Today's Feature

June 2nd Relay for Life.

In a nation where more than one million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year, Carthage is invited to celebrate life.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a unique fund-raising event in which teams of participants take turns walking or running the track in an overnight event in an effort to fight cancer. Teams camp-out, eat, and play games. This year’s Relay for Life is at Central Park in Carthage on June 2-3, 2006.

The message of the event is cancer can be conquered. This theme of hope is illustrated as the event begins with a cancer survivors’ lap at 7:00 p.m. This emotional lap honors the courage of all who have defeated cancer. The survivors are introduced, and then all will walk, run or wheelchair the opening lap - unified in victory and hope.

The atmosphere of Relay For Life is one of camaraderie and celebration, providing an opportunity for cancer survivors to pass the torch of hope on to those still battling cancer or those that might be touched by cancer in the future.

Cancer survivors wishing to take part in Relay For Life of Carthage may do so by calling Shirley Pace at 358-4616 or Alyssa Bayless from the American Cancer Society at 417-627-7507. All survivors receive a free Relay For Life T-Shirt.

For more information about cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit their web site at www.cancer.org

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.

Stench Report:
Wednesday,
5/31/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

I’ve always assumed that June Bugs had ’ to do with the month of June. As a kid I was told they call ‘em that cause they come out in June and only live about a month.

My older brother prob’ly was the source of that knowledge so he coulda been pullin’ my leg, don’t know. I never investigated the subject any more and have been content to believe it all these years.

I’ve prob’ly passed on that bit of wisdom to some unsuspecting child at one time or another. Comin’ from an adult, they most likely accepted that nugget of folk lore as honest truth also.

I suspect that women are not necessarily the originators of all the "old wife’s tales" that circulate. Men seem ta have the ability to make sense outa nothin’ too.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click and Clack

Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a 1972 Chevy 1/2-ton pickup that’s been parked for quite a while. I got it started and took it for a spin down the street. It does fine in first gear, but when it shifts into second gear, the engine cuts off. If I let off the gas, it idles just fine. Could this be a carburetor problem? The ignition system seems to be fine. The engine idles great and revs fine while stationary. Help! - Big Kahuna

RAY: Well, it could be the carburetor, B.K. But before you spend your next eight weekends trying to rebuild it, try the simple things first.

TOM: Right. You say the ignition seems to be fine, but it might not be. If your spark is weak, for example, the engine might run fine at idle. But when you speed up, the increased flow of air and gasoline rushing into the cylinders can cause the spark to be blown out... like a birthday candle. That might be your problem.

RAY: So, start by replacing the stuff most likely to cause weak spark: the points and condenser. You might also want to check for bad plugs or a bad ignition coil.

TOM: If the problem isn’t weak spark, then it IS the carburetor. I’d bet on plugged jets.

RAY: You have three sets of jets on your carburetor. You have the idle circuits, which, as the name implies, provides enough gas to run the engine at idle. Then you’ve got your low speed jets, which provide enough gasoline to the engine for low-speed operation.

TOM: Then you’ve got your high-speed jets, which can come into play at fairly low speeds, too! Anytime you really step on the gas, there’s enough demand for gasoline that all of the jets are delivering fuel. Or, in your case, not delivering fuel. And that might be what’s causing the engine to stall.