A note

Well, this morning our friend Anita Madson left for good. Her mobile is for sale. she has health problems, her Son came with his pickup and loaded her golf cart in the back and pulling her car.

Marge and Rex's 62nd Anniversary was today and a few of us went to Nancy's for breakfast I put a picture on facebook, over 20 people wished them a Happy Anniversary, and several commented, that they would be missed here in the Park, as they now reside in Leisure World.

Aloyce  Berglund former resident of our Park shared this today on facebook. David and her lived in Duluth for a long time before retiring.

 Duluth Poluce Local 807

“I am going to share like I have never before. I am going to do so because so many people truly have no idea. This story is not an anomaly and happens across this country day in and day out. All I ask is that you pause and read what it is truly like out here in the real world. Not how the media spins it or some keyboard warrior tweets about a world they do not live in and know nothing about.

Last night my world and my entire family's world almost changed forever. I almost shot an "unarmed black man." My partner got on the radio and told us a shooting was happening right in front of her very eyes. Shot after shot rang out in our community we have sworn to protect. 17 shots in all were fired and now people were fleeing everywhere. My partners all went towards the gun shots, no race was said, no thought of our own safety was contemplated. We went because that is what we are called to do. We must help our community no matter who is in danger and no matter the risk. My partners found two of the suspects, and I rushed to help them as they are yelling they are not complying and now they are fighting. Where are the guns used? Do they have them? Are they going to try and kill my partners? All thoughts as I pull up and see my partners on the ground fighting with one male, a black man. Another black man is near them and turns to run as i approach. My partners yell "stop him."

I yell for him to stop and he turns and runs. Where is the gun? Does he still have it? Is he going to shoot me? My partners? Is he and innocent person just out for a walk? I give chase, he continues to run around a corner. Is he going to ambush me when I turn the corner? Where is the gun? My partners are yelling for more officers. The male keeps running until I and my partner gain ground on him and he stops. "Get your hands in the air!" He does not. "Get on the ground!" He does not. Where is the gun?!!!!! He turns his back hiding his hands from us, still not listening to commands. Where is the gun?!!!! I level my pistol at him. I put my finger on the trigger. Is this it? Is he going to shoot us? Am i going to have to shoot this man to save myself and others??? Will my wife wake up a widow, will my children no longer have their father? Is our community going to change forever because of me? Will everything burn only because we want to help? Because we want to live and not die? Because we don't want to see innocent people in our community die. All of this in about 1/2 a second... My partner attempts to tackle him and now we fight because he is still not listening. I almost shot an "unarmed black man." Why was he unarmed? Because (unknown to me at the time) when he ran and turned the corner in front of me, he threw the stolen gun he was carrying in the bushes.

When the dust settled officers had cuts and bruises and two multi convicted felons went to jail unharmed, but it was only 1/16 of a squeeze from changing our world forever. All of this while you slept comfortably in your homes, safe from the wolves who roam our streets. You will not hear this story on the news. No one will call national attention to it. No one will say anything about this night. We simply just dust ourselves off, make sure each of us is ok and go on to the next call. This is what happens all across this country more often than you could ever imagine, but we are racist, we have to change. There must be accountability. Police must be defunded. Each and every day we dust each other off, make sure we are ok and go out into our communities and do the right thing. As the media, professional athletes, politicians, and social media warriors bash us day in and day out. Our promise to you as officers each day is that we will dust each other off, make sure we are ok, and go out into our community and die trying to make sure you are safe while you sleep in peace at night. I almost shot an "unarmed black man" last night. I challenge anyone to get out of your comfort zone and ride with us. Take a day in our shoes and see what it is really like. The truth, the unedited truth. We ask for nothing in return other than allowing the truth to come out. Wait for the facts. Stop destroying us before we even have a chance! Stop pushing the false narrative. Stand with us, help us! We are not heroes, we are men and women who just want to do the right thing.”

Written by a Duluth Police Sergeant

August 24th

 It sure is quiet here in the Park. I did go to the Cowboy Church Sunday and then out to Dinner.  It's good to eat out and feel safe about doing it. We went to Nancy's Cafe . Hand sanitizing before entering and masks on until seated.  I found out as soon as I got home that I left my Cell phone back at the Cafe, so I beat it back over there. But they were closed, I had parked directly in front of the cafe and my car said connect a phone, and I clicked on it and my phone was connected to my phone which was inside the Cafe  So if I wanted to call anyone I would have to be in front of the cafe, 😄  I got out of the car and peered in the window and saw my phone by the cash register with a little note on top of it.. So this morning I went over at about 7:30 and got my phone. Of course since I was already there I had a great breakfast.

