Sadie! Sadie! Shady Pretty Lady In Waiting...

My name is Sadie. I am the newest addition to the Wagner family. AND... Lady in waiting to "The Duchess of Rose" (Top Dog of this Clan)!

I have heard a lot about this precious Pug from the NW Okie. I hope Duchess is looking forward to meeting me as much as I am looking forward to meeting, playing with her and her friends. I know they can teach me a bunch of things.

Before I forget -- so you can get to know a little about me. I was born 24 April 2005 in NW Oklahoma to Spring Creek Mugsey (Sire) and Ricks Sweet Sissy (Dam). I'm almost 10 weeks old. I am one of those short-nosed, snortin' & pantin' little black Chinese Pugs with a small, white marking on my chest. I love to play and be around humans. Did I mention that I am a very energetic & friendly puppy pug?

I don't know about this being shut in a roomy puppy cage when my human goes someplace. Even if Oakie does put these things she calls toys in there to occupy this Puppy Pug. BUT... I guess I will get used to it. Oh Yeah! I met my human about 9 days ago. AND... follow right under her footsteps every chance I get -- barely dodging each carefully placed footstep.

I will meet you all Sunday... especially, Duchess, Ruff and Daisy! View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Classic Bugs Swarm NW Oklahoma...

Old Bugs are never forgotten. They just go through a metaphoric stage of their life after high school and college graduations. For some it can be quite a transformation... from cacoon to butterfly to soaring eagle.

This particular Classic Bug (or Bugette) transformed from a shy, reserved young thing into a soaring eagle across NW Oklahoma all the way to SW Colorado.

It began with the first day of the first weekend of July 2005 when this "Classic" Bugette gathered for her 39th high school Reunion, in Alva!

Have you ever walked into a room full of "Classics" not really knowing who, what you will encounter? AND... what about that strange dorky, looking senior picture you leave behind in your school annual? Did you ever look at that somewhat UN-photogenic snapshot and ask yourself, "Did I really look like that?"

I would have to say that I was extremely introverted, shy and reserved during my school days in NW Oklahoma. It took a lot for this soaring eagle to come out of her cacoon and shell to soar the NW Oklahoma skies.

It was slow, protected process in the beginning, BUT... after that first step, it wasn't so bad.

You ask, "How shy were you? Can anyone ever be that reserved?" Yes! AND... I don't believe I could begin to tell you here how shy I was in school. It would take a book! Maybe someday that book will happen. I did not date until my sophomore year in College. That does not mean I did not have a few silent crushes on guys back then. Didn't most of us?

It is easier looking back -- laughing about it all now. I have realized over those 39 years that it is easier for me to write than be the talkative conversationalist like my other sisters. Probably because it gives me a chance to think about what I want to say.

It is an interesting metamorphic stage of life that we go through, isn't it? It took me almost 50-something years -- writing a weekly newsletter -- designing webpages -- researching & compiling NW Oklahoma and family legacies to finally feel comfortable with myself. I am still more comfortable writing than I am talking, though. I realize I am a better listener & writer than a talker. You can learn so much more listening and observing than you can talking. Depending what it is.

Even though you take that last step through the high school & college gates, you never really stop learning, growing and expanding your life. It is really just another beginning of a NEW era! AND... hopefully aging gracefully over the years and breaking away from that self-made cacoon you always seem to build around yourself for protection.

I always thought that in each of us there is a made rather than born open-road traveler trying to emerge. A traveler that simple moseys down the twisting, curving path of life -- seeking out the simply things in life -- going into the country as an openly romantic about the going itself, for the adventurous possibility of it all. Each of us creates memories, images of what we find. We might take everything to heart, sharing their keepsakes through a love for it all. View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Independence Weekend...

It is time again, July 4th... 229 years earlier our ancestors declared their independence when in the course of human events, it became necessary for the thirteen colonies to dissolve the political bands which connected them with another -- to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind -- to declare their independence. That takes us to the time, in 1776, when the Continental Congress met -- drew up, signed a unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America for the purpose of declaring their causes for separation from the system of government of King George III of Great Britain.

From this Independence weekend to a Classic Alva High Goldbug Reunion in NW Oklahoma -- to Kirkbride apartments near downtown Alva in the early days -- to connecting with some of the "Old Boys" of Kemper Military Academy of Booneville, Missouri. That is where our memories will be jogged this weekend in NW Oklahoma.

AND... wouldn't you know it! When we come back to NW Oklahoma it gets hot and muggy. BUT... just before we head back to SW Colorado along comes a bit of coolness and much needed rain around the end of June and the first of July. You don't suppose someone up there is trying to tell me something, do you?!

Someone mentioned to me the other day, "You should come back more often and leave just as quickly!"

Kemper Alumni...

"We love Uncle Bob's Legacy-! "I would like to put his excerpts on our web Page - Would that be alright? Thanks." -- Mark Farrell, Secretary Kemper Military School Alumni Association - Email: tashuntka@hotmail.com
Kemper Alumni - this one is where I'll put links, and the Kemper story.
Kemper Alumni Forum - Here's our Current messageboard.
Kemper1844 - An old one that might be helpful as well. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1938 Wrought Iron Range Cookbook...

"When typing in Wrought Iron Range Company of St. Louis, I came across your site with some info. I have a Home Comfort Cook Book, copyright 1938. Any ideal where I could find out more about this company? Thanks from a retired teacher from Colorado!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" -- Gary Richey View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Grave of Dorothy Brewer...

"I found a grave that I would like to find some input into. This grave has been haunting me for some time -- would like some knowledge so I can have some peace. The woman is Dorothy Brewer that died with child in 1932. If any one knows her history. please let me know. Thanks." -- Carol Beason - EMAIL: myra06@yahoo.com View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (1 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

HURDT Genealogy...

"Doing research on my family tree. We might be related in some way. My maidern name is HURDT and my Aunt also did some research and we have WAGNERs in the family. The spelling of my maiden name is with a d. (Hurdt) I have been told that they added the t later. If you want to contact me, please feel free to. Thank you." -- Jackie - EMAIL: dwreese@bellsouth.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Kirkbride Apartments - Alva...

"We lived in the Kirkbride Apartments when I was about 4 years old. I remember the taffy pulls, and Mr. K made lollipops for the children from unpulled candy." -- Barbara View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Kemper Old Boys...

"I remember Bob McGill. However, we were in different Companies. I was in D. In 37/38, Herb Ewing from Cario, Illinois was our Captain. My main memories are of The Bull, Major MacArron. What a character. I stopped by Kemper about 3 years ago, and found it most depressing. Of course, since then it has continued down hill, and I understand it has now been taken over by the City. Too bad. But, different times, different generations and certainly different priorities. I will check out your Web site. At present I'm completing a Book on the early history of the Texas Panhandle... so, even at 85 I'm staying busy. Regards." -- Jim View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alva High Class of 66...

The Class of '66 was another one of those baby boomer years. If I remember correctly there were about four "Linda's" in my class throughout my high school days... Hada, Hertzler, Leeper and McGill. In case you want it check it out for yourself, here is the AHS Goldbug Class of '66. Don't you just hate those Old (Classic) senior pictures preserved in your high school annuals? I hope I have aged gracefully like a delicate bottle of finely-aged wine. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alva High School...

Back when I was in high school at Alva High it was/is still located facing 14th Street with the northside on Flynn Avenue -- Southside stretching all the way to Center Street and Apache Drive. On the westside it overlooks a canyon with football field and track down below. This is in the proximity of where the Old Alva Golf & Country Club used to be before the NEW High School was built in the mid-1950's. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alva High Goldbug History...

You can view this history on the northside of the new gymnasium on the corner of 14th & Flynn Avenue. The Goldbug History reads as follows: "In the early 1920's, Alva High School principal and English teacher, J. Allen Thomas, was a great admirer of Edgar Allan Poe and his work The Goldbug. He conceived the idea of awarding beautiful paper goldbugs to outstanding students at honor banquets. The bugs, which were made by the high school students went to those who were rated superior in their classwork and to those who were judged as being talented in the performing arts and other school activities. In the late 1920's, students started calling their athletic teams Goldbugs, and the idea caught on. This Tradition is continued today. The school mascot is the Goldbug Symbol of Excellence in academic and extracurricular activities." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe