SW Colorado -- We spent last weekend up at Vallecito and spotted this Eagle sitting on it's nest high atop a dead tree in the San Juan mountains near Vallecito Lake. We forgot to put on our zoom lens to get a close-up.

For some of you who didn't know... Vallecito was never an actual town. It was a valley where the Los Pinos and the Vallecito Rivers join. The closest thing to a town was in 1800s when the tiny settlement of Los Pinos was located about eight miles to the south of present day Vallecito near the Pine River. It consisted of a stage stop, post office, flourmill, and one house. The post ofice began 1877 through 1898, when Bayfield was laid out and a post office was moved to Bayfield in 1898. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Rally In the Rockies...

SW Colorado -- With the Labor Day weekend upon us comes the "Rally in the Rockies" with thousands upon thousands of motorcycles of all shapes and sizes converging on Ignacio, Durango and surrounding areas. We caught sight of these motorcycles lined up in front of the Strater Hotel, on the Main Street of Durango, Colorado. Sunday they are having a parade around High Noon. Hopefully, we will have some more photos to share after tomorrow. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Sunset In the Southwest Colorado...

As the sun sets in the West on another Friday evening, our thoughts are with those down around the Gulf of Mexico (particularly, Louisiana, Alabama & Mississippi) who lost what little they had AND... had NO way of getting out of Dodge before the flood gates burst when Katrina made her debut upon the scene.

Check out the legitimacy of charities to which you might contribute for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts: charitynavigator.org -- This site lets you see how much of your donation is used for administration expenses, how much goes to the object of your contribution, and the purposes and efforts of the organization to which you're donating.

Perhaps you might have a few extra dollars this month after you fill up your vehicles and pay your monthly bills -- YOU can make a Donation & Difference! Start with these Charities: Red Cross, Salvation Army and America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network for the Katrina Hurricane victims who have nothing... not even a place to call HOME! DONATE your Services, Time & Extra Money! Have a safe Labor Day weekend! View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

New Orlean's After Hurricane Katrina...

Satellite Map: New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina -- This is a satellite image taken at approximately 10 a.m., August 31, 2005. You can navigate this map by using the zoom & move controls. or click on the image to zoom in on a location. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

UPDATE: America's Second Harvest Update...

One Charity that is definitely at the top of the list on Charity Navigator website is America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network

o America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network is taking an unprecedented leadership role in helping the nation recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The storm's deadly impact has been felt in communities across the nation, with many individuals contacting their local food bank to find a way to assist with relief efforts.

o Our Network is in need of funds for our Network food banks to respond to Hurricane Katrina in states impacted by the disaster including Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Additionally, food banks in six surrounding states (Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas) are receiving Network aid as they assist evacuee populations.

o As of close of business on Friday, September 2, more than 3 million pounds of food and grocery product has been secured for disaster relief efforts. This equates to more than 99 truckloads. Additionally, 73 truckloads will move critical food and grocery supplies over the next few days to the affected areas. Trucks are being directed to available space in America's Second Harvest Network Member warehouses and other facilities for further distribution.

o The Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana is being established in a vacant Wal-Mart warehouse with 86,000 sq. ft. of space in Baker, Louisiana. On Friday, ten truckloads carrying an estimated 300,000 pounds of food and grocery products were directed to disaster relief sites in and around New Orleans. The food bank's original home in New Orleans remains inaccessible due to flood waters. An additional 40,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space was secured in Alexandria, Louisiana and will be operational this weekend.

o The America's Second Harvest national office is amassing and shipping donated truckloads of food and grocery products to facilities along the Gulf Coast. The logistics team is soliciting transportation in hopes of getting these supplies to the affected areas at greatly-reduced or no cost to our Network.

o This is our initial response to Hurricane Katrina's landfall on the Gulf coastline. We expect to be in emergency recovery mode for many months.

o Communication with contacts in the affected areas is spotty, particularly in New Orleans where phone and power lines and cell towers have been downed. Baton Rouge, Biloxi and Jackson also continue to experience electrical outages. This means that in many communities, refrigerators and freezers in shelters, food banks, and standing homes may continue to be out of service.

o The following food banks in the area have been in operation before and since Hurricane Katrina:
 The Daily Bread Food Bank, Miami, FL
 The Bay Area Food Bank, Theodore, AL
 Mississippi Food Network, Jackson, MS
 The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Baton Rouge, LA
 Our Daily Bread - SDO, Baton Rouge, LA

o More than 30 Network Members in eight states surrounding the Gulf Coast are responding to the increased need as evacuees arrive in their cities. In Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Louisiana, 3,300 local pantries and feeding centers are feeling the strain as the number of people asking for assistance increases. More than 110,000 evacuees have already been relocated to long-term tent cities, civic - centers, fairgrounds, shelters, hotels, motels, and the homes of friends and families across the south. Hundreds of thousands more will be relocated in the coming days. The following is a growing list of Network Members who are providing the additional assistance necessary to help the hundreds of thousands of evacuees and are therefore also considered affected.

Alabama
Food Bank of North Alabama - Huntsville
The United Way Community Food Bank - Birmingham
West Alabama Food Bank -SDO- Tuscaloosa
Food Bank of Northwest Alabama - Muscle Shoals
Food Bank of East Alabama - Auburn
Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank- Dothan
Selma Area Food Bank - Selma

Arkansas
Arkansas Food Bank Network - Little Rock

Florida
The Harry Chapin Food Bank - Ft. Myers
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida - Orlando

Georgia
America's Second Harvest of Southeast Georgia - Valdosta
Atlanta Community Food Bank - Atlanta
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia - Athens
The Food Bank of Southwest Georgia- SDO- Albany
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Chattahoochee Valley - Columbus
Action, Inc. Full-Plate Program - Athens

Louisiana
Food Bank of Central Louisiana - Alexandria
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank - Baton Rouge
Northwest Louisiana Food Bank- Shreveport

Mississippi
South Central MS Food Bank- Brookhaven

Tennessee
The Memphis Food Bank - Memphis
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee- Nashville
Nashville's Table - Nashville

Texas
End Hunger Network- Houston
The Houston Food Bank- Houston
San Antonio Food Bank - San Antonio Tarrant Area Food Bank - Ft. Worth East Texas Food Bank - Tyler
Brazos Food Bank - Bryan

We are also providing disaster assistance to these food banks to alleviate the strain of the increased need in their communities.

o During disasters when many people are without shelter, clean water or food, it's important to provide appropriate products for immediate relief for the victims (for instance, foods that don't require can openers or utensils, cooking, refrigeration, freezing, or multiple ingredients. With donated funds, we cover costs directly related to shipping and transporting food and grocery items to disaster relief warehouses or operating food banks involved in the relief effort. From there, disaster relief partners work with the food bank to distribute food to where it's needed most.

o Additionally, funds allow us to purchase thousands of products on ready-to-ship pallets such as bottled water, hand-held snacks such as granola and energy bars, breakfast bars, beefy jerky, peanut butter, canned meals such as hearty soups, stews, chili, and/or pasta, plates, bowls, cups and utensils, bleach, disinfecting household cleaning items and diapers.

o We encourage people to contact their local food banks to see how they can volunteer their time to help in their own community. Please remember donating funds is recommended over food drives; check with your local America's Second Harvest Network Member to find out the best ways to help locally.

o FEMA now has a live toll-free number. Please direct people looking to volunteer and/or donate random items that cannot be accepted by food banks, (clothing or mattresses) to call 1-800-440-6728.

o America's Second Harvest is in the initial stages of disaster relief efforts. It is unclear how much money will be needed to address the needs of our organization. The very preliminary estimate of the cost of America's Second Harvest disaster relief - estimated at $2 million on August 31 - will substantially increase as our food securing and distribution activities continue throughout the coming months.

The Need

o The America's Second Harvest Network needs funds to secure additional warehouse space to transport food to victims and to assist our Member food banks in resuming and maintaining operations.

o Please note that 100% of donations collected for Hurricane Katrina will be directly used to support disaster relief activities and assist our food banks in providing food to the people who need it the most.

o Right now, the contributions that will fill the needs most effectively are:
- Money - We are in direct contact with affected members in eight states and can use our combined power to provide more food for less. Please visit our web site at www.secondharvest.org or call 800-344-8070 to make a donation.

Although well-intentioned, unsolicited donations of food and products acquired through food drives have additional costs and can actually hinder the relief efforts. The expense and energy required to receive, clean, sort and package goods and ensure the quality of items donated by individuals is very high.

- Water - In addition to the hundreds of shelters needing water for their evacuees, the fresh water supply in the entire city of New Orleans is possibly contaminated by natural gas, chemicals, and petroleum from submerged cars.

- Corporate Product Donations - Appropriate items include: bottled water, hand-held snacks such as granola and energy bars, breakfast bars, beefy jerky, peanut butter, canned meals such as hearty soups, stews, chili, and/or pasta, plates, bowls, cups, and utensils, bleach, disinfecting household cleaning items, and diapers.

- Transportation - The cost to transport disaster relief supplies will be enormous. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1920 Fire - Alva, Oklahoma...

I've posted twice re: fire in Woods Co., that supposedly claimed the lives of several children named Osborne (take your pick of spellings!) and there have been no replies. What I'm really looking for is newspaper coverage re: 1920 and I don't have an exact date -- that's what I'm looking for. I'm told the only place to research them is the University in Alva ... and I live in Arizona! Oh well -- maybe one of these days I can make the trip to Alva and spend several days reading that newspaper! With gas prices being what they are, it will be a long time, I'm afraid. -- Dixie Lee Kennedy View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Katrina & Louisiana Bayou...

I am fortunate. Katrina the monster passed far enough east of us to spare us from serious problems. We had some hurricane force winds, but not utter devastation. Our location also let us get north winds, so water in our coastal parish (county) was actually lowered by the storm's passing. As I mentioned to you previously, we are rapidly loosing our barriers, islands, marsh, and swamp. The Gulf is coming to see us, but didn't get here this time. I've always hunkered down and stayed put for storms. Years ago, the eye of Betsey went right over my head, preceded by 130 mph winds. After this event, I may consider getting outa Dodge next time. In retrospect, I don't feel too bright, particularly since I have a motor home and could fly and stop almost anywhere along the road.

I still have some Vallecito things to say and show. One of my favorite memories there is the time I took a sail plane ride and had an eagle's eye view from the south. I also once climbed up into the mountains far enough that I could see the whole lake always to the dam. Those are a couple of views of the valley only a few of us have experienced. Thanks for your concern." -- Charlie View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Freedom's Double Rainbow...

I'm attaching a JPG image of the double-rainbow that we enjoyed Sunday evening, August 28th. There was a major thunderstorm that came through here mid- to late-afternoon. In the early evening, the front gave way to sunlight coming from the west...and the result was a double rainbow, complete from one end to the other...though I did not have a wide-angle lens to capture it. We stood on our porch and enjoyed it for quite awhile and I decided to "brave the storm" and take a few pictures (it was still raining at the time, but only slightly). The photo is viewed from Eagle Pass, in front of the high school looking slightly southeast. I thought the "Okie Legacy" readers might enjoy the picture." -- Rod Murrow, Freedom resident View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Dacoma, OK Boys - Carl Coale...

I'm attaching two photos to replace the previous ones. I have confirmed in #3 that the one individual is Danny Hapke, so have removed the parentheses and the question mark in that photo... the one person remains unidentified at this point. Elem-2: the person peeking around Junior Cline (front row, far right side of photo) is Carl Coale, my namesake (my middle name is Carl). Rather then complete re-do the list of folks, I added his name at the bottom of the list. -- Rod Murrow View/Write Comments (count 2)   |   Receive updates (2 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WINN/VINCENT of Freedom, OK...

"I'm Jeanne Winn, formerly Vincent, from Freedom, OK. I was born in the Freedom hospital 8-7-1944. My parents are Loyd Vincent & Ina (Culver) Vincent. They were born & raised in the Freedom community too. We lived on the Shadid farm east of Freedom until I was about 10 years old. Then we moved to town. I have a sister, Sherry Beagley, that was born 7-7-1942. We both attended & graduated from Freedom High School. My maternal grandparents were Clarence & Jennie (Arndt) Culver & paternal were Garret Ray & Goldie (Clothier) Vincent. Maternal great grandparents were Dave & Pearl (Smith) Arndt. Since retiring, I now live North of HW 64 on Cora road near the Whitehorse Cemetery with husband Dudley. It's great to be back in the country after careers in Enid, OKC & Tulsa. I enjoyed your site & will continue to visit." -- Jeanne Winn - Email: rjwinn2003@yahoo.com View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

J. W. Graves Photo...

Our college, Eastern Oklahoma State College, is trying to obtain a photo of J.W. Graves, who was our college president in 1915. Could you share the photo that is on your website? Or tell us who to talk to, etc.? We are willing to pay for it if need be. Thanks very much for any information. Mary Edith Butler, Director of Library Media Services. Thanks so very much! I was using the www.okielegacy.net/NSNRanger1917 site." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Warwick Genealogy & DNA...

"We have one Warwick DNA contributor - we need more......... thanks for the good work." -- Carolyn Harman Scot View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

OkieLegacy Comments...

Issue 34 / Volume 7 -- Feature: Vallecito (Pine River) Dam... Thanks for the lovely story on Vallecito. The Friday morning front page of the Durango Herald did not state the situation correctly for me -- things will not stay the same but the doors (floodgates?) are in the process of being pried open.

Issue 8 / Volume 7 - Feature: Air Tour - June 1, 1946 - The air tour photo was taken at Kelsey field, which was North or Waynoka on my Grandfathers farm. -- Barry Kelsey

Issue 34 / Volume 7 -- Feature: Vallecito (Pine River) Dam... Here is that Durango Herald News article re: Vallecito's future resembles past that appeared August 26, 2005, written by Lisa Meerts-Brandsma Herald Staff Writer -- "Lifestyle needs competed with economic needs Thursday night as residents and county planners discussed whether to drop allowable building densities on an acre of land from two units to one in the Vallecito District Land Use Plan..... 'What can the valley sustain?' asked Hamilton Wright, who lives in Vallecito. He said that Vallecito has only one road leading in and out of the area. During the Missionary Ridge Fire, bumper-to-bumper traffic on County Road 501 slowed the evacuation. He fears continued growth in Vallecito will aggravate the problem....."

Issue 34 / Volume 7 -- Feature: Gas Prices In SW Colorado... Regular unleaded in Perry, Oklahoma has been $2.51.9 for several days now. In driving through Oklahoma City this past weekend, I saw the bottom prices at $2.49.9 up to $2.54.9

Issue 34 / Volume 7 -- Feature: Old TV Memories... My family was never affluent enough to own a TV set during the time I lived at home, but I remember the first one I ever saw. It was at David Shafer's home (his dad was the Carl Shafer who owned Shafer's radio and TV store on the square). It was about 1949 or so, and there was no such thing as daytime television. We would turn it on anyway, just to gaze at the test pattern and wave our hands in front of the screen to see all of the "fingers." .....

Issue 33 / Volume 7 -- Feature: The Okie Legacy Mailing List... Thanks! I received my copy in a neat order in spite of the all the changes in the processing. I enjoy tidbits from readers and whatever else you happen to dig up. Bonnie

Issue 34 / Volume 7 -- Feature: Gas Prices In SW Colorado... Here in New Hampshire-prices of gasoline are $3.15 for regular unleaded and milk is down to 2.59 a gallon. One gas station in Manchester, NH ran out of gas because they had the lowest price in town. Really enjoy the e-zine. I look forward to it every week! Susan Lang, Antrim, New Hampshire

Issue 34 / Volume 7 -- Feature: 1950's TV Memories... Greetings! I recall, as a child, we had a big black metal box in the den with the "rabbit ears" on the top. We got 3 channels; both local. The 3rd channel didn't come in most of the time but if I stood and held the antenna in one hand, I could watch a show. My parents called it the "idiot box". Now I have satellite and 300 hundred channels and there is still nothing on! *chuckle*

Vol. 7, Iss. 34 -- 1906 Woods County Atlas... "I have an atlas, but would not part with it. I wonder, since they evidently are NOT going to reprint the atlas again, if they would give permission for someone to digitize it and make it available online? Or if permission is even necessary (not sure of the copyright applications to this, since the original was 1906)." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Gas Prices In SW Colorado...

As seen in this photo taken Friday, September 2, 2005, around Noon, in Durango, Colorado (at the Conoco Mustang gas station) Gas Prices:
Unleaded: $3.11
Unleaded Plus: $3.21
Super Unleaded: $3.31

Ignacio, Colorado Gas prices during the "Rally in the Rockies" ranged from $3.17 to $3.19 on Friday, September 2, 2005.

Bayfield, Colorado -- Conoco Gas station ($3.11) & Phillips 66 Station ($3.12). View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

History of Labor Day...

"Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country...." -- www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Charities - Donations Re: Katrina Relief...

To check out the legitimacy of charities to which you might contribute for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts: http://www.charitynavigator.org/ This site lets you see how much of your donation is used for administration expenses, how much goes to the object of your contribution, and the purposes and efforts of the organization to which you're donating. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

'87 Kemper Graduate...

Just wanted to take the time to Thank You for such a cool sight. I am a Kemper Graduate also. I went 1986-1987 My Senior Year, and returned in the Fall to go to College. Even though we went years apart you sure brought back some memories. Thank You Again." -- Madeline (Quinn) Rios (KMS '87) - Email: garfieldnme@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe