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ON THE COVER
The Corridor captured Danny Davis in the Army, left, from Mannford, Nathen Conklin in the Marines, center, from Cushing and Waylon Roe in the Air Force, right, from Cushing atop a hill in Drumright saluting our American flag. We asked them for a statement on what the word “patriotism” meant to them. Here is what they said. Danny Davis: Patriotism is support for your country, showing respect and honor for all soldiers and veterans, firefighters and law enforcement officers, nurses, and doctors. It is freedom of speech, flying the American flag, the right to keep and bear arms, which is the second amendment. Patriotism is in our hearts. We may not always know it until the call comes upon us. It brings out compassion, courage, work ethic and bravery in us all. I honestly believe that Patriotism is why our country, the United States of America, leads the world. Nathan Conklin: Patriotism means a lot more than just showing your love for the country. It means devotion – a devotion for which many men and women have taken very seriously and paid the ultimate price. Therefore, it should not be taken lightly. COVER PHOTO: CRYSTL’S PHOTOGRAPHY
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Our PATRIOTIC ISSUE 5
EDITORIAL by Joe Gooch
6
RET. CHIEF MSgt. BRYAN BLANSETT by Josh Harrington
14
KIDS ON THE CORRIDOR by Jeree Milligan
18
EAGLE SCOUT: A PATRIOTIC LEADERSHIP by Michelle Brown
22
PASTOR PAUL’S PASSAGES by Paul Ragle
26
CHANDLER RODEO by Brian Bendele
30
DELILAH’S DILEMMAS by Diane Brown
34
SMORGASBOARD USA by Victor T. Costa
36
NOTES ON THE CORRIDOR by Rick Reiley
38
MONTH OF JULY by Michelle Brown
42 PARK PLACE BAPTIST by Debbie Morris 44 RECIPES
46
by Jeree Milligan
DINING GUIDE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
AMERICA!
From the EDITOR There is no country stronger; than the United States of America. There is no country you are more secure in; than the United States of America. There is no country with the freedom of Religion; as the United States of America. I will start this Editorial by saying. “Thank you to the men and women of our Armed Forces.� This July issue may be my smallest page count each year. However, when I stand next to a person in uniform, my chest swells with pride. It was not considered work when my photographer, Crystl, and I met on top of a hill in Drumright with three of our armed forces specialists pictured on the cover. It was more of an honor to shake their hands and listen to their feelings. I never served my country in the armed forces. However, I lost several classmates to the Vietnam battles. In June of 2015 I sat with classmate Collace Baird as he called names of our friends lost at war.
by JOE GOOCH
I could not hold back the tears as I thought of them literally giving their lives for my freedom. Deservedly, Collace received The Bronze Star and unfortunately is 100% disabled due to agent orange. Closing Thoughts: Care for a child, love a child, hold a child! Have you ever heard of something called RAD? It stands for Reactive Attachment Disorder.
Enjoy Your Independence Day / July 4th
THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 5
Radiant Patriotism Ret. Chief MSgt. Bryan Blansett by JOSHUA HARRINGTON
“Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
-Winston Churchill
Throughout world history, warriors have been exalted to nobility and have lead nations in both conquest and preserving values. Particularly in the United States, soldiers are looked to as beacons of leadership and emissaries of freedom. From the minutemen of 1775, whose collective grit and perseverance in the face of oppression bolstered the young nation’s quest for independence, to the servicemen and women of today, whose charisma and capabilities serve as an international insurance of democracy, we respect our veterans, of now and days past, as champions of these causes. Holidays throughout the year ---Memorial Day, Veterans’ Day, and Independence Day,--- allow citizens to reflect on the sacrifice that their brothers and sisters who laced up their boots and endured the perilous fight waged in the name of freedom. It is my complete honor and privilege to introduce you to both one of my mentors in building my career with integrity, and one of the many renowned veterans of Bristow, Ret. Chief MSgt. Bryan Blansett of the United States Air Force and Oklahoma Air National Guard. Bryan’s repertoire includes obtaining accommodation medals, the National Defense Medal, and medals during his time on tours in the Middle East. I first met Bryan at the tail end 6 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
of his retirement as an E9 in the ANG, and he wholly embraced me like one of his own. This is a man who can cook a good ribeye or put you to mowing grass with the same smile on his face; however, in my time of knowing Bryan, I have come to know three things in particular: Bryan is a well-rounded academic, he is an innate leader who cares intensely for those he takes under his wing, and he is a patriot, whose love for God and country shines through in his day-to-day discourse. Bryan recently allowed me the opportunity to speak with him regarding his service and its lasting effects during and after his tenure, including in his career today. When asked about his leadership capabilities he attributes to his service, Bryan understood that, with time, taking on more responsibilities meant serving your subordinates and exceeding the precedent you set for them rather than idly handing out orders. “The mindset that ‘the higher up you go, the more you work for people, and not the other way around,’ is one that is lost with many professionals across many industries. As leaders, we must exceed the standard. You can’t expect to hold Airmen accountable to standards you cannot meet yourself.” He said this was formulaic in both gaining the
