FOCUS
M A G A Z I N E VOL. 41 • NO. 2
SUMMER • 2022
The Magazine for the Top O’ Texas!
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Editors Note
"Every good story seems to begin with a snake." ~ Nicholas Cage
This issue of FOCUS Magazine, is filled with stories of momentous yesterdays, exciting happenings of today, and compelling prospects of tomorrow. The Top O' Texas summer is in full swing, and we trust that you will enjoy reflecting, celebrating, and looking ahead with us! In keeping with the wisdom of Nicholas Cage, that snakes make a good story, we think that the same could be said of a magazine! And, since we just happen to have a snake story, it seems appropriate to give an accounting of the actual events that dramatically changed our lives. In June, 2018, Kerri was bitten by a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake while at Lake Conchas, New Mexico. Kerri's account of the incident is sure to affirm Mr. Cage's sentiments. And, while all ends well...
Robert & Kerri Forester Owners forester5@me.com
"Once bitten by a snake, he is scared, all his life, at the mere sight of a rope." ~ Chinese Proverb
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Since 1959! FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
FOCUS
M A G A Z I N E The Magazine for the Top O’ Texas!
Edited and Published by Robert and Kerri Forester Content Contributors F. Lee Cornelison Kerri Forester Robert Forester Anita Gullett Brianna Montgomery Mike Sinks Brenda Tucker Charla Schults
Focus Magazine P.O. Box 459 • Pampa, Texas 79066-0459 806-662-0234
B & B PHARMACY
www.gofocusmag.com FOCUS MAGAZINE, The Magazine For the Top O’ Texas P.O. Box 459 • Pampa, Texas 79066-0459 Phone: 806-662-0234 Copyright 2022 by Robert Forester, dba FOCUS MAGAZINE, and the contributors, writers and photographers of FOCUS MAGAZINE. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any story, article, photo, design, art or editorial comment, whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Letters sent to FOCUS MAGAZINE will be treated as intended for publication. Articles and stories may be submitted for consideration and are subject to editorial review. FOCUS MAGAZINE does not accept responsibility for unsolicited materials. (ISSN #0746-7974) If you would like to receive Focus Magazine by mail, subscriptions may be purchased. 4 issues - $20.00 Send a check to: FOCUS Magazine P.O. Box 459 Pampa, Texas 79066 ‘Golden Nail’ Award Winner 2007 ‘Golden Nail Award Winner 1989 Member of the Pampa Chamber of Commerce www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
Dennis & Donna Roark, owners of B & B Pharmacy, invite you to come in and see why more and more people are switching to a “home-owned” pharmacy, one that cares about their customers and their families. You will appreciate their “old-fashioned” and friendly service, as well as the other benefits that can’t be found in large chain stores. Stop by!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Summer 2022
10 2021-2022 Show Choir Visits Austin
The students were invited to perform for the Texas State Board of Education, by invitation.
10 13 The Salvation Army Marches Again!
Regional Representative Shelby Huff intends to make the Salvation Army a presence in some new ways.
16 "I did it! Come on! Let's go!"
A story of surviving an encounter with a Diamondback Rattlesnake.
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27 Scramble for the Win!
You have to be fast to outrun these siblings. Hudson and Hope Scribner compete in calf scrambles... and it pays!
27 Dove Creek Rescue Campaign
"When in Drought" emergency fundraiser launched.
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34 PHS Class of 2022
Enjoy a few random pics from their recent graduation! Congratulations!
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
36 Capturing the Night Skies of the Texas Panhandle The stars at night really are big and bright, but you must travel really deep into the Texas Panhandle. Read about a local Astrophotographer and his quest for dark skies!
42 The Yellow Rose Gala
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42
Celebrating the best of Pampa at the Pampa Area Chamber of Commerce's 90th Annual Awards Banquet.
46 Looking Back
Lee Cornelison focuses on his trip to Jerusalem and some interesting photos of this historical city.
50 Derby Days
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CASA of the High Plains reports on their recent Derby Days fundraiser to help support the CASA mission.
52 The Name on the Street
The first in a series of articles on the historical names behind our streets. Learn about Cecil Payne Buckler, namesake of Buckler Avenue.
51 In Those Oklahoma Hills
52 Questions • Comments • Story Ideas Are you a writer?
Let us hear from you! forester5@me.com or Focus Magazine P. O. Box 459 Pampa, Texas 79066-0459
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Woody Guthrie Museum Director, Mike Sinks expands on his story, starting with the Guthries move to Pampa, Texas.
63 Reflections of Summer Remembering those summers from "the good ole days!"
65 Advertiser Index Thank you advertisers!
All correspondences are subject to publication. www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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Letters to the Editors Editors,
Kerri and Robert,
You did great! Focus Magazine is a marvelous discovery. Enjoyable reading. Fascinating history of our area. Looking forward to all the issues of Focus that are yet to come and visiting the places you have written about. Give us an address of new sites to see and we are on our way.
I LOVE YOUR MAGAZINE!!! I just got through reading your second edition with all the amazing historical articles and wanted to write y’all and say that they are so very interesting!!! I LOVE history and especially anything about the Texas Panhandle. Thank You both for all of the research that you have put into your stories and to make them come to life… y’all are doing a “great job and I appreciate it so much!! Keep up the Great Work!!!
Thank you, Vera and Alan Roth Pampa, Texas Vera and Alan, Thank you for writing. We are so glad you picked up Focus Magazine. It was so nice to meet you at that estate sale! Robert & Kerri
Marilyn Crafton, Pampa, Texas Marilyn, We love that you love Focus Magazine. We have a great group of writers... kuddos to them as well! It is a large collaborative effort. Robert & Kerri
If you have a question, comment, or suggestion, send a letter to the editors! Contact us at: forester5@me.com or mail to: Focus Magazine P. O. Box 459 • Pampa, Texas 79066 Let us hear from you!
About the Cover A magnificent view of the Texas Panhandle sky captured by Pampa resident Tres Morris. This photograph of the Milky Way was taken while visiting Caprock Canyons State Park. Read about Tres and his quest for finding the darkest spots to take his photos in an article starting on page 36. Tracked, 1 x 60 sec exposure.
Graham’s Top Faves!
Mac ‘n Cheese, Trips to the Zoo & Focus Magazine! OK, maybe Focus Magazine really isn’t in the top three of our 2 year old grandson’s favorites, but we send him a copy anyway, and we think he is pretty cute looking at it! Focus is a FREE magazine, see outlets on page 63, but if you would like to receive FM by mail, subscriptions are available (see the bottom of page 5). A Focus Magazine subscription is a great gift for someone who wants to “keep up” with Pampa and the Texas Panhandle!
If you have a question, comment, or suggestion, send a letter to the editors! Contact us at: forester5@me.com or mail to: Focus Magazine P. O. Box 459 Pampa, Texas 79066
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
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The Pampa High School Show Choir
Performs for the Texas State Board of Education By Brianna Montgomery
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
The Pampa High School ‘21-’22 Show Choir, under
the direction of Brianna Montogmery and Tammy May, was honored with an invitation from Dr. Jay Johnson, SBOE District 15, to sing for the Texas State Board of Education meeting on April 8th, 2022 in Austin, Texas.
“It was such an honor to be invited and even more special that the invitation came from Dr. Johnson”, said Montgomery. Dr. Johnson is a former PHS Choir Booster Board president, has a daughter and son-in-law currently serving on the board and a grandson in the show choir. “After receiving the invitation, I called Mr. Piatt (PISD superintendent) with the news and asked permission to accept. Without hesitation, he replied, ‘absolutely!’” The PHS Show Choir made a quick trip to Austin, leaving after the English II STAAR test on a Thursday and returned after the performance Friday. “It was a quick trip, but well worth it!”, Montgomery said. The students not only met prestigious members of the board, but also had a special visit from Robert Floyd, the Texas Music Educators Association executive director. TMEA is a professional organization that sponsors the All-State performing groups and of which Montgomery and May are members. “I was so surprised to turn around and see Mr. Floyd while the show choir was rehearsing. He is such a huge advocate for music education in Texas and essentially the “face” of TMEA.” Mr. Floyd spoke to the students about how much he appreciated and applauded them for pursuing music in high school and encouraged them to be lifelong musicians and supporters of fine arts. “It was really cool getting to meet someone who has such a huge impact on the music community. Getting to hear that our talents were recognized by someone so influential was a once in a lifetime experience.” Kate Smith, PHS junior. www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
Then it was time to perform. After a brief introduction by Dr. Johnson, the show choir performed a set of music including the acapella repertoire from their upcoming UIL contest, their Texas State Solo and Ensemble qualifying ensemble piece, a couple of show choir tunes, accompanied by students Arieon Keller (guitar) and Korbin Cole (cahone) and closed with their traditional benediction, The Lord Bless You. After the performance, the show choir met in the lobby for pictures and were once again greeted by Mr. Floyd to congratulate them on their superb performance. “He was so impressed with our students and their performance, commenting not only on their talent, but also their musicianship.” Montgomery said. Assistant Director Tammy May reflected, “Psalm 22:3 reads, ’God inhabits the praise of His people.‘ I believe that we are all granted gifts in this life and when we serve something higher than ourselves, blessings are pressed down, shaken and rolling over for us and those around us. The PHS Show Choir used their gifts this particular weekend.” Asked about her visit with the TMEA Executive director, May recalled, “These kids were road weary and exhausted, but opened up their hearts and sang beautifully. When Robert Floyd began to break down and weep when expressing his gratitude to the show choir, it was a confirmation of that Bible verse.” continued
Above: Show Choir rehearsing before the performance. Right: Brianna Montgomery, Dr. Jay Johnson and Tammy May Previous: PHS Show Choir: Back row left to right: Korbin Cole, Trenton Watson, Aidan Chapleau, J. Clark Allen, Luis Martinez, Devin Lindley, Dax Scott and Brady Brotherton. Front row left to right: Sydney Larkin, Kate Smith, Alexis Hancock, Kaley Bilyeu, Ariel Lacher, Arieon Keller, Rebekka Ruzvidzo and Savannah Valentine. 11
”We are a testament to so many when we selflessly exhaust our gifts,” she said. The Show Choir finished the trip with a stop at the Magnolia Silos which featured an impromptu performance in The Old Church, one of the oldest structures in Waco. “What a truly amazing experience for all of us. Thank you to Dr. Johnson for the invite and Mr. Piatt and our administration for their support in allowing us to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity.” Right: Show Choir performing “Take Me Home”, during the performance at the State Board of Education Meeting.
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The Salvation Army Marches Again By Brenda Scott Tucker Since 1865, the Salvation Army has been pursing its mission: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name, without discrimination. The organization was started in London by William Boothe when he realized there were people needing help that could not get it from the local church. So, he created the Salvation Army to provide food and shelter for the outcasts of society. Today, the Salvation Army continues “Doing the Most Good” wherever they exist, without discrimination. There are three pillars to the organization: Church (Corps), Emergency Disaster Services, and Social Services. In years past, Pampa has had a church as well as members of the Corps who were transferred into town to run it. There was a thrift shop downtown that closed and all was moved to the church. That was the end of that era. Pampa was no longer under the Church pillar. In June 2021, the local organization shut down while the new Service Extension Region Representative got her feet under her, put her Board together, and started making a plan. With the sale of the church at the end of 2021, the visible presence of the Salvation Army was all but gone in Pampa.
