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Written by Mary Bauer, 02/03/2010

At the time of this writing, the sun is shining but it is still so very cold. There is a bit of wind moving the flag around quite a lot. From the sounds of our weather forecasters we are destined to have some more snow. I just hope they are incorrect. I really think we have had our share this winter. Maybe Tuesday Mr. Groundhog will chase it away and we can start on the road to spring. However, I can remember some bad days in March that have been cold and undesirable as some in January.

Last week I remembered the folks who lived on the East Reinbeck Road. Let us go a mile south, it may be warmer. Starting at the corner as you get over the bridge of old Highway 218 and heading west (now called East Tama Road) is the Robertson farm. At one time I think they had land on both sides of the road and now occupied by our school system. Remember going up the “stone quarry hill?” Most of us who have lived in this vicinity remember how that hill would fill up with snow and it took just about all spring to get a path through so people could get to town.

At the top of the hill lived Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Runyan on the south side and the west was Mr. and Mrs. Mont Foss. Continuing west was another Foss, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Foss, Sr. Across the road from their place was a group of trees and I often wondered if there could have been another home started or building site started there. I have not been able to find any information out on it.

On to the west were Mr. and Mrs. Jay Anton. I remember baby sitting with their kids and ended up later with a good case of the measles.

I do not think there are any buildings left, but further down on the north side lived Mr. and Mrs. Ray Minkel. Going on west, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hacket had that property. I can remember when their house burned to the ground and for several days the brick chimney stood tall and all alone.

The Ralph Bellenger family was next off the main road and at one time could get to their place either from Tama Road or from Kline Road.

Now we have reached a country school house. It was located on East Tama and Kline Roads. It was known as Big Creek number eight. I spent seven years of my life schooling at that place. I have many memories of that school. It was a good school and had good teachers who served there.

I’m going to stop on that corner and hope to continue going west for next week.

After talking to Lloyd Hager this past week, he reminded me that Danny Clark made the best horehound candy and kept the neighborhood well supplied with it. It helped control a lot of coughs in the winter. It was well seasoned.

My La Porte City personalities to remember this week are these farmers mentioned in this article. Do you remember them?

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