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. 43                                                                                      May 11, 2012

 

 

From the Editor

 

I have to open the window to my soul as I write “Confessions of a Political Junkie.”  Not surprisingly, I know that my political “banter” is received with some mixed reaction.  However, with over 375 readers, negative comments have been very minimal.  In fact, this week we got our first request from a reader asking that they be removed from the mailing list--“Since you are using this "NEWS" media to speak your political view.”  That’s fair and I quickly granted his request.  Since starting the paper last July we have had no more than 5 or 6 requests to remove people from the mailing list.  I know little to nothing about why these people asked to be removed.  Some may have been over the “political banter”--I don’t know--but if it was they didn’t say so.  My thoughts that many of you enjoy this type of discussion are based on the number of articles that are sent to us by the readers.  By in large, we do receive several positive comments about the political pieces and editorials.  I think it’s fair to say that I do believe that many of us seniors are very much attuned to political activity because of how directly we are affected by the decisions of the politicians who get elected.  This is never more relevant than when there is an upcoming Presidential Election 6 months out.  I think I’ve stated this before, but just in case you missed it--I have NO INTENTION of trying to force my opinions or views upon ANY of you!  I just want to give you a side to agree with, think about, or disagree with and encourage you to present your thoughts to us—which should result in more good reading for those from the other side.  Larry Phillips did that last week in reference to my Bin Laden discussion.  That’s “all good” and helps tell the “rest of the story.”  I don’t want to encourage people to be combative--Larry wasn’t.  He just had a different point of view to present--which we ALL are entitled to.  I will not respond to your view trying to imply that you’re wrong.  I’ll just print it for the readers’ enjoyment (that is, as long as it’s printable).

                                            

I’d like to elaborate a little more on my “spin” of the political landscape.  After over 31 years in the Federal Government I’ve seen many administrations come and go--both Democratic and Republican.  With every change, “wheels were put in motion” to twist the operation of government in the direction of the successful party--sometimes positive, sometimes not.  Another little caveat, our local news is National news so we get a “double dose” of what is going down in the White House and “on the Hill.”  This gives us a little different vantage point than what is seen on the news in different parts of the country.  I think this helps hone our “spin detection” skills and I must admit, I go enjoy utilizing those skills.  I don’t want to imply that I have that market cornered.  My “innocent” wife is pretty good at that too--she also had 30 years of experience in the Federal Government watching the “big guys” within her agency “spin.”  I also must confess that some of the things I write get influenced by her comments.  She saw the “Rock Center” story on Bin Laden very differently than I did.  That said, I’m not going to divulge whose view was most prevalent in my last editorial.

 

In closing, please humor me and take my political comments for what they are intended to be--hopefully, interesting reading and worst case as simple entertainment provided by an old man that just can’t help himself from trying to write something that you either agree with or can look at open mindedly and consider as a “little food for thought.”  Please DO NOT be offended if my political views are different than yours and above all, DO exercise your right to vote on November 6, and vote your conscience.

 

mlm

 

 

 

Content Contributors for the Week

 

Clyde and Mabel Blackwood, Classes of 1943 and 1946

Charles Curtis, Class of 1965

Jack Whitson, Class of 1953

All those who sent messages to the Email “Bag”

 

Thank you all!

 

 

A Tribute to Mothers

 

Mother’s Day

 

I decided to do a little research to get the history of the observance of Mother’s Day.  Below is what is I found out.  cnm

 

The first attempts to establish a “Mother’s Day” in the U.S. were by women’s peace groups whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides of the American Civil War.  There were limited observances during the 1870s and 1880s but none went beyond the local level. 

 

In 1868 Ann Jarvis created a committee to establish a “Mother’s Friendship Day” for the purpose of reuniting families that had been divided during the Civil War.  She wanted to expand it into an annual memorial for mothers but she died in 1905 before the celebration became popular.  Julia Ward Howe led a “Mother’s Day” observance in New York City on June 2, 1872, and the observance continued in Boston under her sponsorship for 10 more years before dying out.

