Nescatunga Special Edition

42nd Annual Nescatunga Arts Festival

June 4, 2011 Alva, Oklahoma 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Downtown Square (In the case of rain the Festival will be in the Merchant’s Building of the Woods County Fairgrounds)

Alva Artist Calvin Graybill adds the finishing touches to a painting entered in a previous Nescatunga Arts Festival. Photo by Helen Barrett

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Nescatunga President Charla Parker welcomes you to the festival June 4

By Yvonne Miller Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council President Charla Parker welcomes you to the 42nd Nescatunga Arts Festival on the courthouse lawn of Alva’s downtown square.

Held the first Saturday of June each year, the event brings area people to Alva to view fine art and crafts exhibits, enjoy a variety of entertainment and traditional favorite festival foods.

In case of inclement weather, the festival moves to the Merchant’s Building at the Woods County Fairgrounds on the south edge of Alva.

Charla views the festival as “a way for the community to come together and enjoy the fruits of labor of so many artists, craftsmen, entertainers and cooks.”

Shoppers will find jewelry, pottery, sculptures, paintings, leathercraft, photography, wood works, quilts, baskets, handwork, children’s clothing and hair bows, homemade food items, a variety of arts and crafts and much more.

“The festival is a good thing for the City of Alva to bring people to the community,” Charla said. “I just believe so strongly in the arts and promoting them in our community.”

On behalf of the Nescatunga Council, Charla expressed appreciation to the Alva Tourism Committee that gave up to $5,750 toward the festival. This money is raised from Alva’s hotel/motel tax.

Charla’s first involvement with the festival came when she and husband Larry helped move chairs and tables with Lion’s Club members.

“That was at least 15 years ago I think. Little by little I got more involved.

That was at the time when (the late) Dale Brown was president (from 199599). Cancer was making her very sick.

That’s when vice president Billie Buckles stepped up and took over to keep the festival going. Then Barbara Gordon served as president from 1999-2003.

Then I was elected president and here I am in 2011!”

Excited About New Festival Additions Charla is excited to have a new offering this year that will entertain everyone from little kids to adults. That is a performance by Travis Brorsen and his talented four-legged companion Presley who have a lively, fun presentation that teach children good manners.

After winning the 2008 CBS hit reality show “Greatest American Dog”, this

FESTIVAL OFFICERS for 2011 are (front from left) Registration Chair Grace Lansdown, President Charla Parker, Co-Chair Quilts Melissa Graybill, (back) Secretary Mary Strickland, Treasurer Ramona Cummings, Co-Chair Quilts Sally Nighswonger, Publicity Chair Mary Margaret Miller, and Gimme-a-break Chair Maureen Thomas. Not pictured is Vice President Jane Tucker. Photo by Jim Stout

Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council President Charla Parker welcomes you to the arts festival. Photo by Jim Stout young actor and studio trained brindle boxer decided to hit the road. They are coming to Alva the day of the festival and will perform at 1 p.m., at “The Extreme” building located on the west side of the square at the south end. See more details in a separate story.

There will be live demonstrations at the Quilt Show located inside the courthouse lobby. Sally Nighswonger, co-chair of the quilt show, will have her long arm machine quilter there, showing how it works throughout the day.

Other demonstrations will happen in the upstairs lobby of the courthouse that looks over the first floor lobby where quilts will hang.

Washington School Principal Tracy Leeper will show the art of “spinning’ at 2 p.m. Mary Margaret Myers will demonstrate “knitting” and Maureen Thomas “tatting” earlier in the day, but the times were not yet announced at press time.

Charla said these demonstrations will include a “hands-on approach” and she encourages children to come and try See Welcome Page 4

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Attention Artists and Crafters

By Yvonne Miller Artists and crafters, as you unload and set up your booth enjoy donuts, juice and coffee, courtesy of the Hospitality Committee chaired by Helen

Thiesing.

If you need to leave your booth to look around, get lunch, take a break, etc., one of the Gimme-a-Break members will sit in your booth for you. Mem-

bers will be walking through the festival in matching vests with name tags so you can find them. Maureen Thomas chairs the Gimme-a-Break committee.

Have a great show!

