Runnells Historical Society

The old Latter Day Saints church (where some of us attended when we were so small/young) has now been purchased by the  town of Runnells and made into a Historical Society.  It has been an interesting adventure to watch come to life.  Some of us "De Joode's" are members.  Barb and Bill McGrean are active and helping to make the old building come to live.  Just thought I would share some pictures (taken by Barb) for all to enjoy. 

The church was purchased in 2010 by the town of Runnells.  Carol Elam (Melvin De Joode's daughter) is the president for now.  There has been a lot of work put into getting the building in shape to become the Historical Society for Runnells. 

 

The long wool skirt belonged to our great grandmother (West)  It was always stored in the old round wooden box.  A quilt had been started with the squares of wool pieces but never finished. 

The old metal lunch box was carried by Art De Joode when he worked in the coal mines.  Art was working in the mines when he got the news that Orpha had just delivered twins (Beverly and Barbara), and he said he just started working harder...

 I remember the cream pitcher (bottom shelf) was a gift that the old lumber yard gave to his customers.

The old clock that hung in the Runnells School assembly sitting on a bookcase.  Remember how we all use to watch hoping it would soon be time for the bell to ring and get out of school.

 

And then, there were the class pictures taken every year.  The pictures are in a folding glass case that you can scroll through and view. Third from bottom - Orpha Jane Harmison (De Joode).  Orpha graduated from Runnells High School and there were seven of her children that also graduated from the same school. 

Third from bottom (Norma Jean De Joode - Wyant).  As you can see, Norma was the Secretary and Treasure of her class.  The oldest of Art and Orpha's children.

Helen De Joode - Eiselstein second from the right top roll.  Grace De Joode second from right top, and Audrey Harmison second from right in second row are our first cousins. 

Trudy De Joode - Hauserman second from left top row.

Carolyn De Joode - Richeson second from right bottom row.  Carolyn was valedictorian of her class.

Dick De Joode second from right top row.  Dick was the King of the football team during his senior year.  Beth Ann Hammer was the queen,  My first cousin Stanley Harmison is the last one top row. 

Phyllis De Joode - Connett first one in the third row down.

Marian Jane De Joode - Adams first one third row down.

Donna Lea De Joode - Miller third from left in the bottom row.  Fourth one over in the second row is another first cousin Raymond Harmison. 

And then Southeast Polk school was built and the rest of our family graduated from there.

It will be interesting to see what else appears at the society in the small town or Runnells.  Looks like a few of us help make some "history".  Enjoy

A Mysterious and Special Place

One of our adventures this fall in Texas is La Sal del Rey which is about a 45 minute drive from us here in Leisure World -  a unique place in Edinburg, Texas also known as The King's Salt.  Dick and I enjoyed the adventure of the one mile hike each way to view the salt lake which includes about four million tons of salt and was once part of an extinct island sea.  The lake has a circumference of five miles, is a mile long, and normally ranges from two to four feet in depth.  It may dry out completely, or, if much rainfall, be more than ten feet deep.  The bed consists of rock-crystal salt.  Does not connect with any other body of water. If you would throw something into the lake, it can be recovered a day or two later encrusted in sparkling crystals.

This part was dried up for now, but in the background you could see the water.

Along the path, you can view different types of trees (this being a bean tree). 

Sitting over a solid dome of salt estimated at 4 million tons. Exactly how the massive salt deposit originally formed remains unknown, but it is probably a remnant of an ancient seabed. With salt crystals that are 99 percent pure sodium chloride, the lake can be 10 times saltier than seawater. Salt blocks removed from any spot in the lake are quickly replenished, often in two or three days.

Even though the walk might be tiring to some, we felt it was a worthwhile adventure to see.  Come on down and we'll show you around....