Dr. Delezene and Topper Slinkard updates and city of Chaffee spring reminders

Happy Easter!

Happy birthday to Hailey Peters, Jaimie Emerson, Joshua King, Richard Vandeven, Jarrett Whitmore, Daisy Williams, Jimmy Smith, Joseph Stagoski, Jill Hornback, Harold Landewee, Charles Westrich, Abby Seyer, Paula Glueck, Randy Buchheit, Mary Jo Barlow, Danny Terhune, Jearidene Grant, John Menz Jr., Hillary Eichhorn, Samantha Montgomery, Jonathan Hendrix, Meagan Ruiz, Laddie Bridwell, Barbara Griggs, Bud Keller, Donna Sadler, Judy Sanders, Megan Steimle, Darlene Dumey, Ersell Robins, Sierra Miller and Ernie Duncan.

Happy anniversary to Liston and Coradell Mitchell and Delbert and Susan Horman.

After some wild swings in temperatures last week, we are hoping for a beautiful Easter Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The forsythia and saucer magnolias have been especially stunning and the dogwoods and tulips should be popping out any day.

The goldfinches are here! Not quite sporting their bright yellow plumage, they are hungry and eating thistle and black oil sunflower seed.

Musical congratulations

Congratulations to Chaffee Elementary fourth-grader Braden Wicker and third-grader Levi Pace for honorable ratings at the Creating Original Music Project at the University of Missouri in Columbia, and sixth-grader Ella Leible, who placed second in the Junior Division.

'Strolling' updates

As a follow-up to prior conversation about the early Chaffee doctor Dr. Delezene, Betty (Seyer) Glastetter has this to add. While going through a family album, she discovered she was delivered by Dr. Delezene on Jan. 15, 1939, at 8 p.m. The cost? $35.

A big thank you to Virginia (Hindman) Harris, who gave us an update on Topper Slinkard. Mark Hopkins, his former classmate, wanted to get in touch with him. Topper and his wife, Judy (Harris), live in Sun City, Arizona. Mark says Topper has been a fine guitar player since the age of 9. Our thoughts and prayers are with Topper, who is undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia.

City of Chaffee reminders

The city reminds residents of the citywide cleanup scheduled for April 12 and 14, depending on your garbage day. Take advantage of this great opportunity to declutter your yard, garage and house.

Owning a pet is a big responsibility. Go to city hall and acquaint yourself with what is expected of you as a responsible pet owner before you get a dog or cat. Did you know there is a limit to how many dogs/cats one can own? Section 270.012 limits one household to a total of four dogs and/or cats over the age of six months. Such violation can result in a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500. Also, dog walkers are required to have their dogs on a leash and to pick up their poop.

There also is a city ordinance regarding barking dogs. Residents should be able to enjoy the outdoors without the constant barking of a dog. Section 270.080 reads that no person shall own, keep or harbor any dog which by loud, continual or frequent barking, howling or yelping shall annoy or disturb any neighborhood or person. If you are experiencing this in your neighborhood, call (573) 887-6911.

Proper animal treatment

Many dog lovers believe if you do not have a fenced yard, you should not own a dog. Even the cartoon "Peanuts" featured Snoopy commenting on the cruelty of keeping a dog on a chain. Some believe even cats should be kept indoors and, if outside, kept on a leash. Good cat owners do this. Cats should not have free range of the neighborhood, relieving themselves in other residents' flower beds, marking tires and killing baby rabbits, birds and beneficial snakes.

City reminders continued

Here are some other reminders from city hall. Return your trash cans to the back of your property after your trash is picked up and do not blow grass clippings into the street. Just the other day, I saw a yard man at a day care center blowing clippings into the street.

We urge property owners who have rental property in Chaffee to please remind your tenants of city ordinances. One only has to drive through town and see the many perpetrators. Address violations and concerns with your city council persons or our mayor.

Final thoughts

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

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 school that banned dogs from the entire playground year round because dog owners didn't pick up after their dogs.