While Borger is a Service Center with a thrift store and employees, Pampa is a Service Unit, meaning there are no employees. Shelby is looking to do great things in Pampa! Fueled with her knowledge of the city and her people, she knows she can rely on the generosity of the people to help her succeed. In fact, she already has. At Christmas, there were 40 Angels from the Angel tree that were not returned for gifting. These are referred to as ‘forgotten angels’. She put out a call that she needed gifts for 40 forgotten angels and was amazed that she had those gifts within 24 hours. People of Pampa have a heart for helping others. Because Shelby is the only employee of the Salvation Army in Pampa, all services are volunteer driven. Ringing bells at Christmas? Those kettles are manned by volunteers. That service
begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Eve. Kettles are in several locations, so it takes many, many volunteers to ring those bells for that season. 100% of the monies collected in Pampa stays in Gray County. Under the leadership of Shelby Huff, the Salvation Army is regaining momentum again. Just recently, on June 3, they celebrated National Donut Day by delivering donuts to local first responders. During World War I, in 1917, the Salvation Army Donut Lassies served donuts to soldiers on the front lines as a morale booster. They fried the donuts in the helmets of the soldiers! The Donut Lassies are often given credit for making the donut popular in the United States. The first National Donut Day was celebrated in Chicago in 1938.
Continued
Despite no longer owning the church building on south Cuyler, the Salvation Army is alive in Pampa. It has been operating so quietly that its presence is hardly noticed. Shelby Huff, employed by the Salvation Army since 2019, was assigned to Pampa, her hometown. While it is not the same as Pampa has known in past years, Shelby intends to make the Salvation Army a presence in some new ways. As Regional Representative, Shelby oversees 30 service units that spread from the panhandle to Midland/Odessa, to Kermit and over to Wichita Falls. It is an 80-county region, so she does travel. But her heart is here. Her passion for serving Pampa is evident in her face and tone as she describes what she wants to do. She truly cares about this community and wants to rebuild trust in the Salvation Army here. www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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The Salvation Army has recently secured a new office at 801 N. Sumner, in the same location as Pampa United Way. Summer camp is coming up right away and Shelby reports that there are 21 campers from Pampa that will meet up at Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian for a fun week of activities. Overall, there will be over 120 campers in attendance. Since there has been no camp since 2019, excitement abounds. This camp is one of two that has a fully functioning equine system. There will be much to do at camp that week: sports, rock climbing, fishing, putt-putt golf, archery, equine science, and more. Each unit must send a chaperone with their campers. Each chaperone undergoes a background check and receives Safe from Harm training which helps them detect sexual assault in children and vulnerable adults. Both are required each time a chaperone attends camp. Some chaperones have attended camp for thirty years! The campground at Midlothian is over 1200 acres. While the camp uses about 400, the other 800 is used for other things, including filming The Chosen. With the pandemic, bookings at the camp dropped to zero. The multi-year lease of the land helped bridge that fi-
nancial gap for the camp. The Chosen has completed a 30,000 square foot sound stage for filming and have built a historically accurate replica of the city of Capernaum. The landscape was perfect for the filming of this series. There will be other areas built to create scenes in Rome and other cities mentioned in the Bible. Over $16,000,000 will have been poured into this property by The Chosen. Eventually, the Salvation Army will own these sound stages and they can be used for income. When not filming, the facilities will be available for rent for other productions. Board members currently serving are Tommy Cox, chair, Amy Crain, Sandy Crosswhite (social service coordinator), Serenity Ford, Arrika Mitchell, Destiny Pack, Lois Parks, Bill Roy, Dora Ryan, and Nicole Sturgill (secretary). The Salvation Army is a United Way recipient.
vation Army here. Although not a permanent solution, they provide a patch to get people through rough areas in life. They help as many as they can. Shelby grew up watching her grandmother, Janie Shed’s involvement in the community. Janie was a Realtor in Pampa. She was a woman with a bold personality whom Shelby says was a force. She was a doer. She was involved in the community and wanted to make a difference. This apple may not have fallen far from that tree. Shelby Huff
On July 13, there will be a grand reopening at their new location at 801 N. Sumner. Watch for coming projects – growing the Emergency Disaster Services that support first responders in the event of disasters, financial assistance geared to provide help with prescriptions, utilities, food, rent, and possibly, transportation. These resources have not previously been offered by the Sal-
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I look in the mirror and what do I see? A face so familiar staring back at me. Yet, on closer inspection, l find to my surprise, A time-worn face of life meets my eyes. A chin of granite showing pride, Daring others to step on my bad-side. I see the lip, bitten and worn. The place where envy was born. Then the cheeks, well rounded and fed, One can tell that’s where gluttony made its bed. A Roman nose for beauty is a must, But this one's full of selfishness and distrust. The upper lip pushed out from inside, Trying to hide the lies and gossip inside. If looks could “kill” these eyes do double duty, One full of murder, the other with lust for beauty.
Bruce Ferris’ poem, based on James 1:23-25, offers us a great reminder God’s grace. If you know Bruce and see him, let him know you saw his poem in Focus Magazine! "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and, at once, forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." -James 1:23-25
The eyebrows and forehead (which we see more of late,) Wrinkled and furrowed, all because of hate. Hair of gray and wearing thin, Not signs of age, but greed and worry setting in. I see this face that time and Satan has given me, And I thank GOD that Jesus said that grace was free. By Bruce Ferris Pampa, Texas www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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“ I did it!
Come on! ” Let's go! Surviving a Diamondback Rattlesnake Bite! by Kerri Forester
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
In 1958, my Papaw, Milo Carlson, heard about an opportunity that intrigued him. As a Pampa businessman, he saw opportunities come along on a regular basis, but this one was unique… and had nothing to do with gas pipelines or compression stations. It appealed to him as an outdoorsman and nature-lover, but mostly as a father to four young boys. I’m sure he anticipated the level of difficulty and the challenges it would hold, but he must have envisioned it becoming a source of great enjoyment for his family, for years to come. So, he seized the moment and purchased the right to anchor and secure a floating structure to the shoreline of Lake Conchas… about 32 miles northwest of Tucumcari, New Mexico. This would be quite an undertaking, so Papaw shared the vision of this floating house, and spearheaded a team to design and build a structure, with form and function, that would stand the test of time! And, with all hands on deck, Papaw and his sons, Jerry, John, Jack, and Gene, completed, transported, and launched the roughly 18’x30’ floating house and tethered it to the rocky waters edge, inside a quiet cove called “Boot Canyon.” And… the rest is history! My Papaw successfully established a lineage of lake-life lovers! He could never have dreamed how much the Boathouse would mean to our family. Lake Conchas was the setting of some of my earliest and fondest memories. That little floating house was home base for everything under the sun... fishing, swimming, skiing, tubing, wake-boarding, jet skiing, sunbathing, napping, reading, cooking, and the list goes on and on… and on! And, when the sun went down and we lit the lanterns, we filled our evenings with fun and games, and filled the starry sky with laughter! Through the years, the Boathouse changed very little… a time
www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
Previous: Last minute preparations for Kerri’s ride to Northwest in Amarillo. Above: The Boathouse was the perfect getaway to spend time with friends and family. Below: Kerri, with the Boathouse in the background... and modeling "Boathouse Hair!"
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capsule of sorts. Four generations share very similar Boathouse memories, as we passed down the traditions and the joys that were set afloat so many years ago. The Boathouse was usually filled to capacity, and then some. But, early June of 2018, Robert and I found ourselves there for a quiet weekend getaway… alone. The Boathouse truly was an escape! Our cell phones didn’t have reception for a 32 mile radius. Arriving after dark, we navigated our way across the lake, unloaded our things into the boathouse, and went to bed. The next morning, Friday, June 8, 2018, we “opened" the boathouse and settled in for a long weekend. We cooked breakfast, making extra bacon for lunch BLT sandwiches. I only had one thing on my agenda. I wanted to collect some small drift wood pieces to be used for a little project. So, those BLT’s went into a cooler along with our boathouse favorites… peanuts and pistachios, crunchy Cheetos, Sun Chips, and always, always, homemade Rice Krispie Treats.
them as a natural stairway, for about 10 or 15 minutes, taking turns reminding each other to watch out for snakes. Fairly quickly, I had worked myself upwards and into a tricky spot. But, I figured that, with a couple of deliberate steps, I would land on a large flat rock, where I could pause and plan my next move. I stepped off. But, just as I did, I felt a little sting on the outside of my right foot, just below my ankle. While in motion, I thought it felt like a brush with bull nettle. I landed the maneuver as planned. But, instantly, I felt a sharp sting on the top of my right foot. When I looked down, I saw the head and about 10 inches of a very large snake, slowly pulling back under a rock. No rattle. No warning. Just that STING! As bizarre as it may sound, I recall watching him, entranced, until he completely disappeared back under the rock. Then, I found myself in motion. No planned out steps. No caution. No hesitation. As I bounded down the rocks, my mind began to race! Of all the things I have
We headed out of Boot Canyon without a care in the world. The lake was beautiful, the water was as smooth as glass. And, as we passed by the boat ramp, we commented that the lake belonged to us! The giant parking lot was usually overflowing with empty trailers, and the lake was usually filled with boats, jet skis, and fishermen! But this day, our truck was the only vehicle in the lot. What an exhilarating feeling! We cruised our way as far up the lake as possible, about 6 miles up the Canadian River. I pointed towards a little cove that looked like a nice place to explore. We dropped our anchor 25 or 30 yards from the rocky shoreline, I slid my flip flops onto my arm like bracelets, and we swam to shore. Since the water level was low, the rocks inside that cove would surely hold lots of little driftwood treasures!
ever seen, read, or heard on this topic, it was apparent that everything I needed to know about snakes, I learned as I taught third grade! From a simple unit about Texas, I knew that the snake I had seen was, unmistakably, a Diamondback Rattlesnake, with its large, triangular-shaped head and notable diamond pattern along its back. While it was helpful to recall the pictures and the list of identifying features, it was daunting to remember the vocabulary word, written in bold, and followed by its definition… VENOMOUS, deadly to its prey. Reaching the shoreline, I shouted, “I did it! I did it!… Come on!” As I jumped in and began to swim to the boat, I heard Robert yell, “Did what?” I came up for a breath and answered, “I got bit!” I went under again, and came up saying, “… by a Rattlesnake!” Those words were so Below: Although this is a stock photo, not the actual snake, this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is pictured hiding under a rock like one that bit the author. (AdobeStock)
Robert and I had been combing the shoreline of giant stacked rocks, using
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hard for me to say, because my bite suddenly became OUR bite. We climbed into the boat and paused for a quick look at my foot. Then, Robert pulled up the anchor and headed, full-throttle, towards the Boathouse. It was impossible to talk over the sound of the motors, so each of us, in silence, began to work through the logistics of the situation. The 10-12 minute ride back to the Boathouse gave each of us plenty of time to work out the easy parts: Who: Me What: I needed life-saving medical intervention. When: As soon as possible. Why: Because I was bitten by a Rattle snake. Where: IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! But then came… HOW? We had all of the “important” stuff with us, like lunch, beach towels, sunscreen, etc, and had left the “unnecessary” things back at the Boathouse… like my purse, that held our drivers licenses
and insurance cards, along with our cell phones and keys. But, with the glaring fact that our cell phones had no reception, the truck keys seemed to hold the only plan. We would need to drive 35 miles to the nearest ER. Then, the questions began… How quickly could we get our things and secure the Boathouse? Could I walk? Would I be able to help Robert? If not, how long would it take him to do all that needed to be done, alone? And… would that be fast enough? These were questions that needed answers quickly… because time wasn’t on our side. So, with an unexplainable sense of peace, my mind was focused on making my way to help. We sped past the boat ramp and past our lonely truck. But, as we turned into Boot Canyon, we were shocked to see a fisherman in a small boat, right in front of the Boathouse. We drove up beside his boat and asked if he had a cell phone. He immediately called 911. After relaying some information over the phone, the fisherman hung up. To our great surprise, he said that an ambu-
The Texas Panhandle Poison Center encourages people who have been bitten by a snake to take the first aid steps listed below and call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
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The poison center can direct you to an appropriate hospital and then call ahead to the hospital to offer information to the emergency department, so that they can prepare for the arrival of a snakebite patient if needed. Save the number to the poison center in your contacts on your cell phone, so that you have it when you need it. 1. Get away from the snake. There is no need to catch the snake. If it can be done quickly and safely, a picture may be taken of the snake to show at the hospital. 2. Remove anything that goes around the bitten extremity such as watch, ring, bracelet, sock, shoe. 3. Keep the bitten arm or leg at the level of the heart, not below. 4. Importantly, do not “cut and suck”, use a tourniquet, or do any other intervention. Many of the interventions pushed on the internet and through social media are both ineffective and dangerous. Dr. Thomas Martin, Medical Director at the Texas Panhandle Poison Center at TTUHSC-Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, said these basic first aid steps are the way to go. “Take off anything that is restricting circulation and keep the bitten arm or leg level with the heart. Call the poison center on your way to the hospital. That’s it. Don’t do any of the other things that you may have seen in a movie or read on the internet.” www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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Above: Taken on a later trip to Lake Conchas, NM, these are the actual rocks where the snake encounter occurred! Facing Page Top Right: This section of road, between Tucumcari and Lake Conchas, demonstrates the remoteness of the lake. Facing Page Bottom Right: The flight nurse (in blue) makes notes in her phone as Kerri was prepped for the flight.
lance would be at the boat ramp in about 20 minutes. We asked how it could get to us that quickly, and he explained that he lived in a small community at the other end of the lake, and that a privately-owned ambulance was part of their emergency response system. This was just one of many, many times that God would remind us of His presence and His provision. We went straight to the boat ramp, tied up to the dock, and waited on the ambulance. This is when I first realized that I couldn’t stand and walk. I would need to be carried off of the dock, up a narrow catwalk, and then on up a gravel path to where the ambulance would park. As I was taking this in, a family showed up for a day at the lake. They launched their boat about the same time that the ambulance arrived. The ambulance driver was a very nice older gentleman, so Robert quickly recruited help from the newcomers, and together, they carried me up to the ambulance. They sat me down on a stretcher, Robert kissed me goodbye, and they shut the ambulance doors. This is when I first met the two volunteer ambulance attendants. They were similar in age… and very grandmotherly. I don’t remember their names, but, with the utmost appreciation and respect, I will call the "clerical" one, Myrtle, and the one responsible for patient observation and assessment, Ethyl. As we began our journey to the hospital, Ethyl covered me with a blanket and slipped an oximeter onto my finger, which was the only medical device that I saw. Myrtle assumed the role of taking down some information from me. Equipped with a pen and a spiral notebook, Myrtle asked for my name, then asked me again, then asked me to spell it… twice! When she finally repeated it back to me correctly, Ethyl, in a loud voice, said “I thought you got new hearing aids!” Myrtle replied, “I did, but I just didn’t want to wear them today!” As we sped towards Tucumcari, I nervous-chatted with them for a while, trying to keep my thoughts from drifting towards the possibility of loosing my foot, or my leg, or worse. My mind was shifting into overdrive, and so was my pain! So, little did they know, Ethyl and Myrtle were just what I needed! They were the most wonderful distraction! Somewhere near the middle of our journey, Myrtle said, “Hey Ethyl, how’s her O2?” She still had her spiral open and her pen in hand… I think she felt like she needed to make some notations! Ethyl leaned over and looked at the oximeter on my finger. She said, “Well, it says 95, so I guess that’s pretty good… But, look at her lips!” Myrtle said, “What’s wrong with them?” Then, she leaned over to take a look for herself, possibly doing research for her next journal entry. I interrupted their conversation and said, “What’s IS wrong with my lips? Ethyl replied, “The color of your lips… they 20
FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
are white!” I said, “Really?” And, from somewhere, Ethyl produced a small, compact mirror, maybe from her purse, for me to see the color of my lips, for myself! And she was right… they were white! I confirmed Ethyl’s observations as well as factchecked for Myrtle’s documentation! For a minute or two, I pondered why my lips were white. Possible, good air-conditioning… potential, wet bathing suit under my cover-up… probable, signs of shock… but, most likely, all of the above! When there was a lull in our conversation, that’s when Ethyl would chime in. Like me, Ethyl didn’t seem to like silence. A few minutes before we got to the hospital, Ethyl said, “Humm, Rattlesnake?? I have lived here all my life, and I’ve only known of one person to get bit by a Rattlesnake…” Myrtle nodded, said a man’s name, and shook her head in agreement. Well, of course I had to know more! I said, “Oh really? How did he do?” And, without missing a beat, Ethyl said, “Oh… he didn’t make it!” Myrtle, again, shook her head in agreement. While they continued in conversation about his tragic death, thoughts of my situation were somehow softened by Ethyl and Myrtle's honest and uncensored reflections. Even then, I knew, without a doubt, that this wonderful comic relief would be one of the greatest parts of my snakebite story! I arrived at Dan Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari, New Mexico, at 1:35 pm, more than two hours after being bitten. The doctor and nurses were moving quickly and deliberately, and the atmosphere was very serious. While the doctor assessed my foot, the nurses took basic health information, started IVs in both arms, and began administering pain medicines. The doctor used a pen to circle five punctures on the top of my foot and two below my ankle. The snake struck three times, and my flip flop must have interfered with one of them. And, about that sting below my ankle, the one that felt like bull nettle… the doctor said it was actually another strike, from a small snake! He drew a line on my leg to plot the progression of swelling and he documented the time, 13:49. The doctor came back a few minutes later and told me that lab work confirmed the onset and progression of a serious reaction to the snake venom, and they were starting an anti-venom treatment. He said that I would need several doses of this particular medicine. I asked him what the medicine actually did, and he said that it counteracts the effects of the snake venom. Needing more information, I rephrased my question and asked, “What, exactly, is the snake venom doing to my body?” And he said, “The venom is coagulating your blood.” That was all the information I needed. He went on to say that their hospital keeps one dose of anti-venom on hand, to be used while awaiting transport to a hospital with a critical care/ trauma unit. This is when he told me that they had arranged for medical transport to Amarillo, where I had already been accepted by the emergency department at Northwest Texas Hospital. I immediately told the doctor that my husband would be at the ER very soon, and he could likely get me to the hospital faster than an ambulance could. Then, the doctor explained that he had actually called for a LIFESTAR AIR ambulance transport just minutes after I arrived at the hospital. Then, he put his hand on my shoulder and said something I will never forget. He said, “… and I am glad the helicopter is almost here, because, Mrs. Forester, nothing else would be fast enough.” With these words, I began to cry. Yes, I was in pain, but my mind was focusing on other things. I was thinking about Robert, making his way to me, alone. How concerned he must be! I was thinking that he would soon regain cell phone reception and would have the first opportunity, and obligation, to call our three daughters, and our family, to tell them what was happening. We are great at sharing and celebrating together. And, we are equally wonderful at supporting www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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each other and walking through tough times together. I felt such guilt over the concern that this news would bring. But, I felt such peace knowing that, at the same time, people would be praying for me. So, I thanked God for how He was meeting my needs, and decided to focus my prayers on those who would be caring for me, making decisions on my behalf, and standing by my side. Minutes after the helicopter landed, Robert arrived at the hospital with my purse and a few of my things, just in time to see me off. We would later learn that, when the request was made for an air ambulance to be dispatched to Tucumcari, NM, the team that could get to me the fastest was actually the team from Pampa! With them, they brought a very special cocktail that had been hand-crafted just for me. This mixture of pain medicines would guarantee me, and the crew, an uneventful helicopter ride. And, since my right foot would be just inches from the pilot’s left shoulder, the need was obvious! At one point during the flight, I began to feel a little anxious and made a motion to the nurse. The next thing I knew, we had landed! That cocktail meant business! I was very groggy, but, as they rolled me towards the hospital entrance, the first thing I recall hearing was my youngest daughter, Katie Beth, assuring me that she was there… and the ringing of my mother’s cell phone! I mean, who else has “The Entertainer” as a ring tone?? Robert had indeed made a few calls and it was no surprise that my family was there… waiting on me! Mom later told me that, as they were taking me out of the helicopter, Katie Beth leaned over and whispered, “Please, oh, please don’t let her face be covered up!” From the time I entered the Northwest Texas Hospital emergency room, and throughout most of my 9-days in critical care, my recollections are very hazy. While the rattlesnake venom was attacking my body with a vengeance, doctors were waging a counter attack using antibiotics, pain medicines, and Anti-venom, CRO-FAB. The Poison Control Center is the consulting gatekeeper for the supply and distribution of CRO-FAB. They required ongoing bloodwork to be done every 6 hours, and they called for the lab results, like clockwork! The results from these blood draws would indicate that, either CRO-FAB had successfully stopped the adverse effects of the venom, or that more CRO-FAB would be needed to gain control. Conservative research shows that more than 75% of all patients successfully achieve control with 8-12 vials of CRO-FAB, with most reporting more than 80%. Because of the time it took to reach medical attention, as well as the number of bites, I would end up needing 39 vials of CRO-FAB to stop the adverse effects of the venom. My hospital stay was nine days long, but my recovery took months and months longer. During this time, I received the excellence and expertise of many doctors, nurses, and specialists. But, I didn’t go through it alone! Robert and my children, my parents, my family, my friends… they rallied to my side. And, the many encouraging texts, emails, phone calls, and messages were the best kinds of medicine! Life is full of experiences. We go through them and we learn from them. I learned so much through my snakebite story, but I had an experience with peace. The peace that was with me from the moment I felt "THAT STING", was the same peace that I have known since placing my faith in God, many years ago. I have learned that life will have its stings. And, while following God doesn't prevent me from life's stings, but it prepares me for them, propels me through them, and gives purpose to them! Below: Kerri’s foot showing obvious signs of trauma, shortly after arriving at Dan Trigg Memorial Hospital. The doctor marked the foot to document the progression of the swelling.
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
Did someone say RATTLESNAKE?? Again?? YES! Two years after my snakebite, we were visiting Lake Conchas with our oldest daughter, Emily, son-in-law, Carl, and our 14 month old grandson, Graham. We all went up to visit my family’s new lake house, the Roadrunner Roost, located in that little community with the ambulance that helped in saving my life! The guys were visiting outside, and Graham toddled a few steps away from the group. When his daddy stepped over to get him, Graham was standing still, pointing at something… a RATTLESNAKE, three to four feet away, at the edge of a woodpile!! Carl scooped Graham up, and then sounded the alarm, “Graham found a rattlesnake!” At first, no one reacted, because (of course) rattlesnakes are now a common topic at the lake. But, when Carl repeated it, everyone took notice. With all hands on deck, they immediately set out to find and evict the Rattlesnake from the woodpile!! Needless to say, we were shaken to the core, knowing how terrible that discovery could have been! We thank God for protecting Graham that day! ~Kerri
Pictures show Graham’s Dad, Carl Coulter holding the 52 inch long dispatched rattler, Great Uncle, Kevin Carlson and Great Grand-Father, John Carlson tacking the snake skin for drying. Graham and his Pops checking out the snake skin. The finished trophy, in the bottom photo, hangs in Roadrunner Roost as a reminder for all to watch out for snakes!
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NOPE ROPE by Kerri Forester
Now, let's talk about a NOPE ROPE… Please listen carefully! One of these can turn a good day bad, I’m sure you would agree! People see them all curled up, or stretched out like a stick, but Everyone should know that their bite can make you very, very sick! Run if you see a stick that moves, or makes a rattle sound. Oh, it might just be a NOPE ROPE that's moving on the ground! Play it safe as you explore your world and everything that's in it! Enjoy new discoveries with each new day! Don’t waste a single minute!
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
SCRIBNERS Scramble for the Win! If
you’ve been to a rodeo, ever in your life, you’ve most likely seen a calf scramble, where lots of little calves with ribbons on their tails, are turned loose... and a multitude of kiddos chase after them in hopes of garnering a ribbon. Now, raise the ages of those kiddos to pre-teens and teenagers, and increase the size of the calves... now, that's a calf Scramble !
$
By Brenda Scott Tucker
Siblings, Hudson and Hope Scribner pause after the San Antonio scramble where they competed for money to go towards the purchase of show animals. www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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Pampa's very own Hudson Scribner makes a dive towards a calf in the Houston Livestock Super Scramble! Scramble," a new event at the 2022 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. There were up to $42,000 in cash prizes available in this event. The "Super Scramble" was held the last night of the rodeo during the finals. The 19 “First Catch” scramblers from each of the 19 prior performances were eligible to participate. Nine calves were to be chased. First catch would get $10,000. Second would get $6,000. Third, $4,000. All remaining catchers would get $2,000. Even those who didn’t catch didn’t leave empty handed; they would get $1,000. The cash prizes are not actually awarded until the following year when the student brings their heifer or steer to show. If other requirements are met throughout the year, the student could receive a $500 bonus. At rodeos across Texas, contestants submit applications to participate in the calf scramble. But, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, they apply early because early applications get preference and, once the spots are filled, hopefuls must wait to see if a spot opens for them. This is part of the life of stock show families. They have to plan ahead. The heart of the Calf Scramble is to help 4H and FFA youth gain experience in the livestock industry. Over the course of 23 rodeo performances, 230 youth will catch calves and will be awarded certificates toward the purchase of a steer or heifer to prepare for their next year’s exhibition. Kids growing up in 4H programs show pigs, goats, steers and heifers. And in the process, they learn disciplines of feeding, exercising, record keeping, and caring for their animals. Hudson and Hope Scribner, brother and sister, and children of Garrett and Carisa Scribner, are well schooled in showing livestock. Hudson will be a senior at Pampa High School, and Hope will be a freshman. They have 28
shown animals since they were third graders. And, they have participated in the Calf Scrambles in multiple rodeos this year. In 2022, they scrambled in Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston. 4H and FFA members are eligible to participate in this chaotic event. In Fort Worth, both Scribners caught a calf and got $500 certificates. Those certificates are for heifers. Competitors might be eligible for scholarships based on the quality and content of the monthly reports they must submit, their care of their animal, and their final essay about the experience. Between $3000 and $16000 in scholarships are awarded! There is a lot involved in the process. With wins under their belts, they were on to San Antonio, where Hudson caught a calf in the scramble good for a $1200 certificate for any breeding (female) animal. In Houston, both Hope and Hudson competed. Hudson caught the first calf, garnering a $1700 certificate which can go toward a steer or a heifer. Besides winning a ‘first catch’ buckle, he also won a spot in the first ever "Super
Those certificates can be combined to purchase one animal, depending on the requirements. With the cost of a heifer ranging from $2500 to over $30,000, certificates are a big help. Calves are purchased between March and May. The first show in the area is in May in Amarillo sponsored by WTAMU followed by others all through the summer and fall. The county shows take place in January and the major livestock shows/rodeo begin in February. Besides the obvious expense, the hours spent in the care of the animal are to be considered. Hudson estimates he spends at least 20 hours a week with his animals. That’s on top of school and football. Besides caring for her livestock, Hope participates in volleyball, softball, and track. Life is busy for these young people. Livestock sales are held at each major stock show for those who qualify. Hudson shared that one of his favorite shows is the Fort Worth Livestock Show, also known as the “Super Bowl.” The top 10 of each class make the sale, and the seller keeps all the money. Each class has about 30-80 particiFOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
Hudson, with his parents Garrett and Carisa, and sister Hope, pose for a photo with the $1,000 "Super Scramble" certificate, won at the Houston Livestock Show. of families who participate in rodeos and stock shows and travel together. Once there, they meet up with some of the same people they’ve encountered at other venues.
pants. Last year, the Grand Champion Steer brought $300,000! The 10th place steer brought $24,000. Shows have different ways of awarding the prize monies. Sometimes the student does not receive the full amount, and a portion goes back into his community. Hudson did have the champion light weight shorthorn in San Antonio in 2022 and also placed a steer there in 2021. All of this may sound like an almost full-time obsession for the kids and their parents who cart them and their animals around Texas. But it is more of an education on another lev-
el. Students learn so much more than feeding and brushing animals. They learn that the responsibility of that animal is theirs – all parts involved. During stock show season, the family may spend 3-4 weeks on the road in hotels, so they have plenty of quality family time. But because of that span of absence from school, they must keep up their work. Both Scribners are straight-A students. They make time and financial sacrifices to participate, but they are rewarded with discipline and a strong work ethic. And if they’re lucky, they are also rewarded financially. The Scribners are not alone; in fact, there is a community
Carisa shared a story of a young man in Houston who won the $10,000 in that Super Scramble. His FFA teacher got him involved in raising a pig in hopes of helping his future. After competing in the calf scramble and winning the Super Scramble, he now has $10,000 at his fingertips, once he brings back his steer next year. Because it is costly to maintain a show animal, and seeing the financial need, his teacher helped him get sponsors to purchase his steer and provide the feed. He is from a single parent home ant it takes a lot to maintain a show animal. He’s on his way to a brighter future, thanks to a teacher who cared enough to get involved. When asked what his favorite part of the Calf Scramble is, Hudson said, “the people”. Not the money, not being out of school, but the people. There are sponsors for each of the calves who are in the scramble, and those sponsors interact with the students who caught “their” calf. Hudson has met
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some great people and made connections that may pay off down the road. Following graduation, he plans to go to WTAMU to study mechanical engineering. His most recent sponsor is an engineer who plans to come watch him show throughout his senior year. These relationships are forming open doors. Hope is thinking she may study optometry or radiology. But the Calf Scramble just might redirect her life choices, as it has others. Whatever their futures, 4H, rodeos, calf scrambles, stock shows, raising animals, and meeting people who support those efforts will pay off time and again.
Above: Garrett Scribner holding Hudson’s Blue Ribbon at the San Antonio Jr. Livestock Show. Left: Hope "showin’ em how it’s done" in San Antonio. Photo Courtesy Cowboy Channel
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Dove Creek Equine Rescue Launches “When in Drought” Emergency Campaign
Dove Creek Equine Rescue announces the launch of the “When in Drought” campaign to raise emergency funds to help cover hay and feed costs due to severe drought conditions on the Ranch. According to the 2022 U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of the Texas Panhandle and West Texas are experiencing “exceptional drought,” due to shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells and exceptional and widespread crop and pasture losses. Unfortunately for the Rescue’s herd of thirty horses, decreased rainfall means less grass to graze in pastures in the warmer months. Dove Creek Executive Director, Laurie Higgins-Kerley, explained, “With less pasture to graze we are experiencing higher feed and hay costs this year. Limited hay sources and higher prices have forced us to come up with alternate ways of feeding.” As a solution, the nonprofit organization has launched the “When in Drought” campaign. The emergency campaign goal is to raise $20,000 in 10 weeks to make up for the increase in the cost of hay this summer and will run from June 8th through August 17th.
Dove Creek Equine Rescue was founded by Higgins-Kerley in 2012 and has rescued more than 230 unwanted and neglected animals over the past 10 years. The mission of the nonprofit is to restore the dignity, purpose, and wholeness of unwanted horses who need a second chance in life and humans who need healing and direction by providing compassionate care, connection, and education. To donate to the “When in Drought” emergency campaign, visit www.dovecreekequinerescue.org and click on the DONATE button.
Higgins-Kerley elaborated on the unprecedented crisis that the organization is facing, “During the Rescue’s ten-year history, the horses have been able to graze on the rich pasture on the ranch from April through October, which is why we have been able to operate on reduced hay costs during those months. Our herd of rescued horses have 500 acres to graze, but with no rain, that goes away. This is the first year that I can remember that they cannot graze and receive nutrition because of the lack of rain.” Ali McEwen, Director of Rescue Operations and Volunteer Coordinator, detailed the impact on the organization, “In order to maintain a healthy diet for the herd, we have had to purchase hay the entire month of May and were forced to purchase enough to see us through June as well. This is an added $9,700 cost to our feeding budget, a 73% increase! We are inviting interested supporters to consider a gift of $26 or more to help us feed the herd throughout the summer. A $26 donation will purchase two square bales, enough to feed 4 horses for one day. A gift of $135 will purchase a 1,000-pound round bale, which feeds our entire herd of thirty for two days.” 32
FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
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Pampa High School
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Class of 2022
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The Stars at Night Are Big and Bright! Story by Robert Forester • Photos by Tres Morris
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
Have you ever been to a remote location at night, where it seems that the stars just “jump out” at you? A place where the stars look much brighter? It’s a lot of fun to take a moment to stare at the stars, to test your memory on the lessons you were taught in 5th or 6th grade about the solar system! I enjoy looking up at night to find the Big Dipper, then using it to find Ursa Major (The Bear) and then the North Star. It’s usually easy to spot the band of stars that make up the Milky Way. This is about where my expertise ends and my attention to stargazing starts to wane. Tres Morris, is a local thirty something, work from home Senior Review Analyst for a residential solar company and Pampa resident. He is taking staring at the night sky to a level higher than most, and he has some amazing images to show for it! Stating that Tres “enjoys astrophotography as a hobby,” is a major understatement. He carefully plans his nights out to shoot photos and spends hours and hours experimenting with f/stops and exposure times... and searching for the perfect spot where “light pollution” is not an issue. Light pollution is the ambient light that glows from towns and cities and hinders viewing or taking photos of the night sky. “It makes me sad that in this day and age of light pollution that more young people cannot experience this kind of thing.” Tres stated, referring to light pollution hindering star gazing. One would think that it would be pretty easy to find a dark spot in the Texas
Panhandle, but according to Tres, it’s not that easy. It is becoming increasingly difficult to see just how big and bright the stars really are at night... even deep in the heart of Texas! It’s hard to believe that Tres has only been taking these long exposure photos for six or seven months. Although he has had a love for star gazing from a young age, he is a self proclaimed “astrophotography rookie.” “I have always been fascinated with the universe we live in. Much more so in the last ten years or so. My first real experience happened when my brother and I were young, I was about ten years old. Our family had a cabin on Eagle Nest Lake in New Mexico and we would lay out underneath the milky way late at night, looking up and talking about what we were seeing. I’m sure we were always quite amazed at what we were looking at but at the time did not quite fully comprehend the grand scale of the world we live in.” Tres explained. Tres added that since moving back to Pampa, he has had more time to pursue his creative passions which include all types of art, photography, painting, drawing and upcycling. “I would not be able to have as many opportunities to shoot astro if I still lived in Denver, I would have to travel further to find dark skies. I like to find new dark sky spots around the panhandle and spend time at state parks like Caprock Canyons and Copper Breaks.” Tres added. Tres uses a Sony A7R III digital camera to take his photos. This Sony is a mirror-less camera. This feature allows the camera to take long exposures without draining the battery, and for obvious reasons this is great. This model also allows Tres to program long exposure times on the camera. He also uses several apps on his
Previous: Tres "self portrait" titled, "Chasing Dark Skies." Top: "Venus Chasing the Sunset" Bottom: "Window to Jupiter" www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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“ ”
I’ve always followed astrophotography but finally have more time to pursue it. I am learning a lot everyday and building my gear as I go. I also like to shoot all types of photography, landscapes, portraits, street and music festivals.
iPhone to help him locate spots that are absent from light pollution, figure exposure times and identify stars and constellations. These tools allow Tres to concentrate on creativity with his composition and other aspects of the shot. During our visit with Tres, he shared that he was waiting on a new tripod mount that would allow him to track movement of the stars. So, like many other hobbies, the “toys” can add up! “I plan to expand my landscape astrophotography gear over the next year and will also be getting into deep sky astrophotography, which will include a dedicated astro camera, telescope and tracking mount. With this set up I will be able to take pictures of distant galaxies, star clusters, nebula, etc. Right from my backyard in Pampa.” he added.
light pollution and how it affects things other than looking at the night sky, and astrophotography. “I will be looking to secure funding, locations and donations over the next year or two,” Tres said. His plan is to host star parties in some of the darker locations around the panhandle with telescopes set up for viewing, as well as to have workshops or classes to teach children and young people more about astronomy and the universe we live in. The sky is the limit for Tres, his passions, his plans, and the potential that they hold! Focus Magazine would like to thank Tres for sharing his photos with us. At press time, Tres was jetting off to Colorado to shoot astrophotos for a dark sky music festival. Tres, remember... when you are out there wondering around in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, taking photos... watch out for rattle snakes! Follow Tres on Facebook or Instagram @moonlegsphotography.
Not long ago, Kerri and I met with Tres at a local coffee shop. The thing that impressed us the most about Tres was his passion for astrophotography and his desire to continue growing and learning his craft. He was truly excited to tell us about each photo... where he was, how he found the perfect foreground for the photo, and who he met on the remote trail at 3:00 a.m. He talked of filters he used, techniques he has tried, and methods he looked forward to exploring. And, he was most excited at the prospect of being able to spend an extended amount of time sharing his passion of photography and love of nature with his young daughter this summer! The idea of sharing his love of the night sky with others is big, and carries over to a dream of eventually starting an organization for kids around the Texas Panhandle. He wants to teach others about science, astronomy, telescopes, 38
FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
Previous Page Top: Core rises over Caprock Canyon, Previous Bottom: Tres captured a chance meeting of a couple hiking at 3:00 am with this photo he calls "Infinite Love!" Right: Andromeda Galaxy, 2.5 million light years away. Middle Left: Galaxy Sunrise, Caprock Canyon State Park. Bottom Left: Orion Astor Selfie. Middle Right: Tres' collection of phone apps that he uses. Bottom Right: Deep Sky Astrophotography Telescope Next Page: Rho Ophiuchi and Core of the Milky Way over Northeast Texas Panhandle
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The Pampa Chamber of Commerce
Yellow Rose Gala 2022 Awards Banquet Story by Brenda Scott Tucker Photos by Della Moyer
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
W
alking into the ballroom of the M K Brown Auditorium for the Chamber Banquet was an experience in elegance, conformity, and beauty. In keeping with the Yellow Rose Gala theme, tables had black tablecloths with beautiful centerpieces of yellow roses and decorations of gold. Tall bouquets of long stem yellow roses encircled the room on pedestals, giving a sense of celebration. B & G Floral did an outstanding job with those flowers! And across the back wall was a black backdrop with more bouquets as well as a stunning display of shrimp cocktail, cheeses and crackers, and other delectable bites. There was champagne for those who wanted it. In the corner sat the Alma quartet playing beautiful music from the likes of Frank Sinatra. It was truly a feeling of having gone somewhere beyond Pampa. The Chamber Banquet returned after a two-year break, with a different focus. Instead of having a guest speaker, the banquet was “Pampa centered.” It was a time of supporting each other and applauding those who were recognized as Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Student of the Year. It was a chance to talk about the good in Pampa. Doing away with a costly speaker, the committee was able to provide a more cohesive setting with a refined vibe. Even the advertising suggested a “dress-up” affair. It was an event. Following the welcome by past Chairman, Cade Taylor and invocation by Charles Henry, the meal was served by members of Pampa High School National Honor Society. The catering by Desperado’s was on point. Salads came out in little martini glasses, lending an air of elegance to the meal. There were two entrees: baked chicken and beef medallions, plus scalloped potatoes, green beans, and rolls. To top it all off, cheesecake. But the real reason for attending was not the food; there were recognitions to be given and celebrations to be shared.
Cortnie Patterson, Executive Director of the Chamber, thanked all who worked to bring the banquet to life. She gave the State of the Chamber address, followed by recognition of Cade Taylor as past chairman and Tyson Paronto as incoming chair. ReDonn Woods presented the Top O’Texas Golden Shoe Award to Roy Morriss for his dedication and commitment to the Chamber of Commerce and the Gold Coats. www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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Then, Youth/Student of the Year, introduced by Clay Jones, was Lexi Maul. Lexi is a senior at Pampa High School, a track star, a star student, and a young lady with success in her future. Lexi is Vice President of the student body. She is number one in her class and will be attending WTAMU following graduation. Her teachers describe her as selfless, tenaciously driven and fiercely intelligent. Next up, Business of the Year, was introduced by Jason Bagwell. A video was to have played, but technical difficulties prevented that. It can be seen on the Chamber’s Facebook page, however. Jason introduced the business as one that is in a league of its own, a quiet business that makes a difference in people’s lives daily. They provide many services within the walls of their business: allergy testing, acupuncture, DOT physicals, drug testing, massage therapy, physical therapy, Stay Fit for Seniors, and chiropractic – their main area of service. With a heart for others, this business collects toys at Christmas, provides Thanksgiving Dinners through the donations of new patients, and supports P4P2P. Dr. Ford does mission work, is a member of The Gideons, and is an Air Force Veteran. The Business of the Year went to Live Well Chiropractic/New Life Wellness Center. Dr. Mark Ford and Dr. Sam Ford were there with some of their staff to receive this prestigious award. Finally, Kerrick Horton came forward to present the Citizen of the Year award. This resident of Pampa has touched many lives through the years via her membership in Rotary, Altrusa, the Chamber of Commerce, and First Baptist Church. She was valedictorian of her high school class. She has a servant’s heart, helping with Rotary’s bicycle awards, the Children’s Shopping Tour at Christmas, and Snack Pak for Kids. A piano teacher for many years, her students range in ages from very young to retired and beyond. She plays the organ at First Baptist Church, provides piano music at Chamber luncheons, Rotary Club and other events. Myrna Orr was recognized as Pampa Citizen of the Year. Besides these important awards, recognition was given to other businesses in a couple of new categories. For jumping right in as new residents and opening a new business, embracing the Harvester Spirit by supporting PHS athletics, and supporting numerous community organizations, the owners of Pampa Furniture Exchange, Rick and Sarah Clemens, were recognized as Official Pampans. 44
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For downtown beautification with their new locations, Pampa Sleep Store and Furniture, owned by Michael and Devni Anderson, was presented with the Golden Hammer Award by Tyson Paronto. It is given to a an individual or business and is based on renovating, beautifying and bringing new life to structures within our community. They recently overhauled the Capri theater for warehouse facilities and the former Woolworths location as their furniture store. They have drastically changed the look of downtown for the better. Congratulations to all of these who were recognized at The Yellow Rose Gala.
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Jerusalem!
Cornelison shares insights from a visit to this Holy City... its history, its people, its politics. Story and Photos
By F. Lee Cornelison
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T
oo much to imagine, and too much to comprehend…that is God, and that too is Jerusalem. Probably, if I travel more to Israel, and search out Jesus’ teachings and follow His footsteps I might become a bit more blasé, but honestly, that seems incomprehensible to me. I look at the very soil and wonder, “has this spot felt the weight of Jesus? Did He walk here? Did He sit in the shade of this fig tree? Our entry into Jerusalem was neither grand, nor announced. It was the Sabbath, Shabbat Shalom, the slowest, least congested day of the week. The only ones awaiting our arrival was the staff at Hotel, “Lady Stern” in near city center. Over centuries and millennials travelers have trekked there with open eyed expectancy. Expectancy that this place would be familiar, because, well, we’ve read about this city our whole lives. Maybe only a cursory memory, of a play at Easter or Christmas; maybe a song, but who hasn’t heard of Jerusalem? The area within the wall of the Holy City is a little more than a third of a square mile, contained within about 2.4 miles of wall. The area of modern Jerusalem, outside the wall is around 48 sq. miles. You might wonder how all the saints will fit into that city someday, the New Jerusalem: Well, according to biblical dimensions, new Jerusalem should be around 1500 miles on each side of a square cube, and I calculate that to be 3 1/3 billion cubic miles. Assuming my mansion will not require a cubic mile, I’m assuming there will be a bunch of saints, and plenty of room. Jerusalem today is strictly original, as though Jesus could be walking there today. And, within this very small space lives four distinct races of humanity: Jewish, Muslim, Catholic and Armenian, each claiming complete ownership, but none having freedom in the other’s quadrant. Upon investigation as to why such a divergence of opposing views can exist within the same neighborhood one will find that they all had the same grandpa, father Abraham.
