Scotch Doubles Pool

Come join the fun at 6:00 Saturday evening in the pool hall. Scotch doubles with a new partner every week. You don't need to play every week so even if you can't make them all, come when you can. All are welcome and numbers are drawn at 6:00 PM

SOUTH TEXAS WHISKEY DANCE TONIGHT

There will be a dance tonight, Thursday, from 7-10 PM. Cost is $3.00 and this really good music is provided in part by members of our park. Eldon Hardekopf and Jay Kelly are part of the group who will be playing the music for dancing, or just listening and the price is right!

Trucker flashes lights – what's it all about?

 

Trucker flashes lights – what's it all about?
by Bob Difley

One if by land, two if by sea, but truckers lights can be a mystery to me. Not really so. You can learn from those long-haulers' signals. Truckers communicate with each other usually by CB radio, but will communicate with you — the RV driver — by various light flashes. The following light signals will enable you to respond and communicate with truckers:

Signals from oncoming traffic:

• When a truck flashes his lights twice, it is a signal that they just passed a police speed trap and you are headed for it.
• More than two flashes indicates danger ahead, such as something in the road or an accident ahead. Slow down.

Signals from trucks heading in same direction

• When a truck is passing you, because of his length it is difficult for him to tell when he has cleared your vehicle. A flash of your lights (on-then-off in daytime, off-then-on at night) will signal him that it is safe to pull back into your lane.
• If in passing you he turns on his right turn signal, he is both indicating that he wants to move into your lane and also asking whether he is clear. Flashing your lights (as in above paragraph) tells him OK, he is clear. A return flash from him is a "thank you."

A common light signal in Europe but used only by truck drivers in America is putting on their flashing hazard lights if traffic ahead is slowing down or coming to a stop, such as for an accident or construction zone. Usually you can see these light far ahead and it is an indication that you should slow down before you have to suddenly jam on your brakes.

These signals are not only courtesies, but can be safety measures as well.

Coldest season ever...

I always feel bad for the people coming to Sunny South Texas for the first time and encountering less than ideal weather.  For the most part it is better than most of the USA even if it is on the cool side. We are having the coldest winter season that I remember in our 20+ years of coming here. We filled the propane tank for the 3rd time this year and many years we only fill it once or maybe twice and there are more cold snaps coming our way along with more propane fills. We can be thankful that we do get several days of absolutely perfect 72 degree days in between these cold spells. On those days our gratitude level spikes up tremendously. 

For recipe fans

This is a great recipe website.

www.kalynskitchen.com is where I go for South Beach recipes.

I also use www.allrecipes.com

Kay Stilson is partial to www.tasteofhome.com and it is great too.

Peggy Gordon likes
http://www.rachaelray.com/

So now you can browse on this cold day and come up with a new and yummy dish.

A simple Fire Safety message

Kay Voss sent me this message and I thought it worthy of posting. Jim and Kay had a fire not long ago and I lived through one as a child. I am sure there are more of you who have also had  an experience with fire. I will not keep you in suspense. If you happen to have a slow connection or for some reason cannot see videos the tip is to put electrical tape over the terminals of 9 volt batteries to prevent them from making contact and starting a fire. Good sound advice.

After living through a fire in his own house, Dave shares the lessons he learned during his experience. He shows how a simple 9 volt battery started his house fire. 

Please share this message with friends and families so that they can learn to be safe with batteries.

Good information and so simple to do!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSJH21WmALc#t=195

Scotch Doubles Tonight

Pool Scotch Doubles tonight. Numbers drawn at 6:00 PM. Even if you haven't played with us before you are welcome. Come and have a fun evening plus get to know your fellow park residents better.

Mixed Scotch Doubles Pool winners

There is a very large pool hall in McAllen named Fast Eddies that host several pool tournaments throughout the winter. We have several good players in our park that frequently come home from these tournament in higher winner slots. Yesterday's winners coming in in second place were Don Louks and Char Wolfrom. Taking 5th place were Butch Brooker and Carol Kapke.
Congratulations to all! 

