On April 14, registered students took an exam on Oklahoma history, geography and people in the hope that their high scores would earn them a cash scholarship or tuition grant. This year the organization made available more than $450,000 in scholarships to students statewide.
“This program is designed to reward Oklahoma students who have taken an interest in the rich history of our great state,” said Shannon L. Rich, president & CEO of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Gaylord-Pickens Museum. “It also encourages Oklahoma students to stay in state to attend college and be inspired remain here to live and work after receiving their degrees.”
Tuition grants and cash scholarships were awarded to 128 students from 53 counties in Oklahoma. The students were recognized during a scholarship awards ceremony at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, on Monday, May 14th, in Oklahoma City. A complete list of winners by county is available at OklahomaHoF.com.
From Jefferson County
$1,000 tuition grant
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha
Ryan High School athletes were honored Monday night in the school’s cafeteria at the annual all-sports banquet.
A total of 47 athletes were recognized for their accomplishments in the 2018-2019 school year.
Two Ryan athletes were honored with a new award – Cowboy and Cowgirl Award. Holland Carter, a standout track, cross country and cheerleader, and Travis Fristoe, the school’s only four-sport letterman, were selected for the award.
Carter was also honored with a special letter jacket given to the girls cross country seniors that finish in the top ten in the state cross country meet. She was also presented with a special award for her contributions to cross country and track the past four years.
Their names will be on a plaque that will be placed in the lobby of the remodeled Ryan gym before the start of next year’s basketball season.
Ryan Fresmen at Ryan Sports Banquet
Athletic Director Tony Tomberlin also recognized two people for contributions to the Ryan athletic program. Ricky Phillips, the long-time public address announcer for the Cowboy football team, was presented a football signed by Ryan athletes in recognition of 20 years of service.
Ricky Phillips recognized for being the voice of the Ryan Cowboys for 20 years. Photo by Sheree Hanson
This reporter was also recognized for contributions to the Ryan athletic program and was presented with a signed basketball.
Trey Smart was honored for being not only a journalist with distinction but for recording the story of the Cowboys in print.
Plaques were presented to the graduating seniors that participated in the various sports for the Cowboys and Cowgirls.
But, the evening belonged to the athletes that participated in the sports of cross country, cheerleading, fast-pitch softball, football, boys basketball, girls basketball, slow-pitch softball, track and field and baseball.
Letter awards were given to each of the athletes in every sport and special recognition was given to selected athletes in each sport. All-conference, all-district and conference all-stars were also presented certificates during the evening’s activities.
Coaches Cheryl Carter, Steve Spangler, Tony Tomberlin, Stan Mueggenborg, Austin Masoner and Tony Roberts presented the awards during the evening.
Special recognition was also given to grade school coach Shelly Cain. Tomberlin presented her with five tickets to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City for her contribution to the grade school, junior high and high school athletes.
Shelly Cain is presented with five tickets to the Women’s College World Series for her contribution to Ryan Athletics. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Here’s a list of the student-athletes honored during the evening:
(l-r) Lilybet Harmon and Juliet Spangler Photo by Sheree Hanson
Football
Lineman of the Year: Sam Brown; Newcomer of the Year: Mike Regehr; Defensive Player of the Year: Travis Fristoe; Offensive Player of the Year: Skyler Parkhill; Most Valuable Player: Grayson Tomberlin.
Ryan Football Awards presented. (l-r) front row: Andrew Villarreal, Sam Brown, Skyler Parkhill, Travis Fristoe, and Michael Regehr. back row: Grayson Tomberlin, Trey Bryant, Kalen Weldon, and Pacen Wiest. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Fast-Pitch Softball
Teammate of the Year: Lily York; Most Valuable Player: Juliet Spangler.
Offensive Player of the Year: Samantha Good; Defensive Player of the Year: Laken DeBoard; Most Valuable Player: Emilee Martin.
(l-r) Laken DeBoard, Samantha Good, Kodi Duke, Emilee Martin
Girls Basketball
Newcomer of the Year: Alicen Williams; Most Improved Player: Bailee Martin; Defensive Player of the Year: Lily York; Offensive Player of the Year: Juliet Spangler; Most Valuable Player: Samantha Good.
