Chrismas Lighting Ceremony.

The 14th annual Precious Moments Christmas Lighting Ceremony will be held Saturday November 1st. The ceremony will being at 6:15 p.m. in the Fountain of Angels Theatre. There is no admission fee for the ceremony, but seating is limited.

The ceremony will feature Christmas music, dance, a performance of the Fountain of Angels and the lighting of candles.

At the conclusion of the ceremony there will be an open house in the Visitors Center Gift Shops, featuring cookies and hot drinks from Chef McGrady’s royal recipes. McGrady, former chef of England’s princess Diana, will be present to help serve and to wish guests the blessings of the season. The entire park will be decorated for the season and thousands of Christmas lights will be illuminated following the ceremony.

At 1:15 p.m., Mrs. Suzanne King founder of the Pink Ribbons Crusade and owner of the Date With Diana exhibit located at Precious Moments, will be speaking about the collection. Among the many interesting highlights of the collection are six of Princess Diana’s gowns. King will share stories and insight into her collection.

Those parkin’ on the Square through the summer have noticed the lack tickets bein’ issued for extendin’ their stay over the two hour limit. Police Chief Veach says the lack of patrol of parkin’ violators is not due to relaxin’ the policy, but lack of personnel for the last couple of months.

In a week or two there will again be an officer workin’ the Square on a daily basis and issuing tickets. For those who have grown accustomed to a favorite parkin’ spot on the Square, it may be the time to start scoutin’ out an alternative.

For those who may have forgot, the tickets are a buck a piece for the first four in a 30 day period, then they jump to five bucks after that. Movin’ a vehicle to another space to avoid a ticket can get ya a twenty-five dollar fine.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Sam Mazzotta

Q: I’m really frustrated with the metal-frame storm windows around my house. The screens are torn, the glass is cracked in a couple of windows, and some of the sashes are stuck. Is it cheaper to fix the problems, or just replace all the windows? — Chester L., Baltimore

A: The cost depends on the amount of time you’re able to spend fixing the windows versus the amount of money available for replacement. Also, note that combination metal storm windows have a couple of complicated areas that will make repair time longer. To make the best of it, have the right tools on hand, and carry old parts with you to the hardware store to buy the right replacements.

Lift the damaged sash from the window by aligning the sash hangers on the ends of the sash’s top rail with the notches in the window’s side channels. Press the release tabs on the bottom of the sash, lift and pull outward.

For broken glass, carefully remove the damaged pane and glass fragments from the sash (wearing gloves), and the rubber gasket around the edges. Measure the inside frame dimensions (add twice the thickness of the gasket to the measurement). Purchase replacement panes and gaskets for each broken window. To install, loosen the top rail by removing the retaining screws and pulling gently downward. Fit the new gasket around the edges of the new glass — at corners, cut the spline partway to bend it. Trim excess, then slide the glass into the frame from the top. Carefully replace the top rail.

Storm-window screens are easily replaced. Purchase aluminum screening that is at least 3 inches wider than the frame, replacement spline cord and a spline roller. Add a utility knife, a screwdriver and a willing helper. Remove the sash from the window and pry the old spline cord out of the holding track. Lift out the old screen and clean any debris out of the frame. Cut new screening that is 3 inches wider than the frame on all sides. With your helper holding the screen tight, press the new spline cord into the track, rolling it in around the frame with the concave side of the spline roller. Trim the excess cord once all four sides have been rolled in.

Stuck windows are often caused by broken corner joints, which may be replaceable depending on the age of the window.