Mel Rennells Webpage
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for 2010
END OF 2009
Rennells Reunion at Storm Lake July 14-16 2009 ;
Jeff and his family planned to attend an Anderson Reunion
at Edgley ND on July 17 2009.
They left Dallas Wednesday morning, 7/14, and drove
to Storm Lake, IA
and checked in Kingspointe Watermark Resort in Storm Lake until
Friday, July 17.
Mel , Mary & Lady left Winona Monday morning, July13,
in the motorhome and drove to
Storm Lake & stayed at the Sunrise Campground, and visited the
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Factory,
and sites in Sioux City, IA, on Tuesday. They threw two fan
belts on the motorhome in Sioux City so they
spent two hours at an information center getting it repaired.
Tuesday night they stayed at N Sioux City SD K0A .
The next morning they drove back to Storm Lake to Sunrise Campground
& met with Jeff & his family
until Friday, July 17.
Paul & Sara left Winona on Thursday morning and drove
to Storm Lake to complete the reunion.
The camp ground was two blocks from the water park so they walked
between the two. Thursday night they
had a campfire at the campground .
Friday morning they all went their own way. Paul &
Sara went back to Winona & Mel ,Mary, & Lady
drove to Clear Lake, IA, and stayed at Clear Lake State Park
on Friday, & drove home on Saturday.
Everyone had a good time.
The mel fixed the fan belt problem on the motor home but now a squeal
he believes from the alternator.
if the alternator fails the gas generator can be attached to a battery
charger and keep the engine battery charged without an alternator.
Marty is getting ready to attend her 50th high school anniversary
reunion at Albert Lea MN
Paul Plans to drive the motor home to Albert lea on Fri.. Sept 18
and stay at Helmer meir State Park overnit.
Mary and Mel will drive up Friday nite with a car and then attend
the Reunion while Staying At The State Park.
Mel is spending much time with The winona Clinic. He has a urine
infection problem and is now catherizing urine twice a day
they say he has a scare on the heart and they suspect he had a heart
attack in the past.
END OF 2008
Christmas 2008
We went on a 1 week trip July 13 thru July 19 with Paul, Mary, Mel ,and
Lady
Dave and Lavon Earp are celebrating there 50th June
8th. In Aug.they will celebrate at Whalen, MN in a large cabin on the bike
trail for 3 days.
Paul & Sara bought a house in April.
Mary has just retired and as of Jan 2 she is now babysitting Savannah
Bell, her new Ganddaughter every wed- thursday and Friday
Mary officially retired from the Winona Clinic on December 31,
2007. On
I will be glad when this cold weather & snow are over. I'm
glad we didn't
Paul & Sara think they want to buy a house. No, they are not
married. As
We got our bathroom wall around the tub fixed. It was begining
to rot out,
.
END OF 2007
Thanksgiving
at Calidonia 11/22/2007
Savannah Jane Bell
When we got home from michigan we found the Propane tank on the motor
home was about to fall off
trip to michigan 8/24 thru 9/2/2007
August 19 the area was hit with a flash flood, Stockton, Houston, Goodview,
Minnesota were
trip to dallas 4/13 - 29 /2007
July 27 th we are going over to Carol bell's to give her a birthday
Mary is signed up for August 11 thru 18 and August 25 thru September
3 as vacation. note the week between is not vacation
friday June 15 paul had his appendict removed. he is now at home 131
oskamp circle recuperating for a week
Mary had May 14 thru 20 2007 off and mel was not feeing good for
two days. then Mary, Mel and Lady went to whitewater state
park for the week
we just drained the motor home antifreeze to keep the water system safe
in the winter. Now the +15 degree evening temperatures are causing us to
heat the motorhome with 20 lb propane tanks to keep the fresh water system
from freezing. It apears this freezing weather will continue thru April
13 We moved the motorhome back in our yard to keep and eye on it
Mel fell off a chair and brused or broke his tailbone. We understand
there is no treatment except time.It hurts to climb staires
END of 2006
New years eve we are invited to Rosendahls for a nite of snacks, and
games and go home by 10PM
we are getting ready for christmas. we will go to church morning services
at 10:30 and then the Christmas eve service which start at 4:30 PM
with a potluck reception followed with a 5:30 Candle lite service.
Time to plan for Thankgiving. We will have a thanksgiving dinner
on Nov 24 at the Grace Presbyterian church
Paul drove the motor home to Gays Mills Wi on Fri Oct 13 and Mel and
Mary drove down on Sat the 15th. we toured the Apple orchards and bought
Apples cheese, cider, and Pumpkins. we went home Sunday 16th.
Motor home fixed, now at our site at Prairie island park.waiting
for our Gays mills trip in October.
Mary and Mel planned a 3 day trip north. we took off September
15 2006. 40 miles north , the motor home stopped and could not be restarted.
Paul was wondering when the annual Boscobel trip might be. I guess
he looks forward to that trip in Oct. They are back together again,
but Paul left his mailing address here.
Yes, I did go to part time working up to retiring after the first of
the year. I signed up for Medicare on my birthday,since I'll be losing
my insurance at the clinic after August & we can't get supplemental
insurance unless we're on medicare. I really wasn't planning on going
part time quite so soon, but the clinic has lost so many Dr. that they
were laying people off in all departments. Since I was planning on
working fewer hours anyway, they asked if I would go on part time now.
I probably would have waited a few more months. I have worked my
part time schedule for one week now, but it really isn't too much less
than my full time. week 1- 3 1/2 days, week 2- 3 1/2 days, week 3
- 4 days, week 4 - 4 1/2 days. It will probably be about 3 1/2 days
after everyone is through taking vacation.
Trip to michigan started 7/29 and we went thru UP in to lower michigan
and saw Joann and Joyce. we then drove to Copper harbor where we stayed
at Ft Wilkinson thru 8/5. we arived home at 11PM 8/5.
trip to michigan 7/29 thru 8/5 2006
we left for Albert lea MN Myre big island State Park 6/16 to rondeview
with Jeff Josh and tiff as they return home from their week long
Kayak trip around the Apostle Island on Lake Superior . we got a campsite
for the motor home and a tent sight for their tent. we fed them supper
of sloppy joes and enjoyed the reunion. at 2 am Paul and his Fiancee showed
up and the next morning at day break Marty Rennells dropped in after
work at Hormels in Austin MN as this was the only time he could see Jeff.
we ate breakfast and then JEFF and Marty went home.. we stayed on thru
Sunday. Saturday afternoon a big wind came thru and tore off our
motor home awning and our screen tent.
trip to nothern minn 6/11-17/2006
we are home now at 5/20 we had to go to a graduation open house
at 4:30 Pm for David Rosendahl church sunday followed
trip to florida 5/6--19/2006
Dorothy Hall Stiffler Trann (my Aunt) will celebrate her 90 th birthday
at Eagle Michigan Jan 8 2006
THE END OF 2005
We are invited to Rosendahls for the annual News Years
eve party . we start at 5 PM and left at 11 PM. we are older and Doug must
preach at church in the morning <>We gathered at Carol and Todd Bell's
house for christmas day. Paul and Sara and Mel and Mary had a gift filled
christmas with dinner Mary came down with a 24 hour flue Christmas
eve but by skipping church was able to go to the party at Bell's
The plans for a Thanksgiving get together on Nov.24,
2005, at Caledonia Methodist church hosted by David & Lavon Earp
trips
to gays mills WI 10/2005
We are planning the annual pilgrimege to Boscobel WI Oct
8 to visit with Steve. then we plan to go back October 15-16 with the motor
home to tour the Apple orchards and stay at Gays Mills WI Campground.
Sept 26 5 pm mel,s canoe with his
new 3 HP out board $ 714 just purchased last Fri.. was dumped and sunk
by a passing pleasure boat at hi
Mary has reserved August 27 thru Sept 4 to go to ft Wilkins
UP (copper Harbor) and Paul will have the same time off and then continue
on to
We are settled into the summer months. Mary is planting
her garden and paul is living in the motor home at Prairie Island
Chris and Matt Crosswhite just gave birth to Tanner Mathew
Crosswhite March 14 2005 at Abiline TX
my new car a 1989 dodge caravan cost me $ 700 to buy and
i then paid $ 600 to rebuild the front wheels. now i have replace a rear
wheel bearing. now the fuel pump located in the gas tank is so noisy
it drives me nuts so I drove the car 300 plus miles to empty the tank and
today it goes into the car hospital to remove the gas tank and replace
the fuel pump. the old 1987 gmc Conversion van has lost the timing chain
and will be junked.
Paul is camping at whitewater state park every weekend.
the water system is full of antifreeze so you cannot use the water
or the toilet, but there is a portapotty there and he has satellite TV,
Electricity and bottle gas for heat.
Joyce and Joann sent me an original Birthday gift.
I recieved a box of cake mix and three packages of Bithday Candles (72)
Mel had a birday party at Carol Bell's house Jan 12 2005
END OF YEAR 2004
Carol just tore a ligament in her leg playing Volley Ball.
She is going to the Sports doctor three times a week and
We are planning to have Christmas at David & Lavon's
house in Caladonia on Dec 18
We had Thanksgiving dinner at Carol (Rennells)Bell's house
at 820 Belview ave with David and Lavon Earp from Caledonia MN and Martin
and Megan Rennells from Ostraner IA and of course Paul, Todd, Mel and Mary.
Carol and Mary prepared the dinner, the first for carol.
Now that we are home from the Alaska trip Paul goes camping
at whitewater State park or prairie Island camp ground in Winona every
weekend with the motor home.Mary and Mel camp with him at times. Whitewater
is 25 MI away .
We went to Gays mills ( a sub for the Boscobel reunion)
in early October. We camp at the campgrounds there and shop thru the apple
orchards as we have done in October for decades.
Trip to and from Alaska
Plans are being made to Motor to Alaska Starting July 23 with our Motor
home. Paul, Mary and Mel and Lady our dog will spend 4 weeks driving the
Alcan Highway and other points of interest.
Mary has scheduled vacation starting 4/28 thru 5/3 . how we use the
4 day vacations is undecided. This Vacation was used to visit mel's sisters
in Northport and Potterville Michigan.
Plans are planning for a river float trip on the buffalo river
in arkansas AR I loaded my canoe on my tent trailer and pull
it behind the motor home and drive Tuesday March 30 2004 to
marty's farm south of Austin MN and load his canoe and a kayak on the tent
trailer. Then Marty, Megan, Denise,Mel and Teddy (the dog) left and spent
the night with the trucks in Iowa. the next day we motored to
Culver AR and Jeff , Bonny, and Tiff drove from Dallas TX and we
spent Thursday thru Sunday floating and Camping on the Buffalo River.
We started home Palm Sunday. We spent sunday night at a truck stop just
north of Kansas City MO I returned home to winona 5 PM Monday.
Paul has started his week end camping at Whitewater State Park using
the motor home every weekend we are not using it.
Carol Bell (Our Daughter) has just been promoted to approving loans
at the Merchants Bank and Todd Bell Her husband just Started his new Job
as a Plumber.