(l-r) Samantha Good, Juliet Spangler, Lily York, and Alicen Williams. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Boys Basketball
Sixth Man Award: Andrew Villerreal; Mr. Hustle Award: Travis Fristoe; Offensive Player of the Year: Kaine Howard; Defensive Player of the Year: Landen Alexander; Most Valuable Player: Grayson Tomberlin.
(l-r) Back Row: Andrew Villarreal, Kaine Howard. Front Row: Grayson Tomberlin, Travis Fristoe, and Landen Alexander. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Slow-Pitch Softball
Defensive Player of the Year: Justyce Keith; Offensive Player of the Year: Samantha Good; Most Valuable Player: Emilee Martin.
(l-r) Samantha Good, Emilee Martin, and Justice Keith. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Baseball
Most Improve: Daniel Alsup; Co-Most Valuable Players: Travis Fristoe and Pacen Wiest.
(l-r) Pacen Wiest, Travis Fristoe, and Daniel Alsup. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Boys Track
Most Valuable Player: Travis Fristoe.
Girls Track
9th Grade Letters: Landen Alexander (track, boys basketball), Raesh Casebolt (boys basketball, football), Carter Combs (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, girls basketball), Carson Cooper (football, baseball), Katelynn Dabbs (track, cross country), Danielle Garza (slow-pitch softball), Kaine Howard (boys basketball), Caleb Perrin (football, baseball, boys basketball), Lindsey Reake (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, girls basketball), Michael Regehr (football, boys basketball), Skylar Wickware (football, boys basketball, baseball), Alicen Williams (cross country, girls basketball, track).
(l-r) Travis Fristoe, Lily York, Holland Carter, and Juliet Spangler
10th Grade Letters: Daniel Alsup (baseball, boys basketball), Trey Bryant (football, basketball, baseball), Crystal Chazaretta (cheerleading), Diamond Chazaretta (slow-pitch softball), Kyla Essary-Phillips (slow-pitch softball), Lilybet Harmon (cheerleading, track, cross country), Eimilee Lowry (cheerleading), Trista Perry (slow-pitch softball), Grayson Tomberlin (football, boys basketball, baseball), Tawny Vanover (cheerleading).
(l-r) Back Row: Grayson Tomberlin, Kodi Duke, and Trey Bryant. Front Row: Lilybet Harmon, Kyla Essary-Phillips, and Daniel Alsup. Photo by Sheree Hanson
11th Grade Letters: Brooklyn Charmasson (cheerleading, slow-pitch softball, fast-pitch softball), Samantha Good (fast-pitch softball, girls basketball, slow-pitch softball), Avery Howard (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Savannah Lashley (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Bailee Martin (girls basketball), Gunner Phillips (football, boys basketball, baseball), Walker Rawlings (track), Madisen Rhoades (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Walter Snider (football), Juliet Spangler (cross country, girls basketball, track), Grace Stamper (cheerleading, slow-pitch softball), Andrew Villarreal (football, boys basketball, baseball), Lily York (cross country, girls basketball, track).
(l-r) Back Row: Andrew Villarreal, Juliet Spangler, Savannah Lashley, Avery Howard, Samantha Good, and Gunner Phillips. Front Row: Lily York, Grace Stamper, Madisen Rhoades, Brooklyn Charmasson. Photo by Sheree Hanson
12th Grade Letters: Samuel Brown (football, baseball), Holland Carter (cheerleading, cross country, track), Laken Deboard (cheerleading, fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Travis Fristoe (football, boys basketball, track, baseball), Justyce Keith (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Emilee Martin (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Skyler Parkhill (football), Kalen Weldon (football), Pacen Wiest (football, baseball), Justin Williams (football).
(l-r) Back Row: Skyler Parkhill, Kalen Weldon, Pacen Wiest, and Sam Brown. Front Row: Travis Fristoe, Justyce Keith, Holland Carter, Laken DeBoard, and Emilee Martin. Photo by Sheree Hanson.