Steak Fry- First of the season

Dick and Leslie once again chaired a very successful steak fry. They put a lot of thought, planning and work into the event and I am sure it is a long day. Dick was set up to take tickets at the door and he was facing the door. He had his phone to his ear. Leslies phone rang in the kitchen and she said,"Hello". Dick said, "Where are you?" She poked her head around the corner and said ,"Right here!". They had lost track of each other on this busy day. One of those funny moments to add a bit of a chuckle to a long day.

"Lettuce" pray...that we have enough and not too much.

I went up to take pictures- not of the event especially but to get peoples pictures for the directory. Tonight was supposed to be the last chance but I still have a few people on my radar if I can catch them. Don and Sally Louks comes to mind and I am hoping they see this post and oblige me.

Another bit of excitement for the day was a semitruck that became Highcentered on the railroad track ...with a train coming. This has happened before but not with a train coming. They did get the train stopped. Butch facetiously calls it the FLYER.

 I posted the picture extra large so you can better see the truck and the train. Law enforcement was also present but not visible in this shot.

Stilson's poinsettia

 Kay paid a dollar for this poinsettia at WalMart last season. It is a beauty.

Great Mexican Food in Weslaco

Butch and I went to Arturo's a few nights ago and it was excellent. I had the Fiesta Chicken salad and Butch had the Mexican plate. Bill was in the $20 neighborhood and I brought half of mine home for lunch the next day. We will be returning.
http://arturosbarandgrill.com/

Arturos Bar and Grill
arturosbarandgrill.com/
2303 W Expy 83, Weslaco, TX 78596
(956) 351-5772

Great Mexican food in Raymondville

Casa Blanca Restaurant
Category: Mexican
1695 S 7th St
Raymondville, TX 78580
(956) 689-3230
From a fellow winter Texan:
A nice little treasure to find off the beaten path. I've eaten here twice, and will definitely be coming back. Good old fashioned country cooking. I've only tried there fish and chicken fried steak - they have Mexican food as well, but I haven't tried that. Winter Texans out looking for new places should give this place a try (and locals too!). However be aware that they only accept CASH.

From Barb: This is a favorite of my sister in law Marlene. They go there annually with a group of friends. She says it is her favorite restaurant.

Great Mexican Food in Harlingen

A great place to eat Mexican food in Harlingen. We have been coming to the valley for twenty years. I do not know how we have missed it before but we won't miss it again

http://losasados.com/

Ann Landers Quote

Park has filled

The colder it gets up north the fuller it gets down south. Picture a large room and there is an air conditioner at one end set at zero or below and a furnace at the other set at a moderate 72. I visualize a bunch of people
 in their warm fuzzy boots rushing quickly to  the warm side of the room. Warm finally arrived to Sunny South Texas so come on down...we will find a spot for you somewhere.
 

Sunday Service at Magnolia

Well today's weather was just a little cool to start with but warmed up to a great day for deep south Texas....Just the reason a lot of up NORTH people come to spend the winter here instead of shovelling snow....

We had a great gathering of people today to hear the Word of God being taught as more of the Magnolia Family have come in for the rest of the season....It is sure nice to see and hear some of the news that they bring to share....Pastor Stacey brought the message today from the Book of John, Chapter 6 starting from Verse 16 Thu 21 with the theme of "Don't be afraid"....This tells of the disciples getting into a boat and heading across the lake for Capernaum....Jesus was not with them and a strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough....After they had rowed a few miles they saw Jesus coming to them walking on the water and they were frightened.... Jesus told them" It is I; don't be afraid".....We also shouldn't be afraid when we have some troubled time or waters, for if we have faith in Jesus, he will give us rest and peace....We must always remember that God has a plan for us it we will just have faith and call upon Jesus for guidance in our lives....Remember to pray for all the sick and those on the road....Also for any that come to mind as we all have times that we need more prayer in our lives.....God Bless All....See you in church next week...

