Roosevelt News

-- East Coast Edition –

 

-- Printed in Loving Memory of Wanda J. Jackson 1934 - 2011 –

 

News Center

Read old/current issues and send news or comments online at:

http://www.234enterprises.com/RooseveltNews/newscenter.htm

 

Editors:

E-mail: mmay@234enterprises.com

 Carolyn Niebruegge May                      Michael L. May

Vol. 1, Is. 16                                                                                      Nov. 4, 2011

 

 

From the Editor

 

I start this editorial by prepping you for what I hope you feel is a real treat--Carolyn’s article on the Roosevelt Band Festivals.  This is basically a transcription of documents relating to the 1951 festival with a little added commentary from her.  The documents are obviously old, yellowed, and the print is extremely small.  She has spent untold hours putting this together with--patience I don’t have.  Unfortunately, I’m sure there are errors--there were errors in the booklets, so please overlook them.  For some of you elders, yes Albert Perkins that’s people like you, I think you will be enamored with the nostalgia alone--the names of the people who were pillars of the community that have passed, the businesses that contributed to the function which are long gone, and the schools participating that obviously no longer exist.  For you younger readers, think about the coordination--difficult, near impossible communication other than “word of mouth” during the event--yes, cell phones hadn’t even been dreamed of.  This was an incredible undertaking for such a small group of organizers and it ALWAYS went on with out a hitch.  This event put Roosevelt on the map and established the school system as an innovator.  I hope you enjoy and appreciate the effort she has put into this article.  Do remember she’s a Cyclone, not a Roughrider, but I think her “orange” is starting to take on a slight “red tinge.”

  

In last week’s editorial I discussed how much we enjoy all the emails we get from our readers.  That said, every once in a while one shows up that strikes a “chord in our hearts” that just won’t let go.  We received one such email this last week from a dear, dear lady--Joye (Wolfe) Johnson.  Joye does not mention in her email which follows, but she and her late husband Jerry were Sunday School teachers (actually I believe rather than Sunday School, it was Training Union on Sunday evening)  for our teenagers’ class at the First Baptist Church in Roosevelt.  That’s the most vivid memories I have of her and Jerry.  I probably should add that normally all emails are published in the “Email Bag.”  However, this editor feels this particular one needs a little special recognition.  Please pay attention to the last sentence which I have placed in italics and bolded.  It reads as follows:

 

“Thank you for the great job you are doing with the newsletter.  I enjoy receiving and reading it as does my son, Daniel and daughter Leann.  I share news with my sister, Kitty Talley.  Though we only lived 6 years in Roosevelt in the 1960's I have many good memories.  One of the best was when in the 1940s, when my parents and sisters lived there and I was working in the drugstore and Mike, you and your Mother were in and she told me you were going to an eye doctor in Oklahoma City and I began praying for you.  Later she thanked me for the great outcome and so now I say Thank You to God for what you have done with His gifts.   Sincerely, Joye Wolfe Johnson.”

 

I reread that last sentence several times to assure myself that it said what I thought it said.  What do I think it said?  I believe that it truly addresses comments I made in last week’s editorial where I said that at this stage we look for meaning in our lives.  I think Joye is saying that, at this time especially, she believes I am using “God’s gift--of giving me continued sight” to “step up,” in Wanda’s absence and give back to those in and from Roosevelt that we both care for.  Joye thank you so much.  May God continue to bless both of us.

 

P.S.  Let me make it clear that in addition to my sight, God gave me another gift—a wonderful wife and companion for over 41 years who carries much more than her share of the load in publishing the “Roosevelt News – East Coast Edition”--as well as many other duties around “this joint.”

 

mlm

 

 

Content Contributors for the Week

 

Austilene (Turner) Borum

Patricia (Tish) Carroll

Jimmie Johnson

Jonna Sue (Johnson) Shklar

Kaye (Perkins) Weaver

Amy Melton-Wiley

All those who sent messages to the Email “Bag”

 

Thank you all!

 

 

Remembering Roosevelt Band Festivals

 

We have received so many comments from those who remember the Roosevelt Band Festivals.  Many suggested that we should do an article about them but we really didn’t have much detailed information.  When we attended the 2011 Roosevelt High School Reunion, Lena (Kenimer) Harris, Class of 1951, generously shared a box of memorabilia from her high school days with us.  Going through that box we found a booklet, “Announcing the Roosevelt Music Festival” and the “Roosevelt Music Festival Program” for 1951.  I have put the following article about the Roosevelt Music Festivals together by printing exactly what appeared in those two items and added some of my thoughts to that along the way.   If any of you have memories of the festivals after reading this, please send it to us to include in future newsletters.  This article turned out much longer than I planned but I found everything in the booklet and program so interesting I couldn’t decide what to leave out so just included everything.  The parts coming exactly from the booklet and program are in bold.  cnm

 

The booklet announcing the Festival was “dedicated to music lovers of America.”  The cover had a picture of Leon Ragsdale, Drum Major, Roosevelt High School Band, dressed in his band uniform with the tall drum major hat and very long baton.  The cover showed the festival to be sponsored by The Roosevelt High School and The Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce and was compliments of Mr. & Mrs. E. R. Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Olen Reid, and Bennett’s Café.  On the inside cover page there was a picture of Judy Nash, Mascot of Roosevelt High School Band, dressed in her band costume. 

