Spring gardening, Chaffee student commendations and dining in downtown Cape Girardeau

Happy birthday to Richie Rister, Jimmy Chambers, Bud Schilling, Garrett Senciboy, Charles Dumey, Robert Kern, Robin Gardner, Steven Dooley, Larry Rogers, Sheila Eby, Jimmie Banks, Mick Wessel, Dusti Garner, Lauren Anderson, Bob Owen, Ruth Glastetter, Michelle Daniel, MaKinsey Uhrhan, Mable Flanigan, Lindsey Miller, Jeannie Smith, Shelly Schrum, Rusty Rister, Linda Lee, Louise Jansen, Brittany Glastetter, Mike Freeman and Joann Richards.

Happy anniversary to Rob and Stacy Abernathy, Richard and Judy Sanders, Alvin and Betty Vandeven and Robert and Theresa Hinkebein.

We are enjoying the full moon of April, which often is referred to as Growing Moon, Seed Moon, Flower Moon and Moon When Geese Return in Scattered Formation.

One of our favorite winter constellations is dropping from the evening sky this month. The glorious stars of Orion the Hunter along with Taurus the Bull and Canis Major the Big Dog will reappear in the fall.

Spring gardening commences

The cool temperatures have held some planting back but, with the warmer weather, everyone will soon get their gardens in. My Dallas red lantanas are in the ground near my tulips, which put on quite a show this spring. I thank those of you who sent me pictures!

Ron Davis, Roger Reece and Franklin Welter are putting in a garden for the senior center. They need straw, seed and plants. The veggies will help the center save money. The men are volunteering their time and energy and welcome help from others.

'The Cardinals Way'

Howard Megdal has written a book about the St. Louis Cardinals that even the Dallas Morning News touts as a read deserving of a swing! Special contributor Allen Barra says "The Cardinals Way" is a piece of baseball history and an analysis of how a team stays great by constantly reinventing itself. He adds it's a book that even Rangers fans, who might still be bitter about the Cardinals beating them in the 2011 World Series, could love!

Throwback to '72

I hope you did not miss the picture of a young Steve Whitaker in the Southeast Missourian! The young Boy Scout was featured in Fred Lynch's column "R.B. Potashnick builds lake for Boy Scouts." Steve is pictured in a canoe at Camp Lewallen in July 1972 with scouts Gene Hedden of Cape and Tom Hooker of Chaffee. He also is pictured with Dr. R.A. Ritter making a presentation to Mr. Potashnick in appreciation for his contribution to the lake. Many of us remember driving by the Potashnick business on Highway 74 near the turnoff to Bloomfield Road to and from our trips to Cape. I am certain most of us still think about Mr. Potashnick's contributions as we pass by today.

Chaffee students excel

Also featured in the Southeast Missourian was a terrific article by Lindsay Jones featuring local robotics teams. The Chaffee Industrial Arts and Technology instructor and adviser Jaron McMurry has done a wonderful job with his students. All three robotic teams have done well this year. We wish the Girls With Attitude the very best as they compete April 27 to 30 in St. Louis in the First World Championship.

We are also proud of the Red Devils girls track team under the coaching of Travis Caulkins! They continue to excel at track meets and it is fun to watch them run through town with Coach Caulkins.

Downtown Cape Girardeau happenings

We are applauding the exciting news of development plans for the Marquette Hotel complex! What a great addition it will be to downtown Cape.

Recently Richard and I were looking for a restaurant for a late lunch. When the wait at Broussard's was too long, we walked down to what was formerly Buckner Brewing Co. Although up and running for beer, they had not yet added food. The bartender suggested we try Minglewood Brewery on Broadway. He added that although they had good pizza, he had the better beer. The thin crust pizza was indeed great and the service was superb. Richard tried several samples before settling on a beer he liked. I am not a beer drinker, but always take a sip of Richard's just to make sure.

Final thoughts

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 city gal turned country who thought woodchucks ate wood.