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. 34                                                                                      March 9, 2012

 

 

From the Editor

 

What’s wrong with this picture?  Oh how our priorities are adrift.  I am so relieved that EVERYTIME I turn the TV on I no longer hear another restructured story on the tragic death of Whitney Houston.  Her death was a tragedy--facilitated most likely by her lifestyle and the use of drugs--prescription or otherwise.  She was indeed a talent and is most likely no longer here because of her own undoing.  Oh, never fear, if you want to hear more, she’ll soon return to the top of the entertainment news when the results of toxicology tests are released and the drama will start all over again.

 

Now let’s move on to some other news which, yes, has been reported, but with no names attached.  Protests from Afghans over the burning of the Korans by U.S. soldiers have resulted in over 30 unnamed Americans being killed in Afghanistan with obviously no “news worthy” candidates, such as Whitney, among them.  Don’t overlook the assertion that these Korans were being used to pass information between Afghans--not just burned without cause.  This whole “Afghanistan thing” so reminds me of the story of the Boy Scout helping the little old lady across the street that didn’t want to go.  Yes, nameless faces protecting your and my freedom.  Oh yes, and the odds are they weren’t fighting with demons--just placed in a situation where there appears to be few winners and many, many losers with their only payment being a somber ride back to Dover, Delaware, to return their bodies to home soil.  Oh yes, and still unnamed by the media.  That’s just wrong!  I’m sorry, I have no reason to believe that we’re going to “fix” Afghanistan regardless of how long we stay--just lose more of America’s finest to a “people” that don’t want us there in the first place.   Bring them home and do it now (sorry, just my opinion).  We need the aid we are sending to this hostile country to care for the many needs we have at home.

 

I could talk about how little you’re hearing on TV about Iraq.  We got out of there--well mostly and things are “mostly” returning to where it was before we went in.  Nobody wants to tell you that--certainly the liberal news media.  Unfortunately, I’m afraid we can put that one in the “loss column” also.  Hard to know if getting Saddam was really worth going.  Trillions of dollars used there for what?  This money too could have been used so much more effectively here at home.

 

Well, the good news is the economy is getting better--according to the President.  I assume you’ve noticed that.  What?  You’re not sure.  Well I am (it’s not from what’s affecting me on a daily basis).  It’s just all “spin” from the “Puzzle Palace on the Potomac.”  I pay more for gas every time I pull up to the pump.  None of the costs associated with goods and services are going down.  They say home values are going up and unemployment is going down.  Oh yes, but ever so slightly.  Ask those who are unemployed about the decrease in unemployment.  Sorry, I’m just not buying it.  Can you say “hype?”

 

Well, at least we bailed out the banks and the auto industry.  GM got the most money and is well on the road to recovery, although I’ve read many accounts that suggest they’ll never pay back all the bailout money.  At least, since we’re doing nothing to address our acquisition of more oil here at home, GM is doing something.  They’ve introduced the “Volt”--an all electric car which is supposed to be the answer to some of our energy problems.  Well, it seems that GM has temporarily suspended production of the $41,000 car because it is not selling well.  Give them “your” money to produce fuel efficient vehicles and they pay you back with price gouging.  Thank you GM.

 

Oh yes, Chrysler also received bailout money and Ford refused it.  What did Ford get for standing on its own two feet?  The Obama administration gave GM and Chrysler an extension on having to drop their fuel inefficient, 1 ton vans at the end of 2013, BUT Ford who refused the bailout is still slated to have their 1 ton vans go on the “chopping block” at the end of 2013.  Interesting?

 

As we look a little deeper into the “recovery of the economy” our hearts bleed for those affected by the deadly storms over the last week.  Beyond the loss of life, the loss of everything by so many who are already “buried” by the effects of the current economy are now faced with the unthinkable--starting over.  Another reason that we must reconsider the aid we continually pump into so many foreign countries that still consider and treat us as their enemy.  We need that money here!

 

Michael has stepped off of his “soapbox” and has left the building…

 

mlm

 

 

Content Contributors for the Week

 

Galeen Chain

Charles Curtis, Class of 1965

Glenda (Griffee) Mayfield, Class of 1961

Jack Whitson, Class of 1953

Jim Whitson, Class of 1957

All those who sent messages to the Email “Bag”

 

Thank you all!

 

 

Remembering

 

As we have been following the Snyder Lady Cyclones basketball team on their quest for a second straight Class 2A State Championship, I started to reflect back on the many memories I have of basketball when I was in school.  First of all let me say I was not a basketball player—too clumsy and uncoordinated to play ball but I did love to watch basketball—and Mike will tell you I still do.  I am sure I got my love for sports from both of my parents as we always attended all of the games—both football and basketball—the Snyder teams played.  My brother was an athlete and played both football and basketball.  Yes, I remember attending games in the old gym at Roosevelt and Mike will tell you I comment from time to time about remembering several of our readers playing ball (yes Junior Curtis, you were on her radar.  Little did she ever dream that some 47 years later you would be furnishing her pristine content for the “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition” -- mlm).  I even remember attending a few football games at Roosevelt before that era ended for the Roosevelt school.

