Valentines Celebration

 Bob & Bev Stavrum and Dick and Leslie Cleaveland celebrate an anniversary. 50th?

Ron and Chris Pearce pour punch

Directories Ready!

We are picking up the directories today on our return from Jim's dentist visit in Mexico. We will be coming to coffee on Tuesday to sell them and the cost will remain the same, $3.00. It would be nice if you could bring the correct money or at least something small. I won't be able to change a $20 and would prefer not to change a $10 unless you are buying several. I found a new source to print them, saw a sample last week and think you are going to like them as the quality is much better than the ones from last year. I imagine this could very well be the last directory for Magnolia so take advantage of this opportunity.

See you Tuesday morning.

Esther Lininger

I am so sorry to report that Esther Lininger passed away about noon yesterday.  Esther was a long-time resident of Magnolia and she resided with her daughter Mamie Havelka on Pecos when they were in the valley. I spoke to her at the last steak fry and she was all smiles. Mamie will be going home but will be returning to the park for those who wish to send their condolences.

This and That

Just a reminder, garage sale setup  tomorrow, Friday January 31,  at 8:30 am with early sales for residents only from 10 am to 11am. The garage sale will then be on Saturday, February 1 from 8 am to 12 noon with lunch available. Saturday afternoon the GIT 'R DONE Bluegrass Band at 2 pm with a Free-Will donation for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Fund.  This will be well worth attending and it is for a very good cause. Show your support for both the band and St. Jude's.

Monday, February 3 is the monthly Business Meeting at 9:30 and badges are required to be able to vote.

On a different note, I have heard from a friend that Janet Rader called to tell her that she has lung cancer and also has several broken vertebrae in her back. Janet said it was okay to share this information and also wanted to tell you that she sleeps a lot and so does not answer the phone unless she knows for sure who is calling. Leave a message and when she can, she will get back to you. She will be going to Mayo and I know we all wish her the very best. Jim and Janet were long-time residents of Magnolia Park and we always had a lot of fun up at the pool hall shooting pool with both of them. They moved their mobile over to Rio Valley a couple of seasons ago but I believe they are home in Iowa at the present time. If you go back to your 2018 directory you should have their home address if you'd like to send her a card.

I am working on the 2020 park directory and will be taking the first proof to Irma shortly. There are lots of changes!

We are enjoying this Texas winter which has been quite pleasant compared to the last few years. Nice temperatures and for the most part sunshiny days although I know they do desperately need rain down here. Maybe it could rain during the night and have sunshine during the day!

First Steak Fry of the Season

We attended the first steak fry at Magnolia Thursday night and enjoyed seeing everyone again. Here are some of the photos I took.

A Few More Winter Texans and Upcoming Events

A few more Winter Texans have drifted in including Gert Trahan and Gene Rollins. If I've missed anyone it is because it is  becoming more difficult to keep track of who I have mentioned already. Several more mobiles have also arrived in the last week or two and are being placed in their permanent locations.

Remember that on Mondays at 4 the Bluegrass Jammers meet over in the corner in Allen Hall and Wednesdays from 4 - 6 pm the In-Park Jammers get together in Allen Hall. I've been told it's a very nice jam and it does give the Magnolia people a better chance of being able to participate when there aren't so many taking part.

This Thursday, January 23 is the Steak Fry at 5:00. Jim and I are coming and I will be taking photos for the directory both before and after the meal so this will be your opportunity to get your picture taken.

Mark your calendars for next Thursday, January 30 for the dance with Dave Perryman & The Country Revue at 7:00 PM, price $7.00. Friday, Jan 31 is Garage Sale set-up at 8:30 AM with 10:00 - 11:00 early sale for park residents only.

A few more Winter Texans and Dates to Remember

A few more Winter Texans have arrived in the last week. Randy & Dee Englehart, Ed & Wally Piche,
Mamie Havelka & her mother Esther Lininger, and the folks who purchased the Pratt home, Harvey & Janna Sadlovsky.

Mark your calendars on Mondays for the Bluegrass Jammers from 4:00 - 6:00 PM and also on Wednesdays for the In-Park Jammers from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. I always enjoyed the Bluegrass Jammers and I think the In-Park Jam would be fun with just park people participating.

This Thursday, the 16th will be the Ham and Bean Soup at 5:00 PM and on Saturday the 18th there will be a potluck breakfast at 8:00 AM as well as entertainment by Rick McEwen starting at 2:00 PM. The cost is $7 per person.

Flag Afghan

I was sent this photo today and thought I would share it on the blog. Genevia and Mike Jackson were residents in Magnolia until just a couple of seasons ago and she has been busy crocheting afghans. This had to have been a big job and it is striking. Thanks Genevia for allowing us to share it!

Magnolia Garage Sale Day

You can count on getting a great lunch at an unheard of low price in Magnolia Park on sale day.

I love giving you all a guessing game on who the pictures display.

A Few More Arrivals and Goldwing Express

I'm so glad to report that Tom and Joyce Rietveld have arrived and so has Al Gehman. I played for church this morning in the park and saw and spoke a few minutes to Al. He had just arrived and was busy get organized. I didn't see Tom and Joyce but they perhaps weren't in yet.