respect of his flight and developing a family of fellow airmen. “The military is more of a family and fraternity than a career,” Bryan added. “Military is like having another family because you spend so much time together.” In learning these skills, Bryan credits fellow Okie airmen David McClenthan of Depew, Billy Bryant of Bristow, and David Huguely of Chandler in setting outstanding examples to follow as he developed his own methods of leadership. He further asserted that their poise and motivation were traits he emulated in his career, saying “I’ve yet to find those types of folks in any civilian supervisors; these are folks that take an oath.” Bryan explained that his most formative experiences come from his devotion of embracing and living the Air Force’s core values: Integrity First; Service Before Self; Excellence in All We Do. “You’re taught from day one to be 15 minutes early for any appointment, and when you attend a meeting, you come prepared, with something to write in and on. Folks in the service have this old saying that ‘The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory.’ I gravitated to those discipline aspects in the military. I was raised by a dad who taught me to put up his tools after I used them, change the oil in my car every 3000 miles, and most importantly, do something if you say you’re going to do it.” When asked how to keep such composure in a strenuous, and often, dangerous environment, Bryan did not bat an eye. “When the going gets tough, the day is long, etc., you perform because you don’t want to let the airman down beside you.” Bryan has found these skills pivotal to his success in other ventures throughout his life, including his maintenance and upkeep of his rental properties, his tenure on the Bristow School Board, his work as the facilities director for both Bristow Public Schools and for one of the largest defense contractors in the nation, Lockheed-Martin in Fort Worth, where they assemble the F35, an aircraft “designed for ground attack and ‘air superiority’ missions.” Bryan’s radiantly expressive patriotism stems from his
love for his family and his country, two things he came to appreciate more during his service. He, like many fellow soldiers, missed his own children’s birthdays, his own wedding anniversaries, and numerous occasions to ensure his family, and others like his, could live freely in these United States. He also expresses his admiration for spouses of service people, citing their ability to “hold it together while [soldiers] are deployed.” Bryan stresses that from his tours of duty, his exposure to people that live in squalor and desperation for freedom makes it worthwhile to know that America is a haven for prosperity and democracy. Bryan added, “When I see the Hollywood elite talking down about our country, it makes me sick. Their agendas are so warped into turning people against each other, and the media plays into that. Identity politics have made everyone so marginalized, and we’ve all forgotten our roots as a whole, since we are to focused on ourselves. At our core, we are Americans. Across my service career, I’ve met people of all walks of life that become very successful and rise through the ranks as a result of their dedication and commitment. To say that supporting the troops, who dedicate years of their life in protecting our land with their life, is a unifying stance is an understatement.” Furthermore, while he respects celebrities’ rights to protest in the fashion they see fit, Bryan humorously takes his own approach, including, “I haven’t watched a pro game or worn a Nike shoe in two years. They have the right to protest, while I have the right to not support their brand.” His demeanor is a product of living and breathing the military life, and his patriotism shines through during this season of triumph over oppression and tyranny. “I was proud to serve; it was an honor and an adventure. I served with the best this country has to offer, whether they were enlisted or commissioned,” Bryan said in closing. As we draw nearer to Independence day, Bryan hopes that these festivities will be both a time for family fun and celebration and a time to honor our beloved nation. n THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 7
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EAGLE SCOUT-
A PATRIOTIC LEADERSHIP by MICHELLE BROWN If you ever happen to see an eagle sitting high above in the tree or on the high cliff of a stiff mountain, watch and see how attentive the bird is. The body sits still and the head will be tilted side to side to observe what is happening below, around, and above it. Eagles have keen vision. They are fearless, firm, and high flyers. They are gentle, attentive, and nurturing to their younger ones. Eagles are leaders representing power and clarity of vision. It is no wonder the eagle is the United States’ National Emblem. The Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank is the Eagle Scout. The same characteristic traits found in the eagle are also found in an accomplished Boy Scout when he obtains the prestigious level of Eagle Scout. Becoming an Eagle Scout takes perseverance, diligence and hard work. Boy Scouts begin their ranks in an order starting with the rank Tenderfoot. As he continues to increase in rank, he has the challenge to complete the order achieving at least 21 Merit Badges before he can obtain the Eagle Scout rank. This is not an easy task, but it is an incredible honor. In fact, only 7-9% of all Boy Scouts reach this highly regarded leveI. Recently I had the privilege to meet two Eagle Scouts, both from Cushing: Eagle Scout Victor L. Morlan, 81 years old, and 18 year old Eagle Scout Tyler J. Hale. Although the men are generations apart, their commonalities are immense. As I visited with Victor and Tyler I began to understand why they both pursued, with such commitment and enthusiasm, the Eagle Scout Award. Both men possess a sense of leadership that in today’s society is just plain hard to find. They both attribute these leadership skills to their Eagle Scout journey. But first, Victor and Tyler were quick to tackle the task of educating me about the Boy Scouts of America. To become a Scout, a boy must learn and follow the Boy Scout Law. The Law consists of 12 traits. They must be: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. An Eagle Scout not only knows the value of these character traits, he embodies the Scout Law which 18 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
makes him a man of strong character. As Tyler explained, “An Eagle Scout shows leadership as he continues to grow and reach his goals.” Victor promptly agreed with Tyler, and compared the Eagle Scout’s behavior to that of a bald eagle. There is much work and learning to be done before becoming an Eagle Scout. Although both had been in-
volved in Boy Scouts for quite some time before achieving the Eagle level, Victor was 15 (in the 9th grade) and Tyler was 17 years old when awarded. Yet the steadfast work began as each Merit Badge was achieved. Every 5th badge brought them to a new and higher level. Victor has a total of 27 badges. Tyler’s badges total 40 and an Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, which in later
Tyler Hales’ completed Eagle Scout project at the entrance of the First United Methodist Church.
