A man who has not only secured his place in local sports history, but has also secured a place in the hearts and lives of those who knew him and played for him passed away Sunday.
Raymon West will be remembered for his impact on the world of sports in Jefferson County.
He will be remembered for his contribution as the principal at Ryan High School.
He will remembered for championships.
He will be remembered as a great husband and father.
He will be remembered for being a great man.
Next week, Trey Smart will be writing a proper memorial to this coaching legend.
Until then, we just want to say that you will be missed Coach West.
Thank you for the memories and your contributions to our lives.
We’ve made it through yet another week of drastically low temperatures, but on the brighter side, was the weekend. It got up into the 70s on Saturday and Sunday. Now, we are not as cold, but a bit cooler than what we saw this weekend.
This Saturday is our Ryan food distribution from the food bank starting at 10:00am.
Brionna and her group from TKRanch made their trip to Dallas and had a really good time. They made it over to Plano and saw Karen, and to their surprise, Karen’s sister was able to take Karen so she could go to the movies with her dorm mates. She and the other women from Dorm #3 had even a better time since Karen was able to be a part with them again. They went to 2 or 3 different places each day, but, one day they went up into Reunion Tower. I don’t know that I would have cared for that too much myself. They got back to the ranch on Thursday afternoon. Then, on Saturday morning, their dorm mother wound up with the flu. I called to talk to Brionna Sunday evening and Dianna answered the phone. I knew from her voice she was sick. She was trying to keep a distance from the women in the dorm. I hope she if feeling better now.
When I woke up Saturday morning and turned the television on, the first thing I heard was that we were in a government shutdown. They announced this morning that our government leaders have come to an agreement and we are okay now until February 8th.
When I woke up this morning, I learned that there was an earthquake just out from Alaska that registered 7.9. This was over 100 miles out from land that the earthquake occurred. In the northeastern part of our country, they are expecting massive floods. But, thankfully, all is quite in Ryan.
This Saturday is Brionna’s birthday. She is going to be 28 years old. Happy Birthday, Brionna! We are planning to go to Wichita Falls with her grandparents and dorm mates and eat at the Red Robin restaurant.
The flu is beginning to work its’ way back around here. I have seen many in town that are ill.
Kim’s news for this week:
Praise God for the weather and Joe Toddy is better.
I’ve been riding in the pasture again, in the sunshine and the wind. Ruffy Tuffy can shake which is nice, I think Foxy has been giving him advice.
Everyone have a blessed week. Prayers to good health and for rain.
There was not an empty seat at the monthly Ryan Town Council meeting held this past Tuesday evening at Ryan City Hall.
Of all the items discussed, perhaps the one that caused the most excitement was the possibility of Fiber Optic Internet coming to homes and businesses in Ryan.
Dick Segress, the owner of Terral Telephone addressed the council seeking cooperation in beginning the process of laying fiber optic cable within the city limits.
Terral Telephone has already surveyed Ryan and is willing to share their engineering details with the city to ensure that the cable laid will not interfere with existing infrastructure.
Dick Segress can be seen in the lower right corner of the picture. Photo by Curtis Plant
The council will consider the matter more fully at the next meeting but the prospect looks positive.
After his address, we asked if he was interested in bringing high speed internet to Waurika and he said, “most definitely!”
The usual business of approving the minutes of previous meetings and the paying of bills were approved.
The treasurers report was approved.
Members of the Ryan School Board and Superintendent of Schools, Marcus Chapman, were present.
They asked the council if the town would consider serving as the authority having jurisdiction for the purpose of outsourcing fire and building permit inspections.
A representative of the construction company working on the school was present to explain the process of applying for jurisdiction and the benefits of doing so.
The state does allow third party inspections.
The state Fire Marshall will come in and complete his own inspection once fifty-percent of the construction is completed.
Allowing the town of Ryan to conduct the inspections will save time and money. It sometimes takes up to four months for a state Fire Marshall to come and inspect a building. If a third party completes the inspection, it can be done in a couple of weeks.
