WI;E OF CONTENTS REX DUNN, OKLAHOMA BULLFIGHTER by Sheila Samples He may wear baggy pants and a painted smile, but rodeo bullriders know his job means a lot more than just clowning around. HAVING A FLING WITH FRISBEE GOLF by Missy Kruse It's a cross between golf and a casual Frisbee toss - it's folf (but you can just call it "Frisbee golf"). ZOO STORIES by Kate Jones A visit with two keepers of the keys to the animals'kingdoms at the Oklahoma City Zoo. OKLAHOMA'S ROADSIDE AMBASSADORS by Kate Jones Meet the people who greet travelers at the State of Oklahoma's information centers. YESTERDAY RIDES AGAIN AT LAKE EUFAULA by Kathleen Kunz Summer activities at Lake Eufaula's lodges are taking a backward glance at history. THE BIRDS AND THE BAUMGARTNERS OF LITTLE LEWIS HOLLOW by Linda D.F. Shalaway Fred and Marguerite Baumgartner introduce visitors to the wilds and wildlife of Oklahoma at the Little Lewis Whirlwind nature center. MID-SUMMER MAGIC AT QUARTZ MOUNTAIN by Carol Fitzgerald The Summer Arts Institute is a special kind of camp for Oklahoma's most talented teen-agers. THE RANCH THE ZINKS BUILT by Connie Cronley Hiking or jeeping, camping or just getting away from it all - the recreational riches of the John Zink Ranch can be your group's for the asking. TODAY IN OKLAHOMA

BOOKS IN REVIEW

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Official Magazine of the State of Oklahoma SUMMER 1982 VOL. 32, NO. 3 George Nigh, Governor

Staff: Sue Carter, Editor; Kate Jones, Assistant COVERS: Front. Rex Dunn of Hustings does his Editor; Paul Lefebvre, Art and Production; Kevin brand of bullfighting in a clown's get-up. Photo cour- Norman, Circulation Development. tesy of Rex Dunn. Back. The ghost town of Grand, lburism and Recreation Commission: Jim Pate, in Ellis County, comes to life again each summer Chairman; W. R. "Dick" Stubbs, Vice Chairman; when area residents and descendants of those who Celia Rosehberger, Secretary; Rilla Wilcox, James once called Grand home gather for a reunion. One of Durham, Bob Hinton, R. A. "Bob" Hodder, Jarrell the high points of the day is a trip across a farm L. Jennings. pond on an old-fashioned rope swing. Photo by Paul Lefebvre. Published quarterly by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Abe L. Hesser, Executive COMING IN THEFALL ISSUE Volksmarch through Director; Eugene Dilbeck, Marketing Services; Ken the Wichitas, then celebrate with a few polkas and Flaming, Lodges; Chuck Woolsey, Administration; a helping or two of clitssic German fare. Visit with Tom Creider, Planning & Development; N. Clay some of the craftspeople who represented Oklahoma McDermeit, Parks. at the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife. Check into how the experts spice their chili. Then Oklahoma lbday subscription prices: $7 per year take a good, long look at the Arkansas River from in the U.S.; $11elsewhere. $1.75 single copy. the back of a horse. Fall offers all this -plus some Copyright 1982 by Oklahoma %day magazine. surprises. So hurry back. 215 N.E. 28th Street, P.O. Box 53384, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. 405/521-2496. Second-class postage paid at Oklahoma City (ISSN 0030 1892).

OKLAHOMA TODAY

OKIAHOMA BULLFIGHTER

If you're a fugitive from justice, National Finals in Oklahoma City. their performances-and ruined their the story goes, the best place to hide We want that gold belt buckle. That's careers. I'm making a good living, is in the Chicago Bears' defensive our trophy, our glory." doing something I love. Why rush it?' line. If you're not built for that type Dunn's chances of being one of Dunn is almost painfully modest, of work, chances are the law won't the three clowns selected for the NFR but he's good and he knows it. "If I find you in a rodeo arena during the this year are good, although he says don't have confidence in what I do, bullriding event, either. he doesn't get hung up on the idea. how can I expect others to trust me, Unless you're the bull, or the rider. "I'm doing what I love," he says. "I to literally put their lives in my hands The other guys out therethe clown live, eat and breathe rodeo. I don't night after night?" in the barrel and the garish-faced bull- know what I'd do if I couldn't fight The top 25 bullriders in the world fighter-they're much like those foot- bulls. I'll be out there as long as I'm obviously agree. They selected Dunn ball linemen. Unless they mess up, physically able, if I never make it to to compete in the Wrangler Pro Rddeo nobody knows or cares what their the finals." Bullfighting Matches, an annual show- real job is. In the six years that Dunn has down of the world's top 12 clowns, However, according to Rex Dunn, been a "card-holding" PRCA rodeo each of whom must fight in six of 20 27-year-old bullfighter from Hastings, clown, he's gone from a $75-a-night rodeos throughout the United States. justice is dealt out more harshly in amateur to a much-in-demand $300- The national bullfighting finals, billed rodeo than in any other sport. "Rodeo to-$500-a-night professional. Only a as "Beauty and the Beast," are held is unforgiving," Dunn says. "Especi- few make his kind of money or book in conjunction with the Miss Rodeo ally bullfighting. You make a mistake, in excess of 100 rodeos a year. America pageant during the NFR you pay the price." He works hard at it. Last year, in in December, and pit the top six On his way to being recognized as one stretch, Dunn worked 19 rodeos finalists in a bullfighting extravaganza. one of the top dozen clown/bullfighters in 23 days, hauling a little "mule," Dunn says the Wrangler compe- in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Booger the Wonder Kar and his trick tition is a "big deal," and clowns Association ( PRCA) , the slightly dogs over a three-state area in his stand to pocket a bunch of coins. built, soft-spoken, battle-scarred young Dooley Crewcab with a 36-foot fifth- "We're guaranteed $1,000 just to show cowboy has paid his dues and paid wheel travel trailer bringing up the up," he says, "and Wrangler pays the price. rear. all our expenses. If we win a match, Since 1970, when Dunn "snuck" "Of course," he says candidly, "it's we get $2,300. Second place is $1,500, away from home and entered a jackpot the finals I'm going after, even though and third is $1,000." rodeo in Chickasha, he's been hooked I figure I'm ahead of the game. I'm According to Dunn, there's not a on rodeo-and he's been stepped on, gonna go to Oklahoma City, but I'm nickel's worth of difference in stomped and run over by some of not gonna rush it. I've seen clowns the skill of the top 12 or 15 rodeo's meanest, hump-backed, slack- want to go to the finals so badly that hided denizens. it messed up their minds, affected "The meaner the bull, the better we look," Dunn explains, admitting the obvious Catch-22 to the life he's chosen. Other athletes get trophies, plaques, titles and glory. The rodeo clown is just a guy with a smile bla- zoned across his face, who was good for some monkeyshines along the way. He's nameless and faceless. Once his makeup is scrubbed away, he melts into the crowd-just another cowboy at another rodeo. "What every clown is striving for," Dunn says, "is a shot at the December

FOUR REX Dm, clowns when it comes to saving a cow- .- boy's life. The difference is in style. "In the finals, the bulls will be rank cats," he says. "They'll be hard to get around, hard to get away from, and C it'll sure be a rugged contest." Style is what separates the goods from the greats, according to Dunn. "You can't teach it," he says. "So much of it is reflex, instinct. When a cowboy gets in a storm, you go in and get him. You don't stop to think , ... about it. His life could hang on that split second it took you to decide what to do." Dunn admits that the mechanics of bullfighting can be taught, and there are at least five clown schools in the country, usually run alongside bull- riding schools. "When I started, the only way to learn was to get out there and try to survive," Dunn grins. "I'd run at a bull. He'd run over me. Then I'd get up, scratch my head, bandage my cuts and bruises and swear I wouldn't do thut again." Dunn credits much of hisI style, and his bullfighting philosophy,, to PRCA veteran bullfighter Rick Young who, at 45, is probably one of the highest- 4

by Winnie Durn.

w Photo by Hirchman. b FIVE OKLAHOMA BULLFIGHTER

paid clowns in the business, as well watch Rick Young," Dunn says, "he'll flat starved out. We lose a lot of good as one of Dunn's Wrangler opponents. make a few passes, show that he knows ones." "Young talked me into going pro how to fight a bull. But then, he'll let Each year at the January PRCA in 1976," Dunn says. "I was banging the bull scatter him. He'll jump the rodeo convention in Denver, the clowns my head against the walls as an arna- fence, sit on some lady's lap, anything converge and mingle, carrying dog- teur; I worked the world's largest bull- to let the bull win. People always go eared datebooks. Dunn says he also riding event in Ardmore that year. I away thinking that Young was funny books rodeos at the National Finals, worked the Southwestern Cowboys and the bull was bad." and manages to stay a year ahead on Association finals, the Oklahoma Bullriders and bullfighters are a his schedule. youth finals and the Oklahoma high- great deal alike. They're easy to spot "Since we have no union, jobs and school finals. at a rodeo. They're the guys who salaries are geared to popularity," "Young told me I was good enough show up before the bullriding event- Dunn says. "One thing that helps me, to make it," Dunn recalls. "And he pace back and forth, stretch and bend, in addition to being one of the top said, 'Always make the bull come to stalk the fidgeting bulls in each chute. 12 clowns, is that I carry specialty you. If you have to go to him, he'll They run on sheer adrenalin. acts, such as my trick dog act. Con- outsmart you every time.' Nobody takes the clown more seri- tractors used to be able to afford a "Then," Dunn says, "Young told ously than a rodeo cowboy. Bullriders clown, a bullfighter and a third person me something I'll never forget. It will tell you in a heartbeat that the to do the comedy. turned my life around. He said, 'Peo- clown is the most important man alive, "NOW,however," he says, "they ex- ple don't realize what they're really the best bullfighter this side of Mexico pect us to do it all. Money is tight, seeing-what this business is all about. City-the guy you go to the well with so the larger the act we carry-the 'Get out there and fight bulls. Show again and again. more versatile we are-the more jobs people what you can do, but-always It's true. The clown is, quite literal- we get." let the bull win. Then, the crowd will ly, a bullrider's lifeline, and a good Dunn has also given a lot to rodeo. go away happy. They'll be talking one is hard to come by. Dunn says Both collarbones have been broken, about how bad the bull was. If you that, of the 150 PRCA clowns, only one in three places. A bull hooked fight that bull down, they'll about 80 actually make a living at it. his lower lip, tore it off and smashed "It's a business," he says, "and it's most of his teeth. His ankles and

even fight.. .' whatever we can get . . . and the the string of broken ribs. "If YOU younger clowns starting out will do "But I'm in a world all my own a lot more for a lot less. Many are out there," he breathes. "It's hard to describe it. When I get too close to one of those rank old fighting bulls, and the crowd roars and screams. .. right then, my adrenalin is pump- ing so hard my eyes pop out. It's the greatest natural high in the world. Nobody can touch me; I I feel that I'm totally in control . . . "I guess what I'm trying to say is--I'm the luckiest person in the world. I'm a bullfighter ..."m

Photo by Melv~nEaton

OKLAHOMA TODAY

EIGHT OKLAHOMA TODI iI HAVING A FYJNG WITH FRISBEE GOLF

Opposite page. Frisbee golf (also called "disc golf" and even "folf') on the McClure Park course, one of five that meander through public parks in the Tulsa metropolitan area. Inset. Par for most disc-golf holes is 3 or 4. A hole-in-one is possible, however; even with a Frisbee. Photos by Fred Marvel.

It was the first day of spring and term disc golf.) expensive. All you need is a Frisbee. the wind made the sunshine seem Headrick is said to have tried 50 But within disc sports, disc golf is an cooler than it really was, but the prototypes for the "holes" before hit- individual effort-rather than a team scene at Tulsa's McClure Park looked ting on his design. The current PDGA sport, which is harder to get organized. like something out of a soft-drink com- standards call for a pole surrounded "The atmosphere is very relaxed; mercial. by a basket and chain to slow the it's something you can do on a number A circle of faded sweatshirts and Frisbee's flight. Less formal versions of different levels. I used to be a seri- jogging shorts stretched, rose and fell of the game may use objects, such as ous player and practiced many hours as the men inside them got weekday a mailbox or even a circle chalked on a day. With disc golf I can be out to working muscles in shape for Sunday the ground, as targets or holes. set a course record or simply be there sport. According to the PDGA's regional to get a little fun and sun." Nearby there was no telltale pile pro, Stan Korth of Oklahoma City, Korth has found a full-time career of bats and gloves to signal their wel- nearly 10,000 Oklahomans play the in designing courses and providing come to spring, but a scattering of game. players with top-line Frisbees, a busi- plastic discs. Men in their 20s and 30s Most are people who remember the ness he runs out of his Oklahoma City are remembering their carefree college first Frisbee frenzy of the '60s and home. The bonus of the job is that it days by turning Frisbee tossing into a '70s, but the under-14 and over-60 age leaves him plenty of time to attend club activity. categories are making themselves Frisbee tournaments to further pro- And in Oklahoma, an increasingly known as well. mote the sport. It also gives him a popular way of showing one's enthu- Separating disc golf from other legitimate reason to play. siasm is by playing disc golf. In fact, Frisbee activities is difficult. The Disc golf has an added appeal to the state ranks second nationwide state's two organized clubs-in Okla- the novice, say enthusiasts. Unlike (California is first) in the number of homa City and Tulsa-include peo- team sports or even a game of catch, playing courses for a game most peo- ple who may play a round of folf, but initially it does not require the same ple have never heard of off a university also compete in tournaments that em- degree of accuracy. And it demands campus. phasize the many other possibilities of no particular physical attributes other In simplest terms, disc golf or "folf" the Frisbee, such as distance, accuracy than a limber arm and wrist. is the Frisbee freak's version of a golf or trick throws. The different, identi- Yet a demonstration by Tulsa club game, played on specially designed fiable games played with the Frisbee members shows the game is not as nine- or 18-hole courses. The courses number between 20 and 30, including easy as it looks. Frisbee players have and the hardware to go on them are Ultimate Frisbee, akin to soccer. as many different throws as a major- the brainchildren of Ed Headrick, Among all these options, what league pitcher. Backhand, forehand, head of the Professional Disc Golf As- makes disc golf so popular? grip and the force of the throw all sociation and former Wham-0 execu- Says Korth, "For one thing, it's in- play a part in making disc golf a tive. t Wham-0 Mfg. Co., which also scientific exercise. gave America the Hula Hoop and the Some approach the tee-off with a immortal Water Wiggle, are the casual stance and a feather-light throw makers of official Frisbees and, indeed, that appears almost effortless. Others, own the very word Frisbee. Hence the Missy Kruse is a free-lance writer living in Tulsa. like Central States Alliance regional

SUMMER 1982 NINE and Kansas will gather at McClure Park to compete in the regional qual- ifying rounds for the national cham- pionship of disc golf, which will be played at the World's Fair in Knox- ville. Dorn says the money from the $20 entry fee will cover such player-ori- ented pluses as prize money, but, if all goes well, the club also hopes to be able to raise nearly $5,000 for the park improvement fund. One of the requirements of disc- golf tournaments is that they benefit some charity. "They're set up for com- munity profit," Dorn says. A good end to a means of fun. Lew Satterfield.

disc-golf champion Lew Satterfield, thousands. may make an Olympic-like effort in a Tulsa club president Bill Dorn has We all know Oklahoma's fa- try for a hole-in-one. (Yes, it's pos- covered the walls of one room with mous for football and basketball sible with a Frisbee.) more than 500 different discs. And games, rodeos and horse races- Satterfield, who is ranked among rare models draw handsome prices but Frisbee golf? the top 10 overall Frisbee players in from collectors. One club member dis- Well, if the number of courses is any indication, Frisbee, or the country, first took up Frisbeeing played his pride and joy, a model disc, golf is catching on in the four years ago after seeing an infor- sporting a likeness of some legendary Sooner State at a skyrocket rate. mal game of disc golf in Tulsa's Wood- Yale Frisbee-ers that is worth $150, Here is a list of the public ward Park. "I threw a lot of stuff as a carefully wrapped in plastic bags. courses at city and county parks. kid-balls, rocks, eggs," Satterfield Disc golfers frequently opt for flu- (The state's resorts that sport says wryly, "and I quarterbacked orescent models, since some parks pro- Frisbee golf courses include Lake some. . . . I like disc golf because it vide enough lighting for night play. Murray, Lake Texoma, Western takes an accuracy throw, not real Their models are battered, scratched Hills on Ft. Gibson Reservoir power. It takes skill and a lot of con- and inked with size and weight nota- and Fountainhead and Arrow- trol." tions. head on Lake Eufaula.) Oklahoma City. Will Rogers That skill is tested by hazards like Dorn says disc golf has given many Park, N.W. 36th just west of creek banks and clumps of trees and park departments the chance to make 1-240, 18 holes. Woodson Park, variables like wind direction, which better use of their facilities. A course S.W. 33rd and May, nine holes. require as much forethought on pitch- can be put in for $3,500 to $10,000 and Tulsa. Tulsa River Parks, 41st ing style as a golf swing does. Some either permanently set or left in mov- and Riverside Dr., 18 holes; Mc- players show their seriousness by car- able form so that the course design Clure Park, 7440 E. 7th, 18 rying a specially-made folf bag to can be changed. holes; Haikey Creek Park, nine hold the four or five different discs At one Oklahoma City park, offi- holes, with nine more in prog- they think necessary to play a good cials found the course even solved a ress; Chandler Park, 21st and 65th Ave. S.W., nine holes. Mac game. crime problem, Dorn says. Once the Taylor Park, 96th St. N. and In fact, Frisbees come in as many course was in place, there were too Peoria, nine holes. sizes, styles and weights (anywhere many disc golfers milling around to Ardmore. Broadlawn Park, on from 150 to 220 grams) as any other leave any secluded spots for crimes to Harris Road, nine holes. type of sports equipment. And each occur. Lawton. Greer Park, on 38th mold has its own flight characteris- In Tulsa, the game has caught on St. between Gore and Cache tics, says Korth. "There are a lot of with the retirement set, especially one roads, 18 holes (Should be in bad discs on the market that even I group in McClure Park's Senior Fit- operation by June 1.) can't make fly well." So beginners are ness Program. Jim Stroup, recreation Norman. Lions Northeast advised to choose carefully. center director, says he encouraged the Park, at the north end of North- cliff Drive, 18 holes. It's a confusing consideration, how- dozen participants to begin Frisbee Ponca City. Hutchins Park, ever. The number of flight designs golf as a workout for wrists and fin- behind the Hutchins Memorial and moIds runs into the hundreds. gers, and for the bending and stretch- Building, nine holes. And if promotional discs--those made ing required to pick up the disc. Two Stillwater. Boomer Park, on as advertising girnmicbare includ- of the group say they practiced at Boomer Road, 18 holes. ed, the number of individually stamp home all winter using buckets. Yukon. Community Center, ed discs made by Wham-0 or their On June 5 and 6, disc golfers from 2200 S. Holly Aue., nine holes. competitors runs into the tens of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri !

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ELEVEN

The Oklahoma City Zoo on a bright las in the wild; two of the 10 in cap- weekday morning. The gates have just tivity are in the United Statesin the opened; the first visitors are strolling OKC Zoo. The zoo's seven lowland along the paths. Occasionally an un- gorillas are common only in cornpar- identified squawk or snort or trumpet ison with their mountain cousins, and or bleat sounds through the redolent the zoo has had rare luck at getting zoo air. A woman holds her delighted their lowlands to breed. child up to look into the eyes of a Like a proud uncle, Greg intro- lowland gorilla. In the Herpetarium, duces the lowland community: In the a reticulated python uncoils, and a gorilla building live Moemba, or teen-ager shrieks and clings to her "Mo," a 22-year-old wild-caught male; boyfriend. Another day in the public two adult females, Fern and Kathy, life of the zoo has begun. both also wild-caught; and Kathy's For most humans, the zoo is an and Mo's latest, three-year-old Macho, occasional experience, a place to feed whose name means "eyes" in Swahili. some bears, see some snakes and Gorilla males, unlike orangutan males, monkeys, eat some popcorn, ride the take part in child-rearing, and Greg paddle boat or the tram, and then go reports that Macho doesn't fear her home. giant father in the least. "She's just But for a small, fiercely partisan like any other kid," he says. "She'll army, the zoo is daily life, the real get right in his face." world. They're the keepers (official Over in the primate building live title: "animal technicians") who three single female lowlands: Mo's watch over the zoo's animals. and Kathy's older offspring, eight- Over at the gorilla building, primate year-old Fredrika; Boma; and three- supervisor Greg Petromilli and his year-old G'Ann, whose parents are staff have already served up the "a.m. Mo and Fern. The glass-fronted cages eats" and washed out the cages. "We offer no privacy and not a lot of room try to get all the in-cage work done to move around, for the lowlands or before the gates open," he says. "If for the orangutans, mountain gorillas we don't, we get people yelling, 'What and several species of monkeys and kind of monkey are you? You can get lemurs that share the building with a little tired of that." them. (The zoo has also had success Much of the work in the gorilla in breeding its Sumatran orangutans, building and the nearby primate though the babies keep turning out to building is what Greg calls "no- be male. "We keep coming up with brainer7'-hosing cages, sweeping male orangutans and female gorillas, floors, washing windows. "I don't when we need it the other way mind washing windows," he says, "be- around," Greg says.) cause when you're up close you can Compared with the primate house, really watch the animals." the gorilla house is, as Greg says, "Really watching the animalsv- "Nichols Hills." In addition to glass- the zoo's $1 million worth of great fronted cages, it has a gunnite-walled apes-is a big part of Greg's job, a yard, complete with climbing poles job he's done for five years in Okla- and sunshine, and an overlook where A gemsbdr, native to southern Africa's arid homa City, and did for four and a people can watch the gorillas from a plains, on its range on the Oklahoma City half years at the Cincinnati Zoo be- reasonable distance. Zoo's south side. The zoo has one of the fore that. Keeping a close watch on world's largest coIIections of hooved Still, it's less than ideal. Greg animals, in wide-open exhibits managed to the well-being of the primates is cru- dreams of five-acre compounds that simulate their wild homes. Photo by cial because they are so rare. There would be home to breeding groups of Paul Lefebwe. 'are an estimated 250 mountain goril- three females and a male-though he

SPRING 1982 THIRTEEN Top, left. The Galapagos Islands Exhibit is home for the zoo's complement of giant tortoises. The Heruetarium staff is currently awaiting the hatching of the first Galapag~Stortoise eggs ever laid in the zoo. Top, right. This lordly Bengal tige( who started life as a house pet, is currently withoul a name. The zoo is considering holding a "name-that-tiger"contest this summe,: Bottom, left. Norman the hiopo is on a diet. So fat he's lost 100 to 200 pounds from his approximately 5,000-pound frame. Bottom, right. Moemba, the zoo's male lowland oorilla. Photos by Jim Argo.

