Local events, a Chaffee High School reunion and museum visit

By Darla Buckhannon

Happy birthday to Charlie Vickery, Judy Ralph, Jamie Nix, Gail Siebert, Douglas Hargrove, Lacie Pobst, Laura Russom, Lachelle Cook, Dusty Grissom, Jeremy Perry, Ali Hornback, Kathleen Lagrand, Mike Uhrhan, Forrest Davis, Amy Reischman, Casey Nolen, Taylor Kirchdoerfer, Harley Ressel, Pete Dooley, Caitlin Cannon, John Nation, Erica Powers, Betsy Jester, Nancy Pruitt, Gilbert Eichhorn, Chris Cannon, Gail Shy, Jimmie Haney, Aletta Harris, Alan Pendergrass, Joan Seabaugh, Jamie Dumey, Nick Lambrou, Tori Burton, Carolyn Mills, Harvey Wolfe, Katherine Reischman, Genni Ourth, Clara Gramlisch, Wayne McAlister, Gayliene Glency, Blake Senciboy, David Halter, Pedro Garcia and Emmie Hawkins.

Happy anniversary to Donnie and Mary Ann Kiefer, Jack and Gayle Dragoni, Andrew and Lisa Stagoski, Randall and Sandra Hibdon, Harvey and Avis-Jean Wolfe, Blaine and Morgan Swinford, Jim and Rhonda Emerson, Marcus and Virginia Seyer and Andy and Jodi Palisch.

Local events set

The Chaffee Historical Society presents "An Afternoon in the Park" today at Circle Park. Award-winning vocalist Amber Vandeven will perform from 2 to 4 p.m.

The senior center welcomes fall with a root beer float social on Oct. 19. Also on that day is a swag and wreath class at 1 p.m.

Banquet a success

A grand time was had by all at last week's Chaffee High School Alumni Banquet! We thank everyone who attended and participated in making this year's banquet such a success -- all 298 people! The program headed up by Tom Davenport was entertaining and moved along smoothly. After a big welcome by Jennifer (McFerron) Nolen, everyone delighted in having Tom Gibbons lead us in the singing of "O Chaffee High." Also on the program were Bobbie (Mantel) Arnold, Tenae (Hampton) Choate and Joe Proctor. The food, catered by alumni Donnie Kiefer and Sid Atkins of Two Chefs, was in ample supply and especially delicious this year. A big thanks to Kerrie Swain, the FCCLA and Beta high school clubs that set up the beautiful decorations and later assisted with dinner. A special thank you to the many volunteers and to those who led the efforts in assembling their respective classes, such as Loretta (Meyr) Ezell and Betty (Eastwood) Proffer. Nancy (Lee) Cutright and Darlene (Long) Crocker did a terrific job with the 1966 50-year class, of which 28 attended. Special class presentations were given by Joe Perry Rice ('66) and Wilma (Tackett) Dooley ('56), the latter of which eight were present. Although the classes of 1956 and '66 were honored, classmates and friends of all class years had a wonderful evening. Few, if any, missed the music this year, much preferring to visit.

Book signings added

New this year were book signings by three published authors who donated proceeds from their book sales to the CHS Alumni Scholarship Fund. They were Dr. Max Heeb, "Max the Knife and Surgical Imposter"; Mark Hopkins, "Journey to Gettysburg," "The Wounds of War," "The World as it was When Jesus Came" and "Facts and Opinions on the Issues of our Time"; and Darla Buckhannon, "Old and in the Way: Caring for Yourself and the Ones You Love." The books are available on Amazon.com if you missed buying one.

My co-authors and I enjoyed visiting with each of you and we especially appreciate those of you who contributed to the scholarship fund by purchasing our books. The two $1,500 scholarships were awarded to Maggie Penrose and Brandon Ivester.

Alumni of all ages

Alumni from many class years were in attendance and sat together at their designated tables. Sheila (Meyer) Eby says 10 of her class of 1965 attended, including Gary Dooley from Texas.

A special thanks also to Harlan and Charlotte for their striking programs and Jim Bob Stephens for the attendee pamphlets.

Looking forward to next year

Tom Davenport thanks all who attended, and those who did not attend but responded and donated. Everywhere he looked he saw talking and laughing, just good fun. He adds, "Let's do it bigger than ever next year. Red Devils rock!"

Chaffee memorabilia viewed

Many alumni dropped by the Historical Museum last Saturday to check out the memorabilia of Chaffee history.

The museum was open, but the Chaffee Drive-In had closed for the season. One regular stated that since it was closed for five days during the season due to plumbing issues, he thinks they should have made up for it by staying open an additional five days!

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 misses his strawberry sundaes.