A Painted Wren move, Chaffee city updates and Fourth of July roundup

By Darla Buckhannon

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Maxine Clark.

Happy birthday to Leonard Kluesner, David Lape III, Gary Kluesner, Eric Cobb, Larry Goetz, Jack Coomer, Donna Fisher, Carletta Streeter, Jordan Cook, Joann Tatum, Seger Ruiz, Fabian Scott, Gary Bentley, Scott Montgomery, Norman Dudley, Norma Van Gennip, Jill Graham, Debbie Schlosser, Justin Holmes, Courtney Teegarden, Diana Knutson, Becky Hanlon, Shellie Seyer, Matt Abernathy and Jordan Smith. Also Martha Eftink, Ruby Eichhorn, William Finney, Larry Gadberry, Tony Mohorc, Doyle Perr and Josh Slinkard.

Happy anniversary to Brad and Debra Bader, Tim and Germaine Cannon and Leroy and Sandy Bollinger. Special wishes to Jae and Akiko Hopkins, who celebrated their 53rd anniversary on the Fourth of July.

The chamber of commerce will meet for its monthly meeting at noon this Wednesday at First Commercial Bank.

There will be a band concert from 6 to 9 p.m. this Saturday evening at Circle Park. Bring your blankets!

Painted Wren takes flight

Local artist Aaron Horrell has moved his Painted Wren Gallery from downtown Cape Girardeau to 223 S. Plaza Way, just south of BG's Restaurant. His new showroom is spacious, with plenty of wall space to display his art and that of other artists. His and Barb Bailey's "Alison Barbaron's Color Book for Kids of All Ages" is available and the Paint for a Cause continues -- $1 for 1 minute of painting. Gallery hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Cleaning up Chaffee

The city is doing a great job sprucing up our town. They are cutting down overgrown trees that have cracked many a sidewalk and are cleaning out culverts. With the much needed rain we received last week, it was a good opportunity to see how efficiently the water was draining through the cleared culverts. It also was an eye-opening drive seeing the many culverts yet to be cleaned out by property owners. Let's get those drainage ditches clear of debris and flowing!

Non-flushable 'flushables'

The city is launching the sewer project now that the water project is wrapped up. We remind you to do your part by not flushing pre-moistened wipes down the toilet. Even though they are sold as "flushable," they don't break down on their way to the wastewater treatment plant. They get tangled and twisted and caught in the plumbing in your home or the city's sewer system. Don't risk an unpleasant and potentially expensive sewage backup in your home. Protect your drains by putting baby and personal wipes, diapers and work rags in the trash, not your toilet.

Fourth of July festivities

During the dry spell, we wished for rain but were hoping for a dry Fourth of July so we could pop our arsenal of fireworks. The town was smoky and smelled of sulfur for days, but is back to normal, much to the relief of pets and songbirds. The morning after had many of us refreshing our birdbaths and hummingbird feeders.

We hope everyone had a great Fourth! After a rainy start, the sun came out and there was a good turnout at the pool and Harmon Field for fun and games and a great fireworks display. There were family reunions and cookouts. We spotted a Traeger smoker grill at Harmon Field and the Green Egg in our neighborhood. The pricey Egg produces lots of smoke for the bucks.

Remembering those lost

For those who chose not to participate in the fireworks, there was plenty of exciting tennis, golf and other sports on television.

Some residents spent part of their holiday visiting loved ones at local cemeteries. Union Park Cemetery is looking fine with the regular mowing of Teen Challenge. It is always comforting to those who pay their respects to loved ones to find the grounds well kept. Richard and I always visit Cape County Memorial Park, where my parents and grandparents are buried. The park is always well maintained and nice looking; they do not allow shepherd hooks or solar lights. We were delighted this past visit to see the male peacocks on full display as they charmed the hens. They are amazing to watch.

Final thoughts

Remember to tell those special people in your life that you love them -- those three words mean so very much and are so nice to hear.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are missing loved ones, our homebound, those in hospitals and nursing homes and those undergoing cancer treatments. Please email your news and comments to darbuck2@airmail.net or leave a message at (573) 887-6430 or (214) 207-7839.

And then ...

Then there was the lady who didn't need to empty her birdbath because she never fills it.