Happy Thanksgiving to All Our Family

Larry had a total right knee replacement on November 11, 2013. He was in the hospital from 11th to the 14th then transferred to the rehab for recovery.  He is still in inpatient rehab and recovering slowly.  A few complications but all is going well now. I hope he will be home soon.

As of November 20, 2013, we have our first great granddaughter. Her name is Lillyanna Elyse, she weighed 9 lbs and 10 oz and was 22 1/2 inches long.  Lot's of black curly hair and beautiful.

We pray all is well with you and your families.  We are in Texas for the winter. 

We hope all have a Blessed Thanksgiving and we pray for all our military espescially for Tiffany in the Mid East.

Love,

Trudy

Tiffany Minot to Middle East

We went to Minot, ND the first 2 weeks of Nov. to see Tiffany off.  She has been deployed to the Middle East.  We enjoyed Nate and our 2 grandchildren Kaely & Joshua after Tiffany left.  We got to view the B52s take off all together during an exercise.  Brought back memories for me (when I was stationed at Loring AFB, Maine working on B52s).  We had good weather during our stay.  Got home the night of the 18th.  17 1/2 hrs 1144mi trip in one day wow.  Good roads made that possible.  Tiff will be over there until mid next year. 

Take care all
Stan

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....

DONALD WAYNE DE JOODE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DONNIE,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

THINKING OF MY HANDSOME BROTHER DONNIE THIS MORNING AND HOPE HE HAS A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY TODAY (27TH), AND MANY MORE.  IF I WERE IN CARLISLE, I WOULD TAKE YOU OUT FOR LUNCH.  I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WHO HAVE A BIRTHDAY TODAY ALSO.  ONE I AM TAKING OUT FOR LUNCH.

LOVE YA LOADS BROTHER - SIS PHYLLIS AND BROTHER DICK

Ghana, Africa

Carrie and Denver have returned from their Mission Ghana trip.  They visited the villages where they handed out dolls, balls and pillow case dresses for the children.  They de-wormed the people in the villages, spoke about Malaria and distributed Malaria nets.  The team took in several computers and trained the pastors to operate - teaching excel, word and power point.  They went to farms to help repair the mowers and etc. The villages were still worshiping some idols and still had a practicing medicine man, but the team was there to teach them the word of God... Throughout their stay, they made time every morning and evening to play with the "neighborhood city children" that would congregate at the hotel.  They took a soccer ball and Denver played football with the kids every night.  (When Denver came home, he left the soccer ball for the children)  He was told on the last day by several of the older younger men on the "soccer team" that he would be missed.  They did have the opportunity to see some sights while there.  The final day was spent on Cape Coast, approximately three hours from Accra.  It was a long 7 hour trip in the van; they had fabulous team time, laughed and saw baboons on the roadside.  Went on a canopy walk, through the tops of the rain forest, and toured the Castle Elmina, where the first slave trading began.  Below sharing some pictures with you.   







First picture - the "Ghana Mission Team"
Denver, Pastor, and Carrie

 

Denver and Carrie with some of the children

Denver and his "Soccer Team"

Denver making friends

Carrie would have loved to bring some of the children home with her.  They all had a wonderful and safe trip and are ready to go again....  If you would like to go with them, let them know...

Bill Eiselstein Wedding

After a courtship of 16 years, Bill and Shirley were married on August 11, 2013.  Ceremony took place at the Community Church in Toronto, Iowa.  Steven Eiselstein was best man with maid of honor Stacy (a pool friend of both parties).

 

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Bill Eiselstein

 

The church (where Bill and Shirley attend) was packed with family and friends. 

A reception was held at Joe's Bar and Grill in Toronto where friends and family gathered for the afternoon.

 Melissa, Bill, Steven, Shirley and Michael.

The Garden

Our grandson Joe has been quite busy this summer.  He has a total of four different gardens that he has been attending to.  He has become quite the "gardener".  Below you will see the veggies he is now bringing in for the table.  He has green tomatoes now coming on, and when they are ripened guess who gets them - Grandma Phyllis....  They don't care for the tomatoes.  Later on he will have some corn as well. 

 
With the help of his mother Lynsley (and his younger brother Nick), he has been making refrigerator pickles from the cucumbers and a lot of zucchini bread.  If he can keep from eating the fresh peas as they are being picked, they might just get enough for a meal.  Below is just one of the gardens, the smallest of the four.  

Keep up the good work Joe....

