FRONT LINE: Susie Castle is on the front line at Jeffrey George Comfort House. The teacher, grammy and Monday front line volunteer became another year older Feb. 5. Here's hoping it was as great as she makes those around "the house" feel.

LAST: Tanessa Danielle Hetzer celebrates her last birthday at home today as she turns 22. A Marshall University student who plans to graduate and marry this summer, she works part time, does church work and sings in the choir at Lewis Memorial Church.

MILITARY: Army Sgt. 1st Class Neil A. Mulvaney was part of a support team of soldiers from throughout the Army for the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. This was the Army's 10th year as sponsor of the high school all-star televised nationally game Jan. 9 at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. Neil, healthcare specialist (combat medic) with 10 years' military experience, is assigned to 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Hopkinsville, Ky. The sergeant is son of Neil Mulvaney Sr. of Ashland and graduated from Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Ky. He also received a bachelor's degree from University of Lexington in 2000.

CLASS: A free class, "Introduction to Rubber Stamping," begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at 1 Jacqueline Heights. Joyce Pacer, Stampin'Up instructor, offers the opportunity to learn the beginning basics of rubber stamping for making beautiful cards and scrapbook pages. Class size is limited. Reservations are required at least one day in advance. Call 304-733-3851 or e-mail joycepacer@comcast.net.

LOVE: Nancy Chapman of Huntington sends a note saying "Love your column. Read it every day." Thanks, Nancy, for writing me to let me know that you read and enjoy it.

NO WAY: At any time, someone can tell me "it ain't so" that Patti and Mark Esslinger have a son, Michael, who turned 25 years old Jan. 20. I remember Patti as a youngster in Salt Rock and news such as this makes me feel way too old. Michael's wife, Sabrina, turned 25 Jan. 31. It was brought to my attention that Patti's older sister, Connie Keyser, failed to send family celebrations for January but her youngest sister, Mary, remembered to e-mail them (but nevertheless -- late?).

FRIENDS: They've been around for a good many years -- the Rev. Barry and Libby Cremeans. Friends as special as these two aren't found much any more, but my family feels blessed to call them friends. My parents knew their parents, and I attended Lincoln County schools with one of Libby's brothers, Bill McComas. What a pleasure to chat with the couple recently and catch up on health issues, family happenings and church news. I haven't heard the good pastor preach for some time, but hope to attend services in the near future at Milton's Zoar Baptist Church, where he leads the flock.

LISTED: Hats off to three Cabell County residents being named to the Dean's List at Shepherd University. Carissa N. Turley, Milton; Lauren Nicole Neal and Vishnu Sairiam Valluri, Huntington; and Chloe Jaye Herrold, Barboursville, maintained at least a 3.4 grade point average for the semester.

BELATED: Katy Hayes, Jo Karnes, Sally Michel, Feb. 1; Dannie Abshire, Lee Hodges, Feb. 2; Renee Neal, Truett Bird, Steven Smith, Douglas Keyser, Robert Cartmill, Feb. 4; Betty Withrow, Kathleen Stoner, Marcia Meadows, Catherine Campbell, Feb. 5; James Goode, Feb. 6.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: David Bias, Leta Scites, Jerry Perry, Dick Preston with Paw Taw Square Dance Club, Pauline Adkins, Rose Thornburg, Debbie Isaacs, Jamie Lynd, Ronnie Adkins, Kelly Williamson, Nicole Coleman, Brooke Blom, Bunny Perkins, Donald Page, Kristy Phillips, Ethel Chafin, Stephen Lamb and Eldona Rife.

TODAY'S ANNIVERSARIES: Bob Bryant, good buddy and retired friend from the former composing room at The Herald-Dispatch, and his wife, Garnet, celebrate their 36th year of marriage; Jeremy and Sheena Childers.

CHUCKLE: Three older guys were out walking. The first one says, "Windy, isn't it?" The second one replies, "No, this is Thursday." The third one then says, "So am I. Let's go get something to drink."

Send items to Brenda Lucas, P.O. Box 596, Ona, WV 25545; fax to 304-526-2857; or e-mail to bklucas53@aol.com.