According to the temperature sign on Hwy. 69, it was 76 degrees just before 7 a.m. last Friday. The perfect temperature for a walk.

With the eastern sky lighting the horizon and illuminating a large oak tree on the boundary of the Mineola Civic Center grounds, it was time to see just who might be there to take advantage of a great place to walk. 

While the grounds are pretty expansive, it may not appear, at a glance, that many folks use the civic center grounds in the morning. However, a steady string of arrivals happened by. 

Mineola resident Tammy McKinney and her grandson Moses Foster arrived shortly after 7. They make their walk together at the civic center part of their daily routine.

Moses, who stays summers with his extended family in Mineola, has his sights set on becoming a Marine and was taking his morning jaunt with a Marine Corps logo on his shirt. 

“This walk is great for both of us,” stated McKinney, “and we enjoy the cleanliness and safety of the civic center grounds.” Moses added that the loop they walk is right at one mile.

Once they were on their way, a gentleman and a large dog came walking slowly by – Larry Elms had his boxer/pit bull mix Newton out for a walk. Newton was nursing a joint injury in his hind leg, so he seemed to be making some of the decisions about the pace and direction. Ambling would be the proper term. 

“He is smart as a whip and a big teddy bear,” Elms remarked. 

An Arkansas native, Elms came to the area in retirement after having spent much of his adult life in southern Illinois. “We lived in a rural area, and loved it,” he shared, “but in the state of Illinois, the main concern of the state is Chicago, and everybody else just gets swept along.”       

The Elms relocated to Mineola to be closer to family. “It’s really all about family,” he concluded.

It was fitting that the next walker who passed happened to be residing in one of the half dozen RVs anchored at the civic center. 

Ellen Stehl and her husband Fred relocated from their native Washington State. The Stehls were the first members of their family to come to the Mineola area. They have since been joined by a daughter and a grandson and their respective families.

Ellen was very forthcoming about why they have chosen Mineola as home. “Firstly, the people are so friendly,” she stated, “and we can openly talk about Jesus, and we can get quality health care.”  

Clearly, the move had been a positive one for the Stehls.

Mineola native Rustin Cryer happened by, out for a morning walkabout. “It’s just a great place to come to get some exercise and fresh air. Its quiet and clean…. I try to walk here 2-3 times a week.” 

Cryer explained that his Dad and Grandpa had brought him to this park when he was a boy, and it was enjoyable to come back. “Those see-saws have been here a long time, I played on them when I was a boy.”

As Cryer continued on his way, a woman entered the park and checked her wristwatch. It appeared as though she had started a timer.

When asked if she had a minute to chat, she declined, “I have to do ten miles, and I’ve gotta get it done…,” she called in passing. 

Just then, a man rolled up on a very nice 26-inch grey Schwinn bicycle. Owen Grove had pedaled over to investigate the interviews. Grove is a regular at the civic center, bicycling six days a week. “Just not on Sunday,” he shared. 

After a brief chat, Grove headed out. The sun was up and it began to heat up his back. It was a good time to move on, after having met a handful of fellow residents who shared a small part of their lives.