2016 In-Park Scotch Doubles Winners

Our Thursday night Scotch Doubles tournament is over and here are the winners.
First place - Char Wolfrom - women and Don Ferrell - men
Second Place - Dorral Guzman - women and Don Louks - men
Third Place - Deon Spangler - women and Dave Greening - men
Fourth Place - Darlene Jansen - women and Chris Sjoblom - men

The Piano Man

Jason the piano man was the featured performer in Allen Hall Saturday afternoon. His show was wonderful and full of surprises. The only disappointment was the size of the crowd. I didn't take my camera so Peggy loaned me her phone to take the ones I did get.

Jason and Vera formed a bond before the show was wrapped up. All part of the fun.

Karl and Carol Kapke and Myron and Susan Van Houweling were part of the fun too. This picture is way too blurry but I wanted them to know they were not forgotten. I hope we have the chance to see Jason next season and if so you will not want to miss it.

We went to Bentsen Palm State Park today and were fortunate enough to see three different bobcats. This was the first one. He crossed the road in front of us and then more or less posed under a tree. This was a large fully grown bobcat. It's a bit hard to judge the size but believe me, it was not the size of "porch kitty."

February Steak fry

These fellows have their routine down and cook over a hundred steaks to perfection in very little time. And they have fun doing it!

L to R-Bob, LeRoy, Mike and Max.

L to R-Duane, Jim, Tuffy and Dave.

Mama Cat (Portia)

Pecan Bill has been trying to keep the majority of his pecans from those pesky squirrels so he has kept the trap armed and ready in case they need a new squirrel resident down the road at the abandoned pecan grove. But today Bill came home to find he had captured a mockingbird and new-mama Portia was trying to move this gift of a dinner to who knows where! Perhaps to wherever she has her babies hidden. She had moved the cage a good 6-8 feet by the time she was interrupted.

Mama Portia looks good after giving birth.

This is an angry mockingbird!

Texas Butterfly Chart

We are in a high count Bird and Butterfly area. There most likely isn't a better place to observe them. Here is a chart to help with butterfly identification.
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Enjoy!

2016 In-Park Pool Champions

Don Louks-1st

Chris Sjoblom-2nd

Deon Spangler -1st

Carol Kapke-2nd

Odd and ends?

 Darlene competed in the womens in-park pool tournament

 As did Char

 This puppy is on willow street and has not come up for air in quite some time.

Mamie is looking for a lost craft part.

Virgil J. Koob Obituary- Anita Iowa

Virgil J. Koob

Obituary Virgil J. Koob, the son of Glen and Gertrude (Tibben) Koob, was born April 28, 1930, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, and passed away Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Virgil was baptized while in the service at MacDill Airforce Base and was confirmed in 1955 as an adult at the Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Virgil attended Brayton School through the 6th grade and graduated from Exira High School in 1949. In 1951, Virgil served in the Air Force for three years, nine months and 10 days and was deployed to England for temporary duty for three months from July through October 1953. He was early released from the Air Force as Staff Sargent. On June 29, 1952, he was united in marriage to Catherine Elma Byrum at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair, and moved to Tampa, Fla., where they lived from June 1952 until October 1953. To this union two daughters were born: Linda and Rhonda. They returned to Brayton, where he worked at the Brayton Produce until August 1957 and then moved to Anita where he worked with Harold Herren on the egg and milk route for six years. Virgil then went to work for Frito-Lay for 28 years as a route salesman, before retiring in 1991. After retiring, Virgil enjoyed wintering in Texas until 2007. He enjoyed traveling, with one of his favorite trips being Branson, Mo. He also enjoyed camping with family members and playing cards. He always appreciated having new cars. Preceding Virgil in death were his parents; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Mertes and Jack Schwab; and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Schwab. Virgil is survived by his wife, Catherine of Anita; his children, Linda (Max) Smith of Anita and Rhonda (Bob) Davidson of Colfax; his grandchildren, Andrea (David) Wanner of Ottumwa, Kenneth (Brooke) Smith of Bellevue, Neb., Kimberly (Kevin) Lange of Bondurant and Kathryn (Jake) Wasko of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; five great-grandchildren; and two great-granddogs; aunt, Dorine Koob; sister-in-law, Alice Mertes; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation with family will be from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Hockenberry Family Care in Anita. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 22 at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Private family burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Anita. In lieu of flowers, memorials to family's wishes is preferred. Hockenberry Family Care in Anita is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.

Jim's wild hog!

Dave and Jim are busy cutting up the hog Jim shot!   Now the work begins--hams will be smoked by Bob,  liver will be dehydrated for "doggie treats",  chops cut and frozen, loose meat frozen for sausage making at home, and the rest canned.  It was a nice hog, very little fat.  I think the wild pigs run constantly and are "lean and mean".   Jim said the hog had tusks on top and bottom;  he hopes to get the head when it is cleaned.

Weather

We have experienced wonderful weather this winter. It has been as perfect this year as it was flawed the past two. This is about the time of year when people start to get itchy to head north. But the reality is winter can be far from over. Peggy received this picture from her son in Nevada a few days ago. So cool your jets and sit tight until winter is really over.

Gate code

It has been mentioned that the gate code could be changed from time to time. Sounds easy but is not. It is, however, time for it to be done.

Annual Patriotic celebration

Deon Spangler puts together an extremely moving patriotic celebration each year and this year is a shining example.

 As Deon played and the group sang each song from the branches of the service our veterans stood to be recognized. This is very moving each and every year and more than a few tears dampen our cheeks.

                                                 

 Mike Jordan

Joe Raleigh

Larry Ergen and Pat Kent-Larry read about an old soldier's passing.

 And Ken Pavelka played Taps . The picture is fuzzy but it is such a moving part of the celebration I could not leave it out.

Valentines/ Anniversary Party

Jan Broms puts together a very fine celebration every year.

Dale and Carol Buzzard celebrate their 65th anniversary.

Chet and Irma Johnson celebrate their 60th anniversary.

Jim and Kay Voss celebrate 50 years together

Erv and Hollie Hagen also celebrate 50 years of marriage.