The Summer of 2008

Well! We made it through to the 3/4 mark of June, 2008 and into the beginning of the Summer of 2008.

We hear from Northwest Oklahoma folks that they had about 7 inches of rain around the Woods County area this past week and wheat harvest is still underway again.

This weekend we take you back to 1945 and just after WWII when the Flying Farmers of Oklahoma were about to go National and join the NAA (National Aeronautic Association). OR ... was it the other way around?

Anyway, Gene McGill had a big hand in organizing the Flying Farmers back then -- being a farmer/rancher who used his light aircraft on his ranch 8 miles North of Waynoka, Oklahoma along SH14 and during his wheat harvesting and coyote hunting days back then.

We also did some browsing through the online archives of The Oklahoman and found some more information on the Woods County Triplets we spoke of last week. AND... We have some more Alva square memories in the Mailbag section below.

It has been warming into the mid-80's and dry in the valley of SW Colorado this week. It is almost cooler to sit out under a shade tree than be inside the adobe on this first day of Summer 2008. As our SW Colorado gas prices go: Bayfield, Colorado had a listed price Saturday of $4.13.9 for regular. You all living and driving in Oklahoma have it easy compared to the price of gas in Colorado and other places.

I have three hummingbird feeders this Spring/Summer in SW Colorado that have been keeping me busy making sweet nectar and refilling the feeders about every other day. I need to go refill a couple of them now and make another batch of hummingbird juice this afternoon, Sunday, June 22, 2008.

You all take care and keep those row boats handy in Missouri, Illinois and along the Mississippi River. We all are thinking of you! You are not alone!
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1926 Woods County Lanman Triplets

Last weekend we shared a news clipping of Woods County, Oklahoma's triplets that were born to Mr. & Mrs. Guy W. Lanman, of Alva, Oklahoma. As we browsed The Oklahoman archives online this week, we found the following dated issue with more information on the Guy Lanman triplets that were born the Summer of 1926, in July. The following information was found in the 1938 March 21, page 2, of The Okahoman.

Triplets But Not Three of A Kind
The caption under the photo reads: "The Lanman boys -- These three brothers -- Dick, bottom; Paul next, and Lee on top of the pile --- were nearest alike when they were born on the same day in July, 1926. In the ensuing 11 1/2 years they have become more and more individuals -- not the three of a kind which people usually expect in triplets. They are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Guy W. Lanman, 5903 NW 50th."

Triplet Boys Are Different Though Alike
Now this business of having triplets has its advantages -- and its disadvantages. As Mrs. Guy W. Lanman, 5903 Northwest Fiftieth Street, who has had 11-1/2 years experience in rearing her Dick, Paul and Lee.

For instance, how do you keep their clothes separate? Back in the diaper stage, that wasn't so much of a problem. But now the boys like to wear their own clothes.

So -- Mrs. Lanman has worked out a color scheme. Their sport shirts are orange for Dick, yellow for Paul and red for Lee.

The Lanman boys are surprisingly different in their natures and appearance for triplets. There is about seven pounds difference in their weights, with Richard at the top and Lee at the bottom -- the same order of their weights at birth.

Richard (Dick, of course), the big fellow, is the worker of the trio. He is the standby, when it comes to chores around home, especially gardening which he loves.

Paul counts on his personality, rather than his industriousness. "He gets out of more work," his brothers says.

Lee makes up for his comparative lack in size, by his brain work, He is the one who thinks up the things to do.

"He's always figuring something out." said Mrs. Lanman. "I think he's the most curious and inventive of the three."

The triplets are not inseparable. At the Putnam City school, where they all are in the sixth grade, each has his own particular chum -- and girl friend. Paul, they say, the medium sized Lanman with the winning personality, is especially strong in the girl-friend line.

So there you are -- triplets who don't look alike, act alike nor dress alike.
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1947 Flying Farmers Convention In Stillwater, OK

Headlines: "Flying Farmers Still Looking For Plane To Do Chores Right."

