Thanksgiving around the corner, Halloween memories and other childhood recollections

By Darla Buckhannon

Happy birthday to Idona Sue Scheffer, Donnie Reischman, Randall Hibdon, Steve Wall, Reta Mantel, Blake Perry, Jason Harrell, Walker Rice, Dottie Vickery, Joshua Sadler, Jessie Johnston, Jimmy Kinsey, Anna Pobst, Elizabeth Beck, Chris Knutson, Margaret Husband, Elijah Dickman, Robert Bowman, Pete Elledge and Gail Heisserer.

Happy anniversary to Bobby and Ruby Hester and Morris and Betty Montgomery.

We will enjoy a full moon this week, often referred to as the Sassafras Moon, Beaver Moon, Trading Moon and Moon When Horns Are Broken Off.

Today is Caregiver Appreciation Day. It is important to keep caregivers healthy and happy so they can take care of loved ones.

Chamber events

The Chaffee Chamber of Commerce meets Wednesday at noon, sponsored by Chaffee High School. It is not too early for trivia buffs to start studying for the annual trivia night held in January. The chamber is already getting plans underway for this year's Christmas Parade. Held Dec. 3, the theme will be "A Disney Christmas."

Brick buying extended

Linda (Dooley) Kraemer says due to the overwhelming response for the walkway memorial brick orders, the Historical Society has voted to extend the order deadline to Dec. 30. You can place your order with Ronnie Eichhorn at (573) 318-6011. The cost is $50 per brick.

Chaffee leaf cleanup

The leaves are falling and the city will pick them up, but they must be bagged; you will need to call. They also ask that with this dry weather, if you must burn, do so only on your property with a working garden hose nearby.

Thanksgiving on the horizon

Soon we will be figuring out how long that Thanksgiving turkey will take to thaw, whether to brine or not, to bag or not and to fry or not. There is always the Butterball Talk-line that you can call and this year, for the first time, you can text your questions! Text them at (844) 877-3456 Nov. 17 through 24 or call them now through Dec. 24 at (800) BUTTERBALL.

Halloween carnival memories

My mention of the popular Halloween carnivals at Chaffee High brought back some memories for some of you. One of the big events was voting for and the crowning of the Halloween king and queen. Some years they were referred to as Cotton Carnival and Fall Festival kings and queens. Regardless, it was always by popular vote. In no particular order, here are names of earlier kings/escorts and queens that will bring back special memories for many of you: Dennis Kinder and Rosetta Harrell; David Lane and Faye Lee; Paul David Montgomery and Peggy Castleman; Eugene Hindman and Rose Leible; Norman Pobst and Bobbie Smith; Fred Lindy and Betty Castleman; Von Haney and Myrna Gardiner; Jim Lynch and Patricia Castleman; LaDonne Dobbs, Glenda Green, Peggy Shell, Margie Souders and Patsy Peer.

Junior underdogs

Doug Steimle and I received the honor our junior year. Our class was thrilled. Why? Because we beat out the seniors! The following year, Doug and I were elected Mogul King and Queen. I don't have access to all of the Moguls, so let me know if you have names to add.

Warm Chaffee recollections

Mary Ann (Duncan) Kagle said she remembers the merchants letting them paint their store windows at Halloween and, since it was a much safer time, parents were not afraid to let their kids go trick-or-treating. A recent drive down Gray recently brought back warm memories for Mary Ann, since she grew up on Gray. She remembers the houses of the Smileys, the Burnetts, Gibbons, Ryans, Buckhannons, Lindys, Gilmers and Pratts. Mary Ann said she and Carolyn Ryan spent endless hours on their bicycles and she on her roller skates. She played with my older sisters and one time created quite a commotion when the girls let her cut their hair.

Condolences to share

We were sorry to learn of the passing of Carletta Streeter. Most of us remember her as Carletta Davenport and the sweetest person one could meet.

Our condolences also go out to the family and friends of Mildred Cook. Many of you may remember the hummingbird feeders she and her late husband Raymond had on their front porch. Richard and I often chatted with this very devoted couple after a hike on Doc Finney's hill, amazed at their busy feeders.

Final thoughts

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

Email your news to darbuck2@airmail.net or leave a message at (573) 887-6430 or (214) 207-7839.

And then ...

Then there were those of both political parties who responded with "Oh, goodness" the morning after.