WOW! What a great Thanksgiving day feast and fun around this pugsters place in southwest Colorado valley. We had mild temps, NO snow! AND... This Duchess pug got a frontrow seat to watch Macy's Thanksgiving parade.

That's not all, though! That's me, Duchess Rose, seated down front -- thoroughly engrossed with my favorite dog show on the tellie.

NW Okie has been busy slowly smoking turkey breasts; feeding horses in the early morning hours with Sadie, the supervisor; and finding time to get accustom to her NEW Mac laptop. Looks like she is getting the hang of it and enjoying the challenge!

Before we send you on to the "Mailbag" section to learn a bit of the theatre history around Britton & Perry, Oklahoma (courtesy of an OkieLegacy reader/contributor, Roy Kendrick) we would like to welcome a NEW subscriber all the way from Shreveport, Louisiana. Say "Hello" to Libby! Libby and her sister joined DAR in their area and are into genealogy & family history.

Hope you enjoy this weeks newsletter/ezine!
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Roy Kendrick Marks 20th year in Show Business

This Old newspaper article came from one of our OkieLegacy readers. Not sure of the dateline, but maybe Roy can fill us in on more memories. Thanks, Roy!

We shall try to give a short summary of the article before we let you venture a click on the original article.

When this article was written, Roy Kendrick was operating the Perry Theatre and the Chief Drive-In and was observing his 20th year in show business, Friday night, July 26, and treated all of his customers at both theatres to cake.

The article goes on to state... that Kendrick was on the National Theatre Supply staff in Oklahoma City at the time that NTS branch was closed permanently. That was about the time Kendrick took over operation of the Perry theatres. Actually, Roy had the foresight to take over operation of the Perry theatres before NTS closed.

Kendrick gained his first experience in a motion picture theatre with the Glen Thompson circuit's Ritz in Britton, Oklahoma, twenty years from when this news article was written. Roy first worked in the concessions stand and as an usher, staying with the theatre until he became the chief projectionist. After the Ritz he went to the Air Force, gaining film experience by operating projectors at various Air Force bases.

Roy purchased a small theatre in Missouri when he was 21. The article goes on to state, "After a prolonged drouth in his area hurt all business, he was forced to give up that theatre. He returned to Oklahoma City and worked as projectionist at the Lakeside Theatre, owned by Dr. and Mrs. L. A. (Bess) Newcomb."

For nine years Kendrick was film editor for KWTV-TV, Channel 9. It was while he was with the TV station, he leased a theatre in Tuttle and purchased the Star Theatre in Minco, Oklahoma.
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Thanks For the Memories

"For those of you who don't know MY history, 'Pug' Hawkins was my second boss at the Ritz and Britton Theatres in Britton, Oklahoma. I'd been hired by Ed Asher who was a deacon in our church and also the manager (at that time) of the local theatres. When we were told that our theatre manager was moving to another town (within the theatre chain), we were also informed that he'd be replaced by a manager by the name of Homer Hawkins, but that he was known mostly by his nickname 'Pug' which was short for 'pugilist' because he'd been a boxer while in the service during WWII (in the tank corps serving in Europe).

'Pug' is still a close friend and we reconnected a couple of years ago when he found a posting of mine (concerning the death of one of the theatre owners) on the internet. Neither of us knew that the other had remained in 'show-biz' all those years. He's come to Perry a couple of times since then to visit. We both have fond memories of Britton. 'Pug' got his start in movie theatres in his home town of Atoka and now lives in Lindsay, Oklahoma (where my dad and his twin brother had been born).

I'm including a photo here that I took many years ago of Pug in the projection booth at the Ritz Theatre. It's followed by a picture I took of the front of Ritz Theatre about the same time, and then I've included an article that appeared in Boxoffice magazine after I moved to Perry. Many good memories here." -- Roy K.
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More Britton (OK) Theatre Pics

"Here are some photos of Britton Theatre history from my files. I was a teenage projectionist there from 1949 'til about 1951 (and also at the Ritz across the street). The negative is one I took of the theatre front during that era (cannot find a print) and the photo of Paul Ferguson (another projectionist) was posed with one of the Motiograph model "K" projectors. I also have the Motiograph book shown that was to have been discarded (in 1968) while I worked at National Theatre Supply in OKC. Enjoy!" -- Roy K.

This is an email Roy shared with us here at the OkieLegacy Ezine... "Dear Roy, I might add something to your info. My aunt, Louise O'Dell, worked at the Britton Theatre in the early 1940's. She met the man she married, J.W. Athey, there while he worked as a projectionist. Her father, my grandfather, A. B. O'Dell owned the feed store there for many years but by the late '30's he was working for the city of Britton as Night Marshall. He was killed by a train at the intersection on Western and Britton Road in 1942. At this time the Britton Theatre was located in the old building on the North side of the street. Shortly after that (within 3-5 years) it was moved to the new location. on the South side of the street. God bless you." -- Patty O"Dell Gilliland
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KMS: Ross

Calling all Kemper Military School (KMS) "Fellow Old Boys"... "I received this from Jim Ewing, and I know that I have heard stories from some of you about this man. I don't know exactly what years he was there, so I am sending this out on the 'Mass Mailing' list. He is sure that hearing from some of you would be a real boost to his moral." -- Ray Kendeigh, KMS 77-80

"In about 1944, there was a room called Room M at Kemper. This was were the secretaries were assigned to reproduce Mimeograph reports, tests, etc. for all of Kemper. I was a young Cadet at the time and this is where I met Carol Burk, the wife of Ross Burk who was away in the Army during World War II. I guess she felt sorry for me (a little kid a long way from Texas) and invited me to Sunday dinner several times. When Ross returned from the war, we all became good friends and have maintained that friendship even to this day. Carol passed away several years ago. Ross was in the National Guard in Boonville and at some point joined Kemper in the Commandant's Office. Many of the Cadets in later years remember him as "Rubber Soles" Burk or something like that. Well, I talked to Ross earlier this week. He has moved to Sugar Land, Texas near where his daughter lives. He is not in the best of health. I hope that any of you that remember Ross would send him an e-mail. I know he would appreciate it." -- submitted by Ray Kendeigh & Jim Ewing of KMS - Ross Burke's Email: rossburk@windstream.net
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Needing Expert Advise - Computerwise

"I need some expert advice so I'm asking YOU. Perhaps you aren't an expert but know someone who is and perhaps you too will need these answers sometime. Is there a way somehow to move entire files such as "My documents" and/or "My Pictures" from one computer to another by using a floppy disk or CD perhaps? I have things stored in older Apple computers, or those using Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows 98SE, that I wish to move to other computers including one with Windows XP and a couple of Linux Operating Systems (Lindows, and xandros). Even though I may want to be able to continue using these older computers at times, I want stored images moved to the newer systems in order to find them (on demand) easier and be able to forward them when necessary. Previously, when I've tried to store and reuse certain things, even though I was able to move the icon or other means to "click" on something, the image itself could be downloaded on to a disk, but would NOT open the item in another computer. Thanks for your help in this." -- Roy K. - EMAIL: roykendrick@oklahomahistory.net
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1938 Ranger Yearbook

We scanned the 1938 Ranger yearbook that another lady had loaned us and have it on our PBPartners LLC website under "Old Albums" with some other Old Ranger yearbooks. This is a link to the '38 Ranger yearbook in PDF format and another link to the "Old Albums" on our web site - Old Albums. -- NW Okie
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'38 Ranger Yearbook & Richard Clough

"My Uncle LeRoy (Richard LeRoy Clough) is in this 1938 yearbook. He was a Senior. This just amazes me that you have that! I am big into geneology research and am alwasys searching for such things. The Clough's lived in Arnet, Oklahoma. LeRoy was my father's brother! Thanks again!" -- Erin (Clough) Dent - Email: erindent@charter.net
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The Rest of the Story

Whities, Cassies of Fargo (OK) & Magnolia Baseball of Woodward... "Can anyone help. My G-Great Grandmother Ida Mae Osburn's step mother 'Ma Harvey??' married a man who made homemade hominy and tamales and pushed a cart through town selling those items. Can anyone help? Thanks." -- Vickie J - Email: vglover776@sbcglobal.net

NW Okie Goes Mac... "I hope you'll provide a 'beginner's guide' in a future issue - or a weekly update, or some-such thing. I've considered such a switch on occasion, but have never made the leap. Good luck with it!"

Monday Snow In the Colorado Rockies... "This buck was seen again this Saturday evening between the hours of 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., grazing on the green grass, clover in our front yard! No! We didn''t get a good shot of it, 'cause it was dark out and didn't want to startle it. We think it might be the same buck that came to Sadie's garden party on Sunday morning." -- NW Okie
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Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving email photo taken at Turner Falls, south central Oklahoma was sent to us from Gary D. Simmons, southern Oklahoma. It reads, "Happy Thanksgiving! May we be Thankful for our Blessings."
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No Newsletter In Months

"I haven't received the OkieLegacy Newsletter in .... months... if you are still sending it out please add the e-mail addy to your subscriber list. Thanks." -- Ken C.
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McGill's at Wayne Cemetery, Edwards Co., KS

by nwokielegacy -- "Linda, thanks for the pictures. Merle is my dad, Harriet was my step mom. Ruth McGill Brown was my Grandmother (Frank's second wife). She remarried after Frank's death in 39. Ted was my Dad's brother. Most of Dad's sisters are buried there; Iva Ford, Dorothy Youtsy and Corinne Miers. I don't recall the Tallmans. I will ask brother Gene." Bob McGill

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Different Christmas Poem

"I'll forward this along -- it's worth the time to read and to reflect" -- Rod Murrow

This Christmas Poem was submitted by LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN, 30th Naval Construction Regiment, OIC, Logistics Cell One, Al Taqqadum, Iraq -- "PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let us try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us."

"The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.,
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

"My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.
"Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
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Perry (OK) Gas Prices

"I had expected Perry, Oklahoma's gasoline prices to go down from the $2.09.9 that has been predominate for the past several weeks because of the impending Thanksgiving weekend travel. However the local marketers fooled me by RAISING the prices to $2.12.9 instead. At least we've had perfect weather for this holiday time. Couldn't ask for any better." -- Roy
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FOR SALE: Bookstore & Home at Vallecito Lake, Bayfield, CO

"My sister and her husband have a 3 level home north of Bayfield at Vallecito Lake (Colorado) - They live here in Yukon (Oklahoma), but are wanting to sell their home up there, which has a Book Store adjacent which they own, and which LoAnn, my little sister, runs in the summer months. If you could find anyone interested, email me and I will get in touch with them. This is important, please see if the Bayfield or Vallecito people are aware of this place. They are on a curve and their store says "BOOK STORE." It is to the North of their property." -- Doris Maxey - Email: dmax405@sbcglobal.net
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