 

                      

 

The following history of the band festival was featured early in the booklet.

 

“The Roosevelt Music Festival was originated by Bennie Valentine in 1949.  Over 17 schools participated in the first festival.  It was only a class D festival but with many letters wanting us to make it larger we have decided to make it into four classes. 

 

This festival is different from others.  We believe in giving the grade school pupils a chance to participate in our festival, after all they are our talent of tomorrow.

 

We have high hopes to make the Roosevelt Music Festival an event that will long be remembered by all pupils who participate in it.  We want to help mold them into better musicians and encourage them in the music world.”

 

Bennie Valentine served as the Festival Manager and from his message on the back page of the booklet announcing the festival we believe you can see why he started this event.  The message follows:

 

“March 2nd and 3rd will be a great day for me.  I always enjoy festival days and to present one makes me enjoy it even more.  I also hope to make each participant happy on that day.  Whether win or lose, I want them to feel that the Roosevelt Music Festival was worthwhile to them. 

 

To get a low rating in a festival makes me work hard to get a high one; to get a high rating makes me work even harder to continue to stay on top.  That is why music festivals interest me.  I want to know the kind of work that I am doing at all times.

 

The Roosevelt, Band, Community, Chamber of Commerce and myself have worked and enjoyed setting up this festival for you.  We like our festival because we enjoy doing this small chore for the musical world.  It is our hope that this festival will be beneficial and help encourage children and organizations.

 

As festival manager and a director, I want to welcome each of you to Roosevelt and I want to meet you personally.  I want you to feel free to express yourself to me about the festival.  If you have any suggestion to make it better, please let me know.

 

Don’t forget to put March 2nd and 3rd on your calendar.  I will be expecting to see you.

 

Bennie Valentine,

Festival Manager

Band Director

Roosevelt, Oklahoma”

 

Under a picture of the front entrance to Roosevelt High School the following appeared.

 

“With our “hats off to you” Roosevelt student body welcomes you to our annual music festival.  You are an honored guest in our school and town and we hope every minute will be a profit to you.  As hosts we want to say this is your festival.  We are eager to assist you in any way to make a better festival for you.”

 

The following account of Kiowa County appeared in the booklet.

 

“Kiowa County, located in the southwest corner of the State of Oklahoma, was part of the original opening of the Kiowa-Comanche, Apache Indian Reservation on August 6, 1901, which was opened to white settlement by a method of government drawings.

 

The county is rich in natural resources, but derives the better part of its income from agricultural crops, the principal crops being wheat, cotton, alfalfa, and other small grains.

 

Kiowa County has displayed a progressive attitude toward improvement, not only in agriculture, but also along the line of general business, aviation, transportation, oil development, tourist attraction, and good old fashioned friendliness.

 

Our greatest richness lies in the youth of the county.  We try to stimulate the education of the youth of Kiowa County with adequate help in promoting local FFA and 4-H shows in the different districts thereby building to a greater and bigger County Fair and Fat Stock Show.

 

In athletics, Kiowa County has produced some of the finest baseball, football and basketball teams in the State of Oklahoma.

 

County population, 1950—18,417—Gotebo, Snyder, Cooperton, Roosevelt, Mountain View, Con. 8, Cold Springs, Hobart, Lone Wolf, and Sedan.”

 

I looked up the census information from 2010 to compare the population with that of 1950.  The population of Kiowa County in 2010 was given as 9,446.  That is about half of what it was in 1950.  That alone accounts for the decline in the number of schools still in existence in the county.

 

A poem entitled “Roosevelt” written by Judy Johnson, a freshman in 1951 was featured in the booklet.

 

We are proud of our town in the mountains deep,

Where grown are the best of oats and wheat.

Nearby is Otter Creek—the best in the state,

All you need to go fishing, is pole and bait.

 

Teddy Roosevelt gave Roosevelt it’s name.

Everybody knows of Teddys great fame.

He was 26th President of the U.S.A.

And we are proud of him—we must say.

 

All of us favor our basketball teams.

Mention them to Mr. Dacus and he sure beams.

All Roosevelt is proud of our very own band.

Everybody helps by lending a hand.

 

Roosevelt has every thing from a Co-Op to a Gin.

If you think Snyder has fella’s, look at our men.

We’re very proud of our stores and of our town.

And as for progress, we’re success bound.

 

The Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce had the following message in the booklet.

 

“The Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce welcomes all the visiting bandsmen, band parents and others to our town.

 

The people of our town and surrounding territory are proud of our band and likewise proud to be host to the visiting bands.  If you don’t find what you need, ask for representatives of our local Chamber of Commerce—we want you to feel at home and enjoy your visit here in Roosevelt.

 

Carl O. Johnson,

Secretary-Treasurer

Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce”

 

The Roosevelt Band Parent Association had the following message in the booklet.