realizes some compromises might need imals they come to see. "Please don't food and water, heat and humidity, to be made so that people could view feed the animals" signs are there for and they're just fine. You don't feel the animals. "I'd like a place less good reasons. "If someone tosses them so bad because they're in a zoo. They cage-and-bar-oriented," he says, a piece of bread, they'll fight over it, don't have any wants or needs other "where they could get away and be and someone could be hurt or killed,'' than getting their stomachs filled." by themselves." he says. Keeping them healthy isn't always Given the constraints of zoo life, a He also wishes that people would easy, since much is still unknown big problem for the primates is bore- accept his charges for what they are. about some animals' needs. The Her- dom. In th'e wild, Greg says, gorillas "Gorillas are very clean, but they do petology staff, who care not only for spend eight to 12 hours a day feeding. have a strong odor-and people should the animals in the Herpetarium but In the zoo, even though the staff chop expect to smell their odor and watch for those in the Mini-Aquarium and and/or scatter the animals' staple diet them do the things they do. . . ." he the Galapagos Islands Exhibit as well, of various vegetables and fruits, rai- says. "If people would just let them be are constantly observing, discussing sins, peanuts, hard-boiled eggs and gorilla-that's their jobs. That's what among themselves, studying and ma- Monkey Chow, they spend at most people come out here to see." nipulating environments, trying to hit two to three hours a day eating. "Zoos Greg's charges are great favorites. just the right combination. "We don't can't be on their schedules," Greg ("People are monkey-oriented" is the do as much feeding and cleaning as says, "so they have to be on ours." way Greg puts it.) Betsy Olsen's an- some of the other areas," she says. Within that structure, the gorillas imals are favorites with very few, be- "We have to control everything in stick to their own routines. "They're cause Betsy works as a keeper in the their environment." easy animals to take care of, very pre- Herpetarium, taking care of tortoises Going into an "off-exhibit" area, dictable," Greg says. "You can tell and turtles and lizards-and snakes. where tortoises, alligator-like cairnens, when they're in a bad mood; they'll "It really gets discouraging to hear baby snake-necked turtles and an give you warning, let you know what the comments,'' she says. "A lot of elderly knight anole lizard have spent they're going to do.'' They are, of people go through here like this is a the cold season, is like walking into course, blase' about the faces beyond house of horrors--women scream, the tropics. Heaters seem to be stacked the glass walls. "People come in here hang on to their boyfriends. Some on top of heaters. Betsy introduces and tap on the glass and expect to weekends it gets so bad that I'm glad some of the residents: the baby snake- get a big rise out of Mo. He's not the snakes don't have ears." necks, who have strangely charming going to jump around-he's used to Betsy, who has a degree in zoology faces, like reptilian happy-face stick- them." Their area of the zoo is home from OU and worked at the Tulsa Zoo ers; a rhinocerous iguana from the territory. "I sort of wonder if they before coming to Oklahoma City about Caribbean ("Their jaws are adapted think we're the ones in cages," he a year ago, is in charge of the south- for cracking land-crab shells. You says. ern half of the Herpetariurn, a varied don't pet them. Ever") and the knight Despite his obvious fondness for his collection of lizards, tortoises, turtles anole, who is at least 11 and blind, animals, Greg accepts the public, rec- and snakes--and a pair of golden lion and has to be hand-fed. "We can't reational purpose of the zoo. "We can't marmosets. (The rare, endangered keep him in the exhibit," she says. get too rigid. Kids need their Coca- marmosets have been scattered in "He looks dead, and people complain." Cola and their rides. . :. The zoo has pairs or threesomes throughout the Betsy's days backstage in the trop- four goal~onservation,recreation, zoo to prevent disease from decimat- ics vary according to what needs to education and research . . . and that's ing the population.) She admits she be fed when. All the snakes-except not a rank order.'' He adds that zoos enjoys "mothering" the marmosets- for the African egg-eating snake-eat do well during an economic crunch. talks to them affectionately, relishes mice or rats and are fed once a week. "For $2 you can spend all day here, the feedback she gets. The insect-eaters among her charges see the animals, have fun, eat a picnic Affection is not forthcoming from are fed crickets. Another staple for -and the money goes back into the most of her charges, but still she says some of the residents is finely chopped zoo. . . . What good would it be if no she likes work in the Herpetarium. salad. people came here?" "They're like little robots," she says. None of the.staff enjoys killing the Still and all, he wishes visitors "They don't get bored. We have them mice and rats that are used for food. would be more considerate of the an- in a little microcosm; we give them "People say, 'Oh, that's cruel,' " Betsy

FOURTEEN OKLAHOMA TODAY

zoo

born in the Herpetarium. In fact, the unit is known for its breeding suc- cesses. It's also known for its varied collection, which contains a certain number of what Betsy calls "ooh-la- la" specimens-species that may be common in nature but are rare in zoos, such as the ringed python, Yuc- atan rat snake, Honduran milk snake and the giant walking tree frog. (The zoo has two of the three frogs that are in the United States.) She may not expect affection from her charges, but she does admit to having favorites. She likes the day gecko species, lizards that are native to islands in the Indian Ocean. She also has great respect for tortoises. "They're just real benign, take things slow and live a long time," she says. "They're not speedy, not dangerous, I says. "But it has to be done. I feel yet they've survived for a million like saying, 'What'd you have for din- years. They're tenacious; I guess that's ner last night? Kentucky-fried chick- it." en? Well, somebody had to kill that She tells of tortoises that have been chicken.' " brought in with smashed shells and Part of her work is with venomous severe internal injuries. "We cement snakes, up to and including the king the shell with fiberglass or fix it up cobra. She follows a set procedure, with tape," she says. "They may not which includes ringing a buzzer to let eat for weeks, then one day they'll other keepers know when she's feeding come out and start basking and eating. a venomous one. The feeding is done . . . They die hard." Betsy Olsen backstage at the Herpearium, long-distance, often with a pair of out- The sign at the start of the Herpe- with one of her more approachable charges, sized tweezers. tarium's exhibit reads: "Some of you a day geCk0 lizard. Photo by Jim Argo. She speaks with some venom of her may be fearful or disgusted by many own of rattlesnake round-ups and peo- of the animals displayed here. It ple who feel justified in killing any would be helpful if you remember snake that crosses their paths. "There's that, like yourselves, these creatures, no reason to kill a snake, even a ven- too, have a right to be on this earth." omous one," she says. "There's only Betsy puts it this way: "I see them been one snakebite death in Oklahoma for what they arejust simple animals in the last 25 years. . . . People get doing simple things, really interesting, bit when they're trying to kill a rat- diverse animals, real good at what tlesnake and it bites them. It's easy they do. What do gorillas do that's to avoid a snake-just get out of its any more important? All animals do way and it won't bother you." things for us, are part of a big scheme. In another backstage area, where If you take one part away, it hurts all babies and animals that are sick or in the other parts. There are no good or quatantine are kept, Betsy points out bad animals. The 'good' and 'bad' some of the animals that have been comes from man." rn

