Cross Country: Allen’s McGee wins Region VI crown
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THE IOLA REGISTER Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Fall Festivities Larios family carries on spine-tingling tradition By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
More than 20 years ago, Mike Larios purchased a small motorized spider he could hang in his home for Halloween. It was the beginning of a tradition for his family, and needless to say, things have gotten a bit bigger. Mike and his family were selected by the Iola Pride group as having the best decorated home for the Halloween season. There were 15 entries in this year’s contest. “Every year it gets bigger and bigger,” Larios said Tuesday evening. Duane McGraw stopped by to congratulate them and hand out their reward — a homemade pumpkin pie. The Larios home, 717 S. Sycamore, is not easily missed. This
year’s display is littered with spiders, black cats, cobwebs, lights and the main attractions — different animatronic contraptions. These motorized gouls and goblins stand at human-size, if not larger, and the Larioses have everything from a headless horseman, werewolf and witch stirring a cauldron. Mike and Kim Larios’ grandchildren raced around the yard during the cool fall evening, enjoying a break in the rain. They have been covering up the electronics to protect them from this week’s wet weather. Larios said he gets most of his decorations from stores like Target and Walmart in the region, as well as online. It takes them about three weeks to set See LARIOS | Page A3
At top, a tree on Lincoln Street begins to change its colors. Above at left, Elizabeth Rogers doesn’t seem to be too concerned about Frankenstein, while being held by her grandfather, Joe Rogers. Above at right, the extended Larios family poses next to their winning Halloween display, they are, from left, Joshua Goodyear, Charlie Goodyear, Stephen Bender, Joe Rogers, Willie Maggard, Elizabeth Rogers (being held), Patricia Bender, Jason Maggard, Anthony Larios, Alexis Larid, Kim Larios, Mike Larios, Corbyn Larios and Duane McGraw. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
Foreign friendship renewed By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
A lifelong friendship, sparked by Mayte Garcia-Romera’s stay in Iola as a foreign exchange student 20 years ago, was reignited this month, with an added flair. Garcia-Romero, in Iola to visit Christy Cleaver and other old friends, brought her mother, Ana Garcia, from their native Madrid, Spain. It’s her mother’s first trip to the
United States, Garcia-Romera said. Mother and daughter were staying in Iola for a week before heading to New York City for a week’s worth of sight-seeing before returning to Spain. Garcia-Romero arrived in Iola for the 1992-93 school year to stay with Cleaver and her family. She enjoyed the stay so much, she returned to Iola for her senior year, even though she was no longer a part of the student exchange program. See FRIENDSHIP | Page A3
Bobbi, left, and Rick Robertson demonstrate a traditional Native American dance to Jefferson students Tuesday. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
Straight from the source Students learn about Native American culture By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Fifth grade student Dylan Bycroft and his classmates at Jefferson Elementary learned about Native American culture from two special guests Tuesday afternoon. Bycroft’s great-uncle Rick and great-aunt Bobbi Robertson were at the school to teach students about the history of Native Americans. The couple are from Miami, Okla. Among their historical tidbits, Rick
Robertson explained the symbolism of the pipe ceremony. “The East is red and it means knowledge,” he said holding a pipe. The south is yellow and this color means spring and growth. The west is where the sun sets and the west is black. “White is for the North,” he said “The white covers Mother Earth with a blanket of snow.” Rick said Mother Earth, Father Sky and the pipe holder are part of the cer-
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 4
See CULTURE | Page A3
From left are Mayte Garcia-Romera, Christy Cleaver and Ana Garcia. REGISTER/
RICHARD LUKEN
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