Mary's Aunt Mable Rensick Died and was interned in Forest City Ia
The end of Year 2003
Christmas day and opening of gifts was held at Todd &
Carols House with Paul Mel Mary Rennells and Carol & Todd Bell attending
Christmas was held at Steve & Dorothy Earp's Home in Bettendorf
Ia on Dec 21. Attending were David & Lavon Earp== Nathan & Jill
Earp-- Chris & Jim Walters --Julie Hausman-- Chad & Adam &
Austin Earp-- Susan Earp
Thanksgiving was celebrated at Winona by Renting Grace Presbyterian
church Fellowship Hall for thanksgiving dinner.. those attending were Mel
Mary Paul Rennells, Carol and Todd Bell , David Lavon
Mike, Alisa, Jessie, Nick, Taylor Earp , Steve and Dorothy
Earp, Marty & Maghan Rennells.
Just an update on what's been going on in the Rennells
household. We just got back from a week's trip to Michigan. We visited
Mel's sisters in Lansing & Northport. We always go through the
UP because we don't like going through Chicago. It adds a couple
hundred miles to the trip, but we think it's worth it. On the way
home we camped in various Michigan state parks. We went up the Keweenaw
Peninsula to Fort Wilkins State Park at Copper Harbor & had pasties
both up & down.
Carol had her first shower Sat., Aug 2. It was fun
& she got many nice things. In case you want to know, she's registered
at Target.
In May, Carol received an associate degree from Minnesota State College
Southeast
My garden is producing many nice beans & the tomatoes
are starting to ripen.There are
Not much else going on. All of our energies now
are going to be directed to getting Carol's wedding ready. See you
all on Sept 6th.
Mary
the end of year 2002
We had an Earp Christmas gathering Dec 21 at Benttondorf Ia at the home
of Steven Earp. no gifs were exchanged
Mary is now on the session of grace presbyterian church and she is very
busy. she belongs to the rivertown lions club, sings in the church &
bell choir and works full time as a medical technitian.
We motor homed to the Davenprt Ia area the end of October for 4 days.
we toured the John deere plant and stayed at corp of engineers campsites.
We now have a new dog. her name is lady. tippie our old dog is 15 years
old and has all she can do to keep rear legs working. her days are numbered
and she is dirty because she is old. but we keep her like you would
keep somebody in a nursing home.
The Melvin Rennells Jr Reunion happened at Whitewater
State Park near St. Charles MN starting on July 26 and going thru July
28 we reserved three campsites . Those attending were Martin, Denise, Megan
Rennells with Cody. Jeff, Bonnie, Tiffany Rennells. Melvin Jr, Mary, Paul.,
with friend Sara, Carol with fiancé Todd Bell. We set up in adjoing
campsites and burned wood and cooked meals and talked. We went swimming
in the local swimming hole . Sunday morning we broke camp and Martin's
and Mel's family went home and Jeff went on to Bonnie's home town in Edgerton
ND.
Paul mary and mel went on our spring jaunt. we started May 20
and headed south. our target was Charlotte SC and a look at the aircraft
carrier Yorktown. We used our motor home for the first time. on the way
we stayed at Cumberland gap visited the revolutionary battle ground at
Morgan creek. after visiting the aircraft carrier and a destroyer
and a sub and a coast guard cutter we motored north to wilmington to see
the battleship north carolina.we then wandered onto the blue ridge
parkway. then we went to a coal mine in west Virginia and then to gettesburg
Paul was impresses with gettesburg. afer that we motored to Michigan and
visited Joyce and Dick, Joann and Burt then went home.
We just bought a 1985 24 foot Mallard Motor home.
we have added a picture in this web page
Shirley Earp Died Sat March 2 2002 at Albert Lea MN. Her
house was sold November 2002
Mel came home from the Gunderson Hospital in LaCross Wisconsin
friday Feb. 22 after having his Heart valve fix. all went well.
We've had a lot of things going on lately. Mel is
getting ready to get the valve replaced/repaired in his heart that has
been defective for 2 or 3 years. He has it checked every 8 - 12 months
and now the doctors say it is time to operate. He has been having
a lot of preliminary testing done echocardiogram, heart cath, ecocardiogram
via his esophogus, & getting his teeth checked for infection.
He has to have some teeth pulled (to clean up some infection) which means
some bridge work. After all this is done, he can have his valve work
done.
We now have Grandma's cat. She has spent a week
in Carol's room (under the bed, coming out only to eat and use the litter
box). We have now opened the door so she can integrate with the other
cats. There is a lot of hissing going on, but no fights yet.
We are also going to have a wedding, Carol
received a diamond last week from her boyfriend, Todd Bell. It is
scheduled for September 6 2003. in Winona MN.
the end of year 2001
As far as Christmas in Albert Lea goes, it is still
on for Thurs. Dec 27. We are planning on bring a gift for a gift
exchange. Bring a gift, get a gift. Eating at Good Sam is fine
with me. Do we want to bring dinner type food, or afternoon snack
type. David, I think there will be 5 of us. Todd has to work
at night, but Carol said he is going to try to get it off. Mel sent
an email to Marty, but we haven't heard from him yet.
Christmas eve at Grace Presbyterian church 4:30 Fellowship 5:30 Worship,
open gifts christmas day
Melvin has been diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes and is being regulated.
The doctor has recommended that he have his mitral valve in his heart replaced.
he has known it was leaking for 3 years and it is getting worse. After
checking it was found mel's arteries are clear and the heart is still good,
he just must have his valve replaced before the heart degenerates. This
will probably happen in January 2002
Mel,s Uncle Steve Rennells is having his 100th birthday open house Sat.
Dec 1st at the First United Methodist Church 201 W Cass Street, Greenville
Michigan , his real birthdate is Dec 6
Paul is staying at Albert Lea for the week end he likes to stay at Grandma
Earps House and play games and watch TV. It is empty now except for her
"CAT" we feed it every weekend and change its box. we will take it to winona
to join our other three cats when we can catch it. Paul likes to do this
every weekend it's 100 mi one way. we have had trouble starting carols
car but we think we have fixed the problem.
Well now Shirley Earp is in the good samaritan Nursing home and we just
completed our yearly Thanksgiving dinner at the Albert Lea Presbyterian
Church.
Carol motored to Las Vegas with the "bells" they left Tuesday Nov. 20
and will return Monday Nov. 26.
when we got home Shirley Earp Mary's mother has a urine infection and
was found sleeping too long at home and went to the hospital Monday 10/22/2001.
the doctor said she had a stroke so we went to Albert Lea Wed morning and
stayed till Thursday noon. Shirley Earp improved and has problems with
her left side. she is in the hospital till Monday and then she will go
to a home. We will go back to Albert Lea Saturday 10/27 and return home
sunday.
Mary has two vacation days and starting morning on 10/21/2001 till 10/23/2001.
we Traveled thru Wisconsin to Duluth and then on up to Temperance River
State Park. there were only three campers and we had only out houses and
electricity for $7 per night. Mel tried to set up our Satellite Dish but
failed, too many trees. Monday we motored back to duluth and drove the
skyline drive overlooking duluth and Lake Superior. That night we stayed
at St Croix State Park. We were all alone, there was nobody else in this
hugh park!! We tried again to set up our satellite dish and go poor results.
We were looking to buy a motor home so we shopped the rest of the way home.
We have junked two cars, the 86 plymouth voyager that has set undriveable
for 2 1/2 years and pauls old 1988 olds cutless. We just purchased a 1993
dodge caravan with 90,000 miles. our 1978 chev impella is now out spare
car and our 1987 gmc conversion van our motor home and general purpose
vehicle. carol still drives our 1987 dodge shadow and paul operates his
1994 chevy blazer S10.
we will drive to gays mills WI saturday morning 10/13/2001. We will
leave out tent camper at the campground. then we will do the boscobell
thing. we will leave our cell phone "ON" 507-429-4251. our records
show Steve Earp have cell phone no 319-320-2638 and 319-320-0398.
We can coordinate our meeting location --- Gays Mills or Boscobel.
Sept 7 2001 badger laid mel off and is retired again.
we are planning to attend jeremy's wedding August 25 at 5 PM at
hillsburo ND.
Mary and Mel & Tippie went to Damians & Sara wedding July 14
at Eau Claire Wi and camped overnight at pioneer park where the wedding
took place. Sunday morning we motored to the Straights State Park at St
Ignace Michigan for the night. The next night we camped at Joann
and Burt Spitlers home At Northport Mi (40 miles north of Traverse City).
The following night we camped at Joyce and Dick Hargett's home in Potterville
MI. then we motored to Bay City and up the east shore of michigan
and camped at Higgenville state park. we then camped Thursday night at
the Straights State Park again. we then drove home to winona and slept
in our own bed Friday night. We traveled about 1800 miles.
Tiffany Rennells (Jeff's Daughter) just graduated from High School and
has a scholarship to collage
Mary has signed up for vacation at the following times
Shirley Earp, 1302 Louis St., did celebrate her 90th birthday with an
open house from 11 - 2, Sunday, June 10, 2001, in Westminster Hall,
First Presbyterian Church, in Albert Lea. The event was hosted by
her children. All friends and relatives were invited. No gifts were
requested.
Mel Has Started another new Job . He Will be designing for Little Giant
a Badger competitor just purchased by Badger. this job may last a year.
When mary goes on vacation Mel will take leave to go with her (Special
for retired workers)
The annual trip to Dallas ( Grand Prairie) started April 20th. Mary
Mel & Paul visited Jeff, Bonnie, Tiffanie Rennells , and Christina,
Matt, Ashley Crosswhite. On Sunday April 22 we went to Mineral Springs
State Park and climbed Rocks, Kayaked and picnicked. Monday morning we
headed towards Louisiana. Our target was the Destroyer USS Kidd At Baton
Ruge La.
Paul plans to take April 19 thru april 29
Friday Jan 26 Paul spun out on a snowy I 90 freeway and hit the ditch
and rolled onto the Blazer's side. He was not hurt but the car laid on
it's side for 20 hours until the chevy garage in Stewartvill MN pulled
into its lot. they will check the fluids and start it on Monday Jan 29
and tell us what's wrong with it.
Mary called the church in Albert Lea and set up June 10th for Mom's
90th
There was a fire in the building next to Carol's apartment building
Cameron Earp was Married to Shela January 5, 2001 at Richfield MN and
mel and Mary and Tippy attended.
the end of year 2000
Mary used two days vacation October 21 thru 24. We motored toMadeline
Island Just north of Ashland Wisconsin
Saturday October 14 Mel, Mary, Paul drove to Bosobel
Wisconsin for the annual Earp Reunion. Grandma Shirley
and Steve and Dorothy and Chad and Anna and Sussy and Adam and Austin
Earp were there. Steve and Dorothy and Shirley stayed over Saturday night
and with us drove around sight seeing until sunday afternoon and then went
home. Shirley drove from Albert Lea Friday and stayed over thru Monday
morning.
This weekend Oct 7 mary works 1/2 day and I have a church work day 9
to 2PM then a wedding. Sunday we must be kitchen help in the ucc church
Mary
Paul, Mary and Mel went camping at Myre State Park at Albert Lea
for Sept 1 thru 4
Paul has bought a 1994 Blazer s-10 with 36000 mile on it. Mel
has his old 1988 olds cutlass as a spare car.
Carol Rennells Started the fall semester at Winona State University
Aug 28 as a Junior in Education.
Martin Rennells and family Motored to Texas to attend there oldest
son's graduation from the Air Force Basic Training near the end of August.
Aug 19 Mel and Mary are going to presbytery at Dubuque Iowa as
a delegate.
Aug 13-17 Mary will help with the vacation bible school at Grace Presbyterian
church.
Aug 11 -14 Mel and Mary helped Steve and David and Nathan Earp install
a Rail fence at grandma Earp's house.
AUG 11-12 Paul used his Oldsmobile and Tent Camper to camp with friends
at Myre State Park at Albert Lea Minnesota
Vacation July 2000
July 28 thu 30 Paul used the Conversion Van and Tent Camper to camp
with friends at Myre State Park at Albert Lea Minnesota
July 19 thru 23
Vacation May 13 2000
Our next scheduled vacation
started Saturday May 13 and goes
Mel, Mary, Paul, and Carol Rennells
Pets: Smokey, Katie, Schroom, Tiger, and Tippy
APRIL 2000
We just completed our April 2000 trip to Texas. Mary , Paul
the end of Year 1999
1999 has been very good to us. In April Mel and Mary
took a 2 week
September 17th Mel, Mary, & Carol Flew to Dallas
TX to attend
After 4 years of retirement, Mel went back to work
as a contract
Mary Is still working as a Medical Tech. at the Winona
Clinic and
Paul is now working the graveyard shift for Technigraph
On April 17 we started out on a two week journey
to Tombstone
VACATION JUNE 12 through JUNE 22
We just got our new sewer line installed last December.
No
Thanksging 2008
we stayed at Whitwater State park near St Charles MN for 3 days
and then went to Big island S P in Albert Lea MN.
now Mary is baby sitting her new Grand Daugter on Wed thru Friday
but for July 26 thru Aug 3 we will be subing for the other baby
sitter who is on vacation.
Morgan Hoof is graduating May 25th in Cut bank Mt
I guess that's about all that's new here. Carol & Todd are
just doing what new parents do.
Go to work & raise their daughter.
the daily living is changed no going to work and the schedule
is wide open
We have two dogs Lady, the one we had ,and Lexie the one Carol loaned
to us because she didnot trust him with the new baby
It's been a while since I've communitated with you, so I thought I'd
better get you caught up on what's been going on at the Rennells' house.
January 1, 2008, the Winona Clinic merged with hospital , so it is
now part
of Winona Health. She has a new job now, taking care of
Savannah three
days a week, Wednesday - Friday. It's really nice to be able
to be a part
of her life and watch her grow week by week. Savannah is going
to be
baptized on Sunday, March 2, at the Presbyterian church in Winona at
10:30 A. M. Todd's Grandma is having a lunch at her house after
church.
Any of you are invited to come to both if you want to.
get the snow the rest of you got. I guess we must live in the
banana belt
of southeastern Minnesota.
you can guess, we are not very happy about it! We are trying
to talk them
out of it, but it's like talking to the wind.
so it was a necessary (and costly) repair.
New years eve we are invited to Rosendahls for a nite of snacks, and
games and go home by 10PM
We had a Thankgiving dinner at the Caladonia Methodest church november
22 2007 with The earps and rennells and bells attending
a Daughter Savannah Jane Bell was born 10:37 PM October 11
2007 to Carol and Todd Bell.
. She Weighed 6 lbs-11 oz and stood 18 inches tall. Mother and daughter
are doing fine
I spent Labor day Reattaching it.
Wednesday 9/5 the contractor installed a new front Side
walk to our front door
unidated and some houses floted away We were lucky becasuse we
are halfway up the hill, but our
well started to pump Sand. during the flood. We fixed the problem somewhate
by changing the filter.
and installing a new pump.
party. Last sunday I gave Marty the Suzuki RV90, and he came over and
loaded
it onto his truck ..My Honda Spee is having trouble, every time I ride
it I
must repair it. last week I had to push it 1 1/2 mile home. Paul is
living
at home now and will not renew his aparment lease which ends
in august August.
Mary is having fun tending her garden. and feeding her birds
Paul and Sara are not getting married in june
Richard Hargett Just had surgery for Cancer of the lungs.
Bob Williams, Mary,s Uncle died. he was a map maker starting in WW
2 and a professor at Yale.
Carol and Todd Bell is planning to have their first Baby in October
2007
We just moved the motorhome to Praie Island Camp ground where we will
have a season site for the year April to October 2007
our first week off will be April 13 thru 29 and we plan to go thru
Dallas.TX and other spots for 2 weeks
Mary is getting full days off because she is partime. We are discussing
if and when she will retire .
I tried to start the Snowblower but it did not. the snow blower leaks
gas and is cantankerous
The first week of February is cold -15 degrees and we have some snow.
and other things. it seems to be improving. The injery has healed and
is fully rcovered.
Christmas day we will go to Paul and Sara's apartment for christmas
dinner. In attendance will be Sara Frederickson and her family a sister,brother
and father,and Carol and Todd Bell and Mel, Mary and Paul Rennells
we expect Mel and Mary Rennells, Paul and Sara Fredrickson, Marty,
Magahn, Denese, Rennells and David and Lavon Earp, Steve and Dorothy, Earp,
Carol and Todd Bell , Michael & Alisa, Jessica, Nick, & Taylor
Earp.
we hired a wrecker to tow us home to winona and it is now in the Car
hospital fixing what ever is wrong with it.
by a birthday open house in the after noon. we had a long lawn and
took several hours to mow and trim the grass.
We plan to vacation Starting May 6 2006 thru may21. we presently plan
to go thru Vicksburg Miss and go to florida.
our second vacation will be June 10 thru June 18
a trip in to nothern mn
the third trip will be July 29 thru Aug 6 and might go to Michigan.
Mary becomes 65 Aug 11 and we are planning she will Retire. she may
work part time???
the hall side
Guests are : Stephen ,Dorothy, Mike, Alisa, Taylor
, Nick, and Jessica Earp, Mel , Mary, Paul
, Martin , Meghan, Damian,
and Sarah Rennells , Carol and Todd Bell, and Sara
Fredrickson.
Damium Rennells and his wife sarah are back from the
Airforce and we will be going to Martin and Denise's 25th suprise
wedding aniversary November 12 @ 6 PM.
Fall 2005 trip to gays mills Wisconsin
10/8/2005 we drove down from Winona to meet Steve and
Dorothy and Chad and Anna and then drove home.
10/14/2005 paul drove the motor home up and camped at
the Gays mills Campground. we drove up sat 10/15
and stayed until Sunday then came home. while we were
there Paul, Sara, Mel, Mary went apple shopping and
did camping. Mary was surprised to see Cameron
and Sheila and Kayla Earp (Nathans son)buying Apples. Mel brought
his canoe and Paul and Sara paddle up the Kickapoo River. Mel then
put his new 3.5 HP motor
on the canoe and motored up the Kickapoo several miles.
speed 1 mile down stream in the main
channel of the Mississippi river. he swam to shore and walked a mile to
his car. Lost was the Honda generator (inherited from Dad) an electric
trolling motor. now the DNR says I must get it "out of there". I am trying
to get a fisherman with a sonar to find it and then dig it out. Wed Morning
Greg Marsolic of the dive and rescue squad spent 1 ½ hours scanning
the river near the sinking in the rain with me, Greg Olson and him.we believe
it would wash down river as the bottom was clean due to the constant passing
of barges. he said his dive team might use it as practice later. thursday
sept 29 the game warden called and told me they had found my canoe. the
the canoe had a dent in it and the keel was not straight but the 3 hp outboard
was still attached. now if i can get the outboard to start after being
waterlogged. I did start the outboard and did go for a spin with the canoe
and the motor.
lower Michigan to see Joann at North port then see Joyce
at Potterville
Paul and Mary and Mel plan to camp at Big Island State
Campground Aug 12-14 at Albert Lea MN.
We just had our driveway blacktopped
camp ground in Winona. we have a site for the summer
$1000 till October. For memorial weekend we camped at Whitewater State
Park and June 2 thru 5 Paul will be camped at Whitewater.
Carol barrowed Mary's Caravan to camp and play golf
with friends near Preston MN for the Memorial weekend.
Mary and Paul are scheduling April 15 thru 30 for a trip
to the south west we are thinking about visiting Jeff's Family in Dallas
and Abiline Texas then continue on thru New Mexico and Arazona. I understand
Christina and Matt Crosswhite will have a Baby about March 24 2005.
feb 18,19 mary and mel will go to presbytery at La Cross
Wi
Mary baked the cake and put the candles on it and mel
lite the candles.
Mel's Birthday party at Carol
bell's 1/12/2005
is scheduled for two surgeries to correct the damage.
sorta like a pro football player
We will be at church Christmas eve . Mel is make the
ice luminaries which he has placed
on the church sidewalks for years on Christmas eave.
These are made of ice and a candle is installed which
will burn 8+ hours.
luminary.htm
Day by day diary of the trip to Alaska
Canoe trip to Arkensas
Carol Rennells Married Todd Bell at Central Lutheran Church (Corner
of Huff and 7th ST) Saturday Sept 6 at 4 PM a Reception followed
at the athletic club (corner of Mankato and 5th)
Technical, in Retail Sales and Sales Management.
blossoms on the cucumbers. but no fruit yet.
We had an Earp thanksgiving dinner at David Earps church fellowship
hall in Caladonia Mn
No snow yet.
After we get together we can decide on our activities. We could
have a picnic and a campfire at the campground. We will hook
up the tent trailer sunday afternoon and drive home to winona.
we plan to leave home friday morning after Paul is thru work at 7 AM
and meander to ND but will probably sleep at a campground friday nit .
we will arrive in mayville sat PM and check into mayville supper 8 motel
(we have a resurvation) to get cleaned up for the wedding. we will stay
sat nite at the motel and continue on a mini vacation. paul must be back
to work monday 11 PM August 27. mary's vacation is over tuesday August
28.
Carol has a new computer and e-mail address carolrennells@charter.net
I also have added more pictures to my web page www.hbci.com/~melr
and a new sub of collage of pictures which includes all pictures
on the web page .
love
Damien Rennells (Martin's Son) is getting married July 14 2001
in Eau Claire Wisconsin
Jeremy Rennells (Jeff's Son) is getting married August 25 2001
Hillsburo ND
July 14 thru July 22
August 24 thru August 28
we next drove to Grand Isl about the southern tip of Loisiana wandered
home thru New Salem Ill (they were host to a National Boy Scout Jamboree)
We returned home Sat April 28th. the last week of our vacation was spent
around home and a trip to albert lea to get ready for Shirley Earp's 90
th Birthday party June 10th.
