While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Beverly Reed.

Happy birthday to Morgan Swinford, Brad Daugherty, Sharon Long, Dusty Leggett, Lori Meyr, Larry Pobst, Tim Cannon, Tom Davenport, Mike Blakenship, Linda Tamaz, Tyler Qualls, Terry Lee, John Walker, Kevin Smith, Tristan Foulk, Scott Wachter, Christy VanToll, Marge Markovich, John Siebert, Lisa Crippen, Ami Crouse, Dr. Thyimous Lambrou, Mary Ann Tierney, Helen Bickings, Barb Payne, Ron Wooldridge, Dorothy Noble, Ralph Enderle, Justin Wilson, Kathy Kirn, Wilma Metz, Crystal Pobst, Bert Masterson, Alison Ressel and Stella Tweedy.

Happy anniversary to Rick and June Cobb, Jerry and Anna Williams, Daryl Ross and Norma VanGennip, Jerry and Anna Evans, Jeremy and Crystal Pobst, Ron and Charlotte Dirnberger, Neal and Kori Grossheider, Larry and Kathy Kirn, Gary and Sharon Crowden and Mike and Sheila Eby.

We will enjoy the full moon of November this Wednesday; it's often called the Sassafras Moon, Beaver Moon, Trading Moon and Moon When Horns Are Broken Off.

Colors

The hills and roadsides are full of autumnal color. Did you know in Europe the leaves only turn yellow rather than the red and orange we enjoy in North America?

We have the answer! Thanks to Rocky Hayes, forestry regional supervisor of the Missouri Department of Conservation, we now know the trail around Lake Tywappity was blazed in the summer of 1994. It was constructed primarily by employees of the Conservation Department, with some assistance from AmeriCorps and Eagle Scouts. Rocky adds that the Conservation Department continues to manage the area and always appreciates the feedback from those who regularly use the trail, especially when storms take down limbs and trees. In return, those of us who do use the trail regularly appreciate all that Rocky and his team do, and those hikers and fishermen who help keep the trail fun and safe for all.

Residence recognized

Congratulations to Ruth Anne Glency for the Chamber of Commerce Residence of the Month for November.

The chamber of commerce held a ribbon-cutting for J Marie's Formal Affairs this past Friday. Jodie Schott has done a tremendous job renovating the former C&C Flowers, and, more recently, the old Slaughters that now houses J Marie's Formal Affairs. We wish her continued success.

Many of us have fun memories of time spent at Slaughters, always hoping we would not get called out by Faye; or worse yet, her yelling out our last name to go home after she had received a call from our mother. Husband Chubby was easygoing, always doing as he was told. In any case, it was fun dancing in that small area by the jukebox and occasionally noshing on their pimento cheese and chicken salad sandwiches.

Amber Vandeven debuts her new CD, "A Christmas Album," today at the Notre Dame Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show. It sells for $5.

Busy week

This week's activities: Thanks-for-Giving Dinner at the Senior Center Tuesday; Historical Society Bake Sale at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Food Giant; Scott County Collector Mark Hensley at City Hall every Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. through Dec. 30; Thanksgiving Dinner at noon at General Baptist Church.

City Hall is closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Chaffee High School Class of 1964 will have its annual Christmas luncheon at 11 a.m. Dec. 5. Gifts are optional. RSVP to Pat Moore at (573) 225-4360.

The Chaffee Christmas Parade is also Saturday. This year's theme is "Hometown Christmas." All the action starts at 1 p.m. at the Head Start parking lot and will wrap up at the high school parking lot. We are hoping for a beautiful day to watch the bands, the creative floats and other parade participants, plus Santa Claus! Hot dogs and cocoa will be served to participants in the high school cafeteria after the parade.

Return of Romo

With a 2-7 record, Dallas Cowboys fans are happy to see quarterback Tony Romo back at the helm today when they play Miami. Their traditional Thanksgiving game is at home against Carolina. Rams fans are excited to see the addition of Wes Welker to the team!

Wishing you all a safe, happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

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 countdown to Christmas.