Win a prize with Nescatunga Festival Trivia!

Prize is Print of Calvin Graybill’s Painting of Courthouse Lawn on festival day

By Yvonne Miller Throughout this special edition for the 42nd Annual Nescatunga Arts Festival, you’ll see trivia questions. Most of the answers are found within these pages. You may have to Google a few subjects to get the answers.

Good news. You have until Saturday morning of the June 4 festival to find the answers. The FIRST person to give their CORRECT answers to Nescatunga President Charla Parker THE MORNING OF THE FESTIVAL is the prize winner.

Charla said she’ll be on the square

bright and early Saturday morning, mostly near the FORMER Chamber Office which is now the office of Dr. Julia Bays. (The building is located on the west side of the courthouse lawn.) Nescatunga still uses that building as festival headquarters.

The registration table will be set up

outside the front door. If Charla isn’t right there, one of the other Nescatunga officers should have the correct answers to the trivia questions.

Charla said the winner’s prize will be a signed print of Alva artist Calvin Graybill’s painting of the courthouse lawn on festival day.

Trivia Question #1 Name one of the Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council founding members who was instrumental in starting the art show.

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Artists, craftsmen, photographers and author will exhibit work at Nescatunga Art Festival Here are the artists, craftsmen, author and photographers whose work will be on display during the Nescatunga Art Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday June 4 on the square in Alva.

FINE ARTISTS 2011 • Billington, Kerry, Edmond, OK. Oil & Mixed Media • Blue, Kendall, Kirtland, NM. Navajo Arts & Crafts • Brownrigg, Jerry, Alva, OK. Wood Sculpture • Elder, David, Guymon, OK. Pottery • Fowle, Lori Lake City, KS. Watercolor & Graphics • Graybill, Calvin, Alva, OK. Oils/ Acrylics[Water color • Gooch Jamie/LuAnn Nelson, Hugoton, KS. Designer Arts/jewelry • Helm, Ed, Weatherford, OK. Oils/ Acrylics/water color • Hett, Lyndon, Marion, KS. Metal Sculpture • Kinzie, Beverly, Alva, OK. Book Signing • Lauffer, Andrew, Alva, OK>Photography • McPhail, Eva Faye, Gate, OK. Oils / Acrylics • Richey, Jim, Alva, OK. Photography • Spears, Ed, Shawnee, OK. Oil Painting • Tallent, Larry, Norman, OK. Designer Arts • Welty, Stephen, Stillwater, OK. Leather Crafts • Wycoff, Jacque, Garber, OK. De-

signer Arts CRAFTERS 2011 • Bearden, Sharon, Duncan, OK. Jewelry • Bentley, Mary, Enid, OK. Jewelry • Doan, Debbie, Liberal, KS. Children’s clothing • Garrett. Donna, Blanchard, OK. Cloth handwork • Kolb, James, Cheyenne, OK. Jewelry

ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE for the Nescatunga Art Festival are Jerad and DoDe Bradt and Cara and Nick Bradt. Photo by Jim Stout

Trivia Question #2 What Nescatunga artist’s father was one of the original “Code Talkers” in World War II?

Trivia Question #3 Who is a former Alva minister returning to the festival to have a booth this year?

• Batchelder, Josephine, Enid, OK. Wood works • McPherson, Kenneth & Linda, Binger, OK. Leather work • Royer, Carl, Collinsville, OK. crafts • Walker, Kellie, Drummond, OK. Hair bow/ flip flops • Ploog, Benita, Dalhart, TX. Wood toys & clothing • Ridgway, Philip, Alva, OK. Student Water color

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Welcome

using their hands to create these artforms.

Caricatures are back! Former Alva minister Bill Kalfas returns to the festival to create his fun, whimsical portraits. Young and old have fun posing in front of Bill for a drawing.

Charla Thanks Behind the Scenes People “Without the help of so many people in the community beyond Nescatunga members, the festival wouldn’t work,” Charla said.

She thanks some of those people: the BJCC crew who sets up tables and chairs and clean the square after the festival; Ken Brown and his sons who get all the tents in place; Woods County who has the lawn prepared for the festival; the City of Alva who gets the downtown streets ready; Arlo Darr for a horse trailer used to move things around. . . the list goes on and on.

