This week's stories in
The Boise City News
June, 25th, 2008
Remington Axtell, of Boise City has entered the race to become XIT Queen this August, during the annual XIT Ranch Celebration in Dalhart, Texas.
Remington Axtell, 15, the daughter of Mark and Cindy Axtell, of Boise City has become one of several teen age girls in the region to vie for a chance at becoming the next XIT Queen.
Axtell has begun placing posters advertising the annual celebratory blowout sponsored each year in Dalhart, Texas. The event honors the former XIT Ranch, once the largest fenced ranch in the world. It ran from the area of Dalhart, to near Lubbock, Texas, and the land ownership was directly responsible for the construction of the pink granite Texas Capital in Austin.
Remington was introduced to the opportunity by Evelyn Moore, a Cimarron County rancher’s wife, and secretary to the Boise City High School Principal.
As well as putting up posters, Remington will have to participate in other events especially that of horsemanship.
“I have to perform before the judges and prove that I am competent on my horse,” Remington explained.
“I’ll have to ride some patterns, and show that I have control of my horse,” she added.
Her horse, R.T. is a roping horse and well trained, but Remington is taking no chances. She recently attended a 4-H Horsemanship Clinic over the Memorial Day weekend, in Lamar, Colo.
She will also have to attend and participate in some Junior Rodeos, entering such events as the barrel course, pole bending and steer daubing.
The year-long-reign, should she be chosen calls for a lot of commitment and dedication, something Remington said she is ready to do.
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Photos courtsey of Cimarron Heritage Center.
The Cimarron Heritage Center received a 1917 Federal Truck on Friday afternoon, June 20. It has been restored and is in great shape. It was been donated by Gerald Dixon from Guymon. This is a great addition to our wonderful collection of Antique vehicles and we are excited about this wonderful donation from Gerald Dixon. His son was here to see it being delivered as Gerald had a previous appointment elsewhere. We would like to say thank you to Gerald Dixon, Scott Sandlin and Paula Sandlin previous owners and Scott delivered the truck of Trinidad and Bob and Phyllis Anderson for always being there. I am sending photos of the truck as it arrived on Friday.
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Cassie Janae Parker, 
Cassie Janae Parker, the daughter of Steve and Kathy Parker, and granddaughter of Sally Parker graduated with distinction from the University of Oklahoma’s College on nursing on May 9-10, 2008. At an awards banquet preceding her commencement, she received an award for academic achievement and another for outstanding clinical performance. She was the recipient of the Perry Scholarship, and has been inducted into Theta Sigma Tau International Honor society for nursing. She is presently employed at the Integris Baptist memorial Center in Oklahoma City, in a pediatrics Unit.
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Three times a winner
Kiera Hardesty won the 80m hurdles, the 400m run and the high jump in the midget girls division at the AAU State Track and Field Championship at Norman Saturday.
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Barnes-Stinson
Mike and Helen Barnes announce the engagement of their daughter Sheila Diane Barnes to Preston Barrett Stinson of Oklahoma City. The bride-to-be is a 1995 graduate of Boise City High School. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelors of Arts in 1999 and the University Of Oklahoma School Of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 2002. She is an associate attorney with the law firm of Walker, Ferguson and Ferguson in Oklahoma City. The groom-to-be is the son of David and Becky Stinson of Edmond. He is a 1990 graduate of Edmond Memorial High School and a 1998 graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.B.A. in Finance. Preston is employed at Lamar Outdoor Advertising in Oklahoma City. The wedding and reception will be held in Oklahoma City on September 21, 2008. The couple will make their home in Oklahoma City after a honeymoon in Hawaii.
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Shea-Freeman
Emily Shea, the daughter of Brad and Sharon Harper married John Osbern Freeman, the son of John Freeman and Shirley Walker on April 23, 2008 at the meadow Creek Bed and Breakfast, in Pine Colorado.
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by Gus Blackwell, Rep.-61
Speaker Pro-Tempore
Various people have assigned different grades to the past session of the Legislature. Some people were very pleased with the session. The vice president of the state chamber gave the session an “A” while the president of that organization gave it a “B”.
The 2008 Legislature tackled some very important issues, but some were vetoed by the Governor. One veto that did not stand was a veto on pro-life legislation. This marks the first time that a gubernatorial veto was overridden since 1994.
The Governor and the Legislature did reach an agreement on a bond issue in the amount of $475 million dollars. Revenue from the bond issue will fund repair of the state’s roads and bridges. It will also fund higher education endowed chairs, a low-water dam project on the Arkansas River, control dams in rural Oklahoma, and the American Indian Cultural Center in Tulsa.
Steps were also taken to insure that child care facilities were safer. Licensing requirements were strengthened and DHS was mandated to create an online database. This database contains substantiated complaints and inspection records of all child care facilities in the state.
One giant step for the state was taken to attract new aerospace jobs to the state. The Center for Aerospace Supplier Quality was created to create a partnership of service providers. This will help more adequately meet the needs of the aerospace industry in the areas of education, training, research, and economic development. Since this is the largest industry in the state this will be a great boon for the state economy.
