Surrey July/August 2012

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COMPLIMENTARY COMPLIMENTARY

Taking You Places Today!

Kickin’ It With Josh Foyil’s Josh Brown paves way to NFL with his foot

LATE SUMMER 2012 Vol. 4 No. 6 • A Claremore Daily Progress Publication

CLAREMORE | BARTLESVILLE | PRYOR

www.rsu.edu | (918) 343-7777

“I was looking for a university where I would be more than a face in the crowd. At Rogers State University, I’m a member of the Honors Program and the varsity cheerleading squad, all while pursuing my degree in medical/molecular biology. I don’t know for sure where I’ll be ten years from now but I do know I’ll be working in the medical field and my education will have prepared me to be successful. RSU has given me so many opportunities that I would not have gotten at other schools.

For that, I’ll always be grateful.”

KYLIE DENT

Pryor, OK | Medical/Molecular Biology | Cheerleader | Honors Student

y e r r u S

Surrey

Taking You Places Today!

Taking you places today!

Vol. 4 No. 6 LATE SUMMER 2012

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PUBLISHER Bailey Dabney

An Old Dog’s New Tricks

EDITOR/DESIGNER Randy Cowling

David Blakely has recently adapted children’s book, Hank the Cowdog, into a musical.

CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Hattaway Tom Fink Tim Ritter Salesha Wilken Mark Friedel

Journalism Hall of Fame Faith Faith and and John John Wylie, Wylie, publishers publishers of of the the Oologah Oologah Lake Lake Leader Leader were were recently recently inducted inducted into into the the Oklahoma Oklahoma Journalism Journalism Hall Hall of of Fame.

Fame.

Kickin’ It With Josh Foyil’s Josh Brown has become one of the NFL’s premiere kickers and it all began in Rogers County.

The Gift of Communication Speech Pathologist Mary Marche works to give words life for children.

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Mission of Mercy

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Lemonade Poke Cake

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Surrey©2012 All rights reserved.

Published Bi-monthly by The Daily Progress

SEND COMMENTS TO: The SURREY @ The Daily Progress 315 W. Will Rogers Boulevard Claremore, OK 74017 P.O. Box 248 Claremore, OK 74018 E-mail — rcowling@claremoreprogress.com

Dr. Abby Overstreet uses her talents to help a Mexican village.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION: 918-341-1101 addir@claremoreprogress.com

Angela Henderson shares a way to beat the heat with a refreshing dessert.

All copy and advertising in the Surrey are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced.

Some photos used by permission of source.

Pepper Hot Music & Food The 33rd Annual Bluegrass and Chili Festival is scheduled for Sept. 6-8 in Claremore.

Surrey

ADVERTISING Misti Grannemann Kim McCool Matt Ferrel Kerri Stewart Cinda Vaughan

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2012 Late Summer

Surrey

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Finding relief watching Olympics Sweltering. There is no other way to describe how their gold medals with the Star Spangled Banner playthis summer’s extreme heat has been. Record temper- ing in the background still brings goose bumps. atures with consecutive days over 100 degrees, even Try escaping the summer heat with a variety of interin the 110 range, have left us looking for as many inesting stories about Rogers County residents in this door activities as we can find. issue of Surrey.

Movie theaters are a great place to escape from the • Tom Fink gives readers a unique look at Roger searing heat. Another place is the local library, where State University professor David Blakley, who recently you can browse the stacks and seek refuge from sum- adapted the children’s book, Hank the Cowdog, into a mer’s warmth. musical. Blakley has brought to life the Fortunately, the Summer Olympics have Hank and entertainment children everyprovided an opportunity to stay inside and where. watch American athletes compete.

• Mary Marche is a Claremore speech Watching the Olympics takes me back to pathologist, who has working with children. childhood days when our family would Salesha Wilken tells the story of how gather around the television set and watch Marche chose her field and the ways she ABC’s Jim McKay tell about the lives of obhelps being words to life for children. scure athletes from foreign countries.

• Oologah Lake Leader Publishers Faith Watching Jim Ryan during to the 1968 and John Wylie are considered landmarks in Summer Games run in the 1,500 kilometer their community. Mark Friedel tells how the run. He was the USA’s favorite to win the Wylies were recently inducted into the OklaRANDY COWLING gold. He ran valiantly to win the silver homa Journalism Hall of Fame. It is an medal. honor for these Rogers County residents.

During the Munich Olympics, my family was glued to • Dr. Abby Overstreet enjoys traveling. Rebecca Hatthe television when the terrorist took the Israeli athtaway tells how Overstreet combines her travel with letes captive. That moment seemed to tarnish the helping those in need. When she travels to Mexico, Games for me. I could see the Games being politicized Overstreet uses her talents to bring better sight to local during that Olympics when the USSR basketball team children. was given the gold medal after officials put time back • As an eighth grader Josh Brown caught the attenon the clock when USA had won the gold-medal game tion of Foyil Football Coach Rick Antle when he began so USSR would win the gold.

30- and 40-yard field goals before a varsity game.

The 1972 Games also featured Mark Spitz winning When he was a junior he kicked a 61-yard field goal. seven gold medals in swimming. Forty years later, Since then he starred at the University of Nebraska Michael Phelps earned his 20th medal, 16 of which and went on to play for the Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis were gold in swimming. I can also still remember Rams and now is in camp with the New York Jets. Tim Frank Shorter coming into the Munich arena on the Ritter tells how Brown has paved his way to the NFL final day of the Games to become the first American to with his foot. win the marathon. Back then, every four years the • In September, the 33rd Annual Bluegrass and games would roll around. Now we go four years beChili Festival will draw thousands of people to Rogers tween Summer Games, then wait two years and have County. It will feature a world-class chili cook-off and Winter Games. Another aspect which changed is the plenty of hot bluegrass music. tremendous growth of technology. We saw it when • Finally, in this issue, we bring you Angela China hosted the Games, the elaborate opening cereHenderson, who will be showing off some of her famonies set the bar for future Games. This year, London vorite recipes. Her Lemonade Poke Cake is a great way attempted to match China’s creative mastery. to refresh after a day out in the heat.