The Red River Valley Venue & Opry House hosted a country music event on Saturday, May 12th, in Byers, Texas at the newly restored (former) Byers Methodist Church.
Niles City, a Country/Rock/Blues/Funk music group from Ft. Worth, entertained for two hours; delighting the audience with a variety of genres ranging from classic country to gospel music.These EFI recording artists are talented singers, songwriters and musicians who are no strangers to the music industry. Most of them have over 20 years in the music industry; offering an amazing and professional entertaining experience. They recently opened for headliners at Billy Bob’s Texas in Ft. Worth, including country artist, Steve Wariner,as well as opening for Kiefer Sutherland and his band the same weekend.Read more about Niles City and these amazing musicians on their website www.nilescityband.com and on their Niles City official FB page.
Based on the numerous positive comments and feedback from those in attendance, they have been invited to return.That date and time is yet to be determined, but we anticipate it to be within the next couple of months.The Red River Valley Venue & Opry House official FB page will post dates for this and all upcoming music/entertaining events,as they are confirmed. For more information regarding the venue, dates and rental pricing, please contact, Jerry McMahan @ 281-785-1990.
Chris Largent visiting with Niles City after the concert at the Red River Valley Venue & Opry House
When taking my seat for supper monday night I was once again reminded about how age can give very different points of reference. I heard a gentleman say that he was a big fan of Pistol Pete. To which a rather young Ryan alum started explaining how Pistol Pete was once the mascot for her high school. The first speaker thought this odd that a small school in Oklahoma would choose a former collage and professional basketball player that had no discernable connection to Ryan or Oklahoma as it’s mascot. Now Abe Lemons would be a different story, he at least was born in Ryan. The confusion was sorted out and all parties concerned can be forgiven in as much as the two gentlemen are not from around here and the young lady was not born by the time Pete Maravich passed away
On the drive home I was able to enjoy all the wildflowers that are currently blooming. There are spots where the Indian Paintbrush make an almost solid blanket of color broken only by the odd buttercup and the yellow of the bush sunflower.
I received a letter today from Jon Harris. It was nice to hear from Jon and feedback is always welcome. I’m sometimes concerned that I am using up too much space on personal stories and book reports. Those concerns take second place to my worry that I misspelled a kids name, angry grandparents can be mean.
I’m not going to write about the book I am currently reading, between this book and reruns of “Criminal Minds” on television, I’m lucky not to have nightmares. I am going to give another installment of my list of favorite books. Number one is a non-fiction book called “The River of Doubt” by Candice Miller. The book is about Theodore Roosevelt and his post presidential trip down the Amazon River tributary. Given Teddy’s propensity for adventure that may have had more to do with the trip than the science, although there was some of that as well. During the exploration of the largely uncharted river that was later renamed the Roosevelt River, the United States almost lost one of its most beloved Presidents. Between the river, wildlife and disease, the lives of a large portion of the party was almost lost. Number two is “The Walking Drum” by Louis L’Amour. If you have only ever read Mr. L’Amours westerns then you are really missing out. This story is about a trading caravan in 12th century Europe and the mid-east. Louis L’Amour was a student of history and an outstanding story teller and this is one of his better books.
My proof reader told me that there was not much of “Around Ryan” in this column. Au contraire, the discussion about the mascot was about Ryan. The wildflowers are around Ryan. Mr. Harris is from Ryan. And I read the books while living in Ryan, so there (I would blow her a raspberry but I don’t know how the spell it).
Kristina Torres is a Waurika Native who has lived here all her life and has a vested interest in the success of Waurika. She feels the city is going in a good direction and doesn’t want it to lose any momentum. She says Waurika is a beautiful town. “We have a great community that has always been supportive of one another.
Torres graduated from Waurika in 2007 as class valedictorian.
She began her college education at the University of Oklahoma and later transferred to the University of Central Oklahoman located in Edmond.
She began working for the Waurika Ambulance Service in 2016. Torres is a paramedic, a vocation inspired by her mom.
Torres is very active within the community. Currently she is helping coach Girls on the Run. Recently she spoke at the Wish Task Force Career Fair held for Waurika students. As part of the task force she is very active in helping adults achieve career success.
