The Okie Legacy

30 December 2000, Vol. II, Issue 90

Christmas has come and gone... Bringing with it some soft, fluffy, white snow in the higher elevations of SW Colorado.  Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, etc... didn't fair so well this last week of December.  From weather reports and reports from friends it sounded like the eastern, southern and central parts of Oklahoma were iced in and without electricity for a few days and the northern parts got the snow with some icing.

A Story in the Ardmorite Newspaper Reported, "ICE STORM PRUNES TREES, LEAVES RESIDENTS WITHOUT ELECTRICITY... Aging trees and power lines were no match for layers of ice that accumulated from precipitation that fell throughout the day Tuesday. The resulting buildup created a blizzard of falling tree limbs that brought down power lines all over Ardmore. The most devastating winter storm since 1987 made the Ardmore area one of Oklahoma's four hardest-hit areas raked by the wintry blast after it appeared this region was spared.

Ardmore was listed with Muskogee, McAlester and an area near Fort Smith, Ark. Power outages were reported all over Ardmore from downed lines that added to the hazards. An OG&E Electric Service repair crew working on Comanche Street, north of Locust Street, was busy responding to downed line calls.  They reported half of west Ardmore without power, and outages were reported 'all over town.' This story is continued at..."  ardmoreite.com/stories/122700/new_ice.shtml || ardmoreite.com

Another reader sent me some pictures of his 40 year-old pine trees that were damaged with this last ice storm that creeped in from the SW and hit Ardmore, McAlester, Pauls Valley, etc.  Leaving many without electricity and stranded. He had this to say about that, "If I moved to Hawaii I would loose sleep from the loud chirping of the tree frogs - but, if I stay in Oklahoma I can experience this - (see attachments) power is back on today. OkieLegacy/image/eastyard.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/front2404yard.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/frntporch2404.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/2404ice.jpg

With only two more days of the year 2000... what kind of traditions do you prepare for to begin the New Year off on the right foot and journey into the Official New Millennium, 2001 (Space Odyssey)?

It was the summer of '68 (when I met my husband) that movie (2001: Space Odyssey) came out in theaters in Oklahoma.  Here it is upon us now... The actual beginning of a New Millennium, 2001!  I don't have a "Hal" computer, but I do have a computer that will play games and sometimes has a mind of it's own.  I haven't seen any black monolith slabs sending out its vibrating, educating radio waves.  We do have a space station being built, though.

I ended the last week of December, 2000 by doing something that I've never done before.  That was snow skiing!  As for the skiing... We rented skis Tuesday (December 26th) and December 28th (Thursday) and ventured up towards Durango Mtn Resort (a.k.a. Purgatory), in SW Colorado.  That first day we signed up for a three hour lesson and learned how to stop, slow and control our skis coming down the green slope.

The second day (Thursday, Dec. 28th) I did put on skis but mainly stayed on the warmup hill.  It was crowded with skiers.  I did drop off the ski lift with a thud just once before retiring to the warmup hill for more practice... This was after taking a couple of spills later on down the green hill.  I only did that so I wouldn't run over other skiers directly in front of me.  My husband and son faired allot better than me. Other than that, it was a great day.  I really loved watching the little kids just swishing down the hill like it was a born instinct.  They are so limber and not a care in the world it seems.  Me... I am a little cautious at age 50+.

As for pictures... You won't find any pictures of this writer, because I am the one behind the camera.  So... You missed out seeing me doing my falling stunts.  BUT... you can see the other family members coming off the slopes and warming up.
OkieLegacy/image/purgski2000.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/purgski2000a.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/purgski2000b.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/purgski2000c.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/purgski2000d.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/purgski2000e.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/purgski2000f.jpg

They have some great things at the Durango Mtn Resort and you can check out their webpages at www.ski-purg.com.  Durango Mtn Resort took over the Purgatory Ski Resort, but they still refer to it as Purgatory.  Do not forget to click on their webcam for live shots of the slopes. 

They say that if you have never skied before that Purgatory is a great beginners slope to learn on before you move on to other destinations.  While you are at the Durango website, read about the history of Durango -- "This small town is 118 years old and tucked away in a horseshoe of the San Juan Mountains in the southwest corner of the state. It has been a gateway to SW Colorado’s riches for more than 100 years. Indians and fur traders, miners and prospectors, ranchers and railroad engineers alike, have passed through Durango on the way to seek their fortunes. Many of them found that Durango itself was the treasure they sought.  Although Durango itself is 118 years old, the Four Corners area is steeped in an ancient past."

GHOSTOWNS & DUSTBOWL SURVIVORS... Another reader wrote in asking, "I just wanted to find out about 'towns' that never recovered from the 'dustbowl.' Are there any ghostowns that were a product of the 'depression' in Oklahoma or Kansas... that part of the country? I am a big fan of the movie 'The Grapes of Wrath' and the plight of a simple people to survive. did any 'oakies' (Okies) survive and rise above it all and prosper in Cali-forn-i-a,  or did most find themselves and what was left of their families back in Oklahoma (o-why-o, did I ever leave?)" Kevin, oltymer@earthlink.net.  The rest of his story is located in the "Mailbag section” with a picture of a "Goldfield ghostown."

o OAKIE'S MAILBAG & LINKS

"I enjoyed reading about Bob's adventures throughout the war and his journals.  Thanks for the site - wish there were more out there honouring all of our families." Jason

unclebob/ -- Uncle Bob's Journal
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"You've got to read this story from The Daily Ardmoreite. Excellent story from the Ardmoreite –  ICE STORM PRUNES TREES, LEAVES RESIDENTS WITHOUT ELECTRICITY...

Aging trees and power lines were no match for layers of ice that accumulated from precipitation that fell throughout the day Tuesday. The resulting buildup created a blizzard of falling tree limbs that brought down power lines all over Ardmore. The most devastating winter storm since 1987 made the Ardmore area one of Oklahoma's four hardest-hit areas raked by the wintry blast after it appeared this region was spared. Ardmore was listed with Muskogee, McAlester and an area near Fort Smith, Ark. Power outages were reported all over Ardmore from downed lines that added to the hazards. An OG&E Electric Service repair crew working on Comanche Street, north of Locust Street, was busy responding to downed line calls. They reported half of west Ardmore without power, and outages were reported 'all over town.' This story is continued at..."  ardmoreite.com/stories/122700/new_ice.shtml || ardmoreite.com
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More December 2000 Oklahoma Ice Storm photos...
"My 40 yr. 100+ pine trees are practically destroyed.  My power off for nearly 3 days. If I moved to Hawaii I would loose sleep from the loud chirping of the tree frogs - but, if I stay in Oklahoma I can experience this - (see attachments) power is back on today." OkieLegacy/image/eastyard.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/front2404yard.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/frntporch2404.jpg || OkieLegacy/image/2404ice.jpg
Ernest, erndmart@brightok.net
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"I just wanted to find out about "towns" that never recovered from the 'dustbowl.' Are there any ghostowns that were a product of the 'depression' in Oklahoma or Kansas... that part of the country? I am a big fan of the movie 'the grapes of wrath' and the plight of a simple people to survive. did any 'oakies' (Okies) survive and rise above it all and prosper in Cali-forn-i-a,  or did most find themselves and what was left of their families back in oklahoma (o-why-o, did I ever leave?) I'm a Nevadan, and a 'Krout' and remember the 'name callin', (rockandstick throwin'too) growin' up... 'okies', 'wetbacks', 'gringos', 'foreigners',(auslanders), hillbillies and the like, but never understood what it was all about. Our ghostowns out here are hard workin', hard driven, simple folks chasing a dream of prosperity and 'living off the fat of the land', ie... gold, silver minerals mined not from a river as in CA, but the loan prospector w/burro and pick chasing dreams up in them thar hills not really a family type of people and I'm finding not very many of them have prospered and 'moved on.' Thus, there are many towns with a short history, RENO & VEGAS being the only two cities that continued on and grew, not necessarily 'cause of mining minerals either, even though other 'towns' are barely 'hangin' on' to their past and makin' it." OkieLegacy/image/goldfield.jpg Kevin, oltymer@earthlink.net
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"Hi Oakie,  I wanted to update the weather for you.  The roads in the Alva, NW Oklahoma area are clearing away nicely (Dec. 28th). Just the back and side roads are still a little nasty.  They say that the City is doing the same.  The last I heard the City is expecting a 30% chance of snow on Sunday or Monday. How's the skiing going???  Have a good New Years... Hope to talk with you soon.  Take care!"
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"Hi Linda,  I trust that your holiday is warm and happy.  I don't know if you are aware of the weather here so I wanted to let you know that we are still expecting 5-9 inches here, but the City is having a big time ice storm. Most places are closed there and they are telling people to stay at home. I didn't know when you were planning on heading home but I wanted you to know how bad it is there. It seems that there is more snow to the north and more ice to the south in the state. Other than that things are pretty much at a standstill.  I would have hoped for more snow... less ice for all of us here... and... my dog is upset because he expected much more snow to play in... that ice hurts when you throw yourself onto it trying to make snow angels"
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"Our Christmas family tradition is to make doughnuts out of refrigerated biscuit dough and glaze them with icing.  Just punch a hole in the center of each biscuit and fry, then glaze.  Larry's mom was the first one I know to do this on Christmas morning and now I do it for my family. Hope you and Dave had a Merry Christmas and have a great New Year! Love to all!"
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"Creek Nation Indian Territory" -- www.rootsweb.com/~itcreek/ Genealogical and historical information for those researching their ancestors who lived in what was once the Creek Nation, Indian Territory.
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"Muskogee County GenWeb" -- www.rootsweb.com/~okmuskog/ Genealogical and historical information for those researching their ancestors who lived in what's now Muskogee County, Oklahoma

For those of you checking gas pump prices across the country... Here in SW Colorado the gas pump prices range from $1.50 to $1.65.  I still think Oklahoma has the lowest prices, though.  Someone mentioned in another newsletter that the prices had reached $1.19. 

Here's to a  Prosperous New Millennium and New Beginning in 2001!  I hope to see Y'all in this "Official New Millennium" with Vol. III, Iss. 1, of Oakie's Heart to Heart!