years became an additional requirement. In addition, the Eagle Scout candidate must exhibit months of continued leadership and attend board interviews regarding accountability, leadership, patriotic actions, and his future plans. The Service Project Workbook must exemplify employee leadership, must benefit someone and must be done with great effort. The First United Methodist Church of Cushing supports the Boy Scouts. Tyler’s project, “Redesign of the Bell,” incorporated the bell from the original Methodist Church. He added specifically designed benches, creating a historical landscape setting at the front entrance of the church. The Workbook documents the well thought out project plan, including labor and costs. The step by step workbook displays the methodical and precise efforts put forth by the Eagle Scout candidate. Victor is an astute Boy Scouts of America Historian. A man named Robert Baden-Powell organized a boys’ camping trip in 1907, on the Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, southern England. The activities included camping, observation, woodcraft, chivalry, lifesaving and patriotism. The Boy Scouts organization was born. Later in 1908, Baden-Powell published the first Boy Scout Manual. But how did the Boy Scouts begin in America? In 1909, an American businessman named William B. Boyce was lost in the London fog. Fortunately, he was assisted out of the thick fog by a Boy Scout. The boy told Mr. Boyce that he “was only doing his duty.” Impressed by the boy’s explanation for helping him, Boyce returned to the states and founded the Boy Scouts of America. Still today, the Baden-Powell grandchildren ferry tourists over to visit the island of the first Boy Scout camp. What started as an organized camping trip transformed into a lifelong brotherhood. The camaraderie among Eagles not only extends throughout the nation, but also around the world. A bit of B.S.A. trivia: President Gerald Ford is the only U.S. President to receive the Eagle Scout award. Victor and Tyler do not belong to the same troop.
Victor was a member of the Boy Scout Troop at University Methodist Church, Tulsa. Tyler is a member of Boy Scout Troop 210, affiliated with the First United Methodist Church, Cushing. After becoming an Eagle Scout in
1953, Victor received a Letter of Congratulations from President Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, pointing out Victor’s honorable and patriotic achievement. Many years later in 2018, Victor saw Tyler pictured in the Cushing newspaper for his Eagle achievement. Victor immediately thought, “It would be an interesting project to write to President Donald Trump asking him to do for Tyler THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 19
Tyler Hale pictured in the First United Methodist Church sanctuary.
Eagle Scout service project pictured with Tyler’s work book.
what President Eisenhower had done for me.� President Trump obliged and Tyler received his own presidential Letter of Congratulations! Ironically Victor and Tyler had never met before, yet their Eagle connection brought them together. Obviously,
Boy Scout leadership skills that Victor learned back in 1953 still hold true today as his actions nurtured Tyler as a younger Eagle Scout. The majestic eagle will forever symbolize service, honor and patriotism.n
20 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
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PA S TO R PA U L’ S PA S S A G E S by Pastor Paul Ragle
WHEN I SEE RED, WHITE & BLUE
Several tears ran down my father’s cheek. He had been discharged from the army with a medical condition as World War II began.
It was 1963. We were so excited! Mom had given us permission to ride our little old bikes in the Fourth of July parade. My sister, Janet, had brought us some red white and blue crape paper with which to rap our handle bars and weave through our spokes. I think my bicycle looked more mummy than bike, but my brother and I were going to ride in the parade. Warren, told me to go to our bedroom and pull out the box of baseball cards from under our bunk bed. He said, “Bring me about ten duplicates.” While I fished the box out from under the bed, Warren snuck over to Mom’s clothes line and borrowed a handful of clothes pins. I was very careful not to bring any of our favorite baseball players’ cards. Mickey Mantle cards and Sam McDonald stayed in the box. When I met my brother back at the bikes, He grabbed the handful of cards and looked them over. “You did pretty good,” he said. He showed me how to attach the cards to the prongs on the front and back wheels of my bike using a clothes pin. Then, when we rode our bikes, the cards rubbing on the spokes made our bicycles sound like they were motorized! “That’s so cool!” I said. The high school band always led the Fourth of July parade in our town. They marched down Main Street playing “You’re a Grand Old Flag!” One hundred musicians strong! The color guard carried “Old Glory” and our state flag before the band. Citizens doffed their hats and placed a hand over their heart in salute of the flag. At the traffic light in the center of town, the band stopped in formation to present the flag and to play the “Star Spangled Banner.” Everybody lining the street sang along. “The land of the free, and the home of the brave,” sang the crowd and a cheer rang out from everybody along the parade route. Warren and I had been waiting on our bikes on the corner of Main and First Street. The band had passed by, then a National Guard honor guard, and finally a bunch of shiny convertibles carrying veterans and dignitaries of our local government also traveled past us. Then scores of kids on bicycles, - all 22 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