Mary has signed up for vacation that must be used before Aug. 6 2001
April 20 thru May 6 a trip with Paul to Dallas Texas and thru Louisiana
and back
June 11
July 14 thru July 22
August 23 thru August 27
On thursday Feb 1 paul's car was hit by a car with no insurance and
damaged his left front end. Just needs a new headlight
and some body repair.
The engine would not turn over. oil had leaked into the cylinders and
created hydraulic jamming. removed spark plugs and drain. replaced
spark plugs and an oil
soaked air filter. we waited until tuesday to drive over and pick it
up because of the ice storm
the car is in good shape with a miner driver door panel caved in and
the center council
between the driver and passenger seats is loose. paul said he stood
on it to climb out. Yes,
he was upset, but he is o.k. now
birthday extravangsa. I told them we would provide the "coffee
hour
coffee". We can decide if we want to extend it to the public
and put an
open house invitation in the paper later and also the details like
food,
decorations, program??? etc. At least we have a date secured.
Monday Jan 8 2001 A. M. The police evacuated her building so
she grabbed her cats and
a basket of clothes she had in the drier and left. We had some
4 legged
guests for the evening. Every time we tried to talk to them they
hissed at
us. Our cats spent most of the evening sitting outside Carol's
bedroom
door. The cats went home last night and Carol said there wasn't even
any
smoke smell in her apartment. The fire was on the other side of a firewall
separating
the fire from her apartment
We had Christmas at Granma's House December 27 2000
We had thanksgiving at the Albert Lea Presbyterian church Basement
which was
catered from a local Grocery Store.
and slept the first night in a State forest Campground in the middle
on nowhere. There were two other campers with us and it was free.
We took the fairy over to Madeline Island and slept in a Wisconsin State
Park. there was only one other other camper with us that night. We just
drove around but had a good time. we took tippie our dog with us.
Suddenly on August 31 our water from our private pump became colored,
the sand filters jammed. Was our
well going bad ? We started an investigation on cost to hook up with
the city, or drill a new well.
Two days later the water cleared. We have sent a sample to be tested
for nitrates and bacteria. We plan to install a full house filter and keep
our well. It is a jet pump with a 2" casing drilled about 1965. About 10
years ago we replaced the pump which is in the house basement.
.
July 31 thru Aug 2
Mel and Mary motored thru Wisconsin to the north shore of Minnesota.
(the western shore of Lake Superior). We camped at Temperance river State
Park July 31 and walked the trails. We visited the Grand Portage National
monument.. We stayed at Eckbeck State forest Campground Aug 1 and walked
the trails. Then motored home but on the way we stopped at the Olmstead
County fair at Rochester and got home by 7 PM
Mary and Mel and Paul and Tippie just finished a trip to Copper Harbor
Michigan we took the tent camper, Canoe and two bikes.. We left July
19 and stayed at Fort Wilkins for Three nights. on Saturday we moved to
Bewabic State Park between Crystal Falls and Iron River. On the way home
Sunday a tire developed a slow leak. I tried to change to the spare but
one lug nut would not come off. We drove home from Stephens Point WI stopping
to pump up the tire every 30 miles. on monday I bought a new tire and replaced
all 20 lug nuts.
We have not decided how to use mary's last 3 days
vacation starting July 29 through August 3rd. Mary's Garden is the
best she ever had. we put up a 6 foot high fence to keep the deer and rabbit
out and the soil is improving. Every day she goes out and picks beans for
supper. I was Driving the Honda Spee and a gas line came loose and I had
to push it home a mile. now I will carry a set of tools so if it happens
again I can fix it on the road.
Mary will help with Vacation Bible School August
13 thru 17 6:30 to 8:15 PM
Carol has till september before collage starts again and is busy working
and playing volleyball. Paul is keeping his 88 Olds cutlass Going and Lettering
Bottle caps. He installed a trailer hitch on his car and plans to pull
the tent camper.
through Memorial Day May 29. We started our vacation going to
Bettendorf, Iowa,
to visit Steve and Dorothy Earp Saturday. Next morning we motored
into
Kentucky. We stayed at Natural Bridge State Park. Next night we stayed
at Breaks State Park.Virginia.
Next day we drove to Beckley, West Virginia, to tour an old coal mine.
We stayed at a camp ground associated with the coal mine. It
was a city park. The following day we
drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and stayed at the Shenandoah National
Park.
Next day we drove to Washington DC to the Cumberland WV Canal.
It operated from 1830 to 1929.
We stayed at the national forest campground near Thurmon,
Maryland.
We learned this is the place where Camp David of White House fame is.
The president was not there.
Next we toured the Gettysburg battle ground. We headed home and stopped
to
see Joyce and Dick Hargett in Pottervill, MI and then Joanne and Burt
Spitler
at Northport MI. We motored through the UP and stayed at Wells State
Park just
south of Escanaba MI and returned home at 8 PM May 25. We lived
in the
GMC Conversion van while we were traveling. We went to the graduation
of Damien Rennells
from the Lyle, MN Public Schools May 26 and his reception May
27.
We then stayed that night with Grandma Earp in Albert Lea.
Memorial Day weekend Carol
camped at Jellystone Park at Warrens,WI. Paul had added
a trailer hitch to his 88 Olds and will take the tent camper to a local
campground for the weekend.
That will probably be the last time we will be able to use the
camper. He will have it from now on.
