howeenterprise.com
Monday, January 9, 2017
Page #9
Learn about antiques and collectibles Wendi Atwood Rogers, 1968-2016 mountain biking, scuba diving, with Dr. Georgia Caraway Other pieces you may find include figurines in the shape of mallard ducks, a horse, a duck egg cup, an owl bookend, an Indian head mug with tomahawk handle, an Indian Head/buffalo nickel bank, and an Indian moccasin, planters, vases and small bowls.
Dr. Georgia Caraway The book, Frankoma and Other Oklahoma Potteries with Price Guide by Phyllis and Tom Bess gives information about potteries other than the well-known Frankoma, including the Creek Pottery of Checotah, Oklahoma. The Creek Indian Nation of Oklahoma became involved with Creek Pottery as a way to help reduce unemployment among their people. The Bureau of Indian Affairs was instrumental in creating this new business. Chief W. E. “Dode” McIntosh helped start the project in 1969. He contacted his friend, John Frank of Frankoma Pottery, for help. In 1970 John Frank started training workers to make pottery. He donated equipment, materials, and personnel. John Frank gave several molds from Frankoma Pottery to reproduce at the Creek Pottery. These include a teepee salt and pepper shaker set. For his efforts, Frank was made an Honorary Chief for life of the Creek Nation.
A manufacturing plant was built in Checotah, close to U.S. Highway 40. Only art pottery was made. After starting production, the plant employed about fifteen people. Most pottery was wholesaled to businesses in Oklahoma and surrounding states. It was also sold in the plant sales room and for a short time at a retail outlet near Macon, Georgia. Brochures were the sole means of advertising. The business closed in early 1976. One mark is a stylized teepee with the name Creek. Another method of marking the pottery was the use of stickers printed with “Authentic Indian Pottery, Made in Checotah, OK, USA.” Values according to the Bess’s book range from $5 to $20. To be frank with you, I am sorry they had to fold up their teepees and discontinue production. They produced gorgeously-glazed pottery. Dr. Georgia Caraway, former director of the Denton County Museums for 14 years, and her friends opened the Howe Mercantile at 107 East Haning. Store hours are Thursday through Saturday noon until 8 p.m. She has written five Denton history books. Her latest, North Texas State Fair and Rodeo, is available at Howe Mercantile. She hopes her next book will be the history of Howe.
Wendi Atwood Rogers entered the arms of our Lord on Saturday December 31, 2016. She was born on July 9, 1968 to Bobby and Carolyn Atwood in Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated from Grapevine High School in 1986 and earned her Associate Science degree as a paralegal and graduated cum laude from the University of North Texas with a degree in Legal Information Management. Wendi was an active member and officer in several state and national paralegal organizations and traveled throughout Texas speaking on litigation related topics for paralegals, and was recognized as Dallas Area Paralegal of the year in 1998. Most recently, she treasured her work family at Martin & Martin Law. In 1990 Wendi married the love of her life, Steven Rogers, and during their 26 year marriage they have enjoyed travelling, snow skiing,
living on their ranch in Tom Bean, but most of all raising their family. Her children were her greatest joy in this life and her love for them was boundless. Wendi had an infectious laugh and considered everyone she met as part of her family. Proud as she was of her work accomplishments her true mission in life was to help others. She was active in the Tom Bean athletics association, an avid volunteer for the Tom Bean School District, and a member of First Baptist Church Tom Bean where she lived and thrived with a close-knit community. Wendi is survived by her husband Steven, their two children Emily Grace Rogers (12 years old) and Bobby Christopher Rogers (10 years old), her mother and father Carolyn and Bobby Atwood, sister Sunni Atwood Goldberg, and countless adopted family members.
Memorial services were held Friday, January 6, 2017 at 2 PM at King’s Trail Cowboy Church, 498 Bethel-Cannon Rd, Whitewright, TX 75491. Visitation was held Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 6PM to 8 PM at the same location. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Path Christian Organization for Children in Tom Bean, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
