So, in Walker Creek, there's this tradition called the Community Dinner. There's no set schedule for it really, it's just kinda like...whenever the people in charge feel like it. It's usually a few times every year, once a month at most. I usually went to them but never really liked 'em. They'd invite everyone in town to a big dinner in Waterfield Park. The people were weird, talked in such a fake way. Like when you tell a stranger about your day. It was that kinda thing. Always struck me as odd since usually everyone is so genuine. Then there'd always be a speech from the Mayor or whoever organized the dinner or both. They'd say stuff about how much they loved the community, how honored they were to be a part of it, how they loved to host all these wonderful people at the dinner, etc. Dull and boring. The food usually sucked too. I still don't exactly get the point of them, I guess to celebrate the community and whatever. I had community spirit in Walker Creek as much as the next person but it always felt just, a little too far. But I guess every small town has quirks like that. Hopefully you found this interesting.
- Trevor
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Walker Creek has a really long and rich history. My family is even part of it! I spent some time lookin' for websites that back up my information, and there's only this one: https://sites.google.com/view/walkercreektourism/history (I hope that link works, I don't really know how to work technology). Anyway, I just wanted to talk about it for a sec. Hell, my family's company the Magnil Lumber Company was part of it. We helped make the town into into an actual town. It started as a mining thing, Sanders Mine. Then families came there so they built more things to make it into a town. Stores, houses, the whole deal. There's a lot of stories from that time, folk stories told at the Harvest Festival or to kids at bedtime, things like that. The land was taken over from Native Americans so there's stuff about that too. There's not quite as much history after that starting point, but still some. That's where my family comes in. The Magnil Lumber Company formed around the the early 1900's, WW1 times. My great grandfather wanted to capitalize on the amount of land and trees in the newly formed Walker Creek County. Bought a ton of cheap land, chopped down a bunch of trees, and suddenly they were one of the biggest companies in the area. Even mentioned on that website. Anyway, I don't think the company exists anymore. Got sold to some big corporation, hell if I know what became of any of that land or anything. I turned it down and it all went to shit. But for a while there, we were really important. Most people there probably still know the name Magnil, not that I really checked. Anyway, after that we just sorta kept building up the town until Mayor Lambert tried to tear it all down. Goddamn idiot, I tell you. Can't believe they elected that man. It's all because of Ramsey, the town neighboring Walker Creek. They voted for him mainly and doomed us all for the better half of a decade. Anyway, can't say there was too much more eventful stuff. Just know that Walker Creek is very prideful about their history. We got the Sanders Mine as a historical park, there's buildings with little plaques outside about their history, all sorts of stuff. There's a lotta stuff still standing. That church too. Dunno, lots of stuff, that's my point. I thought you might find this interesting though, that's all.
- Trevor So some of y'all might be wondering what I spend my days doing. I mean, I don't really have anyone in my life, and I'm stuck at home due to this pandemic thing anyway, so what does an old man like me do? Well it might be a little bit stereotypical, but I take care of plants. I have a small backyard where I have a garden planted, and I have some indoor plants too. It gives me something to do with my days, watering and weeding and making sure they get proper sun and everything. This isn't some new hobby though, even back in Walker Creek I used to have a garden. We had a way larger space for it back then. Several acres of beautiful land with fruit trees and a big garden and all sorts of nature in it. Damn, I miss that garden. It was pretty normal to have big amounts of land like that in Walker Creek. I still remember just taking walks around my property, picking fruit off trees and just sitting around in the sun on my days off. Julia used to love plants so much. She spent hours out there taking care of them with me, and even without me if I wasn't available, she was just a big plant lover. One of the house plants we had there was actually one of the few things I brought with me to Texas. Still have it planted in the garden to this day. It's a nice reminder of those times. I think I'll stop writing for now though to go tend to my garden.
- Trevor |
AuthorTrevor Magnil Archives
November 2021
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