SIXTEEN OKLAHOMA TODAY The Oklahoma City Zoo is As one of its many proj- Junior curators, who must be 12 home on the range for nearly ects, the Education Department, or older, go through a training 2,000 animals-from primates to which should be at home in a class and then volunteer to work oachyderms to Pere David's deer brand-new building by the first in the animal areas with keepers. --a place where the antelope of summer, will offer a series of For more information on the play, leopards prowl and sea courses from June 7 to July 30. zoo's education programs, call lions bask in the Oklahoma sun. According to Marcy Rogge, ed- (405) 424- 3344. Blessed with wide-open spaces ucation curator, the individual If all you huve time for is a (161 acres of public exhibits and class= are geared to kids in age visit, gates open at 9 a.m., 365 400 "off-exhibit" acres), the zoo groups from 4 to 5 or 6, and on days a year, and close at 6 p.m. has been ranked among the na- up to 15- and 16-year-olds. weekdays during the summer- tion's top 10. It has pioneered Topics will range from ecology and 7 p.m. on weekends. The ex- the idea of cageless habitats and field trips and zoo safaris (which its aren't locked until sundown, is internationally known for its involve going through the zoo so you have plenty of time for an breeding of rare and endangered with a docent, or trained adult evening tour. Admission is $2.10 species. volunteer) to courses such as for adults; $1.05 for children 11 It's also a center for univer- "Patterns and Textures in Na- and under and for adults 65 and sity-level research, but for peo- ture," "What Do Animals Eat?" up; and free for children under ple who just want more knowl- and "So You Want to Be a 2. If you have other questions, edge about animals for them- Vet," taught by the zoo's vet- the zoo's information number is selves or their children, it op- erinary staff. 424-3343. erates a full-blown education June 8 to 12 will be the week program. for junior curator recruitment. AMBASSADORS

Dick Rudolph is the manager of the state's When Shirley Sibley throws open far south of the Kansas line along 1-35. newest inf0rmatiOn Centel at 1-35 and N.E. the doors of her place of business each Since April 15, 1972, she and her staff 50th St. in OkIdmma Cit)! One of the she's never sure who all will there have been dispensing highway services offered by all 11centers is a bun& of brochures touting the Sooner State. in by the end the day- maps, road and weather information Photo by Fred Marvel. Dr. Joyce Brothers has been by, and literature on Oklahoma attrac- and so have golfer Hale Irwin and tions. The centers, designed as oases Coach Bear Bryant and Country- along the concrete deserts of the high- Westerner David Allan Coe. Tammy ways and superhighways, give trav- Wynette once spent the night in her elers a chance to walk the dog and motor home in the parking lot. More themselves, empty their trash, visit a likely, though, the day will bring a well-maintained restroom. family hunting for an amusement Once those travelers step inside the park, a retired couple afraid they're clean, well-lighted centers, Shirley and lost, a traveler looking for an Indian her colleagues' role as super-salesmen reservation, a family man from up of a whole state begins. It's a job North just looking for a job. Shirley finds easy to do. No matter who they are or what "It's not difficult to sell something they're searching for, Shirley greets you believe in," she says. "And I be- them with a smile and a cup of morn- lieve in Oklahoma. It really is excit- ing coffee. It's all part of her job as ing to be able to show people that manager of one of the 11 state-op- Oklahoma isn't the Dust Bowl, that erated information centers that stand we all speak correct English here." beside main roads leading into and through Oklahoma. Shirley's bailiwick is Blackwell, not by Kate Jones

EIGHTEEN OKLAHOMA TODAY State-run information centers are scattered along major roads across Oklahoma. The westernmost is at Guymon, while the Erick center stands near the Texas border beside 1-40. Others are at Enid; Lawton; Thackerville (near where 1-35 crosses into Texas); GoIbert, southwest of Durant; Oklahoma City; Blackwell; Catoosa Oust outside of Tulsa); Miami; and Sallisaw.

The staffs make it their business to for a good many years has been to get Since April 1972, Shirley Sibley of the put Oklahoma's best foot forward, and a state information center in Okla- Blackwell center has been handling a friendly greeting is the first step. homa city," says Kathleen Marks of questions from folks traveling the Oklahoma road The two most common questions about "I'm a real smiler," Shirley says, "and the Chamber's Convention and Tour- the state? ,l~hjc,,way to the lndian I only hire people who are smilers. .. . ism Division. "The project was a joint reservations?" and "Doesn't every Okie own I don't think there's a person who effort of the Chamber and John Kirk- an oil well?" Photo by Fred Marvel. walks in my door that I can't get a patrick and the Oklahoma City Com- smile out of eventually." munity Foundation. The legwork was Dick Rudolph, manager of the new done by the Chamber; John Kirk- Oklahoma City information center, patrick did the masterminding." agrees that you need to greet people Kirkpatrick and the OCCF con- as people. He talks basketball to a vinced the Texaco Corp. to donate couple from Missouri and football to their service station and land at the a man in a vivid purple-and-gold Kan- sas State windbreaker. When a retired couple from Duluth stop in with we're- afraid-we're-lost looks on their faces, Rudolph gossips with them, gives them coffee and an "On to Oklahoma!" bumper sticker-and reassures them that they're on the right road. "The minute you walked in the door," he tells the woman, "I said to myself, 'There's a woman who's right and a man who doesn't believe her.' " Actually, he assures them, they're both right. "We also run a court of amelioration for dissident couples," he tells them as they leave, smiles on their faces. Chalk up a plus for the Oklahoma image. Rudolph and his helpers have been on their corner in Oklahoma City only since Feb. 1, when the capital finally got a center, thanks to the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, John Kirkpatrick and the State of Okla- homa. "One of the Chamber's written goals