Rural Oklahoma will benefit from a veterinary training program that gives incentives for doctors to locate in sparsely populated areas. These students will receive specialized training targeted to meet the needs of livestock producers in rural communities.
In the wake of grass fires in our area, another law will help reduce the devastation caused by these catastrophes. The Board of County Commissioners working with local fire chiefs can establish by resolution a county burn ban. This will allow a measure of local control specific for our area if needed. A prime example of this is the present drought in Cimarron County contrasted with the floods in the Tulsa area.
A heart felt thanks to those who came out to fight the fires in the Texas County recently. Just like those who have responded in the past in other counties, this was a group of true heroes. Thanks to all the firefighters, law enforcement, county workers, and others who are willing to drop everything and help neighbors in time of need. That’s what makes the panhandle area so special. This group always gets an “A+”.
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by Shelley Fowler
I changed things up a little with my edit. Final version follows...
It was well past midnight this past Friday, but I was far from sleepy. After being on the road for five days it was good to be back home, and yet I couldn’t get settled in for the night. I noticed that the moon was full and playing tag with lots of puffy gray clouds, so I decided to go join them.
I made my way to a dirt road southwest of town, turned off the ignition, sipped some coffee I’d bought at Love’s, and sat back to watch the show taking place up above me.
From time to time, the moon would peek at me from behind the giant blanket of roly-poly clouds. Mostly, it stayed hidden, creating with its brightness, silver linings and rays of soft light falling to earth. And then, for one brief moment, not only did the mighty night orb show itself in all its splendor, but it was joined by one magnificently twinkling star. Both were framed by the towering columns of clouds. So beautifully did they dance together in the sky, I almost clapped my hands in appreciation!
As I witnessed the heavenly display, I was also listening…to the wonderfully muted sounds found only in the country. From time to time a meadowlark would trill a short, somewhat lonely song, but the only steady voices I heard were from the crickets somewhere out in the grass, rubbing their back legs together in sweet harmony. And then a chorus of coyote howls rang out across the darkness, sending a (good) tingle down my spine. They were met with yips and barks of a couple of pups. It had been so long since I’d heard the voices of the elusive coyote! And so I did what came naturally. I filled my lungs with air and howled an acknowledgment in their direction. (Oh, but it felt good to howl!) At first, there was no response, but then one more chorus of howls and yips wafted across the grasslands, settling in my ears and upon my heart.
I knew I should get back to town and off to bed, for by now a couple of hours had passed beneath the drama of shadow and light created by the clouds and moon. But, the final act of the play was just beginning! Far on the southern horizon and in miniature, golden bolts of lightning began appearing, followed by random sheet lighting that lit up the clouds. And to the east, bright bursts of pure white light, minus any rumbling of thunder, beat out a rhythmic pattern. I got out of the Jeep and walked a ways down the dusty, dirt road and just stood there, watching Nature play itself out before me.
And then the first drop of rain fell squarely on my nose!
Being an eternal optimist, I knew that dirt roads and rain weren’t a good combination, and that fact drove me to finally leave this little piece of peace and drive towards town. But only after inhaling that tantalizing aroma that comes only when the two meet.
Fat, wet drops of moisture splattered noisily on the windshield as I pulled onto the blacktop. But, just then the raindrops ceased their descent. And I suddenly found myself wondering if Mother Nature was a ‘tease’. Or was God not listening to the prayers of ranchers, farmers and the rest of us?
I was feeling disappointed as I drove the deserted highway towards the lights of town, looking through the stale raindrops on the windshield. Then, as if I needed reminded of it at that exact moment, a verse from the Bible came to me. About being “thankful in small things”. So, I quit feeling disappointed and began purposefully thanking God for every single drop of rain - few that they were - that had made it from the sky to the earth.
I began seeing in them a promise that God was indeed listening. And possibly hoping to hear more praise than grumbling from my lips? Not only about rain for our parched lands, but also about life! For after all, there are so many things that warrant my words of thankfulness!
The lightning was still flashing in the distance as I pulled into the garage and made my way past the dogs and into the house. Finally spent and sleepy, I slipped between the bed sheets and laid my head upon the pillow, whispering one more heartfelt, “Thank you for the little things, God”.
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Wardrobe Malfunctions
– Tonight Andy, my 14-month-old child, was “helping” me fold laundry on the bed. He found my underwear and promptly placed it over his head and looked at me through the leg holes. I burst out laughing. Partly because he was a sight to behold and partly because of the “diesel fitter” joke that came to my mind:
The story goes that two friends, Vladimir” and Yuri, were applying at the U.S. embassy for U.S resident visas. “Well, we only give residence visas to foreigners that have a profession that is needed in America. Tell me, Vladimir, what was your job back in Russia?” asked the immigration official. “I was an underwear maker” said Vladimir. “I’m sorry, but we are not in short supply of underwear makers here in America. Goodbye. Next! “Yes, Sir, My name is Yuri. “Well, Yuri, what was your profession back in Russia?” asked the official. “I was a diesel fitter, Sir”, said Yuri. “Hmm, let me look in my list of professions……..oh yes, it seems that we do need such experienced workers here in America. You are approved. “Hey!” shouted Vladimir, “How can he be approved and I was rejected when we worked side by side and my job was more difficult and required more hours of study and training? “Well, tell me, just what is it that you guys did exactly?” asked the official. Vladimir answered, “I would design, cut and sew the underwear and pass it on to Yuri. Yuri would place the underwear over his head and announce “yes, these’ll fit her!”
Sorry, I had to share that one. Anyway, about clothing….when folding laundry I’m reminded that I’m using the same old shorts, jeans and t-shirts. My closet is full of nice clothes that I used for teaching back in America or for dressing up but they are all a size 2 or 4. Since I was bitten by the Lyme diseased deer tick 3 years ago I gained weight through the medication and my subsequent inability to exercise.
Korean men and women dress so spiffy and always in season and in fashions that seem to come off the runways. Most foreigners here agree that mainstream America usually starts to catch a trend two years after it’s come and gone in Korea. I believe that’s partly what keeps the economy humming here is the ongoing out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new purchasing philosophy.
I don’t want to buy too many new clothes because I “know I’m going to lose ten pounds soon” and I don’t want to waste money on clothes that I won’t use again. Another thing here is that clothes can be “so, out of fashion” in just a few weeks. Once I purchased an in-style dress in a small underground shop by the subway station. Those types of shops don’t have dressing rooms. When I put it on at home it was too long. I told myself I would take in the hem “tomorrow”. A month later I gave up on taking in the hem because the dress was “so last season” that I would look silly wearing it.
Another thing, women are supposed dress their age. I read in Reader’s Digest some time ago that a young Korean designer went to work in America. She observed an older co-worker wearing a short lilac flouncy skirt and exclaimed, “I love this country! Women can wear clothes that are much too old for them. I shouldn’t be wearing jeans and Nikes anymore by Korean society standards but, as a foreigner, I can get away with it. Most foreign people here dress casually the way we would dress back home and the Koreans don’t look down on us the way they might look down on a native Korean wearing the same getup.
One last thing about wardrobe: When Koreans speak in English they sometimes mix American vocabulary with British vocabulary. Once I gave my level I students an exercise to question and answer a partner about each other’s wardrobe. One guy asked the girl beside him, “What color are your pants?”
She blushed and shyly answered “Pink”. “Why did you say “pink”?” asked the guy. “You’re wearing blue jeans”.
She blushed as pink as her underwear, I’m sure.
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What part of PRISON Don’t They Understand??
Tomorrow, a convicted killer, David Gordon Smith, will be up for his third parole hearing since being convicted of killing a Catoosa Police Chief in 1978.
Since officer J.B. Hamby died during a shoot-out at the Catoosa Tag Agency, Smith, who was sentenced to life in prison has been sent to a minimum security prison from which he escaped in 1985. He, along with his wife, were later captured in Spearfish, S.D.
Also, Smith has been allowed to marry, buy a home, and though under close supervision, participate in the Tulsa Run, what I can but assume is a marathon.
I realize that convicted inmates, (except those sentenced to death), qualify for parole.
I’ve also read of them being married, either by proxy or in the prison, though I can never understand anyone wanting to marry an incarcerated inmate. Especially one sentenced to life in prison. Where is the future in that?
But I remember reading nothing that they get to get out of jail to run a foot race, especially someone who has already escaped... What’s that called? Training for the next attempt?
According to an article in Tuesday’s paper, Smith’s parole hearing is being held early. Why should he qualify for an early hearing?
Though he at sometime may qualify for parole, a convicted murderer with an escape in his folder shouldn’t even be considered until the very last second.
I hope at least the members of the parole board exercise a little common sense. In this case life should be exactly that, life.
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Can city cops stop me out of their city limits???
This is a good question I hear occasionally. It actually is related somewhat to last week’s topic. The answer is yes, depending on a couple of things. First of all if any city or town police officer sees a violation within the city limits/jurisdiction they may make the stop wherever within this state and even in another state if their policy permits. We see this a lot in so many towns that sit right on and in many cases on both sides of a state line. Once again “fresh pursuit” comes into play. If all violators had to do was make a mad dash across a city limits, county or state line this would become a serious problem quickly. In towns where police officers actively enforce traffic laws this is critical because many stops end up outside the city limits. On a side note it never ceases to amaze me how so many people who have never worn a badge a day in their life and never had one hour of law enforcement training seem to be experts in criminal and traffic law. Even a “little ole’ city cop” in a very small town has hundreds of hours of training and at least a high school diploma or GED. Not to mention often years of experience. I have known many small-town officers, sheriffs and sheriff’s deputies in my 20-year-career I would take as a back-up as quickly as ANY trooper I know. Most of the time it comes down to what kind of “person” an officer/deputy/trooper etc. is. The same is true in any occupation. There are “slugs” in every field and standouts as well. It is always up to the person how hard and how well they work................. Truly, this Troopers’ Perspective
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Boise City News
P.O. Box 278
105 W. Main Street
Boise City, Oklahoma 73933-0278
Phone: 580 544-2222
Fax: 580 544-3281
E-Mail: bcnews@ptsi.net
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