68.7 F
Waurika
Monday, April 29, 2024
Advertisement
Home News Ryan News Page 8

Ryan News

Random

Round Ryan May 3 2018

By
Mollye Compton
-
0
Ryan Main Street

 It’s been another awesome week and we did receive a bit of rain on Wednesday and nearly again on Thursday. Our temperatures are nearly where they should be at this time of year, but, as we Okies know, that can change at any minute. We have still seen some lows nearing the very low 40s, but, those might be behind us now. We have some pretty good chances for rain this week before the paper goes to print.  

I was sorry to hear about the passings  of Billie Johnson and her brother, Weldon Fuller. Prayers to their families during this time of loss.  

I picked up Brionna Thursday and she got to spend some time Friday morning with her friends Kim, Foxy, and Ruffy Tuffy. Brionna got to spend a few minutes in the store Friday, but, the rest of the day she spent it visiting at the bank, or with Crystal and Tammy, or with Morgan. She got her hair cut Friday morning by Morgan. She did a good job. Saturday we went to Wichita Falls and ate out, did some shopping, went to see the movie A Wrinkle in Time, then headed to Nocona to spend some time with Mom. Sunday morning we got ready for church and stopped and picked up Ben Arneson so he could go to Sunday school and church with us. I made a loaf of bread for Communion, and the remainder of the dough, I made cinnamon rolls. It was Ben, Brionna, and myself attending class. Edna called that she wasn’t going to make it because she had to go help Natalie and Ken with some cattle. Butch had told me earlier in the week that he wasn’t going to be in town for the weekend. He and Lily went to Oklahoma City to see family members up around the City. Dana wasn’t at church or Sunday school because she had made a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Lolly came in around 10:30 and told me that she had gotten a phone call that Brother Bob Waitman had passed away that morning.  I was so sorry to hear that news, but, it sounded like he passed peacefully from this life.  He has been a very well respected and loved man in and around and beyond our community.  Prayers to all of the Waitman family during this difficult time. The Crossbrand Cowboy Church had their church service as planned, but, they had a pastor that filled in for Brother Bob on this particular Sunday. 

Brionna and I attended the wedding shower for Morgan Good and her fiancé, Jim Roberts. They received a lot of nice gifts and there was a good crowd there that attended their celebration. 

Sunday evening, Brionna and I attended church in Terral at the Assembly of God Church.  The First Baptist Church of Terral and Terral Assembly of God Church met together for food and fellowship. They meet together when there is a 5th Sunday.  I had been asked to attend this service, first by Cecilia Harnois, and next by Keith, the Terral Assembly of God Pastor. There was a lot of good food, then we met in the sanctuary for fellowship. There was a lot of really good music. Terral has a lot of really talented folks that are willing to get up there and share their talents with a pretty large group of folks. Geneva played the piano for the congregational singing. It was very enjoyable and we can look forward to the next 5th Sunday get-together in August, where the meeting place will be at the Terrap First Baptist Church.  I took Brionna back to Bowie after the service. 

Kim’s news for this week:

When I rode Sunday, it was time for fly spray. Ruffy Tuffy wouldn’t mind, he was shaking his head all the time. So, today, I did spray. It was beautiful weather, Ruffy Tuffy did better. 

Everyone have a blessed week. Pray for rain and for each other.

Round Ryan August 1, 2019

By
Dennis Underwood
-
0

 If you have been paying attention, you will have noticed a young lady perched atop the scaffolding by the mural on Highway 81.  Her name is Maris Blanchard, she is the daughter of the late Bobbie Blanchard and the granddaughter of Teresa Blanchard.  We have all become accustomed to its faded appearance but I believe that if you look at it now or wait until she is finished, I think you will agree that it looks much better.  Ms. Blanchard is doing a wonderful job and she told me that it means a lot to her to be able to do this for her fathers home town and also that she has fond memories of coming to Ryan to visit when she was younger.  Thank you Maris.

 Ryan Fire Chief Randal Garcia tells me that they had a good turn out for the first annual Stop, Drop and Run 5K fun run and walk.  It is great to see so many people participating.  They had hamburgers for lunch after the run but I was unable to attend as I had a family reunion to attend at the same time but I bet the food was good.

 The reunion mentioned in the above paragraph was a lot of fun.  Mostly we sat around talking and eating.  Some of our relations from the east side of the county as well as some nice folks from Texas came to visit.  Bob Cates started off life in Ryan but his family left after a fire destroyed the family business.  Bob told me his brother, Utah Cates (is that a cool name or what), worked for the railroad.  I am hoping that some of my elders around town can enlighten me in regard to the Cates family.

 Wednesday was the last day for the children’s reading group here in Ryan because school will be starting in a couple of weeks.  T J Dewbre tells me that there are already plans in the works for a possibly expanded reading group next year.  As you can imagine this is a cause that is near and dear to my heart.  I believe that the earlier that you expose children to reading and books the better.  I am taking this opportunity to thank a few folks, Michelle for getting the ball rolling, TJ, Heidi Townsend, Emily Smith, Amanda Reagan, Cheryl Carter and the town council (I know that I am missing a bunch of people but you know who you are), thank you for picking the ball up and running with it.

 It is easy to let personal feelings color our thinking, but all of these stories, the mural, the fire department and the children’s reading group are examples of people working together for the common good.  Call me Pollyanna if you like but I think things are looking up in Ryan.

 The book I am reading is called “Dancing At the Harvest Moon” by K.C. McKinnon.  The harvest moon of the title is a dance hall and eating establishment open seasonally on a lake in Canada.  This is a tale of love and loss, re-birth and starting over when life kicks you in the teeth as happens from time to time.  I am not sure from whom I acquired this book but so far it has been good reading.  The art work alone makes it worth looking through.  I frequently get books given to me.  Sometimes it is a case of someone cleaning out a cupboard and sometimes it is hey I just read this and you need to read it as well.  In ether case the gifts are greatly appreciated, I can’t think of a better gift than a book.

 I am thinking about a time when my younger sister came home from college to visit and when she walked through the door, I’m stretched out in the living room floor listening to “Freebird” and reading a volume of Walt Whitman that she had given me.  This comes to mind because as I sit here writing this I have music playing, it is hard to type and rock out as well. (I have my earplugs in so to anyone watching, I must appear spastic). Other than the first song, none of the music was selected by me, so I have run down the list of several great songs, from “Sweet Home Alabama” to “Can’t You See” to “With a Little Help from My Friends” and now it’s “Freebird”.  I’m not sure why books and music go together for me, maybe it’s the story telling inherit in both.  I’ll see if my sister remembers.   

Round Ryan March 22 2018

By
Mollye Compton
-
0
Ryan Main Street

Spring is officially here, and, plants and trees are really beginning to show their awesome beauty around here.  I went over to my peach tree (I think) and wanted to smell the blooms to see if there was an odor to their blooms.  There is.  There was also a honey bee headed into one of the blooms that I was about to stick close to my nose.  I let him have it. We also still have those bugs that look like lady bugs, around town in great numbers.  I’ve seen them in peoples homes as well as outside.  They are some sort of a Japanese beetle, from what I’ve heard.  I do believe they will bite a person, if you are so inclined to pick them up to hold them.

We were blessed with a little bit of rain after church service was over Sunday afternoon.  It began a very fine mist as I was going to church at about 9:15am and wound up raining before the sun came out and displayed its’ beauty Sunday afternoon.  We welcome any and all precipitation around here.  We are still in great need of precipitation.  We are in a burn ban, so, be very careful if you strike a match outside your home or in pastures or fields around Jefferson county.

I went to Duncan Saturday afternoon and while I was there, it began to get really cloudy late in the afternoon.  It began raining there as I was leaving out around 5:00 in the early evening. We weren’t as fortunate to have been blessed by that same rain system.

This Saturday is the food bank distribution at 10:00am.  Also at 1:00 in the park there will be the Easter egg hunt.

Joe Turner is in the Jefferson County Hospital for a little while. Prayers for him as he is in the healing process and for Fern as she travels daily to be with him.  Wayne Harrison, Linda’s husband, is in need of our prayers as he recuperates from having had surgery to repair an aneurism.  They were unable to make the repair as he sustained a heart attack during his surgical procedure.  Linda says that he is doing much better now, though.  That is good to hear.

I haven’t spoken about the casino in Terral, since they opened.  Brionna, Jim, and I went up there to check it out on the night they opened on March 1.  None of us got back what we put into the machines.  That seemed to be what was happening with everyone we spoke to that went that day.  There has been one lucky individual that got quite a jackpot of nearly $1 million.