The Olympics can be a source of pride for each of There seems to be no end in the sweltering heat, us. To see individuals representing our nation in combut there are ways to stay cool. Take some time to petition and then standing on the platform receiving enjoy the stories of Rogers County.

4 2012 LATE SUMMER Surrey

An Old Dog’s New Tricks Bringing musical adaptation of children’s book act of love

F

By Tom Fink

riends of David Blakely will forever remember the summer of 2012 as the year he went to the dogs.

take on John Erickson’s ‘Hank the Cowdog’ character, picking the 14th book in the series, ‘Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business’ and got started.”

Literally.

For those unfamiliar with the books, the “Hank the This summer, Blakely’s musical adaptation of the Cowdog” is a series of humorous children’s mystery beloved children’s book charnovels written by John Rickson, acter Hank the Cowdog was about a proud (but bumbling) cowbrought to life on-stage at the dog named Hank who’s the selfTulsa Performing Arts Center. styled “Head of Ranch Security” on But teaching an old dog — the M-Cross ranch in the northern even a fictitious one — a few Texas panhandle. new tricks is no simple feat, as “The biggest challenge in adaptBlakely explains: ing the book to the stage was modi“Back in 2011, directors fying the tense of the storytelling,” Dan and Kathy Call were asked Blakely said. “The books are basiby a patron at Tulsa Repertory cally in the past tense from one perMusicals if they had ever done son’s (character’s) point of view, so a children’s musical before,” what I did was to change things into Blakely said. “The Calls are the present tense. The books themboth friends of mine, and they selves are episodic, which helps a contacted me with the idea of lot — characters do this, then they maybe taking a children’s book do that — so creating a dramatic and adapting it to the stage for arc from start to finish wasn’t quite a musical in their June 2012 as much a challenge, but as a season. writer, you want to create a story “Well, I backed up, looked at that’s has enough going on for an what I had coming up (in audience to engage and want to David Blakely serves as an associate professor and director for Rogers State 2012), did the math and could know what happens next (in the tell it would be a challenge, but University’s Theatre Program. Blakely restory). cently adapted children’s book, Hank the I was on board,” he said. “I’d “It’s something of a tightrope act Cowdog, to the stage for musical, peralready written four (other) mu- formed this summer at the Tulsa Perform- sometimes, getting from point A to sicals — I was no stranger to point B without falling off or losing ing Arts Center as a production of Tulsa that process — so I decided to your audience, but we were all very Repertory Musicals.

6 2012 Late Summer Surrey

PHOTOS PROVIDED “Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business” cast members include George Nelson (”Hank”), Steve Barker, Daniel Weatherholt, and Kendall Griffith. Rogers State University Professor David Blakely adapted the musical from the popular series of children’s books by John Erickson.

pleased with the finished script,” he said.

With 60 plus “Hank the Cowdog” books from which to draw, Blakely settled on 1998’s “Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business,” the plot of which involves a convoy of circus trucks is passing through the ranch, the last truck hitting a bump, and a large box falling off and coming to rest in the pasture.

What’s in the box? Suffice it to say, the title of the book — and the musical — is something of a tip-off.

“The story itself (in the musical) is told in a way that it’s presented like it’s an old radio play, being broadcast from the studio, like in the 1930’s and ‘40’s,” he said.

“That keeps the cast small — four actors — and the set fairly basic, making it easy to mount and strike, so that it could be performed in any number of venues.”

Another challenge Blakely faced in the process was finding a way to adapt a well-loved character to the stage in a way which would “work” in front of an audience, but keep the integrity of the character and feel of the books.

To this end, Blakely went straight to the source, con-

sulting author John Erickson himself.

“John was extremely receptive to what we were doing and he made a few suggestions to the original script — just a few minor changes — but for the most part, he liked what we did (with the character),” he said.

Blakely’s musical adaptation of “Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business” ran during the month of June at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, and although he’s already looking ahead at his next projects — including rehearsals for a musical to be performed at Heller Theater in Tulsa, a character actor workshop with playwright/actor Joe Sears, and the fall 2012 semester at Rogers State University among others — he said he wouldn’t mind seeing Hank the Cowdog ride again.

“We were all very pleased with the musical — everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the audience, so I wouldn’t mind at all if the play had some legs,” he said.

“I’d enjoy putting it on again.”

David Blakely has served as associate professor of communications and director of the theater program at Rogers State University since 2009.

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John and Faith Wylie

Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame

Faith and John Wylie are publishers of the Oologah Lake Leader.

T

his past April marked the 42nd annual induction for the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

Publishers of the Oologah Lake Leader, John M. Wylie II and Faith L. Wylie were among the 10 who were inducted for excellence in the field of journalism.

John Wylie’s career began in 1972 as correspodent for the Des Moines Register and news director of KDIC-FM while studying at Grinnel College.

8 2012 LATE SUMMER Surrey

By Mark Friedel After college, Wylie was offered a full-time position as energy and environment writer for the Kansas City Star.

“The 70’s were a time when the environmental movement had gained steam. When they (KC Star) came to me with the opportunity to write about it, of course I accepted,” said John Wylie.

In 1982, while at the Star, Wylie became part of a team that reported on the Hyatt Hotel skywalk collapse.

The investigative coverage on the disaster earned him a Pulitzer Prize.

His reporting has earned him

more than 200 writing awards and in 1993 the Oklahoma Publishing Association awarded both he and his wife the Beachy Musselman Award for outstanding work in journalism.

Wylie stays active in many journalism and community groups including the Oologah Historical Society. He was named Oologah Citizen of the Year in 1991.

Faith L. Wylie discovered her journalism interests in high school, where she was yearbook editor. She met John in 1971 and 12 years later the two settled in Oologah, Okla.

As co-publisher for the Leader,

Faith Wylie handles all layout and design work, including the newspaper’s website.

