No details are known yet but we arrived in Magnolia Park this afternoon and were told that Herb passed this morning.
Details later
This blogs sole purpose has transitioned to one of keeping in touch with each other. Over the years it has been primarily for letting everyone know what is happening and also for promotion to add more folks to our Winter Texan family. The core of things has changed and we must change along with it. We still want to know what is happening with our friends no matter where they may be located. So continue to let us know where you are and what is on your plate.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Remember Hop, Skip and Go Naked?
One of our friends son/brother(?) is getting married and they are having an unusual type ceremony. So I asked if they would like to have Berwyn's recipe for Hop, Skip and Go Naked. They thought it would be most appropriate so I went searching for it and found it along with a picture of Berwyn pouring the yummy stuff.
Hop, Skip and Go naked
INGREDIENTS:
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen pink
lemonade concentrate, thawed
12 fluid ounces water
12 fluid ounces vodka
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans or bottles of beer
DIRECTIONS:
1.
Place lemonade concentrate in a gallon pitcher. Measure water and vodka in the 12 ounce lemonade can and add to the pitcher. Pour in the beer, mix well and serve over ice.
INGREDIENTS:
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen pink
lemonade concentrate, thawed
12 fluid ounces water
12 fluid ounces vodka
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans or bottles of beer
DIRECTIONS:
1.
Place lemonade concentrate in a gallon pitcher. Measure water and vodka in the 12 ounce lemonade can and add to the pitcher. Pour in the beer, mix well and serve over ice.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
You pay for power — read your meter
RVing Tip of the Day
You pay for power — read your meter
by Russ and Tiña De Maris
by Russ and Tiña De Maris
Spend any amount of time at all in a commercial RV park and you’re apt to get a power bill. Since power is expensive anywhere, it’s a bitter pill for RVers when they're likely to be presented with a bill for rates higher than the locals pay. We’ve all heard the "cost of reading the meter," "administrative overhead," and "Huh?" excuses.
How do you know if you’re actually being billed for what you’ve used? In many parks, old-style clock-type electric meters are used, and many folks just don’t have a clue as to how to "read" them. Digital meters are a lot easier, but not near as common.
Here’s how to read a clock-type meter:
Remember that each of the hands represents a single digit of the present reading. It’s helpful to recall that some hands turn clockwise, others counterclockwise. When the hand is between numbers, that hand is always read to the lower number.
Remember that each of the hands represents a single digit of the present reading. It’s helpful to recall that some hands turn clockwise, others counterclockwise. When the hand is between numbers, that hand is always read to the lower number.
In the picture, the reading on the meter is 43304. It may be difficult to discern that the second three (or the third hand reading from left to right) is really a 3. The giveaway is simple: If the hand to the right of the one in question is past the zero, then the hand in question is to be read as higher. And remember: When meters are read they are NOT reset to zero.
So when you "check in" to your RV site, read the meter and write down the figures. To practice, you might read it every day to get the hang of it, and to see how little power RVers use — unless of course, you’re running the air conditioner! To know how much power or kilowatts you’ve used, simply subtract the earlier reading from the present reading. Knowledge, as they say, is power.
* * *
Thursday, October 17, 2013
More
Dale's obit has been added to the post below this one. When it is added at a later date those who get it through their email sometimes need extra help to find it.
www.magnolianews.blogspot.com
www.magnolianews.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Dale Cooklin's Obituary
Dale D. Cooklin
Dale Darwin Cooklin was born on March 1, 1928 to Herman and Effie Cooklin at Estherville, Iowa. Dale was educated in Estherville. In May of 1945 he entered the Navy. He was a Seaman 1st Class who served during World War II and was discharged on August 23, 1946.
On June 10, 1950 Dale married Norma Miller. Dale and Norma made their home in Estherville, Iowa; Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Omaha, Nebraska before moving to Spirit Lake for the past 30 years.
Dale was a truck driver with P.I.E.
One of the things Dale enjoyed was being an usher at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He also enjoyed playing pool, fishing and camping. Dale loved horses and tractors. He enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys. Dale had lots of good times with his coffee buddies also.
Dale is survived by his wife Norma, daughter Vickie (John) Small and son Larry (Janice) Cooklin. He has six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. He is also survived by his brother Herman Cooklin.
Preceding Dale in death were his parents and sister, DeLilah Christenson and three brothers, Marvin, Bert, and Max Cooklin.
