Dog Days of Summer ...

WOOF! WOOF! Why do they call it the "Dog Days" of Summer? Are those special days set aside in the Summer for us dogs? WOW! WOOF! What those humans won't think up next for us four-legged creatures.

Ooops! Spoke too soon! Oakie just nudge me to give me the full scoop on this "Dog Days" of Summer trivia.

It seems that in the summer (sometime between July 3 and August 11) Sirius, the "dog star," rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, "dog days" ... after the dog star.

Well! I guess that blows this dogs special days out of the water, huh?

I have been teaching "Sadie Sadie" (Pug Puppy) about the leash and collar this week. She is so silly! How silly is she? Sadie drags her leash around outside and sometimes gets it in her mouth and takes herself for a walk. Sometimes... She tries to take me for a walk. Good phuckin' luck! BUT... with just a little over three (3) pounds pulling on an over 20-something Pug, the Pup doesn't get much movement out of me. We just let her wear herself out. Sadie is so silly... she's almost cute, laughable at times. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Sultry Week in NW Oklahoma...

The heats been rising here in NW Oklahoma during July. AND... The Pugs and Oakie are slowly melting in this sultry heat. BUT... relief is on the way! You see... This NW Okie is heading back towards Colorado, so that means it might rain and cool things off here in NW Oklahoma. We are going to test it out and see if our predictions are accurate.

Lots of things going on around here... Such as the Carberry Reunion coming up around August 7th, 2005, at the Everett Carberry Farm. AND... Waynoka & Freedom gearing up for their annual rodeos in mid-August 2005.

YES! We found a few more names to add to list of the WWI - 1917 NW Oklahoma boys photograph that Rod Murrow shared with us awhile back. Another lady shared with us these three names NW Oklahoma boys names: Frances Woodson, Joe Bagentos and Manley Mercer. We are still looking for more names. If you know of someone, PLEASE let us know. Thanks!

We are also looking for information about Clara Gorsching, 1926-1929. Her metal grave-marker is from Kern-Schneider, probably a funeral home. Does anyone out there know where, what "Kern-Schneider" was? Was it a Funeral Home? Anyone out there know anything about "Clara Gorsching" (1926-1929).

Also, this week we received a nice email from OSU's Pistol Pete. His grandparents are Charles & Yvonne Nieman of Alva -- Great grandparents are Gene & Grace Murrow. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

In Memory of...

Gene M. McGill, Harvester, Flying Farmer, NW Oklahoma Democrat. SEE In Memory of Gene McGill

Some called him "Gene," "Merle," "The Flying Farmer," and others knew as "The Democrat" from NW Oklahoma. AND . . . his four daughters called him "Dad!"

Gene M. McGill was born 27 December 1914, Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma, the oldest son of William "Bill" Jacob and Constance Estella (Warwick) McGill. Gene met Vada Eileen Paris in the Summer of '38, -- married March 24, 1940. They created their family the Summer of '42, Summer of '43, Winter of '48 and Spring of '49. Gene died the weekend of Father's day, June 16, 1986, Alva, Oklahoma. This photograph on the right is a picture of young Gene's early school classmates in Alva, Oklahoma. Does anyone out there know who some of the other students are? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Carberry Reunion August 7th at Carberry Farm...

"I've been reading nearly all the articles on Fair Valley, OK and find it very interesting. My Uncle, Evertt Carberry, ran the elevator there in the '30's. His wife Mary was my mothers sister. I want to gather as much info from this page for the Carberry Family. We are having a Family Reunion at the Everett Carberry Farm August 7th. They lived at Fairvalley in the '30's, he ran the elevator there. I'd like to print some of the stories for the Carberry kids, you may know them, Warren, Carl, Dale, Austin and Twila. They are my cousins. Their Mother, Mary, was a sister to my Mother, Nellie Gray Mitchell, they were raised NW of Farry. I'm Orieta (Reta) Gray Jackson. Living in Alva, OK. I was forwarded this link from my niece in Paducah, Kentucky last night and was on it 'till almost midnight and I've been on it nearly all morning. Thank You." -- Reta Jackson - Email: imatwin1@webtv.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

New Mexico's Version of Pistol Pete...

Just to update the info about New Mexico State University using a variation of Pistol Pete as their mascot. It appears those days may be numbered as the University has taken on a new president who is in the process of making changes to some rather long-time traditions. These changes are not flying well with the older Alumni. One of the changes is to either get a new mascot, or give Pistol Pete a makeover as his appearance scares some of the kids. A few years ago he was banned from carrying his six-shooter. I see him at football games, and he is usually surrounded by kids. Not having attended NMSU, I really don't care, but I find it amusing that the reasoning involved is so politically correct!" -- Marvin View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Kansas Postcards...