Sure is a different world now with this Virus raging down here. The stores like Penny's , WalMart, Target etc. all have carts sitting with people who spray them down and of course no one gets to enter without a mask. 

Park Rules

• Park Rules

RIO VALLEY ESTATES RULES AND REGULATIONS

Effective September 30, 2020

Rio Valley Estates has park rules so residents know what is expected of them. Adherence to these rules is required of all Rio residents. City, county, and State laws are enforced in the park. You shall not use the park or your lot forany illegal puroses, or in any manner to create a nuisance or trespass. Conducting a business within the park is prohibited. Good neighbors make the entire park a better place.

ADMISSION

This is a senior park for people at least 55 years of age. We will accept couples where one person is over 55 if the other is at least 40 years old. Children and adults under 55 are not accepted as permanent residents, but may visit and stay with a resident for up to 2 weeks per season. Residents will be charged a $10.00 fee per week per person for any guest who stays longer than two weeks. Residents MUST buy a guest identification badge for their guests.

Any new resident(s) to the park MUST under go a background check ($25 each.), residency application, sign the rules and other paperwork, and be approved by Managementbefore purchasing a home in order to live in the park. This process also applies to all seasonal renters.

 All rents and fees are due the first of each month. After the 5th of the month a late fee of $10. will be charged. An additional $10. late fee will be assessed after the 15th of the month. Returned checks for insufficient funds, a “stop payment” or any other reason will be the responsibility of the tenant for a charge of $25.

All residents will need a remote for entrance into the Park. They are available at the office for purchase by fulltime residents and by lease for short tem residents ONLY. No remotes are to be used by anyone other than a resident of the Park.

 AMENITIES

Rio Valley amenities are here for the use of Rio Valley residents and their overnight guests and are not open for use to the general public. Residents must accompany any guest under 18 while using ANY amenities.Please observe all pool rules as clearly posted in the pool area. Name badges should be worn by all residents and guests to all park functions.

 Laundry is available outside the park office. Hours are posted in the laundry room.

 Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Recreation areas except at approved functions.

Smoking is not permitted in any building including RESTROOMS.

 MAINTENANCE

Mobile home owners must maintain their lots by either doing the work themselves or hiring someone to do the work for them. This includes lawn mowing, spraying for weeds in rock areas, weeds around your home, tree and shrubbery trimming, tending to fallen fruit from their trees, and the washing and upkeep of one’s home on the outside. THIS INCLUDES THE SUMMER MONTHS. A charge of up to $250.00 (as deemed by management) will be assessed each time the park has to attend to a lot that is overgrown.

One must obtain Management’s approval before digging or planting trees and bushes. No castor bean plants may be planted.

 Before construction of any additions to your mobile home, awning, or shed you must obtain Management and City approvals, and conform to building ordinances, as well as submit plans and drawings of said addition to the office for approval. TV dishes over 18” in diameter are not permitted, and dishes must be installed on the back of the home.

Outside contractors working in Rio Valley Estates must be insured, bonded, and carry Workman’s Compensation insurance, and register at the office every time they enter the park.All contractors are responsible for disposal of trash and debris OUTSIDE of the park.

Branches and clippings must be placed in front of the mobile, on your lot, where it can be seen. If you have a large amount of clippings, please save some for the following pick up day. Large cactus and tree limbs must be cut in 2 foot sections.Clippings will be picked up Mondays and Fridays, weather permitting. Please keep your clipping pile to 4’x4’x4’ to avoid a back-up in the dumpsters. Take your garbage anytime to the dumpsters located in the back of the 99’s.

 The resident is responsible for the sewer line from the home to where it connects to the main line. Any stoppage in the line, other than from underground tree roots or an underground break in the line is the resident’s responsibility. Resident is responsible for the water line from the resident’s home to meter. Resident is responsible for the electric line from the home to the meter. Management is not responsible for any gas or electric lines.

