This and That
Newsletter
A Weekly Publication
Vol 15 Issue 738 Circulation 5,000 March 17, 2011
PO Box 2
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402
email address: butchbridges@oklahomahistory.net
580-657-8616
Spring has arrived and storm season is right around the
corner. I've heard those of us in Carter County who applied for the FEMA money
in October 2009 to help pay 75% of the storm shelter cost (up to $2,000)
hopefully will be receiving our letters of approval in a few weeks. I've also
heard some people in Love county have already received their letters. So
maybe it won't be long now. Anyway, I checked with Casey Morgan, local
installer, and he's selling storm shelters made by Hausner Company out of
Durant, Oklahoma for $2,200. This is his least expensive model (he has a larger
model too). $2200 is the complete price, installed, tax and everything. This
price is in the immediate, and I stress immediate, Ardmore - Lone Grove area.
With gas sky high Casey will have to add some transportation charges for
delivery to other areas. If you want to check out these concrete storm
shelters, Casey's number is 580-504-5301. The picture below is the $2200 model
Casey has on display in the south parking lot by Staples at North Commerce and
12th Street NW in Ardmore.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/StormShelter102009.jpg
Below is a link to Hausner Storm Shelter in Durant. When
you go to their "Sloped Front Storm Shelter" webpage, there are 6 photos showing
installation from start to finish. But if you want to see any of those 6 photos
close-up, you will need to Right Click on the photo and then pick "Open in new
tab" or "Open in new window" to bring up the larger photo.
http://www.gohausner.com/
A reader sent in a couple of pics this week taken at the Ardmore Airbase back in 1954 or 1955 during the Korean War timeframe. Most of the buildings are gone, but this does give a little glimpse at the airbase back in those days.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/ArdmoreAirbaseBarracks.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/ArdmoreAirbaseSign463d.jpg
I saw on the news where the First Presbyterian Church in Perry, Oklahoma burned last night. I know there is a bell at the First Baptist Church in Perry, but don't know if the Presbyterian church has, or maybe now, had one. Maybe someone can tell us. How about it Roy, send an email and let everyone know.
I've now received all 3 books I ordered from www.AbeBooks.com. The first book, A Guide to the Indian Tribes of Oklahoma is by Oklahoma author Muriel H. Wright. It was printed in 1951, the book I have is the 2nd printing.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/GuideIndianTribes030811a.jpg
The second book is Mini Myths and Legends of Oklahoma Indians by Lue Celia Wise.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/MiniMythsIndiansBook.jpg
And the 3rd book, Indian Leaders, Oklahoma's First Statesmen by Glenn Jordan and Thomas Holm
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/IndianLeadersBook.jpg
Now to get them read to I can send them on to the Australia so my friends Steve and Sonia Moran can enjoy some Oklahoma history.
I received an email this week inquiring about the old Carpenter's Bluff bridge SE of Durant at the Red River, wondering if its still in use. As far as I know vehicles are still using this piece of history to get across the big Red. Its a one-lane bridge, so vehicles have to wait their turn if someone is coming from the other direction. I have a number of Readers down in that area, so let us know how this old bridge is doing, and if people are still crossing it.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos5a/CarpentersBluffBridge5a.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos5a/CarpentersBluffBridge5b.jpg
From This and That newsletter archives March 21, 1998:
CLAUDE SMITH HONORED
About couple months ago I mentioned in my T&T that an attorney named Claude H. Smith, 92 years young, still practiced in Ardmore. He is probably the oldest still practicing attorney in the United States. On Friday, March 13, 1998 at 3:30pm the Carter County Bar Association honored Mr. Smith with a reception and ceremony at the courthouse. There were a large turn-out of friends and acquaintances, and it was a fitting tribute to a man who everyone has admired down through the years.
Q. What
Oklahoma town was called "the buckle of the wheat belt?"
A. Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Kingfisher was the largest wheat
market in America and is still perceived as such today.
Q. What is
Oklahoma's State Motto?
A. (answer in next week's newsletter)
Gas prices today in the Ardmore area......