On June 10, 1950 Dale married Norma Miller. Dale and Norma made their home in Estherville, Iowa; Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Omaha, Nebraska before moving to Spirit Lake for the past 30 years.
Dale was a truck driver with P.I.E.
One of the things Dale enjoyed was being an usher at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He also enjoyed playing pool, fishing and camping. Dale loved horses and tractors. He enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys. Dale had lots of good times with his coffee buddies also.
Dale is survived by his wife Norma, daughter Vickie (John) Small and son Larry (Janice) Cooklin. He has six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. He is also survived by his brother Herman Cooklin.
Preceding Dale in death were his parents and sister, DeLilah Christenson and three brothers, Marvin, Bert, and Max Cooklin.
SERVICE: 11 am Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Immanual Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake.
VISITATION: After 4 pm Wednesday, October 16, 2013, with the family present from 4-6 pm at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake.
INTERMENT: East Side Cemetery in Estherville.
Dale Cooklin passed
I received word last night that Dale Cooklin passed away. A spot on his lung was discovered this summer and it was found to be cancerous. He had started treatment and did well at first. Leslie talked to him after his first treatment and he told her he felt fine. But shortly thereafter things started to slide. He passed away yesterday. As soon as an obituary is posted I will place it here.
If you search this blog for Dale C. you will discover he was a very active member of Magnolia Park.
If you search this blog for Dale C. you will discover he was a very active member of Magnolia Park.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Error
The clean windows tip went a little wonky on me so for those of you who get yours in email you might have to go to www.magnolianews.blogspot.com to see it in its best shape.
A Great Tip from Doris J. Nelson
CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS
HERE'S A MAGICAL WAY TO CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS!!!
This is the best way EVER to clean your windows!!!
No drying is needed, and you won't have any spots or streaks on your window! You can clean 2 big sliding glass doors and 8 large windows in minutes!!! Here are the ingredients you need to use:
1/2 gallon warm water
1 Tablespoon of liquid "Jet Dry"
2-3 Tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent or dish washing soap
Mix all of the ingredients above. Spray your windows down with your hose to get
them wet then wipe or brush on the solution onto your windows, then
immediately hose it off. That’s all there is to it and you're done. The remaining
water just sheets off and you don't need to dry it off!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
RV parks explain poor Wi-Fi service
This is why I do not feel pushing for park wide WiFi is a good idea. It has been our experience that park wide WiFi leaves much to be desired and is a hit or miss thing depending on all the reasons listed below.
Barb B.
RV parks explain poor Wi-Fi service
A common complaint among RVers is the poor quality of Wi-Fi service experienced at many RV parks around the country. Now an RV park manager, Pamela Wright, has produced a handout she wants as many RV park owners to hand out to guests explaining problems. You may not agree with all the "explanations" given, but we're publishing the information for your perusal.
Why isn’t the Wi-Fi in the park the same as the Wi-Fi at my house?
Several factors can affect the speed and responsiveness of the Wi-Fi in the park that may not be a factor, or as big of a factor as it is at home. The Wi-Fi in the park is shared among many users and devices. You may have a dozen Wi-Fi enabled devices at home, but there may be hundreds of devices online in the park.
At home you may be fortunate to have very fast cable or fiber Internet service, however in many rural and semi-rural areas slower DSL or satellite based service may be all that is available. This slower service must be shared among many users and dozens or hundreds of devices.
Why can’t I download movies and music?
Movies, music and videos consume a lot of data bandwidth. Since the Wi-Fi system in the park is shared by many users, downloading movies and videos can seriously impact other users in the park.
How much bandwidth is consumed by different actives? For comparison:
Sending or receiving an email (no attachments) requires 1 kilobyte of bandwidth
Sending or receiving an email with a picture attached requires 1.5 megabytes
Downloading a 3 minute song requires 5 megabytes
Using a social networking site for 10 minutes (i.e. Facebook) requires 20 to 50 megabytes
Downloading a 3 minute movie trailer in HD needs 180 megabytes
Using Skype or VoIP for a 20 minute voice chat requires 4 to 10 megabytes
Using Skype or other video services for a 20 minute chat needs 40 to 60 megabytes
Watching a streaming 30 minute TV show requires 400 to 600 megabytes of data
Watching a streaming 2-hour movie can consume 1,800 to 4,000 megabytes of data
In other words, a single two-hour movie can be the equivalent amount of bandwidth of more than 4 million emails.
The RV next door to me is getting a stronger signal than I am. Why?
Wi-Fi is based on radio signals, and just like the radio in your car, the signals can be affected and blocked by both physical obstacles and interference from other devices. Some Wi-Fi devices have better quality radios and antennas than other devices.
You may have something physically blocking your reception such as another RV, a building or vehicle. Or there may be some other electrical or electronic device in or near your RV that is causing interference. Or your neighbor may have a Wi-Fi enabled device with a really good quality radio in it. Or your neighbor may be closer to the Wi-Fi access point.
Often it is a combination of all of these factors.
I can’t get the park signal to show on my device. What should I do?
If no Wi-Fi signals are showing on your device, ensure that the Wi-Fi is enabled on your device. Sometimes, there is a physical button on laptops to turn off the radio to save battery, or there may be a software setting to enable Wi-Fi, some phones and tablets feature an "airline mode" to turn off all radios (Wi-Fi and cellular).
If you can see other Wi-Fi signals, but not the park Wi-Fi on your device, check to see if other devices on your site or near you can see the park Wi-Fi. If you can’t see the Wi-Fi signal on any device on your site or near you, be sure to mention this to the park staff. You may be in an area that they have not extended Wi-Fi into, or the system may be having issues.
Why is Wi-Fi in an RV park different than at a hotel?
RV parks and resorts face all of the same issues as hotels in providing Wi-Fi to guests and have some additional unique challenges. RV parks and resorts are often in rural or semi-rural areas where Internet speeds are slower and more expensive, electrical supply to the system and access points may be less stable and links between access points is usually wireless instead of wired. Add exposure to elements such as rain, wind and lightning and the equipment is subject to more wear and needs attention more often.
Why do I keep getting dropped?
Getting dropped can mean actually losing the radio signal connection, or it can be maintaining the connection but the flow of data stops or slows to a point where it is not usable for what you want to do. The radio signal connection can be dropped for several reasons:
You are too far from the Wi-Fi system access point.
There are other electrical or electronic devices nearby causing interference.
There are physical obstacles such as RVs, buildings or vehicles.
There are too many users on the Wi-Fi system and it is overloaded.
You may be able to maintain the radio signal connection, but the flow of data stops or slows to a point where it is not usable for all of the reasons above, and additionally there may be to many users on the Internet connection shared by the park, the Internet service provider for the park may be experiencing issues (common on satellite-based systems) or the website you are accessing may be experiencing high volumes.
What can I do to improve the Wi-Fi reception at my unit?
Sometimes just moving a few feet or moving outside of your RV is all that is needed to make a big difference. If that does not work try plugging your device into AC power, as some devices reduce the power to the radio and screens when unplugged to extend battery life.
For laptops with internal Wi-Fi cards, if the range is not good, then consider investing in an external Wi-Fi adapter. These devices plug into a USB port and have external antennas that are often better than the internal antennas manufactures build into their laptops.
Avoid "signal boosters” and “range extenders.”
There are device sold by different manufacturers that allegedly increase the range of Wi-Fi by picking the signal up off the air and rebroadcasting it. Generally these devices create more noise than usable signal, and will not help you get better Wi-Fi. Oddly, some Wi-Fi enabled devices will misinterpret the noise as signal, and report better signal strengths, but at the same time the speeds will decrease or stop altogether.
Barb B.
RV parks explain poor Wi-Fi service
A common complaint among RVers is the poor quality of Wi-Fi service experienced at many RV parks around the country. Now an RV park manager, Pamela Wright, has produced a handout she wants as many RV park owners to hand out to guests explaining problems. You may not agree with all the "explanations" given, but we're publishing the information for your perusal.
Why isn’t the Wi-Fi in the park the same as the Wi-Fi at my house?
Several factors can affect the speed and responsiveness of the Wi-Fi in the park that may not be a factor, or as big of a factor as it is at home. The Wi-Fi in the park is shared among many users and devices. You may have a dozen Wi-Fi enabled devices at home, but there may be hundreds of devices online in the park.
At home you may be fortunate to have very fast cable or fiber Internet service, however in many rural and semi-rural areas slower DSL or satellite based service may be all that is available. This slower service must be shared among many users and dozens or hundreds of devices.
Why can’t I download movies and music?
Movies, music and videos consume a lot of data bandwidth. Since the Wi-Fi system in the park is shared by many users, downloading movies and videos can seriously impact other users in the park.
How much bandwidth is consumed by different actives? For comparison:
Sending or receiving an email (no attachments) requires 1 kilobyte of bandwidth
Sending or receiving an email with a picture attached requires 1.5 megabytes
Downloading a 3 minute song requires 5 megabytes
Using a social networking site for 10 minutes (i.e. Facebook) requires 20 to 50 megabytes
Downloading a 3 minute movie trailer in HD needs 180 megabytes
Using Skype or VoIP for a 20 minute voice chat requires 4 to 10 megabytes
Using Skype or other video services for a 20 minute chat needs 40 to 60 megabytes
Watching a streaming 30 minute TV show requires 400 to 600 megabytes of data
Watching a streaming 2-hour movie can consume 1,800 to 4,000 megabytes of data
In other words, a single two-hour movie can be the equivalent amount of bandwidth of more than 4 million emails.
The RV next door to me is getting a stronger signal than I am. Why?
Wi-Fi is based on radio signals, and just like the radio in your car, the signals can be affected and blocked by both physical obstacles and interference from other devices. Some Wi-Fi devices have better quality radios and antennas than other devices.
You may have something physically blocking your reception such as another RV, a building or vehicle. Or there may be some other electrical or electronic device in or near your RV that is causing interference. Or your neighbor may have a Wi-Fi enabled device with a really good quality radio in it. Or your neighbor may be closer to the Wi-Fi access point.
Often it is a combination of all of these factors.
I can’t get the park signal to show on my device. What should I do?
If no Wi-Fi signals are showing on your device, ensure that the Wi-Fi is enabled on your device. Sometimes, there is a physical button on laptops to turn off the radio to save battery, or there may be a software setting to enable Wi-Fi, some phones and tablets feature an "airline mode" to turn off all radios (Wi-Fi and cellular).
If you can see other Wi-Fi signals, but not the park Wi-Fi on your device, check to see if other devices on your site or near you can see the park Wi-Fi. If you can’t see the Wi-Fi signal on any device on your site or near you, be sure to mention this to the park staff. You may be in an area that they have not extended Wi-Fi into, or the system may be having issues.
Why is Wi-Fi in an RV park different than at a hotel?
RV parks and resorts face all of the same issues as hotels in providing Wi-Fi to guests and have some additional unique challenges. RV parks and resorts are often in rural or semi-rural areas where Internet speeds are slower and more expensive, electrical supply to the system and access points may be less stable and links between access points is usually wireless instead of wired. Add exposure to elements such as rain, wind and lightning and the equipment is subject to more wear and needs attention more often.
Why do I keep getting dropped?
Getting dropped can mean actually losing the radio signal connection, or it can be maintaining the connection but the flow of data stops or slows to a point where it is not usable for what you want to do. The radio signal connection can be dropped for several reasons:
You are too far from the Wi-Fi system access point.
There are other electrical or electronic devices nearby causing interference.
There are physical obstacles such as RVs, buildings or vehicles.
There are too many users on the Wi-Fi system and it is overloaded.
You may be able to maintain the radio signal connection, but the flow of data stops or slows to a point where it is not usable for all of the reasons above, and additionally there may be to many users on the Internet connection shared by the park, the Internet service provider for the park may be experiencing issues (common on satellite-based systems) or the website you are accessing may be experiencing high volumes.
What can I do to improve the Wi-Fi reception at my unit?
Sometimes just moving a few feet or moving outside of your RV is all that is needed to make a big difference. If that does not work try plugging your device into AC power, as some devices reduce the power to the radio and screens when unplugged to extend battery life.
For laptops with internal Wi-Fi cards, if the range is not good, then consider investing in an external Wi-Fi adapter. These devices plug into a USB port and have external antennas that are often better than the internal antennas manufactures build into their laptops.
Avoid "signal boosters” and “range extenders.”
There are device sold by different manufacturers that allegedly increase the range of Wi-Fi by picking the signal up off the air and rebroadcasting it. Generally these devices create more noise than usable signal, and will not help you get better Wi-Fi. Oddly, some Wi-Fi enabled devices will misinterpret the noise as signal, and report better signal strengths, but at the same time the speeds will decrease or stop altogether.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Dick Cleaveland working
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Bob Toomire Obituary
October 4, 2013
Bob Toomire
Ottumwa Courier
OTTUMWA — Robert “Bob” Toomire, 79, of 1409 W. Finley Ave., died October 2, 2013, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic in Iowa City of injuries sustained in an auto accident.
He was born March 21, 1934, in Martinsburg to Leo and Lucille M. Barnhart Toomire. He married Katherine “Kitty” Mungoven on January 9, 1960.
A graduate of Martinsburg High School, Bob had served in the U. S. Army. He had worked at John Deere Ottumwa Works, retiring in 1991. He enjoyed golfing, car races, working on cars and spending time with family.
Bob was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Kitty; a son, Matthew (Nichol) of Ottumwa; a daughter, Susie (Robert) Toomire-Mayo of Charleston, S.C.; five grandchildren, Laura West of Los Angeles, Calif., Matt West of Athens, Ga., Racheal Toomire of Raleigh, N.C., Camille Toomire of Ottumwa and Dylan Hedgecock of Ottumwa; two sisters, Donna Carruthers of Ottumwa and Deanna Dodson of Albia; two brothers, James Toomire of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Gerald “Jerry” Toomire of Des Moines.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Mel Kendall officiating. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
Visitation begins at 11 a.m. Monday with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church.
Monday, October 07, 2013
Do It Yourself RV.Com
A superb website about do-it-yourself projects for RVers. And I know many of you who would fall into this category. Hammer on!!!
http://www.doityourselfrv.com/
http://www.doityourselfrv.com/
Saturday, October 05, 2013
Bob Toomire's funeral arrangements
Funeral arrangements for Bob have been completed. Visitation on Monday evening,October 7 at the Reece funeral home in Ottumwa. Family will be there 5-8PM.. Funeral at the funeral home at 10:30 October 8. It has been decided that Kitti will not have back surgery but not sure she will be dismissed by this time. Their daughter Susie will be able to stay with her for awhile.
She needs our prayers.
Friday, October 04, 2013
FYI
At the bottom of this page is a slot for you to add your eamil address and then click on submit and when you do this any new blog entries will come into your email. This way you will never miss a new entry.
Free Ebooks
I had a request for this info so I found the post from awhile back and am putting it on here again. My favorite free book website of those listed is BookBub.
Free or Almost Free kindle book sites
On some of these you will want to sign up for a newsletter so they come in your email.
For those that do not know, you do not need a Kindle to read these books. You can have Kindle for PC on your computer and read them on your computer. An Amazon.com account is required with a registered credit card. It does not cost you anything to do this.
And if you are Canadian use your Magnolia Park address as your main address for all the benefits. This works since all "deliveries" are digital not physical.
http://www.bookbub.com/home/
http://www.ereaderiq.com/
For those that do not know, you do not need a Kindle to read these books. You can have Kindle for PC on your computer and read them on your computer. An Amazon.com account is required with a registered credit card. It does not cost you anything to do this.
And if you are Canadian use your Magnolia Park address as your main address for all the benefits. This works since all "deliveries" are digital not physical.
http://www.bookbub.com/home/
http://www.ereaderiq.com/
Concerning Leroy Misfeldt
LeRoy had a Biventricular ICD (defibrillator) put in his
heart on Wednesday October 2 at Avera Heart Hospital
in Sioux Falls SD. He came home yesterday October 3
He is doing well. He will go back into the hospital on
the 7th, for 4 days, to be monitored on a medication to get
his heart back in rhythm. We are still hoping to leave for
Texas around the 21. Time will tell
Thursday, October 03, 2013
A Message from Eula H. about Bob Toomire
Eula says:
Bob’s sister Deanna called me this morning and said that Bob was killed in a car accident yesterday. They were on their way to Iowa City, Kitti was driving and someone run a stop sign. Kitti is in Iowa City with 2 broken vertebrae and a broken ankle. She didn’t know any particulars yet. Never know do we? Will let you know if I hear any more.
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Concerning Herb Jones
From Marie Flood-
Please ask everyone to pray for Pat and Herb. They are going thru some really tough times right now. Herb is very sick. They are leaving for their son's home tomorrow and not sure of their return. Thanks for getting the word out. Marie
Please ask everyone to pray for Pat and Herb. They are going thru some really tough times right now. Herb is very sick. They are leaving for their son's home tomorrow and not sure of their return. Thanks for getting the word out. Marie
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