The Ryan Family Clinic hosted a party for Brenda Johnson last Friday, as she is nearing her retirement this month.  I am not sure if Brenda is looking forward to this occasion or dreading it since all she has ever done in her life is work.  Bless her as she begins a new chapter in her life. Her kids and grandkids and siblings will keep her busy, I’ll bet.

Kim’s news for this week:

I enjoy talking to Ron and Traci, I do.  Especially about their pet rooster, LaRae.

What a blessed week, I can’t complain.  Praise God for the rain.

Everyone have a blessed week.  Keep praying for rain and for each other and have a Happy Palm Sunday this coming weekend.

Round Ryan April 18 2019

By
Dennis Underwood
-
0
Ryan Main Street

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. 

Round Ryan

By
Dennis Underwood
-
0

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.   

Ryan Alumni Gather Over Labor Day Weekend

By
Trey Smart
-
0

he Ryan High School Alumni Association held its bi-annual alumni banquet over the recent Labor Day weekend.

The highlight of the weekend was the banquet held in the high school cafeteria/auditorium where the majority of the people in attendance walked across the stage to graduate from Ryan High School.

Nearly 100 alumni, family and friends gathered for the banquet that was highlighted by a catered meal from Branding Iron of Wichita Falls, TX.

Rob Givens, a 1975 graduate of RHS, was the featured speaker for the afternoon.

GUEST SPEAKER – Bob Givens spoke to the Ryan High School Alumni banquet held last Saturday. (Photo by Trey Smart)

Givens recounted the story of how Brown Brothers Dry Goods in Ryan got its name and a little history behind it.

The last operator of the store was Givens’ dad, Bob Givens, who was known to most everyone in Ryan as a businessman and supporter of all Ryan High School activities.

 Bob Givens, for whom the athletic complex is named at Ryan, was the public address announcer at the high school football games for 50 years.

After the elder Givens graduated from high school at Ryan, he joined the army and his son told the story of his dad being missing in action at one time, but returned home and never left Ryan again.

The presentation and introduction of classes was done by Tommy Johnson.

Following the introduction of the classes, the oldest graduate, youngest graduate and the graduate who traveled the furtherest were recognized and awarded a copy of the book, “The Pride of RHS: A Sports History of Ryan High School.”

Earning the oldest graduate present was Nell Largent. The youngest graduate was Alana Miranda. The person traveling the furtherest was Gary Reynolds, who came from Jackson, Tennessee.

The reading of RHS graduates who have died since the last banquet was done by Angela Sullivan, T. Johnson, Furman Clark and Don Johnson.

Since the banquet was interrupted by the pandemic, it had been three years since the association had gathered for the banquet held every two years. A list of 98 names was read to the crowd.

D. Johnson, president of the alumni association, read the names of the scholarship recipients for the past three years. The alumni association awards two scholarships to the top two seniors of the Ryan graduating classes each year.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES – Don Johnson, Ryan High School Alumni  Association President, presided over the last Saturday’s gathering held at the Ryan School.  (Photo by Trey Smart)

In the program, it was noted that 35 scholarships have been given through the years in the amount of $46,350.

All of the current officers were re-elected to serve again and they will be tasked along with other volunteers to put together the next banquet which will be Labor Day weekend of 2024.

Plans are being made to try and encourage increased attendance at the banquet – especially among the local people. Many RHS graduates traveled across the state and beyond and this event would be enhanced by the participation of local people.

The class of 1972 sponsored an event on Saturday night at the American Legion as they were celebrating their 50th year since graduating at Ryan.

The class of 1962, celebrating their 60th year since graduating, also had a good representation present at the banquet.

Round Ryan February 15 2018

By
Mollye Compton
-
0

I made it to our city council meeting Tuesday evening and there weren’t very many Ryan residents that showed up besides myself. Tina and Larry Morrison had been placed on the agenda to ask the council if there might be any incentives offered on behalf of a new business. Larry asked the council why the business were charged $30.00 per month for the garbage service. Clifford replied that he thought the business canisters were larger than the residential canisters. This was discussed a little further to conclude that the canisters of the businesses are the same size as the residents, but, our businesses pay $30.00 per month and residents pay $19.50. In years past, our garbage collection was every week day for the businesses. You could justify the difference in the price of the business service in comparison to the residences. But, at least since we have had our garbage collection contracted out, the trash collection is one day each week regardless of whether business or residential. This item is to be discussed at the next council meeting. The first item on the agenda was to be some discussion from an individual from the Terral casino, but, due to the weather, they didn’t make it to the meeting.