 

Now back to the State Tournament.  In my day Snyder had some good teams which were fun to watch and follow but not good enough to make it to the state tournament.  However, that did not keep my family and several other families who we were friends with from attending the State Tournament.  We made a weekend of the event.  We would go to Oklahoma City on Friday night and stay through Sunday—always at the Black Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.  The tournament was played at the old Municipal Auditorium which was downtown and in walking distance of the hotel and shopping.  What fun we had going to the games and we took in every game.  We always had a favorite team to root for even though our Cyclones were not playing.  I would love to be there to attend a game today in “the Big House” at the fairgrounds to see if it would compare to the excitement I remember from those times 50 years or more ago. 

 

Speaking of the Municipal Auditorium in Oklahoma City, I have many memories of that place.  My first recollection is attending State Teacher’s Meetings with my Mother there.  Those were always in late October and school dismissed for 2 days so all teachers could attend.  My Mother and Grandmother would never miss a State Teacher’s Meeting and I always tagged along—attended every workshop Mom went to.  Then we started attending the State Basketball Tournaments there when I was in Junior High and continued attending through all of my High School years.  The Auditorium was also the site of the State FHA Convention each spring.  I never missed a State FHA Convention during my high school years.  Those were always so much fun as a bus load of girls would head off to “the big city” for a weekend of fun, meetings, and entertainment.  We usually managed to get a little shopping in at the downtown stores or at Penn Square—the only mall that was there in those days—as well. 

 

In fact, as I was writing about the above memories, I realized that I have many memories of Oklahoma City—especially the downtown area.  In my early years we often went to “the City” to shop and to the doctor.  The large department stores—John A. Brown, Kerr’s, Rothschild’s, and Halliburton’s to name a few—were always our destination and all of them are now on the list of defunct department stores in the United States.  John A. Brown was bought out by Dillard’s.  Anna Maude’s Cafeteria in the basement of the John A. Brown building was always the choice for lunch.  I worked for Sohio Oil Company in downtown Oklahoma City the summer after my junior year in college.  Even though the malls had started sprouting up, these stores in downtown Oklahoma City were still the prime shopping area when Mike and I left Oklahoma in 1971.  I haven’t been to downtown Oklahoma City since 1995.  My last trip to downtown was in January of 1995 to visit the GAO office in the Murrah Building.  I will never forget the day of the bombing of that building.  When we received word at our offices in D.C., I could so vividly picture the building, our offices in it, and the staff I had worked with there.  We waited hours before finding out that none of the GAO staff were among those killed but several were very seriously injured.  It was so unbelievable to watch the search and recovery efforts on television.  It was such a sad day for the great state of Oklahoma and our nation.  Each time we head to Oklahoma I think I would like to go back to downtown Oklahoma City, but we spend all of our Oklahoma time visiting family so that side trip never happens.  One of these days it will.  I am sure I will not recognize many if any of the things I remember as a child.  I can still visualize those downtown streets and where the stores, hotels, etc., were on each one.  Today when I read of events in downtown Oklahoma City, I don’t recognize many of the structures they talk about.

 

Memories of the past are great.  I often wonder how our children and grandchildren will remember their past.  Today is so different than what we knew in our younger life.  I can only guess that things will continue to change so that in their later years they, too, will reflect on change as we do today.  We can only hope and pray that the change is for the better.

 

I realize I have rambled a little in this but as I started writing, more things came to mind.  I am not sure how related they are but just good memories I have of the past.  I would encourage each of you to document your memories of the past—share with us if you like but at least document them so your children and grandchildren will have them.  I so wish I had better documentation of the many things my Mom and Dad told me of their early lives.  cnm

 

 

Thoughts from the Squirrel Lair

 

Secrets of Old Age

 

This video includes many beautiful pictures and a lot of sage advice.

 

Turn on the sound, run in full screen (left click the little box at the lower right of the You Tube screen

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgBF3sIPm4c 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Interesting Tidbits

 

What a Wonderful World – A Look Back…

 

A nostalgia trip extraordinaire!

 

Set back, relax, turn on the sound, run in full screen (left click the little box at the lower right of the You Tube screen) and enjoy.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Ae22xxP04

 

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ANWR and Drilling for Oil

 

The following link to Snopes on the ANWR area of Alaska and the controversial issue of drilling for oil is interesting.  As gas prices soar, it makes one think about who is really right here.