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Welty returns with leathercraft

By Yvonne Miller “We did well at the festival last year,” leather craftsman Steve Welty said of his booth at the Nescatunga Arts Festival.

If you seek custom made leather goods with a western flair, drop by Steve’s booth. He’ll create a custom made belt for you – or a wallet, cell phone cover, checkbook holder, purses, framed pics (tooled leather surrounded by leather matte) and more. His display is sizable. If he doesn’t have it – he’ll make what you want.

Steve said the the works of Western artists Tim Cox, Roy Ward and Charles Russell inspire his designs.

Steve is a native of Freedom where he graduated from high school in 1964, His dad worked at the co-op. Steve went to Stillwater where he went to school at OSU. “I never left,” he said. He worked for the animal science department, doing beef cattle research, nutrition and physiology.

Steve and his wife Mary (Annett, originally from Alva), continue to reside in Stillwater. He said doing his leathercraft “is very relaxing and enjoyable to me. The creative part is what appeals to me.”

“I look forward to being at the festival!” Steve said.

“Bringing phone cases, wallets, purses, framed pics (tooled leather with leather matte around them) Western stuff: Charles Russell, Tim Cox (western artists) Roy Ward I like his pictures. They’ve inspired me.

“Did well at festival last year – mainly belts. Look forward to being there!”

These are samples of Steve Welty’s leathercraft he’ll have at the festival.

Below: These are samples of Steve Welty’s leathercraft cell phone covers he’ll have at the festival.

These are samples of Steve Welty’s leathercraft wallets and checkbook holders he’ll have at the festival.

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Arni Anderson returns for second year to judge festival

A longtime art teacher and professional artist, Arni Anderson returns to the Nescatunga Arts Festival to judge fine art for the second consecutive year.

By Yvonne Miller Artist and teacher Arni Anderson returns to Alva the second time to judge fine art at the Nescatunga Arts Festival.

Anderson said the people of Alva “treated me so good last year,” he was glad to again drive up to northwest Oklahoma from Edmond which he’s called home the past 36 years.

An art educator from collegiate to public schools, he officially retired last week from Oakdale School in Edmond where he’s taught K-8 art the last 12 years. Of retirement, he said, “I’m lovin’ it.”

Now he has time to continue his professional art career and travel to more art shows.

“You don’t gain a following without attending art shows,” Anderson said.

He also loves to travel and put on art camps for youth which he’ll now have more time to do. Besides painting, he likes to help youth make plaster masks, glass etchings and candles. He likes to work with clay if a kiln is near where they hold camp.

One of his favorite times was when he was an “Artist in Residence” for the State of Oklahoma. He traveled to schools around the state to present art classes, mainly for schools with no art program.

He sees his greatest accomplishments in the success of his students. That’s not to say Anderson hasn’t received over 450 awards and honors in major competitions. He is proudest of a Friends of the Society Award from the Southern Watercolor Association. Other artists and patrons selected his work for that honor.

He loves creating watercolors, but likes acrylics also and “loves” contemporary works.

Anderson considers himself an impressionist realist, and said he “likes to fool the eye with lack of details.”

On a whimsical note, Anderson is a Mickey Mouse fan and got his first necktie in 1991. He now has 419. He painted a picture of the collection when they totaled 27.

Anderson’s wife is Nina and they have three grown children.

Daughter of ‘Alva Art Show’ founder donates prizes for fine artists

By Yvonne Miller The Nescatunga Arts Festival evolved from the Alva Art Show that began 42 years ago.

“Again this year I would like to provide two honorary prizes in recognition of my mother Hazel Dickson, who, with her friend Bernice Hinton, started the Alva Art Show 42 years ago,” Wanda Dickson Shipley said in a letter to Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council President Charla Parker.

Wanda was a longtime Alva resident and now resides in Stillwater. She said that three years after the first art show, her mother became a founding member of the Nescatunga Council, and the shows continued.

Wanda compliments the Nescatunga organization for doing “a wonderful

job” in continuing the festival tradition all these years.

