A Short Visit

John and Mandy drove in last night from Chico on their way to Pasadena and other Southern California cities. We had a short but nice visit.
They will be back in about a month and will be able to stay a little longer. I always enjoy seeing my granddaughter and her husband.
I think they brought the rain with them from Chico, it rained all day there, but not until evening in Atwater.
I have been lucky to find a couple of very pretty flowers the last couple of days. At Home Depot I found a "Rouletta" look-alike Ivy Geranium. This one is darker and is really prettier than Rouletta. Then yesterday I stopped at Lowes, looking for the Perennial Aster, which I didn't find, but was surprised to see Portulaca (Moss Rose) in the 6-packs. I looked for this flower earlier and couldn't even find the seeds. So, I was very happy to find them. I'm sure they will re-seed themselves in this sandy soil.

Last Saturday

The Winton Church of God in Christ Mennonite celebrated their centennial this past weekend. It started Friday night with a supper for the out-of-town (and state) visitors and the locals. They rented a large tent, shown in the picture above, round tables and lots of chairs. The tent was set up on the Mennonite School grounds on Central Avenue in Winton.
Saturday was an all day affair beginning at 9:00 a.m. with registration and the program beginning at 9:30. Rosalie, Carolyn and I were there with the "Memories of Winton 1911-1950" books, the Winton Historical Society's Winton Centennial recipe books and the souvenir mugs. We stayed until 8:00 p.m., so it was a long day, but a very good one. Carolyn and I got to see some relatives from out-of-town and met some other people for the first time.
Three people were given prizes for having traveled the fartherest, one was from Canada and the other two from Southern States and South Carolina. People also came from Kansas and Wisconsin. Probably other states as well. I don't remember what the other prizes were for. The prizes were: A Winton Centennial recipe book; 3 mugs and a membership to the Winton Historical Society.
On the back wall were pictures, stories and articles depicting the past 100 years in Winton with the focus on the Mennonite Church. Several committees were set up with a 20-year span to report on. I understand they are going to make up a booklet with all the information that was posted on the wall and maybe more.
In one corner was the "museum" with old kitchen utensils and other tools, also hanging up were wedding dresses from the past usually sewn by the bride or relative.
In the opposite corner a long table was set up for Rosalie, Carolyn and I. When there was a break in the program, people would come up to our table and buy books and mugs. It was a very good day for the Winton Historical Society.
The program consisted of the main speaker, songs by various groups, which was very good; the committee members for each 20 year span got up to tell about their time period. Many people talked about their memories of Winton.
It was a very interesting day and I'm glad we were invited to be there.

Former Neighbors

Today I caught a ride up to Mariposa to see former neighbors who used to live on Fruitland Avenue. I wouldn't have recognized them because I haven't seen them for 60 years. It was a nice day; warm when the sun was out and a little chilly when it went behind a cloud. I kept taking my windbreaker on and off.
Building the fire is Jerry Hawksworth. He is actually wearing a pair of sandals, but usually he is barefoot. When he goes into town (Mariposa), he is recognized as the "man who is always barefoot."
Jack wanted Jerry to guess who I was. Even with lots of hints, it took several guesses to get it right. I was probably the last person he expected to see.
Sitting beside Jerry's car is his mother, Alice Hawksworth. She is 96 years old and stills drives her car to Mariposa twice a week to buy groceries. She had her drivers license renewed last year with no problem.
Alice married Bill Hawksworth in 1932. Bill was working in the shipyards at Mare Island. They first lived in Vallejo and then in 1940 they moved to Mariposa. There they nearly starved to death, so in 1945 they purchased 30 acres on Fruitland Avenue and moved to the Atwater/Winton area. They were in the Atwater School District, but their mailing address was Winton.
On Fruitland Avenue they had a herd of goats with a Grade A dairy setup and also raised 20 to 30 pigs. Bill built the milk barn for the goats out of rocks that he hauled over from Snelling. The building was quite large and it took many, many trips to Snelling and back before it was finally done.
They later sold the animals and grew sweet potatoes and watermelons. It was about 1950 when they purchased an additional 20 acres to the east of their farm from John Giesbrecht. Then around 1980 they moved back to Mariposa.

Cooking the hotdogs over the open fire is Jack Boesch. He brought up a pickup and trailer load of almond wood for the Hawksworths. It's been a cold wet winter this year and they used more wood than usual. Jack hauls wood up to them several times a year, which Mrs. Hawksworth appreciates very much.
Bill and Alice had three sons, Jim, Tom and Jerry.
Bill died in February in 2002 and Jim a few years later. Alice continues to enjoy living in the mountains of Mariposa. She cooks for herself and does yard work. Jerry lives on the yard, close to his mother's house. This last picture shows Jerry doing a "wedge" kicking up dust in his Ford car.