 

Several years later a Mother’s Day observance was held on May 13, 1877, in Albion, Michigan, over a dispute related to the temperance movement.  In the early 1880s, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Albion set aside the second Sunday in May to recognize the special contributions of mothers.

 

Frank E. Hering, President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, made the first known public pleas for a national day to honor our mothers in 1904.

 

In its present form, Mother’s Day was established by Anna Marie Jarvis, the daughter of Ann Jarvis, with the help of Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker following the death of her mother on May 9, 1905.  A small service was held on May 12, 1907, in Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where Ann’s mother had been teaching Sunday school.  But the first official service was on May 19, 1908, in the same church, accompanied by a larger ceremony in the Wanamaker Auditorium in the Wanamaker’s store in Philadelphia.  The next year the day was reported to be widely celebrated in New York.

 

Jarvis campaigned to establish Mother’s Day first as a U.S. holiday then later as an international holiday.  The holiday was declared officially by the state of West Virginia in 1910 and the rest of the states quickly followed.  On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day and requesting a proclamation.  On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring the first national Mother’s Day as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those others whose sons had died in war.

 

Carnations have come to represent Mother’s Day since Anna Jarvis delivered 500 of them at its first celebration in 1908.  Many religious services adopted the custom of giving away carnations and the custom of wearing carnations on Mother’s Day followed.  Carnations were not worn just by Mothers but by anyone who wanted to honor their Mother—man, woman, or child.  Anna Jarvis chose the carnation because it was her mother’s favorite flower.  Partly due to the shortage of white carnations and partly due to the effort to see more flowers, florists promoted wearing red carnations if your mother was living and white carnations if she was dead.

 

(I vividly remember the white and red carnation tradition as I grew up.  We always gave my Grandmother a white carnation corsage and Mother and I had red carnation corsages for Mother’s Day.  cnm)

 

********

 

A Mother’s Arms

 

This moving tribute is very meaningful as we approach Sunday and Mother’s Day.  A Mother’s arms are always around the children she loves no matter how old the children, how far away they may be, how right or wrong their actions may be.  There is no love greater than that of a Mother.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETeB2JnpXiU

 

********

 

Carolyn’s Thoughts on Mother’s Day

 

As Sunday and Mother’s Day approaches, I began to reflect on the meaning of that day to me.  I believe a Mother’s love is like that of none other.  I know that Dads love their children ever bit as much as Mothers do.  At least I know mine did and I certainly know that Mike loves our kids and grandkids with all of his heart.  However, the bond of a Mother and child which begins when the baby is in the womb is very special.  

 

I think I can look at Mother’s Day from several perspectives—that of a daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, mother, and grandmother.  I am fortunate to still have my Mother to celebrate this day with, and I will be in Oklahoma with her this year.  She is 94 years old and I cherish my daily phone call with her.  Beginning as a child and teenager and continuing to this day, I have had a great relationship with her, and I continue to be thankful for the example she set for me to follow.  I just hope that I am the Mother to my children that she has been to me.  My Grandmother loved each of her grandchildren beyond belief.  She was just sure each of us was the best ever.  Better not say anything bad about any of us around her or you would get an ear full.  I could not have had more love from a mother-in-law than I had from Gayle.  I became the daughter she never had, and she loved me as though as I was her own.  So again, I feel so fortunate to have had these wonderful women in my life and hope that I shared with each of them what they meant to me and the influence they had on my life.

 

Now, as a mother, I know the love I have for my children and grandchildren.  I know the joy of teaming with Mike to raise two great kids.  I laughed and celebrated with them through their good times and cried and hurt with them when disappointments came along.  I cannot imagine life without the joy of Karen and Kevin and their families.

