Duchess & Sadie's Spring Domain

Alva, Oklahoma - We hope all the mothers and grandmothers out there had a great "Mother's Day" this Sunday.

NW Okie received Mother Day roses from an rose bushes via the internet and all the way from northwest Oklahoma. The pink rose bush on the left is an old bush planted by NW Okie's Grandmother Constance Estella (Warwick) McGill sometime back in the late 1940's. It has been blooming, growing ever since! The photo on the right is a closeup of one of those pink roses.

The red rose bush on the left is one NW Okie planted in the late 1980's, by the front door of her home in the eleven hundred block of Maple Street. It keeps growing and blooming for the last 20-plus years. Thanks to both of NW Okie's sons for sending these beautiful roses all the way of northwest Oklahoma!

We have included in this week's OkieLegacy Ezine a photo of Alva, Oklahoma's NEW mural that graces the eastside of the a building adjacent to the Old Bell Hotel. If you are ever visiting NW Oklahoma, you might take a tour of this "Mural city!"

We have also included some history of the Hindenburg crash of May 1937 and the first Bob Hope USO tour during World War II (1941) at California's March Field. We have included some YouTube.com videos of a few WWII USO's that we found.

While Oklahomans are experiencing a supercell storm this Monday, May 10, 2010, we here in SW Colorado Rockies were experiencing sunny spring-like weather with a few hummingbirds frequenting our hummingbird feeders that were set out.

How is the Storm and weather in the Heartlands? Did you experience any tornadoes and storms? We have been standing by and staying tuned to the national weather for updates on Oklahoma's supercell that has been moving through Central Oklahoma this afternoon, Monday, May 10, 2010. Sounds like Norman near Lake Thunderbird, in Central Oklahoma experienced a tornado that created some damages around the Lake Thunderbird area. Hope you Central Okie's have your radio, television and Local Weather station tuned in and are taking precautions this afternoon, evening.

Good Night and Good Luck!
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Alva Gets NEW Historical Mural

Alva, Oklahoma - The Alva Mural Society of NW Oklahoma is continuing by making Alva, Woods county, Oklahoma the "Mural City" of NW Oklahoma.vThe newest mural was added recently this Spring to the eastside of a building (parking garage) that sets just south of the Old Bell Hotel on the corner of 5th Street and Barnes Avenue.
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Ardmore Army Air Field Memorial Site & Blog

Gene Autry, Oklahoma - Gary S. googled and found an old Cape Girardeau newspaper article with this picture of Lt. Crites, "It is not a good one it but sure beats nothing. He was on the same aircraft as Lt. Boyer and Sgt. Petersen so I am including a similar narrative for it." "The 11-member crew of B-17G (42-102786) from Ardmore Army Air Field died, April 24, 1944, at approximately 3:40PM. Lt. Loren Crites, 25, who previously served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, was the assigned co-pilot for the aircraft. He was from Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

"It is assumed that he was not occupying that position on this flight. An instructor pilot, Lt. Milton Hansberry, 23, who flew with different crews each day, was at the controls. Lt. Charles H. Boyer, Jr, 27, the assigned pilot of the training crew, was probably flying as co-pilot. It is not known if Lt. Crites was standing behind one of the seats, flying as assigned co-pilot or was elsewhere in the plane.

"The aircraft had left the base ten minutes earlier with full fuel tanks on a crew indoctrination training flight. This flight was probably the first flight of this aircraft with a training crew. It was delivered new a few weeks earlier and only had 85 hours on the aircraft and engines. The plane was circling the Dornick Hills Golf Course, north of Ardmore, at an estimated altitude of 800 to 1,000 feet, apparently sightseeing. After a few circles, the heavy aircraft exceeded 90-degrees of bank, spun into the ground and burst into flames. Hoping to prevent similar accidents, the base commander, Colonel Donald W. Eisenhart, used this crash as an example of what not to do in a heavy aircraft close to the ground."

History of ARdmore Air Force Base

Wikipedia states, "Ardmore Air Force Base (IATA: ADM, ICAO: KADM, FAA LID: ADM), was a United States Air Force base located 10 miles (16 km) northeast of the central business district of Ardmore, (near Gene Autry, OK) cities in Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. It was later redeveloped into Ardmore Municipal Airport.

During WWII, Ardmore AAF was used by the Fourth Air Force an aircrew training base initially for glider pilots, then bomber aircrews. It was also a POW camp for German prisoners of war late in the conflict. The field operated from 1942-1946.

The 394th Bombardment Group (Medium), martin B-26 Marauder trained there during 12 July 1943 thru 19 August 1943. It served in combat with the Ninth Air Force in England, France and Germany.

From 25 October 1943 to 1 April 1944, the 395th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress served as an operational truing unit (OTU) at Ardmore, later becoming a replacement training unit (RTU) and did not serve in combat.

SEE ALSO: Our Little Memorial blog for more special stories of those who died in service and were connected with the Ardmore Air Field, north of Ardmore, Oklahoma.
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Cleaning Old Iron Toys

Waynoka, Oklahoma - Sandie suggests, "Linda, what a fantastic find! The old toys look really good. I suggest that you contact the Colorado Historical Society or a good museum about how to clean the toys. We had pros clean our artifacts for display at the museum, but I don't know what they used! A non-professional suggested WD-40, and that might work, but I haven't tried it. At my cousin's estate auction, his iron toys certainly brought more than $30. They were sold individually."
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Old Iron Toy Repros

Perry, Oklahoma - Roy says, "Many years ago (when I was a teenager) I bought some cast iron molds for toy soldiers at a rummage sale and was excited about making some lead toys to play with so I went to a local plumbing shop and bought a couple of lead bars and an iron ladle. When my dad saw what I was doing, he suggested making several extra to sell in the grocery store as Christmas presents, so I did that but wasn't as concerned about profits and priced them just above the cost of the lead involved. That got tiresome rapidly and I quit the business."
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Fascinating Memories of Trains & Yesteryear

Perry, Oklahoma - Roy of Perry, Oklahoma shares fascinating memories of his yesteryears from Missouri to Oklahoma, "I only lived in Newburg, Missouri for a couple of years in the 1950's (after I was discharged from the Airforce) because the town was too small and poor to support a full-time movie theatre plus the fact that the railroad had just recently closed-and-removed the 'roundhouse' which had been there for generations. It had been used to turn the steam engines around for return trips to St. Louis or to Springfield, Missouri as Newburg was the midpoint on the Frisco line between those two cities, and in the early 1950's the trains had all been converted to diesel because the more powerful engines could pull longer trains, faster and with less effort, thus make more money for the companies.

Roy mentions, "Small towns were actually only about 7 miles apart in many instances because that is how far a steam engine could safely travel without taking on more water and wood or coal for fuel. And frequently there would be a gin or feed mill plus a small general store to serve as a local post-office and meeting place for the local folks.

"If there was depot, there would also be a ticket office so folks could board a passenger train to travel a 100-miles or so to the big city for shopping and entertainment. There might also had been a local tavern and/or red-light district to entertain the railroad crews.

"Small hotels were frequently built in the larger communities so that folks could spend a night or two to rest from a long train ride. There were two hotels and a drug store adjacent to my theatre which was located on Front Street, across from the Frisco depot.

"My theatre was a converted vaudeville house and the 2 projectors had been there since the 1920's. Sound heads had been added in the 1930's and the older carbon-arc lamp houses were still the low-intensity type. That theatre is still in existence and has been converted back to a community playhouse that brings in small bands (mostly country) and traveling shows. One of the (sometimes) entertainers there is Pake McIntire (Reba's brother) with his country band.

"I returned to Oklahoma when I decided to get a college education at the same time as my youngest brother who was just graduated from high school. I majored in electronics engineering while he was a business major. We took some basic classes together (math, college English, history, business law, etc.) but then split for classes in our respective fields. We both worked as projectionists at a local theatre and did most of our college homework in the projection booth between projector changeovers. That way we could party after hours and still get enough rest for the next days classes."

Roy of Perry sent us this update of Oklahoma's weather, "So far Perry has been spared again but the storms have been striking all over and haven't finished yet. The casino east of Red Rock was hit but no injuries known yet. One vehicle in the parking lot was overturned and there's been some power line damage. Southern Oklahoma has also been hit, but haven't heard anything yet."
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Live Hummingbird Cam

California - We found this Live Cam of a Hummingbird on her nest waiting for her eggs to hatch. The Hummingbird's name is Phoebe, a Channel Island Allen hummingbird. Phoebe is known to lay 4 to 5 clutches each year. Her first egg was laid 4/23/2010, 7:45am; The second egg was laid 4/25/2010, 7:00am PST.

The nest is made of spider webs, plant parts and her feathers. Each egg is about the size of a jelly bean and a ping pong ball would be bigger than the entire nest. The eggs will hatch between 5/8/2010 to 5/10/2010 (today). Both eggs will hatch the same day. The chicks will stay in the nest until about 5/29/2010 before fledging.She will collect nectar, pollen, and tiny insects in her crop and return to the nest, where she regurgitates the food into the mouths of the nestlings.
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1937 May 6th - The Hindenburg Explodes (Lakehurst, New Jersey)

Lake Hurst, New Jersey - It was May 1936 that the giant airship Hindenburg made its first transatlantic flight. This 804-feet long, hydrogen-filled behemoth moved through the air powered by four 1050hp engines with a top speed of 82mph and a range in excess of 8000 miles.

Seventy passengers were surrounded luxury amenities that included a dining room, cocktail lounge, library and sitting room equipped with a grand piano. During a 60 hour flight from Frankfurt am Main, Germany to Lakehurst, New Jersey, passengers entertained themselves with long walks along promenades bordered by large windows.

On Thursday, May 6th, 1937 the airship crashed in flames at the end of her maiden voyage of the year. As the Hindenburg maneuvered to land, something ignited her load of volatile hydrogen. Within seconds flames engulfed the entire ship as passengers and crew leapt for their lives. 35 aboard the ship, one member of the ground crew died. The disaster marked the end of the commercial use of airships.

Of the 97 people on board, 35 people died in addition to one fatality on the ground. The disaster was the subject of spectacular newsreel coverage, photographs, and Herbert Morrison's recorded radio eyewitness report from the landing field, which was broadcast the next day. The actual cause of the fire remains unknown, although a variety of theories have been put forward for both the cause of ignition and the initial fuel for the ensuing fire.



Radio reporter Herbert Morrison was sent to cover the airship's arrival. As he watched in horror, his eye witness encryption of the disaster was the first coast-to-coast radio broadcast and became a classic piece of audio history.

Once the Hindenburg caught, all was over in 37 seconds. Perhaps someone might remember these infamous words as reported by Herbert Morrison, "Oh the Humanity."

Morrison's description began routinely but changed instantly as the airship burst into flames:

"It's practically standing still now. They've dropped ropes out of the nose of the ship, and they've been taken a hold of down on the field by a number of men. It's starting to rain again; it's the rain had slacked up a little bit. The back motors of the ship are just holding it just, just enough to keep it from -- It burst into flames! It burst into flames, and it's falling, it's crashing! Watch it! Watch it, folks! Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Get this, Charlie! Get this, Charlie! It's fire ... and it's crashing! It's crashing terrible! Oh, my, get out of the way, please! It's burning and bursting into flames, and the ... and it's falling on the mooring-mast and all the folks agree that this is terrible, this is the worst of the worst catastrophes in the world. Ohhhhh! It's ... it's ... it's the flames, [indecipherable, 'enty' syllable] oh, four- or five-hundred feet into the sky and it ... it's a terrific crash, ladies and gentlemen. It's smoke, and it's flames now ... and the frame is crashing to the ground, not quite to the mooring-mast. Oh, the humanity and all the passengers screaming around here. I told you, I can't even talk to people whose friends are on there. Ah! It's ... it's ... it's ... it's ... oohhh! I can't talk, ladies and gentlemen. Honest, it's just laying there, a mass of smoking wreckage. Ah! And everybody can hardly breathe and talk, and the screaming. Lady, I'm sorry. Honest: I can hardly breathe. I'm going to step inside, for I cannot see it. Charlie, that's terrible. Ah, ah ... I can't. I, listen, folks, I'm gonna have to stop for a minute because I've lost my voice. This is the worst thing I've ever witnessed."

SEE ALSO: Radio Days - Hindenburg (May 6, 1937) for an audio and more information about the May 1937 Crash of the airship, Hindenburg.



Hindenburg History - Construction

"The airship was constructed as the LZ129. March, 1936 it was christened the Hindenburg (After the German President who appointed Hitler as chancellor). The Hindenburg was initially designed to carry Helium, the safe gas, but was filled with Hydrogen instead. The Hindenburg measured 804 feet (245m) in length and carried 7 million cubic feet of hydrogen gas (198,219m3). It only catered for 50 passengers. It was (and still is) the largest flying object built."

Service - "The airship began its maiden flight on March 31st 1936, to Rio de Janeiro. It began its first flight to America on May the 6th 1936 after considerable engine overhauls, they had failed badly due to design fault. It was the first ever scheduled air service between Europe and the US. Over the period of a year it carried 1600 passengers on the Atlantic route, travelling a total distance of 200,000 miles (321,860km), without 'major' mishap (Not considering a near-collusion on two occasions)"

Disaster 1937 -- "The Atlantic crossing was boring an uneventful (and slow due to a headwind). May 6th - It finally arrived 10 hours late at Lakehurst, New Jersey. A sudden thunderstorm opened up, and winds picked up, and the landing was aborted. At 7:00pm, the Hindenburg arrived back to land. For 20 minutes it maneuvered towards the mooring mast, then the engines were shut down. Then a single spark ignited the Hydrogen, and the airship exploded into flames. It was over in 34 seconds."


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1941 - Hollywood Goes to War (WW II)

Hollywood, California - In 1941, Bob Hope gave his first USO show at California's March Field. We found this on YouTube.com video done by GoldenEraDame that states, "The USO was founded in 1941 in response to a request from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide morale and recreation services to U.S. uniformed military personnel. Roosevelt was elected as its honorary chairman. This request brought together six civilian organizations: the Salvation Army, Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA), Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA), National Catholic Community Service, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board. They were brought together under one umbrella to support U.S. troops.

"Roosevelt said he wanted 'these private organizations to handle the on-leave recreation of the men in the armed forces.' According to historian Emily Yellin, 'The government was to build the buildings and the USO was to raise private funds to carry out its main mission: boosting the morale of the military.'

"After being formed in 1941 in response to World War II, 'centers were established quickly... in churches, barns, railroad cars, museums, castles, beach clubs, and log cabins."[4] Most centers offered recreational activities, such as holding dances and showing movies. And there were the well-known free coffee and doughnuts. Some USO bases provided a haven for spending a quiet moment alone or writing a letter home, while others offered spiritual guidance and made childcare available for military wives.

"But the organization became mostly known for its live performances called Camp Shows, through which the entertainment industry helped boost the morale of its servicemen and women. At its high point in 1944, the USO had more than 3,000 clubs, and curtains were rising on USO shows 700 times a day. From 1941 to 1947, the USO presented more than 400,000 performances, featuring entertainers such as Joe E. Brown (comedian), Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Hattie McDaniel, Ann Sheridan, Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Brothers, Jack Benny, Larry Adler,Zero Mostel, James Cagney, James Stewart, Gary Cooper, Doraine and Ellis, Danny Kaye, The Rockettes, Al Jolson, Fred Astaire, Curly Joe DeRita,The Andrews Sisters, Joe E. Brown, Joe E. Lewis, Ray Bolger, Lucille Ball, Glenn Miller, Martha Raye, Mickey Rooney, Betty Hutton, Dinah Shore, and most famously, Bob Hope."



Bob Hope, Thanks For the Memories -

This show is a testament to the stars who joined the war effort and helped our troops keep up their spirits as long days turned into even longer years in the heroic effort to win WWII. The all archival footage includes stars such as Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, The Andrews Sisters, Dinah Shore, Carole Lombard, Judy Garland, Jack Benny and Lena Horne.




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Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (Lyrics & Chords)

I love the old songs that came from World War II. Especially the artists known as The Andrews Sisters and their song, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. I was not even a glimmer in my parents eye yet! but my older sister would have been a toddler back then.

Here are the Lyrics and Chords (How to read these chord charts).

He was a famous trumpet man from old Chicago way
He had a boogie style that no one else could play
He was the top man at his craft
But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft
He's in the army now, a-blowin' reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

/ C - / / F - / C - / G F / C - /

They made him blow a bugle for his Uncle Sam
It really brought him down, because he couldn't jam
The Captain seemed to understand
Because the next day the Cap' went out and drafted a band
And now the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

A-toot a-toot, a-toot diddle-ee-ada-toot
He blows it eight to the bar - in boogie rhythm
He can't blow a note unless the bass and guitar
Is playin' with 'im
He makes the company jump when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

He was the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B
And when he plays boogie-woogie bugle
He's as busy as a bzz bee
And when he plays he makes the company jump eight to the bar
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

Toot toot toot, toot diddle-ee-ada-toot-diddle-ee-ada, toot toot
He blows it eight to the bar
He can't blow a note
If the bass and guitar isn't with 'im
A-and the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

He puts the boys to sleep with boogie every night
And wakes them up the same way in the early bright
They clap their hands and stamp their feet
Because they know how he plays
When someone gives him a beat
He really breaks it up when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da
A-and the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B
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