 

“Roosevelt Band has meant much to our school and community.  We have enjoyed helping this fine organization in every possible way.  We wish to take this means of welcoming all visitors to a time of musical association and friendly competition.”  The following names appeared below the message:  Elmer Ard, Clarence Bates, Keller Belding, Sam Block, C. L. Brown, Jr., Charley Doyle, W. L. Eberhart, Ralph Farrar, George Hackney, Clarence Harris, Opal Hill, Lonnie Hines, Shirley Johnson, Ed Jones, Leon Jones, R. C. Kimray, Charlie Kuehn, Royce Lanterman, Curtis Law, Edker Miller, Bert Ragsdale, Gus Riggs, John Rose, Sells, Ben Simmons, Carl Smelser, J. O. Smith, Paul Stafford, Gene Stephens, Ben Talley, P. G. Whitson, and Clell Wolfe.  (I find it interesting that there were mostly men listed.)

 

Events for this festival included the following:

 

Grades

 

Boys Vocal Solo – Grades 1 – 4

Girls Vocal Solo – Grades 1 – 4

Boys Vocal Solo – Grades 4 – 5 – 6

Girls Vocal Solo – Grades 4 – 5 – 6

Boys Vocal Solo – Grades 7 – 8

Junior Mixed Chorus – Grades 4 – 8

Rhythm Band – Grades 1 – 3

 

High School

 

Soprano Solo

Bass Solo

Baritone Solo

Alto Solo

Girls Quartet

Boys Quartet

Mixed Chorus

Girls Chorus

Boys Chorus

Mixed Quartet

Girls Trio

 

Concert Band

Marching Band

 

The judges for this event were mostly college and university staff members from Oklahoma College for Women, Oklahoma University, Phillips University, Midwestern University, Cameron College and Southwest State College. 

 

This was a big festival.  It took most of the facilities in Roosevelt to house the various events.  The High School Auditorium, First Baptist Church, Grade School Auditorium, and the Community Building were used.  The marching contest and honor parade events were held on Main Street.

 

Students from the following schools participated in the festival:  Sentinel, Ryan, Fort Cobb, Carter, Corn, Tipton, Apache, Taloga, Snyder, Stafford, Frederick, Martha, Cheyenne, Mt. Park, Hammon, Vici, Woodward, Retrop, Canton, Yukon, Watonga, Erick, Hydro, Geary, Arapaho, Cordell, Port, Lawton, Velma-Alma, Gotebo, Lake Valley, Tipton Home, Cooperton, Hobart, Alfalfa, Cyril, Harrah, Elk City, Mountain View, and Manitou.  Think about it.  This was a lot of schools and some large ones.  Roosevelt obviously did have a reputation for this festival to draw these schools.  As a side note, obviously, many of these schools are no longer in existence.

 

I found the rules for the various contest to be very interesting especially the entry fee amounts.

 

Vocal Contest Rules

 

  1. All solos, trios, and quartets must have the music memorized.
  2. Only one solo in each solo event will be allowed from each school.
  3. Choruses, quartets, and trios must have three extra copies of the music for the judges.
  4. The time limit for each solo is five minutes.
  5. The accompanist may be a teacher or pupil.
  6. Choruses, quartets, trios, and solos will only be required to sing one selection of the directors’ choice.
  7. Time limit for the choruses, quartets, trios is ten minutes.
  8. All solos (grade and high school) will present their numbers in the First Baptist Church.
  9. All solos (grade and high school) will present their selection in the High School Auditorium.
  10. Directors must check in on arrival in Roosevelt at the High School Auditorium.
  11. A complete program will be made out and sent to you a week before the festival.
  12. Do not be late sending in you entry blanks.  We reserve the right to reject any late entry.

 

ENTRY FEES

 

  1. Entry fee for solos is twenty-five cents per participant.
  2. Entry fee for quartets and trios is 50 cents per ensemble.
  3. Entry fee for choruses is $5.00 per organization.

 

AWARDS

 

  1. A first place trophy will be given to the outstanding boys chorus, girls chorus, mixed chorus and junior chorus.
  2. Certificates will be given in divisions I, II, III to all solos, quartets, trios and choruses.

 

CLASSIFICATION

 

  1. There will only be one class in vocal music.
  2. Schools over 175 in high school will not be allowed to participate.
  3. All vocal events will participate in class D.

 

DEADLINE

 

  1. All entries and entry fees must be postmarked not later than February 16.
  2. No entry fee can be refunded.

 

 

Marching Contest Rules

 

  1. The marching contest will be held on one block (Main St.) in Roosevelt.
  2. The band will make a left turn to get on the street and then it will move north.
  3. There are no required movements for the marching events.  Any formation, stunt or maneuver may be executed within the time limit for each organization.
  4. Bands will enter from the south end of the block and leave at the north end.
  5. Time limit of bands is eight minutes, with minimum of five minutes, timed by stop-watch for their complete demonstration.
  6. The judges stand will be in the center on the east side of the street.
  7. Directors must check in on arrival in Roosevelt at the High School Auditorium.
  8. A complete program will be made out and sent to you a week before the festival.
  9. Do not be late sending in your entry blanks.  We reserve the right to reject any late entry.