Her goal is to do what it takes to help Waurika grow and prosper. She wants to see more activities for children, young people and senior adults. She says she is eager hear citizen’s concerns, and issues.
Being a first responder, Torres wants to see the Fire Department and emergency services have all the resources they need to keep local citizens safe.
She also wants to improve the cities infrastructure along with the continued efforts to improve Waurika’s parks.
Jerry Wallace
Jerry Wallace
Jerry Wallace started life in Love county and moved to Addington when he was in the seventh grade. Wallace says he was raised by the “best mother in the world”. She raised eleven kids in her family. All six boys ended up with Master’s Degrees. Wallace graduated high school from Addington and went on the earn a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University out of Hunstville, Texas. Before that he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from Central State University.
“I believe I’m qualified to deal with people and listen to people. That’s what I want to do, listen to the people of this town. I’ve dedicated lots of work to the city. I’ve cleaned up the property of many of the houses they have torn down. I’ve mowed the ditches along the streets for them. I love to work and I love to help people.”
Over the past 18 years he has been a part of the Baptist Disaster Team. They go all over the country to assist with cleaning up and helping those who have experienced a catastrophe (flood, tornado, hurricane, etc). Last year he was deployed 12 times and this year he has already been deployed twice. It’s purely a labor of love. It’s completely voluntary. He says his reward is simply helping people.
He retired in 1980 from the Drug Enforcement Administration. He had served 12 years overseas in various countries including Iran.
He was working in Iran when the embassy was overtaken and the hostage crisis began. During his years of service he traveled to 45 countries. “God has really blessed me,” he says.
Wallace says he was Mayor of Waurika for six years during the 1980s. Since then he has kept up with the goings on of Waurika.
He currently feels Waurika is spending too much money for a small town. As an example, he states he attended a city commissioner meeting where they were wanting to buy a $54,000.00 police car. When he asked if he could address the issue he says they would only allow him to speak for three minutes (Note: All citizens allowed to address the commissioners during citizen input are only given three minutes to speak.) Wallace, said, “I think that is horrendous when they do that. I feel like the council we have today thinks this city is their’s and the money they have is their’s. I see this as the people’s money. They keep taxing us. Every six months they raise the water rates.”
Referring back to the purchase of the police car he said he attempted to keep them from doing that because they could have purchased one $25,000.00 cheeper. He said they laughed at him.
He also cited the purchase of the new central air unit for the Presbyterian Church, which he says is only used one time per year yet they spent $12.000.00 on the unit. “I thought that was ridiculous,” he said.
Later, Wallace said the city “transferred a million dollars from a checking account to a CD and then raised the utility rates 2.5%. Wallace goes on to say that “the average income for the whole town is $36.000.00 per family.” He says the people in town can’t afford to pay the utility rates we have. Wallace says Waurika’s utility rates are the highest in the state according to his research. He says, “Comanche’s minimum utility bill is $36.00. Waurika’s is around $100.00.” Wallace said in Ryan the citizens get water and electric for around $100 per month.
“We’ve got to improve. We’ve got to have people in there who care about this town. They are the ones we serve. I just feel like if I don’t stand up for what I believe I won’t have a right to complain.”
“That’s why I am running for city council. I know I can’t do it by myself but maybe I can convince two other ones to go along with me. I just want to leave the town better than I found it.”
“The things that really get me is a year ago they bought five new pickups for the street, water and utility department. Our city limits only go a quarter mile south and a half mile east and a half mile west and people live two miles out on highway five. They sold pickups that were only 15 years old that people are still driving today hauling wood to Wichita Falls. We don’t have to have the best of everything here. It’s all about taxing the people of this town. I can’t see how anyone can pay a $130 -$140 utility bill to the city while living in the housing. That doesn’t include their electricity.”
“The City council thinks this town belongs to them and I can’t stand it. It’s not their town. We pay for everything they do.”