Hazel worked primarily with the mediums of oil, acrylic and watercolor. So Wanda gives a $50 prize for a painting in

At right: Montana Agate & Onyx pendant in sterling silver are among items created by LarryTallent of Norman during the Nescatunga Art Festival.

one of those mediums.

She also gives a $50 prize in one of the following areas: watercolor; ink or pencil drawing; photography; encaustic; sculpture or silversmithing.

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Nescatunga brings ‘Adventures with Travis and Presley’ to festival

By Yvonne Miller Come one, come all to see an adorable boxer put on a show with his trainer that children and adults will love the day of the Nescatunga Arts Festival.

Kids will have so much fun watching the dog’s tricks, they won’t even realize they are learning good manners at the same time.

The one-time performance is at 1 p.m. at “The Extreme” building, located on the west side of Alva’s square on the south end.

The show is called The Adventures of Travis and Presley. Travis Brorsen and his talented four-legged companion Presley have an amazing story to tell.

After winning the 2008 CBS hit reality show “Greatest American Dog”, this young actor and studio trained brindle boxer decided to hit the road. As they travel the country and entertain children (and adults) they demonstrate their incredible relationship, showing how respect, friendship and using good manners are empowering benefits to being successful.

Travis said in their performance as Presley does tricks he lets his trainer know if he doesn’t say please or thank you. Watching a video of the performance is fun.

What Travis didn’t realize was how strongly Presley would inspire children and how much the children would inspire them. Now, with their ‘Good Manners Series’ curriculum, Travis and Presley want to reach children across the country, providing a tool that develops life skills and demonstrates the importance of having good manners.

In developing curriculum, Travis worked with Oklahoma’s State Department of Education to meet their passage objectives. The curriculum series includes books, computer games that can be played on smart boards in the classroom and much more.

Travis said that his curriculum is designed to offer students something so exciting at school that they can’t wait to be in class and forget any troubles they have at home or elsewhere.

Travis is a native of Perry. Every aspect of his program is produced in Oklahoma.

Kids will love the 1 p.m. show with Presley the boxer at “The Extreme.”

Byrd is Nescatunga scholarship recipient

By Yvonne Miller Keyton Byrd just graduated from Alva High School ranked No. 1 of 57 students. He has a lengthy list of honors and the Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council added to it.

He is the 2011 recipient of Nescatunga’s $500 scholarship. The scholarship is given to an AHS student who is part of organizations involved in the arts.

Keyton was a member of the Electric Gold Show Choir throughout high school. The group received superior ratings and qualified for state 2007-10.

A member of the Forensic Speech Team, Keyton earned 5th place in Humorous Duet at State his junior and senior years.

He plans to attend NWOSU in the fall to obtain a major in business administration. Keyton was accepted to the prestigious President’s Leadership

Class on campus.

Keyton is the son of Kenneth and Sally Byrd.

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Nescatunga Arts Festival Schedule

Sterling Silver & 14K Gold Jasper earrings by Larry Tallent of Norman are among creations he will bring to the Nescatunga Art Festival

Trivia Question #4 What is the State of Oklahoma’s motto and what does it mean?

June 4, 2011 10:00- Opening: Welcome- Arden Chaffe Invocation Posting of the Colors- Troop 392 National Anthem- Dana Miller 10:15- The Max Ridgway Band 10:45- T-N-T Twirling Spencer Kinzie-Violin 11:00- Standing Ovations 11:30- Mitch Lyon 12:00- CH Dance Productions 12:40- Clint Cropp- Classical Piano 1:00- Drew Cunningham 1:15- Ralph Pantalone-Elvis Tribute Artist 1:40- Pardners

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Rachel says ‘bring your appetite’ for food, not just arts and crafts

By Yvonne Miller It’s festival time and that means traditional favorite foods. It’s debatable which selection is the absolute favorite – but the biggest question is where to start!

How about a crème cheese-filled crepe swimming in chocolate or strawberry sauce? Oh yea, that’s dessert, but you only live once.

Maybe you should start with a taco salad. But the aroma of a smoking charcoal grill makes you yearn for an AllAmerican grilled dog or burger.

Then there’s the famous oversized Nescatunga cookies oozing with chocolate chips . . . Don’t forget the Girl Scout snow cone booth, especially if it’s hot outside.

What’s a person to do?

Well, the festival starts at 10 a.m.

Purchase some homemade baked goods at the Gourmet Food Booth early around 9 a.m., to take home for later. Then just start grazing your way around the festival while you admire fine art and the multitude of crafts, both that make great

gifts for your friends and family – or yourself.

Maybe just sit down and relax while nibbling on your favorite festival food as you watch the variety of entertainment.

Betty Jo Retires as Food Booth Chair – Rachel Assumes Position When Betty Jo Pangburn took early retirement from teaching home economics at AHS in 1995, she became active in helping with the festival. A Nescatunga officer, Betty Jo first helped with the Gourmet Food Booth, but soon became chairman of all Festival Foods – a role she held until this year.

“Betty Jo was an amazing organizer many years, but she was ready for something new. I helped her last year, but I can never fill her shoes. I applaud Betty Jo for her many years of service,” Rachel Stewart said.

Rachel is no stranger to the festival.

Blessed with a powerful voice, Rachel is a longtime festival performer, served as mistress of ceremonies several times, chaired entertainment and publicity

many years.

The food chairman plans for all the food, orders it through Alva Market, organizes the AHS school groups to pick it up, prepare and serve it.

“Alva Market is amazing,” Rachel said. “They have everything ready for the groups to pick up. It’s quite a partnership between Nescatunga and the Market. Randy and Mary Hamilton are wonderful. I appreciate their help.”

Mary was a longtime Nescatunga Festival Chairman. “I know that the festival is near and dear to Mary,” Rachel said.

Each of the school organizations affiliated with the arts benefits monetarily throughout the year from the Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council. Working at the festival is the students’ way of saying thank you.

Those AHS groups include: EG who does Taco Salads; Speech who does Hotdogs and Hamburgers; Band who does the Refreshment Booth where you find Nescatunga Cookies, soft drinks and water.

Betty Jo Pangburn still makes the crepes with Janis Schupbach. The Girl Scouts do Snow Cones.

So, as you’ve read this article, did you decide which booth you’ll visit first? Enjoy.

Trivia Question #5 Who started the Taco Salad Booth at the festival?

Trivia Question #6 Name one of the over 100 one-room schoolhouses in Woods County in the late 1800s through early 1900s that starts with the letter “A.” Be exact.

REHEARSING their cooking skills before taking over the Food Booth at the Nescatunga Art Festival are (from left) Jordan Coffman with water, Matt Martin testing the chips, Food Chairman Rachel Stewart in charge, Brandon Ellis on the grill and Carter Spellman playing the role of hungry customer. Photo by Jim Stout

Trivia Question #7 What is the Oklahoma Waltz?

State

of

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Gourmet Food Booth rich in sweets and history

By Yvonne Miller Just as the Gourmet Food Booth items are rich in bringing satisfaction to your sweet tooth, the history of the booth itself is rich. Looking at the festival history, those earlier day Nescatunga members are remembered who worked hard in their kitchens to make the offerings mouthwatering.

If you love sweets, drop by the Gourmet Food Booth early for the best selec-

tion. You will literally feel like a child in a candy shop where you’ll select from all kinds of homemade cookies and candy, cinnamon rolls, cakes, pies, hot rolls, breads, and other temptations.

Alycen Yoder and Paula Bloyd cochair this popular booth as they have for 10 or 12 years (they quit counting!) with the assistance of friends listed in the picture that accompanies this article.

To make the booth the huge success

GOURMET FOOD BOOTH artists include (front from left) Darlene Hotzclaw and Alycen Yoder (back) Paula Bloyd, Elma McMurphy, and Shelley Martin.

Photo by Jim Stout

it always is, Alycen and Paula ask that area bakers get out their cookie scoops, rolling pins, cake and pie pans and get busy. Have your items to the booth around 8:30 or 9 the morning of the June 4 festival.

This booth is nearly as deep in festival tradition as the art itself. Madeline Arganbright, one of the greatest cooks in Alva’s history, began the booth. People raced to the booth to buy Madeline’s mouthwatering sourdough cinnamon rolls, breads and other highly sought after homemade goods.

After Madeline, members don’t remember positively who chaired the Gourmet booth for a brief time. This reporter recalls taking pictures in the kitchen of the late Waunga Rockhold for the Gourmet booth in the early 1990s, but historians aren’t sure who was chairman then.

Betty Jo (Bellah then) Pangburn headed the booth successfully before becoming the overall festival food chairman. Betty Jo retires from that position this year and is replaced by Rachel Stewart. This year for the festival, Betty Jo still makes popular crepes served with chocolate or strawberry sauce.

Many years, Alycen (then Ridgway) Yoder, Jane Tucker and Joan Fisher co-chaired the Taco Salad booth. This was while their daughters were in high school. When the taco salad booth became too labor intensive for the women, they passed it on to Betty Jo as food chairman.

The Taco Salad booth was where the famous Nescatunga Cookies were also sold in earlier days. Alycen and Joan continue to make those puffy, oversized chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth. Those cookies are still sold in the Gourmet Food Booth as they have for many years now.

The cookies sold at the Refreshment Booth are really known as Monster Cookies with a bit of peanut butter and crunch. It’s a subject that’s sometimes confused. One thing is certain – both types of cookies are delicious.

Knowing some history of the festival and the booths is about as much fun as sinking your teeth into a rich piece of pie. Drop by the Gourmet Food Booth and see how it feels.

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See Beverly Kinzie’s Early Woods County book at festival

By Yvonne Miller This art wasn’t made with the stroke of a brush – instead it was created from the rich history of Woods County in the form of words and pictures.

Over 50 year Alva resident Beverly Kinzie, who with her husband Wayne is known for their love of keeping the history of this area alive in the form of murals, a church history room, an aviation museum and more, has a new project.

Beverly wrote a book called Early Woods County. She’ll have the book available at the June 4 Nescatunga Arts Festival. The 128 page book showcases images dating from 1894 to Oklahoma statehood in 1907.

Early Woods County is organized by sections. Beverly said the book does not attempt to be a strict history of the county and towns within Woods County. The purpose is to give an overview of the way of life for early settlers.

Arcadia Publishing published Bev-

erly’s book May 30. Arcadia leads the nation in publishing photo/essay style, high-quality publications to preserve local history.

Inspiration is Audrey Kinzie Who Lived in Pioneer Days Beverly’s inspiration came from her late mother-in-law Audrey Kinzie who grew up in the Avard area and attended Antelope District No. 16 school. Born in a dugout in 1894, Audrey had four sisters and two brothers. Their father eventually got a house for them in Alva where they attended Normal School which became Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Audrey married Guy Kinzie in 1919. He passed away in 1952. By 1957 Audrey returned to school and became a teacher. Beverly said Wayne finally made his mother learn to drive in 1959 – good thing since she taught school until age 72.

See Kinzie Page 22

Beverly Kinzie

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Admire ‘Same but Different’ quilts at Nescatunga Arts Festival June 4 Call Sally Nighswonger to display your quilt

By Yvonne Miller Come and be amazed at the variety of quilts that can be made using the same pattern with different fabrics – or it can be the same fabric and different pattern.

Whatever combination, it’s known as “Same but Different,” co-chairman Sally Nighswonger said of this year’s quilt show theme.

A selection of colorful quilts will hang in the lobby of the Woods County Courthouse as part of the Nescatunga Arts Festival Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sally and her co-chair Melissa Graybill invite you to come and view the colorful quilts.

Sally will demonstrate how she uses her long arm machine quilter throughout the day. Three other women will make some hands-on demonstrations of art-

forms including: Washington Principal Tracy Leeper, spinning; Mary Margaret Miller, knitting; Maureen Thomas, tatting.

Anyone interested (including children) are encouraged to come and try these techniques that can bring a lifetime of pleasure.

Sally said some quilters are graciously sharing their heirloom quilts for the Nescatunga show although they don’t fall in the “Same but Different” category. She explained that category evolved from the Moda University class held at Fabrics and More in Alva. Participants got a kit from the fabric company and created a mystery quilt.