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/gasprices.html
Some mail from this week's MAILBAG....."Greetings from Murray State College. We are having our annual alumni reunion Saturday, June 4, 2011. I am searching for classmates from the classes of 1961, 1986 and 2001 for special recognition this year. You can call me at: 580-371-2371 x 114 or email: kcantrell@mscok.edu, and check the website for more information under alumni." www.mscok.edu
"Photo of Little Niagara 03/13/11, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur, Oklahoma." -Doug Williams
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/LittleNiagara031311.jpg
"This house is just west of Turner School on Hwy 32 west of Marietta, Oklahoma. I am sending this picture to the new show America Pickers to see if they want to come and look through all this junk."
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/TurnerOKpickers.jpg
"This is some info regarding the Ringer family. Mary Ringer, the old maid school teacher, scared me half to death each time I went into her room for Art from grades 4-6th. I was one of if not the poorest art student she had. However, a lot of Fridays she would give us a lesson about a famous artist and his paintings. We had to learn all of those paintings by name as well who painted them. Ever so often she would put them on the chalk holder at the bottom of the blackboard and have each one of us go around with a pointer and tell the whole class the info mentioned above. She was thrilled when I could name each one without fail. In all honesty those Fridays she gave the art history lesson was the most enjoyable times I spent in her class.
Of course kids could do quite well even back in those days of having fun and frolic. Some gave those painting nicknames such as Picking Up Sticks instead of saying The Gleaners, and of course many of the paintings had their own nicknames that I don't remember at the given time. Does anyone else who had her remember those paintings as well as the nicknames they were given.
I was terrified of her, and my brother had her a good many years later as his 5th grade home room teacher and art teacher. Of all things he became her pet. He kept saying he wanted Miss Ringer. My Mom told him, "well if she shakes the tar out of you and whips you every day, don't come home and complain to me because I am not going to do a thing about it. So, if you want her just take what could likely come your way." She called her paddle the "whacking machine." Oh yes, she would grab kids by the shoulders and shake them until their teeth rattled then whip their behind a bit, then more shaking followed by more of the paddle before she finished giving out the punishment if such was needed.
My, my, how different schools are today. I often wonder if things would be better if they stayed the same as back in those days when there was discipline, order, and no fear at school as well as good teaching and the learning of solid subjects. If you couldn't "make the grade" kids often failed that grade at the end of the year and had to repeat it all over to go on to the next grade.
I had a casual acquaintance with her brother William W Ringer. I don't remember his line of work at the moment but he and his wife had the Hammond Organ Agency at their very nice home at 810 8th NW. There was a nice show window that was lit at night showing a few of the Hammond organ models they sold. The Hammond Organ was a big thing going back in the 50's, 60's and way into the 70's as popular organs for homes, churches, schools, etc.
They were representatives for the large music store in OKC Jenkins Music Company. Mrs. Ringer was known as Kitty Ringer, and she was a gifted organist and played the pipe organ for 20 yrs at FUMC, and then later 10 years at St. Phillips Episcopal Church here in Ardmore. His sister-in-law, Mary, the school teacher, was also a gifted pianist and organist as well."
John C. H. Grabill's Photos of Western Frontier Life | ? World news photography, Photos ? The Denver Post
http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2011/02/23/from-the-archive-frontier-life-in-the-west/2713/
"Does anyone remember Loewen's Diner (not sure if this is the correct spelling)? It was located south of town on Hwy. 77. Would like to know the years it was there and a picture would be nice. Thanks!" -Nona Evitts
"Here is a website you can visit that shows all restaurants in Carter County and their inspection results from the Carter County Health Department. Very interesting information. Makes me not want to eat out anymore." https://www.phin.state.ok.
Mark your calendar. On March 19th, a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset. It's a super "perigee moon"--the biggest in almost 20 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnMDuU4mJmQ
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
Save on long distance calls, just a couple cents a
minute!
http://www.CheapLongDistance.org
Ardmore High School Criterions Online
http://www.ardmorecriterion.com/
Oklahoma Bells:
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/bellpage.html
American Flyers Memorial Fund - Administration Webpage
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/crash66.html
Official AmSerican Flyers Memorial Website
http://www.brightok.net/~wwwafm
Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Base Website
http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons
Mirror Site of the Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Website
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/airbase/
Carter county schools, past and present
http://community.webshots.com/user/oklahomahistory
Carter County Government Website
http://www.brightok.net/cartercounty/
Ardmore School Criterions
http://www.ArdmoreCriterion.com
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