 

I have watched Karen become a wonderful Mother to Paige.  I see the love in her eyes each time I am with them.  She beams with love each time she says, “Paige is so me” and knows that Mike and I know she is referring to the attitude Karen often displayed growing up.  I have seen the pain and hurt in her eyes when she lost babies, and I know the special Mother’s bond and love had developed as she carried them, unfortunately not to full term.  I cried and hurt with her as only a Mother can.  I only hope and pray that she can enjoy motherhood as I have.

 

Brenda, our daughter-in-law, is also a wonderful Mother to Raegan and Parker.  I see that same love in her eyes when she looks at them.  I saw the love and concern she had as she sat beside Parker in that NICU for those first few days.  I know how concerned Nana and PaPa were and know as the Mother she was even more concerned.

 

So I feel so fortunate for our grandchildren to have such great Mothers who love them with all of their hearts.

 

And I must say that as a Nana I don’t know how I could love anyone more than I do Paige, Raegan, and Parker.  As each one came along, you wonder how you could love another one as much as you did the last one but when they arrive you know there is no difference.  Each has her or his own personality and is a little person in their own right who is just so easy to love.  I found that a Nana’s love is much like that of a Mother’s. 

 

I am so thankful that I have had the great pleasure of knowing the love of a Grandmother, Mother, and Mother-in-law.  I only hope that as a Mother, Mother-in-law, and Nana that I can show that same love to those who are so important to me.

 

I am so glad that a day has been set aside to recognize Mothers as they do play a very important part in each of our lives.  If you are fortunate enough to still have your Mother with you, don’t forget to give her a call or visit on this special day.  If you aren’t so fortunate, take the time to spend a few minutes reflecting on the special person your Mother was.  cnm

 

 

 

Remembering

 

POW Camps in Oklahoma during WWII

 

We received an email (see below) this week from Linda (Goodin) Orr Hash asking whether any of our readers were aware of POW Camps for German prisoners during WWII.  We had heard something about this earlier from another reader.  So I decided to do some research as this was not something Mike or I either was aware of.  Below is what I found along with links to articles I found interesting about these camps.  If any of you have remembrances of this camp, we would love to hear from you.  cnm

 

During World War II federal officials located enemy prisoners of war (POW) camps in Oklahoma.  They selected Oklahoma because the state met the basic requirements established by the U.S. Army agency responsible for the POW camp program.  Guidelines mandated placing the camps away from urban, industrial areas for security purposes, in regions with mild climate to minimize construction costs, and at sites where POWs could alleviate an anticipated farm labor shortage.  In addition, leaders in communities across the state actively recruited federal war facilities to bolster their towns’ economics. 

 

Eight base camps were established in Oklahoma at Stringtown, Alva, Camp Gruber, Fort Reno, Fort Sill, McAlester, Tonkawa, and Pryor.  In addition to these camps, a unique facility opened at Okmulgee where army officials designated Glennan General Hospital to treat prisoners of war and partially staffed it with captured enemy medical personnel.

 

The base camps were built using standard plans prepared by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.  Each compound contained barracks, latrines, and mess halls to accommodate as many as one thousand men.  The camps varied in size from one to five compounds at a location.  Outside the compound fences, a hospital, fire station, quarters for enlisted men and officers, administration building, warehouses, and sometimes an officers’ club and theater completed the camp.  POWs received the same rations as U.S. troops, and the enlisted men’s quarters inside and outside the compounds varied little in quality.

 

In May of 1943 the POWs began arriving and were virtually all German.  After the POWs arrived, branch camps were established.  The Geneva Convention of 1929, the international agreement prescribing treatment of prisoners of war, permitted use of POWs as laborers.  Clothes in surplus military fatigues conspicuously stenciled with “PW,” German soldiers picked row crops and cotton, harvested wheat and broom corn, manned the Santa Fe Railroad’s ice plant at Waynoka, cut underbrush and timber in the basin of Lake Texoma, served as hospital orderlies, and worked on ranches.

 

Hobart was one of these branch camps under the Ft. Sill base camp.  It opened in Oct. 1944, and was located between Jefferson and Eastern Streets, north of Iris Ave.  It held 286 prisoners that worked the farms in the area.  It closed May 16, 1945.

 

http://rebelcherokee.labdiva.com/ctypowcamps.html

 

 

http://rebelcherokee.labdiva.com/powcampinfo.html

 

 

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/P/PO029.html

 

 

http://www.gentracer.org/powcampsOK.html

 

 

 

Thoughts from the Squirrel Lair

 

Thoughts to Ponder

 

First, I was dying to finish my high school and start college.

And then I was dying to finish college and start working.

Then I was dying to marry and have children.

And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could go back to work.

But then I was dying to retire.

And now I am dying…and suddenly I realized I forgot to live.

 

Please don’t let this happen to you.

Appreciate your current situation and enjoy each day…old friend.

 

********

 

To make money we lose our health, and then to restore our health we lose our money…

We live as if we are never going to die, and we die as if we never lived.

 

********

 

How to Stay Young

 

Throw out nonessential numbers.  This includes age, weight, and height.  That’s why we live smart.

 

Keep only cheerful friends.  The grouches pull you down.

 

Keep learning.  Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.  Never let the brain idle.  “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop and dull living.”  Experience new things…get out.

 

Enjoy the simple things.

 

Laugh often, long and loud.  Laugh until you gasp for breath.

 

The tears happen.  Endure, grieve, and move on.  The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves.  Be ALIVE while you are alive.

 

Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.  Your home is your refuge.

 

Cherish your health.  If it is good, preserve it.  If it is unstable, improve it.  If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

 

Don’t take guilt trips.  Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

 

Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity.

 

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER

 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

 

Share this with someone.  We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!

 

Worry about nothing, pray about everything.

 

 

 

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

 

Interesting Landmarks from Around the World

 

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=Rr1ojJLEovI

 

 

 

News

 

Lloyd Johnson, Class of 1939, Celebrates 90th Birthday

 

Lloyd turns 90 years old on May 10th!  We had a party for him at our local church this Sunday and had a picture display of some really old pictures, as well as a power point presentation.  Everyone enjoyed him.  We had a party for him there on his 80th also, and Sunday he said let's do it again in another ten!  He loves working those crossword puzzles every day and reading westerns - on average a book a day!  His hearing is not good at this point, but he did get his driver's license renewed last week!  He has such fond memories of Roosevelt and his family and classmates.  He and mom graduated school there and married in 1944 while serving as a Marine.  We are all one big happy family now and enjoy one another a lot.  (Tish Johnson Carroll)

 

********

 

Cold Springs Reunion

 

The 12th Annual Cold Springs Reunion will be May 19.  Mark your calendar and make plans to attend!  The Reunion will be held at the Roosevelt Senior Citizens Center.  Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon.  Lunch is $7.50 per plate.  All former students and teachers as well as anyone who has interest in the Cold Springs area are encouraged to attend.  This reunion was started 12 years ago by Charles May and Eugene Hayslip with the assistance of Wanda Jackson and has met every year since.  If you have any questions about the reunion, contact Eugene Hayslip at (254) 732-0635.  Attendees will certainly have a grand time.

 

We plan to attend and hope to see some of you there.  mlm and 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:

 

May 14 – Kenneth Hebensperger, Class of 1956

May 14 – Kent Stafford, Class of 1978
May 17 – Jack Theyel

 

 

 

Humor

 

The Final Exam

 

Think some of the teachers are going to love this one!!

 

At Penn State University, there were four sophomores taking chemistry and all of them had an “A” so far.  These four friends were so confident that, the weekend before finals, they decided to visit some friends and have a big party.  They had a great time but, after all the hearty partying; they slept all day Sunday and didn’t make it back to Penn State until early Monday morning.

