Notes from the Hollow

Winona Township is blessed with several treasures, one of which is the historic Winona Church. Located in the long, narrow Winona Hollow, it has been a place of learning, worship, voting, meetings, homecomings, weddings, pie suppers,and dinner on the grounds.

Crossing the creek is like taking a step back in time.

I've voted here several times - it was the place to vote in Winona Township for many, many years. If you were handicapped and couldn't cross the bridge, someone would bring a ballot out to you. Maybe that was against the rules, as we now vote in town.

Winona Church is a beautiful location for a wedding. My great-grandparents Walt & Luella (Pinkley) Weems were married here in 1901. Todd of Valley View Farms in Inola, Oklahoma married here in 1990.

Often, voting on a cool November morning, a roaring fire in the General-Wesco Jumbo woodstove would warm up the church.

This is what happens when you steal chickens from the Mourglia Family: Uncle Jared gets you one way or another. This possum was lucky that he was only trapped and released in an undisclosed location. Photograph by Barbara Mourglia.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I appreciate how cute some possums are. This one, however, is the ugliest I've ever seen. Look at that face!

We happened across this black snake having a meal of woodrat. I've been up to black snakes many times, but this was the first one that vibrated its tail at me. The snake was obviously feeling vulnerable. The vibration of the tail made a distinctive sound.