A New Adventure/Experience

Danielle Hipsky – (Lynsley and Chris’s daughter) is on an adventure this summer with “counting” fish…

Danielle held out this summer for a research job with UW-Madison.  Although the research is with the Limnology Center (study of inland lakes and ponds) and not directly related to the medical field, she is getting experience with the research processes.  She has learned a lot about fish, electrofishing, nets, boats, and lakes! She is in a gorgeous area of Northern Wisconsin with pine forests and lakes/ponds everywhere! She is working on five different lakes and has met fishermen and others who ask her about what they are doing and seem interested in what is happening on the lakes. Danielle says the nets and equipment they bring in on their truck causes a bit of commotion as they set up - in a naturally calm and quiet environment.  She has experienced being out on the lake in a "little" boat in heavy winds and rain (very cold), sunsets on the lake, and beautiful hot days - to my knowledge she has not fallen overboard, but she has been on the rope swing on one of the "islands" in Trout Lake and has been swimming. She is staying in a cabin with her teammates among several other cabins that house full time researchers, other college students working on special projects and a team from Finland. She is now authorized to take out any UW vehicle on her own (after working hours) and has enjoyed having the "keys and gas credit card".  I hear the trucks are loaded (having very nice features) and she enjoys driving them. She has already put in over 100 hours in the last two weeks. Since they are living on site, it seems they get called in at all times. Although she is on the day shift,  she has worked night and day time hours, Saturday & Sunday hours.

Danielle says she has the best summer job! She will be in Northern Wisconsin for a total of four weeks, then back in Madison to finish out her job (another four weeks) until school starts in September. 

Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Dick Connett are very proud of their granddaughter.  All Grandma Connett can say is "YOU GO GIRL".... 

Eagle Scout Service Project

 

Grandpa Dick and Grandma Phyllis Connett are very proud of our grandson Joseph.

Joseph Christopher Hipsky joined Boy Scouts of America in 2008 and has had many great experiences throughout the years.  He has earned  many merit badges, he has been a Troop Leader, Den Chief, Historian, Scout of the year (earning a bronze award), has been to Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico), has 248 hours of hiking and backpacking, and 184 hours of Community Service and Service Project.  At the young age of 15, Joseph earned the Boy Scouts highest rank of Eagle Scout, the highest a boy scout can achieve. 

Upper Peninsula Bible Camp, Little Lake, Michigan. Joseph led camp volunteers and scouts to build and stone a drinking water fountain, where previously water was packed in or hand-carried out to the remote “back 40”. Joseph’s project was to lay a new water line out to the Archery & Riflery Ranges, and at its end to construct a drinking water fountain with mortar and additional stone for biblical character.

Joseph first scouted out a good place where he thought a water fountain would be beneficial to all at the Bible Camp.

A good place for a fountain...   

       

                      It Works!

  

UPBC stone drinking water fountain

 

The finished project - and very proud of it....

The fountain is a rejuvenating source for all UPBC staff, campers and volunteers during the hot summer months.
 

The plaque on the front reads: 

…To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.  Revelations 21:6

That's the way to go Joseph....  Congratulations.

Hope Mission Ghana Africa Team

Carrie, Denver and the Hope Mission Ghana Team made the trip to Africa safely with no lost luggage, a slight delay leaving DSM but on time for the rest of the travels.  Denver with others, assisted the pastors to get all the new computers up and running.  They are teaching the villages about malaria and de-worming and giving the message of Christ.  They had taken homemade pillowcase dresses, jewelry and other small items which was handed out to the villages.  Last year Denver experienced eating something indescribable, wonder what he'll be trying this year....They are now on Day 5 and the time is going fast for them.  Keep them all in your prayers.  They will be back home August 5th.

New Marriage

Bill Eiselstein has a birthday coming up (Sunday, August 11th) and he'll be 81 years old.  He is also getting married to Shirley on his birthday.  He has invited the family to attend the wedding which will take place at the Toronto Church where they both attend.  Wedding will be at 4:00 PM with a reception following at Joe's Bar and Grill in Toronto afterwards. 

ANNIVERSARY

Dick and Phyllis celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on Sunday, July 28, 2013.  They both agreed that the years have gone by so fast. 

The De Joode Reunion

 

Willie, Dick, Helen, Norma, Trudy, Carolyn, Phyllis and Ron

Front Row:  Mom Orpha, Barb, Bev, Don, Marian and Dad (Arthur)

 

The De Joode Family reunion started in 1961 with all siblings in the picture above.  Due to illness and death in the family, two years were cancelled, but in 2013 the De Joode reunion took place in Prairie City, Iowa at the Community Park Building.  This was our 50th reunion.  Out of the twelve children shown in the picture, there is just seven of us to carry on.  We had 108 in attendance this year consisting of immediate families, cousins, relatives and friends.  It took over five 8' tables that could hardly hold the bountiful feast that was gathered by all. 

 One of the great surprises to be presented was a piece of the past.  Mother's old wool quilt that Trudy had acquired was moth eaten and ready for discarding, but Teresa put the wool to a piece of art.  She cut the quilt in pieces, made either a windmill or tulip with the "De Joode" name on each and presented to each of the twelve siblings plus.  (Those who were already gone - she presented to the children).  This will be a treasure for each -  thanks to Trudy and Teresa.

