Chaffee Chatters: Lankford memories, so much soda-pop, anticipating duck dynasty

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Veronica Wells.

We hope everyone is having a safe, fun Fourth of July weekend!

Happy birthday to Corliss Meyr, Lori Garland, Clifford Barlow, Jesse Totty, Margorie Johnson, Pam Burks, Mary Boese, Deb Scherer, Doug Dirnberger, Tonya Glency, Georgia Hicks, Eugene McAlister, Joe Mohorc, Marvin Pobst, Pat Schwepker, Jeremy Ruiz, Kathy Garner, Marty Seabaugh, Dan Finley, Eddie Noble, Sue Masters, Charlotte Smith, Germaine Cannon, Bob Smith, Marie Williams, Bobby Burks, Jeremy Chapman, Chris Robinson, Mark Robinson, Gary Kluesner, Claudia Marian, Leonard Kluesner, David Lape III, Eric Cobb, Jack Coomer, Donna Fisher and Larry Goetz.

Happy anniversary to Jim and Kathy Blevins, Butch and Vona Baker, Dave and Brenda White, Shawn and Jamie Nix, Paul and Linda Donais, Larry and Janet Cook, Chris and Diana Knutson, Brad and Debra Bader and Tim and Germaine Cannon.

Although we try to keep our birthdays and anniversaries up to date, we urge readers to notify us of any changes.

The city will be flushing fire hydrants starting tomorrow, July 6, beginning with the east side of town, working west. A few days of discolored water are possible.

'Is he there?'

Jae Hopkins said his first job was at Lankford Drug Store; he worked there from junior high until he graduated from Chaffee High School. Others who worked there were Bill Bahr, Kenny Hindman and later, Joe Proctor while Kenny was serving in the Army during the Korean War. Jae adds that his Uncle Les and Aunt Lela were always busy with customers and calls. He remembers one special caller with a very distinctive voice who never identified himself, asking only this: "Is he there?" It was Doc Finney, asking for big Les.

Mary Ann (Duncan) Kagle remembers when there was an urgent need for a prescription on Sundays, you could call Lela and she would fill it rather than making you wait until Monday. Back then, doctors made house calls seven days a week. Mary Ann also recalls her mother and dad stopping by Lankford's to pick up ice cream and a Coke to take home. Some of you may remember those cardboard quart containers complete with a tightfitting lid.

In one of my "then there was" items, I mentioned the days when one Coke lasted throughout a meal. It is amazing the number of soft drink refills some people have with their meals; maybe that explains much of the obesity. Former "NBC Tonight Show" host Jay Leno often obsessed about how fat we're getting in this country.

Quacker countdown

The countdown for the hatching of the wood ducks began June 28! We're curious as to what is going on in the nest box, as is a young red-bellied woodpecker who flies up several times a day for a quick peek inside. I think of the music "March of the Siamese Children" from the musical "The King and I" as the cute little ducklings follow their mother to the nearest creek. Most wood ducks nest in trees or boxes over the water, so it is easy for the little ones to drop out of the box, splashing into the water below. Since it will play out in our yard, one by one they will drop onto the grass. We hope to watch them follow their mother to the nearby creek, making certain no harm comes to them from humans or predators.

Swimming lessons at the Harmon Field Pool continue with the second session July 13 through 24. The cost is $50 per child. Daily passes are only 75 cents this summer in commemoration of the pool's 75th anniversary.

Remembering Janie

We were shocked and saddened by the passing of longtime resident Janie Rauch. She was active in our community and her church and dedicated to her family and friends. It was always delightful to visit with the caring and cheerful Janie, whether it was at Penney's, where she had worked for 27 years, church, behind a lawn mower, the Chaffee Drive-in or just catching her as she went down the street in her red Jeep. She is very much missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Bill, daughter, Yolanda, son, Tommy, other family members and her many, many friends.

Special words

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

Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who are missing loved ones, our homebound, those in hospitals and nursing homes. 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 239th birthday of our nation.