Spring is here and help is needed

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Darroyl Newcomer.

Happy birthday this week to Anna Williams, Denice Jackson, Angie Dees, Chris Kerber, Jeremy Hahn, Zahara Ressel, Hunter Teegarden, Gaylane Gardner, Shannon Harrell, Brent Wessel, Toshi Darby, Zelma Bridwell, Clyde Eichhorn, Mary Dannenmueller, Jean Jurgovan, Deborah Russell, Dorothy Statler, Linda Uhrhan, Reba Davenport, Jennifer Eichhorn, Gabriel Seabaugh, Jeremy Schlitt, Mike Mirly, Bill Hagan, Linda Lindy, Jenny Miller, Betty Watts, Richie Rister, Jimmy Chambers, Bud Schilling, Garrett Senciboy, Charlie Dumey, Robert Kern, Robin Gardner and Steven Dooley.

Happy anniversary to David and Terra Owens, Larry and Marilyn Mott, Mike and Linda Senciboy, Mark and Tina Pobst and Lee and Marlene Powers.

Birds and buds

The hummingbirds are here! We thank the lady in the Fruitland area for calling Sunday and reporting her first. Watch for migrating warblers and keep an eye on turtles crossing our roads. Dogwoods are blooming and the tulips have been putting on quite a show.

With my travels, I don't always get to enjoy the flowers I plant here. Last year I did get to see my red tulips, and this year I enjoyed my crocuses in full bloom. I missed my tulips this year, but thanks to pictures from Bob Burnett and Danny Loucks, I got a look at their spring show of the bright red beauties -- my Mother's favorite color.

Pets and vets

Rabies Clinic is Friday from 3-5 p.m. behind City Hall. Be a responsible owner and get your pets vaccinated, licensed and properly tagged.

Spring Cleanup at Union Park Cemetery is this Saturday, April 25, at 10 a.m. Those of you who have adopted plots or anyone who would like to volunteer your time and energy sprucing up our cemetery are welcome.

Trash bags will be provided, but bring your own tools. Teen Challenge again will be in charge of mowing the grounds. We want our cemetery to always look nice and especially so for Mother's Day and the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

The Chaffee VFW Post 3127, in conjunction with "Classy Chassy Country" and Friends, will present a "HEE-HAW" show Saturday, June 13, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Chaffee VFW Hall.

Featuring local talent, the show will be filled with music, jokes, a Gospel portion and the crazy antics of the whole Hee-Haw Gang. Performers include Eric Pendergrass, Bobby Warner, Lee Horton, Kenny Chapman, Don Hester, Debbie Sadler, Jenny DuPont, Steve Parker and Classy Chassy Country's Becki and Leroy.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for ages 6-12 and free for children younger than 6. A concession area will be provided by Rte. 25 Cafe of Delta. Proceeds will benefit VFW Disabled Veterans projects. Save this fun date for a good cause!

Memory lane

Families soon will plan their summer vacations and we hope you will share some of your trips and memories of past trips with us. Some of those memories undoubtedly include loading up the Coleman cooler with sandwiches and sodas to enjoy at a roadside picnic table along the way.

Those stops were usually timely for parents when hunger set in and the kids' squabbling had begun. My dad did not allow food or drink in our family car at any time, but now with the many fast food locations, families can stop for food and bathroom breaks all in one.

The King and I

On most Fridays Richard indulges me listening to Elvis on SiriusXM Radio in the car -- after all, who doesn't love Elvis? We get a kick out of George "GK" Klein on those afternoons as he talks with various people who knew Elvis.

Recently we heard an archived visit with Narvel Felts and it was fun hearing him talk about various venues in Southeast Missouri and Arkansas. He never met Elvis, but Narvel said he remembers the first time he saw him on television and what a big influence Elvis and Roy Orbison had on his singing career. We wondered whatever happened to Narvel 'the Marvel' Felts some time ago in Chatters and appreciated the feedback we received, and especially the CDs Bill Burke shared with us.

On a sad note, Bill and Norma lost their son, Scott, recently and our thoughts are with them, their family and friends and also those of Barry Felty.

Our thoughts and prayers are with others who are missing loved ones, with 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 ...

... there was the dog that went missing in the Netherlands and was found months later in Katy, Texas.