Toxicity of poinsettias, Christmas decorations and holiday-card memories

By Darla Buckhannon

Happy birthday to Kevin Lape, Kim Wagoner, Leroy Uhrhan, Daniel Rains, Christina Daniels, Jason Ourth, Scott Hendrix, August Asmus, Kayla Chapman, Albert Eftink, Susie Seyer, Vernon Pobst, Siddie Swain, Paul Lappe, Marie Elfrink, Tyler Bollinger, Brian Hamm, Jae Hopkins, Jeannie Williams, Candace Witcher, Alfred Kluesner, Vera Redfern, Charley Robinson, Ron Kiefer, Randall Hibdon II, Carolyn Waither, Bob Uhrhan, Austin Dirnberger, Ruth Massey, Leann Knuckles, Lester Eichhorn, Ashton Lee, Todd Surface, Joshua Griffin and Addison Lincoln.

Happy anniversary to Richard and Julie Seyer and Ray and Donna Fisher.

Nonpoisonous poinsettias

Today is Poinsettia Day. Did you know it is a myth these beautiful plants are poisonous? Life Science website informs us they are not toxic, citing a study that looked at some 23,000 cases reported to poison-control centers. None were fatal -- just some bad stomachaches. The myth dates back to a 1919 case in which a child was said to have died after eating parts of a poinsettia, but neither the death nor the poinsettia connection was ever confirmed. Life Science states a 50-pound child would have to eat 500 leaves to reach a potentially dangerous dose. One thing on which we can all agree, there remains some confusion as to the correct pronunciation of this beautiful Christmas plant. The correct pronunciation is with four syllables, not three. I often think about the time during a college break my sister-in-law, Rena, firmly corrected my sister, Ruth Ann, and me.

Parade rewards

Those attending the Christmas parade had a good time, and parade participants were rewarded with lots of hot dogs afterwards. HB Rice adds a thank-you to John Cundiff and FBLA for helping with the replacement of city Christmas lights.

Decked out for Christmas

We thank our Chaffee High School Art Department for decking out city hall windows with Christmas themes. Circle Park is looking lovely with the Christmas tree in place in the gazebo, accompanied by some especially touching tributes in the park to loved ones in heaven.

Event reminders

The Chamber of Commerce meets at noon this Wednesday at First Commercial Bank, hosted by the Chaffee Drive-in.

Don't miss the Chaffee, Missouri, Junior/Senior High School Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the high school gym.

There will be a Christmas concert next Sunday at the VFW Hall. The community band will perform from 2 to 4 p.m. Doors open at noon, and chili, chicken-noodle soup, hot cocoa and Christmas cookies will be served.

Christmas-card memories

Many people continue their tradition of sending out Christmas cards. It is a great way to touch base with out-of-town friends. I remember what a big process it was with my mother every Christmas. The typewriter stayed on a reserved area of the dining-room table, where she addressed envelopes using her long, typewritten list of recipients that she meticulously updated throughout the year. She signed each and every card with her fountain pen, which she filled from the Squibb ink jar. Kids being kids, we were always glad when the process was over because we were told not to touch a thing, although we helped with the sealing and stamping.

Stamps for Christmas

Have you bought your Christmas stamps yet? The cost of the first Christmas postage stamp was 4 cents. The year was 1962. There was such a huge demand for the inaugural printing of 350 million stamps, there was a second printing of 1 billion stamps, featuring a wreath and two candles. Now, we have a choice of traditional and contemporary holiday stamps every year. That was not the case, however, in 2000; so many stamps were left over from 1999, the United States Postal Service did not print new ones!

Final thoughts

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

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Gerald "Topper" Slinkard. He and his wife Judy (Harris) retired in Arizona. His good friend Mark Hopkins tells us in his younger years, Topper amazed classmates with his guitar playing. He was lead guitar for several country bands for most of the past 50 years. Mark adds Topper's pleasure over the years was driving stock cars and watching his two sons excel in the stock-car racing world. Our condolences go out to Judy, family members and friends.

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

And then ...

Then there was the NFL quarterback who was benched for not wearing a tie on a road trip.