She has served as president of the Oologah Historical Society and was awarded Chamber Citizen of the Year in 1985.

Faith Wylie earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in graphic design from the University of Kansas and became production artist at Sun Publications in Johnson County, Kansas. She then became a graphic designer for BR Johnson Studio before becoming art director at Old American Insurance Company.

“We have always enjoyed small town living. With our first child born in 1983 we decided to look into buying a local paper,” said John Wylie.

After searching in three small, dramatically “dying” towns, both he and his wife found Oologah through a broker.

“It was a young community with a strong industrial base, a good doctor, dentist and progressive banker. The town had a preserved heritage but was also moving forward,” he said.

The Wylies purchased the Oologah paper from a man named J.R. Haney, who was known for buying newspapers, running them for a few years and then selling them.

“We bought the Leader with few changes, so we started making changes,” said Wylie.

The newspaper’s first three pages became interest news with the other pages covering sports and familyrelated issues.

Quickly the newspaper became a tool used for the

community to promote important changes to the city.

Specifically, John and Faith Wylie helped bring awareness to Oologah concerning Hwy 169’s two-lane road.

“The bridges were old and accidents occurred because the road was too narrow,” he said.

The Wylies attended governized assemblies to talk about these “killer bridges” and afterwards, Stratton Taylor who was Chairman of the Appropriation Committee at the time, agreed and said he was all for it.

Today Hwy 169 is considered a “super highway” for the surrounding areas.

Realizing there were areas of concern, John and Faith Wylie established a group for the future of Oologah. The group came up with a list of changes that needed to be made.

One change included wide-area calling for the community.

“Beforehand, Oologah-Talala had to use long distance calling for anyone outside of the three-mile area. Each week the Leader pounded the issue for change. We then took matters into our own hands and contacted the new president of Southwestern Bell at the time to show him a map of what we were dealing with,” said John Wylie.

Over time the issue was fixed and since then the Oologah Lake Leader has been an advocate for the community.

“One thing that’s important is to Continued on page 27

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 9

10 2012 Late Summer Surrey

The Oologah Lake Leader is actively involved in its community through Faith and John Wylie.

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 11

Josh Brown was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the 222nd overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, Brown converted a career long 58-yard field goal against the Green Bay Packers.

12 2012 Late Summer Surrey

Kickin’ It With Josh Foyil’s Brown paves way to NFL with his foot

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By Tim Ritter

ith one swift kick, Foyil’s Josh Brown put Panther football on the map and boosted his journey toward a career in the NFL. On a Friday night in Oaks, Oklahoma, Brown opened the eyes of former Foyil head coach Rick Antle with a 57-yard field goal. Though the kick was called back because of an offsides penalty, Antle had enough faith in his junior kicker to give him another chance.

Brown stepped four yards back, drove the pigskin through the up-rights from 61 yards in an 8-Man Football state playoff game and the rest is history.

“We knew then that he (Brown) was going to be something special and someone we would be watching on Sundays,” Antle said.

Brown’s journey to Seattle, St. Louis and this season with the New York Jets has been a series of stepping stones, but none more important than the decision his parents, Kenneth and Quana Brown, made in 1993 that moved the 14-year-old from north Tulsa to the small-town of Foyil.

“It was a big change moving from inner-city North Tulsa to Foyil. I was living in an unsafe, not healthy environment and running the streets, though doing nothing terrible,” Brown said. “Foyil provided me with stability, a great school system, good kids and an opportunity to play football.”

Brown added that his family’s move to Foyil fit them better financially and gave us a more simplistic lifestyle.

In the 8th grade, Brown donned a Panthers uni-

form for the first time, showcasing his speed at wide receiver and silky-smooth abilities on the 80-yard field.

“We played 8-man football at the time,” Antle said.

“It wasn’t until 2006 that Foyil jumped up a classification and started playing 11-man.”

Knowing that Brown was going to be one of those ‘gifted’ athletes, Antle promoted him to manager on Friday nights, basically helping get the equipment in order and videotape the games.

“We would always take a group of eighth graders with us to varsity games and let them be our managers on Fridays,” Antle said. “We wanted them to experience the atmosphere of Foyil football underneath the lights.

For Josh, his job was to simply put the footballs on the field for warmups and make sure the video equipment was ready to go.

“So, before one of our home games, I’m sitting in my office and my assistant comes in and says, ‘Coach, you got to come see what that (Josh) Brown kid has done.’ ... I was like, ‘I give him a simple job and he’s already messed it up.’ ... But that wasn’t the case. Josh is out there with 30 minutes before kickoff booting field goals through the up rights from 25, 35 and 40 yards.”

Once Antle saw the future he had in this curlyhaired, out-going kicker, the future of Foyil football — in terms of going for extra-points and field goals — had quickly changed.

“We had never kicked a field goal, much less an extra point before Josh came along,” Antle said. “That

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 13

BROWN: From Foyil to the NFL wasn’t the case anymore, as Josh got his first chance as a sophomore.”

Brown’s ability to blast a football, according to Antle, is a “God-given gift.”

“Brown’s sophomore year was his breakout season,” Antle said. “He went from hardly seeing the field as a freshman to never leaving the follow-

14 2012 Late Summer Surrey

ing the season. We put the ball in his hands at tailback and he quickly became a scoring machine.”

Brown went from scoring two touchdowns in ninth-grade to 30 in his sophomore season and eventually finishing with 122 as a senior.

Antle characterized his former AllState player as ‘phenomenal’ and one

of the best to come out of Foyil High School during his coaching career.

“It would be hard to say he’s the best-ever player that I’ve coached, but he’s up there,” Antle said. “As a coach, you love all your athletes, especially when you have the opportunity to coach your sons.”

Brown finished his Foyil High School football career with 9,136 allpurpose yards and 122 touchdowns.