 

Rather than taking the final then, they decided that after the final they would explain to their professor why they missed it.  They said that they visited friends but on the way back they had a flat tire.  As a result, they missed the final.  The professor agreed they could make up the final the next day.  The guys were excited and relieved.  They studied that night for the exam.

 

The next day the professor placed them in separate rooms and gave them a test booklet.  They quickly answered the first problem worth 5 points.  Cool, they thought!  Each on in separate rooms, thinking this was going to be easy…

 

Then they turned the page.  On the second page was written…

 

For 95 points:  Which tire?______

 

 

 

From the Email “Bag”

 

May 3, 2012

 

Hi Mike and Carolyn,

 

Loved your thoughts on Bin Laden, and we know everything you said is true!!! Keep up the good work and keep us informed!  We listen to everything we can about what is going on in this world and Marilyn is right also one hundred percent!  Everyone needs to keep praying for our country and for our soldiers! The soldiers don't get enough respect now days!  Thanks again for the good work you and Carolyn are doing for all of us from Kiowa County! 

 

Bonnie (Pollard) and John Phillips, Class of 1964

 

********

 

May 3, 2012

 

Dear Mike & Carolyn,

 

Someone asked recently if President Theodore Roosevelt hunted wolves in Roosevelt; unfortunately I can't answer that question.  I did read a very good book recently entitled "Empire of the Summer Moon" by S.C. Gwynne which is a history of the Comanches.  Near the end of the book, it discusses Quanah Parker's relationship with President Roosevelt and indicates that in March 1905 Roosevelt went by train to Frederick where he participated in a wolf hunt on lands belonging to the Comanches, Apaches and Kiowas in southwest Oklahoma.  During this visit, Roosevelt also had dinner at Quanah's home in Cache.  I think based on this, it is quite possible the lore of Roosevelt hunting for wolves in Roosevelt is true.   There are some references in the book which could be checked further.

 

Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough is another excellent book about Theodore Roosevelt and his family.  The River of Doubt is a book about Roosevelt's trip to the Amazon which my husband praises highly.

 

I would highly recommend the book; I learned many things about the Comanches that I had never known before.  It is very readable and it is my understanding that it is to be made into a movie.

 

I have been meaning to ask if anyone remembers anything about German prisoners of war being sent to work for farmers in Roosevelt during WWII??  My brother Tom was stationed in Germany during his time in the service in probably the mid-1950s.  He tells of stopping at a cafe in Germany and talking with a German man who asked him where he was from.  Tom replied "the United States" whereupon the German said, "Yes, but where".  Tom replied: Oklahoma and again the German said: yes, but where.  Eventually it came out that the German had been taken prisoner by the US in WWII and had been sent to work on a farm in Roosevelt until the war was over.  I had never known anything like this occurred.  The farmer to whom the German was "assigned" was a German immigrant.

 

I was reminded of Tom's story this past summer when we were in Cody, WY and saw Senator Daniel Inouye, the senator from Hawaii, who was in the area to dedicate a memorial at one of the encampments where the Japanese Americans were interred during WWII.

 

Again thanks for all the work you put into the newsletter.

 

Linda (Goodin) Orr Hash, Class of 1961

 

********

 

May 3, 2012

 

Mike,

 

Loved the political fodder, (Social Economics 101).  I just wish everyone understood what it is all about.  We have to make a change soon, and I hope it happens in November.  Thanks again for all you & Carolyn do.

 

Regards,

 

Junior Curtis, Class of 1965

 

********

 

May 3, 2012

 

I watched Rock Center last night and I was impressed with our President’s handling of Bin Laden and wondered how far back in history we would have to go to find a president with the intelligence and canolas to match him.  Just wondering.

 

Larry Phillips, Class of 1964

 

 

 

Political Fodder

 

The Debt Dilemma of the U.S.

This is a sobering explanation of the shape we are in.  It doesn't blame any one party or person; it just lays it all out there. 

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=EW5IdwltaAc&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

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

 

 

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