It was explained that the town can apply for the authority to conduct these inspections through a qualified third party.
This is a process that many communities across Oklahoma are adopting to speed up the construction process.
The construction company representative assured the council that they would cover all the town’s expenses in applying and acquiring the proper paperwork to assume jurisdiction.
A question the council members had, of course, was liability. Their concern was if an issue were to arise after the construction was complete, who assumes liability?
There was not an empty seat at the council meeting for the month of October. Photo by Curtis Plant
The construction representative assured the council that the third party inspector is not relaxing the state codes in any way. They would just be speeding up the inspection process.
It was decided that the council would investigate the issue and get back to the school as soon as possible. It was stated they could even have a special meeting if necessary.
The company is wanting to begin work on the school foundation in ten days.
Next, Dylan Sheffield representing the Ryan Community Regeneration asked for permission to use the Ryan Public Park on October 13th.
On that date they will hold the first annual Fall Festival.
The Ryan FFA will be serving hot dogs at the festival as a fundraiser. There will be live music and games. It will be a time of getting together and celebrating the fall season creating a sense of community.
Dylan is also the newest member of the New Jefferson County Development Authority.
Ater that, Resolution 2018-07 was passed that forbids any changes to city owned property without first obtaining permission.
During the Ryan Public Utility Authority meeting the council members passed resolution 2018-08 to establish guidelines and fines for manipulation, tampering, disconnection, etc., of town property and facilities, including utility meters by an unauthorized individual.
According to the resolution anyone tampering with an electric or water meter if they are not authorized to do so will be fined up to $50 per day of occurrence.
This brought many questions from the audience.
One such question concerned what to do if a residence had a water leak? The council members suggested installing a water shut off valve on the residence side of the pipe leading from the meter to the building.
If one is not installed, city hall will need to be notified during a water leak and they will come and shut off the water.
The same would be true if an electrical meter needed to be shut off. Only city employees can fix or adjust meters.
Mayor Grantham advised that this measure was being taken because in the past meters have been broken by home owners who then expected the city to pay for damage.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
It’s beginning to feel like winter around here. We were fortunate to have had rain instead of snow yesterday morning. This weekend looks like it might be a pleasant and dry weekend. Then, the week of Thanksgiving, it looks like we are going to get wet again.
This coming Saturday, there will be the food distribution from the Ryan Food Bank.This will be the 3rd Saturday, instead of the 4th Saturday, because of the Thanksgiving Holiday.The same will apply for December.
There will be businesses closing for the Thanksgiving Holiday, which will be Thursday, November 22nd. The banks, post office, Beaver Creek Mercantile, Tina’s Flower Shop, and Morgan’s Beauty Shop, and Ryan Drug Store will be closed on that Thursday. The Ryan Health Clinic on the highway will be closed on Thursday and Friday. The Ryan Medical Clinic will be closed on Thursday and a half a day on Friday.
Kim’s news for this week:
Because we are going into winter and out of fall, I had to put more bedding in Ruffy Tuffy’s stall. Because of the colder weather, Foxy has been wearing her sweater. Foxy and I sure had fun visiting Barbara Sunday afternoon.
Everyone have a blessed week. Pray for each other, too.Prayers for safe travels for folks that will be leaving town next week, too.
Well, we’ve certainly been well blessed with moisture and it is still coming down. These rains might take us up to a level that bring us out of the drought level. We can certainly be thankful for these rains. Brionna and I had to make a quick trip to Waurika this morning, but, when we got to the first bridge that was under construction on hwy 81, the road was blocked. There had been too much water that had washed out the bypass road in a small section. We had to make a U turn on the highway and proceed back to Ryan to go across the upper road and down Noble Ray Road. We made it there and back and met quite a bit of traffic to and fro. We narrowly missed a bad storm Sunday evening as we were traveling back from Denison. There were Channel 6 storm watchers along 82 just west of Nocona. The sky was black and we did drive through a bit of hail, but, we made it home. Life is sometimes quite the journey, good and bad.
