News by way of Dick and Leslie Cleaveland

 "You may have already heard this, but Tuffy called Dick this morning and said that his son died.  Dick doesn't know any details (he can't hear him good on the phone) but Tuffy wanted us to spread the word.  So I thought putting it on the blog would be the best way.  Char is about the same. "

Birthday Party

Dotties granddaughter , Courtney shared a birthday party with Magnolia residents.

Crockpot Ribs- easy and delicious

I know you haven't heard from me lately but these ribs were so worth the wait. Buy yourself a couple of racks and get them started. They were a big hit at our house.

Memphis Pit BBQ Ribs
What You’ll Need:
1 blender
1 3-quart crock pot
1 baking sheet
aluminum foil
basting brush
5 pounds (2 full racks) of pork spare ribs
1 apple
1½ cups applesauce
1 diced onion
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
18 ounces BBQ sauce
What You’ll Need:

Okay, now let’s get down to business. First, arrange your spare ribs in a circle around the edges of your slow cooker. Continue layering the meat until it reaches the top, but has a large hole in the middle. In this center section, place your cored and sliced apple.

Now for the marinade. In a blender, combine your apple sauce, onion, sugar, and vinegar along with half of your BBQ sauce. Puree until smooth and then pour the whole thing over the top of your apple slices and meat. Cover and cook on high for about 5 hours. When you come back, try to resist sneaking a taste. Instead, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the ribs separately onto the surface.
Using your brush, baste the remaining BBQ sauce over the top and sides of your spare ribs. Broil for 5 to 10 minutes and plate as soon as possible for the best and most unique version of this classic we’ve ever tasted!

July 4th celebration at Magnolia Park

Cherry pie filling

We have only one poor disabled cherry tree (due to ice storm 3 yrs ago).   Jim lifts me up into the tree via his tractor bucket and I pick.  We did this 3 times this season and harvested 3 gallons which then have to be pitted.   I canned 9 quarts and 1 pint of pie filling. 4 jars of cherry jam, and made a cherry cheesecake.  Delicious!  I use Clear Jel from the Amish market for my filling;  it turns out thick and clear, like the commercial product.

What big eyes you have!

We made these "gourd eyes" to keep an eye on the traffic past our place!

New Owner

Marie Flood says:
"We have a new Owner of both Magnolia and Shady Acres . The new owners names are Chris and Dorthy (Dolly) Howard. They live in Victoria, B.C.  Chris is in his thirtys. He has plans for improving the park. He has already made arrangements for trees to be put around the front and sides of the park. There will be more improvements made as he goes along.  There will be no raise in rent.  Here are a few pictures taken today at coffee."

Asparagus!!

We are picking 3 pounds at least every day!   I freeze bags every few days and have a storehouse of the veggie in the freezer.  We give bags away and still have more than enough;  I just can't stop picking it.....some stalks grow a foot in 24 hours.   We are also busy with strawberries.   Nothing better than a fresh strawberry from the patch!

Bad WiFi in RV parks and a solution.

I have told many of you that WiFi is bad in most RV parks and here is verification of that fact. He offers a solution and I agree with it. It involves taking the problem into your own hands. It would be wonderful to have park-wide WiFi, but even if we did it would not be a satisfactory solution and Chuck Woodbury does a great job of explaining why.

http://rvtravel.com/rv-travel-newsletter-issue-747/

Kitty Foster passed

I was told that Kitty died this morning at 8:45 AM of a massive heart attack. She will be cremated and there are no services planned. If an obituary can be located in the future I will post it.
I do not have an address yet where condolences may be sent however I am sure they will get to the right place if sent to her Magnolia address.

Kitty Foster Family
318 Cottonwood
Donna Texas 78537
or
Joseph and Linda Blees
513 4th Avenue SW
Long Prairie MN 56347

Magnolia's Memorial Day Cookout

Crafts-from Marie Flood

 Genevia finally finished her queen sized bed spread only took 10 months.

