Welcoming fall, city event reminders and an ode to lost sports figures

By Darla Buckhannon

Happy birthday to Darlene Chesher, Tammy Ancell, Chris Eichhorn, Ashley Hooker, Chondra Uhrhahn, Eliot Shields, Gail Ing, Gwen Streeter, Molly Fowler, Richard Seyer, Vickie Goetz, Steven Crippen, Dylan Davis, Joy Baker, Nate Pobst, Gwen Pobst, Robert Coomer, George Holland, Paige Holder, Renee Vandeven, Donna Shaffar, Dane Horman, Jeremy Glastetter, Monica Harrell, Juliana McAlister, Nikki Davie, Angela Hooker, June Cobb, Eric Eftink, Nancy Michaelsen, Clyde Sietman, Nick Swinford, John King and Josh Pettit.

Happy anniversary to Bob and Margie Kielhofner, Charlie and Doris Parker and Cliff and Bertie Evans.

October is a month of many special causes, such as Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness and National Diabetes Month. It also is a month to show our appreciation to our pharmacists and our pastors. On a lighter note, it is Apple Jack, Cookie, Pizza, Popcorn and Seafood Month!

Today is National Custodial Worker Day. We are supposed to get organized this first week of October, and next week is Fire Prevention Week.

Fire Prevention Week set

We remind you that our volunteer firemen will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at the fire station. Hot dogs and chips will be served. Fire chief Sam Glency says special attention will be given to proper child seat fastening and car seat checks.

Hello autumn

After a hot spell, the cool front has finally arrived! A good sign that cooler temperatures are near in Texas is when the white pelicans show up at White Rock Lake. Eight of the near 100 that winter at the lake have arrived! The hummingbirds are passing through, so keep your feeders out with fresh nectar!

Cleaning up Chaffee

The citywide sale is over and now it is time to clean up the mess and a great opportunity to declutter. Citywide cleanup is this week on your scheduled trash pickup day of Tuesday or Thursday. Call city hall if you have questions concerning acceptable items.

Relive Chaffee memories

The Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8. Linda (Dooley) Kraemer invites you to visit the museum any time during those hours and relive your memories of Chaffee. There will be an opportunity at the evening's alumni banquet to join the efforts to keep the "City with a Smile" alive!

City events abound

There will be plenty of action in our town next weekend! The Chaffee High School Alumni Banquet will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday at the VFW Hall. Tom Davenport reports he has received more than 270 confirmed reservations for the event. Come early so you can check out the book signing, visit and get a good seat. A great time will be had by all! The dinner is catered by Two Chefs and on the menu this year is fried chicken, smoked pork loin, salad, potatoes, green beans, cobbler and beverage. A good turnout of the Class of 1966, who will receive special recognition, is expected.

Horseshoeing around

The third annual Horseshoes 4 "everyday" Heroes Tournament is Oct. 15 at the Al Friga Farm. A two-person team will cost $25 per person or $50 per team. Contact Tina Nations or Christy McClain at (573) 887-3664 or email them at rsvpvic@sbcglobal.net for entry forms.

Area reminders and notes

A few timely reminders: Union Park Cemetery will be cleaned up this month, so please pick up any items you want to keep no later than Oct. 15; The St. Ambrose 27th annual Dinner Auction is Oct. 22 and tickets ($25) are available after weekend Mass. Former promoter Dixie Burnett says Notre Dame Regional High School is now handling the 2016 Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show scheduled for Nov. 18 through 20. For details, please contact Deane Pecord at (618) 967-2953 or email semocraftshow@gmail.com.

Gone but not forgotten

Last Sunday started on a sad note with the breaking news of 24-year-old Jose Fernandez, pitcher for the Miami Marlins, being killed in a boating accident. Amid a good day in the NFL and after an exciting playoff in golf's Tour Championship last Sunday, with Rory McIlroy's big win as well as winning the Fed Ex Cup, the news of golf legend Arnold Palmer's passing ended the day on a very sad note. He was an icon in many ways, and if you have never seen an interview with this delightful man, find one online.

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 was the man who never got his wife a birthday cake but demanded she make one for his.