Let us know your Email and web page address
if you have one. We have left some
family pictures on our web page www.hbci.com/~melr
Email: melr@hbci.com
and Melvin left Winona at 2PM Fri April 7 and headed south to
Texas. At 9PM we stopped at a truck rest stop 20 miles north of
Kansas City Mo. Next morning Paul drove through Kansas City on our
way to Grand Prairie TX. We arrived about 4PM at the Jeff
Rennells family home. We meet the new daughter of Christina and
Matt Crosswhite born March 6 2000 in Abiline TX. Next day the girls
went shopping and Paul , Mel, and Jeff went to Mineral Wells
State Park and Paul practiced rock climbing. Paul also paddled
a kayak with Jeff in the local lake. Next morning we left for
Corpus Christi and stayed on Padre Island at the federal
campground for only $4 per night. The 3 of us are living in our
conversion van. Tuesday we toured the aircraft carrier
Lexington then camped near Houston $24 per night. Wednesday we
toured the US Texas WW2 Battleship and spent the night at a
casino campground in south Louisiana $16 per night. Thursday we
tried to tour a southern plantation but it was not open until
till later so we moved on to an Arkansas State Campground. We
used the firewood we were carrying and built a campfire. Next
night we stayed at a Missouri state campground just south of St Louis
Missouri. Paul purchased a lot of wood (actual 4"x4" and 4"x8" about
12 " long. Green rejects from a saw mill). We then drove past
the Arch and toured the Science and Space museum in St Louis.
That night we spent the night in an Iowa State Park in SE Iowa.
Cost $0 they did not have the forms to register and the 40 or
so campers did not have to pay. We started another campfire.
Sunday we drove past our old house in Cedar Rapids Iowa, drove
through Morgan park and Mary and Paul went into a shopping mall
Mary used to use in the 1980's. We then motored home arriving a
4PM.
vacation to the southwest States. the focus was Tombstone Arizona where
we revisited the O K coral. We motored thru the Central states, then
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and then home.
Christina Rennells Wedding At Abilene TX( Jeff's Daughter)
Engineer for the same company he left in 1990. It Lasted till
December 29th.
Mel is also an elder assigned to the church corporation committee,
records attendance, church financial secretary, newsletter
co-editer both church and lions, and just upgraded to a 333mg pc in
January.
Gardening and taking care of our 4 cats and one dog. She also has joined
the
ladies Lions.She is on the christian education committee and the bell
choir
and a sunday school teacher.
labeling Bottles and Cans. He has had several raises.
Carol has renewed her lease on her apartment which
she
shares with two other friends. She is starting to do some student
teaching and will began her 3rd year at Winona State University.
She spends much time in playing volley ball and checking groceries
at
County Market.
Arizona and back. We left our animals to be baby sit by Paul And Carol.
We drove the Conversion Van And slept in it though out the trip. the
first night we stayed in a city campground in NW Iowa. The temperature
dropped to 20 degrees and a puddle next to our van froze. we then went
into a pioneering village state park in south central Nebraska.
The next day we visited Dodge City Kansas and then
on to an
air museum in liberal Kansas. We then passed though the Texas panhandle
and just west of hobbs NM we had a flat tire, and replaced two tires.
We next went to and stayed overnight at Guadeloupe
Mountains in western Texas. the next day we finally got to Tombstone
AZ
and went to the O K Corral. We stayed at Benson AZ and the
next day, drove to Tucson AZ to go though the desert museum and zoo.
By a quark we received a free pass to old Tucson
studios ($14
each saved) and we stayed over night. Next day we headed north to the
grand canyon and stayed overnight. It
snowed 3" of wet snow that
night. next day we drove east along the rim and then on Zion National
Park in Utah where we spent the night. Next day we drove
to bryce
canyon national park and then on though a scenic route in eastern Utah.
This was a very mountainous road with driving down
the ridge
of a mountain with 3000 foot canyons on both sides. The two lane
road
was the ridge of the mountain. We stayed overnight in Green river UT.
Next day we made it a point to clear the rocky mountains before
dark and stayed in eastern Colorado that night. we then went to an
auto
museum in Nebraska and stayed over night. We then drove north to South
Dakota and then slept at road side park on the western edge of
Minnesota.
We spent the next afternoon at Albert Lea visiting
Shirley Earp, Mary's
Mother and was home that night.
Next day we washed cloths and mowed the lawn. Sunday
morning we
hooked on to the camp trailer and spent Sunday night a Whitewater State
Park just Camping.
Mary started back to work on Tuesday May 4.
On May 15 and 16 we went camping at Whitewater.
On Memorial day weekend we camped at Albert
Lea's Helmer Myre
State Park
We left June 12 heading towards the UP with the
conversion van,
tent trailer, canoe, wood box and tippy. The first nite we stayed at
a
private campground and motel.near Columbus Wi. Next we stayed at
Gerfast Mi. next day we drove the 7 mile trail through the seney
wildlife refuge. Next nite we were at Joann and Burt Spitler's home
in
Northport MI. next night we stayed at Joyce and Dick Hargett's home
at
Potterville MI. .We decided to go the extra 170 miles required to go
home through the UP and stayed at the Straights State Park at St Ignas
that night. The next night was at Wells State Park on Lake Michigan
between Escanaba and Menomonee MI. We visited Jennifer Hammock
and
family in Fondulac Wi(Jeff's Oldest Daughter) and was home that night.
more open sewer in our front yard.
July 3rd the timing chain on our 1986 plymouth voyager
failed
and we had to have it pulled home. We plan to junk it. We have 2 other
cars, mary's 1987 chev impella and our 1987 GMC Conversion van.
