Magnolia Birds

Well, I think we've looked at Santa long enough so when I was looking through some of my bird pictures I found a few of those birds which we saw right there in Magnolia last season. We almost saw more there than we did at all the various birding spots we went too. I have a bunch more but will save them for next time.

Remember this??

When you are tried of heat and high humidity this summer, remember how Magnolia looks at Christmas time. It was cool enough for sweatshirts when we had the Christmas parade. Right now, that sounds pretty good.

Larry Ergen in parade

Larry Ergen showing off the efforts of him and his team who worked on putting this coke can extravaganza together. Any news from Coke yet about coughing up some funds for you guys?

Dorothy Brandes Obit

Dorothy Florence Brandes 
(October 19, 1933 - June 20, 2017) 
 
Guest Book | Sign Guest Book

Dorothy Florence Brandes, the daughter of Archie and Anna (Laursen) McCrory, was born at Anita, Iowa on October 19, 1933 and died on June 20, 2017 at the Oakland Manor Nursing Home, at the age of 83 years, 8 months, and 11 days.

Dorothy attended country schools in Shelby and Cass counties. She graduated from Anita High School with the class of 1951 and then attended Nurses Training in Atlantic. On December 7, 1952, Dorothy and Richard “Dick” Brandes were united into marriage at the Christian Church in Atlantic, Iowa.  To this union four children were born, Kenneth, Delmar, Carol Jean (Jeannie), and Sharon Jo Ann (Shari).  In 1955, they lived and rented a farm near Oakland and eventually bought the family farm in 1970.  She moved from there in 2009.

Dorothy and Dick were members of Oakland United Methodist Church, the East Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau and the Pottawattamie Pork Producers. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and the Neighborhood Club. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, bingo, cards and traveling. Dorothy and Dick loved spending their winters in Texas and summers in Minnesota.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her parents; and her brothers Donald and Glenn.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Ken Brandes and wife Jane, of Hancock, IA, Delmar Brandes and wife Stephanie, of Oakland, IA, Jeannie Lawrence and husband Jim, of Meriden, CT, and Shari Engle of Millard, NE; her grandchildren: Nicole Marie, Brianne, Benjamin, Jeremy, Christopher, Richard, Brittany, Sydney, Seth, and Sabrina; and her great grandchildren:  Caitlin, Aiden, Noah, Hannah, Leah, Christian, Evie, Justin, Levi, Elaina, Konnor and Trenton. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

Rieken Vieth Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Look in the Mirror of Aging

                 

                                                                😁

A look back

I was looking at old pictures this morning and decided to share a few of them.
Some Christmas Parade watchers- Kay and Bill Stilson, Butch, Donn, and George and Shirley.

Tuffy and Char

Larry in the pool hall

Appreciate our rhubarb. For those that are not aware Rhubarb is abundant in the north and cannot grow in warmer climates. Can you believe these prices?!!!

Summer Crafts

Marie Flood sent me these pictures of their summer craft projects. Looks like those fingers have been busy and very creative. I am guessing as quickly as one project is finished the next one begins and my own experience tells me that I am thinking of the next one while working on the current one. Click on the picture for a better view.

Banana Pancakes

Banana Pancakes
2 bananas-mashed
2 eggs
1/2 c. oatmeal
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
dash of salt

Mix together all ingredients and cook as you would regular pancakes. After having made them, I think next time I will blend the ingredients and let it sit a few minutes before cooking.

They were tasty and I would make them again. A good way to use excess bananas

From Mary Knorr

Don & I spent an enjoyable Saturday night watching Mary & Dave "strut their stuff" square dancing with the Illinois branch of the international square dance group they belong to.  We thought our friends from Magnolia Park might enjoy these pictures of Mary & Dave in action. They are really very good!  Mary Knorr

Kay Voss makes Peony Jelly

Today I made Peony Jelly!  The kitchen smells like flowers....this was a first for me.  It has good flavor, can't really describe it because everything smells like flowers right now.  I used pink flowers, it took 4 cups of petals for these 3 jars.  Kay

Memorial Day Party at Magnolia

Dove Nest

Doris Nelson sent me this picture of a dove nest just outside her kitchen window. Look close! They are difficult to find and what could be more perfect a spot for a dove nest.

White Deer

I saw this white deer which was with a brown one too, last evening. I took the picture across 40 acres so it is a bit blurry but thought for those of you who are not on Facebook it might be interesting. This is not an albino as it has dark eyes and a dark nose.

Blue Jean pocket coasters

This idea is so simple I am sure we could all do it with ease.
Directions here:
http://www.hometalk.com/26399592/casual-and-cute-blue-jean-coasters?se=fol_new-201705172&date=20170517&slg=ee9e7c3ab059f4893e17baf145d6c53f-9932808&post_position=3

Computer users who have Emsisoft

I received a message from Emsisoft that people who have Emsisoft Malware/Virus protection have been safe from the wannacry ransomware. Since I know there are several people who come to computer workshops that have Emsisoft I thought I would pass this reassuring info along.
Another interesting aside is that this ransomware is not new. It has been in existence since last February and Emsisoft users have been protected from it all along.

May Gehman's obit

Obituary for Florence May Gehman (Pincher Creek)

Kind, loving, and sincere… these are a few words that describe May Gehman, who passed away on Friday, May 5, 2017, at the Crowsnest Pass Hospital.

May was born on May 23, 1940 to Arthur and Verda Wright of Cowley, Alberta. Being raised on the farm, May appreciated hard work and healthy farm living. After completing her high school education, she moved to Calgary and attended secretarial college for a year and gained employment at an insurance company for three years. She decided that city life was not for her and in 1961, at the age of 21 years, May moved to Coleman and worked as a secretary for the Alberta Forest Service. It was at her place of employment that May met the love-of-her-life – Allan Gehman, a forest officer.

It was in the fall of 1962 when May bought a new car. Now this car got Al’s attention. When families were told of May and Al’s engagement at New Years, Al’s mother was sure that he was marrying May for her money. Little did she know that you don’t marry someone for money after they have bought a new car! May and Al were married on February 16, 1963 in the Foothills United Church in Cowley.
Six months later they moved to an Alberta Forestry Ranger Station home, which was 30 miles from the nearest town. Three years later the government decided to centralize all their “Ranger” staff, and everyone was moved back to Blairmore, Alberta. It was here that May obtained secretarial employment with the Alberta Government Welfare Services and retired in 1995 after 28 years of service.

May was a 42-year member of the Royal Purple of Canada Lodge and held the office of “Secretary” for 24 years. She volunteered in all their charitable projects.
After retirement, May and Al enjoyed spending their winters in Magnolia Park, their second home where they had made some wonderful, lasting friendships over the years. She enjoyed travelling with Al and camping with her family and friends.

Left to mourn her loss is her loving husband of 54 years -- Allan Gehman of Coleman, AB; Eric and Myrna Wright & family of Pincher Creek, AB; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members; her friends from the Royal Purple of Canada Lodge and her friends from Magnolia Park.

Memorial Contributions for the late May Gehman may be made to the Crowsnest Pass Health Care Foundation, Box 455, Blairmore, AB T0K 0E0.

A Graveside Service will take place for the late May Gehman at the beautiful Cowley Cemetery on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at 11:30 am, followed by a reception at the Cowley Community Hall, sharing their stories of May with Allan, their family and friends.

Snodgrass Funeral Home in Pincher Creek assisting the Gehman family with funeral arrangements, (403) 627-4864.

May Gehman has died

Received word this morning that May Gehman has passed away. More info will be forthcoming and I will post it when received.

Cards and letters can be sent to:
Allan Gehman
Box 598
Coleman AB Can TOKOMO

May Gehman

May is in a fight for her life with lung cancer and Al is struggling with her battle as well. Cards, letters and prayers would be appreciated, I am sure.
Their home address is:

Allan and May Gehman
Box 598
Coleman AB Can TOKOMO

Erma Cleaveland's Birthday

From Leslie:
Dick's mom's 99th birthday is May 12th. Know she would love cards or visits from friends!

Several people asked for Erma's address.
She is at Oakland Manor.

Erma Cleaveland
Oakland Manor,
737 No. Highway
Oakland, Ia. 51560
Room 317

Virginia Stavrum's Birthday- Sunday April 30th

From Beverly Lokensgard:
"Here are a couple of pics.  Mom was happy to see so many of her Texas friends at her "special bingo" party.  As late as Sunday morning, she still said she didn't need any birthday party, and even invited kids to dinner at her house.  Lisa told her that she was not cooking because it was her birthday weekend and she would come to their place instead.  At 12:30, Lisa called Mom to tell her that her stove was broken so Mom and Dad should meet her at the Legion to eat.  When they walked in, Mom was really surprised at all the people there and was really happy that they even had a DJ.  Thanks to everyone who came to help her celebrate this special day."