 

ENTRY FEES

 

  1. Entry fee for marching band is $5.00.  If you pay $5.00 for concert playing you need not pay this fee.

 

AWARDS

 

  1. A first and second place trophy will be given to the two outstanding marching bands in each class.
  2. Certificates will be given in Divisions I, II, III to all marching bands.

 

CLASSIFICATION

 

  1. The classification for the marching contest will be the same as the concert contest.  (See concert contest rules.)

 

 

Concert Playing Rules

 

  1. There will be no required numbers for the bands.
  2. Each band will play two compositions.  First, a march to warm up of the quick-step or concert march variety.  Second, a classical composition of the director’s own choice.
  3. Each band must furnish three scores or piano-conductor parts of their selected numbers for the judges to observe.  These scores are to be handed to the person in charge of the stage while the organization is setting up for its performance.
  4. Each band will be lined up ready to go on the stage ten minutes before their turn to appear in order to conserve time.
  5. A warm-up room will be available.
  6. The time for setting up, getting on the stage, playing and leaving the stage must not exceed 20 minutes.

 

CLASSIFICATION

 

  1. There will be four classes in concert playing and marching.
  2. Class A – 225 and up; Class B – 140 to 225; Class C – 86 to 140; Class D 0 to 86
  3. The ninth grade is considered high school students regardless what the school may be.

 

AWARDS

 

  1. The two outstanding bands in each class will be given a beautiful trophy by the festival manager.
  2. All bands will receive certificates in divisions I, II and III.

 

ENTRY DEADLINE

 

  1. Entry deadline will be February 16th.
  2. We reserve the right to reject any late entry.

 

 

Rhythm Band Contest Rules

 

  1. Rhythm Band will play two selections of the director’s own choice.
  2. Rhythm Bands need not be in uniform but it would add attraction if there were.
  3. The accompanist may be teacher or pupil.
  4. Time limit will be 20 minutes (setting up, playing and getting off the stage.)
  5. A complete program will be made out and sent to you a week before the festival.
  6. Do not be late sending in your entry blanks.  We reserve the right to refuse any late entry.

 

ENTRY FEE

 

  1. Entry fee for Rhythm Band is $5.00

 

AWARDS

 

  1. First and second place trophies will be given to the two outstanding Rhythm Bands.
  2. Certificates will be given in divisions I, II, and III to Rhythm Bands earning the proper rating.

 

CLASSIFICATIONS

 

  1. All Rhythm Bands from schools less than a hundred and seventy-five (175) in high school will be eligible to participate.

 

DEADLINE

 

  1. All Rhythm Band entries and entry fees must be postmarked not later than February 16.
  2. No entry fee can be refunded.

 

The following appeared on a page near the end of the booklet.

 

Congratulations From The Roosevelt School Faculty

 

Mrs. Johnnie Sears -- Primary and Rhythm Band

Mrs. Naomi Edmundson -- Second Grade and Rhythm Band

Mrs. Mildred Curtis -- Third Grade

Miss Ruth Sensabaugh -- Fourth Grade

J. T. Myers -- Fifth Grade and Junior Chorus

Jimmie Payne -- Sixth Grade and Principal

Ovis Cooke -- High School English

Raymong Stour -- Junior High School English

Dale Bynum -- Vocational Agriculture

Kenneth Boydston -- Veterans Agriculture

Bert Mosier – Shop and Boys Athletics

Martha Mosier – Commerce

Mrs. Payne – Commerce

Eunice Ratliff – Home Economics

F. D. Hooker – Senior High School Principal

Joe Alexander – Junior High Principal

Henry Dacus – Superintendent

Bennie Valentine – Band and Chorus

 

Congratulations From The Board Members

 

George Hackney, Guy Reneau, Leon Jones, Ben Simmons, J. W. Muse

 

I found the above particularly interesting in that there was no teacher listed for math and science.  Hopefully, some of you from that era can enlighten us as to who taught those subjects or if they were lumped in under one of the subjects listed.

 

The Roosevelt Music Program also had some interesting information in it.  The cover had the same picture of Judy Nash that was on the inside cover page of the booklet announcing the festival.  The following message was inside the front cover.

 

“Words cannot express our thanks to the many people who have contributed to the Roosevelt Music Festival.  Without the help of these individuals and firms, the festival would have been an impossibility.  As the late Rev. Mark Wallock of Lawton once said, “God will provide,” and that is certainly true for the Roosevelt Music Festival.

 

We wish to also thank the many directors for entering their talents in our festival.  They have worked hard for this occasion and deserve a lot of credit for their work.  Many of them have driven miles.  We appreciate them very much.

 

We sincerely hope that all directors, judges, participants and spectators will enjoy the festival and that it may be of some profit to them.

 

Thanking you once again and we want to welcome you back again next year.

 

Bennie Valentine, Festival Manager; Henry Dacus, Supt. of Schools; Chamber of Commerce; Band Parents Club; Roosevelt Community”

 

The program contained the names of the individuals and schools and directors participating in the various events.

 

On the page back of the program the following article about music in the Tipton Home appeared.

 

“The music program of Tipton Home could be said to have a three-fold purpose, the first of which is to enrich the life and to build the character of the children who participate in it.  The second is to aid the singing program of the Church locally and wherever the child might go after he leaves Tipton Home.  The third purpose is to assist in publicizing Tipton Home.

 

Piano is taught in Tipton Home by Mrs. Mary E. Capps.  The lessons for the children are usually paid for by some individual.  Some twelve or fifteen of our children take part in the Tipton High School Band under the direction of Mr. Walter Harris.  Vocal music, that which applies to the Church, is under the direction of Marlin Carruth.  The All Girls Chorus, under his direction, has made a wide and enviable reputation for themselves especially during the past nine months when they have appeared in more than thirty programs.  Most of these programs have been before Churches of Christ in Oklahoma and Texas.  The Chorus has made trips as far away as Bartlesville and Enid, Oklahoma, and Weatherford, Texas.  Several other trips are planned for them.  The purpose of these trips is to let the public see what is being done with vocal music in Tipton Home, and what can be done in singing the old familiar hymns when they are properly interpreted.

 

Five mornings a week, the children all assemble in the auditorium for a devotional program, where in a fifteen-minute program from one to four songs are sung.  On four mornings each week these songs are directed by the boys of the Home, on Wednesday morning each week they are directed by Mr. Carruth.  The children all enjoy this singing together.”

 

Now for some of the most interesting information in the booklet and the program—the advertisers and supporters of the event.  There were so many and from so many places as far away as Cleveland, Ohio, Oklahoma City and Tulsa.  That tells you something about how big this festival really was.  The younger generation would probably question the phone numbers listed in some of the adds.  Who ever heard of phone numbers such as 4239, 684, 5, 7, 188, etc.  Yes, those were the phone numbers of the early 1950’s.  Who would have thought we would need multiple area codes and prefixes to serve the communication needs of today.

 

Roosevelt Supporters:

 

Ted Laney’s Service Station, Farmers Co-op, Johnson Service Station, Hackney’s Station, Copeland Café, Roosevelt Material Co., Shelton & Son Auctioneers-Cattle Buying, Leebrick Drug Store, Wolfe Plumbing Co., McConnell’s Food Store, Security State Bank, Correspondent Star-Review – Mrs. F.F. Martin, Roosevelt Cotton Growers & Gin, Nash’s Department Store, Roosevelt Cleaners, Ben Talley Pontiac, Roosevelt Insurance Agency, Griffee’s Service Station, Morgan’s Dairy, Bauman’s Dairy, Consumers Co-Op Locker, Mr. & Mrs. Ben Simmons, Mrs. Ed Moore, Mrs. Bert Ragsdale, Mr. & Mrs. J. T. Calvin, Mrs. Ed Jones, Mr. & Mrs. Erle Sanders, Mrs. S. M. Anderson, Mrs. Leon Morgan, Marvin Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Shirley Johnson, Naomi Edmonson, Johnnie Sears, Mildred Curtis, Ruth Sensabaugh, Larry Brown, Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Kuehn, Mr. & Mrs. Dewey Johnson, M. A. Hopkins, Mrs. R. R. Root, Mr. & Mrs. Y. A. Farris, Mr. & Mrs. M. O. Winkler, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Beers, Mr. & Mrs. E. R. Smith, Mary Roden, Mrs. Haskell Price, Mr. & Mrs. Hubert Childress, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Ganoung, Mr. & Mrs. Jay Davis, Mr. & Mrs. John Rose, Carl Smelser, Clyde Morgan, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Farrar, Mr. & Mrs. Clell Wolfe, Mr. & Mrs. P. G. Whitson, Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Tate, W. S. Woodrow, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Hensley, Carl O. Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Reneau, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bauman, Mrs. Ralph Farrar, Sr., Mrs. South Cooper, Mrs. G. C. Hines, Mr. & Mrs. Allen Newton, Mr. & Mrs. E. D. Brazzel, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Smelser, Lola M. Ganoung, Mr. & Mrs. Galen Ford, Mrs. E. E. Autry, Mr. & Mrs. George Hackney, Dee Hopkins, LeRoy May, Mary A. Woods, Ted Muldowney, Beulah Baker.

Hobart Supporters:

 

C.R. Anthony Co., The Booterie, The Man’s Shop, Hobart Chamber of Commerce, The Lions Club of Hobart, The Dixie Store, Kiowa County Star- Review, Hobart Photo Supply, Hovaka Hotel, Woods Farm Equipment, D&B Chevrolet, Ed Kirkland, Hartley & Stinson, Hobart Democrat Chief, Hales Clothing Store, Ranch House Café, Snug Hotel, O.D. Willis Service Station, Claude Johnston & Son, Fred Polley Conoco Service, Derrick Motor Co., Whites Auto Supply, Magnolia Station, Wrights Dairy Product, Ridling Implement Co., Toma Brothers Super Market, Gish Funeral Home, Dr. J. L. Schapansky, J.C. Penney Co., Vogue Beauty Shop, Ransom Studio, Kiowa County Abstract Co., Dave’s Hamburger Wagon, Kiowa Printing & Office Supply, Bradfield Music Shop, Edd Monroe, Clarence Flowers, Hobart Tire and Appliance, Tates Hardware Co., Elk Barber Shop, John L. Asbury and I. B. Younger representatives of Ostwald, Inc. Staten Island, NY band uniforms

 

Lawton Supporters:

 

Burrs, Sandra Lee, Kress, Parson’s, J.C. Penney Co., McCrary Gro., Earl Drug, Meads Bread, Townes Men’s Store, Sweetbriar Shop, Green-Phillips Chevrolet Co., Buster Wyatt Motor Co., Knox-Jensen Motor Co., Hardy Suggs Music Co., Lawton Constitution, Lawton Morning Press

 

Snyder Supporters:

 

Wichita Granite Co., Red Cross Drug Store, Walker Funeral Home, S. S. Treadwell Connon & Insurance, E. O. Anglin Barber, Southend Texaco Station, Magnolia Station, Davis Dry Goods, Toma Grocery, Knights Hardware, Rev. S. M. Anderson

 

Mt. Park Supporters:

 

George’s Super Market, Planter’s State Bank

 

Cordell Supporters:

 

Velma’s Art Attic, Bartel Part & Machine Co., Aachte Hardward

 

Weatherford Supporters:

 

Fruechting & Fast Butane/Propane, Southwestern State College

 

Frederick Supporters:

 

Coca Cola Bottling Co., Harris Typewriter Shop

 

Mangum Supporters:

 

Quint County Cooperative

 

Oklahoma City Supporters:

 

Sharp & Nichols Music Co., Lauren Music Co., Mideke Supply Co., McDowell Band Uniforms

 

Clinton Supporters:

 

Herzer Motor Co., Brooks-Jenzen Hardware & Sporting Goods, Robertson Music Co.

 

Altus Supporters:

 

Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., R C Bottling Co., Hubbard Music Co.

 

Tulsa Supporters:

 

Ken Griffin & KVOO Tulsa

 

Cleveland, Ohio Supporters:

 

The H. N. White Co., Band Instruments

 

I know this article is quite long and has a lot of information in it.  However, I believe it only reinforces the importance of the Roosevelt Music Festivals in their day.  Many people benefited from the event.  Students worked long and hard to perform at their best.  Band directors and teachers worked hard to be sure their students were ready to be at the top of their game when festival time came. Parents certainly enjoyed watching and listening to the performances.  And from the long list of supporters, it is readily apparent that the merchants also benefitted.

 

 

Thoughts from the Squirrel Lair

"An experience in which you don't make out too well can shake your confidence in yourself; and if you do not promptly make another try, a defeat psychologically can take hold and freeze you. So when you fall flat - pick yourself up fast and go right on to the next challenge." -- Author Unknown

"Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever." - Isak Dinesen

"If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy." -- Author Unknown

 

Alumni Website

 

We have renewed the account that Wanda Jackson had set up at the photo sharing website, picturetrail.com for the Roosevelt Alumni:  http://www.picturetrail.com/rooseveltalumni.  She had posted many pictures from past reunions, class panels, and old schools buildings along with write ups about them.  We thought you might find these interesting if you haven’t visited this site in the past.

 

 

News

 

Roosevelt Haunted House

 

The Roosevelt Haunted House owned the scare factor in 2011.  A record turnout of 1459 people went through the house during the 5 nights it was open.  Every room greeted the visitors with a new scary theme.  Snakes as well as blood and gore brought blood curdling screams from most—not children but adults.  Many stood in line for over 3 hours to gain entrance for the adventure through the scary themed rooms.  There were so many cars that the parking field was full and cars had to park outside the fenced area.  The staff who put on the haunted house work very hard to insure everyone will have a great time but really love the work they do.  This past weekend the staff worked until 2:30 a.m. to get everyone though but thought it was well worth it.  The Roosevelt Haunted House has a reputation that brings the crowds and the funds raised support a great cause.  If you are not friends of the Roosevelt Haunted House on Facebook, you might want to become a friend.  There are over 160 pictures from this year’s house posted on the Facebook page.  Go take a look and see what you missed.  And don’t forget to mark you calendar to attend next year.

 

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Estate Sale

 

Don’t forget the estate sale for the late Helen R. Moore, Saturday, November 5.  It will be at her house on Wichita St. in Roosevelt beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Items from several other family members will be included in the sale.  There are books, old encyclopedias, Bibles, silverware, knives, several sets of dishes, towels, bedspreads, sheets, pillows, and many more things.  The sale starts at 8:00 a.m.  Don’t miss it as we are sure that among these family heirlooms there are items you were just waiting to find.

 

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Cecil Perkins

 

Cecil Perkins (Class of 1954) has been having a tough time over the last few months with complications from a knee replacement.  The following detail is provided by his baby sister Kaye (Perkins) Weaver:

 

He had a knee replacement last March.  It was a re-replacement and was only done because he was having so much trouble walking.  He came through the surgery fine, did rehab, then the knee started bleeding.  He had a hematoma and they had to open the knee again.  Then he developed a staff infection in the knee.  He had to take IV antibiotics for about 9 weeks.  The medicine caused a loss of hearing.  At the end of the antibiotics, the staff infection was gone, but was replaced by a fungus infection.  He had the knee opened a couple of other times for removing infection and blood clots.  They finally removed the knee entirely and put in antibiotic spacers last week.  He came through the surgery fine and came home on Sunday evening.  He was home 2 hours and popped his artificial hip out of joint.  That required an ambulance ride back to OKC and McBride Orthopedic Hospital.  They were able to pop the hip back into place without surgery.  I spent the day with him yesterday and he was in good spirits.  He always encourages the rest of us.  He is one tough guy!  They will let him come back home later this week to an assisted living center or nursing facility for a few weeks until he can build up his strength and just get well.  Caring for him at home would be just too much for his wife Patti.

 

Editor’s note -- We wish Cecil the best and pray for a rapid and complete recovery.  mlm & cnm

 

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

 

We have compiled all of the birthday and anniversary information we could from Wanda’s files.  We are sure we are missing some.  Please send us the birthdays and anniversaries for your family and friends so that we can have as complete as list as possible.  We are going to start with what we have from Wanda’s files so if we miss you, please send us the information so we have it for the news next year.  In addition, should any of the birthdays we list be wrong, also please let us know.

 

Happy Birthday To:

 

November 4 – Hazel (McKinnis) McIntire
November 4 – Jerome Smith, Class of 1980
November 4 – Sam Ward
November 4 – Tony Reeves
November 5 – Trazi Jo Cooper
November 6 – Kinna Garrison
November 6 – Tim Morris, Class of 1987
November 7 – Arlene Boyd
November 8 – Gatlin Jennings
November 8 – Corben Wayne Horton
November 8 – Phillip Liles, Class of 1954
November 9 – Karen May
November 9 – Kylee Dawn Cantrell
November 10 – Clyde Blackwood, Class of 1943

 

 

Humor

 

A Pastor goes to the dentist for a set of false teeth. The first Sunday
after he gets his new teeth, he talks for only eight minutes. The second
Sunday, he talks for only ten minutes. The following Sunday, he talks
for 2 hours and 48 minutes.  The congregation had to mob him to get him down from the pulpit and they asked him what happened.  The Pastor explains the first Sunday his gums hurt so bad he couldn't talk for more than 8 minutes. The second Sunday his gums hurt too much to talk for more than 10 minutes. But, the third Sunday, he put his wife's teeth in by mistake and he couldn't shut up.

 

 

From the Email “Bag”

 

October 27, 2011

 

My fondest memory of being in the second grade with Mrs. Edmundson was that every day after lunch we would go back to the classroom and she would read to us the Old Mother West Wind stories about Little Jimmy Otter and the other characters.  Could have listened to her read all day.  Every year before school started, she would make beautiful posters using the opaque projector--usually it was Disney characters and birds to decorate the room.  She loved to teach about the birds.  I do know she loved to teach and loved the children in her class.  She had a soft place in her heart for each and every one of us.  I love hearing your memories of her, she was a special lady.  I didn't know what to call her when I was in her class, should it be Mrs. Edmundson or Mother? 

 

Jerri Edmundson Menz, Class of 1960

 

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October 28, 2011

 

Mike:   I guess I can overlook a couple of things from you... after all you are Orange-- the Purple I can handle but not Orange.  I graduated in 1968.  You have put 1969 on a couple of things.  If I accidentally put 1969, then I am the Purple one (no orange for me) but anyway I graduated from RHS in May, 1968.   Other than that, you always do a great job.  Danna Morgan Lee also graduated in 1968.  I appreciate you making us one year younger--now we do want to be younger.

 

Hope the Fall weather is holding for you Virginians.  Has actually been Fall here for a week or so, very nice; slow rain earlier this week.  But since it has rained, I am going to have to mow again, grass greened up just enough to need cut before winter.

 

Thank you for all the good news you bring.  Gayle Phillips Goodson had some good remembrances.  She, Judy Hilliard, and Jerry Moore got into mischief more than once.  Won't tell anymore than that.  We started school early in August and got out early in May.  Cotton in Fall, wheat harvest in Spring. 

 

Goodbye from Sooner Land.

 

Jennifer Moore... Class of 1968 Nineteen Hundred Sixty Eight  lol

 

 

Obituaries

 

James Leslie (Tes) Johnson, 96, Class of 1933, Died October 28, 2011

 

The following remembrances of James Leslie (Tes) Johnson, Class of 1933, were provided by several members of his family.  There will be no memorial service as he donated his body to the OU Medical Center for medical research.  There is also no online obituary.

 

James Leslie Johnson died October 28, 2011, in Lawton.  He was born on December 20, 1914, on a farm about 6 miles east of Roosevelt to James L. Johnson and Nannie B. Harrison Johnson.  At the time he had an older sister, Opal, and older brothers, Raymond, Marvin, and Dewey.  Two younger brothers, Albert and Lloyd, came along later.  Tes was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Emily, and all of his siblings except Lloyd.

