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Broadband 81 Expanding All Along Highway 81 and Jefferson County

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We are expanding our Buried Fiber Internet Service to all the Communities along Highway 81 up to Chickasha. 

Buried Fiber Internet directly to the Premise is the Gold Standard for Internet Services that require maximum speeds upstream and downstream. 

Since the COVID19 pandemic there has been high demand for Distance Learning, Zoom meetings, and Telemedicine. All of these two way video services require fast speeds in both directions. All other Internet connections can’t offer these speeds. 

81 “True Fiber” Internet brings the fiber directly to your home or business. Some companies that offer “Fibet Internet” only have fiber to the town or neighborhoods, then they use old outdated lines to bring it to your premises. This limits speeds to the capacity of those old lines. 

Since you’re only as fast as your weakest connection, once we bring our True Fiber to your house or business, we provide a gigabit router that provides these great speeds directly to your devices over Super Fast WiFi. 

Our Gigabit True Fiber network will provide communities the maximum speeds and reliability the Internet has to offer. Streaming Video, Teleconferencing, Telemedicine, E-commerce, Gaming, and Security Cameras all require True Fiber to work best. 

True Fiber Internet provides the infrastructure to grow our communities, improve our healthcare, and advance our education. We are providing the tools for next generation Internet services that will give our customers the competitive advantage they deserve. 

81Broadband is a DBA of Terral Telephone Company www.81broadband.com

It’s about time for fishing season

Fishing is just around the corner, although with a temperature of 18 right now, it’s a little hard to imagine. It won’t be long however before I start  getting pictures of Houston Scott and Slade Cathey with huge bass taken from their local ponds! As warm afternoons and sunshine raise the temps, the big bass will start hanging out in the shallows.

New Heritage 40th Anniversary Tracker for $9,995.00

This really signals the beginning of fishing season and the lake bite will quickly follow. With that in mind it’s time to start getting your fishing rig ready to go. We discussed a few weeks ago about working on your tackle during this down time but now you need to concentrate on your boat.

After being winterized and stored for a few months, we need to do a complete check; batteries, controls, electrical and have the engine serviced, including oil change. Hopefully, making that first trip to your favorite spot trouble-free.

It doesn’t matter if your ride is a $40,000 bass boat, Jon boat, pontoon or your family pleasure boat as long as you get out and enjoy our Waurika Lake.

A lot of you may not remember, but in the early 70’s, “bass boats” existed, but not as we know them now. They were small, around 14ft and very narrow to have access to brushy shoreline areas. They were driven from the bow seat using a stick drive, which took a little practice to get used to!

Skeeter Boats, I believe, was the first to manufacture what would be known as a bass boat.

 

The First Bass Tracker in 1978

The earliest of what could truly be called a bass boat is credited to Holmes Thurman who founded the Skeeter Boat Company of Liberty, Texas in 1948.

The first Skeeter boats were part flat-bottomed jonboat and part powerboat. The name came from the appearance of its distinct bow. Thurman thought it looked like a mosquito. Made from molded plywood, the first Skeeters rapidly became popular with Texas and Louisiana anglers.

Skeeter began building improved fiberglass models in the early 1950’s. The 1961 Skeeter Hawk was one of the first mass produced fiberglass bass boats available.

The basics of the modern bass boat came together for the first time; more hydrodynamic hull design, swivel fishing chairs, bow mounted electric motor, and rod holders. Not quite a Wright Brothers to space shuttle difference but close.

As anyone knows, if you wanted a boat of any kind in the 1970’s, you went to the dealer of your choice, picked out the model you wanted and then decided what kind of motor and other accessories you wanted on the boat and paid them to rig it out.

The first boat of this type I bought was from Lakey’s Marine in Wichita Falls in 1975. I can’t remember the brand but it was a 14ft green and white fiberglass boat that was so narrow that sitting in the bow seat you could rest your hands on the gunnels without reaching! Rigged with a 25hp Johnson motor, I thought it was the cat’s meow.

The First Bass Boat

That all changed in 1978 when Johnny Morris introduced the first “Bass Tracker”, the industry’s first fully accessorized, ready-to-fish boat, motor and trailer package at an unheard-of nationally published price of $2,995 and advertised it in their fishing catalog. The boat was an instant hit; I remember seeing my first tied up at my friends dock on Lake Arrowhead in 1979 – I was impressed! Then in 1982, TRACKER Boats opened its first plant in Lebanon, MO. It was dedicated solely to the manufacture of TRACKER fishing boats. In 1988, the company’s custom boat trailer factory opened in Ozark, MO. Each trailer is factory matched, custom fit, sized and color coordinated to the boat it will carry. In 2008, TRACKER Boats celebrated 30 years as the #1 builder of aluminum fishing boats, and as the acknowledged leader in innovative aluminum boat technology. Today, Tracker still builds some of the best, most affordable fishing boats in the nation.

There are a lot of great bass boat/fishing boats out there these days for you and your family’s enjoyment, hope this gives you an idea of how it all got started! Get in one and get out and enjoy your great Oklahoma outdoors!

2019 Jeffco Livestock Show Highlight Video

Jeffco Livestock Show Highlight Video

A special thanks to Tyler Plant for producing, filming, and editing this video.

Skyler and Bayler Smith Place at Ft. Worth Show

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Representing the Dennis Cattle Company of Grady, Oklahoma, Skyler and Bayler Smith placed 5th and 6th out of 11 in the open class with their Hereford heifers “Sassy” and Fallon” at the Ft Worth Stock show last week.

This was their 1st big show! Great job girls!

Ricky Martin Seeks Another Term as District 3 Commissioner

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He’s completing his second term as the District 3 County Commissioner and looks forward to another one if elected. 

In a recent interview, he was asked about what he felt like was the greatest accomplishments over the past four years and he quickly responded “the equipment we have paid for and the roads we have built.” 

He said that recently they have received quite a bit of help from the Comanche Tribe with the roads. “They are talking about maybe finishing the roads going on into town (Ryan).”

He wanted to address the concern that he wasn’t getting enough REAP Grants. “I’m trying to get all the money for the county that I can. It’s not easy, plus you have to match the funds you get in a REAP Grant.”

Martin said that some have even complained about him working on the weekends and after hours. 

“I do it because it helps us to stay caught up. Plus I like doing it. I like working.”

Martin believes that the hours of a county commissioner are 24-7. 

“If you get a call about a flood or a road damage you have to go when called. It’s not just an eight hour a day job.”

 Martin has lived in Terral his whole life.

“Except for the two years  I was in the army.”

Before becoming the county commissioner of District 3 he had driven a truck for a living. 

What he has enjoyed the most is the getting to know and help the people of his district. 

He says that being commissioner is a good job. He acknowledged that the pay is not that much, but he enjoys the work. 

During the next term he wants to rock more roads and clean up more of the ditches along the side of the road. 

He has some ideas about saving money.

When they get all of the equipment paid for he would like to see the district get some newer trucks. 

He’s also proud of the new county barn. It was built with a $45,000 REAP Grant and local volunteers and of course the county hands. 

Rash Barrett loaned the county the track hoe to set the beams.

David England loaned them some equipment.

Tony Rodriquez helped by welding the beams.

Ty Phillips came down and helped. 

Martin says that they have good hands working in District 3. 

His goal is to finish all the current projects before the end of the year. 

Doris Baker Inducted into Western Swing Music Society Hall of Fame

Doris Ann Baker of Waurika joined her husband in the Western Swing Music Society Hall of Fame.

Baker and her late husband, Henry Baker, shared  their love of music ever since marriage.

In 1981 the couple began working with the Texas Playboys and began to perform what has become known as Western Swing Music.

Baker began her foray into the genre by learning  every Bob Wills song suggested to her.

In 1982, Gene Crownover took Henry and Doris to Turkey, Texas for Bob Wills Day. He asked Henry to play bass for the outdoor show. Gene predicted they’d never miss this annual event in Turkey again if they only went once.

That prediction came true.

In 1999, Henry and Doris bought the future “Church of Western Swing” (COWS) in Turkey- a 100 year old Assembly of God church-and made it into a music theater known as the “place to be” in Turkey, Texas for Bob Wills music. 