After coffee hour, we gathered around and had a baby shower for Little Max.  Bingo and door prizes were a hit as well as the placemats that Sandy had made from the first reunion picture (above) for everyone.  Dick and Janel  made "Dutch" hand bags while Sandy had made "Dutch" Kozies.  Phyllis also updated the "address" booklet which everyone received.  Since our last reunion we have two new births in the family - Little Max and Isabelle, three new marriages Brian Sager, Jon De Joode and Robert Eiselstein, and three graduation students - Dakota McClelland, Brianna Lafrenz and Cody Wilson.  The family continues to grow.  Now we are starting on our next fifty years of the De Joode family reunion. 

Cousin's 2nd Annual Get-Together, 2013

Hello Cousins!

It is time for our annual Hilltop Retreat.

Ok, Ok, so it isn’t really a retreat, heck some of you might not even think it is a restaurant!

However, WE are going to get together again to reconnect.

Family is Family, Always.

Please join my husband Tony, our oldest daughter Jenny, our new grandson Max and I at Hilltop Restaurant, 2820 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines (515-265-2746).  We have space reserved on SATURDAY at 5:30.  We will just order off the menu.

Last year we had about 20 of us.

I hope YOU can make it this year.  Even if you just stay an hour, PLEASE join us for a beverage.  Feel free to bring any memories (pictures, etc.) that you’d like to share, or just bring yourself!

PLEASE!!!

It would be APPRECIATED if you could let me know if you can come so I can get an approximate count to give to the restaurant.

Feel free to call me if you have any questions.

I can’t wait to see you all at the 50th DeJoode Family Reunion AND the 2nd Annual Cousins Get-together!

Love,

Teresa Hunter

(952) 484-4313 (feel free to text too!)

teresajane48@gmail.com

DE JOODE REUNION

Art and Orpha De Joode reunion will be held at the Community Park Shelter, 503 South State, Prairie City, Iowa.   This will be our 50th reunion and we're hoping to see everyone there.  Also, we will be welcoming our newest member of the family "Little Max" with some welcome gifts.  There will be good food, prizes and a lot going on so mark your calendar and we'll see you there.
                                   

 

Saturday, June 1st - "WOODEN SHOE" LIKE TO ATTEND?

ANYONE OUT THERE?????

The "Connett's" are now back home from the south....  and it is just too darn cold here in the north.  We have had a lot of rain since we have been home.  Dick started raking the yard getting the front and one side all done, but the rain has put a stop to that for awhile.  Just too wet now.  We have been busy since we have been home.  I have made an Aunt Jamima vacuum doll cover, some neck tie purses and a scarf.  We do have the RV home out of storage and was planning on an outing with the group this weekend, but too cold - flannel sheets at home will feel better.  It is only 1/2 hours drive away, so will just drive back and forth in the Honda.  Have a busy summer planned.  Our De Joode reunion will be the 50th reunion this year, so hopefully all of the clan will be able to attend.  You will be getting an invitation soon in the mail.  Help us to make this one a special reunion as it is the 50th.  Would be nice to read "someone" elses notes/comments on this blog.  How about it family????

Happy birthday to all you who have a birthday the month of April. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO THE DE JOODE FAMILY AND ALSO
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN
FEBRUARY.  HAVE A GREAT DAY ON YOUR DAY.

Veterans board

Veterans of Leisure World - Weslaco, Texas




Larry and Carolyn (with the help of their friends - Weathermans) made a "Veterans" board which is displayed in the rec. hall of Leisure World in Texas.  It is quite a conversation piece for the residents here at our park.  Thought the family might enjoy seeing.

Pictures were taken by:  Dick Connett

Leisure World (Texas) Event

This I posted on the Leisure World Blog down here in Texas.  This is what Trudy, Dick and I have been working on for the past month.  Had a great turnout making approximately $5,000 dollars but we are all glad it is over with.... Phyllis and Trudy each donated a "state basket" and Carolyn donated some neck scarves.  Now onto the next event - whatever that might be.

Rosemary Hedlund (Chair) and her committee, organized the LUCKY 13 GALA held on Wednesday, January 30th. AND IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. Ticket sales was tremendous and seating was extended to the card room. A delicious meal of pulled pork sandwiches, oriental salad, potato casserole and desserts were served. Leisure World residents were very accommodating with their "silent" and "live" auction items to make a very exciting evening. Pies, candy, bakery goods, artist items, state baskets - just too many items to list Individually. Thanks to all who so graciously had a hand in this event.

From the beautiful decorated tables to the well attended Gala - all seem to be having a delightful evening...

Rosemary welcomed all to the event, and as the sign read - LUCKY 2013 was the results of the evening.

The kitchen crew was prepared...

Bill Hedlund read off who the Lucky winners were and how much was bid for the items.

Our auctioneer Harold Monroe had a few "stories" to tell in-between bidding.

Mary Gainer and her committee did a super job of keeping up with the punch and wine, although a picture was not taken. Our photographer Dick Connett was trying to keep up with the picture taking as well as selling 50/50 tickets. (Winner of 50/50 was Helen Mott who so graciously gave back her share). Everyone seem to enjoy the great evening. Great bidding by the crowd, and a lot of happy "buyers" as the evening turned out great.

Pictures by Dick Connett