While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Ralph Melton.

Happy birthday to Amy Burnett, Lee Cook, Raymond Ourth, Darren Lincoln, Jonell Overfield, Alan Seabaugh, Kenny Lee, Bill Rauch, Annie Fort, Ryan Glastetter, Joseph Campbell, Autumn Gilmer, Loraine Reischman, Billy Newton, Debbie Sadler, Lisa Parker, Kathy Moyers, Shelly Burnett, Jim Bollinger, Christina Smith, Yolanda Schlosser, Jim Emerson, Travis Dumey, Virginia Bohnsack, Lauren Bader, Gary Kelley, Jeanette Wachter, Monica Senciboy and Joyce McCullough.

Happy anniversary to David and Jennifer Nolen, Randy and Mona Horrell and Ronnie and Brenda Held.

Many people are hitting the road for the Thanksgiving holidays and we wish everyone safe travel. Our trip to Chaffee was uneventful, but we did see one thing that was interesting on Interstate 40 near Brinkley, Arkansas; a man was on his knees in the median, cutting the antlers off a dead deer! Is that legal?

Teaching moment

A walk around Lake Tywappity is especially pleasant this time of year. No bugs, no snakes and no spider webs! We didn't see many birds, but did see what was once a perfect hornet's nest still hanging over the water. You can see the intricate layers, which could be a great teaching tool.

We have a question for you. Does anyone remember the address of Dr. Delezene's office when it was near Main and Elliott? We heard from a man who was actually born in Chaffee and delivered by Dr. Delezene. Richard Porter was born here, raised in Cape Girardeau and attended Rolla School of Mines. He moved to Texas for a job opportunity and still resides there. He says his parents were temporarily living with his grandparents, the Underwoods, at 130 Elliott, when he was born. Their neighbors were Guy and Eileen Maxwell. Others close by were Mrs. Klagus, a music teacher; BC and Loretta Brown, with daughters Patty and Paulette; David and Marie Mouser and the Stubblefields.

Mr. Porter was in Chaffee several weeks ago and was hoping to get more information about Dr. Delezene and those early years, but the Historical Museum was closed. He has great memories of visiting his grandparents and swimming in the "elevated" pool at Harmon Field. Contact us if you know Dr. Delezene's address.

Museum access

A reminder that those wanting to visit the museum may call Ronnie Eichhorn at (573) 318-6011 or (573) 887-3272 to set up a time.

If you missed buying Amber Vandeven's CD at the gift show last weekend, you will be happy to know it is available at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Proceeds benefit the Bethani Vandeven Scholarship Fund at Notre Dame Regional High School, which was set up in memory of Amber's Aunt Bethani, who died in a car accident in 2002. Amber says the last song on her Christmas CD is "O, Holy Night," a Christmas carol her Aunt Bethani sang every Christmas Eve during midnight mass at St. Ambrose. In keeping with the tradition in honor of their aunt, Amber and her sister Autumn sing the beautiful carol as a duet every Christmas Eve at St. Ambrose. The CD, titled "A Christmas Album," sells for $5.

A reminder that tickets are still available for "The State of Cardinals Nation with Mike Matheny" Dec. 2 at the SEMO River Campus. The event starts at 7 p.m. and general admission is $20. Call (573) 388-2761 or drop by the Southeast Missourian offices on Broadway for tickets. Do not miss this opportunity to see and hear this amazing man of whom we are all so proud.

Parade time

The Chaffee Christmas Parade is this Saturday at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at Head Start and end at the Chaffee High School parking lot. We are hoping for nice weather for the "Hometown Christmas" Parade!

The CHS Class of 1964 meets at Delmonico's at 11 a.m. Saturday at 11 for their annual Christmas dinner. Please RSVP to Pat Moore at (573) 225-4360.

We also remind you that Scott County Collector Mark Hensley is at City Hall every Wednesday through Dec. 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. Taxes are due by Dec. 31.

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 bumper sticker that read, "Warning: Nuts are inside."