More impressive, though, Brown earned seven letters in football, basketball and track and was a two-time Class A state champion in the high jump with a jump of 6-foot-8 inches in 1997 and 1998. *** Antle’s head coaching career at Foyil spun over a period of eight years from 1990-1998. He returned to the sidelines as an assistant in 2002 and then in 2005 under his step-son, Trent Worley, who recently was named the Special Teams Coordinator at Stillwater High School after serving on the Lincoln Christian staff for many years.

“There’s something special about small-town football on Friday nights that gets your adrenaline flowing,” Antle said. “The town of Foyil takes their football pretty serious and it shows in the support they give to the kids, administrators and coaches.”

When Antle accepted the Foyil head coaching job in 1990, Foyil had

only won an estimated 15 games in 30 years.

“They (Foyil) had only had one winning season,” Antle said.

Things changed in a hurry when Antle resurrected the program, taught the kids fundamentals and developed a winning attitude that had Foyil achieving more than just wins.

“We got the kids believing in making state playoffs and playing for championships,” Antle said. “The parents had always wanted a winning program but never expected it.”

Antle added that the night they introduced the former Oklahoma State University defensive end to the school board to be their next head football coach, he told them, ‘I’m taking a pay-cut from my assistant coaching job at Idabel to come here. But, when I go undefeated, I’m coming back in here and talking about getting a raise.’ ... ‘Coach, you go undefeated and we’ll give you the keys to the town.’”

Antle said at first he may have been a little brash and egotistical, but losing his first seven games in that 1990 season quickly humbled him.

“I was coaching a team that lacked self-discipline, team discipline and quite frankly, didn’t know the fundamentals of football,” Antle said. “It was definitely a challenge that first year, especially having only one assistant and anywhere from 12 to 18 players show up for practice.”

Simply put, Antle felt he was coaching over these kids’ heads.

But once they started grasping what their coach was telling them on blocking schemes and making the simple things not look so difficult anymore, the perception of the Foyil football program went from being average to great.

“We immediately became competitive when we started focusing on fundamentals,” Antle said.

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Late Summer 2012 Surrey 15

BROWN: From Foyil to the NFL In 1991, Foyil finished second in the district, falling to Welch in a showdown by six points. Antle brought the Panthers a long ways in such a short period and even gave the Foyil fans something to look forward too with a state playoff berth.

“Though we lost to Morrison, 32-0, in the playoffs, we had a remarkable season,” Antle said.

The next year — 1992 — Foyil went undefeated and got beat in the 8-man state semifinals. Then, a five-year stretch from 1992-to-1997, Foyil became a household name in the 8Man state playoffs, reaching either the quarterfinals or semifinals, and even the state finals in 1997.

“When you win, it creates more pride and enthusiasm in your program, your school and your town,” Antle said. “A lot of my success at Foyil, I give credit to Mike McGregor, who took a chance on hiring me and giving me freedom to run my own program. (Mike) McGregor understood that extra-curricular activities brings pride to a school and a town and that’s why his name is on the football field.”

During Antle’s eight-year stretch as the Foyil head football coach, the former Owasso Rams standout amassed a 75-30 overall record. *** The pinnacle of Antle’s coaching career, however, came in his later years when he coached Foyil’s firstever NCAA Division I football player — Josh Brown — and then assisting his step-son Worley in 2005 while coaching his middle son, Tanner Antle, who went on to be a standout linebacker for Tulsa University.

Antle said he’s not surprised at all by the way Brown’s career has materialized.

After re-writing the 8-Man football history books, Brown went on to a 16 2012 Late Summer Surrey

Former Foyil head football coach Rick Antle sits in his home with a picture of his son, Tanner, and a signed Super Bowl football by ex-Seattle Seahawks placekicker Josh Brown. Tanner Antle and Josh Brown played NCAA Division I football at Tulsa and Nebraska following their outstanding prep careers at Foyil High School.

four-year career at the University of Nebraska, where he etched his name in Cornhuskers history as one of the greatest kickers to ever step foot inside Lincoln Stadium.

From Brown’s point of view, picking Nebraska over homestate power-

house, Oklahoma, was the best decision he made.

Brown’s recruitment to Nebraska started the summer of his senior year at Foyil, where he attended a camp in Lincoln and quickly made an impression on then-head coach Tom Os-

BROWN: From Foyil to the NFL

Josh Brown broke into the NFL with with the Seattle Seahawks. He kicked a 47-yard field goal in Super Bowl XL against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

18 Late Summer Surrey

PHOTOS PROVIDED Josh Brown, a former placekicker for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, hit 40-of-59 field goals and 184-of-188 extra points to place him fourth on the Cornhuskers all-time scoring list. Ten of Brown’s 40 career field goals were from 40 yards or longer, including seven in 2002, tying a season record for most field goals of 40 yards or longer. That total does not include a 51-yard field goal in the 2000 Alamo Bowl against Northwestern.

borne. Knowing that Nebraska was probably only going to take one kicker in the upcoming recruiting class to replace former NFL great Kris Brown, Brown wasted very little time to get the coach’s attention.

“I walked up to Coach Osborne and told him, ‘I’m going to be your next Nebraska kicker.’,” Brown said.

And come February 1998, Brown signed the national letter of intent to

take his strong right-leg to Nebraska and kick in the Big 12 Conference.

Despite redshirting in 1998, Brown got his chance the following season in 1999, hitting 14-of-20 field goals and 46-of-47 extra points.

His highlight in 1999 came on a season-best 42-yard field goal against Texas in the Big 12 Championship game.

One year later, in 2000, Brown

was a perfect 60-of-60 on extra points, hit a season-long 40-yarder against Iowa State and also drove home the game-winner in Nebraska’s 34-32 win over Colorado on Thanksgiving Day. Brown also had a career-best 51-yard field goal against Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl.

In 2001, Brown hit 10-of-14 field goals and was 34-of-37 on extra points. The highlight of his junior Late Summer 2012 Surrey 19

BROWN: From Foyil to the NFL year came in Nebraska’s 20-10 win over Oklahoma, where he booted two field goals through the up-rights and steered the Cornhuskers toward a Rose Bowl berth.

As a senior in 2002, Brown’s accomplishments on special teams helped him garner AP All-Big 12 secondteam honors and AP Coaches Poll All-Big 12 first-team honors.

Brown wrapped up his four-year stint at Nebraska with 304 total points, ranking him fourth on the Cornhuskers’ career scoring list behind Heisman Trophy winners Eric Crouch and Mike Rozier, as well as NFL great Kris Brown.

“Nebraska was an overwhelming experience for me, and a big-time adjustment especially coming from the small surroundings of Foyil,” Brown said. “That first year, I didn’t care about anything but having fun. I thought I was only at Nebraska to play football and that was it.”

Things changed in a hurry when Brown realized there was more to being a college athlete than just playing football.

“I had to get my priorities in order and focus more on schoolwork,” Brown said. *** Saturdays in Lincoln were simply amazing, according to Brown.

“It was such an adrenaline rush to walk out of the locker room leading to the field and seeing that stadium full of red,” Brown added. “Just talking about it now still makes my hair stand up. Cornhusker fans are the most awesome fans in college football.”

Throughout his collegiate career, Brown said he was 1-1 versus Oklahoma, with the loss coming in 2000 at Norman — the same year current OU offensive coordinator Josh Heupel quarterbacked the Sooners to their perfect season and national championship.

“OU was No. 1 and Nebraska was No. 2 going into that game,” Brown said. “Being an Oklahoma boy and kicking in front of people who knew me, I had to prove that I made the right decision by choosing Nebraska over Oklahoma. Though, the score didn’t reflect in my favor, I still believe God wanted me at Nebraska.”

Another place Brown enjoyed kicking at and had success was Kyle Field in College Station.

“Texas A&M has so much history and tradition. Their stadium literally moves when their fans start swaying 20 2012 Late Summer Surrey

side-to-side and back-and-forth,” Brown said.

Brown converted three field goals in 1999 against Texas A&M, and then nailed a 42-yarder in Nebraska’s come-from-behind 38-31 win over the Aggies in 2002.

With all his accomplishments as a Cornhusker kicker, Brown’s final stepping stone to his spectacular future came in April of 2003 when the Foyil star received a phone call from the Seattle Seahawks.

“I was the only kicker taken in the NFL Draft that year,” Brown said.

Seattle drafted Brown with the 222nd overall pick in the seventh round, thus beginning his NFL journey. *** Since starting his professional career with Seattle in 2005, Brown has had many defining moments.

• Oct. 23, 2005 against the Dallas Cowboys, Brown converted two field goals over 50 yards — a 55-yarder and a 50-yarder as time expired to win the game.

• Oct. 15, 2006, Brown kicked a 54-yard game-winning field goal in the Seahawks’ 30-28 win over the St. Louis Rams.

• Nov. 27, 2006, on Monday Night Football, Brown tied his career best by kicking four field goals — all in the first half — in a snowy game at Green Bay. • Dec. 3, 2006, Brown kicked a 51-yard field goal to win the game against the Denver Broncos, making it his fourth game-winning kick in the last minute in the 2006 season.

• Brown also was a member of the Super Bowl runner-up Seattle Seahawks in 2006, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-10.

After his stint in Seattle, Brown signed a 5-year, $14.2 million contract with the St. Louis Rams in 2008, making him the highest-paid kicker at the time.

• Aug. 13, 2011, Brown made a 60-yard field goal in a preseason game against the Colts.

Also, as of Nov. 2009, Brown has a perfect passer rating of 158.3 with one completion in one attempt for 36 yards and a touchdown.

The Rams, however, elected to cut Brown in April of this year, leaving the Foyil kicker to seek greener pastures with the New York Jets.

“I love Seattle, it was a great place to live and a place where I met my wife and two step sons,” Brown

said. “But, the NFL is a business and you can’t get complacent. I was fortunate to have the opportunity of kicking in a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.

And, then going to St. Louis and being around another Oklahoma guy in Sam Bradford was a nice change of pace. New York is a place I’m looking forward too and hopefully not only making the Super Bowl, but winning it.”

With all his success in high school, Nebraska and the NFL, Brown still looks back on his time with Coach Antle as being the basis for his football foundation.

“I owe half of my career if not all of it to Rick Antle,” Brown said. “He was and still is a major, major influence in my life. He taught me the game of football and about life.”

And, when people ask Brown where he’s from, ‘it’s Foyil like in Aluminum.’

“We’re just bunch of country boys that like playing football.”

Path to the NFL 1995-1998 — Foyil High School Josh Brown played running back, safety and was the Panthers’ punter and placekicker. He hit on 8-of-18 field goal attempts with a career-long 61-yarder in the state playoffs in 1996 and was also 38-of-42 on extra points.

Over his four year prep career, Brown totaled 9,136 all-purpose yards and 122 touchdowns.

1998-2002 — Nebraska Cornhuskers Brown finished third on the Nebraska’s all-time scoring list with 315 points, topped only by former NFL kicker Kris Brown (388 points, 199598) and Heisman Trophy quarterback Eric Crouch (368 points, 19982001).

As a senior, Brown was a All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection by the league’s coaches and the Kansas City Star, adding second-team honors from the Associated Press after leading the Cornhuskers in scoring with 88 points on 14-of-18 field goals and all 46 extra-point attempts.

Brown also booted a 51-yard field goal in the 2000 Alamo Bowl against Northwestern, and set an NCAA bowl record with nine extra-point conversions.

2003-2007 — Seattle Seahawks Brown was drafted by the Seahawks with the 222nd overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.

On Oct. 23, 2005 while playing against the Dallas Cowboys, Brown converted two field goals over 50 yards: a 55-yarder and a 50-yarder as time expired to win the game.

On Oct. 15, 2006, Brown kicked a 54-yard game-winning field goal while time expired against the St. Louis Rams to win the game 30-28.

On Nov. 27, 2006, Brown tied his career best by kicking four field goals in a snowy Monday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers, and amazingly, all four field goals were made in the first half.

On Dec. 3, 2006, Brown kicked a 51-yard field goal to win the game against the Denver Broncos, making it his fourth game-winning kick in the last minute of the 2006 season.

Brown’s career long is a 58-yard field goal against the Green Bay Packers during his rookie season.

Brown also had a 47-yard field goal in the Seahawks’ 21-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XL in 2006.

2008-2011 — St. Louis Rams On Feb. 29, 2008, Brown signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams, making him the NFL’s highest paid kicker at the time.

On Aug. 13, 2011, Brown made a 60-yard field goal in a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Brown’s best seasons with the Rams were 2008 (31-of-36 field goals, 19of-19 extra points) and 2010 (33-of-39 field goals, 26-of-27 extra points).

2012-present — New York Jets * Brown signed a free agent contract with the Jets on May 1, 2012 and is currently battling Nick Folk for the starting kicking job in preseason training camp in Cortland, N.Y. Late Summer 2012 Surrey 21

The Gift of Communication I

t is a lifetime story and a unique road of how Mary Marche became a speech pathologist in Claremore.

“I have a cousin who was born with a very severe birth injury. He had cerebral palsy and could not walk or talk and needed help doing everything,” Marche said.

Despite this, he would keep watch over us and was very much the center of the family, she explained.

If we would get into anything we were to touch or not to play with he would let out a scream and “tattle” to our parents.

“He was “one of the crew” and I grew up with this wonderful person in my house and he was such a big part of it,” she said.

22 2012 Late Summer Surrey

By Salesha Wilken Marche originally planned to go into forestry, but after a special delivery was made to her rural school her life changed.

A government program back in the 1970’s was established to send out speech pathologists to underserved communities in rural schools.

They would show up with their sound booths, test students and then write a plan for teachers to use.

“I was the student that was selected to work with these pathologists for nine weeks.

They really encouraged me and let me read the books they brought,” she said.

Marche new she had found her calling.

“It was exactly what I was meant to do,” Marche said.

After the experience she changed her major and university to study speech and communication.

There is this irrepressible desire, you cannot prevent people from trying to communicate and it doesn’t matter how severe the disorders are.

Even with severe brain damage, severe mental retardation or any of those issues, mental challenges, physical challenges people are driven to communicate, she explained “I am totally humbled by the experience of ever participating in someone as they discover how to do that, there is nothing in the world as excit-

Marche works with children to give words life ing as the first time a mom hears her baby’s voice for the first time or someone that is coming out of a coma and they speak someone’s name again or recognize the people around them. When people who are thought to not be communicating and you can start to see a pattern in what they are doing,” Marche said.

“They are epiphanies, those wonderful moments that happen where you are in aw because you are there to witness it and sometimes document it, but the person themself is driven to do the communicating and anything I do as a speech pathologist that facilitate that is what I see as my role.”

Marche graduated from the University of South Dakota with both bachelor and master’s degrees in communication disorders.

Marche said her academic and professional experience have both played a key role in learning her craft.

“I can’t separate those two roads,” she said. “The road to learn the academics is not an easy road, but it is the foundation and you lay your experience on top of it.”

Marche believes you can benefit from the experience, but without the foundation you cannot replicate the things you sometimes stumble upon, she explained.

Marche has worked in a variety of areas including a job coach for the office of mental retardation, school districts, residential facilities for severe and profoundly disabled individuals, nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

Additionally she served on the

faculty at Arkansas State University and taught graduate and undergraduate courses.

With all her experience Marche, cannot explain which was the best, however one thing has been consistent.

“What I like best is when I watch some, No matter what the distance, no matter what the obstacles, I got to watch someone communicate with someone,” Marche said.

Some people think you don’t have to teach someone to say no, but sometimes you do, according to Marche.

“To give someone the words yes and no, can open up so much,” she said.

Humbly, Marche continued to explain her work and with tears in her eyes she spoke about how some

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 23

MARCHE: The power of words students have touched her heart.

Marche briefly shared a story about one student she worked with many years ago. The boy had a difficulty with stuttering. It was one of her first students and she remembered how hard it was for him as a child.

Many years later she had run across the young man on a trip back to her hometown and he was pumping gas.

At first glance she did not recognize him, as he was a grown man.

The man immediately knew her and let himself stutter as he asked Marche how he could help her.

He asked if she remembered him but it wasn’t until he stuttered she recognized him.

His eyes filled with tears as he explained to Marche that he owned the

24 2012 Late Summer Surrey

gas station.

Because of the help Marche gave him, the man was able to operate and manage his own successful business.

Marche was visibly moved as she spoke of the man and seeing her work come full circle.

“My life is full of ‘Mikes’, that was his name,” Marche said. “It is full of times when I left a place and people thought differently of the students and people I worked with.”

Marche has been making that type of impact on many students through the years and it is natural to her what she does.

Each person she works with is unique and has a different need. They may not be able to speak or have a language-processing deficit.

Continued on page 26

Mary Marche

Mission of Mercy

Dr. Overstreet shares talents with Mexican village

F

By Rebecca Hattaway

or years, vacations for Claremore eye doctor, Abby couldn’t communicate.

Overstreet, O.D., have not only included the usual “She found someone who signs and paid for them to fun in the sun and much-needed relaxation, but teach the boy and his family,” Overstreet said. also helping people in need.