Scotch Doubles Reminder

Scotch Doubles tonight in pool hall. Numbers are drawn at 6:00 PM and if you enjoy pool, come and join us. Even if you didn't participate the first two times it doesn't matter. Just come and have fun!

Full and Busy Days

If you sit and twiddle your thumbs in this park then you are either content to do so or you are not trying. There are so many events happening that you could find yourself far too busy far too easily if you are so inclined.
I want to thank Deon for keeping people informed. I appreciate the help. Things can slip through my fingers. I planned to defrost my fridge the other day before going to the store. Those two chores did get done but they were done out of order. Neighbor Peg loaned me a bit of room in her freezer to put my ice cream while the defrosting took place.

I just now looked out the window at the full and beautiful South Texas moon and it is a full one. No wonder I am feeling a bit off kilter.



        

Pictures for the directory need to be taken ASAP if you want a new one or if you are new to the park. If we do not get  a new one we will use an old one or you will become stick people. Please get a new one. Stick people are very sad looking,



I will be in Allen Hall to take pictures next Tuesday before and after coffee hour and your last chance will be the night of the Steak Fry on Thursday January 23rd. 
See how deftly I slipped that double commercial in there!

Today's "Specials"

Potluck at 5:00 PM, Bring you own table service and a dish to pass. Coffee furnished

Entertainment at 7:00 PM.
The Cross Strung Family Group - $4.00

Dottie says "Hello"

Retired manager Dottie wants you all to know...

"I'm doing much better now.  I'm in much better health and I miss everyone. I do miss seeing all the winter Texans.

I'm just trying to get used to being retired and having a lot of trouble doing so. I hope to hear from you all soon Thank you.

Dottie Key"

Barb says:

I will post her email address but in a manner that makes it difficult for the bad guys. Her email is a gmail one and the first part is dottiekey995. So if you are savvy enough to know

 where to put the @ and the dot com you will have it.

She would love to hear from all of us. If you have trouble figuring out her address, 

ask me and I will decipher it for you.

Website of the day

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Everything you would expect from National Geographic and then some.

Shadow dancers

A tear jerker video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phGyJyp3MBg&feature=share

Little Bit

Little Bit lives at the Scott residence on Cherry Street. More than a little bit of cute.

Fridays Computer Class for Beginners 10:30 AM

This class is not restricted to any type of computer. You do not have to have an ipad etc.to come to the class. I heard a comment that led me to believe there was a misunderstanding about this so thought I had best make it clear.

The Wrench Guy

The Wendts sent me an email about a guy who collected old wrenches and then made sculptures out of them. I thought it very special and worth a look.
Here is a website where you can see his work and read his story.
http://best-of-stories-etc.blogspot.com/2013/11/repurposing-old-wrenches.html#.UtNdjPRDvDU

Park sightings

 Some new yard art has appeared at the Voss house on the corner of Lime and Center street. If you haven't been in that direction for a while, it is worth the trip.

It has warmed enough for street chats. Bob and Susan are seen here catching up on happenings in the park

Beginner Computer Class

A new computer class is beginning Friday morning at 10:30 in the little hall. This class will be for people who have barely touched a computer, have had one but never used it much or continue to be confused by many aspects of email and searching the Internet. If you have been to computer class before and felt very lost this new class will be for you.
Good news for apple/mac/ipad people. I have found a way to help you so we can all be on the same page in the learning process. 
Barb B.

Scotch Doubles Reminder

All you Scotch Doubles pool shooters, remember that we are playing this evening. Numbers will be drawn at 6:00 PM. Even if you didn't play Thursday evening, you are welcome to come and play.

Our friend Eleanor

Eleanor Piche, one of our magnolia family, has encountered some serious health issues and has returned to Ontario to recover and rehab. We know her family checks in on this blog and we want them and Eleanor and Ed to know that we are all thinking of you and hoping for a good recovery.

