Maple Leaf Plans.

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce has already begun plans for the hosting of the 37th Annual Maple Leaf Festival scheduled for October. The annual event, which brings over 50,000 visitors to the local community, is being co-sponsored by the Carthage Press, Grundy’s Body and Frame Shop and KMXL/KDMO.

The Annual Maple Leaf Festival is a community-supported event and because of this, the planning committee is asking for the help of local residents. Suggestions for both a Grand Marshall and a festival theme are being requested. Grand Marshall nominees must be Carthage residents who have played a significant role in enhancing the community and/or the local business community. The festival theme must be general enough to include in all promotions and specific event plans, yet local in nature to reflect some of Carthage’s history and/or attractions. In past years the theme design has include the county courthouse, Route 66, Precious Moments figures and Civil War artifacts. Both Grand Marshall nominees and theme suggestions must be submitted to the Chamber by Friday, May 16 for consideration.

The current listing of events include the Maple Leaf Queen, Junior Miss and Little Miss and Mr. Pageants to be the highlight on Saturday the 11th, followed by the annual Fun Walk on Sunday, October 12th. The following week’s events include the annual Maple Leaf Baby Contest, Three Minutes of Fame Lip Sync Contest, and Quilt Show. Activities planned for the day-long celebration on Saturday, October 18th include the Maple Leaf Parade, a variety of craft booths and vendors, live entertainment, Dog Show, and plenty of games . A festival brochure listing these and many of the other events happening throughout the community during Maple Leaf week will be produced by the Chamber later this summer. The Chamber is asking for any organizations who would like their Maple Leaf events included in the 2003 festival brochure to contact the Chamber by Friday, May 30.

I grew up hearin’ and usin’ the phrase "that’s corny." The term was typically used to describe a "corny" joke, or in some instances a person that either told corny jokes or just acted corny. I’m sittin’ here tryin’ to define the term without tellin’ a corny joke. I suppose it’s like ya hear, "I can’t describe it, but I know it when I see it."

In school, there was always a corny teacher or two, tryin’ to tell jokes or be humorous. The kids would laugh and this would only encourage more corn. It was a vicious circle. Usually the term wasn’t intended in a harmful way, just matter of fact like, just accepted. The truth was, most folks seem to enjoy a little corn now and then, speakin’ of the verbal kind of course, and that ain’t chicken feed, pop.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

More on Concrete Repair

Q: I read your column on repairing cracks in concrete driveways. What is the best way to repair hairline cracks in the cement foundation of my home? — Karen J., via e-mail

A: You’re in luck, as most of the techniques used to patch horizontal concrete surfaces (such as the driveway) can be applied to vertical surfaces, such as a cement foundation. You’re wise to address the hairline cracks, as they can enlarge over time and create several problems.

The biggest difference is that instead of using sand-mix concrete to fill the cracks, use a vinyl-reinforced patching compound, or hydraulic cement. Concrete caulk is not recommended for long-term fixes.

As on horizontal surfaces, run a wire brush along the cracks to clear out loose material. Apply a thin layer of concrete bonding adhesive, using a brush to make sure the adhesive gets as far into the cracks as possible. This will create a better seal when the patching material is applied. Mix the patching compound and trowel it into the crack, smoothing the material downward until you reach the bottom and then feathering the excess compound out to the sides until it’s even with the surface.

What if a foundation crack is more than one-quarter inch wide? Use the same approach in preparing it as you would a horizontal crack: Chisel a backward-angled cut along both sides of the crack so that the patch material is less likely to push back out. Clean with a wire brush and pre-treat with bonding adhesive. Then, working quickly, trowel in hydraulic cement (not patching compound in this case). Layer the cement in until the crack is filled, and then feather the excess out to the sides.

Patched areas can be hidden by painting the surface with a waterproof concrete paint (once the patch has dried and set). Or, add a concrete sealer and then a layer of masonry recoat, which looks like fresh concrete when dry.

What about using quick-setting cement rather than hydraulic? Since you’re patching the foundation, an area regularly exposed to rain, snow and moisture in general, hydraulic cement is recommended. Quick-setting cement can be used on vertical surfaces that don’t get wet as often.