As an eye doctor, Overstreet, who owns Advanced ViOverstreet’s grandparents live near the small, remote sion Center in Claremore, is helping in her own way to village of El Cardinal in the Mexico desert. continue her grandmother’s work through providing eye “Growing up, I’d go down there every summer,” Overcare and eye glasses to the people in El Cardinal who street said. “It’s a two-hour drive from Cabo, all dirt would otherwise have no access. roads. There’s an eight-mile stretch that’s one way, so if “It’s over three hours away to get any type of medical you meet another car, someone has to back up.” treatment,” Overstreet said. “I take tons of readers with Not every home in the village has me and we go through and find something electricity — or even running water. to help them finally see better. They’re just “Words can’t describe it, really,” Overso happy to have reading glasses — somestreet said. “Seeing how those people thing most of us think nothing of.” live, you realize how much you take for She also brings handheld equipment to granted. We are so fortunate.” perform eye exams, along with plenty of It’s something Overstreet’s granditems to give to the people. mother, Sally Holt, has been working to “We take everything from eyeglass change since she moved there from cleaner to clothes, supplies — even nail Muskogee 40 years ago. polish. We leave everything we bring with “They were the first Americans down us there, and go home with basically just in that area. Now there are about 16 the clothes on our backs,” she said. other American homes,” Overstreet Overstreet and her husband typically said. “The village is about 25-30 minvisit twice a year for a week at a time.

Dr. Abby Overstreet utes away. We ride four-wheelers to get “They catch word we’re coming and there; it’s hard to access by car.” they’re at the house waiting!,” she said.

While it’s not a tourist destination by “They are like family to us. Some people any means, Overstreet said, there is now a grocery store think Mexico is a scary place, but the Cartel has not and restaurants in the village. made it down there (to El Cardinal),” Overstreet said.

Holt built a hotel in town and has even provided hous- “They are all just very good people. There’s no crime. I’m ing for local residents, paying for 35 homes with electric- safer there than I am here.” ity and running water to be built.

One special person Overstreet has been able to help She also built a school, complete with desks, books is Yolanda, an elderly woman who suffers from glauand other necessary supplies. coma and diabetes.

Because of her help to their community, the residents She brings Yolanda medication that she is unable to affectionately refer to her as “Mama.” have access to — much less pay for. Overstreet said she Several years ago, she took a young man under her is always touched by the people’s genuine gratefulness. wings and taught him English and entrepreneurial skills “They are so appreciative — for anything,” she said. so he could start a taxi business.

“They want to do anything they can to thank you. They “She provided cars for him. Now he runs a company sing for us and want to cook for us. They know I love flan which brings fishermen to the hotel,” Overstreet said. and Yolanda makes the best flan. That’s my payment.

Then there’s a deaf boy who Holt met. At the time, he It’s very special. I’m just glad I can do something to help and his family didn’t know sign language so they make their lives better.”

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 25

Marche From page 24

Until we fix the problem and for them to understand the words and how they are put together it can be difficult for students to succeed in school.

“I have worked with some phenomenal teachers in the public school system, they demanded that my therapy was related to the curriculum, “ Marche said. “They were going to make sure I was not going to fail in my services.”

In order to find out where the communication is breaking down, Marche has to become a part of that communication, she explained.

“The students have to trust you enough to be able to tell you what they need,” she said.

Marche has one clear goal, to help people communicate and what that means is different for each person.

Passionate in everything she does, Marche loves her job and it is apparent from the excitement in her voice as she describes her work.

From growing up with her cousin and learning to communicate with someone in a nontraditional way, Marche has taken the very special gift she has and shared it with the world.

Even upon scheduling an interview with Marche, parents were eager to share their stories.

Kind word after kind word, was shared about how this women “changed my child’s life”.

The children she works with light up when they see her because they know she “speaks” their language.

Marche works everyday to make sure her students know that everything they do has meaning.

It changes the perception and people start to listen to what the student is trying to do, she explained.

“I thought everyone knew how to watch for people trying to communicate,” Marche said.

Continued on page 33 26 2012 Late Summer Surrey

Hall of Fame From page 9

let the community tell us what’s important, then we can use the big guns if needed. We help as much as possible and resolve issues for the town,” he said.

In 2007 John Wylie prepared a piece on the civil service of small town media for the National Summit on

Journalism in Rural America, Shakertown at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. The title was “Independent Publishing Today: Thriving in a world of box stores and chain papers. He wrote, “You are the only newspaper that gives a diddly about your town. Act like it. Your town includes the preacher and the pauper; the millionaire and the welfare mom; the teacher and the mentally handicapped child. Speak for all of them, meet their needs, help them realize

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their dreams and you will prosper.”

With social media being so accessible today, newspaper media has begun adjusting to a new age.

“The economics of the newspaper businesses are changing. We will need to figure that out, however verified news will stay. People know the difference between real news and chatter, and communities need journalists who can present the real news,” said Faith Wylie.

Earlier this year John Wylie underwent an extensive heart-valve replacement and had to miss the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

While waiting on his heart surgery, he wasted no time, writing and editing from St. Johns Hospital with his laptop, desk chair and office table.

Faith and John Wylie both said retiring is not an option right now.

The two stay busy working with the Oologah Historical Society, where Faith Wylie helped bring the Will Rogers Statue to the “historical” downtown area.

Currently she is working on a mystery manuscript and would like to someday travel the world promoting her book. As for the future, John and Faith want to continue working hard bringing news to Oologah and Talala.

“We have a great staff and our community is very supportive. The newspaper does not just belong to the journalists but also the people,” she said.

As inductees to the 2012 Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, the duo felt honored and humbled to be joining such a remarkable group of journalists. This is only the third husband and wife team to be inducted together. Journalism takes constant dedication and effort. A reporter is accountable for the news in a rapidly changing world and can endeavor some criticism.

John and Faith Wylie have turned the change and criticism into success and have shown others how qualityjournalism can make a difference.

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 27

Let’s Have

Lemonade Poke Cake

By Angela Henderson

D

uring this 100-degree of this summer, it’s hard to remember the harsh winters we had in northeastern Oklahoma. Winter isn’t my favorite time of year. Who can forget Snowmageddon 2011? I love a good snow day just as much as the next person, but 20 inches of drifting snow bordered on the ridiculous.

