The loss of a friend, and a tribute to her memory

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Everett Seboldt.

Happy birthday to Dewayne Anderson, Katie Hamilton, Dorothy Margrabe, Tom Burnett, Rocky Portell, Leann Carroll, Jane Swain, Roberta Ulrich, Nancy Jenkerson, Saundra Hamilton, Simon Zerbe, Margie Kielhofner, BJ Jackson, Ruben Hitt, Carol Cannon, Stephanie Schecter, Larry Wolfe, Dale Tierney, Tracey Totty, Paula Stidham, Jackie Fowler, Stephanie Bennett, Keith Hamm, Jessie Lee Evans and Shirley Foulk.

Happy anniversary to Jerry and Debra Wolsey, Alan and Marty Seabaugh, John and Sheila Hahn, Don and Iris Crowe, Chris and Rhonda Wessel, Warren and Alberta Masterson, Johnny and Gina King, Bill and Carolyn Hawkins, Gene and Margaret Nation and Larry and Beverly Cleair.

Firefighter apps

The City of Chaffee is accepting applications for firefighters. Forms are available at City Hall.

The schedule is out for German Days Aug. 14 and 15. The action starts Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the Elks Chicken Stand and Beer Stand.

The German Day Pageant is at 6 and those interested in entering must do so by Aug. 10. Entry forms are available at City Hall and Chaffee Banking Center. For more information, please call 887-3551. To register for the Talent Show on Saturday at 5, call Marlene Dudley at 573-979-2291 or Darlene Vandeven at 573-318-5645.

My tribute to Linda

We were extremely saddened with the loss of our friend and former editor of The Signal, Linda Dowd. She battled cancer with an endless spirit and faith and overcame each and every setback with positive thoughts.

Linda was involved in many civic activities and attended the CHS Alumni Banquet, German Days and other festivities throughout the year in Chaffee and surrounding communities, most often with her camera in tow. An early riser, Linda was a hard worker and gave 100 percent to everything she did, whether it was making those delicious tamales with her husband, Ray, or giving her time and talents to organizations.

She was especially active with the Alumni Association, Chaffee Historical Society and the museum. We regularly saw Linda driving through town in her gold PT Cruiser, always giving me a toot of her horn driving up 2nd as I stepped out to get my paper.

As classmate of my sister, Carolyn, Linda's picture was one I remember seeing in the Moguls. Little did I know, Linda and I would connect years later.

When I moved back to Chaffee in 2002 to care for my mother in our home, we called her one morning with news for The Signal. She said no one was writing Chaffee Chatters and asked if we would be interested in writing it together -- the column that my mother had written for many years before she had health issues, renaming it Chaffee Chatters. We accepted and it started a longtime friendship with Linda.

I will always be grateful to Linda because writing Chatters added to the joy my mother and I shared and beyond. Most Tuesdays I would push her in her wheelchair to The Signal office and watch her delight as Linda walked out to meet us when Mother handed in our column.

That was before we were 'computerized' and Linda would diligently type each and every word of the columnists, news and the countless letters to Santa Claus. She kept me current on birthdays, anniversaries and news, always making certain that nothing in The Signal was controversial or hurt anyone's feelings.

When Linda spoke of retiring, I always discouraged her, adding that The Signal would not be the same without her; after all, she was The Signal. She retired Sept. 28, 2012, and the last issue of The Signal was on that date, two years later. She continued to drop by the house when we were in town for a visit. We loved Linda and she loved us, and she loved her hometown of Chaffee.

Linda was so proud of her son, Eddie, daughter-in-law, Dawn, and grandchildren Lexie and Austin, always beaming when she spoke of them. Our deepest condolences to them, her devoted husband, Ray, sister, Brenda, other family members and her many friends.

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 miss their 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 creative gardener who shielded her flower pots from the hot summer sun with colorful umbrellas.