Tywappity tales and trails, support for museum, wreaths and crafts

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Bobby Hinkle.

Happy birthday to Walker Rice, Bill Hagan III, Dottie Vickery, Jessie Johnson, Jimmy Kinsey, Josh Sadler, Anna Ruth Pobst, Joan Kerby, Elizabeth Beck, Chris Knutson, Margaret Husband, Robert Bowman, Ona Edwards, Pete Elledge, Lana McAlister, Randy Spane, Mikylia Daniel and Kenneth Mansker.

Happy anniversary to Bobby and Ruby Hester, Morris and Betty Montgomery and Richard and Norma Graviett.

Riverside with Roker

It was fun seeing NBC "Today Show" weatherman Al Roker in Cape last Tuesday!

Tywappity Lake and surrounding hills are especially pretty this time of year. No one has responded to our question as to when the 2.5- mile trail was blazed and by whom. The Centennial Celebration Book is a great source of information, and we are reminded that the Lake Tywappity program was spearheaded by Chaffee Signal Editor Karl von Kessel and Richard Steimle. Mr. Steimle, who later served as secretary of the Scott County Lake Association, was instrumental in picking two sites of which the Montgomery and Siebert farm was approved.

A fund drive started, and Chaffee's share was $6,800. The total investment, per the Centennial Book, was approximately $50,000; $10,000 was raised in a drive in Scott County. Of that amount, $6,800 paid for 125 acres of land which were deeded to the State Conservation Commission. Many local businessmen were involved; members of the association included attorney Steve Barton of Benton, Walter Uelsman and Marvie Meier of Illmo, Mae McGahey of Sikeston, Paul Crader of Oran, Cletus Kluesner of New Hamburg and Mr. Kessel.

After five years of hard work and commitment to the plan, Lake Tywappity was dedicated May 29, 1960. There was fishing, picnicking and a concession stand. The grand opening was a huge success! Wm. Spencer was mayor of Chaffee at the time. Continuous improvement has been made through the years under the direction of the Missouri Department of Conservation. The land consists of 147 acres of woodland and 37 of surface water.

The Historical Museum is a great resource of interesting facts about the lake and our town. For a tour, call Ronnie Eichhorn at (573) 318-6011 or (573) 887-3272.

The membership drive for the Chaffee Historical Society continues, and you can join for only $10. Donations are also welcome and appreciated; they thank the Elks Lodge for its $100 donation and the American Legion Post for its $2,000. Another fundraiser is a bake sale at 8 a.m. Nov. 25 at Food Giant.

The Senior Center will have a wreath- and swag- making class at 1 p.m. Nov. 18. Make your own for $10 or have them do it for $20 to $30. The Senior Center will hold its Thanks-For-Giving Dinner at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 24 to show their appreciation for their many volunteers.

There will be lots of activities at the three-day Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show Nov. 20, 21 and 22 at Notre Dame Regional High School. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Sunday; admission is $1; free on Sunday. Promoter Dixie Burnett tells us that Walter and Linda Mitchko of the Whirlwind Ranch, who raise Huacaya Alpaca, will share their joy of raising alpacas. There will be demonstrations of spinning and weaving the fibers into yarn. Products made from the soft yarn will be available for purchase.

Classic Christmas

The talented Notre Dame senior Amber Vandeven will present her new CD featuring classic Christmas music during the craft show. Proceeds from the sale go to the scholarship fund in memory of her Aunt Bethani, who also attended Notre Dame. The last day is Family Event Day. Activities include free face painting, demonstrations by Whirlwind Ranch, and at 1 p.m., Santa Claus makes his entrance.

Dallas Cowboys fans are counting down the weeks until the return of quarterback Tony Romo. Did you notice the American flag emblems on NFL personnel shirts were backward? Everyone knows the stars are to be in the upper left hand corner; however, it is appropriate in this case when placed on the right shoulder sleeve, having the effect of flying in the breeze and identified as a reverse side flag.

Special words

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 outdoor shop encouraging people to skip the crowds on Black Friday and explore the outdoors.