Some things we learned...

Here is the up-to-date list of things we discovered about some members of our Magnolia Family. Since we have talked about this subject for a spell we may search for a new question for next week.

What can you tell us about yourself that might surprise people if they knew?

Mary Bruun: Mary said that for many years she was an assistant librarian. This might not be too surprising unless you also know that Mary is very outspoken and not at all quiet!

Peggy Gordon: Maiden name Margaret Anne McCaffrey, an Irish lass. Peg grew up in Brooklyn and did not learn to drive until she married Donn and moved to Iowa. I might add that Peggy is an excellent driver.

Susan Van Houweling: She shared with us that her first job lasted one day. Her boss was in an accident so the shop she opened was closed. End of job.

Carolle Shymanski shared with us that she was not easy to get close to as a friend but once you are established as a friend she is extremely loyal.

Kay Stilson: For many years Kay had a job as a manager selling advertising and was required to dress up for work. At her retirement party they gave her sweat pants and she has sworn to never wear high heels or hose the rest of her life.

So give this question some thought and if you care to share what might surprise us about you, please let me know and we will share it too thus getting to know each other better.

Erv Hagen: About 10 years ago Erv got a flying lesson going 60 MPH when his motorcycle hit a deer;

Janet Rader: While stationed in New Ulm Germany Janet was an OT Priority Clerk for Persian Nuclear missiles. She was classified.

Leroy Misfeldt was born on May 30th, 1934 in South Dakota and the temperature was 117 degrees! Read that one twice -117 degrees in South Dakota! And a record was set.

Phyllis Branstetter: Was a hairdresser

Elaine Misfeldt: was the only girl in her class for 12 years.

Don Louks: Used to have brown hair. He started balding at about 21

Chris Pearce: Used to be a truck stop waitress

Butch Brooker: Was a  fastpitch softball pitcher- and can still throw a ball underhanded hard enough to hurt.

Dorothy Wendt: Has two!

1.Worked for an accounts receivable company where she converted U. S. currency to foreign currency and vice versa.

2.While in 4-H she had a Grand Champion steer at the state fair.

Irma Johnson: Learned her stenography skills such as short hand while in high school and uses those skills even today. Particularly each month at our association meetings whereby she is taking her secretarial notes in shorthand.

Chet Johnson was the nail driving champion several years in a row at Wisconsin’s Clark County fair. The prize was a pair of Red Wing work shoes.

Del Wiese: In his earlier years Del used to race chuck wagons and Ben Hur type chariots.

Del gave me this info last Tuesday...and then on Saturday I talked to Larry Ergan!

Larry Ergan: He and Noreen were members of a saddle club. He made a chariot out of a 55 gallon barrel with wide tires but found out that was too much for the ponies  to pull them so they switched to 30 gallon barrels and used golf cart tires..

The only race he ever won was the beer race. They would ride to the other end, get out of the chariot, drink a short beer, get back in the chariot and return to the other end. He won because his ponies would stay put for him while he drank the beer. They entertained at half time shows during rodeo’s and they drew numbers to see who would take the spill.

Noreen Ergan: In the early 80’s  for St. Cloud Minn centennial celebration the saddle club re-enacted the pioneer days with real covered wagons outfitted as they would have been in pioneer days. They were on the road so to speak for 4 days and 3 nights. Noreen was not at all happy with the sleeping arrangements in the 3 foot wide covered wagon. A little too cozy for her liking.

Marty Harper: She worked for Rockwell International in Cedar Rapids Iowa  building instruments for the cockpits of Boeing Aircraft. As well as auto-landing instruments, the black boxes recovered after crashes, GPS’s for the army and space shuttle instruments. It was technical work and she was always proud of the work she did.