Sally said some of the ladies did different styles of applique and others moved their blocks around. All quilts

Sally Nighswonger and Melissa Graybill hold a “Piece and Plenty” quilt made

by KariBeth Hofen. This and many more pieces of art will be displayed at the quilt show during the Nescatunga Arts Festival in Alva June 4.

were totally different.

“We really enjoy it,” Sally said of the hobby. “The great thing about quilting is you can make them anyway you want and it’s still right.”

It’s believed that early day American quilts were simply whole cloths. In the 19th Century, the beautiful patchwork and appliqued designs emerged. It’s those quilts that are the inspiration for today’s quilters. Quilting is definitely an artform and an important part of American Folk Art. From World War II times (the 1940s) until the 1970s quilting took a back seat.

The artform made a resurgence during celebrations of America’s Bi-Centennial in 1976 and had steady growth since.

Now there are quilt shops, quilting tours called “Shop Hops” (of which Fabrics and More in Alva is one of the stops) and quilting retreats. Women of all ages quilt.

Melissa and Sally Tell How Their Love of Quilting Evolved Over 25 quilts later, Melissa, a young Alva woman, said she intended to make a single quilt to save all the t-shirts from her youth. “Tami Cooper helped me – and one quilt just led to the other. That was three or four years ago,” she said.

Melissa said both of her grandmothers sewed and taught her how to do many forms of needlework such as counted cross stitch. She credits home economics teacher Betty Jo Pangburn (then Bellah) and Ramona Shalloup for their inspiration.

Besides quilting, Melissa likes to scrapbook – so much that she has a craft room in her home. With a chuckle she said, “I like to make quilts because no one has to wear them!”

She’s attended the Arts Festival since childhood. “It’s just tradition. I’ve always gone to the festival and helped my uncle Calvin Graybill (of Alva) who displays his paintings each year.” Graybill’s paintings beautifully capture mainly rural and western settings.

Sally said she’s been sewing since age nine thanks to her mother Elaine and grandmothers.

See Quilts Page 23

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June 1, 2011 - Page 19 QUAIL CREEK COPPER – (left) You can find unique copper creations like this one at the Nescatunga Arts Festival in Alva Saturday, June 4. Lyndon and Neva Hett from Marion, Kan., bring their art to Alva where their creations should be popular with those who love rural settings. Their copper art ranges from windmills to shocks of wheat. Stop by their booth to see the variety they create.

Trivia Question #8 Who was the first Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council President?

Trivia Question #9 Oklahoma’s football team holds the NCAA record for most consecutive wins by a major college program with a steak set back from 1953 to 1957. How many consecutive games did the Sooners win?

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Navajo exhibitor coming from New Mexico

By Yvonne Miller A member of the Navajo Indian Tribe, artist Helena George brings her family’s artwork to the festival from Shiprock, N.M., located near the four corners area.

In her booth, you’ll find silver and turquoise jewelry, a variety of alabaster sculptures such as horse heads, beading, rugs made from a straw weaving process, Navajo arts and crafts and more unique items.

One of those are Navajo Medicine Charts (presented in a frame where it tells what type of medicinal properties a particular medicine has).

A retired teacher of Navajo children, specializing in early childhood, Helena said she loves to visit with customers and explain how she makes her art selections, her culture and more. She taught Navajo Language and Culture at a community learning center to children ages 5 to 14. Through the years she’s taught from daycare age children to adults.

Helena said she makes little red,white and blue flag pins. “The Navajo people are very patriotic, I am – we have many veterans.” Her father, William George, was one of the original Navajo “Code Talkers” in World War II. While teaching school, Helena said she met Kendall Blue. He is the nephew of longtime Alvans, the late Amos Blue and Emil Blue. Kendall is a cousin of Dr. Pete Resler of Alva. Helena visited Alva with Kendall one other time.

This is her first time to show at the Nescatunga Arts Festival. Helena said she found the Alva show while looking online for festivals.

She invites people to check out the large variety of unique Navajo art she’s bringing to Alva.

