap and water because the moisture could warp them. Scrubbing the wood may just drive the residue deeper into the grain. The white enamel may also be permanently stained by brown soot, making any level of cleaning useless.

However, if you’re determined to clean these and not replace them, wiping the slats down with a damp (not wet) cloth and a very mild detergent may reduce the stain. To clean the blinds quickly and (hopefully) deter warping, remove them from the windows and lay them on a flat surface that’s been covered with a soft cloth (to keep from scratching the enamel). Wipe each slat down, rinse with a similar damp cloth, and then immediately dry them. Turn the blinds over and repeat.