Don Harper: As a hobby he raced stock cars for many years. Rollovers always excited the crowds. Then he took up horse racing; raising, breaking and training quarter horses for many years. He was Iowa State quarter horse champion in 1986. He raced all over the midwest; Hastings NE, Paducah Kentucky, Shakopee, Minn, Canton Ohio. Springfield IL and various locations in Iowa. Their son Andy, who was much lighter in weight than he is now was a jockey for them. Don also proclaims to be a Professional Bull “Shooter”

Leo Tschetter: Leo had been a fan of Paul Harvey, a national radio personality, for many years.

On one of his broadcasts he told of a student somewhere in the south who had a perfect attendance record with only two months left of the school year. If he made it two more months he would have made it through grade school and high school never missing a day of school.

Leo wrote to Paul Harvey and told him that he also had a perfect attendance record for all his school years, although many years earlier.

In addition he went home for lunch every day because his school did not have a school lunch program. It was a 10 block walk across the tracks.

Later when he was attending a principal’s convention in Sioux Falls, Paul Harvey read his letter on his broadcast. He did not happen to hear it but several of his friends told him about it. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader also reported it.

Mr. Harvey sent him a transcript of the program.

Leo was blessed with good health never having mumps, measles, chicken pox, flu or any other childhood disease.

Blanche Tschetter: Blanche attended a one room rural school for grades 1-8. She also taught in a rural school for two years. One of Blanche’s students, Judy,  was physically handicapped and could not use her hands. Judy’s father made her a platform type desk with an easel, so she could use her toes to write. Judy also wore braces on both her legs so she could walk. The right brace had to be removed to enable her to write with her toes.

Judy was a brilliant child and won the Sioux Falls Argus Leaders spelling contest on two occasions.

Trivia: Back in the 1800s, composer Franz Liszt was worshiped like a rock star. In fact, he received so many requests for locks of his hair that he eventually bought a dog, only to snip off patches of its fur to send to his admirers.

Barb Brooker: She won $250 in S & H green stamps on a TV Game show called “You Don’t Say” in 1965. In 1965 $250 was a nice sum of money.

Great Recipe Website

Recipes for RVers but I am guessing the rest of you would enjoy them too. 

http://www.fmca.com/motorhome/recipes

It is cold!!

Picture of your main blog contributor-ME

This picture of our association president Larry Ergen doing some fall clean up. This was in between cold spells

  On one of our warm and pleasant days before the latest cold front this Lime street group were gathered for fun and conversation. I think it was happy hour. They all look happy don't you think?

Sunday Service at Magnolia

Well we have a couple of nice days weather and this morning was a good one.... I see by the weather man the next couple will be just down right cold and then we will see a warm up again...Well we just have to take what is given us and try to keep smiling....

We had a nice group of worshipers this morning to hear Pastor Stacey bring the message...It's always nice to hear the Word of God being bought us as most of us don't study the Bible as often as we should...I'm just as guilty as anyone of being lax in that area, so the messages on Sunday feed the soul in those that attend the services...Pastor Stacey brought the message today from the Book of John , Chapter 5 starting with Verse 1 with the theme of "New Beginnings".....This tells of the man that was at the edge of the pool of water at  Bethesda....Jesus ask the man if he wanted to get well and the man said he had no one to help him into the pool  when the water is stirred...Jesus told the man to "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk"....The man was cured and picked up his mat and walked, thus he had a new beginning....Each of us at various times in our lives have had the chance to pick up our mat and walk thus have new beginning on starting something new in our lives....This is a great study and a lesson in faith for all to study and learn...Take the time to read the verses yourself and study....At the end of the service communion was served as it was the first Sunday of the month....

Take the time to pray for all that are sick and those on the road....Sometimes  someone may come to your mind that may need a prayer, don't be afraid to pray for them as it may be just the thing that will help them thru a bad time or situation....God Bless All.....See you in Church next week...

Barney Blaeser Obituary

Posted: Friday, December 27, 2013 12:00 am

Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Bernard O. Blaeser passed away peacefully on Monday, December 23, 2013, surrounded by family.