Prayers and sympathy to the families of Louie (Sonny) Dabbs and John D. Johnson during their losses.
There is an Easter egg hunt planned for Saturday, starting at 10:00am at the Ryan Sports Complex. Registration for prizes will begin at 9:30am. Prizes will be drawn at 10:45am.Child must be present to win prizes! They will have games, food, and fun! This event is being sponsored by Ryan First Baptist Church.
There is a wedding shower planned on Sunday, April 29, from 2:00-4:00pm at the Ryan Church of Christ for Morgan Good and her fiance. The couple is registered at Dillards, Target, and Walmart. There is also a hostess box for the couple at the Ryan Drug Store.
This Sunday is Easter and the doors of our churches are open to any and all folks. Easter Sunday services just seem to be better attended than most other Sundays.
Please remember Joe Turner in prayer as he has been taken back to Duncan Regional Hospital for more surgery this past Sunday. Fern and the rest of their family need our prayers during Joe’s illness, too. Their daughter, Becky came down from Wyoming for a visit last week and stayed with Fern that whole week. Their son David, has been with Fern part of this time.
Our kids are back in school week after having Spring break last week. Not much of the school year is left for our kids.
Also, next Tuesday is the evening for Ryan City Council meeting at 6:00pm.
This Friday will be Brenda Johnson’s last day to work in the Ryan Family Clinic and I would like to honor her by giving her a luncheon at 12:00 noon. We will be having chicken salad sandwiches, chips, water, and cookies for dessert. This will take place from 12:00 to 1:00pm at the Ryan Drug Store. All are welcome to attend this celebration.
Kim’s news for this week:
Penny is an awesome dog, she can even kill a hog.
Dustan is great at catching snakes.
As Ruffy Tuffy grown older, he eats treats off my shoulder, and, he can shake hands.
Everyone have a blessed week and a Happy Easter. Prayers for safe travels if you are venturing away from home for that weekend.
Alison Levi Keller was born in June of 1867 in Jacksonville, Calhoun County, Alabama. A. L. Keller’s family moved to Cook County, Texas when he was eight years old and then in 1879 they moved to Holder, Indian Territory in what is now Marshall County, Oklahoma. In early January of 1907, A.L. Keller along with his son Jesse and friend Bob Mitchell came to Jefferson County, Indian Territory to work a farm that was leased from the Indian landowner. In early summer Mrs. Keller, Mrs. Mitchell and the remaining children joined the original party at the camp that was established on the leased land. A.L. Keller and Bob Mitchell had built a temporary home, a wood sided tent was put up and used until a more permanent house could be built. It was in this tent that the first child was born at their new home. Allen Alexander Keller was born to Rosie and A.L. Keller five months before Oklahoma became a state and officially joined the union as the forty sixth state in these United States. Allen’s sister, Annie, told the story that it was raining so hard the day Allen was born that the family ducks were swimming inside the tent. A.L. Keller bought the original lease and added more land over the years. He farmed the land until his death in 1943.
Upon the death of A.L. Keller, his son Allen and his wife Nila bought the farm from Rosie Keller. Allen Keller had started helping his father on the farm at a very young age. He told his family about plowing with a team and having difficulty throwing the plow into the ground because he was so small. His father would hitch the team and take them to the field and get Allen started. By being thrifty and working hard Allen Keller added more acres to the farm that his father had built. Over the years I have heard stories about Mr. Keller and his being a hard worker always came up in the conversation. Besides being a good farmer, Allen was a skilled carpenter and often had to go to where the work was. He worked not only in Oklahoma but also in Texas and New Mexico. Like many people, Allen Keller worked hard to raise and provide for his family. Other than two years when he “ran off” to California and Oregan, he lived on the farm his father established in Jefferson County from 1907 when he was born until 1996 and farmed for most of those years.
In 1981, Allen’s daughter and her husband Lane Corley, moved back to the area and became more involved with the farm and in 1993 became owners of the Little Dipper Ranch, located southeast of Ryan, Oklahoma. When it was established in 1907, A. L. Keller grew cotton, oats and sorghum, I know that Allen farmed as well but have found no record of what he grew, The present day owners, Loretta and Lane Corley raise beef cattle and through the years have continued to do what her father and grandfather did before them. For three generations, the family has been good stewards of the land and have added to the original holdings that started with a small Indian lease of two hundred acres.
The first permanent structure built was a barn in 1907. Windmills were added in 1930 to pump water for the cattle and in 1950, Allen built a new barn and a house. The first is still in use as a horse barn and the house is still being lived in today.
This has been a productive season for Ryan cross country. The young runners in Jr. High School show improvement constantly and the High School boys seem to shave time off with each passing meet, but the High School girls have taken cross country to a new level here in Ryan. This last week the Cowgirls have won their third team title in a row, Lilybet Harmon won her third individual title in a row and the Cowgirls have had five of the top ten finishers for the third time in a row. Next weekend the cross country team will be competing at regionals. At 12:30 this Saturday, we will all have the opportunity to watch this team in action at Waurika. Basketball season will be starting soon. To be honest, I have never really followed the sport. I’m short, slow and uncoordinated, so it is easy to figure out why it’s not my sport. In an effort to be fair I may give it a try this season, if nothing else it will give me a chance to see the new/old gym. The football game this week will be against long time rivals Waurika Eagles. This rivalry spans many decades and having witnessed it from both sides, I am glad to see that the modern version is much more genteel than it was in the old days. Come out to the game and see some good football. Game time is at 7:30 friday night at the Bob Givens Sports Complex. If you play your cards right you might be able to get some supper as well.
This next Sunday, October 20th from 11:00-2:00 there will be an Indian Taco dinner to raise funds for some of the community projects that are happening around Ryan. It will be at the Sr. Citizens Center and the cost will be donations only. I understand that they still need desserts if you would like to donate some sweets. Take outs are available and Heather Casebolt guarantees that the food will be delicious.
If you have been paying attention, you will have noticed that dirt work is going on out on the highway across from the football field. They are coming along with the future home of the next dollar store for this area.
Fall weather is finally upon us and it is wonderful. Not to appear ungrateful but we could have done without that freeze the other night. Ah well we have to take the bad with the good. I am starting to see mums and pumpkins around town, decorating street corners and porches. With the fall colors a, pumpkin flavored everything and the cool air, it seems that the main part of football season is here. GO IRISH!!!
Christmas On the Trail is coming up and we will be having another meeting on the 25th of this month. If you are interested, you can attend or you can call or come see us with your ideas. We are still looking for vendors and volunteers. We are adding games and activities every week.
I am sitting here listening to Adele sing about setting fire to the rain. I’m not sure the lyrics make a lot of sense but she sure can sing. Until next week.
I spent the afternoon watching the Ryan High Cowboys play baseball against the Waurika Eagles. Other than the bull gnats and the skimpy rations of chili and cheese on the Frito pie it was an enjoyable evening.
The Annual Ryan Town Easter Egg Hunt was a rousing success. Lots of children and prizes were on hand for the festivities. The Baptist Church is having an Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at the Bob Givens Sports Complex. Registration is at 9:45, the hunt starts at 10:00 and the drawing for the bicycle will begin at 10:45. Come join in the fun. It seems odd to me, a giant rabbit hiding chicken eggs to celebrate a Christian holiday, but that is just me.
The American Legion of Ryan is going to start having “Family Night “, this will be a dance with a live band and concessions will be on hand. It is planned for Saturday, May 18th. I will bring you more information as it is available.
If you read last weeks column you will remember that I mentioned the survey about what books that are your personal favorites. In the category of novels, I would have to say that my all time favorite is “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Besides the nostalgia of growing up in a small town where everyone is familiar with everyone, there is the character of Atticus Finch. A man very much of his time but willing to stand against bigotry and injustice that was unfortunately still a part of everyday life in a lot of places. If you have never read this fine book, give it a try. In the category of non-fiction, my favorite is the biography called “Captain Sir Richard Burton” by Edward Rice. Captain Burton was an Irish national serving as an officer in the British Army, in itself a feat. He was highly intelligent and skilled in many languages and dialects. This enabled him to serve as an officer, spy and interpreter. He was the first westerner to enter Medina and Mecca, doing so in the disguise of a native dervish. Well worth the read. They also made a movie about Captain Burton and his partner John Hanning Speke. Between the two of them they discovered the source of the Nile. The movie, “Mountains of the Moon” is a fictionalized account but still a good movie. I could go on and on and often do, so until next week.