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And just like much of today’s society, just because we’re related doesn’t mean we can all get along. In 1867 Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) wrote the book, “Innocents Abroad” in which he noted the ‘sorry state of affairs” of Jerusalem and the whole country, which was then called Palestine. In this very column I attempt to expose the good and bad sides of Jerusalem thru pictures: on one hand, the city is breathtaking and awe inspiring, then, around a turn are strewn trash heaps covering complete hillsides; then a barbed wire, electrified gate holding back unwanted hate and belligerence. In my search to describe what I conclude is indescribable, Jerusalem, I find this task is understandably difficult for every person who is in love with this city: this place called a harlot, and holy in the same scriptures. The
only acceptable linguistic explanation is, “you have to go there!” Nachmanides, a Jewish scholar and sophist wrote in 1267 that the situation in Jerusalem, and Israel “constitutes a good tiding, proclaiming that during all our exiles, our land will not accept our enemies... Since the time that we left it, [the land] has not accepted any nation or people, and they all try to settle it... This is a great proof and assurance to us.”
stretched His arms and He said to us, “Behold the earth in her green raiment, and see how the streams have hemmed the edges of her garments with silver. Another tour is planned for March, 2024. Call FBC Pampa if interested.
I believe Nachmanides was correct. Without the Jews, Israel will not flourish. But, since 1948, she has “bloomed!” The poet, Khalil Gibran, a poet and native of Lebanon wrote of Jesus the Prophet, “ And upon the afternoon of the third day we reached the summit of Mount Hermon, and there He stood looking down upon the cities of the plains. And His face shone like molten gold, and He out-
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
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CASA Derby Days 2022 CASA Derby Days is a night to dress up, come together, have fun, play BINGO, win some incredible prizes and most importantly, raise money for CASA of the High Plains. Our organization partners with children in
the child welfare system to advocate on their behalf. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of the High Plains covers 8 counties in the panhandle; Donley, Gray, Hansford, Hemphill, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Roberts, and Wheeler.
After a two year break, wild horses couldn't keep us away! We came together on May 7th at the Pampa Country Club, for the 3rd Annual CASA Derby Days. The evening started off with Derby inspired food made by one of our very own, and "Pick a Winner" (our version of horse betting). The proceeds f rom “Pick a Winner ” are split, half to CASA and half to a lucky winner. Then it was off to the races to watch the Kentucky Derby. The winning horse, Rich Strike, won in incredible fashion with 80-1 odds. The winner of “Pick a Winner ” walked away with $1600. With full bellies, we got our BINGO cards and markers ready. Designer handbags, a Trager Grill, Diamonds, a night on the town, and a few trips, were just some of the prizes that were donated by wonderful local businesses. Then, as if 8 rounds of BINGO weren’t enough, we had to have a little more fun! Who doesn’t want to see their f riends on blowup horses competing in our very own horse race? It was the highlight of the night! We are so very grateful that the communities we serve showed up and showed out. We not only met our goal, but exceeded it… by a lot. Thank you, to our board of directors and our staff, for all the hard work that went into planning and executing the event. We would also like to thank our incredible sponsors! Your gifts made this night possible and our children will benef it greatly f rom your generosity. We cannot wait for next year ’s event! Arrika Mitchell Volunteer Recruitment/Retention Coordinator CASA of the High Plains 50
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Last photo of C.P. Buckler in the White Deer Land Company building in 1957. 52
FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
In 1959 at a banquet with Brown singing and Buckler laughing. L to R: Dr. Walter Purviance, M.K. Brown & C.P. Buckler
The Name on the Street H
istory has a funny way of expressing itself, especially in small towns. In the Texas Panhandle, about 60 miles Northeast of Amarillo, buried in Gray County, lies the small town of Pampa. This small town is one in which history is buried deep but is shown on the surface. When driving around Pampa there are many streets with historic names. Some of the most popular being Hobart, Cuyler, Foster, Kingsmill, Faulk-
ner, and Mary Ellen. Of these streets, some are named after Gray County’s pioneer families, while others are named for the men of the White Deer Land Company, which handled 857,000 acres of the Texas Panhandle from 1881-1957. One street in particular, Buckler Avenue, spans from N. Rider to just past N. Frost and was named after Cecil Payne Buckler, one of the men of the White Deer Lands Company. This is his story.
Story by Anita Guillet,
Director of the White Deer Land Museum
and Chloe Vainrib
Photos courtesy of the White Deer Land Museum and the C. P. Buckler family. www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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Cecil Payne Buckler was born in Surry County England on June 20th, 1885. Buckler graduated from the Arundel House College at the age of 13 with a certificate in English Grammar, English History, French, Latin, Arithmetic, and drawing. Buckler left England with a job offer in Texas with the White Deer Lands Company in 1905. His first job as a cowboy was to take care of fencing, but that did not last long. Buckler had always been an avid note taker and developed the skill of shorthand. T.D. Hobart discovered this talent and promoted him to his assistant within a few months of starting his job. Proceeding his promotion, Buckler wrote many of the legal contracts and correspondence for the land company. His ranks were continuing to grow as in 1938, he became the sole manager of the White Deer Land Company, where he stayed until his retirement in 1957. During his lifetime he wrote 64 daily journal volumes and thousands of correspondences between friends and family around the world, but it was not until 1908 that his local family dynamic would begin to change. In 1908 he was introduced to Annie Thut the daughter of Henry Thut, who was one of the earliest residences of the area. The Thut family came from Switzerland and made their home by present day Lefors in 1885. After meeting and falling in love, Buckler and Thut were married May 2, 1909, and in 1910 started their family. They had three daughters: Margaret, Marjorie, and Anne. The Bucklers served on boards and participated in civic projects throughout their lives. The building of the Lovett Memorial Library and
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St. Matthew’s Episcopal church was important to them. Their marriage lasted till Annie’s death in December 1957. Buckler’s legacy continues with his family’s continued support of Pampa and the surrounding communities since his passing in 1967. Along with the accomplishments of their family as a unit, Buckler made several astonishing marks on Pampa himself. He served on the board of the Pampa Independent School district as well as was a charter member for Pampa Rotary. In addition to PISD and the Rotary, Buckler was a trustee for the Gray-Pampa Foundation and the M.K. Brown Foundation. He was also a supporter of the Square House Museum in Panhandle Texas as well as the Panhandle Plains Historical Society in Can-
Above: White Deer Lands Company office in 1908, at the corner of Atchison and Cuyler where the White Deer Land Museum's Red River War Wing currently stands. Bottom Left: C.P. Buckler in 1907 Below: Inside the land office in 1908. Left to Right- M.K. Brown standing, C.P. Buckler sitting with his typewriter, T.D. Hobart at his desk. Right Henry Thut’s home near Lefors, 1908, George Thut standing with hat, C.P. Buckler with pipe, M.K. Brown in wagon
FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
yon Texas. He served 3 times as Master at Pampa’s Masonic Lodge in which he was a member for 20 years. Buckler sat on the Selective Service Committee of the United States of America for 6 years in which he received Presidential appreciation. Buckler loved golf and helped build the first golf course in Pampa and later the Pampa Country Club. Other projects included St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, the Lovett Memorial Library, and the Nursing Home. The original Pampa High School, which was the Junior High before it was demolished, was funded by efforts of the city of Pampa and local citizens including support from Buckler. In addition, Buckler was also a Director of the First National Bank in Pampa and started the White Deer Club with other civic leaders that met to discuss the continued growth in Pampa. The life of C.P. Buckler was filled with remarkable dedication that allowed the town of Pampa to become what it is today. The civic duties and actions that Buckler exhibited throughout his life are prime examples of what it looks like to have a historic legacy, especially in such a small town. It can be said that the actions of C.P. Buckler paved the streets of Pampa, so it is only fair that such an icon be represented with the honor in which he is. Buckler Avenue was not only named after a man who lived and worked in Pampa, but after someone who helped build it from the ground up. The significance of the name Buckler should ring throughout Pampa. Remember the legacy of C.P. Buckler as you drive down Buckler Avenue!
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Top, L to R: Billy Reynolds, Mr. & Mrs. C.P. Buckler on hammock and Henry Thut. Photo taken at the Thut’s home near Lefors. Bottom, Standing, L to R: Bill Guill, Anne Buckler, Mrs. Russell Allen, Seated, L to R: Margaret Buckler Allen, Marjorie Buckler Guill, C.P. Buckler at the Buckler House sometime in the 1940’s. Opposite Page: St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church ground breaking ceremony. L to R: Bishop George H. Quarterman, Mrs. E.E. Gething, M.K. Brown, Rev. Porter Brooks, Vicar, Mrs. M.K. Brown, C.P. Buckler (breaking ground) Mrs. C.P. Buckler, Polly Hepner, Kent Hicks, Mrs. Nina Richmond, and Mrs. Forrest Taylor. (Mid 1950’s)
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_
In THOSE
_
Oklahoma Hills
PaRT 2
I
By
Michael Sinks
n telling the story of Woody Guthrie making his way from his birthplace in Okemah, Oklahoma to Pampa, Texas, Woody had already seen a lot for a boy of about 6 years old. The family home burning down, his second home blowing away in a twister, an oil boom changing his hometown in unexpected ways, his father going from a well-respected property owner and local politician to losing everything. If things weren’t bad enough, Woody’s beloved sister, Clara, is burned in another fire and succumbs to her injuries the next day, leaving this world at fourteen years of age. The next few years were extremely difficult for the family. Woody’s mother Nora had been exhibiting signs of mental illness and despite many trips to different doctors no one had diagnosed her problem nor offered any relief. Clara’s untimely death had exasperated her condition terribly.
Disappearing
Oklahoma Hills
Many a month has come and gone Since I wandered from my home In those Oklahoma hills where I was born. Many a page of life has turned, Many a lesson I have learned; Well, I feel like in those hills I still belong. –Woody Guthrie and Jack Guthrie
Nora began to roam the streets like a crazed person, unable to control her movements, unrecognizable from the beautiful quiet woman that used to ride to town with Charlie. Once people said she was one of the prettiest women in that part of the state. Dark eyes, round face, long black hair, she would ride a fine black horse with a hundred-dollar saddle, and Charlie with his fast white mare, they made quite a pair when they rode into town.
Her appearance was not important any longer. Woody said when Clara died his mother began to disappear, it broke her. Roy and Woody cleaned up after her and tried to hide many of the things she would do from their father. There were times when
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she would come around for a bit, singing, planting flowers, and they would get their hopes up. These spells never lasted too long. But Woody loved his mother and he knew she wasn’t like other mamas now. Sometimes he would take her to the Crystal Theatre on Main Street just like they used to. There in the darkness, no one could stare at them and sometimes she would even laugh at her old favorite, Charlie Chaplin. Woody was seven now, though enrolled in school, he seldom went. He preferred the railyard, listening to the troubles of the hobos. They knew nothing of the town gossip, their stories were interesting and they were safe, not poking fun at his family problems. No one was looking after Woody. Charlie was busy losing an election to the state legislature and taking Nora to local doctors. His hands had become extremely painful from the fist fighting, arthritis had set in. The bills were piling up. As everyone else was taking advantage of the oil boom, Charlie was becoming a has-been at forty-one years old. He had to start selling off property to pay medical bills. Meanwhile, Okemah had ballooned from a population of two thousand to ten thousand in a matter of months. And while big-time deals were being made all around him, no one had any use for Charlie anymore. His political capital had disappeared as quickly as his property and his money. Things were looking grim, hard times it seems, had come to stay.
Leaving Town
It was July 1923 when Charlie could no longer pay the rent on Ninth Street. Everybody loaded up in a rusty old Model T and off to Oklahoma City they went to make a new beginning. Nora seemed to improve in the old house they moved into. Charlie tried selling fire extinguishers door to door. That seems ironic now. His arthritis got so bad his little finger had folded over into his palm so tightly that it had to be amputated. The pain was excruciating. He walked around in shoes that were split, making a dollar a day. Woody got a dollar a week from a lady with a cow carrying milk to the store. Roy worked odd jobs. A kind grocer gave Charlie food on credit and let him work some at the store, the fire extinguishers didn’t sell. They lived on beans, coffee, and fried mush.
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By now most Focus readers know there will be an article about Woody Guthrie or The Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center in just about every issue of Focus Magazine. As Executive Director the major part of my job is to promote our place for tourism, education, and a gathering place for folks to play and hear live music at our weekly jam sessions every Friday evening. We strive to preserve a little piece of history in the building at 320 S. Cuyler St., the old Harris Drug Store. Woody worked there as a soda jerk, starting in about 1929. There he acquired an old beat-up guitar from his boss, Shorty Harris. A new chapter in American musical history began right there and countless musicians were and continue to be influenced by this simple twist of fate. — Mike Sinks
The Motorcycle
One day, after a year in OKC, Nora’s half-brother, Leonard showed up riding a fancy new shiny black motorbike. He was running an agency selling the new Ace four-cylinder motorcycle and needed someone to do the office work. He offered Charlie the job at $200 a month and he rode away. It was a GodFOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
would bob up and down when he spoke. The kids in school called him Scarecrow and Alleyrat and said terrible about his mother and family. Besides, his school life was just boring compared to all the wild things these people could tell him about, but deepdown Woody longed for an education. He knew it was the most important thing.
The Curse send! What they could do with that kind of money. Leonard had come through for them. And what a motorcycle! Woody had never seen such a thing. It was amazing. The next day an elated Charlie went out and got a Sunday paper and some tobacco. Upon returning home he opened the paper and read “MOTORCYCLE ACE KILLED IN CRASH,” in the headline. “Leonard Tanner, Ace Motorcyclist, was killed instantly in an accident that wrecked a car and a motorcycle at a street intersection yesterday afternoon…. Mr. Tanner was going into business for himself for the first time….” The next day the Guthrie family packed up their measly belongings and headed back to Okemah.
Ghost Town
When they arrived, they drove to the old Jim Cain house, named for an unfortunate previous owner. Unpainted, full of trash, holes in the floor, mouse droppings everywhere, this was to be their new home. A friendly neighbor came out to greet them and started helping them unload. “How long you been gone,” he asked? “Exactly one year,” says Charlie. “Have you been down in the center of town since you got back?” “No, we haven’t.” ” Well, you’re in for a big surprise, this is a dead town, a ghost town. Everybody’s gone.” Woody ran out of the house as fast as his legs would carry him, around the corner at the railroad station and looking right down the whole length of Main Street. Just like the man said, it was like a graveyard. Shops nailed up, stores deserted, no noise, no gang fights, no laughter, no nothing.
Conditions at home continued to deteriorate to the point that one night in 1927, the curse of fire would strike again. Charlie suffered severe burns across his chest from an oil lamp. Charlie never blamed his wife but he had been asleep on the couch when the incident occurred. They were the only two there. There are other accounts written in books, but this seems to be the accepted version. By the time this event takes place, little Mary Jo had already been taken to his sister Maude’s farm in the Texas panhandle and George followed at the end of the school year. It was only a matter of time until Nora’s illness would require professional attention. Charlie just couldn’t bring himself to admit her to a hospital. The next day Nora was escorted to the insane asylum in Norman, Oklahoma where she died three years later, on June 30, 1930, of Huntington’s disease. After several weeks in the hospital, Charlie joined his youngest children at his sister’s farm near Groom. Maude and Robert Boydstun had two children of their own, Allene and Geneva, and it was said Guthrie’s seemed to show up from everywhere to visit and show support. Still, it was a long and difficult recovery for Charlie.
A New Family
Roy and Woody stayed behind in the old Cain house and if Okemah had become a ghost town this was indeed a ghost house. Roy soon found work and rented a room with the intention of Woody staying with him. The old Gang House was more to Woody’s liking and with only a quilt and a blanket that’s where he took up residence. He went to collecting and selling junk, dragging in a sack each day that sometimes weighed fifty pounds. He would keep select pieces to form into shapes of artwork at night to keep himself busy and preserve his sanity. The shack was damp and musty and smelled of rotting wood. All of this boyhood freedom was fine for a while but came to halt one day when Roy found him on a bench near the school burning up with fever. With winter coming on the Moore family took Woody in and it was a good fit. Tom Moore had been a friend to Charle and played the fiddle and sang in a sweet tenor voice. Woody would harmonize and join in on the French harp. Parents and children together convinced Woody to clean up and start back to school. He even got on the school newspaper and was the joke editor but was known as an entertainer. He raised money for the junior class prom and he even made sixty dollars entertaining the Rotary Club one night. Mr. Moore convinced him to buy himself some new clothes with his newfound riches. So, after he came home with two shirts, he was asked what he did with the rest of the money. Sheepishly he stammered that he had given it away. Tom knew the boy to be this way, Woody said getting money turned people into animals, and losing it drove them crazy. He would always give money away. Woody had been with the Moore’s about a year when Tom started talking about Arizona. Woody had begun
wake up on the bright side
®
Woody wanted to go home and say something funny to lift everyone’s spirits, but there was nothing funny about this. How could you joke about old dead Okemah? By the time Woody got back home, there was another surprise. The house was neat and cleaned out, his mother was humming a song and handing out cups of coffee all around. Roy was sitting in the corner smiling. It seems Charlie had already landed a job selling automobile licenses for the state and Roy was to work with him. Nora was happy. Things were looking up for the Guthrie family at last. Woody was twelve by now and this respite from misfortune was short-lived. Once again, the brothers would have to cover for their mother’s inability to care for the house and the younger children. Charlie’s pain intensified in his hands and he drank moonshine to deal with his discomfort. Life at home was difficult for everyone and Woody took to hanging with the same sort that he had before at the railyard. The hangers-on from the boom had stories to tell. These outcasts on the edge of town didn’t care about his wild curly hair or his Adam’s apple that www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
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thinking about visiting his mother in the hospital. After many requests, they made the sixty-mile trip. It was a tragic disappointment. The doctors led him inside through the hallways of the ravers and the screamers to a room where she sat shaking and drooling. They told him she was suffering from something called Huntington’s chorea, a condition that could not be cured and would never get better. They told him lots of other things that didn’t much matter. The very worst thing of all was that his mother didn’t even recognize him.
On The Road
The Moores had enough of Okemah and chose to head west in search of a better life in Arizona. After a bit, Woody was no more inclined to stay himself and decided to see the world. He would head south to the Gulf of Mexico in search of some friends from the Gang House days, the Mosiers, who had moved to a farm down there.
I feel I would be remiss not to mention a part of Charlie’s history that is often passed over. An awful page that cannot be overlooked. He was most likely a member of the Ku Klux Klan, which held wide authority over the state of Oklahoma at that time. The year before Woody was born there was the horrendous lynching of Laura and L.D. Nelson on May 25, 1911. They were dragged from their cells at midnight by a group of up to forty men, including Charley. The Associated Press reported she had been repeatedly raped. She and her 16-year-old son were hung under a bridge over the North Canadian River. This was ten years before the Tulsa Race Massacre. These events most certainly affected Woody as you hear in songs like ‘Hangknot, Slipknot’ or ‘Vigilante Man’. Woody’s later activism and ideology surely stemmed from the violence and prejudice he encountered as a boy.
Come to Texas
Back home he landed a job in a filling station for five dollars a week. Twice a week he and Charle kept up a regular correspondence and they shared their thoughts on any and everything. Finally, Charlie had healed enough from his burns to go to work. He wrote Woody saying he had gotten a job managing a whole block of property in a boomtown called Pampa, Texas and he wanted Woody to come and help him work it. Three days later, he was standing in his father’s little office, shaking his hand, talking about old times, hearing all about his new job as a general handyman around the property. Woody had just turned seventeen years old.
A New Life
So that is how Woody came to be in Pampa. I told you the curse of fire was to follow him the rest of his life and I feel obliged to tell you it wasn’t finished with him yet. The most devastating loss yet was to come. In 1947, Four-year-old Cathy Guthrie died in an apartment fire when a radio short-circuited in her room. Many years later, suffering from Huntington’s, Woody burned his arm badly after splashing gasoline on a campfire in Florida. Though he did recover, he was never able to play guitar again. 62
‘Woody Guthrie: A Life’ by Joe Klein [This is the book that prompted Thelma Bray to form ‘Pampa’s Tribute to Woody Guthrie’ a 501 (c) (3) dba The Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center] ‘Bound For Glory’ by Woody Guthrie ‘A Mighty Road’ by Henrietta Yurchenko assisted by Marjorie Guthrie ‘The Life of Woody Guthrie There Ain’t Nobody That Can Sing Like Me’ By Anne E Neimark
Ballet • Tap Acrobatics • Jazz The
This is where I always thought that Woody started riding the rails but as it turns out that was always his last choice of transportation. An Okemah friend, Miles Reynolds had lost a leg when he fell between two boxcars and Woody avoided them whenever he could. However; he did like to frequent the hobo camps along the rails because there was always a stew going and they didn’t mind sharing. These men were usually the migratory workers working the wheat harvest. Along with them, you had fruit pickers, boomers, and cowboys all bound for the next job. With Depression gripping the country, jobs were fewer and farther between every day. The year was 1928 and he was sixteen years old when Woody found his friends down around the Gulf coast. He worked at hoeing figs, watering strawberries, picking mustang grapes, helping carpenters, and well drillers, cleaning yards, and moving garbage cans. These are things he describes in his book, so he probably did anything he could do for a buck. Then he says he got tired of being a stranger so he stuck his thumb in the air, as he would come to do so often in his life, and headed back to Okemah.
All of these stories were gleaned from books about Woody, stories I have heard over the years, interviews, and the internet. Here are sources I use all the time to inform visitors and students. Often there are conflicting accounts. That’s what makes it interesting. We have many of these books for sale.
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
Reflections of Summer Heritage and Cultural Center
The long, hot days of Summer seem to already be here in the late Spring of the Texas Plains. They are different from the days of the past summers. As the Board of the Heritage and Cultural Center of the Texas Plains, we realize summer is almost upon us. What better way to celebrate summer than sharing reflections of summers past from the Texas Panhandle?