Ely showed his appreciation with this sign he made.

Happen at your house?

From Nancy H.

May Flowers:
Doris Nelson's Cactus Flower

From Nancy H.

May Flowers:

Perfecto's New Awning built by his brother, Hector and his new rose bushes that he planted.

Dottie is the manager

Most of you already know that Dottie is back, but for those that don't. This to let you know she is back.

A Message from the Magnolia Park Family

Something wonderful happened at Magnolia Park 5/16/16. Last week there were bikes and 3 wheelers stolen. One of those 3 wheel bikes stolen belonged to Eli who is a disabled Marine Vet and a newer resident. He used his bike on a daily basis.  Monday at Crafts it was discussed to see if we could get enough donations to replace Eli's bike. Several residents contributed on Monday and more gave at Tuesday morning coffee.  Because of everyone's generosity the amount received was enough to purchase the new 3 wheel bike and a chain and padlock. Everyone gathered and the spokesperson presented Eli his new bike. The tears flowed. Eli was so humble and grateful as he thanked the people. Eli asked if he could pray. It was beautiful. It wasn't about him, but for the people of Magnolia Park. This is what a compassionate loving community is all about.

Message sent for Karen Steil via Marie Flood about Eli.

Nancy Herberholz's 63rd birthday

 On May 10 at 8:30 am, we had a great group to celebrate Nancy Herberholz's 63rd birthday with donuts, coffee and Cinn-a-bon cake.  A fun time was had by all as we discussed and tried to solve the problems of the world.

Eileen Lowrance Obituary

Rose Eileen Lowrance
(September 22, 1922 - May 10, 2016)


   Mass of Christian Burial for Rose Eileen Lowrance, 93, of Farber, will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 13, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Vandalia with Father Paul Hartley officiating. Burial will be in Farber Cemetery.
   Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Bienhoff Funeral Home.
   Mrs. Lowrance passed away at 7:30 a.m., May 10, 2016 at Tri County Care Center in Vandalia.
   She was born September 12, 1922 in Rutland, Illinois, the daughter of William and Rose Ehrnthaller Schmillen.
   She was married to Gerald Lowrance on March 6, 1943 in Oklahoma and he survives.
   Other survivors include: three sons, Michael Lowrance of Farber, Gerard (Laura) Lowrance of Osage City, Kansas, and Timothy (Maria) Lowrance of Vandalia; two daughters, Mary (John) Wallace of Vandalia, and Susan Sheridan of Greenwood, Mississippi; three brothers, Gene Schmillen of Normal, Ill., Donald Schmillen and Gaylord Schmillen, both of Toluca, Ill.; two sisters, Delores Tapay of Los Gatos, California, and Colette Rogers of Peoria, Ill.; ten grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.
   She was preceded in death by one grandson, Tanner Lowrance; and three brothers, Tom Schmillen, Bill Schmillen, and Frances Schmillen.
   Mrs. Lowrance moved to the Vandalia area in 1962 with her family as they set up a farming operation. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society, and Homemakers Club. During her life, she enjoyed gardening, embroidery work, and working with crafts. When they spent the winters in Texas, she pursued her artistic talent including many mediums of painting.
   Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Steven Sheridan, Scott Sheridan, Chad Wallace, Patrick Lowrance, Aidan Lowrance, and Tyson Lowrance.
   Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society.

Eileen Lowrance's passing

I received a call from the son of Eileen Lowrance the other day;  Eileen passed from complications of a stroke and pneumonia.   I have waited to send along her obituary in the local newspaper, but none has surfaced as of yet and there might not be one.   Eileen and Gerald were our neighbors when we lived in # 21.   They sold to Ron and Elaine Wingert about 10 years ago.  I still miss Eileen;  we had  lots of fun together.   Gerald loved to  play cards with his special group of men;  he is in a Veteran's Home now near Farber, Mo.   I will forward an obituary if I find one.   Kay Voss