The caption under photo: "Farming may not have been like this when grandpop was a boy but even the grandfathers now are joining the trend to aerial farming. Starr Nelson, 81, Delta, Colo., (upper left) was among the 600 arrivals at Stillwater Thursday for the National Flying Farmers convention. Nelson, with 700 hours in the air, hopped over from Colorado.

[caption continued:] Upper right, Miss Glenna Eiland, Amarillo, Texas, a flying farmerette, finds those are real whiskers sported by Gene McGill, Alva, first national president of the organization. McGill claims they are his trademark. Below, Flying Farmers get a practical demonstration of crop dusting.

Stillwater, Aug. 7 (1947) -- An airplane is a handy gadget to have around the farm, but manufacturer still haven't turned out the plane that meets all the farmer's needs.

This seemed to be the general opinion of farmers and ranchers from throughout the country who arrived here Thursday for the national convention of the Flying Farmers association.

Mrs. Tod Davis, Minco, a commercial pilot and re-elected secretary-treasurer of the Oklahoma Flying Farmers, put the whole problem in a nutshell.

"We need an airplane that you can go places in a hurry, that you can haul a heavy load of equipment in, that has lots of visibility and can land and get out of small fields and that doesn't cost too much."

More than 600 delegates and visitors representing 34 states and three foreign countries registered for the three-day convention which opened here Thursday. They arrived at North airport in more than 350 planes of all types and descriptions.

R. L. "Kid" Gibson, who at 77 years is the second oldest active pilot in the organization, flew here in his small two-place plane from is 640-acre ranch at Tahoka, Texas.

"A plane comes in awfully handy in locating lost stock, spotting water holes, hunting coyotes, hauling equipment and all that but I want one they haven't put out yet," he said. Gibson learned to fly when he was 74 years old.

All of the light plane manufacturers had their latest models on display at the airport here, hoping they had produced a plane that the farmers, who Contitute the largest market for personal planes, would buy.

Luscombe Aircraft Corp., Fort Worth, unveiled its new four-place plane here Thursday afternoon. The ship, which they hope will find favor with the Flying Farmers, is designed for "round the clock" visibility, and for handling 600 pounds of cargo by removing the seats.

Cessna Aircraft Corp., Wichita, Kans., displayed its new model 195.

Harry E. Bollar, Tulsa, was in charge of the flight showing how planes can be used for crop protection, held for the benefit of delegates attending a crop protection conference at Oklahoma A&M college.

Cedric Foster, radio news commentator, spoke at the opening banquet of the convention Thursday night at Willard hall on the college campus.

Friday's convention activities include an inspection of several large Oklahoma ranches. The convention delegates will be guests at a barbecue luncheon Friday at the Turner ranch in Hereford Heaven. They will return here for a banquet Friday night.

New officers of the Oklahoma Flying Farmers association, which held its business session Thursday morning, are: L. A. Decker, Lahoma, president; Oscar Megert, Colony, vice-president; Mrs. Tod Davis, Minco, Secretary-treasurer; and Ramon Martin, Oklahoma City, executive secretary. -- Aug. 8, 1947, The Oklahoman, page 1
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1960 - John Cronley's Once Over by E. M. Barker

While searching through The Oklahoman archives online, I came across this interesting article written by E. M. Barker and sent to The Daily Oklahoma sports editor, John Cronley for his Once Over column. It appeared March 3, 1960, on page 33, "... Some folks might have wondered when Gene McGill, ordinarily a mild-mannered man, stiffened his upper lip and stayed right in there and pitched when the governor was trying so hard to shell him from the mound ... Although he has no athletic record of his own, his father, the late Bill McGill, is regarded as Alva's most fabulous athlete.".

"The readers write -- well, at least one got through the tundra by carrier pigeon. Taking over at this point is E. M. Barker, sports editor of the Review-Courier in Alva.

"Have read your column religiously ever since you started writing it. Agree with you on most of your comments and get a lot of information I wouldn't otherwise. I have met you on several occasions down at Norman as I sat in the press box as a friend of Harold Keith.

"Have something that should interest the people of Oklahoma as well as yourself, who have a nostalgic yearning for the facts concerning those who helped make athletic history.

Some folks might have wondered when Gene McGill, ordinarily a mild-mannered man, stiffened his upper lip and stayed right in there and pitched when the governor was trying so hard to shell him from the mound.

"Here's the answer, Although he has no athletic record of his own, his father, the late Bill McGill, is regarded as Alva's most fabulous athlete.

"Standing 6-2 and weighing about 190 pounds, he first attracted attention as a pitcher while attending Friends University (Wichita, Kan.) on a baseball scholarship.

"After two years at Friends University, he enrolled at Northwestern State, then called Alva Normal. Once he attended a state track meet and got the medal as all-around athlete. There was little that he couldn't do at a track meet.

He Tries High Jump
"He never jumped before and they wanted him to try the high jump. After all but Bill had finished he told them to raise the bar to six feet.

"He commented later, "I jumped over easily and later I learned they were diving over the bar instead of jumping. I believe if they had let me dive I could have gone over 10 feet.

"After finishing the season with the Browns, he got homesick and came back to Alva to go into the furniture business with his brother, Jim, and they quit after 50 years.

"Gene never cared for baseball but turned to farming and ranching, and at one time was known all over Oklahoma as dan of the Flying Farmers.

"Bill excelled in sports and for years was Alva's leading golfer. He had few peers as a hunter and many envied his fine markmanship. He died August 7, 1959, at the age of 77.

"Categorically the careers of Bill and Gene differed sharply. Gene had no truck for competitive sports. But when it came to the great outdoors, once again their trails met as they tramped the untilled soil of Woods County in quest of the elusive stubble duck and migratory fowl.

Helps Game Situation
Charley Albright, former state senator and offtimes hunting companion of Gene, will tell you he has few superiors as a wing shot. Bill used to call him Hurry-Up Yost. "Young men today hunt too fast. They do not give the dog a chance to hunt out all the good places," Bill fumed. But Gene differed.

"The day of the old fashioned bob whites, which used to be sitting ducks for the pioneers, is gone. These new generations of quail move faster," Gene countered.

Hunters in northwest Oklahoma are very appreciative of the efforts of young McGill to re-stock the country with quail and pheasants, and he has done this often at his own expense.

Added to this, he has provided his own plane on numerous occasions to spot coyotes for his neighbors.

A successful rancher and farmer, people gradually became aware that this young man is fully cognizant of what makes the earth tick and is well acquainted with political issues.

His father once said, "Once Gene has made up his mind, nothing can change it. Oh, well, just another McGill, I guess. A chip off the old block."

Record Score Posted
AND it was while pitching at Friends that a duel with Art Griggs of Washburn gave rise to one of the most unusual games ever played in the Texas League. Griggs defeated McGill, 4-0, as he personally accounted for all Washburn scores by lacing out a couple of home runs.

This infuriated McGill, and right then and there they made an agreement that if they ever met again each pitcher would go the route without relief.

This resulted in the most lopsided game played in the history of the Texas League, with Austin defeating San Antonio, 44-0. McGill was the victor.

That was the season McGill was the leading pitcher in the Texas League while hanging up the most strikeouts. He also led the league in batting. Using a blinding fast ball and cross-fire delivery, he was sold that Fall to the St. Louis Browns for $500, then a big sum.

His most notable game in the majors was a 2-2 tie with the Cleveland Indians, called in the 12th inning on account of darkness.

He once told me, "I could have won easily, but I just couldn't get the ball past the Cleveland second baseman, a man by the name of Napoleon Lajole. But if I had brought my Austin outfield with me I could have still won. Those Browns just wouldn't hustle like the boys in the Texas League."

Bill used a bat made by a friend out of a wagon tongue, said to be the largest bat ever used in the Texas League. It weighed 64 ounces.
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Woods County Triplets - Summer of 1926

It was July, Summer of 1926 when the Lanman triplets were born in Woods County, Oklahoma.

Dec. 20, 1969, page 13, The Oklahoman had this obituary of Guy W. Lanman's death. We also found that the triplets were born July, 1926 and that the Lanman family moved to Oklahoma City in 1933 to manage the Southwestern Telephone company in OKC.

