Museum hours, busy at the lake and memories of churches

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Oron Dukes.

Happy birthday to Carletta Streeter, Jordan Cook, Joann Tatum, Seger Ruiz, Fabian Schott, Gary Bentley, Scott Montgomery, Norman Dudley, Norma Van Gennip, Bev Kinder, Tony Mohorc, Josh Slinkard, Jill Graham, Debbie Schlosser, Justin Holmes, Courtney Teegarden, Diana Knutson, Becky Hanlon, Shellie Seyer, Connor Pobst, Ruby Eichhorn, William Finney, Matt Abernathy, Jordan Smith, Matt Eichhorn, Pat Glenzy, Kari Bickings, Sonny McCabe, Pat Barberis, Mary Adams, Catherine Elfrink, Becky Seyer, Robert Hinkebein, Mandy Moore, Lawrence Badders and Mary Ann Kagle.

Happy anniversary to Leroy and Sandy Bollinger, David and Patricia Moore, Carl and Joyce Estes and Steve and Cathy Graham.

The Historical Museum is now open Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop by and catch up on our history! You can join the historical society for $10 per year.

Rockets' red glare

There were some magnificent fireworks displays throughout town. Our fire chief, Sam Glency, had to work but left specific directions for the volunteer firemen, resulting in a spectacular fireworks display at Harmon Field. We also thank our Chamber of Commerce for the patriotic bunting on the Circle Park gazebo.

Plenty of traditional foods were served for Fourth of July picnics. They ranged from the traditional hot dog and hamburger fare to brisket, brats and ribs. Side dishes included deviled eggs, cole slaw, potato salad, corn on the cob and watermelon.

Remember when we thought black diamonds were the best watermelons you could buy?

Desserts were aplenty. I made my mother's cherry dessert and am now gathering gooseberries for my favorite pie.

Big yellow bowl

For years, the big yellow Pyrex bowl was "the" bowl for mixing cakes, potato salad, mashed potatoes and such. My sister, Jo, was in charge of the mashed potatoes on Sundays, creating much excitement, since they varied from paste-like to the perfect texture. They were the colorful four-bowl sets often seen in antique stores.

The fishermen were busy at Lake Tywappity last weekend. Richard and I hiked the trail and saw two young does and one 4-foot-long black snake. The bird activity was light, but we saw a kingbird and a pewee and heard a summer tanager.

At the house, we were delighted to see a nuthatch making its way head-first down a pine tree and a brown thrasher feeding two young ones. The hummingbirds are still plenty and active.

City Hall reminds residents to put out trash cans only the night before or day of your scheduled trash pickup, then return the empty containers to the backyard. Also, do not blow grass clippings into the street or roads while mowing.

Our local cemetery is looking nice, but we want to remind people there are rules posted at the entry. As much as we support honoring our deceased loved ones, please follow the current rules. Some believe that more rules should be put in place and enforced to control people who go overboard with the tokens they leave behind. One person commented that some areas look like the clearance aisle at Wal-Mart.

Mary Ann (Duncan) Kagle added to our First Assembly of God Church history. She said her family came to Chaffee around 1943, when her dad, Clyde Duncan, got a job with the Frisco Railroad. They attended services in the little white building, and she remembers the coal-burning stove used for heat. The Rev. O. L. Ramsey was pastor, and at the time, had an orchestra complete with horns and all kinds of instruments. Mary Ann said the music drew many town folk, especially during Christmas.

She adds that a lady minister by the name of Ida Mae Keaton started the Bethel Assembly of God in Cape Girardeau in an upstairs building down on Broadway. Mrs. Keaton later was administrator at the Children's Home in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for many years. Her son, Michael, was a bodyguard for Elvis Presley but left before Elvis started giving each bodyguard a Cadillac.

Summer jobs, camp, VBS, swimming lessons, tryouts and family vacations are underway. We hope you will share some of your current activities and memories of those from the good ole days with us.

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 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 Chinese restaurant that played old-fashioned hymns.