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decorated in Red, White, and Blue many with small flags attached to the handlebars, swarmed onto the street. It seemed to me like there were hundreds of kids on bikes joining the parade. There were so many bicycles that it was difficult to ride. Many of us bumped handlebars. We weren’t just following the parade, we were a part of it. People cheered the youthful riders. I remember seeing my grandfather waving at Warren and I. We followed the band to the old cemetery at the edge of town. There the honor guard waited in a line. We pointed at these army heroes. Many families of veterans were placing flowers and flags on loved ones’ graves. Two buglers from the band slowly marched in front and behind the memorial for all the local heroes who had fallen in times of war. They played taps – the trumpeter in front playing first, and the one behind answering. Snare drums from the band sustained a drum roll as National Guardsman gave a 21 gun salute. How my chest felt the compression as seven guns fired in unison three times. And then all was quiet. Nobody moved or spoke for over a minute. I held my breath the entire time. Mom and dad were with the crowd in the cemetery. I rode my bike up to where they were standing – I wanted to ask them if they’d seen Warren and I ride in the parade. But I never asked the question. Several tears ran down my father’s cheek. He had been discharged from the army with a medical condition as World War II began. He looked at me, reached out a hand and ruffled up my hair, and then walked away. Years later, mom told me that he had been remembering his army buddies who had gone off to war. When the band marches and plays patriotic music. When I see Red, White, and Blue exhibited through our streets. When we sing the National Anthem, and hear taps played for fallen veterans. I remember the tears running down my father’s cheeks and I give thanks for those who serve the cause of freedom. n
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24 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
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CHANDLER, OK OPEN RODEO
79th Annual Chandler, OK
RODEO Z Z OPEN 9 9 & BABY BALE SPRINT
Chandler Roundup Club Arena Tilghman Park
26 & 27 2019 Z Z FRI &8:00SATp.m.- JulyNIGHTLY ADMISSION:
PreRodeo 7/25
At the Gate
Adults/Kids (6-12) $5.00 / $3.00
Adults/Kids (6-12) $6.00 / $4.00
For tickets contact: Roundup Club Members: Teresa Harkins @ First Bank of Chandler or Mike Bendele @ United Country Real Estate 402-258-0408
Z
EVENTS
Bareback Riding (1 Go Round) Ranch Bronc Riding (1 Go Round) Tie Down Roping - Jackpot Open Barrels - Jackpot Jr. Barrels 15 & Und - Jackpot Ladies’ Breakaway - Jackpot Team Roping - Jackpot (3x) Bull Riding (1 Go Round)
($250 added) ($250 added) ($500 added) ($500 added) ($200 added) ($300 added) ($500 added) ($500 added)
ENTRY FEES $60 $60 $60 $60 $40 $60 $60/team $60
Warren Rodeo Company, Kellyville, OK 918-247-6826 - Rough Stock Must Call to Enter Monday, July 22, 2019 - 6-9 p.m. - Entries must be paid by 7:00 p.m. - CASH ONLY No gate refund - Negative Coggins Required for Horses
Z
High Money Winner combined both nights will receive custom spurs by Bill Kluender
26 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
It’s that time of year again! The 79th Annual Chandler Open Rodeo will be on us before we know it.
July 26th & 27th will be an action packed weekend for the entire family. While temperatures are high, there is no stopping the crowds that show up to watch topnotch contestants compete for prize money in the age old tradition that is rodeo. The rodeo features traditional events such as Bareback Riding, Ranch Bronc Riding, Tie Down Roping, Barrel Racing, Ladies Breakaway Roping, Team Roping and Bull Riding. The rodeo also provides an opportunity for the youngest of competitors in the Jr. Barrels 15 & Under. But local businesses and their employees prefer the wildly popular Baby Bale Sprint. It’s a race by teams of 3 pushing a 600 lb hay bale across the finish line to raise money for local charities. Queen contestants will have advance tickets for sale. If unable to find a Rodeo Queen contestant, contact Chandler Roundup Club members Teresa Harkins at BankFirst of Chandler or Mike Bendele with United Country Real Estate at 405-258-0408.
While temperatures are high, there is no stopping the crowds that show up to watch top-notch contestants compete for prize money in the age old tradition that is rodeo.
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Delilah’s DILEMMAS
Two weeks, two babies, and two foals later, the folks on the Royal Flush Ranch were settling into a routine, of sorts. In rotation, Delilah, Eli, Dooby, Karon, and Joel, spent the night on the sofa in Gus’s living room, to help with the babies. During the day, Delilah and Marietta tended to the little ones in the big house, while the men worked on repairs to the stable and barn. Dooby, father of two, with saintly patience, was a natural with the infants. Karon, having cared for a number of nieces and nephews, had no trouble. Remarkably, Gus and Joel caught on quite quickly. It took several days for Delilah to close the gap in her learning curve, and once she got the hang of it, she did rather well. Eli, bless his heart, struggled the most. He managed feeding time with great ease, but he couldn’t change a diaper to save his life. With watering eyes, he gagged and retched convulsively, until finally, everyone agreed to give Eli a permanent break from diaper duty. The insurance adjuster had cut a check a mere four days after the tornado ripped through the property. Because the stable was considered new, there was no depreciation calculated, and the full amount was paid. The same could not be said for the barn, which was as old as the pyramids. After devaluation and the deductible, Delilah received about thirtythree cents for the barn. Dooby had suggested replacing the barn entirely with a metal structure that complimented the stable. Delilah wouldn’t have it. She wanted to preserve the wood of the old barn, but that would mean a structure less than half the size of the original, which would be too small to house a full order of hay, the tractor, and other equipment. Finally, a compromise was reached. The bottom half of the new barn would be constructed with wood, and the top half and roof, would be metal. Eli resolved Delilah’s consternation over the cost, and availability of funds, by offering to pay what the insurance didn’t cover. After all, as Joel had so eloquently pointed out, Eli was rich. The chickens? Well, they had gone on the back burner. And no, not to be fried. With so much on her plate, Delilah had simply not mentioned them again. Dooby and Eli would offer no reminders. Marietta had named her identical twin girls, Lupina, after her mother’s mother, and Lilah, after 30 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