 

Tes attended school at Fairview, Consolidated 61 School, and finished grades 8 through 12 in the Roosevelt schools.  Tes graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1933 as valedictorian of his class.  He also played the end position on the 1932 Roosevelt football team, which was undefeated and had only a safety (2 points) scored against them all year.  He also played baseball in high school and was reported to have pitched a no-hitter, but he gave credit to excellent fielding, poor opposing batting, and just chance that he was the pitcher.  It was while a sophomore in high school that he was given the name “Tes” by a classmate playing on the name Leslie which is what he went by.  The name stuck for 80 more years.

 

The 1930’s were the depression years and young men worked at many jobs.  Tes farmed on the home place, worked odd jobs, and spent quite a bit of time working in the C.C.C. Camp near Sentinel, Oklahoma, before he entered the service.  He served in the Army in WWII first in a training group in Puerto Rico, then for a time in a transportation group in the Lincoln, Nebraska, area before sailing in a troop ship to the European theatre.  He recalled crawling into a tent and asking about food and somebody saying, “Johnson, is that you?”  It turned out they thought it was his brother, Raymond.  He introduced the army mess to peanut butter and syrup on pancakes.

 

After the war he married his wife, Emily, in Wichita Falls, Texas.  He worked a variety of jobs to support the family.  The family settled in Snyder, Oklahoma for a time where Tes worked at the downtown Magnolia gas station and later at a Champlin station on the south side of town.  The family moved twice to a farm down the road from Willard and Pearl Smith which was north and west of Cooperton.  The family then moved to Oklahoma City where for a short time Tes worked for another gas station.  While in Oklahoma City, they lived near where the Murrah Building was built.  He was then accepted for training as a security inspector by the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) at Los Alamos, New Mexico.   Tes had an amazing memory of people he’s worked with and for and of the incredible variety of jobs he’d taken over the years to survive and to put food on the table for his family.

 

After retirement Tes and Emily bought a farm south of Agra, Oklahoma.  However, after several years there Emily’s health forced them to move again.  They moved to Alpine, Texas, where they lived until Emily’s death.  They had many special friends in Alpine.  Tes was a deacon emeritus in the Baptist Church and he was a proud member of the men’s coffee club.  After Emily’s death, Tes’s poor eyesight made it difficult for him to live alone.  The family worked to get him accepted in the Lawton/Fort Sill VA Center where he lived until his death.  His niece Jonna Sue Johnson Shklar lives in Lawton and spent much time with him.

 

Even though he was quiet much of the time, he always had a smile for folks and he liked to reminisce about old times and old friends.  Those who knew him learned quickly of his dry wit and how much he enjoyed a good joke.  Ultimately, he was a gentleman and a gentle man and we will miss him a great deal.

 

Tes was survived by his son, Jimmie Lee Johnson and wife Nancy; grandson, David Johnson; brother, Lloyd Johnson; his sister-in-law, Ruby Fern Johnson; three nieces, Jonna Sue Shklar, Patricia (Tish) Carroll, and Goldie Rae Galliano; two nephews, Wes Johnson and Kent Johnson; as well as many great nieces and nephews.

 

 

Useful Links:

 

Becker Funeral Home of Snyder, OK

http://www.beckerfuneral.com/?page=snyder

 

Ray and Martha’s Funeral Home of Hobart, Mt. View, and Carnegie, OK

http://rayandmarthas.com/

 

Roosevelt Cemetery Layout

http://www.234enterprises.com/Roosevelt%20Cemetery%20Layout.htm

 

Roosevelt Cemetery Markers (Picture Trail)

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/rooseveltcemetery

 

Roosevelt Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99397&CScn=roosevelt&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Hobart Rose Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99399&CScn=Hobart+Rose&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Hobart Resurrection (Catholic) Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2246374&CScn=Resurrection&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Mountain Park Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99042&CScn=Mountain+Park&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Snyder Fairlawn Cemetery on Find A Grave

 

 

News Center -- Always Available Online

 

Remember--past, current, and all future editions of “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition” can be viewed online from any computer at: http://www.234enterprises.com/RooseveltNews/newscenter.htm.  We highly recommend that you bookmark this link.

 

In addition to viewing all copies of the paper, you can use this website to send comments or news items to us for publication.  Simply enter your name, your class year (if a Roosevelt graduate), your email address, and the comments you want to make or the news item you want to send and click on “Submit Information” button at the bottom left of the page.  The information that you submitted will show on your screen under a title of “Form Confirmation”—confirming that what you entered was sent to our email. 

 

 

Email Addresses

 

This newsletter is an email edition.  The only way for you to receive it and keep up-to-date with your friends from Roosevelt is for you to keep us informed of changes to your email address.  So please be sure to notify us at mmay@234enterprises.com should your email address change.  We also encourage you to send us email addresses for friends and family who might also like to receive the newsletter so that we can include them on our list.

 

 

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