SPRING 1982 northwest comer of N.E. 50th and 1-35 draws. "Everyone in the world has to the foundation. Once the building heard of Oral Roberts," she says. and land were acquired, the state Though the staffs are glad to an- stepped in. Armed with a deed and an swer auestions and hand out bro- appropriation from the Legislature, chures, they're not in the business of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recrea- recommending private resorts and tion Department worked to turn the restaurants; they do answer direct station into a wood-sided showplace queries, such as "Where's Molly Mur- fot Oklahoma. phy's?" or "How do I get to Shangri- The Department, which is respon- La?" sible for maintaining and staffing all But they are in the business of pro- of the centers, expects some 45,000 moting state parks and lodges, and cars, including commuter traffic, to will book reservations in any state- pass the Oklahoma City site each day. run lodge or cabin facility. They also Statewide, the number of people who pass out camping information. "Unlike visit the centers is also impressive. In a lot of states," Shirley says, "there's fact, the centers should have more no admission charge to our parks. And than 1million visitors in 1982. if you don't need trailer hook-ups, you Thackerville, near the spot where don't pay to camp. That really im- 1-35 crosses into Texas, opened in presses a lot of out-of-staters." 1969. Sallisaw, Miami and Blackwell She also reports that in-staters who celebrated their 10th birthdays on happen to wander through are equally April 15th, and the Guymon center impressed. "They're amazed at how opened in April 1981. The five others nice our center is," she says. "They are Enid; Erick; Lawton; Colbert, say they didn't know their state even southwest of Durant; and Catoosa, just had these at all." outside of Tulsa on 1-44. Not only are the centers here, but No matter where a center stands, their services are just as much for the staff offers travelers a good look Oklahomans as for outlanders. Center at Oklahoma. From 8:30 a.m. to 5 employees are also available to local p.m. in the winter and 7 a.m. to 7 civic groups, and come bearing a slide p.m. in the summer (May 15 to Labor show, brochures and expert advice on Day), they advise people on road con- stay-at-home vacations. ditions, hand out brochures on every- Day after day the centers are open thing from Kaw Lake to the Cowboy to sell passersby on Oklahoma. Do em- Hall of Fame-and answer endless ployees ever get tired of it, flinch at questions about Oklahoma. the 453rd question about oil wells? According to Shirley Sibley, many Though Mildred Taylor admits that travelers come to the state with a few one out of 1,000 travelers is "con- misconceptions. First off, they're sure trary," she's quick to add that she our Indian population lives on reser- loves her job. "It's very hectic, espe- vations. "I sometimes have a hard cially in the summer," she says, "and time convincing people any different," there's no pattern. You don't know she says. "I don't argue. I just hand what will happen in the next few them our 'Indians' brochure." The minutes." other main myth is that everyone in Shirley Sibley shrugs off with equal Oklahoma owns an oil well. "It re- klan the services above and beyond her minds me of that bumper sticker-'If job description (putting two winter- You Don't Have an Oil Well, Get storm-bound ladies up in her home One,' " she says. Shirley has to admit when all the motels are full, aiding a that not all Okies are oil tycoons, but stroke victim until the Highway Pa- she can and does direct visitors to trol arrived) and the occasional Coun- the producing wells on the Capitol try-Western star in the parking lot. grounds. To Shirley, hers is the perfect job, no At Blackwell, the most asked-about matter who or what the highway Oklahoma attraction is the Cowboy brings her. "Are you kidding?'she Hall of Fame. Over at Sallisaw, man- says. "This is the only job I've ever ager Mildred Taylor, who, like Shir- had where I didn't dread coming to ley, has been at her job since April work in the morning." 1972, reports that Oral Roberts Uni- m versity and the City of Faith are big 1 OKLAHOMA TODAY YESTERDAY RIDES AGAIN Ax They call it the Gentle Giant. As trails, Ledford will explain not only the largest body of water in the state, what plants and trees grow there Lake Eufaula spreads its 102,500 acres and why, but also how they were used into four counties in eastern Okla- as medicine or in religious ceremonies homa. If you have ever skimmed its by the Indians. surface on skis or lured a bass from The tour also stops at homesites of its protective reeds, you already know early settlers and at the Indian ceme- some of the joys this lake has to offer. tery (one of several within the bound- But these waters lap over a lot of aries of the park). Creek Nation law Oklahoma history, from the time of was sometimes severe, and one of the Creek Nation, from the heyday of those buried there was hanged for the Texas Road and the California stealing a horse, according to Everett Road, the highways of yesterday's Horne. A longtime resident, Horne's pioneers. wife owned the land on which Foun- This summer, cowpokes and pros- tainhead Lodge now stands. pectors will mingle again on the trail; "From research and interviews with images of Indians will stalk through local descendants like Mr. Horne,'' tall prairie grasses on their ponies. Ledford explains, "we've been able Pioneers will come alive and visitors to piece together how these people will discover that Eufaula history is lived and tie it in with historical another offering the lake has in abun- events. For instance, an upland ridge dance. Behind this re-creation is an in the park known as Fox Ridge (for enthusiastic team of naturalists, rec- a local family by that name) was reation specialists and personnel at once called Lookout Hill. From its 1 1 I Fountainhead and Arrowhead state heights during the Civil War, South- parks. ern sentries could see most of the Randy Ledford, naturalist at Foun- land across the river and detect any tainhead Resort, is particularly well movement of Union troops." suited to his job. With a Chickasaw Other features of the area Ledford great-grandmother and a great-uncle will weave into his presentations are who farmed on the Deep Fork, Led- prehistoric Caddo Indian mounds, an ford grew up listening to stories that exhibition pasture of buffalo and elk painted an adventure-filled picture of -animals once indigenous to the area ities planned at both state parks. Ron Eufaula's past. but gradually killed off-and a "pres- Williams, Arrowhead Resort's recre- "I've just moved downstream a ways ervation patch" of prairie grasses. ation specialist, has set the last week with my stories," he says. Blending Since the area is at the juncture of in June as Western Week. Guests can an interest in the outdoors with a love the Western prairie and the Eastern try their hand (or whatever!) at horse- of history, he shows not only what deciduous forests, a variety of plants back riding with the help of Western the land was like before, but how it grow there. saddle experts or learn the two-step, was changed by the cultures living "In order to keep the unwanted Cotton-eyed Joe or do-si-do at the on it. plantlife out," Ledford explains, "In- Saturday night barn dance. Shoot- "The Texas and California roads dians used to light gunny sacks soaked outs, staged by professionals, will be crossed roughly where the lake stands with kerosene and drag them behind another sample of the Wild West, but now," he tells us, "so you had cattle while they rode their ponies into cer- for guests who want to be in on the being driven up No&h and folks mov- tain patches to burn them clean. action, Williams promises that the ing out West. Then, of course, the People are scared about prairie fires tractor-tram ride that week will hold Indians were moved here. They tend nowadays, but the Indians knew they some surprises. to live in much greater harmony with were necessary." "We'll have a strongbox up front nature than the white man, but still, But history doesn't stop at the na- by the stagedriver, and there will be a lot happened here." ture center; this same emphasis will a log across the trail," he says. "When On tram tours of the park's nature appear in some of the summer act&- the tram pulls up to it, Belle Starr