 VEHICLES

No vehicle repairs are allowed in the park. The park speed limit is no more than 15 mph and will be enforced. NO ATV’s are allowed. All golf carts MUST have lights or flashers after dark. Only licensed drivers are permitted to drive golf carts. Any driver under 18 MUST be accompanied by the golf cart owner. For purposes of identification of your golf cart, place your lot number on your cart where it is visible. If walking after dark, please wear reflective clothing or carry a light, for your safety.

 No parking on the grass for more than 2 days. All golf carts and cars MUST have concrete, rocks, or patio blocks underneath for permanent parking. There is no parking on the street.

PETS

Pets MUST be on a leash AT ALL TIMES when outside of your home. We have a pet park where you may exercise your pet. It is spayed for fleas and bugs on a regular basis.No pet fences or outdoor pets are allowed. You must clean up after your pet. There is a maximum of two (2) per lot and weighing no more than 25 lbs. each. When one pet passes, you cannot get another. Pets are not allowed in the hall, lobby, card room, pool area, laundry, or other residents’ yards.                

DO NOT FEED STRAY ANIMALS!

 HOME FOR SALE

You may place a “for sale by owner” sign, no larger than 8x11 inside the front window with your number and home information on it.

 If you do not wish to sell it yourself, you can list it with Ranchero Sales, Inc.

 NEIGHBOR COURTESY

Out of respect for your neighbors’ privacy, please avoid cutting through lots. Evening Quiet Time in the park from Sunday through Thursday begins at 10:00 p.m. Evening Quiet Time on Friday and Saturday begins at 11 p.m. Loud music disruptive to the neighbors is not allowed at any time.

 STORAGE

Utility trailers and car dollies are the only things allowed in the bullpen, and parked around the edge of the fence. Leave access to the storage shed, dog park, and piles of dirt and/or crushed rock. No dumping or trash allowed to be left there. There is no charge for this storage, but if the bullpen is full, you must take your item to an offsite storage facility.

All RV’s and travel trailers are to be parked in rows A or B and a $50. storage fee per month is charged. If requested, those sites will be reversed for seasonal monthly customers. Once those rows are full, you must take your item to an offsite storage facility. This rule will be up for revision once rows A and B are remodeled.

 BUG INFESTATIONS

Any resident’s home known to have any bug infestation must have their home exterminated by a professionally licensed contractor ASAP to eliminate the spread and to ensure the safety of all residents. A letter on the company’s letterhead must be provided to park management stating the home is treated and free of bugs. Failure to do so will be a violation of the rules.

 TERMINATION AND EVICTION

Management may terminate the lease agreement or evict a resident for:

The tenant fails to timely pay rent or other amounts due under these rules:

Conviction of a violation of a federal or state law, or local ordinance which violation may be deemed by Management to be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of other residents of the community.

Violation of community rules and regulations or any applicable law.

RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY

All persons who enter or live in the community do so at their own risk. Management and ownership of the community absolve themselves from all liability or responsibility pertaining to loss by accident, damage, fire, theft, vehicle or any other cause to person or property, regardless of the location of the incident in the community.

Iowa trip

 I always think how I would love to live back in Iowa, or atleast live there in the summer, then I think of tornados and such and think safer down here. But we of course just went through a hurricane that dumped 12 inches of rain on us...

Well, I decided to drive up to Iowa, and guess what? A huge storm came through and wreaked havoc over about a 160 mile stretch across the State. It started out getting quite windy and getting very dark, then  very very windy and very very dark! Time to go to the basement! Power went out! Friends Barb and Butch came over as they don't have a basement. Wiunds were clocked at 83 in Jefferson, 0ver 90 in Perry and over 100 in DesMoines, and Marshalltown 113.

The Report on the news said 10 Million acres of corn flattened, many grain bins destroyied

Barb's blog too see many of their pictures.  https://brooker3.blogspot.com/

a few I took

Trees and branches etc. were strewn across most roads in Jefferson, one of the pictures shows limbs pulled back off the street, there were even tree limbs that fell on roofs and did considerable damage. Some huge trees uprooted

We worked a couple days getting my Sisters yard back to normal, and neighbors were helping neighbors and pickups stopped to haul debree away.

below is a picture I took, I thought it so pretty, My sister Mickey had some pretty "Naked Lady's" flowers but most of them got knocked down in the storm

"Naked Ladies"