Pleasant Prairie: April 13, 2020

Ervin Longnecker recalls being told about the Spanish Flu that took many lives of Eddy County residents back in 1918. He was born Dec. 3, 1918. He says Pa, Cleo Longnecker, took horse and sleigh into New Rockford to fetch the doctor, who followed him to the Longnecker farm east of New Rockford, on what is now Highway 15. A spot still noted and geographically called the nine mile school area, this is where the family lived in a granary. Ervin was the first born of Cleo and Alma Longnecker. Brothers and sisters to follow were: Eileen, Aneita, Jim, Charles, Merle and Lucille. A big family in hard times.

Charlotte Koepplin enjoyed a backyard chat Sunday afternoon with Todd and Karen Koepplin, They brought donut hole treats and a safety mask Karen made.

Margie Anderson was among the residents at Heritage House to enjoy a Palm Sunday message from Paula Loewen. Margie is keeping spirits up of family and neighbors with her homemade lemon meringue pie and cornbread.

Sunday Ervin Longnecker was happy for the company off and on from Merle Longnecker, Eric and Lisa Longnecker. Dale and Diane Rosenberg stopped in with banana bread and several ready to eat dinners. Bill and Diana Ziegler stopped in for happy hour one evening. Ervin got phone calls from Joe Sieler of Florida and Eugene Weisenburger of Arizona. Both snowbirds that are wanting to make it back to New Rockford, but the COVID-19 is putting a crimp into their plans.

Corey Jorgensen was a Monday morning coffee visitor at the Ervin Longnecker home.