I haven’t made it out west of town to see the progress of our Comanche Entertainment Casino and smoke shop. I have heard through the grapevine that they are planning on opening up February 28.  The River Star Casino in Terral is expecting to open on March 1. These casinos hopefully may add some revenue to our communities of Ryan and Terral. The only hope for that happening will be from tourists patronizing the local businesses.

We are still seeing more cases of folks with the flu. It is affecting children as well as adults.

We did get a rain Tuesday evening shortly after the council meeting was dismissed. The rain lasted about 5 minutes, which is better than none at all. Enjoy the day Thursday, because Friday it is supposed to be cold again.  The high for Friday is expected to be around 40 degrees. The high Saturday is expected to hit 50 and 60 on Sunday. This will give us something to look forward to. It was really cold this past weekend. I made it over to Amarillo Saturday morning, to see snowflakes falling in Amarillo. When I left Ryan at 4:30, it was misting and the temperature was 28 degrees and falling. I made it there and back safely. Randy and I had a good day together.

I don’t have any news from Kim this week. She has been sick this past week. I pray that she is feeling better.

Everyone have a blessed week. Pray for rain and each other.

Round Ryan April 12 2018

By
Mollye Compton
-
0

What a week we have had around Ryan in regards to our weather.  We’ve had some really beautiful weather. We’ve had some great days to get outside and work on the yard, or whatever pleasurable things are to get us outside because it was so pleasant.  Well, after Friday afternoon was upon us, all of that changed.  The winds turned around and began blowing from the north, and they were really hard winds.  The kind of winds that, if you were sitting in your home, you could hear the shingles flapping around just a few feet above your head.  If the wind wasn’t enough, then, on Saturday morning, it was 30 degrees until around noon.  There was a bit of precipitation that turned to ice for a little while.  Sunday it was a bit warmer.  It made it up to around 60 degrees.  That was our heat wave for the weekend.  Today, the sun has been shining and it is very pleasant again.  I got on Facebook after I had received a message from a friend and the season we are in is being referred to is now Sprinter.  We don’t know if it is spring or winter, so, this catches whatever the condition is at the time.  We are still going to receive some pretty cool temperatures this coming weekend.  Our mesquite trees are even bearing leaves now, so, they think it is Spring. 

Our high school kids had their junior-senior prom this past weekend.  It was certainly cold that evening. 

We have a few folks in our community that needed to be lifted up in our prayers.  Joe Turner is still in Duncan Regional and is having some more surgery.  Please keep him and Fern in your prayers.  David Wingfield had surgery last week and prayers for him and his family that he will be restored to good health soon. Please remember Carlie Southard in our prayers.  Pat Bussey made it back home last week and she is going to Tulsa to the Cancer Center to get their opinion on what approach she needs to take in regards to the cancer she has.  Prayers for her and her family during this time. 

Terri and Chuck Sheffield will be making a trip to London, England this week.  Terri has been very successful in her insurance business and Farm Bureau is paying for their trip.  Prayers for them that they have safe travels there and back.  They will spend 9 hours on the plane before they get to their destination. 

Kim’s news for this week:

Before I got to the big flashing sign by the bridge, I look over my shoulder cause it sounded like I was getting pulled over. 

In Shelton’s parking lot I ran over my foot with a shopping cart..

Sunday afternoon, it was all I was hoping, me and Ruffy Tuffy turning back at the Cowboy Church roping.

Everyone have a blessed week.  Prayers for rain and for each other.

Fiber Optic Internet Coming to Ryan?

By
Curtis Plant
-
0

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. 

1...678Page 8 of 8

FOLLOW US

2,900FansLike
630FollowersFollow
264FollowersFollow
66SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -

RECENT POSTS

The Waurika News Journal
Serving the citizens of Jefferson County, Oklahoma, and readers around the world.
Contact us: waurikanewsjournal@gmail.com
© Copyright 2017-2023 Waurika News Journal & The Ryan Leader