Pumpkins, mums and goblins; CHS alumni banquet feedback

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Jamie Davis.

Happy birthday to Doc Moudy, Casey Graviett, Mark Siebert, Maria Lynn, Crystal Owens, Monroe Richardson, Ginny Ruiz, Richard Walther, Christopher Trost, Jamie Holland, Amy Hooker, Shari Hargrove, Candice Lee, Erica Cobb, Jamie Duncan, Preston Hagan, Blaine Swinford, Forrest Lynn, Daniel Bridwell, Alden Owens, Michael Spies, Jason Pobst, Randy Dumey, Sue Nunnally, Lance Acey, Fred Welter, Ronnie Held, Diana Dees, Angie Eftink, Larry Grey, Wm. G. McFerron, Jack Gladwell, Kenny Holder, Tanner Morgan, Terry Cannon and David Gardner. Also, Cody Brown, Geneva Brown, Darlene Chesher, Charlean Hawkins, Grace McCann, Margaret Nation, Anne Pobst and Steven Shoemaker. A special happy birthday wish to Evans Ryan, who celebrates his 98th this Friday.

Happy anniversary to Tim and Kathi Stone, Doc and Mildred Moudy, Dan and Gail Ballard and Alvie and Joanne Surface.

The full moon of October we are enjoying is referred to as the Hunter's Moon, Harvest Moon, Kindly Moon and Moon When Quilling and Beading is Done.

Pumpkins and mums are everywhere, and the little goblins will be appearing on our doorsteps Saturday looking for treats. Halloween trick-or-treating hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. City Hall reminds those who have treats for the little ones to turn on your porch light.

Hiking, not biking

Hiking around Lake Tywappity is especially great this time of year -- few if any bugs, no snakes and lots of birds. Well, we did see one very slow black rat snake off the trail, but not Mr. Copperhead that we saw last October. We saw pileated woodpeckers, nuthatches, kinglets, hawks and a handful of deer.

The trail is well worn, which is another reason bicycles are not allowed. Although a sign is not posted at the main trailhead, there is one on the dam entrance to the trail. I brought the lack of the "No bicycles" signage to Missouri Conservation Department agent Rocky Hayes, and he says that oftentimes the signs disappear. Those of us who use and enjoy the trail appreciate all that Rocky and the Conservation Department do in maintaining this trail and others.

There are lots of protruding roots and rocks on the trail, and good hiking shoes with toe protection and good ankle support come in handy. They, along with hiking poles, have helped me recover from many a stumble. Can anyone tell us who first blazed the trail around Lake Tywappity and what year?

Those home ec teachers

We recently wondered about Carolyn Anderson and were told she was Chaffee High School home economics teacher in 1966 for one year. Barbara Lorberg was home ec teacher in 1965 and attended this year's banquet. Sheila (Myers) Eby says Mrs. Lorberg was a role model and had a big impact on the young girls in her classes. Many of her former students were thrilled to visit with her and her husband at the reunion. I was unable to confirm names of teachers in the 1965 Mogul at the public library, since they did not have that year, or many other years. If you have extra Moguls, you might check with the library.

We have received more feedback from banquet attendees. The consensus is that the VFW, which provides lots of space and parking, is the best venue for the annual event. The music was a little late, and many attendees left before the duo arrived. Some attendees suggest subtle background music, adding it would be more suitable since people go there to socialize, not to dance.

Also, a couple of alumni are asking what happened to the calling of blue raffle tickets which were bought in good faith?

Parade plans

HB Rice says the theme for Dec. 5 Christmas Parade is "Hometown Christmas." It will start at 1 p.m. at Head Start and end at the Chaffee High School parking lot. Refreshments will be served at the CHS Activity Center. Interested parties should call HB at (573) 887-3555.

Daylight Saving Time will end next Sunday, and we will get back that hour we lost last spring. It is also a good time to replace batteries in smoke alarms.

Special words

Remember to tell those special people in your life that 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 and those undergoing cancer treatments. 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 hiker who had a "root" awakening.