The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Volume XVI, Number 52

did ya know?

Did Ya Know?... The Friends of the Carthage Public Library will hold its monthly used booksale on Saturday, September 1 from 8 a.m. until noon in the Library Annex, 510 S. Garrison Ave., Carthage.

Did Ya Know?... Cruise the Square on the first Saturday of the month, September 1 at 6:00 p.m. on the historic Carthage square. All vehicles and bikes welcome. Carthage Deli will be open late.

Did Ya Know?... The City of Carthage will be spraying for mosquitoes through Friday, August 31st. Areas will be sprayed in the evening of the day of regular trash pickup, between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight. It is recommended that citizens turn off window and attic fans when the sprayer is in the immediate area.

today's laugh

I went to Vegas recently. I lost my car, my watch, my money. I lost everything but my good luck charm.

A young composer says to a music critic, "What’s your opinion of my work?"

The critic answers, "I believe it will be performed long after composers like Bach and Beethoven are forgotten."

"Really?"

"Yes, indeed, and not a minute before!"

1907
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

Only Pen and Ink.

A Letter from E.B. Jacobs, Cashier at the First National Bank.

A few months ago a customer paid a laborer by check written with a lead pencil, which was duly paid. When our customer’s book was posted and checks returned the following months he discovered that the check referred to had been raised $10. The check on its face showed no change or alteration but by placing it under a glass, the surface showed a faint trace of a rubber eraser. The loss was not ours, as under the law, a bank is not liable for a fraud, occasioned and made possible by the carelessness of the drawer of the check and his failure to employ the usual safe guards which prudence and custom would dictate. Our customer was incensed at this fraud, but did not know the perpetrator; I did. He was a young man with a wife and children - the penalty was the penitentiary. I gave our customer $10 after reading him a lecture on "lead pencil checks," and told him I could get it straightened out. I saw the young man in a day or so, who, after the usual denials, admitted "getting $10 too much," but his family needed it and he had intended to "make it good." He paid me the money the following Saturday, the check was destroyed in his presence, and he is now taking care of his wife and babies instead of being in the penitentiary.

While not excusing his weakness, I do say that the temptation to be dishonest would not have been presented had that check been properly drawn. USE PEN AND INK WHENEVER POSSIBLE. Never use a lead pencil except in drawing a check to yourself at the bank, AND DON’T USE IT THEN.

The United States Government will accept only pen and ink signatures on its vouchers. Pension checks and post office money orders will not be paid unless endorsed or signed with pen and ink; even indelible pencils are barred. Do not write a check with a common lead pencil.

 

Today's Feature

Small Business World Series Thursday.

The Carthage Chamber is hosting a unique opportunity for member businesses to showcase their goods. The first-ever Small Business World Series will be held on Thursday, August 30 from 4 p.m.to 7 p.m. at the historic Rock Stadium, located inside Municipal Park. The event is free and open to the public.

"The objective for this event was to provide an opportunity for member businesses to promote goods and services to the general public in an unusual fashion at an unconventional location," said John Bode, Chamber President.

Perhaps the most unique detail of the event is the fact that every participant must bring a tailgate to set-up their exhibit. Meaning participating businesses will be utilizing a truck bed, van, SUV or car trunk in their expo display.

"We do get a few questions regarding that requirement, but so far no one has refused," said Debra Schow-Smith, Director of Member Services. "We didn’t want to have to haul out dozens of tables for participants to set-up displays, so the committee got creative. The end result is what you will see on the 30th."

Other details of the event that are causing some excitement are the awards. The Chamber will host three competitions among participants, one of which will be voted upon by the public. Among the competitions will be a Most Team Spirited, in which participants will be ’judged’ by the Senior High Cheerleading Squad on their cheer abilities; a Best Tailgate Exhibit decided upon by the committee; and a Most Valuable Player (Participant) that will be determined by a vote of the public.

A special appearance by Louie, the Springfield Cardinals mascot is planned and the high school athletic department is working on setting-up tailgate-style concessions as a fundraiser. Door prizes and giveaways for the public will help round-out the event.

Entertainment will be provided through Gold’N Stars Karaoke with The Gadget Guy, KSN reporter Brad Douglas, acting as guest emcee.

Those participating include: Arvest Bank, Burggraf Discount Tires and Wheels, The Title Place, Curves, Missouri Career Center, PILR Technology Services, UMB Bank, A Little More Pizzazz, Carthage Area United Way, Carthage Chamber of Commerce, Carthage Water & Electric Plant, Carthage Press, FCS Financial, Girl Scout Council of the Ozark Area, Hometown Bank, The Joplin Globe, K’s Jewelry & Gifts, McCune-Brooks Hospital, Sign Designs, SportsWorld, Southwest Missouri Bank, and US Cellular.

For more information call: Carthage Chamber at (417) 358-2373

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',
I may have mentioned it before, but with the popularity of Nascar and the Iron Man competitions I’d really like to see a combination of the two. Row boat racin’.

It could use the traditional circle track configuration, only water, like a moat. It’s such a simple idea, I’m surprised no one has been promotin’ the idea.

Kellogg Lake would be an ideal spot to experiment with the possibility.

The fans would show up a week early to watch the qualification rounds. Wander through the staging area admirin’ the latest in row boat technology, tryin’ to pick up ideas on how to keep their row boat bottoms in tip top shape.

I suppose the appeal is somewhat low-tech. Just a bunch a folks havin’ a good time in Carthage.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Mornin' Mail

Here's A Tip
By JoAnn Derson

• Never store out-of-season clothes in the attic, as humidity and high temperatures can take their toll on even the best-stored fabrics. Store them in an out-of-the-way place inside the house.

• "With four daughters, the spending on back-to-school clothing was getting out of hand. Finally, we sat our girls down and laid out a budget for them -- and they are in charge of how to spend it. We showed them how to look for sales, how to pool funds by going in together on higher-priced items that they really wanted and reminded them to hold on to some of the money for things they might want after school starts. Each girl got her own prepaid VISA card to shop with, and I have to say they did really well. It was easy for them to beg for extra items when it was their parents paying, but they kept careful track of how much they had to spend -- and saw how quickly it goes." -- The C. Family in Washington

• Keep recipes clean while cooking or baking by slipping the card or page into the tines of a fork. Set the fork in a tall glass and you are in business.

• "If you have slippery stairs going into the house, try mixing a little fine sand into an exterior paint. The sand will give you a bit of traction, and it’s unnoticeable if you get a paint that matches your exterior." -- F.E. in Idaho

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