Wallace went on to discuss the ladder truck used by the Waurika Fire Department, “Having a ladder truck on the fire department for $200,000 that the people are having to pay for when we’ve used it two times in the last two years we’ve had it. One was to get a cat out of the tree and the other was in a parade. Do we need it? I don’t think the people need it. The only people who pay for it are property owners. It was a bond and the city council approved it. They can stop expenditures like that if they would just stop and think about the people. I feel for the poor people and feel for the people having financial trouble. I’m going to try to do something about it. I don’t know if one person can start it and get it going but we did in the 1980s. I’m still in good enough health to get in there and fight a good battle. I’ll be working for the people not for city council. I will not go along with anything that cost the people more.
The Native West Trading Company, downtown Waurika, is one of the latest additions to the brick and mortar locations in the community but has had an online presence for around two years. Owners, Robert and Lauren Forst are excited about the new venture.
Lauren, the master craftsman, has been working with leather for many years, dating back to her time in Arizona. She apprenticed with friends who had a leather business. Since then it has been a passion of hers and the results speak for themselves.
Customers can find a variety of beautiful leather goods including purses, wallets, key chains, and more. The store also offers wild rags, crochet animals, t-shirts, blankets, handmade jewelry, baby clothes and much more. Most of the items in the store are made by herself and other local craftsmen and artist. Clay Forst even has some pictures on canvas available.
The idea of a physical store in Waurika began when Lauren was looking for a place she could use as a workshop for her online store nativewesttradingco.com. Once she found the location downtown, it was just logical to go ahead and use it as both a workshop and a local store for her business.
And business has really taken off. She says it’s been fun trying to keep up with the demand for both the website and the store downtown. She loves the challenge.
Robert and Lauren invite everyone to stop by and visit The Native West Trading Company downtown Waurika. There you will find something for everyone.
District 7 ODOT engineers Tracy Terrill and Cole Vonfeldt were in Waurika last Wednesday to kick off the wildflower seed planting. Jefferson County ODOT Superintendent, Billy Martin, and his crew planted about 40 pounds of wildflower seeds on State Hwys 70, 81 and 5. The planting area was expanded this year to include all entrances to Waurika. The annual project was at started by the Waurika Sorosis Club three years ago and is a joint project of the Waurika Sorosis Club, Color Oklahoma, the City of Waurika, Jefferson County and ODOT. ODOT plants the seeds each fall. Color Oklahoma board members Craig Williams and Monica Bartling were also here for the annual planting. Many new flowers were planted this year and should bloom in April through the beginning of July.
ADA, Okla. – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby has named Trevan Jimboy tribal Director of Youth Activities.
Mr. Jimboy is a nine-year employee of the Chickasaw Nation. Prior to promotion, he served as manager of Facility Services.
“Trevan Jimboy understands that engaging young people in positive activities and offering positive role models is vital to their growth and development,” Governor Anoatubby said. “His experience and commitment to Chickasaw youth make him a great fit for this position.”
Mr. Jimboy will manage many of the youth camps sponsored by the Chickasaw Nation. Youth camps are hosted by several departments throughout the Nation, and the bulk of the specialty camps – such as “Camp Survivor” – will be under his management.
“I am looking forward to working with children,” Mr. Jimboy said. “Being able to come in and make a difference in the lives of Chickasaw children is what attracted me to the position. The Nation is in a unique setting to help youth, to build and encourage athletics and build involved citizens within our respective communities.”
During discussions with Gov. Anoatubby about the position, Mr. Jimboy said he related how coaches encouraged him and helped develop his abilities through mentoring and coaching.
“It meant a lot to me as a student when coaches would say ‘that was a great hit’ or ‘good hustle on the basketball court,’” he said. “I want to bring that same type of mentoring to my new position.”
Mr. Jimboy has been putting coaching and mentoring to work in his own family.
He and wife, Rachel, have five children, and most are involved in extracurricular activities.
Byng High School senior Mikaela is a 17-year-old speech and drama aficionado who will attend East Central University in Ada to study mass communications.
MacKenzie, a 14-year-old Byng freshman, is active on the basketball team. Titus, a 6-year-old Homer Elementary student is active in basketball and in soccer where he participates in a Norman Youth Soccer Organization. Twin daughters Parker and Abigail round out the Chickasaw family. They are 15 months old and are not active in sports … “yet,” Mr. Jimboy proclaimed with a laugh.