Baby Boomer by Tonya Lewis
Part of the expansion of the Plains area came with the changes in air conditioning and heating. A breeze, an open door, and a tiled floor were a nice change from the heat outside. Sitting under the protective shade of trees sharing a meal or dozing under the inviting cover of wide porches encouraged people to slow down and cool off. These are the iconic pictures of the days of our grandparents and great-grandparents. Electricity brought fans to some homes where the movement of the air was a welcome change. In stores and businesses, the swoosh and squeak of the large overhead fans moved the air gently attempting to cool the air above well-dressed patrons escaping the heat. Born in the middle of the Baby Boom, I grew up with all of these and swamp coolers. We spent the summer playing wagon train with our big red wagon and exploring the gullies of Red Deer Creek. Off we went, all the kids on the block and sometimes a few extras with our rations- rows of saltine crackers and saccharine sweetened Kool-Aid (because sugar wasn’t good for us and attracted bees, wasps, and flies). Our parents were not too happy when they found out that we had hunted tarantulas in the gullies of the creek carrying big sticks to protect ourselves. We explored all the way to the city dump. When the afternoons became too hot to play outdoors, we moved inside our garage. The garage door would be raised a few inches to pull the cool damp air from the swamp cooler across us. My parents always kept the garage clean and only parked one car in it, so we had a whole side to throw down blankets and play Barbies all afternoon. At other times we played one-room school complete with workbooks and books. Sometimes we created elaborate circus acts or plays complete with costumes and memorized lines for our audience, parents, and neighbors. My brother was the only boy in the neighborhoods so naturally he played sheriff. He always had his trusty sidekick, the one girl who would rather be his deputy protecting everyone. With their fully loaded cap guns, they rode their bikes and filled the air with the smell of gun powder. He also had a full set of 12-inch Johnny West action figures complete with horses and gear in case our Barbies lived in the past and needed protection at the Fort. Those were lazy, seemingly endless days. We spent rest of our time with swimming lessons, matinee movies, and vacations. One of my craziest memories of swimming lessons was jumping off the high diving board. Only once. Not long after that it was removed. Matinees at the movies meant loading up usually six or more kids ages four to twelve in one parent’s vehicle and leaving them off at the theater with the oldest child in charge. Usually, that was me. The theater was a place to www.gofocusmag.com | Summer 2022
cool off and enjoy the latest family movie while snacking on cheap candy or giant pickles. We could spend days acting out those stories at home.
and rows of zinnias with their bright colored petals, and snapping green beans for dinner or eating warm, vine ripened tomatoes. It was the best!
Both sets of our grandparents, one great-grandmother, numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles all lived in the Panhandle. We gathered and laughed, played games, rode horses, conversed, cooked, made ice cream, and reminisced until late in the night. Those cooler nights seemed so perfect for being together after those long, love filled summer days.
So, when we weren’t playing Barbie dolls or picking beautiful flowers or vine ripened tomatoes, there was the swimming pool. Of course, back in our day, a swimming pool was just a swimming pool. No fancy slides or lazy rivers just an opportunity to enjoy the warm sun and cool water. Our big adventure was diving for pennies on the bottom of the pool. Of course, in the shallow end, neither of us could swim. Our parents dropped us off with a towel and probably less than a dollar to get into the pool and have a snack at the concession stand. Oh, the lazy days of summer.
Every summer we went on vacation, sometimes with just my parents and brother and at other times with my mom’s parents as well. Mountains, deserts, rivers, and lakes - the Western States and Oklahoma were our playgrounds. We survived the long trips with no air conditioning in the car across deserts. We learned to peel ourselves off the plastic seat covers and count the miles to the next Stuckey’s. A big gallon container filled with ice and water held a place of honor in the car. I turned thirteen the year of the Moon Landing. As usual we were on vacation going to see my mom’s sister and family in Washington State. Somewhere on the Colorado/Wyoming border, we pulled off the road and listened to the Moon Landing on our car radio. We took time to eat our usual midday lunch of bologna and cheese sandwiches. There far from civilization in the July heat, we listened with wonder and excitement. The next Christmas my brother and I found a replica of the metal plaque left on the moon and a Peanuts Snoopy astronaut under the tree. These mementos marked the end of 1969 and of my childhood. Junior High and High School beckoned.
Late Baby Boomer by Lynne Moore
Back in the day, the “good ol’ days,” the lazy days of summer. Cliches that all of us have either used, or heard older generations use. How we all long for those fun carefree summers of our childhood. Summers for me are sweet reminders of times spent in what seemed like a less complicated world. My grandparents lived across the street from us and for several summers in a row, my cousin would spend the summers with us. For my cousin and me, it was endless summer days of playing and being carefree. Yes, we were probably spoiled as we were the two youngest grandchildren. We spent endless hours playing with Barbie dolls. We had a Barbie fashion house, a Barbie camper and other Barbie items of which are long forgotten. My mother was an amazing seamstress and turned her scrap box into the best Barbie clothes on the block. Oh, the adventures we had playing Barbie dolls! My grandparents had a huge vegetable and flower garden every year. My cousin and I spent hours picking all the fresh produce and flowers. Thinking about it, we never had to do any of the weeding. Did I mention, we were spoiled? Perhaps, unknowingly, they instilled in both of us a lifelong interest in gardening. Or is it that spending time in the garden brings back sweet memories of a bygone time for both of us when grandparents had time to spoil their grandkids just a bit. Memories of rows
So, who remembers the swamp coolers? How many of you had the job of wetting the pads down with a garden hose throughout the day? They worked great when the humidity was low. Of course, at our house, the swamp cooler was in my parent’s bedroom window. Dad went to bed early so he turned it off when he went to bed. So, then it was time to open the windows and hope for a breeze! But oh, waking up to the cool morning air filtering in through the bedroom windows. I don’t think my kids ever slept with their windows open. What did they miss out on? Of course, who could forget the summer of 1969. I wondered why my parents were insistent on us coming in from playing outside. I’m sure we were involved in an intense game of freeze tag or hide and seek. Back in the day, you came in when the streetlights came on (or if you were really lucky, you got to stay out past that probably because your parents were watching a tv show.) July 21, 1969. Man’s first walk on the moon. How grateful I am now that they made us come in and watch such an exciting time in history. In early June of 1967, there were some tornadoes here in Pampa. One night at supper, my mother announced that we were going to dig a storm cellar in the backyard. I don’t know if she had consulted my dad about this, but I remember my brother’s reaction. He very calmly put his fork down and said, “I’ll be digging all summer.” The next day or so it seemed, my dad had some dimensions, and the digging started. Our next-door neighbor asked if he could help and then use it if the occasion arose. Of course, Dad said yes. So, day by day the hole got bigger. I have no idea of the dimensions, but as a child, it seemed huge. Most of it went smoothly, except for where the entrance was planned. The gas line from the alley was in that area. I have no idea why Dad didn’t move the entrance over, but the entrance stayed the same. When entering or existing the cellar, you had to shimmy past the line and make your way up or down a thin ladder that Dad welded together. I really didn’t like going down into that dark, creepy hole! I was the youngest. I had to go first! Eventually, Dad began to pour the concrete floors and then the walls. My job and that of my friend that lived next door was to take our wagon and go up and down the alley looking for rocks to use in the cement. I have no 63
idea why, and have never researched the proper method of mixing concrete. Maybe it just gave us something to do? So finally, the day came when the top of the cellar was poured. My two older siblings and I put our hand prints in the corner of the patio that now became the top of the cellar. The date was 7-7-67. When my parents moved from the house, they were able to take that corner piece with them. I now have that corner piece at my home. And alas, my older brother didn’t have to spend all summer digging. To a 14-year-old boy, that must have seemed like a long time from early June to July 7! Sparklers and firecrackers! Memories of July 4th! What a treat! Mom always made ribs and potato salad and coleslaw! It seemed like a feast. And homemade ice cream. Watching dad put all the ingredients in the canister and then the rock salt between the canister and the bucket. What an exciting time! For us, July 4th was Mom and Dad spending a few extra dollars on Roman candles and pop bottle rockets and sparklers. I thought I was something else twirling red and blue flaming sticks. All of this lasted just a few minutes, but the anticipation of the whole day leading up to the festivities was the best. The memories of baby boomers and suburbia at its best. The age of exploding technology, black and white TV, and man on the moon but still enjoying the simplicity of a vegetable garden, and freeze tag on a summer night. I wonder what my kids will remember from their childhood? I know their experiences will be different than mine. Each generation has had its own culture, its own fads and trends, its own type of technology that at the time was the big, new thing.
Generation X by Valorie Duncan
Central Park to the little swimming pool they had there, and we would have a picnic. Later when I was in grade school we started going to the lake with my brother and some of the guys he worked with at Phillip Petroleum and their families. We started out at Lake McClelland and ended at Green Belt. We started out in a tent and sleeping bags. Then we got cots. Eventually we got a camper that fit inside the bed of a pick-up. One of the couples that would come had a boat and we would tube and those that could ski did. I never could get up out of the water. My mom and dad were divorced so my dad would get me in the summer and take me to Six Flags. I would get to go every year for several years. Before we would go, we would eat at my favorite restaurant, Ponchos! I loved to raise the flag for seconds. He would take me swimming almost daily. Once, I got so sunburned my eyes swelled shut. He tried everything to help the swelling to go down like potatoes and cucumbers.
The Heritage and Cultural Center of the Texas Plains recognizes the importance of each person’s story and would like to encourage everyone to reach out to our veterans this Memorial Day and listen to their stories. Contact us at txplainshc@gmail.com for more information. We would love to document your story. Tonya Lewis serves as the HCCTP Secretary/ Treasurer.
When I was young, we played outside more than inside. I had to be home when the streetlights came on or when we had to be somewhere. I played tennis and bowled. I’ve bowled since I was five years old. When I was still in high school, I went to Lubbock and took a test to be a certified bowling coach. I went on a lot of bowling tournaments and tennis tournaments. I almost became a professional bowler. We each have our own cultural heritage that changes with each generation. We hope that our readers will enjoy these reflections of summers past and that you will document your experiences for your family or even share them with us. Have a fun and safe summer!
When I was a child, I remember my mom taking me to
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
ADVERTISER INDEX B B & B Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 B & G Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 B & G Floral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 B & G Power Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 B & K Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Bartlett’s Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Best Western . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Bill Allison Auto Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Bob Douthit Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Brandon's Flowers & Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Brown, Graham & Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
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T Texas Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Thurmond-McGlothlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Tipsy Gypsy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Top of Texas Auctioneers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 U Underwood Law Firm, P.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Utility Tire & Auto Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
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OUTLET LOCATIONS “Find Focus Magazine FREE at these locations!” United Supermarket Plaza Mexican Restaurant Finley’s Fountain White Deer Land Museum Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center B & B Pharmacy Brandon’s Flowers Clements Cleaners The Sparrow’s Nest Hampton Inn • Best Western Prime Cuts A Cut Above Bartlett’s Lumber Wiskey Grills Wayne’s Western Wear Red River Steak House in McClain La Quinta Inn & Suites
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FOCUS Magazine | Summer 2022
A TE S ES TI M FR EE
Anthony's Floor Care
2210 Perryton Parkway Pampa, Texas 806-418-1090
Like us!
106 West 10th Borger, Texas 806-273-2467
CARPET • TILE • WOOD • EPOXY FLOORS
Over 30 Years Experience... Don't Miss Out on the Best Prices, Best Installation & the Best R Service!
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