He was born on Christmas Day in 1923 to Carl and Tena Blaeser. In 1937, he graduated from Chippewa Falls High School. He married his best friend, Beverly Walker in 1942. Barney was a go-getter and worked hard at any job he had. Through the years, he was employed at A.E. Rogers Dealership, Gillet Rubber Co., The Harischfeger Corp., and Fuller Brush Co. He found his calling in barbering and owned his own shop in Chippewa Falls. During World War II he was a PFC in the U.S. Army Air Force. He served from '43-'46.

Barney is survived by his sister, Jeanette (Fran) Gagnon; sisters-in-law, Marcella Blaeser and Darlene (Dale) Sommerfeld; special nephew, friend and roommate, Mark Gagnon; his son, Dennis (Joann) Blaeser; daughter-in-law, Carol Blaeser; grandkids, Corey Blaeser, Kim (Grant) Heiman, Jodeen (Steven) Flaten, Tammy Blaeser and Matt Blaeser; great-grandkids, Garrett (Gwen) Heiman, Jayde, Breanna and Mackenzie Heiman, Tucker and Samuel Flaten. He has additional nieces and nephews he loved very much.

Barney was preceded in death by his wife, Bev, in 2007; his son, David in 2012; brothers, Cliff and Willard; nephews, Steve, Jeff and Mike Blaeser.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 29, 2013. Service of Worship at 2:30 p.m.. Both will be at Concordia Lutheran Church, 3715 London Rd., in Eau Claire, where a lunch will follow the service. Pastor Aaron Hamilton will officiate.

Gary Hearl Obituary

Gary A. Hearl, 67, of Newton died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials in Gary’s name may be left at the funeral home.

Gary, the son of Ernest and Lucille M. (Dittmer) Hearl, was born on Sept. 12, 1946, in Oak Park, Ill. In 1951, the family moved to Newton. Gary graduated from Newton High School in 1964, and became a production worker at the Maytag Company in Newton. He worked there until his retirement in 1992. Gary was a member of the Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and the Local UAW 997. He enjoyed going mushroom hunting, to auctions and races and doing renovation projects.
Those left to honor Gary’s memory are his son, Brian (Emily) Hearl; granddaughter, Miley Hearl; mother, Lucille Hearl; sister, Cindy Reynolds; his significant other, Linda Smith, all of Newton; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest “Bud” in 1979; brother, Ernest W. Hearl in 2000; sister, Nancy Foster in 2008.

Frozen windows   

  

Wife texts husband on a cold winter’s morning:

"Windows frozen, won't open."

 

 

Husband texts back:
"Gently pour some lukewarm water over it."

 

 

Wife texts back 5 minutes later:

 

 

"Computer really screwed up now.”

Gary Hearl Died

Gary Hearl passed away this morning. I will post more info and his obituary later. Gary and Linda came to Magnolia park for several years until ill health kept them from doing so.

&*%# weather!!

Things and people are getting testy around here. We come here so we will not be confined to the indoors. Many of us have been confined to the indoors far too often and  far too long this winter. We get a glimmer of hope with a nice day every ten days or so but then it is right back to the cold drizzled gloom.

Don't misunderstand we are very grateful that we can be here and that we have our health and we can be among good friends. But we are longing for the sunshine, being able to visit on street corners, planning outings to South Padre, sitting on a patio with cool drinks sharing jokes and memories. Oh, Those are the days!!
Hope...we still have hope. 

New Years Day at Magnolia Park

I am sitting at my computer...here is a picture of my screen...note the temperature in the lower right side. 52...yes 52.

Now notice our thermometer in the motorhome -Indoor temp on the left-outdoor temp on the right.

Many children and grandchildren come to visit Gram and Gramps during the holiday season and today is no exception.

Here are current pictures of the pool and its inhabitants! Unbelievable. Notice Gram and Gramps in their winter attire watching over the swimming action.