by
DIANE BROWN
Delilah. If only it had been that easy naming the foals. Mae’s Thunder and Henry’s Last Hoorah were registered with the United States Equestrian Federation; their lineage, well documented. Though Mae’s Thunder was totally unremarkable, she was known as the million-dollar mare, because she produced high-dollar offspring. And Henry’s Last Hoorah had sired a number of champions. To maximize the earning potential of the foals, they too, needed to be registered. Delilah had submitted the registration application, fees, photographs of the foals, and name selection, less than a week after they were born. She had been anxiously waiting for their response, and approval of the names. Joel had wanted to name them Tiny Twister, and Before the Tempest. Eli had suggested incorporating parts of their parents’ names, so they would have a recognizable link to their well-known parents. It was early Saturday afternoon. The sun was warm, and the breeze was cool. Eli and Dooby had gone to Cushing on some mysterious mission. Gus and Joel had gone to Stroud on some mysterious mission of their own. The twins were asleep in the playpen, setup in the living room of the big house. Marietta was napping on the sofa, while an uninteresting program droned on the television. Delilah was eagerly making frequent trips to the front window, with a pair of binoculars zoomed in on t he m ai l box, t o see if the mail had been delivered. As soon as Delilah saw the raised flag on the mailbox, she power-walked down the drive to the road. She extracted the half-dozen pieces of mail from the box, and rifled through them. There were four pieces of junk mail, an electric bill, and correspondence from
asked, when Marietta came back into the room. Marietta giggled and shook her head, as she sat on the sofa. “I put Lilah in green because eet’s your presired color,” she said. Delilah thought about that for a moment. Presired. Then it came to her; a cross between preferred and desired. She nodded comprehension. “Delilah, that was my seestor on the phone,” Marietta said shyly. She paused, her head lowered. She took a deep breath. She lifted her head on a long sigh. “She wants to come to here,” Marietta said. “Oh,” Delilah said, relieved it wasn’t bad news. “Of course, she’s welcome anytime. I’m looking forward to meeting her. How long is she planning on staying?” “She’s not coming for to visit,” Marietta said timidly. “She wants to take me and the babies back to Texas with her.” “Oh,” Delilah said slowly. She had grown fond of Marietta. She love her. She loved the twins. But from the moment she met her, Delilah had wanted nothing but the best for the young woman who had been through so much turmoil. She supposed, in the back of her mind, she had always known this was the eventuality. Delilah plopped down on the sofa next to Marietta, and took Marietta’s hand in her own. “What do YOU want?” Delilah said softly. “You have been so good to me,” Marietta said, her eyes filling with tears. “All of you. I don’t want to disappoint you, or Dooby, or Eli. But I mees my familia.” Marietta, “Delilah consoled, squeezing the young woman’s
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the USEF. She tucked the junk mail and the bill under her arm, and tore into the USEF envelope. “They accepted our first choice for names,” Delilah said excitedly, when she stepped into the living room. “The colt’s name is Last Tempest, and the filly is Stormy Mae.” “I still do not understand why their names had to be reproved by those people,” Marietta said, rubbing her eyes and sitting up on the sofa. Her English was still rusty, but getting better. “Well, since they’re registered with the federation, there can’t be duplicates,” Delilah said. “Does that make sense?’ Marietta stared blankly at Delilah. “There can’t be two horses with the same name,” Delilah clarified. Marietta began nodding vigorously. “Si, si,” she said. Marietta’s cell phone rang, and she lifted herself from the sofa, answered the call, and stepped out of the living room as her conversation began in rapid Spanish. Delilah only understood about every third word, so she wondered why Marietta felt the need to leave the room, unless it was to keep the babies from waking. Delilah tip-toed to the playpen and checked on the twins. Still sleeping soundly, Delilah adjusted their blankets. She studied them intently. She couldn’t remember if Lilah had the yellow blanket or the green. Marietta and Joel seemed to be the only two that could tell them apart without color coding. “Which one is Lupina, and which one is Lilah?” Delilah
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hand. “We’ll miss you, to be sure. We’ll hate to see you go, but we will NEVER be disappointed in you. And no matter where you are in this world, you’ll always be part of THIS family, too. There was a moment of silence as Marietta sniffed away more tears. Delilah thought about what Marietta had said: who she would disappoint. She didn’t mention Gus. Gus would be the one most devastated by this turn of events. Her heart sank. “Gus knows, doesn’t he?” Delilah said softly. Marietta turned her head toward Delilah, and nodded ever so slightly. “The two of you have already talked about it,” Delilah said. Another nod. “And he’s going with you . . . isn’t he?” Delilah asked. “Si,” Marietta replied in the smallest of voices. There was another stretch of silence as Delilah digested that bit of information. “When will Juana be here?” Delilah finally asked. “Tomorrow,” Marietta said. “Well, then,” Delilah said, smiling and patting Marietta’s leg. “We have some packing to do, don’t we?” “You’re not mad at Gus?” Marietta asked. “Good heavens, no,” Delilah trilled. “He’s been on this ranch for . . . Lord, twelve, fifteen years. And I’ve never known him to take a vacation. He certainly hasn’t taken one since I’ve been here.” Two days later, Marietta, the twins, and Lupina, pulled away from the Royal Flush Ranch in Lupina’s car, with Gus close behind in his pickup. All of the baby things had been loaded into the back of the pickup, along with the bulk of Gus’s belongings.