In 2011, the COWS was  named Music Venue of the Year in Texas by Governor Rick Perry, through the Cowtown Society of Western Music.

With the venue grew the band, The COWS Swing Band. 

Over the years Doris and Henry hosted Valentine, Halloween and Christmas parties in addition to organizing seven days of music shows during Turkey’s Bob Wills Days, held the last week of April.

Doris was always the hit of the evening. 

Some of the musicians and singers she worked with included her husband Henry Baker, Curly Lewis, Tommy Perkins, Benny Garcia, Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, Gene Thomas, Bob Kiser, Bob Womack, Gene Casaway, Bobby Boatright and Leon Rausch.

Hastings Receives REAP Grant for 2018

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Sue Bridges, Town of Hastings Clerk-Treasurer

Glenda Hood, Town of Hastings Mayor

Ronnie Ward, Executive Director of the Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments

 

The Hastings REAP grant of $45,000 will be used to repair and resurface a total of 3.35 miles of town streets that are in dire need of repair.

Waurika Boy Scouts Participate in Mountain Day 2022

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 Boys from Waurika Cub Scout pack 4460, recently participated in Mountain Man Day hosted by Cub Scout leader Alan Harper. 17 kids participated in the event, and over 40 people were in attendance for the day. Committee member Clay Carter, Den leader JJ Edwards, and other parents and adults helped the boys participate in the event. 

They began the day eating breakfast and learning about cooking in Dutch ovens with Chris Harper. Chris is the Scoutmaster of Troop 49 in Nelson, Missouri, and he has held this position for 34 years. He also serves as the B.S.A. District Executive for the Osage Trails and Kinderhook districts of the Great Rivers Council. After breakfast they divided up into groups for the trapping, leather working and blacksmithing stations. Roy Himebaugh taught the boys about different trapping techniques and why it was an important survival skill for a mountain man to know. He also showed them how he set his traps when he used to run his trap line. Michelle Dyer, pack 4460’s Webelos Den leader, taught the boys about leatherworking. At this station, they were able to design, dye, and stamp their own leather belt to keep. Alan Harper taught the boys about blacksmithing and the importance of blacksmiths in frontier towns. With the help of an adult, and while wearing safety equipment, the boys made a hat/jacket hook for their home. The day ended with eating some Klondike chili and cobbler made by Chris. Everyone enjoyed the day, and leaders are already planning next years activities!

Chris Harper talking to the group about Dutch oven cooking.
Michelle Dyer helping Maddex mark his belt.

Patsy Webb Retires as Owner of Antique Station in Addington

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 Editor’s Note: The Antique Station was founded by the Webb family. Both Mr. and Mrs. Webb went by the name Pat. For the purposes of this article, Mr. Webb will be referred to as Pat and Mrs. Webb as Patsy.

Pat and Patsy met in 1986 and then Married in 1997. Although it was their second marriage. They soon discovered they were made for each other.  

 “He was my soul mate,” Patsy says.

Pat was born and raised in Addington, so when the two married, they made Addington their home.

Pat had recently retired from his own business, E&W Construction, when he surprised her with a marriage proposal.

While they were dating, they had spent a lot of time on the road traveling to craft shows. During this time Patsy was still living in Marlow. One day, Pat came in and said he had worn out three pickups traveling between Addington and Marlow. 

“Don’t you think it’s about time we get married?” That was his proposal. 

Her reply was just as down to earth, “I expected a proposal at some point in time, but not like this. But yes, it’s about time.”

One of Pat and Patsy Webb’s first photos after their marriage. 

She says he was just what she needed. “He had a wonderful sense of humor.”

On July 2, 2005 they founded the Antique Station. They started the business on a wing and a prayer. Obviously, it paid off.

They rented the building from Charlie Harris.

Patsy and her friend Laura Thorn Jackson had been in business previously in Bowie, Texas. So she came up and helped. She brought her own antiques to sell in the store.

In the beginning, they sold antiques and barn wood furniture. Barn wood furniture was really in at the time and Pat was the best at building it.

The original floor was an ugly tan brown. Pat took a bumpy roller and painted the interior a lite jadeite green. That set the tone for the business.

It wasn’t long before they began to outgrow the space they were using.

The only space available was the lobby of the original gas station. The old pilings from the gas pumps were still out front.

 Charlie gave them permission to enclose the front and removed the pilings and cement from where the gas pumps had been. It was really hard work. They did it with sledge hammers and manual jack hammers.

By the following Sunday evening she took a car sponge and painted the interior and made it look like old bricks. He husband had some concerns when he first saw her artistic endeavors. 

“Honey, I hate to tell you this,” he said. “But your bricks are all going down hill.” She politely responded, “It’s supposed to be an old building, get over it.” Together they laughed and made the best of it.

This was characteristic for them. They hit it off from the first time they met and always made the best of whatever situation they found themselves in.

Together, they were turning the Antique Station into a thriving business.

Pat loved to hunt down the antiques but he left the selling up to Patsy.

On January 26, 2006 Pat unexpectedly passed away. 

“I’ve been mad at him ever sense” she says. “That wasn’t in the plans.” She says it was really tough that first year without him.

Her friends from high school all showed up her first day back at work after the funeral and stayed with her the entire Saturday. Later that night they all went to Bill’s Catfish. 

“It was great to have that support,” she remembers.

With the grace of God she continued to grow the business.

Later a tornado came through and tore some of the corner of the roof back. It exposed some of the glassware and other items to rain.

She called her son in law at the time, James Pass. He came up, along with her grandson Dallas, and was able to fix the roof with ease. 

However, there was a lots of water still standing.

She says she is thankful she had insurance. They sent a company to come down and remove all the water.

Mark Childers and his wife Sherrie, who had been previous customers, joined her in the business venture in 2008.

It all started when he paid to fill her propane tank so she could have heat.

Later Mark had the idea of holding auctions in the old barn that wasn’t being used on the property.

Pat says she was always interested in antiques. She says it is her dad’s fault. Pat is the daughter of Richard and Pauline Sisk. They lived on a farm north of Marlow. 

Before Patsy’s parents married, her dad had served in World War II and sent back items of value to his then “Pen Pal” Pauline (the same Pauline he would later marry).

Richard was with the 45th infantry and was a personal driver for Col. Cornish for while. Then later for Lt. ColbWalter Schlotzhauer.

One of the items sent back was a bedspread from Adolf Hitler’s bed. Other valuable items just happened to be antiques.

He also sent a Majolica Platter. He once told Patsy that “this is just stuff. If you ever get into trouble, you can sell it.”

That began her love for antiques.

She had a piece of pottery from Anzio, Italy, also sent by her dad. 

Recently, she was able to sell it on Ebay and someone from Salerno bought it.

One of the heartbreaks of her life happened one day when she came home from college to find her mother had taken the antique family dining table to the dump.

She had done this because Richard, Patsy’s dad was a pioneer of irrigation submersible pump farming in the area and which brought in a surplus of income for the family. This inspired Patsy’s mother to want “new” furniture. It inspired Richard to buy the family their first new car, 1962 Ford Galaxy XL 500.

Poor Patsy was able to rescue a couple of chairs from the dump site but her beloved family table was too damaged for repair.

Now the family was stuck with the Harvest Gold dinning set. Patsy says it was the ugliest thing she had ever seen.

After graduation from Rush Springs, she attended Oklahoma College for Women at Chickasha.

While she was there it changed to COED and also changed the name (over her strong objections).

Patsy has three children: Zack, Jeremy and Melisa.

Patsy’s daughter, Melisa recently married David Kramer. They live in Checotah, Oklahoma.

Melisa is an instructor at Teen Challenge. David is a Caterer.

Patsy Webb stands in front of the Antique Station in Addington, the store she and her husband founded. For the past 17 years she has devoted her life to its success. 

The Antique Station has been her life for the past 17 years. She is so grateful to everyone who helped her and supported her in so many ways.

Recently Patsy sold the Antique Station to Mark and Sherie Childers. She wishes them the best and hopes the store will continue to grow and prosper.

