Family Reunion and Other Things

It's now mid-March and I'm still waiting to hear from folks whether or not they will be attending the reunion. there are many people coming from out of state. Obviously, a potluck meal would be difficult for those who do not live here. But if I had an idea of how many locals will be attending, perhaps we can each bring a little extra food.

Also, I'd like to get some vital statistics this reunion. Maybe put up a "Memorial" board for those that we've loved and lost. If you have any ideas or want to help out, let me know.

The Sandretzy family is planning a double-reunion. They will start with our Olin reunion and then travel down to Waseca to have a "Sandretzky" reunion. We are all descendants of Tom Olin and Mary Cunningham. My branch is Willard Olin and Ellen Jane McGillivray. The Sandretzkys are descended from Sadie Olin who married Will Sandretzky. I am hoping the Frank Olin family will have a representative or two at our Minnesota reunion this year. (Willard, Frank, and Sadie are all siblings)

More reunion information.

Jeff Loeks — Firefighter Exceptionale

Jeff Loeks, son of Virginia Olin Duncan, has become quite the celebrity—and for good reason, he has a heart of gold and takes his civic duties seriously. Here are some past articles on Jeff that you might be interested in:

White Bear Firefighter and Former Rapper Returns to the Mic for a Cause
First responders to trek across state to thank police officers
White Bear Lake firefighter plans 150-mile walk to benefit department
WBL Firefighter Special Teams aim to make a difference
Firefighter Prepared To Sleep In Streets For Food Shelf Donations
White Bear Lake Firefighter Reaches Goal Of Filling U-Haul With Donations
White Bear Firefighter and Former Rapper Returns to the Mic for a Cause

Texarkana Visit

On February 16th I took a flight down to Texarkana to visit Andrea (Olin) and Mike Hoglund, and Amy (Hoglund) and David Jones. The flight was pretty good if you don't mind the last leg from Dallas to Texarkana airport in a tin can with a stewardess who could not pronounce Texarkana!

I spent the first evening with Andrea and Mike at their apartment in a senior living community where they are probably the youngest ones there! Both are in great shape and I'm having a hard time recognizing that they would indeed be considered senior citizens being over 70—but you know how well our family ages. They are probably in better shape than some of my 55-60-year-old friends.

Outside the Washington Inn

The next day we went out to Amy's and David's house. They have a home on twelve acres of absolute peace and quiet with three dogs. They are working on updating their home and it's really cute and cozy.

All of us went out to Historic Washington State Park in Arkansas. We had lunch at an old inn (1832) and then took a tour of the historic buildings in town. Eerily we ran into a gal at the gift shop who was originally from Alexandria, Minnesota which is Mike's hometown! We had a great time on the tour and you all know how much I enjoy history. A couple things to note—there was an old Magnolia tree that was planted in 1839. There was a Loblolly Pine that had traveled to space as a seedling and was planted there. These trees were called "moon trees". It didn't look any different than the other pines--except it seemed to have "attitude".

David, Amy, and Andrea

The next day we (minus Mike) took a swamp tour through ancient cypress trees. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and also very entertaining. He had us chuckling all the way through. But he really knew his stuff. We stopped to buy the local "Mayhaw" jelly at a local store. It's good! They have a town there called "Uncertain" and so we had to go through there! Not much to it, but fun to say we'd been there.

That evening we went out for a rib-eye steak dinner. The steaks were so large that we had to split the meal. I regretted that when the steak melted in my mouth and I couldn't get enough. Andrea is lucky she didn't lose her half! Note: If David and Amy say something is goodthey are right.

The rest of the trip was devoted to visiting and sitting outside in the very pleasant weather. We played a little music here and there. Andrea is learning Ukelele (not easy!) and David is a guitar pro.

David even gave me a poor-man's hay ride.

I was very sad to have to leave to come home. Visiting with family can be so pleasant and I was so relaxed. But I left David and Amy with a little stomach flu to remember me by. I'm thoughtful that way.

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John > John > John > Henry > Henry > Thomas > Willard > Charles > Andrea Olin