Delilah had given Gus one month’s salary, and called it paid vacation. Dooby and Eli had done the same. There had been no promises of returning or staying. All had agreed to take it one day at a time. “We’re going to have to hire some help,” Delilah said, as she, Eli, Dooby, and Joel sat at the kitchen banquette. It was the end of the second day without the help of Gus and Marietta. They were all tired. “Why don’t we do this?” Eli said. “Let’s see if we can find a kid in high school, or maybe one in college, that just wants to work over the summer.” “Short term commitment,” Dooby said. “That way it leaves Gus’s position open for him to return.” The land line rang. It was a normal ring, like all other rings. There was nothing in the ring at all, that foreshadowed the onslaught of the calls to come. So, Delilah excused herself and went into the living room to answer the call. When she returned to the kitchen, ten minutes later, she dropped onto the vacant chair. She sat, scratching her head, and kept repeating, “Huh.” The surprised kind of huh, not the huh one uses in place of, “I beg your pardon,” or “excuse me,” or “what did you say?” “What?” Dooby finally said. “I’ve just made an appointment with a rancher from Kansas,” she said, shaking her head slightly. “He’s interested in buying the foals. I didn’t realize this, but evidently, the USEF notifies ranchers interested in purchasing foals with a strong pedigree. All registered foals of Henry’s Last Hoorah are on some sort of priority list. And that guy nearly hyperventilated when he found
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out Mae’s Thunder was their mother. He’ll be here tomorrow. I s that normal? I mean, to take an interest when they’re this young?” “Apparently so,” Dooby said. “I wish Gus was here,” Delilah mumbled. “You could call him,” Eli said. “Better still, call Bart and Caroline.” Fast forward a week, because honestly, that week was a blur. Bart and Caroline Webster, ranchers from Conway, Arkansas, were in the stable with Delilah. Bart was examining the foals extensively, and awed at Cletus’s ability to breed the equine species. Delilah had previous business and social dealings with the couple, and considered them friends. “They are really quite beautiful,” Caroline said. “Have you decided yet, whether or not you’re going to keep one and sell the other?” “I can’t decide,” Delilah whined. “And if I do sell, which one? If I keep the colt, I’ll have income from stud fees. If I keep the filly, I have income from her offspring. Eli thinks there’s more money to be made with the colt. His argument being that the filly can only have one foal a year, whereas the colt can be bred as many times as we choose.” “That’s a good argument,” Caroline said. “Thirteen, Caroline!” Delilah said. “There have been thirteen ranchers here in the past week. I have a feeling most of them just wanted to see the foals, because they didn’t make serious offers.” “Or they thought they could pull a fast one on you, get them
on the cheap,” Caroline offered. “I hadn’t thought of that,” Delilah said. “There were a few ranchers that meant business. One of the Oklahoma ranchers offered me $35,000 for the colt, and the other offered $40,000. They were only willing to pay $20,000 for Stormy Mae.” “We’ll give you $50,000 for the colt,” Bart offered. Caroline and Delilah looked at Bart with open mouthed astonishment. “Bart!” Caroline exclaimed. “Shouldn’t we discuss this?” “I’ll give you $100,000 for both of them,” a low, familiar voice said, from the door of the stable. Delilah, Bart, and Caroline turned with a snap. Delilah gasped. “What are you doing here?” she said antagonistically. n
Who’s there? What trouble have they brought with them?
IS GUS GONE FOR GOOD? The SAGA of
Delilah’s Dilemmas continues in August in The Corridor Magazine!
258-5002 121 W. 10th • Chandler • IAFR.com/Thompsons THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 33
SMORGASBORD USA by VICTOR T. COSTA August 4, 1993
Mr. ToastMaster, fellow Toastmasters honored and welcome guests. What is America? It is variety! It Is me pulling my helmet on backwards the first time my high school coach called on me to play in my first varsity game. He told me to get back on the bench until I could learn how to wear the helmet. It is the band playing El Llano Rancho Grande and me recovering a fumble to save a touchdown and the fans exploding. I can still feel the emotion of that moment. It is the Statue of Liberty. It is Ellis Island where my Italian grandparents registered for freedom and opportunity. It is me living in El Paso, Texas, driving a German car, fueled by Mexican gasoline. It is Horatio Alger and his rags to riches heroes. You know his rugged individuals who accepted responsibility for themselves. They did not expect the government to take care of them. This USA is the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Will it continue? It can, but will it? God loves America so much! He birthed it free. He wants it so free that he will let it decide even if it means its failure. My America, land that I love. Awaken! Be vigilant! Freedom without restraint brings bondage. Rights without responsibility brings ruin. America is my uncle. Without formal education or a government handout, he practiced entrepreneurship. He was literally eaten up with the ways of the good ole USA. He managed to buy a truck. He converted it into a mobile fruit and vegetable stand. Before sun-up, he rushed to Houston Texas’s farmers market. After loading it with fruits and vegetables, he sold his products door to door in a different neighborhood each day. He did it long enough to raise four children, support a stay at home wife and mother and paid college expenses. That is the USA! It is the red, white and blue. It is those 50 stars with all the rich history that produced each of them. America is me and my granddaughters in a July 4 parade in St. Louis Missouri. July 4 is one of my granddaughters and America’s birthday. It is baseball, Bar-B-Q and fireworks. It is families sharing Christmas. It is Wall Street. It is a floppy ear, speckled faced little boy and a cute but shy little girl doing America via a neighborhood lemonade stand. It is a conglomerate of opposites. Rich, poor, conservative, liberals, 34 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
feminists, chauvinists, atheists, evangelists, athletes, artists, rock-n-roll, symphony, wrestling, ballet, plains, mountains, deserts, lakes, king-sized beds and street gutters. The British criticize us because we have no King and Queen. Haven’t they heard about Burger King and Dairy Queen? I love America. I’m not blind. I see the corruption, the power of the few, drugs, alcoholism, murder, rape, greed, division over issues like abortion and homosexuality, but I know there is nothing perfect; at least not on this earth. I choose the good ole USA because I know her plus is greater than her minus. Will America continue to be great? It can. But will it? On the lighter side, America is coupons, two for one meals and grocery shopping. It is Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, YMCA, and YWCA. It is all of those tasty recipes I see women exchange. No, that is not a sexist comment. I do not see men exchanging them. I see them eating the final product. America is my son when he was little and we were headed west on vacation. He asked, “Dad, is the Grand Canyon bigger than our house?” The USA is my Oklahoma wife on Forty-Second Street in New York City saying to me, “Vic Costa, you get me and these children out of this sick and sinful place.” It is my two little daughters hanging onto me as tightly as they could when I walked them down the strip at night in Las Vegas. America is a New York cab ride with a Brooklyn driver to New York’s Natural Museum. In spite of many negative comments I had heard about people from Brooklyn, I found our driver to be as friendly as Oklahoma and Texas folk. America is zero-degree downhill skiing and Texas one-hundred degree river tubing. It is a place where individuals or groups of thousands can worship God as they choose. When it comes to technology, no problem ever outlasts sustained American persistence and ingenuity. America will find the gear, an axle, a transistor, a conveyor, a computer! America is the Alamo and San Jacinto. It is Gettysburg, Grant, Lee, and Appomattox. Americans value freedom so highly they shed their blood to preserve it. The essence of this great land is opportunity-- absolutely awesome opportunity.
America is where honesty, hard work, smart work, perspiration, inspiration, dreams, persistence, loyalty, integrity, thrift, ingenuity, creativity, common sense, ideas, stamina, confidence, risk-taking, courage, energy, caring, love, decency and boldness can elevate the individual from the humblest starting point to unimaginable heights. It is the kind of place where you can start Friday night small-town football and climb all the way up to January’s annual professional Super Bowl. It is Gen. George S Patton and Rocky I, II, III IV. It is the kind of place where you need not die frustrated. You can die in peace with dreams fulfilled. You see America is the kind of place where it truly is up to you and me. America shouts individualism. You can counter with “Oh no, it is unions and big corporations. Remember those big groups are populated with individuals. You and I say we want to make a difference. In these United States of America, we can do exactly that---if only we will! Before I close this medley of experiences, this hodgepodge of thoughts, this smorgasbord USA, I emphasize a serious question. Will America continue her greatness? She can-but will she? I really don’t know. I do guarantee that a nation whose God is the Lord will be blessed! This land was birthed by God fearing men and women of passionate faith. In general, adherents, to the princi-
ples taught and walked by Jesus Christ, have brought us this far and spells America’s ultimate success. We need to decide whether to live the words, “in God we trust” or to merely pass them along as inscription on our coins. I close with some words from songs.
America! America! God shed his grace on thee. America! America! God mend thine every flaw. America! America! May God thy gold refine. America! America! God shed his grace on thee. And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
d
THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 35
NOTES ALONG THE
Corridor
by RICK REILEY
STILLWATER’S BRANDON JACKSON : Firmly Grounded Back on May 1st I had the pleasure of sharing the stage and a few songs with Brandon Jackson and was amazed that I’d not met, or heard him before. (I actually had heard him before but didn’t realize it at the time). Brandon Jackson was born in Edmond, OK and lived there until moving to Stillwater to attend college and concentrate on studies. (I spent the night there at OSU in old Bennett Hall once, fifty odd years ago and figured since I couldn’t find the cafeteria I had no business in college!) He studied music and business and ultimately graduated from OKC University with a Bachelors of Music degree with a minor in Business Administration. One of the the things that shaped his sound was performing on ‘the strip’ in Stillwater. The strip is legendary in the annals of red dirt music as serving the needs of the local college crowd and burgeoning musicians flowing into and out of the area. After meeting and performing with Steve Rice, of the band, No Justice, at the Wormy Dog (then in Stillwater) he was asked to join the band. They had a tour schedule of 180 days a year, recorded one studio album and then filmed one album, ‘Live from Billy Bob’s’, the legendary Texas roadhouse, over a 5 year stretch. He tells me 36 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
playing with the band and recording the live album has been a real highlight of his career and memory he’ll carry with him for a long time to come. His writing credits include three songs from ‘No Justice’, a self titled CD. The songs are Still Missing You , Breathe, By My Side, all fine, progressive country rock tunes, as good as any I’ve heard. I listened to those cuts while writing this and drifted away for a while completely losing track of time. Like so many other singer/songwriters he grew up with music all round him. His dad plays guitar and banjo and seemed to always be playing something in the background or the foreground of his childhood. One of his earliest and favorite memories is hearing his dad in the bedroom singing a Billy Joe Shaver song, ‘I’m Just An Old Chunk of Coal’. Additionally, Jackson’s grandfather played fiddle in several bluegrass bands around Oklahoma in the 30s and 40s. And no doubt his son was influenced by him. Father to son, father to son…. It’s nice when good things work like that. Whether he’s singing his own material or that of Radney Foster and other such notables, Jackson has a commanding voice, does solid guitar work and has a palpable stage presence. He’s been around the block a
time or two and stands ready to go again. He started singing when he was a kid performing first with his dad and sister at church when he was 6 or 7. He continued to take part in performances all throughout his childhood. He says, “I didn’t start playing guitar until my freshman year in High School. I had a really talented group of friends and we decided to put a band together. Since my dad played guitar, I decided to learn. I grabbed his big book of chords and his guitar and just started teaching myself how to play. My friends and I would get together for jams and I just kept progressing more and more. “My influences as a writer come from so many different places. I get inspiration from all styles of music, Rock, Pop, Country, Classical, Music Theater, I listen to it all and I’ve used elements of all of those styles in my writing. As far as certain artists that inspire me; John Fullbright, Randy Rogers, Jason Isbell, Radney Foster, John Mayer, Mike McClure, John Legend, Hayes Carll, and list goes on. I love listening to all of those artists and have also been listening to anything that Luke Laird writes. He has so many hits for so many artists, and I find them all to be so great in many ways”. Editor’s note: (I’m not familiar with Luke Laird, so I have to go look him up! I always have so much to learn…...) Jackson still plays quite a bit around Oklahoma. Mostly acoustic shows right now with the occasional full band gig. His most recent performances were at George’s Stables and Iron Monk Brewery in Stillwater with a June 21st stop in Lenexa, Kansas to perform at the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle. He