Obit: Guy W. Lanman, 68, of OKC, died Friday at a local hospital. Services were held at 2 p.m., Monday at the Garrison Funeral Home with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Lanman was born in Illinois and came to Oklahoma City in 1933. He was a retired telephone company employee, working for the telephone company for 35 years.

Survivors included his wife, Christina, and three sons, James L., St. Louis; Paul G., Oklahoma City and Rev. Richard L., Ark. Memorials were made to cancer or emphysema societies. -- NW Okie Comment
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Perry, OK Gas Prices Dropped Again

June 21, 2008 -- "This morning the gasoline prices dropped AGAIN. This time another 2 cents down to $3.75.9 and the wheat trucks are rolling again. With our recent on again/off again rains, the harvest was on hold for a few days, but it's happening again. They've been saying that this is the best wheat crop in several years (if the rain will just hold off long enough to get it cut and shipped out). We'll just have to wait and see. The harvest began here two weeks ago." -- Roy K.
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Thanks For the Memories

"Again, thank you for all of your hard work publishing Okie Legacy every week. In reading the list of the 1936 candidates for degrees from Northwestern, my Uncle Vic's name appeared -- Alonzo Victor Bright. He did indeed graduate, married and, with his three other brothers, served his country during WWII.

Uncle Vic was one of my favorite uncles and the memories I have of him and the rest of the Bright family during the times I would spend Christmases and summers in Gage, Oklahoma are treasured. Unfortunately, my time with Uncle Vic was short. He died of a heart attack at age 42." -- Bob
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Growing Up In Oklahoma & Alvord, TX

We are in the process of taking down Kenneth Updike's stories and ramblings of "Growing Up In Oklahoma" because Kenneth asked us, "To remove all of my previous writings to you about my Ramblins. Personal stories that I told you and your readers. My Son has had all of my writings, and notes copyrighted so that we can put them in a book or booklet. His idea. I really have no objections to this, but he insists we can be viewed by more people. I leave it up to him. Thanks for your help in the past, and I still read your Okie Legacy nearly every week."

If you find some of Kenneth's Ramblings that I have missed, Please email me the link with Vol. and Iss. numbers so that this NW Okie can remove them. Thanks for your help!
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1944 NW Oklahoma Memories

"I was in Alva from March, 1944 to July 1944, attending NW State Teachers College with the Aviation Cadets in training. We had a "Cadet Club" in town, which was used on weekends for dances primarily. I played trumpet in the band and have memories of the "Club" but I can't place where it was located. Is it possible that it was the Pix Theater location where you mentioned that the USO used that building? Can anybody help me regarding the location of the "Cadet Club" ??" -- Tom McCarrick - OkieLegacy Comment
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More Alva Square Stuff

"I can't remember if I have sent this photo to you before or not (it seems that I have), but I am attaching it now. I copied it from the Alva Chamber of Commerce membership card that belonged to my father-in-law Noel Taylor (who, by the way, was one of the members of that 1936 NSC class in your most recent OkieLegacy). Pay special attention to the number of cars parked around the square and bear in mind this was when Alva still allowed center parking. There were so many people in town on Saturdays that you had to weave your way along the sidewalk when walking around the square.

To clear up a point: I note after reading my comments in your last OkieLegacy that I said Minton's was slightly East of the old New Deal Tavern and Cafe area. Actually, I meant WEST. Sorry 'bout that.

And just to the West (yes, WEST) of that was Mr. Rebel's Antique and used furniture store. I mention this because it was housed in one of the only two old wooden false-front buildings that I remember on the square. His son, H.C., had a shoe-shine stand out on the sidewalk there. H.C. was later a fine lineman for the Goldbugs. He died about three years ago.

The only other false-front wooden building that I can recall on the square was over on the south side in the 500 block of Barnes. This is the building that housed the Radiometer of which Marvin Henry wrote. The optometrist's name, however, was Dr. Homes Crisp, not Dr. Qvast. Dr. Crisp also ran a small jewelry business along with his optometry work. Dr. Quast was a dentist and his practice was located in a walk-up office over on the north side of the square in the 500 block of Flynn.

Using an old 1940's phone book and my memory, I estimate that there were over 190 businesses located on or within one block of the square at that time. This does not count the businesses along the highway, the neighborhood groceries, or any of the industrial area around the grain elevators and railroad track. Alva was a jumping place then! I loved Marvin Wiebener's skunk story. I wish it had appeared in my column!" -- JIM
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The Skunk Story

"Who says there is no adventure left in this world. I remember "skunk" stories at my grandparents farm in Grant Co., OK. From time to time there were "close encounters of the stinky kind", usually by one of the farm dogs. Before air conditioning there was still an entiment connection to the out doors and it might be weeks before the smell was no longer detectable. Those were the days. Charlie in Louisiana Bayou country." -- Charles M. Cook - OkieLegacy Comment
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Neuman's Boys Choir Outing (Feb. 27, 1958)

"Loved the old lodge. Brings back many memories." -- Floyd Thompson - OkieLegacy Comment

"The old lodge does bring back memories. I remember the loft with the eight or ten bunk beds that were full bed size so that they slept four people; the huge fireplace and denim covered couches and the tether ball court outside. Those were great days!!" -- Terry Smith
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June, 1955 - Alvan Visits Ranch, Finds Twister Ruins

Alva, June 6 (1955) -- "Gene McGill, Alva resident, Monday learned a tornado had hit his ranch, eight miles north of Waynoka on SH 14 sometime Saturday night.

The small farm home was badly damaged when the roof blew off and landed about 50 feet away. A windmill was torn down, and the outbuildings were damaged. An airplane was lifted from the ground and deposited several hundred feet away, partially damaged. McGill's foreman who lived at the ranch was away at the time.

Other damage reported Monday as a result of Saturday's storm included the Floyd Bliss farm where the barn and other outbuildings were demolished. The family spent the night in a storm cave.

There was some damage at the Nobel Arb farm near Avard. Avard received two inches of rain.

Four Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. power poles were knocked down six miles south of Alva by hard winds, and Hopeton and Avard were without electric power 11 hours. Wet cables caused Alva residencts in the southern part of town to be without service for about 25 telephones. -- The Oklahoman, dated 1955 June 7, page 8
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Membership List - Oklahoma Flying Farmers

We are not sure what year this list of members for the Oklahoma Flying Farmers was made, but assume it may have been around 1946. If anyone out there can help us identify the exact year, we would love to hear from you. Thanks!

Beggs, Ralph, Jefferson, OK; Berry, Jack D., Stillwater, OK; Bollenbach, Irvin, Kingfisher, OK; Bomhaff, Mr. & Mrs. H. G., Calumet, OK; Brundadge, Dr. B. T., Thomas, OK; Brown, Thomas, Jefferson, OK; Buster, Bob, Guymon, OK; Coyle, E. A., Idabel, OK; Crusha, Vernon, Woodward, OK; Chambers Lloyd, El Reno, OK Cornelsen, Wayman, Fairvies (sp), OK; Cook, Bronnie, Seiling, OK; Craig, Carl, Texhoma, OK; Chaband, Jack, Carnegie, OK

Daubert, Dan L., Gotebo, OK; Davis, Mr. & Mrs. Tod, Minco, OK; Daily, O. H., Lamont, OK; Decker, L. A., Lahoma, OK; Detweiler, John R., Thomas, OK; DeWess, Clarence L., Roosevelt, OK; Dixon, Ira, Kingfisher, OK; Eversole, R. A., Grandfield, OK; Eckleberry, Nelson, Calument, OK; Eulberg, William, Medford, OK Fox, Sam, Hobart, OK; Ford, Wilbur, Carrier, OK; Francis, Mary, Oklahoma City, OK; Freeman, Buzz, Belva, OK; Flaming, O. S., Cloudchief, OK; Ferrell, Edward, Mt. View, OK

Griffin, L. M., Idabel, OK; Grant, B. M., Frederick, OK; Grantham, Frank, Gage, OK; Hays, James H., Enid, OK; Hemminger, Harry, Elmore City, OK; Hutchison, Frank, Thomas, OK; Hutchison, L. J., Thomas, OK; Hickman, French, Minco, OK; Harmon, Melvin, Calumet, OK; Hines, Bill, Roosevelt, OK; Hitch, H. C. Jr., Guymon, OK; James, H. F., Gage, OK; Jones, Floyd, Thomas, OK; Jones, Georgia L., Roosevelt, OK; Jones, David W., Roosevelt, OK; Julian, H. L., Guymon, OK

Kelsey, Jack Jr., Waynoka, OK; Kelsey, Jack Sr., Waynoka, OK; Kelsey, Roscoe, Waynoka, OK; Kelso, Miss Jery, El Reno, OK; King, Sherman G., Cordell OK; Kreoker, Sam, Corn, OK; Klein, Victor, Shattuck, OK; Kippenberger, Stanley, Thomas, OK; Keller, Mr. & Mrs. Clyde, Thomas, OK; Krittenbrink John T., Jefferson, OK; Lathrop, Mr. & Mrs. Rolla, Keyes, OK ;Lathrop, Jerry, Keyes, OK; Linch, C. W., Pond Creek, OK; Lynch, H. F. Medford, OK; Leonard, Dutch (E.R.), Hobart, OK; Leonard, Mrs. E. R., Hobart, OK; Louthan, Virgil, Seiling, OK

Madison, G. B., Clinton, OK; Moore, C. s., Roosevelt, OK; Moore, George R., lamont, OK; Moyers, Raymond, Drumond, OK; Morton Herman L., Grandfield, OK; Myers, Escal, Ada, OK; Megert, Oscar, Colony, OK; Mauk, Dewey, Blackwell, OK; McGill Mr. & Mrs. Gene Alva, OK; McNeill, R. C., Thomas, OK; McMullen, J. L., Okemah, OK; McCulloch, Doyle, Blackwell, OK; McAvoy, K. S., Thomas, OK; Nossaman, E. E., Buffalo, OK; Neville, Mr. & Mrs. Cecil, Chickasha, OK; Nash, Ed, Guymon, OK; Nigh, M. W., Waynoka, OK

Peters, Mr. & Mrs. L. D., Hobart, OK; Portwood, Mr. & Mrs. J. Edgar, Hobart, OK; Pile, C. V., May, OK; Roetker, Walter, Selman, OK; Schwal, Alex M., Shattuck, OK; Schoenhals, Dave, Shattuck, OK; Shriner, Wm. Dale, Hobart, OK; Simpson, Rolland C., Goltry, OK; Sipe, Robert C., Tonkawa, OK; Sipes, E. a., Cordel, OK; Son, James V., Crodell, OK; Spear, Loy, Calumet, OK; Stephens, George A., Anadarko, OK; Stewart, W. H., Shawnee, OK; Stone, Ralph Jr., Coweta, OK; Stoops, Hugh E. Roosevelt, OK; Streck, Virgil, Carrier, OK

Temple, Mr. & Mrs. Arvid, Buffalo, OK; Temple, Jo Nell, Buffalo, OK; Temple, Shirley, Buffalo, OK; Temple, Mary Lou, Buffalo, OK; Taylor, W. L., Butler, OK; Talley, Mr. & Mrs. Ben, Roosevelt, OK; Van Dorn, Duane, Woodward, OK; Watson Mr. & Mrs. forrest, Thomas, OK; Watkins, Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd, Hobart, OK; White, Orville, Lamont, OK; Wyler Ernest C., Tonkawa, OK; Whelchel, J. W., Thomas, OK; White, Leslie, Lamont, OK; Whipple, Monte, Waynoka, OK; Wrobbel, Dale, Kingfisher, OK; Wendt, Emil, Kingfisher, OK; Zook, Fred, Waynoka, OK. -- Two sheets of typed lists found in Gene McGill's old papers.
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1945 - National Flying Farmers Group To Be Formed

A national association of flying farmers and ranchers, with the Oklahoma Flying Farmers as the parent group, will be organized immediately by the state group and the National Areonautics association, it was announced here Tuesday.

Forrest Watson, Thomas, president of the Oklahoma Flying Farmers, and William R. Enyart, Greenwich, Conn, president of NAA, said the nationwide organization will be known as the National Flying Farmers association.

It is to be set up as an autonomous group with membership open only to farmers and ranchers using the airplane in their business. While the national association will conduct its own affairs under national, state and qualify.

Plans for expansion of the Oklahoma organization into a nationwide group were presented to directors of NAA, here for the national Aviation clinic, by Gene McGill, Alva, chairman of the organizing committee.

As in the Oklahoma organization membership of the National Flying Farmers association will be limited to plane operators deriving at least 51 percent of their income from agriculture. Watson said. The wife of a farmer who is a pilot also may be a member, or the husband of a farm wife who is the pilot.

"The flying Farmers organization is typically grass roots, and so it NAA." Enyart said, "It will bring into our organization a segment of consumers which heretofore has lacked definition in NAA affairs."

Agriculture was slow to recognize the need for good roads but here in Oklahoma is a spontaneous organization. It means that farmers wre accepting the airplane as a part of their daily lives and the airplane has widened the horizons of those living on the farm."

Watson said flying farmers and ranchers in Texas and Kansas already are interested in organizing, and he returned last week from Tucson, Ariz., where he spoke at the Arizona State Aviation conference and found widespread interest in the Oklahoma Flying Farmers and the idea back of it. remote ranches in Arizona are finding the airplane almost indispensible, Watson said.

The Oklahoma flying Farmers president said merchanics of integraing the national association into NAA are yet to be worked out, but when it is finally accomplished the group will have complete control of its own affairs although a part of the corporate structure of NAA.

Starting point of the campaign to make the Flying Farmers nationwide has not yet been determined. A state may organize when as many as 25 members has been secured.

The Oklahoma flying Farmers were organized when a group of farmer pilots and their wives flew to Stillwater two years ago to attend a farm club conference at Oklahoma A&M college. The group is now recognized as a chapter of NAA.

The planes they flew were those they used for many farm and ranch chores -- inspecting fences, watching cattle herds, flying to town or macinery repair parts during harvest, or hunting coyotes. -- Nov. 21, 1945, page 4, The Oklahoman
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1933 - Alva Telephone Manager Transferred to OKC

Alva Telephone Manager Is Transferred To City -- Alva, May 10, 1933 -- (Special) -- Guy Lanman, for 10 years district manager of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. here, has been transferred to Oklahoma City as special tolls engineer, effective May 29. Edward J. Flynn, Oklahoma City, local sales manager of the office there, will become the new district manager. -- The Oklahoman, dated 1933 May 11, page 6
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Feb., 1948 - Alva Is Headquarters For Army Reserve Unit

As The Oklahoman, dated Feb. 1, 1948, page 44, stated, "Alva, Jan. 31 (1948) -- (Special) -- Alva has been made headquarters for the 1026th army reserve group which will be formed here with activation ceremonies on February 2. Six counties will make up the district served by this unit. They are Woods, Harper, Woodward, Beaver, Texas and Cimarron. Maj. Robert Lee McGill, Alva, has been named commander."
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My Kind of Funeral

"Stewart, Betty b. 8/24/41 - m. 1/12/08 - d. 4/28/08 -- View/Sign Guest Book

"The loving memory and adorable spirit of Betty Loch Stewart and her life and adventures with Andy M. Stewart, III will be celebrated with a 50's Theme Party and presentations of 'First & Last Love, The Love Story of Betty & Andy.'

All friends of Betty and/or Andy are invited to food, entertaining presentations of their worldwide travels and motorcycle escapades, plus Dancing to music from the 50`s.

Festivities begin at 6PM at the New Covenant Christian Church at 12000 N. Rockwell, OKC on Friday, June 27, 2008.

Come join in the fun and RSVP by Wednesday, June 25, 2008 by calling Andy at 405-728-5436." -- Submitted by N. Talkington & Published in The Oklahoman on 6/22/2008
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