Don't forget tomorrow is Goldwing Express in the afternoon and let's hope for a big crowd. Take advantage of the opportunity to see them as they will be in the valley only for a short time.

And last but actually happening first is the 

business meeting tomorrow morning, badges required!

New Arrivals and More

The latest arrivals in Magnolia are Joe & Cheryl Raleigh and Ray & Lil Droogsma I would expect there will be more arrivals in the upcoming days as there are several who aren't here yet. There have also been more new mobiles moved in during the last week or so and I have kind of lost track of how many that makes.

Marty Harper told me several days ago about the Tanks and I promised her I'd post it that night but I forgot. All of a sudden it did finally occur to me that I had not done that yet. Don H talked to Don Tank and Don T told him that Marty had fallen and was in the hospital and then admitted to a home. She does still know Don and also her daughter and she likes it in the home and is getting good care. I'm sure it has to be a relief to the family that she is settled there and getting the care that she needs.

Don't forget church starts again this Sunday at 8:45 in Allen Hall.

Clarence Cooke

I have received word that Clarence Cooke passed yesterday morning. Many of you will remember him from the years that he lived on Magnolia Street in the park and also as the father of Larry (Janice), Linda (Larry) Kraft and Karen (Richard) Steil. I don't know if there are more children or not but those three have all been Magnolia  Park residents and we extend our sympathies to all of them. I'm not sure if there will be an obituary but if there is one later on I will post it.

Happy New Year!

I couldn't resist when I saw this picture of Edna and Jerry Walker on Facebook and did something that I almost never do. I saved it and am posting it on our park blog. It is such a nice picture of both of them and they were saying Happy New Year and I know we all say it back to them as well as wishing all of our past and present residents a

Very Happy New Year!

More Winter Texan News and Upcoming Entertainment (edited)

(If you have already read this, I have added some info about Kay Stilson which I meant to put in when I posted this a little bit ago.)


The latest arrivals include Abe & Roxy Wolfe, Don Kiel, Bob & Bev Stavrum, and Gerold & Karen Goetz. I don't think I have mentioned Ken & Helga Huizenga although they got in just before Christmas.

We do have folks who either aren't coming at all this year or they will be arriving later. Peggy has heard from the Stilsons that first Bill was in the hospital but I think he is now home. Kay, however had a slight stroke and come to find out she has an aneurysm and will be going to Iowa City for treatment. One of their sons will be helping Bill at home while Kay is being treated. Jerry & Edna Walker are not coming down this season due to ongoing health issues with Jerry. I'm not sure if Tom & Joyce Rietveld are coming or not but as I understand it Tom has some health issues. His brother Cornie & Ruth Ann are also dealing with health issues for Ruth Ann so I don't know if they will be down or not. I'm betting that all of these Magnolia people would appreciate hearing from their Winter Texan friends.

Next Monday, January 6 Goldwing Express will be providing entertainment in Allen Hall at 1:30 PM. The cost is $9/person and I believe they are going to be in the Valley only for a short time so this is your opportunity to hear them. Remember when they were in the park for Vera's birthday party and put on quite a show. As I recall, a good time was had by all! It would be really nice to have a full house for this show.

Here are some photos from last time.

Christmas Dinner and Lighting Contest Winners

Chet & Irma invited us to Magnolia for Christmas dinner. Out of the past 56 years we have probably spent around 50 of those Christmas days with the Johnsons, usually at our house along with the rest of the Spangler family and more recently down here at Magnolia so it was nice to continue the tradition.

It was great to see so many familiar faces again and we thoroughly enjoyed all the good food and conversation we had with so many of our friends. I took the camera along so took several photos. It was a smaller crowd than in past years but that didn't make it any less special. We had a great time and enjoyed a phone call from Larry 1 who I assume was calling from Minnesota. Because of all the conversations going on it was a bit hard to hear him but we recognized his voice and it was a very nice surprise. The lighting contest winners were announced and they are as follows:

 Kenton and Polly over on Willow - 1st

 Joe & Linda Bleess on Aspen and Michael and Carolyn Murray on Peach tied for 2nd

Eldon and Patty Hardekopf won the RV category

Honerable Mention

Ron and Cynthia Daigle on Aspen

Larry 2 and Cathy on Rose

Chet & Irma Johnson on Rose

Darlene Jansen on Cottonwood

Merry Christmas to all present and former Magnolia residents!

Twas the night before Christmas...

Ugly Sweater Contest edited

Yesterday was the Ugly Sweater contest and our nephew was visiting his folks Chet & Irma Johnson and sent me these pictures that he took.

I understand these are "dunce" hats as these gentlemen didn't have any Christmas cheer on.

Corrected Dance Info

The Dance information I put on last night is wrong!!!

Today at 4:30 is the Ugly Sweater contest

Today at 5:00 are the Subs

TONIGHT is the DANCE at 7:00

More Winter Texans and Friday Dance

I can safely say NOW that Pat and Barb Kent are here as well as Dale and Caroline Eichor. I suspect that will be all who will be in before Christmas.