has one studio album out, ‘The Good Times’ (2011). You can listen to it anywhere you stream or buy music, just search Brandon Jackson. He’s also been working on a new recording as well. He’s played music for a living that past 15 years, but just recently picked up a day job so he doesn’t have to travel so much and be away from his family. He says it’s an interesting juggling act, but he’s still writing and finding ways to make music and play it live. This is dedication to life on two fronts; a commitment to family life and a personal commitment to publically pursuing the arts. Not an easy task but one that I imagine feels quite rewarding when the dust has settled. I enjoy his music very much, and his smile alone is worth the price of admission. Trust me. I’ll give him the last word: “I look forward to many years of writing music for myself and other artists until I just can’t do it anymore. I will always be living this dream, working to improve my music, and sharing my songs with whoever will listen”. You can find out more at www.brandonjacksonmusic. com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. www.facebook.com/brandonjacksonmusic www.twitter.com/bjacksonmusic n
www.instagram.com/bjacksonmusic
THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 37
The PATRIOTIC COLORS of July! by MICHELLE BROWN
July is a month of just plain excitement! Truly, July is one of the most colorful times of the year. As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, the air is filled with a splendor of patriotism. The colors red, white and blue can be seen along sidewalks, storefronts and displayed in yards. Independence Day parades spark a salute by many to our glorious American flag carried along The Corridor streets and roadways. And what about the fireworks! Enjoying the July night sky light up with an array of colors will make you feel like a kid again, no matter what your age! Vacation time, family reunions, picnics and fishing at the lake are all part of July fun. I bet you did not know that July is National Hot Dog Month. So cook out and serve up a hot dog! Ultraviolet Safety Month is observed during the scorching month of July. There are excellent benefits to being outdoors in the sunlight, such as getting your daily intake of Vitamin D, but we must take precautions when in the hot summer rays. During the summertime, the sunlight’s invisible ultraviolet rays are three times as bright as they are in the winter. The powerful sun can damage your skin in as little as fifteen minutes! As you have fun in The Corridor sun, be sure to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and apply plenty of sunscreen to guard against skin damage. Loyalty. The word loyalty is defined as a strong feeling of support of allegiance. The words, “I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG” are incredibly powerful. Let us reflect and take time this month to honor our military and our forefathers who fought and worked hard with loyal and patriotic hearts earning freedom for generations to come. Let us all pledge our allegiance and loyalty to the beautiful flag that flies high above the United States of America and be proud to call ourselves Americans. Yikes! Baby it’s hot outside! Be sure to check on people frequently who do not have air conditioning. Those of you who work outside, drink plenty of H2O since dehydration can attack quickly and drain the body’s electrolyte system causing extreme illness. And please do not be neglectful leaving children or animals inside vehicles even for a few short minutes! Be safe as you travel in the heat along The Corridor! 38 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
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Inconspicuously Meeting the Needs PARK PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH
ARTICLE SUBMITTED
Park Place Baptist Church is an inconspicuous little church on the northwest side of Cushing, located at 321 N. Hartman, right in the middle of the surrounding neighborhood. Although Park Place isn’t in the most visible location, it’s a great little church with a desire to share the love of Jesus while meeting the needs of the community and surrounding area. For the second consecutive year Park Place is excited to host the Adorned With Grace Clothing, Etc., Giveaway. The Giveaway will be exactly that...a free and open to the public giveaway of new and gently used women and children’s clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry. Also, a variety of household items including linens, dishes, home decor and toys will also be available. 42 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / JULY 2019
The Giveaway will begin at 10 am, July 20th at the Park Place Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Cushing. It will feature a sit down brunch of breakfast pastries and fruit followed by a brief word of encouragement from Dana Craig of Lake Church in Mannford. Attendees will then enjoy a free “shopping” experience among the racks of neatly hung clothing, toys, jewelry and household items that have been carefully arranged by church volunteers and youth. Over 75 people attended last year’s Giveaway. The event is made possible by generous donations from local individuals and organizations. All items not given away at the event will be donated to a local “not for charge” charity. Park Place is excited to have a new pastor attending the event this year. Having taken on the interim pastorate over 18 months ago, Vic and Sylvia Morlan have recently stepped aside and welcomed Caleb Hein along with his wife, Emily and young daughter, Riley to the church. Caleb and Emily are a young,
energetic couple filled with the desire to reach the community and spread the Gospel. Attend the church of your choice this coming Sunday but if you don’t have a place to go, Park Place Baptist Church is a wonderful place to attend. And remember to come to the Adorned with Grace Clothing, Etc., Giveaway on July 20th. You will be blessed.
The event is made possible by generous donations from local individuals and organizations.
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