"Of the postcards you have of Pittsburg, the Presbyterian Church is the only one still standing. That is the church I belong to, though now called The Presbyterian Church, the First was removed when the two churches merged." Aaron, Pittsburg KS

[This is the link to the Pittsburg, Kansas Postcards.] View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WWI - 1917 NW Oklahoma Boys...

"I have an original of the picture of 1917 of WWI boys going to war. My Dad, George Gray, is in it. Others that went at that time were, if I can remember, Francis Woodson, Joe Bagenstos and Manley Mercer. These I knew because Dad would visit them from time to time. Of course they are not with us any more. I've enjoyed the Link and will be visiting quite often. Thanks." -- Reta View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WWI 1918 Photos...

Back in October, 2004, one of our readers sent a couple of WWI photos taken around September, 1917 & 1918. We have located some names in the WWI 1917 photo above and thought perhaps we might run these photos again... just in case someone out there has a memory spark and can help us. We are still in search of some names and identifications of those in the these photos. If you can help identify some of these WWI veterans, we would love to hear from you. These photos were taken by Chick Studios of Alva. We are also searching for the records of Chick Studio and do they still exist and, if so, could the date of the portait be determined? Did Chick Studios offer some sort of a 'deal' for departing soldiers to have portraits made with loved ones before they left? If you know of someone that can help us out, please let us hear from you. Thanks! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

OSU Pistol Pete - Eric...

"It has been a busy week, to say the least. Between last Friday, July 8th, and this last Saturday, July 16, I had ten appearances, with most taking place outside of Stillwater! Anyway, thanks so much for including me in your newsletter. I am honored, especially since my becoming Pistol Pete still hasn't even made it's way into the Alva Review-Courier yet... hahaha. My grandparents are Charles and Yvonne Nieman of Alva and my great-grandparents were Gene and Grace Murrow. I was born (1982) and raised in Alva and graduated high school there in 2000. My becoming Pistol Pete is definitely a life-long ambition and it is certainly a huge honor. Anyway, thanks again for including me in your newsletter. Have a great day!" -- Eric View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Jesse T. Maines Inquiry...

Awhile back I got some information concerning David Gwin from another person and they had mentioned the Jesse T. Maines family in some "Notes for David Gwin." Here's what it said: "Capt. at Guilford; Revolution 1781. 1822 he had 10 slaves value at $250=$400@ Ref: History of Highland Co., VA, pp. 292, 293, 294, 373; DAR Lineage Book 71, pg. 251 & Book 79, pg. 327; William and Mary's Quarterly, Vol. 8, Series 2, 1928; Arnold, Bagwell, Bryan and Other Families of Jesse T. Maines." Can you help us explore this Jesse T. Maines?

Well! This week I received the following email from Frances... "This is the part that I found with Jesse T Maines. I am trying to see if this Jesse might be my ggg-grandfather b. 1826-1828. On some of the things I have for him, his middle name showed the T." -- Frances - Email: fpikok@barrow.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Old Recordings...

"WOW, is this an old recording bonanza. http://www.ubu.com/outsiders/365/. Enjoy! Be sure you have some spare time when you go here. Click on a day group and then there are many MP3s inside." -- Steve View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Memory Lane Cemetery of Anadarko...

"I am a Okie by birth and a Texan by fate. My Barnes family were in Weatherford and apparently in most counties. Ended in Ok City. I was born in Pocasset on Uncle farm. His name was Cale. He is now resting in Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko. Does anyone recognize a family cemetery listed as being: S.E. corner of S.W. Quarter Section 9, Washita County, OK, near Weatherford, OK? Sure would like to locate this site." -- Alta Barnes - Email: aljeje@sbcglobal.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Hugh Donnan Old Photos...

"Interesting photos made by Hugh T. Donnan. My name is Hugh H. Donnan, his grandson. I have quite a few That he took when he lived in Alva. Most are family related. Thanks." -- Hugh Donnan - Email: donnanshm@aol.com

SEE "Young Ladies With Diplomas" in Vol. 7, Iss. 8, The Okie Legacy. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Dog Days of Summer...

"Everyone knows that the "dog days of summer" occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines "dog days" as...

1: the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere;

2: a period of stagnation or inactivity. But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer "dog days?" -- Dogs Days of Summer View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe