Duchess Corner

From Friday's strong winds and thunder showers that hit around here around noon-time or so -- the sunset captured in the evening sky, our weather in this SW Colorado valley has been beautiful with temperatures during the day in the 60's.

The evening before we did happen to capture a herd of deer grazing in our northeast pasture. That's what the photo on the right depicts.

As to gas prices in SW Colorado around Bayfield, the regular unleaded prices have been hanging steady around $2.759 for most of the week, until this Saturday when we noticed the price was $2.679. Thanks to all you who commented last week about gas prices in Oklahoma and Ohio. We would love to hear from some of the other readers concerning gas prices in other areas and states. View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

McGill & Flying Farmers...

Remember back to August 3, 1944 when the Oklahoma Flying Farmers Association was born and by December 12, 1945 the National Flying Farmers Association was organized, incorporated under Oklahoma law? We do know that Gene McGill was one of those farmers that was instrumental in getting the Oklahoma Flying Farmers organized. We also know that by 1946 Gene was a Past President of the flying farmers. So... was the year that he held office as President in 1944? AND... was he the first president of the Oklahoma Flying Farmers?

Remember back then when airplane ownership was not complicated. AND... Farmers were creative in their use of airplanes and worked on them as they did on their farm machinery. Sometimes making their own parts for needed repairs.

We also found out this week that the three Kelsey brothers of Waynoka, Oklahoma were airplanes pilots back in the 1940's. Roscoe was the pilot flying low over Waynoka area while his brother, Jack, took the movie film. AND... Their father, Bunk Kelsey kept gas at the Kelsey airfield for the pilots in the area. AND... that back in 1946 the Kelsey airfield was the only one around at that time. We knew that Jack was a pilot, but did not realize at the time that Roscoe and Punk were pilots, also. AND... the Kelsey's and McGill's go way back. BUT... that's another story. View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (1 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NW Oklahoma & Waynoka Lose Great Citizens...

It was November 3, 2005, in Alva, Oklahoma that two Waynoka icons lost their lives as a result of an auto accident.

"Dee" Wadia Cohlmia, 77, daughter of the late Fallah and Wazna (Hazar) Barkett, was born Jan. 28, 1928, at Henryetta and passed away Nov. 3, 2005, at Alva. Kamell "K" Cohlmia, 88, son of the late Frank and Amaz (Mady) Cohlmia, was born Aug. 28, 1917, at May and passed away Nov. 3, 2005, at Alva.

Some of you might remember the Cohlmia's better with the mention of "Frank's Department Store" in downtown Waynoka, Oklahoma. "K" Cohlmia loved the customers who came into haggle the prices with him. AND... our dad, Gene McGill, happen to be one of those customers that liked to haggle prices with Cohlmia. There was the time that Gene and Cohlmia were haggling over a coat for Vada and Gene ended up walking out of the store without the purchase cause Cohlmia wouldn't come down to Gene's price. I guess Cohlmia ended up calling Gene in Alva later with a price Gene would pay. Gene hopped in his airplane and flew to Waynoka (probably landing at Kelsey airfield) and getting Vada the coat.

Besides watching our dad haggle with Cohlmia at Frank's Department store and visiting Roscoe & Celinda Kelsey's, Waynoka was a special place for this NW Okie as a young girl. Our Hearts go out to Waynoka and the Cohlmia family for their lost. You can view the Cohlmia Obits over at Marshall Funeral Home website. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Remember When...

We have a request from a reader this week looking for anyone around the Freedom, Oklahoma that might have known George and Wilma French Probst in the 1930's before they married. Helen (Probst) said her father also worked for Rudy Eden at one time. Helen's email address is listed in our Mailbag Corner below. She would love to hear from you concerning George and Wilma Probst.

Remember the DoubleO Sims Grocery that was on the northeast corner of the square in downtown Alva, Oklahoma, in the 1930's? Gilvin Walker sent us a great photo showing A. P. Sims, Dan Bergen, Gill Fletcher, Glen Fox, Harold Walker, Parker Fox and Ed Hazard (butcher). Gilvin also mentioned that his dad was the cook in the Bell Hotel at one time. You can see the 1930 DoubleO Sims Grocery picture in the Mailbag section below. Thanks, Gil, for sharing that great photo. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (1 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

DoubleO Sims Grocery...

"Linda, this a picture taken inside the DoubleO Sims Grocery on the northeast corner of the square taken in the late 30's. My Dad, Harold Walker worked in there and my Grandfather H.G. Walker was the county treasurer at that time. I can remember my Grandma taking me in that store when I was real young and they would let me have a lump of brown sugar which was kept in the bulk in a big bin along the side of the store toward the front. Pictured are: A.P. Sims, Dan Bergen, Bill Fletcher, Glen Fox, Harold Walker, Parker Fox with the straw hat, and Ed Hazzard, the butcher. My Dad also was the cook in the Bell Hotel at one time." -- Gilvin Walker, Harper,Kansas View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

McAdams & Pine Valley, Oklahoma...

"I am trying to get in touch with a Mr. Frank Powel who posted a memory of his days in Pine Valley, Oklahoma. Mr. Powel posted this in 2002. He mentions several of my family members in his story. I would like to get in touch with him. Could you possibly help me? My grandfather was the Mill Super he mentions and he also mentions two of my uncles. I was thrilled to read your e-mail regarding Pine Valley - My Grandfather was H.J. McAdams - the mill "super" and Ray was my uncle.

Before she died, my Mother - Mary Wilda McAdams took us through what little is left of Pine Valley. She mentions it many times in her diary. I think she was just 16 when her father (H.J. McAdams) died. She and her mother, Mary Ellen as well as Ray moved back to DeQueen. Most of my uncles worked for Dierks, including my uncle O.C. (Babe) McAdams. If you have any other or care to share any other information, please e-mail me. My mother refers to the hotel and to the movie theater in her diary." -- Mary Hamilton, Walterboro, SC - Email: m.hamilton02@comcast.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Reading About WWII & POWs...

"After years of reading about WWII and POW's from Allies perspective, I decided that I wanted to learn about German and Italian POW's that were interred in the US. This site was a great start for me." -- Don Haws - Email: donaldhaws@comcast.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Oklahoma Gas Prices...

"They're still playing around with our gasoline prices here in Perry, Oklahoma! They have dropped them again to $2.099! Who knows... perhaps I shall go ahead and fill all my gas containers again. The last time I did that, the prices continued to drop until I had used most of it and then began rising rapidly. This morning (Sunday, Nov. 6) I read in your Okie Legacy that the pricing of gas in Cleveland, Ohio is also "a game" and they went up from $2.04 to $2.09, and then $2.22 in a 3-day period (thanks to the report from Jenni Latza). It's really refreshing to hear from these other folks: Reta Jackson of Alva, Ok., Gilvin Walker of Harper, Ks, Larry J. Hunter in Bartlesville, Ok., and of course NW Okie. I'd like to join you in asking more folks to report the prices from EVERYWHERE, and what's the pricing for gasohol these days? I can't even find it around here these days and it was just beginning to be popular back during the Carter presidency when regular gas jumped up to that shocking price of $1.38+9/10 around here.
     This weekend in Perry, Oklahoma's gasoline prices stayed at $2.099 for 4 days, then dropped to $2.079 for 2 days and now they're down again, at $2.04 and 9/10. Maybe they'll continue down for awhile since the oil company bosses have revealed that they made BILLIONS of dollars in profits recently. We'll just have to wait and see. It was certainly refreshing to see those other folks reporting what it's like in their communities." -- roykendrick@oklahomahistory.net View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Probst From Freedom, Oklahoma...

"Thanks so for a good site. I'm doing research for a book about my parents, Wilma French Probst and George Probst. They both grew up around Freedom (Oklahoma). I'm interested in talking with anyone, particularly older folks, who might have known them in the 1930's before they married. My father worked for Rudy Eden for a time. Thanks in advance for any help you can send my way." -- Helen Probst Sheehy - Email: helen@helensheehy.org View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Anna Helen Hurt Family...

"Found this site - Hurt Legacy - JJ Hurt - It was special to see my Grandmother's (Anna Helen Hurt) family information in this. Will share with the rest of the family." -- Jay Welsh - Email: jwelsh@peakinterests.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Platte Map of Goltry, Oklahoma...

"I have the plat map of Goltry, history by A. E. Moseley of Goltry, history of Goltry by David W. Pierce,and history of Goltry's Catholic Church by Helen Carnell. This also includes a picture of the church in the early 1900's. If you send me your address, I will send copies of these to you." -- Ila Wessels, Cherokee, Ok - Email: gwessels@akslc.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Kelsey Airfield - Waynoka, Oklahoma...

"Linda, my information came from Jack Kelsey. I visited him in the hospital today, and he is much, much better! The Kelsey Airport was in use by the time Jack Kelsey came home from military service in 1946. Jack and his brother Roscoe learned to fly in 1943. Gene McGill was about the only pilot in the whole country. Bunk Kelsey, Jack's father, kept gas at the airport for airplanes. A lot of people flew in there. The Flying Farmers flew into Kelsey Airport a lot. Gene (McGill) was instrumental in starting the Oklahoma Flying Farmers, the first one in the United States. Bunk Kelsey was on the board of directors. He didn't fly, so Jack flew him to meetings. Gene and the Kelsey's had Aeronca Champion planes. Then Gene got a Cessna 140. Jack was the photographer, and his brother Roscoe the pilot, when the (1946) photos were taken of the trains at Waynoka while Roscoe flew the plane at a low altitude. The movie of the train, and the rail yards at Waynoka, and aerial views of Waynoka, are all on the video that you have. The Kelsey Airport was the only one around at that time. Alva didn't have an airport. Leo Strickland opened a flying school at Northwestern for college boys during the war. I think all 3 of the Kelsey sons were pilots! Jack's first plane ride was in a TAT Ford tri-motor, sitting on his father's knee, in 1929. And the legacy continues - Jack and Jean's son Jeff works for Cessna." -- Sandie Olson, Waynoka Historical Society


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Oklahoma Flying Farmers...

The History... The Oklahoma Flying Farmers got its start in 1944 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, when two men decided to visit some flying farmers. H.A. "Herb" Graham, director of Agricultural Extension at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, and Ferdie Deering, farm editor of the Farmer-Stockman magazine, traveled across the state, meeting with different farmer-flyers. One stop was at Henry G. "Heinie" Bomhoff's wheat farm; thinking Bomhoff would be an ideal subject for a magazine feature, Graham wanted to interview the colorful character. As Bomhoff talked, Graham and Deering learned there were many other farmers who owned and used airplanes in their farming and ranching operations. So they asked Bomhoff (as they had asked the other flying farmers they visited) if he would be interested in meeting with others like himself at the annual Farm and Home Week, hosted by Oklahoma A & M at Stillwater ..... On Aug. 3,1944, the meeting was held and the Oklahoma Flying Farmers Association was born. The following year, after the idea had spread to other states, Bennett's vision became reality. On Dec. 12,1945, the National Flying Farmers Association was incorporated under Oklahoma law. Airplane ownership then was not so very complicated. Farmers fixed their own tractors, and likewise, they fixed their own airplanes too. And, if they couldn't find a part, they made one. Farmers were very creative in their use of airplanes. During harvest time, they would land their airplanes in the fields to talk with the harvesters. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Aeronca Champion Aircraft...

"The Aeronautical Corporation of America (Aeronca) was incorporated by the Lunken family of Cincinnati, Ohio on November 11, 1928. Backed by the financial and political support of the prominent Taft family - future Ohio senator and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert A. Taft was one of the firm's directors - Aeronca became the first company to build a commercially successful light aircraft. Powered by a tiny two-cylinder engine, the Aeronca C-2 debuted in 1929. It was flying at its most basic - the pilot sat on a bare plywood board. Originally known as the Roche Original after its designer Jean A. Roche (who sold the design rights to Aeronca), the C-2 featured an unusual, almost frivolous design with an open-pod fuselage that inspired its nickname, "The Flying Bathtub." Equipped with only five instruments, a stick, and rudder pedals (brakes and a heater cost extra), the C-2 was priced at a low $1,495, bringing the cost of flying down to a level that a private citizen could aspire to and perhaps reach. Aeronca sold 164 of the economical C-2s at the height of the Great Depression in 1930-1931, helping to spark the growth of private aviation in the United States....." -- Aeronca Aircraft History View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Aeronca 7 Champion...

"The Aeronca Champion was a highly popular light aircraft in the USA in the intermediate postwar period, with over 10,000 built. The Champion was based on the prewar Model K Scout, with which it shares an overall similar configuration, but with tandem instead of side by side seating and a reduced span but increased chord flapless wing....." -- www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=5 View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe