Roosevelt News

-- East Coast Edition –

 

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

 

News Center

Read old/current issues online at:

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

 

Editors:

E-mail: mmay@234enterprises.com

 Carolyn Niebruegge May                      Michael L. May

Vol. 3, Is. 21                                                                                      Dec. 6, 2013

 

 

From the Editor

 

I want to think that things are starting to settle down after our return home from Marietta last week, but it’s still pretty hectic.  We’re about 5 weeks away from starting the renovation of our bathrooms.  We are trying to get our arms around all the decisions that must be made relative to what we are going to select for faucets, accessories, counter tops, tile, etc.  I have to give Carolyn credit.  She has had her nose buried in online sites searching for what choices she wants to make.  In our lifetime we have only built one new house--the one we are currently living in.  Granted, with less than a custom house, which ours is, you don’t have a vast amount of decisions to make during construction other than carpet, tile, and maybe, light fixtures and counter tops.  However, saying that we may have had more options than most, but let me assure you the decisions we made then compared to the ones we have to make with this “overhaul” were miniscule.  Thank goodness, as usual, Carolyn is “on top of it” and is keeping vendors “on their toes” as she questions what they say isn’t available compared to what she KNOWS is available based on her research.  My condolences go out to them.  She met with the plumbing wholesaler yesterday to get a list of all her selections to the contractor with his price so she can compare to what she’s found online.  Oh I was there, sitting on my stool, keeping my mouth shut while she conducted business.  I must admit, her performance was “a beautiful thing.”  Today the granite vendor is “at bat.”  She says that after faucets, shower heads, towel rings, etc., granite comes next, followed by tile, then paint.  What fun it is.  Enough of this for now because it will extend for the next 5 weeks and beyond whether we want it to or not.

 

Hope to have “Neighbor Don” come down this afternoon and help me do what I hope to be the last “major blowing” of leaves for the year.  We picked up the new “Little Wonder” rolling (self propelled) blower yesterday and I’d like to get one use out of it before I turn it over to Mark and Karen for safe keeping.  Actually, I think they are pretty much done with their leaves, but he wants to make “one more pass” at his neighbor’s leaves.  Mark has taken care of his neighbor’s leaves for the last couple of years.  The neighbor is elderly and battling cancer.  Gestures like this bring to my attention how proud we are of our son-in-law.  Not only is he good to our daughter, granddaughter, and us, but he’s just a good, caring person.

 

Looks like our calendar is fairly full for the remainder of the week, but that’s nothing new.  I guess it would be pretty boring to just sit around the house and watch Fox News 24/7.

 

mlm

 

 

 

Content Contributors for the Week

 

Linda Melton

Kate (Roberts) Stafford, Class of 1955

Jim Whitson, Class of 1957

Derl Williams

 

All those who sent messages to the Email “Bag”

 

Thank you all!

 

 

 

Remembering…

 

Editor’s Note:  Another Cold Springs article by Derl Williams

 

The Cold Springs Community

 

With rare exception, only memories remain of the Cold Springs Community of my youth.  And the creators of the bulk of these memories long since removed, with the water’s of Tom Steed Reservoir covering this once prime valley farmland.  It was in September 1941—less than three months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese—that my parents moved our family from The Adam’s Place, some five miles east of Snyder, to what in time was to become the Sherrill Jennings Farm.

 

The northwest corner of what was then dubbed the “Otter Creek Farm,” lay one mile east and half back south of Cold Springs, from where we received our mail.  We children attended school at Mountain Park, some seven miles south along old highway #183; attended church in Snyder, a bit further south; and hauled our harvested grain to Cold Springs and cotton to Roosevelt, five miles north along this same highway.

 

Six weeks prior to our move, my brother Jack had enrolled in first grade at the rural school of Prairie View; along with our cousin Jearl Bartlett.  Jearl’s parents had moved onto the Adams Place earlier that summer in preparation of taking over management of the farm for Mr. Adams. 

 

Old highway #183 traced a slow diagonal path from southeast to northwest across the Otter Creek farm.  Roughly two-thirds of this 160 acres was prime bottomland with the remaining acreage pastureland, strewn with granite rocks and small boulders.  What was once referred to as Middle Otter Creek—now Glen Creek—snaked it’s way along its northern border, before kicking back south on its way across Johnson, McKinley and Grantham land; then joining West Otter, with the combined waters moving into the narrows, on their brief journey to Snyder Lake.

 

In coming articles, I hope to share my memories of the nine years spent in this close-knit community and the families that lived there—many attending Cold Springs Friends Church—including Dick Barnes, J.J. Brown, Homer Emmons, Sherrill Jennings, Herman Miller, Hugh Orr, J.F. Reed, Marvin Smith, Arthur Young and  many, many more.

 

 

 

Thoughts from the Squirrel Lair

 

100 Year Old Harmonica Player

 

An amazing little lady.  This is the cutest thing.  I hope you enjoy it as much

as I did.  She is 100 years old and so feisty!  If only we could be as sharp as she is when we are 100.  I believe her humor and philosophy of life have helped her to remain vibrant.  Watch, laugh and learn.

 

http://www.mountainwings.com/past/12221.htm

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Cooperton Valley Picture Trail

 

The “Cooperton Valley” Picture Trail site has been renewed for all to enjoy.  Thanks to Karen (Johnson) Mason for funding this site for the coming year.  This site has many pictures from past Cooperton School reunions.  We hope that you will find these photos interesting if you haven’t visited this site in the past (or if you have and wondered where it went).  Go to http://www.picturetrail.com/coopertonvalley to visit the site.

 

 

 

Interesting Tidbits

 

The following article written by Josh Rouse appeared in the Lawton Constitution on Tuesday, December 3, 2013.  How many of you knew that such an event happened in Cooperton on Saturday night?  If you haven’t been, it sounds like a fun time for all.

 

Cooperton Dance

 

Every Saturday night, the sleepy town of Cooperton comes alive to the sound of country music with an old-fashioned dance.

 

The Kiowa County community has a total population of seven, according to the 2010 census, and is officially listed as a ghost town, but that hasn’t stopped resident Kenneth Boyd from continuing a musical tradition spanning more than 20 years.

 

“My wife and I came to Lawton to dance at the fairgrounds and there was this band playing there,” he said.  “At the time, our community building here was vacant, but we asked them if they would be interested in playing here in Cooperton.  They didn’t even know where it was.  After a while, they thought about it and said they’d try three Saturday nights and make a go of it.  And the rest is history.”

 

The Wichita Valley Boys, which consists of musicians from all over Southwest Oklahoma, has played every Saturday night at the Cooperton Community Building for 22 years.  Boyd is proud to say there have only been a handful of dance cancellations during that more-than-two-decade span—mostly due to bad weather.  Every week he and his wife arrive at the community building early to begin brewing coffee, preparing food and setting out tables and chairs.  The band members begin to show up later in the afternoon and set up before the music starts at 7 p.m.

 

“After the end of the show, they stick around and we tear everything down, clean it all up and get it ready to go for the next weekend,” Boyd said.

 

That first fateful meeting at the Comanche County Fairgrounds took place 22 years ago this month.  The very first dance held a week later only attracted 13 people.  The week after that 28 people showed up.  The following week, 54 people arrived.  This year, hundreds fill the community building every Saturday night.  During that period, 57 couples have met at the dance and ultimately married.  Many more friends and lifelong bonds have been made.  To celebrate those accomplishments, Boyd is hosting a 22nd anniversary party Saturday night.

 

“We’re having a free dance with wild hog barbecue,” he said.  “I trapped the hogs myself.  We’re going to have the free food around 8:30.  People are welcome to bring a side dish and we’re going to have a great time of it.”

 

So what’s the secret to keeping a dance thriving for so long?  Boyd said it’s the family nature and atmosphere of the weekly event.  No alcohol or tobacco is allowed.  The music is clean and no one simply stumbles into Cooperton on a Saturday night by accident.  The small town is located 10 minutes east of Roosevelt on Oklahoma 54.  Everyone in the town is there for the dance—even if they come from more than 100 miles away.

 

“We have people in from Altus, Hollis, Cheyenne, Cordell, Lawton and that area,” Boyd said.  “We have people come from Vernon, Texas, every week.  We all meet here on Saturday night because everyone knows when and where we’re going to have it.”

 

Boyd and his wife weren’t prepared for the success of the dance when they first started it.  They were merely hoping to have the opportunity to have a little attraction in their small town so people in the area wouldn’t have to drive to Lawton every week end.  The Cooperton dance has become so large that it’s required three remodeling projects on the community building to accommodate the increased usage.  Boyd said himself he’s not getting any younger, and admits it has worn him out sometimes over the years.  But at 85, he’s still ready to go at a moments notice for a fun dance.  And like the town itself, he’s not ready to give up yet.

 

“We may be a ghost town, but we come alive every Saturday night for this,” he said.  “We’re just a clean dance where you can come bring your kids and grandkids and teach them some country music dancing.  We’re all one big happy family and if someone is missing we’re wondering why they’re not there.  So we encourage everyone to come out and join the family.”

 

 

 

News

 

Roosevelt Senior Citizens

 

The Roosevelt Senior Citizens has reopened from the summer break.  Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Lunch for Seniors is $4 and for the younger generation is $5.

 

The menu for next week is as follows:

 

Tuesday, Dec 10:  Chili Dogs w/cheese, Assorted Chips, Salad Bar, Dessert

 

Thursday, Dec. 12:  Bar-B-Q Beef Brisket, Oven-fried Potatoes, Corn, Rolls, Salad Bar, Dessert

 

********

 

Kiowa County Historical Society

 

The Museum Christmas Open House which was to be held on Friday, December 6 has been cancelled due to impending weather.    

 

If you are not a member of the Society, you should consider joining.  The Society does great work and the Museum is one of the best anywhere.  It certainly does a great job of showcasing the history of Kiowa County.  The annual membership dues are $20 for an individual or $30 for a couple.  For $200 you can become a lifetime member.

 

********

 

Kiowa County Genealogical Society

 

The Kiowa County Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, December 10 in the Jake Slaner Room at the Jane Phelan Library in Hobart.  The group will have their Annual Christmas Party.  Each person is asked to bring a Christmas dish or snack and an inexpensive gift to exchange.  Everyone welcome to attend.

 

********

 

Cooperton Dance and Wild Hog BBQ

 

The annual Wild Hog BBQ will be Saturday, December 7, at the Cooperton Community Building.  The BBQ is in conjunction with the Saturday night dance and will be from 7:00 to 10:30 p.m.  The free event is in celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the dance.

 

Kenneth Boyd will provide the meat and soda and coffee will be furnished.  Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish for the potluck dinner.

 

The Wichita Valley Boys will play for the entertainment.  Everyone is sure to have a great time.

 

********

 

80th Birthday Celebration

 

Nelson Davis is celebrating his 80th birthday on December 15.  His children, Suzanne Bonham, Reid Davis, and Brad Davis, are hosting a reception to honor him.  The reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Roosevelt Senior Citizens Center.

 

They request no gifts.  If you are unable to attend and would like to send a birthday greeting, his address is Nelson Davis, 15095 N. 2250 Rd., Roosevelt, OK 73564.

 

********

 

Christmas Parade

 

The Southern Kiowa Chamber will host its Fifth Annual Christmas Parade in downtown Snyder.  The parade is set for 6:30 p.m., December 19.  The line up for the parade begins at the Snyder Co-op at 5:30 p.m.  The parade route will start there and go down Main Street at the First Baptist Church on 10th St. and end at the Elementary School Parking Lot.

 

After the parade Santa will be at the Huckabay indoor tennis court to take pictures with the kids.  Santa will give out treat sacks donated by Toma’s Grocery and the Southern Kiowa Chamber.

 

The children may enter their name in a drawing while at the tennis courts.  Each child can enter their name only once.  They must be present to win.  A boy’s and a girl’s bike donated by Spud Kirk will be given away as well as a Giant Christmas Stocking filled with toys.  If anyone would like to donate an item for the drawing, please take it to Dean Holland at the Bank of the Wichitas by December 18.

 

Winners of the parade will also be announced at the time of the drawing and must be present for the presentation.  Categories for the parade include Best Float, Any Vehicle, and Kids Entry.  Best Float prizes will be $200, $100, and $50; Vehicle - $50, $25 and $10; and Kids - $25, $10 and $5.

 

The Chamber decided to try a night parade for something different and the day was picked because it had the least amount of conflict with all other organizations.

 

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Christmas Parade.

 

 

 

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 6 – Monte Webb
December 7 – Norine (Goodin) Jackson, Class of 1949
December 7 – Dwight Peterson, Class of 1956

December 9 – Faith Funkhouser
December 9 – Tommy Copeland
December 9 – Sugar Garcia
December 9 – Cindy (Blish) Phillips, Class of 1971
December 9 – Kirstian Burton
December 10 – Kirk Moore, Class of 1971

December 11 – Malynda (Ankney) Adams, Class of 1966
December 11 – Ray Hackney, Class of 1960
December 11 – Joe Krehbiel
December 11 – Shirley McGee, Class of 1991
December 11 – Wes Moore

 

 

 

Humor

 

A Little Funny

 

A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?"  The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children, and so was all mankind made."

 

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.  The father answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved!"


The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?"


The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple.  I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."

 

 

 

From the Email “Bag”

 

November 29, 2013

 

Thanks for the news, we enjoy hearing all of the old stories and about the area.

Add my birthday to your list.

 

Paul Hay, Class of 1950

 

Editor’s Note:  A belated Happy Birthday to Paul on December 3.

 

********

 

December 2, 2013

 

We had Thanksgiving with the father in law in Broken Arrow and a bunch of family at his church.  He told the daughter who lives with him that he thought this would be his last big family dinner/gathering he would see.  He is not too solid that he will survive the hernia surgery on Wednesday, due to his heart.  He has had lots of heart issues over the years including two major surgeries and some light heart attacks I think to go along with the strokes he has had.  The Devil just can't kill him!  We texted a bunch tonight, he is looking past Wednesday now, so again we take One Day at a Time.  Thanks for the past, current, and future prayers for Phil, one tough critter.


Geary McDowell

Latest on Phil's Cancer

 

Some of you I have been in contact with and you know about the following.  I just don’t know who all has heard about it.  Forgive me if it is old news to you.

 

I saw my oncologist today.  She said there was nothing more that they could do for me here in Tulsa and said they wanted to send me to MD Anderson or OU in Oklahoma.  My three main doctors thought MD Anderson would be the best bet but thought OU was OK.  I selected OU since I can drive back and forth to it.   They are making the appointment and said if I didn’t hear from OU in a week, to notify my doctors here and they would tend to it.  My doctors said they do not understand why this thing hasn’t responded to their treatments since all it was is a skin cancer, but evidently it has some other characteristics too.  Since I’m having hernia surgery Wednesday it will be interesting to see how soon OU will expect me to show up there.  It is in Oklahoma City.

 

Someone sent me a copy of an excerpt from the Obama plan which stated that after age 76 they may not approve farther cancer treatments.  Whoever you are, would you send it to me again.  Evidently I didn’t keep it and my oncologist would like to see it.

 

Thanks. Prayers are still in order.

 

Phil

 

 

 

Food for Thought

 

Editor’s Note:  These would have been better last week but just got them so thought they would give us all something to think about.

 

Simple words about Thanksgiving

 

In his first Thanksgiving proclamation, President Ronald Reagan wrote: "America has much for which to be thankful. The unequaled freedom enjoyed by our citizens has provided a harvest of plenty to this Nation throughout its history. In keeping with America's heritage, one day each year is set aside for giving thanks to God for all of His blessings.

 

 As we celebrate Thanksgiving ... we should reflect on the full meaning of this day as we enjoy the fellowship that is so much a part of the holiday festivities. Searching our hearts, we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all He has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance. Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people."

 

Let us all say AMEN!

 

********

 

Thanksgiving Proclamation

 

President George Washington

New York, 3 October 1789

 

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

 

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

 

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

 

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

 

 

 

Obituaries

 

Useful Links:

 

Becker Funeral Home of Snyder, OK

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

 

Peoples Cooperative Funeral Home of Lone Wolf, OK

http://www.peoplescooperativefuneralhome.com/who-we-are/history

 

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

 

Centerville Cemetery (west of Mt. Park) on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2176228

 

Cooperton Green Valley Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=98552&CScn=Green+Valley+Cemetery&CScntry=4&CSst=38&CScnty=2165&

 

Cooperton Spring Hill Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?=cr&CRid=99577&CScn=Springhill+Cemetery&CScntry=4&CSst=38&

 

Gotebo Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=98525

 

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

 

Roosevelt Cemetery on Find A Grave

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

 

Saddle Mountain KCA Intertribal Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99439

 

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.

 

We have removed the ability to send us information from this page since the site was commandeered by someone using the site to send spam.  You can send us news you may have through my email address:  mmay@234enterprises.com.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Feedback

 

We welcome your comments and feedback on the “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition.”  Send comments and feedback to: mmay@234enterprises.com

 

 

 

Prefer to Not Receive the “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition

 

If you would like to have your name removed from our mailing list, click Opt out, then enter “Remove” in the Subject line, and click “Send.”  We will gladly remove your email from our mailing list.