Helena George • Navajo Indian Tribe Shiprock NM • elementary teacher 25 yrs Navajo children met Kendall while teaching • family does arts and crafts • taught at Navajo Language and Culture, a community learning center for ages 5-14 daycare preschool to high school, college and adults • we are bringing a variety of things • recyclable arts and crafts, bottles, cans, make arts and bird feeders, bird houses • weaving on thick straws, a little rug 6x8 size Straw Weaving • bringing artwork my family has done: beadwork, silver/turquoise jewelry, all sorts Navajo Medicine charts – used in dying wool (in a picture frame tell what it’s used for, what type of Medicine) • She explains to customers.

• Sculptures, horse heads , etc.

• pictures of family • my father Code Talker in WWII • Navajo people are very patriotic, lots of veterans … I am anyway.

• Beaded key chains • love to visit with customers • First time to Nescatunga.

NAVAJO jewelry, sculpture, rugs and handicrafts will be a small part of the Navajo experience shared by Helena George from New Mexico during the Nescatunga Art Festival.

NAVAJO RUGS will be a small part of Navajo culture offered by Helena George during the Nescatunga Art Festival.

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Nescatunga Arts 2011

From Page 17

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Kinzie

IMMAGES OF AMERICA: EARLY WOODS COUNTY — “ The cover of Beverly Kinzie’s new book on Woods County history features a picture of the Capron home of John and Elina Nelson in 1906. On the porch are Elina Nelson and Carrie Cameron. The Cameron children seated are from left: John (professor of physics, Northwestern Oklahoma State University), Charlie (professor of electrical engineering, Oklahoma State University), Orville (vice president of legal department, Eastern Airlines), and Tom who died in an accident at age 18. Photo courtesy of Joy Sherman

While back in school in the late 1950s, Audrey wrote an essay about Oklahoma prior to statehood. Beverly said it was Audrey’s essay that was the inspirational instrument for her book.

Beverly said, “The reason I started a book is people forget what the early days were like. Audrey and her mother wrote journals. It’s all right there. My mother-in-law said the greatest invention was indoor plumbing.”

The book is filled with interesting information about the early days. It goes from formation of the Cherokee Outlet or Cherokee Strip to telling and showing in pictures how pioneer life was centered around work, school and church.

Beverly’s research found stories of the hardships women endured while raising small children in a dugout or sod house far from any town while their husbands traveled, trying to find work for cash money.

This book endeavor caused Beverly to start researching and digging through pictures. She credits Alva residents Joy Sherman, Lorraine Malzahn and Warren Little for their help in locating early day pictures in Woods County. She also used pictures from Alva’s Cherokee Strip Museum that are preserved on CD. She began the process a year ago in the spring. It’s been almost a year since she signed the contract with Arcadia.

“It’s been a journey,” Beverly said.

“It’s a good thing my husband is patient!”

The effort only spurred her further to write a second book which is in progress. Set in the late 1800s, this book will be different, telling Audrey’s story of being born in a dugout and surviving the tough life of pioneers plus lots more.

--The Kinzies built an international aviation business they owned and operated in Alva over 45 years while raising four children. Beverly served on the Alva School Board 22 years, currently serves on the Mural Society and is a member of the First Methodist Church.

Besides her children, grandchildren, her interest is in genealogical, researching family writings, quilting, and gardening.

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Alva Review-Courier/Newsgram

June 1, 2011 - Page 23

From Page 18

Quilts “It kind of came naturally to me,” she said. Years ago her grandmother Vernice Moore was part of the Happy Hour club and Sally attended with her grandmother and mom. Sally still remembers it was at Grace Wolgamott’s house at Hardtner, Kan. “They taught me to handquilt that day,” Sally recalled fondly. “We have lots of fun.”

At the festival, see the quilts that have a story of their own to tell. View the work of fine artists who put themselves in to every stroke of the brush and enjoy those that bring unique crafts to the festival. Peruse the vendors while enjoying entertainment and traditional festival foods – June 4th in Alva.

Preparing Crepes for the Nescatunga Art Festival are (from left) Teresa Sutter, Jane Tucker, Janis Schupbach, Betty Jo Pangburn and Sally Wiersig.

Photo by Jim Stout

Trivia Question #10 What Nescatunga member served as publicity chairman and entertainment chairman?

Nescatunga Arts 2011

Alva Review-Courier/Newsgram

June 1, 2011 - Page 24