County Commissioner Minutes March 26 2018

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD ON MARCH 26, 2018 AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 220 NORTH MAIN, ROOM 102, WAURIKA, OKLAHOMA:

PRESENT:

Ty Phillips, Chairman

Bryce Bohot, Vice Chairman

Ricky Martin, Member

Chairman Phillips called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Traci Smith acknowledged that proper notice was given on March 23, 2018 at 8:36 a.m. and the agenda was posted on the bulletin board outside the courthouse and posted on the first-floor bulletin board.

Others present:

Marcey Howell, Commissioners Secretary

Gail Kelley, Deputy County Treasurer

Kim Berry, Court Clerk

Jeremie Wilson, Co Sheriff

Jimmie Williams, Undersheriff

Jeff Raley, Floyd Law Firm Attorney

Tara Brown, OSU Educator

Tammy Richardson, Election Sec

Ashley Bayless, Deputy Assessor

Martin made the motion to Approve Regular Meeting Minutes held on March 19, 2018. Second: Bohot.  Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin.  Motion Approved.

Phillips made the motion to Approve Claims and 24 Blanket Purchase Orders.  Second: Bohot.  Aye Votes:  Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.

Phillips made motion to Approve Resolution #85-2017-2018 for Surplus of Equipment for County Clerk’s Office Inv # F-299-36 Savin Copier/2554-Leased. Second: Bohot.  Aye Votes:  Martin/Bohot/Phillips.  Motion Approved.

Phillips made motion to Approve Resolution #86-2017-2018 for Disposing of Equipment for County Clerk’s Office Inv # F-299-36 Savin Copier/2554-Leased- Returned to Standley. Second:  Bohot.  Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips.  Motion Approved.

Tabled Discussion/Action regarding Generator.

Martin made motion to Approve Resolution #87-2017-2018 Opening New Account T-5-Highway Donation Fund.  Second:  Bohot.  Aye Votes:  Phillips/Bohot/Martin.  Motion Approved. 

Martin made motion to Approve the Receipt of check #3781 in the amount of $8974.54 a donation from Chickasaw Nation for Road 7/10 miles East of Hwy 81 for 2/10 miles on Co Rd 2160 Terral, OK for estimated improvement for District #3 Road.  Estimated Chip and Seal in amount of $7,200.00 and estimated Flex Base Rock was $1774.54. Reimbursement for road work done to be deposited into CIRB 105-3 in the amount of $1770.18 for actual cost and balance to be put into T-5-Highway Donation Fund.  Second:  Bohot.  Aye Votes:  Phillips/Bohot/Martin.  Motion Approved. 

Discussion on New 911 System and Equipment with Jimmy Williams regarding the dates of May 7th, 2018 for installation, May 21, 2018 for training, and May 23, to go live with new system.

Tabled the Renewal of Contract with AT&T on temporary bases, it was not available at the time of meeting.

Phillips made motion to Approve Resolution #88-2017-2018 to Remove Burn Ban effective at 9:30am.  Second:  Martin.  Aye Votes:  Bohot/Phillips/Martin.  Motion Approved. 

Phillips made motion to Approve the formation of the Jefferson County Educational Facilities Authority by Trust Indenture for and on behalf of Jefferson County, Oklahoma. Second:  Martin.  Aye Votes:  Bohot/Phillips/Martin.  Motion Approved. 

Bohot made motion to Approve Consideration and Resolution #89-2017-2018 accepting the beneficial interest in the Jefferson County Educational Facilities Authority created by a Trust Indenture for and on behalf of Jefferson County, Oklahoma, in all respects in accordance with the terms of said trust indenture; and declaring an emergency. Second:  Martin.  Aye Votes:  Phillips/Bohot/Martin.  Motion Approved. 

Phillips made motion to Adjourn at 10:23 a.m. Second:  Bohot.  Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips.  Motion Approved. 

Minutes taken by Traci Smith

Approved by:  JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Ty Phillips, Chairman Bryce Bohot, Vice Chairman Ricky Martin, Member

ATTEST:  Traci Smith, County Clerk

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