Now that we are in the midst of this extreme heat, which seems to be never ending, I’m sharing a recipe my mother used to make that’s still a favorite in our family: Lemonade Poke Cake. When I see the daffodils in bloom, I’m reminded of this fresh and sweet yellow cake that’s so easy anyone can make it.

My father adores anything lemon. When I was little, Daddy would take everyone’s iced tea lemon wedge and eat it like a slice of orange. My pucker reflex would engage just watching him chew the tart lemon flesh away from the peel.

Momma, of course, knew that this cake was Daddy’s favorite and she made it often. I don’t remember if Momma got this recipe from somebody or just made it up herself, but knowing her, it was the latter. She was so very clever that way.

Last year I made a trip to the State Capital and I took pieces of this cake to our area legislators.

They do such a good job that I thought they all needed a little slice of home. One of them called me later that evening to thank me and told me it was the best cake he’d ever eaten. He will be getting another cake this year.

28 2012 Late Summer Surrey

To make Lemonade Poke Cake, you’ll need the following ingredients: 1 lemon cake mix (any brand will do, but I’m fond of Pillsbury and it’s usually on sale) 3 eggs 1 c. water 1/3 c. canola oil 1 can lemonade concentrate, thawed and undiluted 2 c. powdered sugar (eyeball it)

How To: Make the cake according to the package directions. If you’re using the Pillsbury cake mix, you will use the three eggs, cup of water, and third cup of canola oil in the ingredients list. Bake in a 9x13-inch baking pan as directed on the package.

Once you’ve removed the finished cake from the oven, poke holes all over the cake down to the bottom of the pan. I use a metal skewer for this task. Don’t be skimpy in poking the holes, because you’re going to pour a scrumptious glaze over the top very soon.

After you’ve poked the cake all over, whisk together the can of lemonade concentrate and approximately two cups of powdered sugar. If there are lumps of powdered sugar in the glaze, allow it to sit for a little bit and whisk again. Pour the glaze over the top of the cake.

When you pour the glaze over the cake, it will seep Pour the glaze over the cake, it will seep down into down into the holes and form the holes in the cake. a slight glaze on top of the cake. Allow to cool completely and serve. This cake is very rich, so you should be able to serve 15 people very comfortably. It also makes cute little petit-fours if cut up into smaller pieces.

Thank you, Momma, for yet another yummy-licious recipe.

You were the best cook EVER!

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 29

Marche

From page 26

It was not until college that she realized that is a learned behavior, although these parents view it as a very special gift. Most importantly Marche wants parents to know it is ok to ask questions, to ask for help.

She wants all children to have a voice. Sometimes people view chil-

dren with disabilities as “less”, but there is nothing “less” about these children, Marche said.

“I am so blessed to do this and that this is my life,” Marche said.

It is obvious that the blessing is shared, as these families feel truly blessed to know Marche.

August 25-26 Claremore Dog Expo featuring Dock Dogs Claremore Expo Center September 6-8 33rd Annual Bluegrass and Chili Festival Claremore Expo Center September 5 7 p.m. U. S. Navy Band’s Country Current September 12-17 Rogers County Fair Claremore Expo Center September 28-29 Art on the Hill Art sale and exhibit Rogers State University

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 33

Bluegrass & Chili Festival

Pepper Hot Music & Food 33rd annual event features world-class chili, performers

T

he 33rd Annual Bluegrass & Chili Festival is set for Sept. 6-8 on the grounds of the Claremore Expo Center.

The weekend festivities will include three stages of free “pepper hot” concerts by national and regional artists.

Headliners scheduled to appear include a host of award winners. Thursday night line-up includes country superstar and historian Marty Stuart & The Fabulous Superlatives and the award winning Dailey & Vincent.

Friday’s line-up includes: CMA, IBMA and Grammy award winning Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder. Saturday headliners include Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, festival favorites Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and IIIrd Tyme Out. Top regional acts will entertain on three stages performing a variety of music including country, gospel, bluegrass and classic rock.

Watch for the complete line-up and schedule will be posted on www.claremore.org. In addition to the free concerts, other musical entertainment highlights include: The “Junior Showcase” this showcase is designed to give talented youth 21 and under stage exposure and experience in a non-competitive showcase.

Youth receive a sponsor bag and by drawing one will win a guitar. “The Best Country In The City Vocalist Competition invites vocalists of any age to participate, applications are now available.

Winner will be awarded a cash prize.

Dancers will “kick up their heels” during the festivities. Country dancers and cloggers will offer dance

34 2012 Late Summer Surrey

exhibitions and audience participation.

The Bluegrass & Chili Festival will sizzle with many other family activities. The Festival Market inside the Expo will include a wide variety of crafts, services and business showcase. Little buckaroos can find free activities at the Kiddie Korral.

The Open Car Show will give festival attendees an opportunity to see classic and current beauties and you don’t want to miss the Antique Tractor Pull.

All these family activities will add spice to the weekend of family fun!

Don’t miss the Mid-America Regional Chili Cook-off and Salsa Competition.

The International Chili Society Division winning cook will represent the Festival in the World Cook-off that boasts a $25,000 first prize. A non-profit division is open to non-profits, schools, churches etc. winner will receive $1,000 first prize.

Open and corporate division teams will compete for awards and of course bragging rights! All teams will vie for booth decorations, showmanship and ham-manship honors.

Festival attendees can also sample the award winning chili with an official taster kit!

Festival opens at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Saturday festivities from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For additional Festival information and applications contact: Bluegrass & Chili Festival, Claremore Chamber at 419 W. Will Rogers, Claremore, OK 74017.

Hotel information, festival updates and a complete list of festival partners at www.claremore.org or 918341-2818.

On-site parking $10 per car load.

Festival major sponsors: Lafarge, City of Claremore, RCB Bank, RSU Public Television, Big Country 99.5, KOTV The News on 6 and, Claremore Chamber of Commerce.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksliver

Rhonda Vincent and The Rage Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder

IIIrd Tyme Out

Dailey and Vincent

Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives

Late Summer 2012 Surrey 35

36 2012 Late Summer Surrey