The family is large, and Rachel is “Wonder Woman” in the eyes of her husband. Mrs. Jimboy works full time for the Nation as manager of Sick Child Care. She is a registered nurse and has been an employee of the Nation for a decade.
Ardmore – Oklahoma is the epicenter of the nation’s opioid epidemic. In Carter County alone, 40 people died of unintentional prescription opioid overdose from 2013 to 2017, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
An estimated 1,900 Oklahomans have died from opioid abuse. The estimated cost to address the epidemic in Oklahoma is $17 billion dollars. Area and state addiction experts, local law enforcement, Oklahoma Mental Health and Substance Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration are partnering with the nationally recognized OSU Center for Health Sciences Center for Wellness & Recovery to address an Opioid Epidemic Response to the alarming overuse of opioid painkillers.
Ardmore is one of four Oklahoma communities selected for the seven-day event as part of a $1.4 million dollar grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Oklahoma State Department of Health designed to combat the misuse of opioid painkillers.
The highlight of the event will be an interactive town hall meeting on Friday night, August 16, featuring panelists Mendy Spohn, the Regional Director for Oklahoma State Department of Health County Health Departments including Carter, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Stephens, Pontotoc and Jefferson Counties; Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott; Stephanie Morcom, Outreach Coordinator for Ambrosia Treatment Center and Jackie Shipp, Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Senior Director.
The event will provide community resource booths such as addiction-related health screenings, and children’s art and education centers that will be open daily along with workshops focused on understanding the opioid epidemic; alternative pain treatments; red flags of addiction; the co-dependency of opioid use, tobacco and mental illness; parenting children of addiction and much more.
“The purpose of the Opioid Epidemic Response is to provide an educational community event that brings together a broad spectrum of community members, health care providers, addiction experts and civic and business leaders to learn about this crisis and how to fight it,” said Julie Croff, Ph.D., M.P.H, executive director of, OSU Center for Wellness & Recovery.
The Opioid Epidemic Response runs from August 12 to 18 at the Ardmore Convention Center, 2401 N. Rockford Road in Ardmore. There will be free food and door prizes for the first attendees. For a schedule of events and to register for the free community event – visit health.okstate.edu/cwr.
The OSU Center for Wellness & Recovery provides comprehensive care for those suffering from addiction while advancing treatment through education, research and policy.
In the Fort Worth Gazette of November 3rd, 1984 , a story is related, as told to the correspondent by a Mr. John Schrock, proprietor of the Cowboy Saloon in Spanish Fort, of going across the Red River about two miles north of Spanish Fort with William Shackelford, Walton Crain, W.F. Cole and Sherman Joins to hunt a couple of panthers which had been seen a few days earlier on South Mud Creek. On returning to the river, their dogs jumped a panther which they chased into some rocks by a 50 foot bluff. They found an opening and discovered it led to a rock wall, then went left 20 feet through a layers of sandstone, about 40 feet wide and 130 feet lo0ng, with a ceiling about 15 feet high. A brass howitzer was at the entrance of the cave and inside were some animal bones, copper kettles and remains of wicker baskets, farm implements and saddles and also 6 boxes, each about 5 1/2’ by 2’ by 18”, which were filled with swords, blunderbusses, coats of mail and other matters. In one of the boxes, however, they found about 2 bushels of Spanish coins and bullion. There were gold doubloons and silver “rix” (Spanish) dollars and 3 silver bricks along with 2 gold crucifixes. (Note: there is no corroboration for this story found anywhere).
PREHISTORY
The area east of Spanish Fort, on the Oklahoma side of the Red River, was also the site of prehistoric Indian settlement, dating hundreds of years prior to European exploration. There is a location on the property of the Longest family, which was extensively explored by the University of Oklahoma and Southern Methodist University in Dallad. The Longest family has a private collection of artifacts, including arrowheads and other items, from their digs. Many farmers in the Petersburg and Courtney communities have found stone arrowheads, knives, spear points, axes an other artifacts, also.