All members of the Council were present along with Ryan’s attorney as the council undertook the business in the interest of the town of Ryan.
Deborah Reynolds read the treasurer’s report for the month ending on February 28, 2018. The report was approved unanimously.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
The purchase orders and claims were approved for the month of November.
Next, the council discussed a request of the Ryan Public Schools to possibly place a wireless antenna on the town water tower. The city attorney, Kenzie Wheeler, suggested that the school sign a liability waiver. The antenna will be used to broadcast an internet signal from the school to the football field.
Ryan voted to sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt in the park on Saturday, March 24, 2018.
The council voted to pass Resolution 2018-01 reducing the commercial polecat rate from $30.00 to $19.50 per month.
Ryan will publish a request for bids for the cemetery mowing contract for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2019.
Under new business, the council said the Ryan water will be turned off this coming Saturday in order to facilitate repairs. It is believed that the water could be turned back on by noon or soon thereafter.
The Utility Authority Meeting began immediately after the conclusion of the regular town meeting.
The minutes for the previous meeting were approved.
Next, the council approved paying the bills and claims for the month of February.
The council voted to purchase 2 (15 KVA Reclosures from T&R Electric for a total cost of $13,700. The current ones haven’t been replaced in at least 60 years. The new ones will be more efficient and dependable. The reclosures act like a circuit breaker. One services the north side of town and the other the south side of town.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The First Annual Christmas On the Trail Chili Cook-off is in the books and J.K.Townsend has been declared he winner. I feel behooved to try and name all of the folks that made it a success. First has to be the cooks. J.K. Townsend was sponsored by the United Methodist Women, Linda Harrison cooked for the Peoples Bank, John Snider was at the helm of the Ryan city employees team, although Deb Reynolds made cornbread because they were of the opinion that crackers just would not do. Cody Rodriquez led the Ryan Volunteer Fire Fighters, Justin Dewbre, Raquel Welchel cooked for the Ryan FFA and the list of competitors was rounded out by Jared Dyer that cooked what he called green chili. I personally had never seen anything quite like it but I can tell you it was good. We had three fine judges, although there have been charges of cahootinizing among the judges and one member of the group that hosted the event. Ricky Martin, Kristi Hamm Whitford and Mike Retos all did a good job and worked for very little pay. I can’t say enough good things about the band, The Upper Road Band. They kept everyone entertained and did it with two of the three members feeling under the weather. Alana Miranda, Seth Miranda and J.D. Martin comprise the band and covered everything from classic country to soft rock to Tom Petty and along the way made us laugh. I think I will see if they can do some Molly Hatchet (that is what I am listening to). Every time they are asked to help they step up and do a wonderful job. All three deserve a lot of praise. Thank you to everyone that came out and supported the cause, the cause of coarse being the Christmas On the Trail tree lighting festival that with take place in early December. All of the fund raising goes toward paying for the day of fun that is planned for children and grownups alike.
On the subject of music that I am listening to, you would think on that long ride across that desert that they could have found a name for that horse.
Bill Roberson
Bill Roberson passed away this week messing with his old cows. I first came into contact with Bill when I was a small boy playing baseball, he coached a couple of the teams that I played on. Even to a kid it was obvious that he loved sports. Another love was music. He loved playing music, listening to music and taking about music. This was a side of Bill that I saw when I reconnected with him as a grownup. The one thing that Bill talked about the most was his family. We sometimes spent hours on this very subject, he even got to where he would say “stop me if you have heard this”. I am glad that I never did. Bill Roberson will be sorely missed.