Don't forget there is a dance Friday night in Allen Hall with the band that Jay and Dale are involved with. I have no idea as to cost but I imagine it will start around 7:00 or thereabouts. Hopefully I'm right about that but surely it is posted in the Hall as to time and cost. 

Here are a couple of photos from last year.

Winter Texan Correction

Second or third hand or maybe even 4th hand information is not always correct. I was given the info that the Kents, Barb and Pat were here and that is not correct. However, this I'm sure is correct and that is Connie Dziuk has gotten into Magnolia. At the end of last season Connie purchased Larry and Noreen Ergen's home on Aspen so that's where she will be living this year. Also since I last posted Dick and Leslie Cleaveland have also arrived in the park. I think both Connie and the Cleavelands are happy to have escaped the rotten weather that is plaguing the Midwest. I know there are one or two more on their way and they should be arriving soon. Christmas is just a little more than a week away, it's really hard to think Christmas when it's so warm but tomorrow that is all going to change when the cold front makes its presence known. Even as I write this the wind has shifted to out of the north but it is still 71 degrees

Back in 2016 I went with Larry Ergen, Jan Brom, and Doris Nelson over to the Christmas Eve service in the Basilica over in San Juan and last year I went with Margaret Schmaltz and Eldon and Patty. Here are some pictures from 2016. The Basilica was beautifully decorated and if you get a chance stop in to look at it if you can't attend the service.

outside.

Winter Texan Update

A few more Winter Texans have arrived in the past week. Eldon and Patty Hardekopf are on their usual spot, George and Shirley Meirhofer are back in their mobile on Peach. I do believe they found that there have been some cats living under it but that is second-hand info so do take it with a grain of salt. Vera and Kenton Salmon got in and so did Barb and Pat Kent. I think there are a few more that will get there before Christmas which is coming up very quickly.

Tonight we went over to see the lights in Hidalgo. We have been there before but it was well worth the trip. As usual I took a bunch of pictures so I thought I would share one with you.

Back in the day

Thanks, Peggy G. for a look back in time.

Christmas Tree 2019

I received these photos yesterday but didn't have time to get them on last night. Here is the 2019 Christmas Tree in Allen Hall as well as the decorations above the Welcome to Magnolia Sign.

5 years ago in Magnolia

Potluck and Bingo

I was sent these photos tonight taken from the season's first potluck and then also from bingo. There were twenty-five people at potluck with plenty of food for everyone. This takes place every Thursday evening, bring a dish to pass and come prepared to enjoy the fellowship and food. The usual activities are starting and they are listed in your directories and also on the board in Allen Hall.

On Saturday evening bingo  was played up in Allen Hall. Goldie has become the new caller as Edna has either sold her mobile or is in the process of selling it, I'm not quite sure which and has returned back to where she most likely will be "enjoying" a white Christmas.

I know that there are people on the road or will be on the road very shortly and as always travel safe and watch the weather. It is going to be cooling down here on Tuesday so that will be a good time to dig out those Christmas sweaters and sweatshirts!

Garage Sale

Just a reminder, the park garage sale is tomorrow up in Allen Hall I believe from 8:00 AM to Noon. It is always the first Saturday of the month.

I also have found out from Donna Stevens that the new owners of Joe and Jeannette LaPointe's mobile are Jocelyn and Jim McLean and Monique Trahan. They were in the Thanksgiving dinner photos but at that time I did not have their names.

December 5 News

There have been a few more arrivals to report. Jay & Joyce Kelly got in a few days ago as did Dave & Sue Greening. Greenings have been moved over on Rose next to Craig Hodge's house where Linns were parked last year. Speaking of Craig, he is in the park but just for a short time and he brought his mother Kathryn who used to live in the park as well as his sister and brother-in-law.

Jay has a new band called High Country Band and they will be playing for a dance on December 19 from 7:00 - 10:00 with a cost of $7/person.

There will be an ugly sweater contest in conjunction with the usual sub sandwich night I believe also on Dec. 19. There will not be a Christmas Parade this year.

Four more mobiles have been brought in and are being placed where some have left. As I understand it, these are not FEMA trailers.

Here are a couple of photos from last year's Christmas Parade with Dave & Mary in the lead golf cart and Larry Ergen with the sleigh and his reindeer which needed some assistance with staying aloft due to the windy day we had.

Winter Texan Update

I guess I have fallen behind in my Winter Texan Report and to be honest I am not quite sure who I may have missed. When we were home I had them written down but once we got on the road my notes seem to be non-existent. In other words, I can't find them!

I know LeRoy and Elaine Misfeldt are in and I believe they are renting Randy and Cindy Tarrence's house across from Susan. Carmen Friesen and her son DeWayne Friesen have also arrived. I know that Donna Stevens relatives are in and I think they are Gert Trahan's daughters. I'm sorry I don't know their names but I do know they are in the pictures from Thanksgiving that I posted last week. They are in the house that belonged to Joe and Jeannette LaPointe and I've heard that it will be pulled into the park to be put on Marie Flood's old spot. It currently is back on Cummings right next to the gate which has become a very busy spot in the park.

I'm sure there will be more arriving soon now that Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is right around the corner.

Safe travels!