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. 23                                                                                      Dec. 23, 2011

 

 

From the Editor

 

Before we went to Georgia to see Kevin, Brenda, and Raegan for Thanksgiving, Carolyn found KitchenAid mixers on sale at Costco at a good price, with an additional rebate.  She thought this would make a great Christmas present for Brenda, so picked one up.  I told her that the price was good enough that she should think about replacing her 15 year old KitchenAid, but she balked at my suggestion saying, “Mine is fine.”  So to Marietta we went with the new mixer “in tow.”  Upon presenting it to Brenda, we noticed a strange reaction on both Brenda’s and Kevin’s faces and Brenda sheepishly replied, “Kevin has already bought me one.”  That was a little deflating, but obviously, she didn’t need a second one so we loaded it back in the car upon leaving and started back to Virginia with it.  I quickly jumped back on the “Carolyn, you should keep it” bandwagon.  By now, since it was black, matching her appliances (her old one was bisque) and a much more powerful model, she agreed that she’d keep it and put her old one on “Craig’s List” for sale.  Here’s where the story turns and opens my eyes to what many people are facing in America.

 

We received several inquiries on the mixer, but most said, “15 years is too old.”  Finally, late Saturday a lady from Maryland (over 2.5 hours away) called to express her interest and asked why we were getting rid of it.  After our explanation, she said, I need to talk to my husband and I’ll get back to you.  After Carolyn hung up, she said, “We’ll not hear from her again she’s over 2.5 hours away.  However, much to our surprise around 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning we got a call from her saying that she was on her way and should arrive around 1:00 p.m.  Almost at exactly 1:00 p.m. the doorbell rang.  Her Dad, a gentleman probably younger than Carolyn and I, had brought her down in his Dodge pickup that was at least 10 years old, with peeling paint, and appearing to really not be up to the trip it had just made.  After coming in, we plugged the mixer in and turned it on to prove that it did actually work.  After a cursory look, she reached in her purse and pulled out the amount of cash we had requested for the mixer.  As I carried it to the pickup for her, she confided that she was buying it for her sister as a wedding present--wanted to buy her a new one, but just couldn’t afford it.  I couldn’t help but noticing that the pickup was almost full of personal belongings.  She then commented that she had recently lost an older sister and that her Dad’s house had burned from an electrical fire in which he lost everything including the ashes of his wife--her Mother who had also recently passed away.  She indicated the pickup included most of her Dad’s belongings and since he had no place to live was living with her.  As they left, I recommended a great “burger place” just down the street.  I’m sorry to say that they were well on their way before it really registered what had just transpired.  I had, first hand, witnessed what so many Americans are facing in these trying economic times--families banding together, taking short cuts just trying to survive and maintain their composure.  Now I’m feeling guilty that I didn’t just give her the damn mixer…

 

mlm

 

PS  A note on last week’s Editorial--got the peanut brittle from Jerry Hayslip last Friday and to say that it was FANTASTIC would definitely be an understatement.  I highly suggest that you get an order in to Jerry for some brittle before he decides that he’s tired of making it.  Jerry can be contacted on Facebook or directly at jerhay777@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

Content Contributors for the Week

 

Austilene (Turner) Borum

Charles Curtis, Jr.

Stanna Lee

Carolyn Martin

Amy Cooper

All those who sent messages to the Email “Bag”

 

Thank you all!

 

 

Christmas

 

We are again this week including some messages about Christmas that we hope will bring home the spirit of Christmas, brighten your day, and just make you feel good.

 

Grandma & Santa Claus

 

'Tis the season or a touching little story... Grandma & Santa Claus 

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma.  I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.
 
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm.  Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!!  Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
 
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.  As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.  That was a bundle in those days.  "Take this money," she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it.  I'll wait for you in the car."  Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old.  I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.  The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.
 
For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.  I thought of everybody I knew:  my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter.  His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

 

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.  "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat.  I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.
 
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.
 
Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy.  Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.
 
Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
 
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.  Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open.  Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering beside my Grandma in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous.  Santa was alive and well and we were on his team.  I still have the Bible with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.
 
May you always have LOVE to share, 
HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care... 
And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

********

 

Christmas Poem

IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWN UPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'

This poem was written by a Marine.
The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men, women, and Canadian Forces for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

 

********

 

We all like to decorate for Christmas.  This family has certainly outdone themselves this year.

 

http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_dec2011/UltimateChristmasYardDecoration.htm

 

********

 

Merry Christmas,

 

Click on the link below.  When it opens, if you drag your mouse across the picture, you will be surprised.

 

http://www.elion.ee/docs/joulukaart/eng/

 

********

 

Christmas Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery

 

Since we live so close to Arlington National Cemetery, the local news does cover the laying of the wreaths at Arlington.  It is very impressive and something all should see.  Arlington Cemetery is the one Washington landmark that Mike and I always insist all visitors see.  We always go with them as we never tire of visiting and hearing the stories told by the tour guides.  The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown is very impressive.  cnm

 

http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/wreaths.asp

 

********

 

12 Days of Christmas

 

We received the message which included the origin of the song ”The 12 Days of Christmas”, from several of our readers.  I found the story very interesting and went to the internet to read more about the origin of the song.  Rather than finding more information about the origin, I found an article on Snopes which gave the story as it is being passed on and then explains why the origin as claimed is not true. It is a nice story--believe the story or believe Snopes--your call.   cnm

 

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp

 

 

 

 

Thoughts from the Squirrel Lair

 

Who wrote the song "Precious Lord"? I was very surprised to find out who it was.

THE BIRTH OF THE HYMN "PRECIOUS LORD"

Back in 1932, I was a fairly new husband.  My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago's south side.  One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting.  I didn't want to go; Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child, but a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis.  I kissed Nettie goodbye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.

However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my music case.  I wheeled around and headed back.

I found Nettie sleeping peacefully.  I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay.  But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music.

The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again.  When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram.  I ripped open the envelope.... Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.

People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out.  I rushed to a phone and called home.  All I could hear on the other end was "Nettie is dead.  Nettie is dead.'"

When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy.  I swung between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died.  I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart.  For days I closeted myself.  I felt that God had done me an injustice.  I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs.  I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis.  Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie.  Was that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention
To Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.

From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him.  But still I was lost in grief.  Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend.  The following Saturday evening he took me up to Maloney's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows.

I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys.  Something happened to me then. I felt at peace.  Felt as though I could reach out and touch God.  I found myself playing a melody.  Once in my head they just seemed to fall into place: 'Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.'

The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my Spirit.  I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.


And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that Day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.

- - - -Tommy Dorsey

For those too young to know who he is, Tommy Dorsey was a well-known band leader in the 1930's and 40's.

Did you know that Tommy Dorsey wrote this song?  I surely didn't.  What a wonderful story of how God CAN heal the brokenhearted!  Beautiful, isn't it?

Worth the reading, wasn't it?  Think on the message for a while.  Thought you might like to share this, I just did.

 

 

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

 

Snyder Girls Basketball Team Ranked No. 1

 

The Snyder High School girls won the Class 2A State Campionship in basketball last year.  They are having another good year and are currently ranked No. 1 in Class 2A.  The following article written by Sports Writer, Kyle Vrska, appeared in the December 19th Lawton-Constitution.

 

The Class 2A No. 1 Snyder girls are off to a perfect 5-0 start and have smote every opponent they have played.  They haven’t won a game by less than 15 points, and the 15-point win was against Class A No. 1 Chattanooga.

 

“I think last year has them believing in themselves and to the program,” head coach Jeremy Tharp said.  We also got Maddie Geiger back this year and she’s stronger than she was so that has helped.”

 

The strong start has always been helped in no small part by Jordynn VanPelt.  The senior has already signed a softball scholarship to play at East Central University at Ada, but will play basketball as well.

 

“She’s just a gamer and she always shows up ready to play,” Tharp said.  “She loves challenges and the bigger the challenge, the better she plays.  She’s a special player.”

 

The biggest accomplishment so far has been the championship the team captured at the Southwest Shootout in Chattanooga a couple of weeks ago, which has set the tone for the season.

 

“We knew we were going to face several top-flight teams in the tournament and I think the girls wanted to prove they aren’t just a one-shot miracle,” Tharp said.  “I feel good about what we’re doing, but the girls know we still have to get better.”

 

 

 

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:

 

December 23 – Dago Torres
December 24 – Jacey Pearl Funkhouser
December 25 – Norwood Pollard, Class of 1959
December 26 – J. R. Howard
December 26 – Lance Cole Carter
December 26 – Robert Long
December 26 – Janeena Hendry
December 27 – Haylee Hopkins
December 27 – Randy Jackson, Class of 1964
December 27 – Shawn Dickinson
December 28 – Alice (Clark) McCall

Happy Anniversary To:

 

December 23 – Johnny & Joyce VanDerPol
December 23 – Billy Glenn & Edna Pitts

 

 

Humor

 

I thought this was very true so just had to share with all of you.  cnm

 

What Pets Write in Their Diary or on their Facebook Page

 

http://telling-secrets.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-pets-write-in-their-diary.html

 

 

From the Email “Bag”

 

December 16, 2011

 

Mike and Carolyn,

There are just not sufficient words to express the joy you bring through the Roosevelt News.  Every issue is read from "cover to cover".  (Guess that phrase doesn't really work anymore in this technology age, does it?)  You continue to come up with such interesting stories of Roosevelt Past AND, also, happenings today--both, of those people we know and articles found online.  (The Humor this week made me laugh out loud.  I copied and pasted in an email to our oldest son who is a teacher:  the joke, the inspirational story of the teacher AND the story, etc., of the song "Where's the Line to See Jesus".  They were all just TOO GOOD not to share.)  Know that every hour you pour over trying to put out an interesting and entertaining paper has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

Enjoyed your story about Jerry Hayslip.  Of course, we attended twelve years of school together.  I never ran around with his crowd, but sat beside him in Mrs. Sims English and Literature class.  At the only school reunion that I attended a few years ago, he was the one that made the biggest impression on me.  He was so kind and mannerly.  He and I chatted on Facebook one evening before the last school reunion.  He's just really a great guy.

I remember that you asked me to write about the who/what/when/where/how of my life.  Don't think there's anything interesting enough to add to the paper.  So, I'll just keep "sponging" from the efforts of others.

Thanks again,


Marilyn Lester (Class of '64)

 

********

 

December 20, 2011

 

Hi,

 

Thank you for the emails you do have. I appreciate you taking the time for doing them.  I will certainly let you know if I find out any others.   

 

I know the newsletter takes a lot of time.  It’s nice to keep up with friends.  Do appreciate all your hard work.

 

Thanks,

 

Cheryl Owens

********

December 21, 2011

 

Mike just wanted you to know thanks for the news paper last week in which you made a reference to Jimmie.  He would have laughed and enjoyed it so much.  I did.  You and Carolyn do a great job.

 

Carolyn Martin (via Facebook)

 

 

 

Obituaries

 

Pauline Tannery, 87 (Mother-in-Law of Becky (Bynum) Tannery - Class of 1965)

http://www.beckerfuneral.com/sitemaker/sites/becker0/obit.cgi?user=539915Tannery

 

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

 

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