 

http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/anwr.asp

 

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In the editorial above Mike mentioned the Chevy Volt.  The following link provides some further interesting information on the car.

 

Chevy Volt

 

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/chevyvolt.asp

 

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We noticed after the following was printed in the news last week that the article incorrectly states that both the Food Stamp Program and the Park Service are part of the Department of Agriculture.  Although the Food Stamp Program is part of Agriculture, the Park Service is part of the Department of Interior.  Regardless, of the location of the programs, the irony still exists in the fact that one government agency has concern that the animals are smart enough to become accustomed to being fed and not scrounge for themselves, while the other agency apparently has no concern for those humans receiving food stamps also becoming accustomed to “feeding from the public trough.”

 

Irony

 

The food stamp program, part of the Department of Agriculture, is pleased to be distributing the largest amount of food stamps ever. ....... Exponentially so. Meanwhile, the Park Service, also part of the Department of Agriculture, requests that we "Please Do Not Feed the Animals" because the animals may grow dependent and not learn to take care of themselves.

 

 

News

 

Kiowa County Genealogical Society

 

The Kiowa County Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13 in the Jake Slaner Room in the Hobart Public Library.  Guest speaker will be Pat Moody, genealogist, of Lawton.  If you are interested in or just curious about your family tree, come to the meeting.  Refreshments will be served.

 

Pat Moody’s biography follows:  Pat Moody was born and raised in Kansas.  Her husband was in the military for 23 years, traveled everywhere and retired at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.

 

Organizations she belongs to are southwest Oklahoma Genealogy Society; Oklahoma Historical Society; Webb City, Missouri Genealogy Society; Holt County, Missouri Genealogy society; Kansas Historical Society; and Daughters of the American Revolution.  She will be the Chapter Regent for Lawton Chapter this coming year; Daughter of 1812, where she was elected state treasurer; Daughters of the confederacy; sons and Daughters of WWII; Order of the Eastern Star; and National Wildlife Turkey Federation.

 

She is a volunteer field Genealogist for the Daughters of the American Revolution.  She has given several workshops on Genealogy throughout Oklahoma and Missouri.  She loves researching her family history as well as helping others search for family history.  She is also doing indexing of application, and book name indexing for Oklahoma through DAR.  She has recently signed up to help index the 1940 Census and also to do lineage research for DAR.

 

Her interest are crochet, needlepoint, Swedish tapestry, shopping for antiques and most of all spending time with her husband, daughters and son-in-laws, and keeping up with their five grandsons, ages 4-18, and of course doing family history.

 

Last summer she completed writing and gathering information for three books that she compiles on parents and also her dad’s Navy history.

 

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Snyder Cyclone Girls Basketball

 

The Snyder Cyclone girls’ basketball team is headed back to the State Tournament to defend their Class 2A title from last year.  The girls lost their game on Friday night in the Area Championship game to Thomas.  However, they came back through the losers’ bracket on Saturday and defeated Colbert to earn a berth in the State Tournament.  The Lady Cyclones play their first game in the State Tournament on Thursday, March 8, at 3:30 p.m. at the arena on the campus of Oklahoma City University.  They play Colcord.  The semi-final and final game will be played at “The Big House” on the fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday.  We are cheering the Lady Cyclones on in their quest for a second straight Class 2A State Championship.

 

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It’s A Spring Thing

 

The Southern Kiowa Chamber is sponsoring It’s A Spring Thing in Roosevelt, Saturday, March 24.  There will be a Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the Roosevelt Senior Citizens Center; a Decorated Bike Parade at 11 a.m. outside the Senior Citizens Center; and an Easter Egg Hunt at 2:30 p.m. outside the Senior Citizens Center.  There will be photo ops with popular cartoon characters and the Easter Bunny will be at the egg hunt for photos so bring your camera.  Concessions will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Senior Citizens Center.  There will be a Town-wide Garage Sale in Roosevelt from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.  We will have more details on the vendors who plan to attend in next week’s issue.  Begin making your plans to come out and enjoy a fun day in Roosevelt.  A very big crowd is expected as last year’s events brought huge crowds.  For more info on the event, contact Candace Thurmond at Candace.thurmond@gmail. Com or 580-639-2020.

 

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Get Well Soon

 

We want to send a “Get well soon” message to Ray Hackney who suffered a heart attack last week and had stints inserted.  From what we know he is home and doing well.  We understand that he may possibly need more stints.  If that is the case, we most certainly wish him the best with that.

 

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:

 

March 11 – Autumn Johnson
March 11 – Vonda Miller Binghom,   Class of 1980
March 12 – Kathryn (Farris) Shoop
March 13 – Nell Buchanan Jennings, Class of 1977
March 14 – Becky (Clark) Williams, Class of 1972
March 14 – David Lester
March 14 – Inez Sensabaugh
March 15 – Mike Morris

 

Happy Anniversary To:

 

March 10 – Jerry & Sherry Downen
March 13 – Dustin & Shanda Jackson

 

 

Humor

 

And Then God Created Virginia

 

God was missing for six days.  Eventually, Michael, the Archangel, found him resting on the seventh day.

 

He inquired, “Where have you been?”

 

God smiled deeply and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, “Look, Michael.  Look what I’ve made.”

 

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, “What is it?”

 

“It’s a planet,” replied God, “and I’ve put life on it.  I’m going to call it Earth and it’s going to be a place to test balance.”

 

“Balance?” inquired Michael, “I’m still confused.”

 

God explained, pointing to different parts of the Earth.  “For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor.  Over here I’ve placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people.  Balance in all things.”  God continued pointing to different countries.  “This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice.”

 

The Archangel, impressed by God’s work, then pointed to a land area and said, “What’s that one?”

 

“That’s Virginia, the most glorious place on earth.  There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, the ocean and plains.  The people from Virginia are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to travel the world.  They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving, carriers of peace, and producers of good things.”

 

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then asked, “But what about balance, God?  You said there would be balance.”

 

God smiled, “Right next to Virginia is Washington, D.C.  Wait till you see the idiots I put there.”

 

 

From the Email “Bag”

 

March 1, 2012

 

Mike and Carolyn,
 
You guys don't know me but my wife Beverly (Heien) Boyles was Wanda's niece.   So glad you are carrying on the newsletter, she would love this.  I knew she did a lot for the school and community but did not realize how much.
 
My reason for writing, I am in charge of our class reunion and was interested in starting a monthly newsletter of happenings in Marlow and of class members.  What program or format do you use on your newsletter?  Are there costs for the web sites?  We now have a web site with pictures at www.mhsoutlaws69.com  but would like to improve it.
 
Keep up the good work, like reading about Roosevelt and your class members’ lives.  Sounds a lot like life around Marlow and our class members.
  
Dewayne Boyles, 
Marlow Class of '69

 

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Hi Mike and Carolyn,

 

Loved the information given by Roxie Collins on Con 8 School and of her memories! Also, appreciate having the link to Kiowa County Ghost Towns from the previous issue.

 

Just wanted to know if I can get permission to reprint her article in either our Kiowa County Genealogical Society or Kiowa County Historical Society newsletters? I think this would make a great addition to either newsletter.  Thanks.

Galeen Chain

********

March 2, 2012

Hi, Mike and Carolyn,

 

We love the news letter and the Politics Fodder!  Keep up the good work!!  John and I are both conservatives and we know one thing, we need to get that man out of the White House!  This United States cannot stand another four years of Obama!  We could not find the thumbs thing, but we want you to keep on telling the people what is happening and the truth about what is happening in our country!  Thanks again and keep up the good work!!!!!

 

John and Bonnie (Pollard) Phillips, Class of 1964

 

********

 

Mike and Carolyn,

 

This is THE MOST IMPORTANT election of our life time.  Of course, you need to continue including "sane" political information.  We need to be informed.  Too many vote "party", no matter what the issues are.  If the present direction of this country is not curtailed THIS VOTING YEAR, our grandchildren WILL NOT have the privilege of growing up in a free and prosperous nation as we have had.  We must stop the notion that government is responsible to take care of our every whim.  Birth control?  We paid for our own, and I'll bet everyone reading this did too!  Recently I had an email sent to me with an actual copy of a grocery store receipt.  On the receipt, along with normal items, were several packages of rib-eye steak and one of lobster--PAID FOR BY FOOD STAMPS! ! !  I don't mind anyone eating those things; but, why should I have to pay for them while I'm buying hamburger?  Pay attention to the ACTIONS of our politicians--NOT THEIR RHETORIC!  If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck; what do you suppose it is?  A DUCK!  Watch with whom they surround themselves.  Of all their good words that impressed you about what they're GOING to do, how many have been carried out?  We have a wonderful Constitution, constructed by hard work and much prayer.  Let's make sure it continues to be followed.

 

Marilyn (Morgan) Lester, Class of 1964

 

 

Political Fodder

 

I’m Sorry

 

This one will jump up and bite you.  Fasten your seat belts and prepare for a surprise ending.  This video is one person’s opinion based on a factual event.  Agree or disagree, it’s your choice.  Please don't judge this video until you have watched it to completion.

 

Turn on the sound, run in full screen (left click the little box at the lower right of the You Tube screen)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZYEctbGSkkw

 

 

 

Obituaries

 

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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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

 

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