On my walk...

Dale C. has been gleaning onions.

Roses on Willow street

Ed & Eleanor Piches's lovely rose

Donn & Peggy Gordon's yellow roses( Formerly Bill & Jo Brookers)

Olive tree in bloom on Cherry Street

Cactus on Texas street

Parrots still nesting.

"I have an eye on you."

Bill & Kay Stilson's tomato. Get it before the birds do!!

Blue Hall Ladies

These women can be found in the Blue Hall nearly every evening playing cards. Pictured from the left seated are Erma Cleaveland,Vera Salmon,Vivi Piche,Kitti Toomire,Eula Henderson,and Charlotte Nigh
Standing Leslie Cleaveland, Norma Cooklin, May Gehman

The game sometimes changes but the ladies stay the same.

Poor Captain Hook----he got hit so many times on the corner----

PS- Captain Hook-formerly a decoration on the corner of Lime and Center street at the Jon and Edy Larson residence. Now deceased.

Bo and Art

Bo is the canine son of Myron and Susan Van Houweling and Art lives over on Lime Street with his wife Mary. But these two have a special bond. Art now and then gives Bo treats and a ride on the golf cart. They both enjoy the experience tremendously.

The Woodpecker

The bird noise has been phenomenal. I never ever thought the sound of the birds would be too much but here in sunny south Texas it can certainly seem so at times with the woodpeckers drumming on anything metal, the doves doing their whoo-hoo-hoo, the always present sparrows chattering and the mockingbirds copying them all.

Sunday Service

Another beautiful day in deep south Texas again this Sunday....Spring starts later on this evening, but it can't get much better than it is now....There is more talk of more of the Magnolia family heading north for the summer as the weather breaks in the north country and then the number of worshipers will start going down but in the mean time the attendance has been great with between 75 and 100 each Sunday...

This morning the lesson was taken from the Book of Romans, Chapter 12 with the theme of "The body of the Church"....A great lesson reinforcing the meaning of just what the Church consists of, or just what the Church is....This lesson reminded us of what Christ taught the disciples the meaning of the Church and our part in it...

On another note please say some prayers for Pastor Stacey's family as Tina's mother passed away Saturday....I know that Pastor Stacey and Tina would appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this time....Also remember to pray for any that you may think of as at times we all need prayer and guidance from the Lord....GOD BLESS ALL....

Gas Powered Recliner

Okay you handy types...how soon before we see one of these around the park.

Produce on Wheels

Two carts loaded with fresh produce come into the park behind the office each Friday between 1:00 and 3:00 PM. This is a new feature for us and very handy.

Flowers coming on

This hanging basket is at the Chet and Irma Johnson residence. It was brought from up north and has thrived down south.

Spring is in the air...

And the birds are nesting... These parrots have a nest in a nearly dead tree in the lot west of the park. Fun to watch!

Magnolia Park Roses

Roses are in bloom all over the park

Champions

Char Wolfrom and Carol Kapke once again win the Mid-Valley Pool League and bring home the traveling trophy. Thumbs up to our champions!

Assembly Line

An assembly line was set up to assemble the small side tables purchased for the card players in the Blue Hall. Helpful hands are always ready in Magnolia Park.

It appears that Al Gehman is the main assembler here.

Photographer: Norma Cooklin

Sunday at Magnolia

Today was the day of the time change for daylight savings time, but it didn't stop or slow down the people from getting to the church services at Magnolia...Some times there is some confusion because of the change but it didn't happen today that I know of...We had quite a nice group of worshipers today with a few guests as some of the families from up north were down for a spring break so to speak and visit for some nice weather for a change..

The lesson today that Pastor Stacey brought to us was from the Book of Luke , chapter 5, starting from verse 17....The theme of the lesson was "Your sins are forgiven" and told how Jesus was able to preach and heal the sick according to the faith of his followers....A great lesson for all to study on and learn from.....During the service several names of the Magnolia family were brought up as having some illnesses and some sickness....Prayers were given for all to be healed according to the Word of God.....Remember during the coming week when you think of someone or someone comes to mind, just say a prayer for them as it will mean much for that person and also for yourself.....GOD BLESS ALL.....

Wall of Recognition

Don Louks and Karl Kapke have moved the plaques commemorating our past champions in the in-park pool tournaments giving them a new home on a different wall. Great job guys! They will be much easier to see now.

Photographer: Norma Cooklin

Random Shots

Seen at the Cleavelands place

Yin and Yang- Puppy girls belonging to Bill Sager

Pool......Shark

Darlene fixed up Don Louks on his birthday. Appropriate considering he IS the pool shark of Magnolia Park.

Crafters Luncheon

I love this series of pictures. Made me smile just looking at them! Send me your caption ideas.

Santa Ana Adventure from Susan Van Houweling

Just your average day in our life in southern Texas!! The Misfeldt's
and us went to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge this morning.
We left home at 7:30 am and went for a stroll in the refuge to look
for wildlife. As you can see from the pictures we had one picture of
a cardinal and pictures of us. We argued over what path to take,and
we girls wondered if the boys were right! Well right after we took
their advice..... a helicopter came flying over and Elaine and I
thought the park was looking for us. Well I guess not!!!!

Now for the rest of the story...... As we continued to watch, the helicopter come closer. We saw someone running toward us. He was on a mission and at first,we thought he was with the Border Patrol. My mistake!!!! He was the one they were chasing. As he ran by us the helicopter got closer and threw dirt and dry leaves all over us. The men in the helicopter motioned to us which way did he go and Myron showed them. We all stood there looking at each other and thought we should of stopped him and Myron wished he would have taken some pictures. We later found out he had left his car at the visitor center.
Just a day in the VALLEY!!!!!!!
Susan

Ropa Style Show

All of these items were obtained at Ropa Usada (Used Clothing) locations in the Rio Grande Valley. Including the orange prison suit!!

Ropa Style Show 2011

March Annual Meeting

The March meeting took place this morning followed by the election.
These are the elected positions:
Pres: Barbara Brooker

Vice Pres.: Karl Kapke

Treasurer: Leroy Misfeldt

Secretary: Irma Johnson

Board members:
Arleen Beach
Larry Ergen
George Morgan

Nominating Committee:
Darlene Jansen
Ron Pearce
Don Harper

Show and Tell 2011

Show and Tell 2011

Pictures

The pictures of the Show and Tell event and the Ropa Style Show will be forthcoming as soon as I can sort and edit about 200 pictures. So please have patience with me and you can enjoy the event remotely very soon.

Sunday Breakfast at Magnolia

This morning at Magnolia the attendance was over 100 again at Church Service....With all the talk about the people getting ready to head NORTH for the summer, it is great that the number of worshippers is still up in numbers...The service today was just great as usual with Pastor Stacey giving a great lesson from the Book of Saint Mark, starting with Chapter 1, verse 40 with the theme of "Are You Willing"...A great study of the willingness of people to do the right things and the willingness of God to heal , protect, and take care of his children...There is much to study and digest in the verses for all of us...

Of course as this was the first Sunday of the month , Communion was given at the last of the service...Also after the service breakfast was served for all that wished to partake and enjoy the fellowship with each other...A great time and blessing was had by all....Remember to continue to pray for all the sick and say a prayer for any that you might think of...You never know just when someone needs a prayer for something in their lives....GOD BLESS ALL....

In Park Mixed League Champions

 Our in park pool tournment has ended  Thursday March 3.

         1st place winners Marty Harper & Don Louks   

                   

Marty Harper and Don Louks

2nd place  winners     Char Wolfrom & Ambrose Demers

           

                                           3rd  Place  Winners    Tom Hunt & Karl Kapke

Photos by Demers

2011 Pool Champions

From Former Resident Gerry Hansen

Just to let you all know that I did survive cancer and am feeling good. I do have mitral valve problems which the Doctors want me to have surgery for but I am not ready for it yet.  I moved into a new apartment last June and I really like it.  Seems like the days go by so fast.  I have two kitty cats--Fancy is the one that was in Texas with me for three years and Mikey who is very lovable will be three.  They share my computer room.  I still remember all the good times I had at Magnolia--golfing--cards--parties, shuffle board and the great pool.   I miss all of them.  We have had a hard Winter with lots of snow and cold but Spring is just around the corner.  I still enjoy Casinos and I drive to the one several times a month as it is just 30 miles away.  My friend Bob lives just a block away and we play hand and foot once in awhile. Barb you can post this in your news and I want to say hello to everyone and I do miss all of you.  Take care, Gerry Hanson--Wisconsin

Parakeet on the loose

This pretty little parakeet showed up in a tree near Van Houweling's about a week ago. They made sure it had food and water with plans to rescue it. They said they could see that it had gained strength in the time it visited them. But now it seems the little one has moved on. Pretty Bird!! Photographer: Leroy Misfeldt

Ruth Beining Passed

Ruth Beining passed away last Saturday. If someone will send me an obituary for her I will see that it gets posted here. Ruth with her cheerful countenance was an active volunteer in Magnolia Park. She has been greatly missed this year and I am sure in years to come.