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I was out mowing my front yard a few years back when my neighbor, the late David Jones, pulled his mower over to where I was. He did this sometimes when he wanted to talk. So, I pulled up and we began to chat about this and that. He glanced over at our neighbor’s yard that was in real need of a cleanup and mowing. “You know, he went on, this person probably can’t take care of her lawn and I think we ought to offer to help her out,” David said, “I will mow half that lawn if you would take over the other half.” I replied, “what about the limbs and trash strung around over there?” Well, David replied, “we would just have to clean it up a bit, but it wouldn’t be much trouble.” “Why don’t you go over there and ask her.”
Read moreA long time ago — well one week ago — the much heralded “North American Eclipse” came to Allen. Weather forecasters happily forecasted that we probably wouldn’t be able to see it anyway. Clouds they said. I watched all this with a sort of wishy-washy attitude. I sort of wanted to see it but I sure wasn’t going to drive down toward Idabel and position myself so I could experience the full eclipse experience. I saw on my TV the story of this one family dragging their family and their trailer 1,700 miles to Texas so they could experience this historical celestial event together as a family. Foolish, I thought, as I wondered if I would even go outside for a peek or not.
Read moreThe USS Johnnie Hutchins had reached the end of its road. It was an icecold morning with icy winds off the bay there in Bayonne, New Jersey. We, its last crew, stood there at attention – shivering as an obligatory speech or two was given extolling a few of its war exploits and history during the War II. I was proud to have served on this little 209 ft destroyerescort, but I also knew it was very cold and I was just hoping we could finish and I could get on with my life.
Read moreSt Patrick’s Day was never a big deal in Stonewall. In fact, if it hadn’t been for those old Warner Path-A Newsreels at the Main Theatre I might not have even known there was one. Or maybe it was my sister Sue giving me a pinch on St Patrick’s Day because I didn’t have any green on my shirt that reminded me. There were no St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Stonewall. Or even in the big city of Ada.
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It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that old patriotic song, but it was a popular tune after December 7, 1941. Another thing forgotten is what was in the old building right in the center of Allen’s main business district. It sits empty but it was recently repaired. No hint it once housed the busiest drug store in town. It was a center of gathering, a place to enjoy a Coke or a banana split. The women of the Allen area bought their cosmetics there while waiting to have their prescriptions filled. Yes, the brightly lit place was a prosperous centerpiece landmark run by a popular pharmacist named Otho Butler.
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