Memorial Day

Winton students from Mrs. Beltz's class sang several patriotic songs.
The VFW Color Guard presented the flags.
There was a 21-gun salute by the Merced County Honor Guard.
Bill Andersen and cousin Jackie Nugent played Taps.
The Winton District Cemetery always looks nice, thanks to Mel Loewen and other employees.

Sandy's Socks

My daughter, Sandy (aka Alexandra) designed and knitted these socks. A lady from Vogue Knitting magazine saw them when she attended a big knitting event in Europe. Sandy was introduced to her by a mutual friend.
The lady from Vogue loved the socks and so they are in the next Vogue Knitting magazine, Early Fall, 2011 on sale June 7th. Instructions for knitting the socks, along with this photo, taken by Paul Amato and this information:
Designer: Alexandra Richards
Yarn Information: Madeline Tosh Sock. Amounts: 2 hanks in alabaster, will be included.
Here is a link to the Vogue Knitting Magazine online, click on the socks.
Sandy was born and grew up in Merced, graduating from Merced High School in 1976. In the fall, she left for Humboldt State and graduated 4 years later.
I can't remember how many years Sandy has lived in Europe, it must be about 20 years, first in Switzerland and then in the Netherlands. Sandy has accomplished so much. I am very proud of her.
Here is the cover picture of Vogue Knitting's Early Fall issue. Sandy's socks will be in here.
She is now working on a design for another article of clothing. When does she have the time? I don't know. She works full-time in Amsterdam and runs on the weekends to keep in shape for the races she enters on a regular basis.
My daughter, who does it all. More about her knitting on her blog.

Gifts from Abroad

Today my neighbor brought over some mail that they signed for me when I wasn't home. It was my Mother's Day present from my daughter in the Netherlands. I was so excited to see the book, "Travels With Greeley" by Andy in Amsterdam. I've been reading his blog for the last 3 years, ever since a couple of friends and I visited my daughter in Haarlem, NL. We didn't meet Andy, but he is a good friend of my daughter and her husband.
Sandy even had Andy autograph it for me.
Thanks Andy!!
I can't wait to read it.
Sandy also sent me a "Gardening Journal" with a fat little green pen. Wow, guess I'll have to get serious about gardening. I love flowers of all kinds.
Thanks Sandy, those are wonderful gifts.
I was out pulling some weeds this afternoon, but I wonder when I will get caught up on that, if ever. The weather was really nice today, not too hot. I actually enjoy pulling weeds, but I don't enjoy it long enough to make a big dent in it. Maybe tomorrow.
I've been to church the last 3 Sundays. Each time a different church, you might say I've been shopping around. I feel the most comfortable at the Atwater Methodist Church on Linden Street. They play the old hymns on an organ and piano. No guitars or drums there and that's a plus for an old lady like me. Their regular minister is on vacation so I'll have to go back when he is there. The visiting minister had a good lesson (sermon/talk) whatever they call it nowadays.

Yesterday's Event

Yesterday, Carolyn and I set up a table to sell the Winton Historical Society's new recipe book and souvenir mugs. It was at the VFW Hall in Winton.
Instead of paying for the table space, each vendor was required to bring a snack for the sellers and buyers to munch on through out the day. We had chips and dips, fresh veggies and all kinds of sweet treats, including chocolate Easter eggs.
Another requirement was that each vendor had to donate a raffle prize. The Winton Historical Society donated a Winton Centennial recipe book.
Rosalie came by and sat with us for a while. Later our friend Leona came and sat and visited. We enjoyed talking with the people who came by our table, a few made purchases, but because there was so much going on yesterday, the traffic was very light at the VFW Hall. Sharon told us we should have been at the car show in Winton. Lots of people there.
Well, who knew?
The next events coming up is Saturday, May 7. The Winton Water and Sewer District is sponsoring a Block Party in downtown Winton,from 1 to 6 p.m. Ida Mae and Marilyn will set up a table to sell the Winton Centennial recipe books. ($15.00 each)
That same day, Carolyn and I will be at the Castle Vista Craft Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the recipe books and the souvenir mugs. I will also have the "Memories of Winton, 1911-1950" book available for $35.00. Castle Vista, a gated community will have their gates open that day. They are located off of Juniper Avenue between Shaffer and Buhach. The bazaar will be held in their club house at 2300 Cascade Drive. If you don't already have your recipe book and souvenir mug, come by and see us. They make wonderful gifts. May 8 is Mother's Day.