TWENTY-TWO OKLAHOMA TODAY ditional Memorial Day tug-of-war favorites, but Eufaula's national repu- between lodge and park personnel tation is as a fishing hole par excel- (aided by any and all volunteers) lence; crappie and bass are there for will be followed by a week of "down the taking. on the ranch" entertainment. Fred Hiteman, marine biologist, "We'll have horseshoe pitching and keeps busy improving chances for a a cow chip throwing contest, along good catch. "We manipulate the water with an authentic barbecue, Western level to provide more suitable con- shootout demonstration and our own ditions for spawning," he says, "and version of the old Starr-Younger hold- in the past few years we've planted up," she says. A Country Western winter wheat to combat soil erosion. band for the Saturday dance will top This provides shelter for the young off the festivities. fish, as well as winter food for the The Fourth of July will be cele- area's waterfowl, and also recycles brated in style on the banks of Lake nutrients for the lake's food chain." Eufaula. Approximately $5,000 worth One of Ledford's summer programs of fireworks at each resort will light illustrates this food chain by exam- up the sky over the water. ining a seineful of fish pulled in by Reaching much further back in his- park visitors. Another program, one tory than our nation's birth, however, of Ledford's favorites, is the eagle Wilkerson has plans for a Renaissance walk. Week. "Most people don't realize that "We're quite proud that Lake Eu- many of the games we play today faula is a wintering ground for our originated in the Renaissance," she nation's symbol, the bald eagle," he says. "We'll feature the archery, bowl- says, pointing out a protruding tree ing and riding contests of that era." stump the birds use when hunting For other theme weeks, visitors need the fish that are their main food. He look no further than 20th-century hopes that a naturalist 100 years from history. "We're staging a Nostalgia now will not find that progress has Week to honor the Roaring '20s, '30s erased this endangered species from and '40s," Williams says. The Charles- the Eufaula landscape. ton will vie with the jitterbug for your Like progress, the lake gives and it and the Younger brothers will jump energies, "but no goldfish swallowing," takes away. In order to provide elec- out of the bushes to rob the driver he vows. tric power, water supplies and a boom- of his 'payroll' in the box." Williams Richie Cunningham and his friends ing recreation industry i fishermen adds that, though Belle was more (played by summer recreation help) brought in $3.1 million in 1980), rich often a behind-the-scene mastermind will bring Happy Days to Foun- bottomland had to be covered up, of holdups, the ambush gives park tainhead in a tribute to the '50s, and along with Indian campsites and other personnel a chance to tell the colorful hula hoops and bobby socks will be archaeological landmarks. One of these tale of her hospitality. Belle provided the order of the day. Both recreation now under water is Standing Rock, a a refuge to a long string of out- directors plan M.A.S.H. weeks as an- smooth promontory on the Canadian laws on a spread acquired through other backward look at the '50s. used as a guidepost from prehistoric her Cherokee husband, Sam Starr. Both recreation directors realize times. Carvings on it-Spanish graf- Younger Bend, on the Canadian River however, that while their activity fiti-were directions for finding treas- just east of the lake, was named after themes, as well as non-theme under- ure, old settlers used to say. More Cole, the father of Belle's daughter, takings from Frisbee golf to tennis to likely they were simply the "Kilroy Pearl. top-flight movies, provide a some- Was Here" of DeSoto's foot soldiers. Cheryl Wilkerson, recreation spe- thing-for-everyone smorgasbord, the Then again, looking at what that 600 cialist at Fountainhead, plans a similar main attraction for guests is the lake miles of shoreline contains in the way celebration of the Old West at the itself. Swimming, water-skiing and of recreation, maybe the old-timers start of the summer season. The tra- even scuba diving are summertime were right after all. =GB8

SPRING 1982 TWENTY-THREE As he leads us down the wooded violet, spiderwort, May apple, blue hollow, Fred Baumgartner pauses at star, golden ragwort and trillium. The the sound of a high-rising trill. birds are here, too, as Fred demon- "There's a parula singing." strates by calling out a Carolina wren, He raises and lowers his hand to another parula, a whiteeyed vireo and single out to our untrained ears the a pair of blue-gray gnatcatchers. The song of the northern parula warbler gnatcatchers, we discover, are build- from the chorus of songbirds. Six ing a nest. pairs of binoculars scan the elm "See how they fly over to that large branches overhead, and soon we spot snag and then back to the nest again? the tiny yellow-throated, blue-backed They're gathering lichens for building bird. That brings to 46 the number materials," he says. "Their nests are of bird species our class has sighted a dead ringer for a hummingbird nest, today. I barely have time to record it except bigger, of course." before Fred points out the pileated During 26 years of teaching and woodpeckers swooping overhead. research at Oklahoma State Univer- Behind us we hear the excited sity and another 10 at the University voices of Marguerite Baum- of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, the gartner and four other Baurngartners dreamed of establishing studentsher "flower peo- their own school, to share their interest ple," as she calls them. They in the natural world with people of 4have just discovered a patch all ages and backgrounds. So when of green dragon, a plant rare in they "retired" in 1975, they bought 9this area. 160 acres in the old Cherokee Nation The class is a group of adults of and began working to make their varying ages and backgrounds; their dream come true. They named their classroom, the shady slopes, river bot- school after Lewis Whirlwind, the In- toms and grassy fields of the Little dian child who was the first owner of Lewis Whirlwind Nature School and this land. Sanctuary near Jay. "Our first chore was to make it a It's called Green Country, this sanctuary," Marguerite explains. Up northeastern corner of Oklahoma. went the nest boxes, feeders, bird Here, the clear Spavinaw Creek flows baths, brush piles, fences to support out of the Arkansas Ozarks and vines and plantings of shelter belts through the hills and hollows of Del- and native vegetation. That first aware County. The creek is bordered spring they planted 12 sprigs of red alternately by tree-covered bluffs and trumpet honeysuckle for the ruby- grassy lowlands studded with syca- throated hummingbirds that Mar- mores and elms. Rocky outcrops and guerite first noticed when one was hidden caves attest to the geological attracted to her red blouse. forces that shaped this area. More There's no mistaking where their than a dozen species of ferns and priorities lie. When eastern phoebes countless wildflowers flourish in the built a nest above their front door, steep-sloped valley, while tall pip, they just blocked off the area and put oaks and hickories cover the hills. up a sign reading "Birds at Work." This is home, either permanently or There is also a corner of the front temporarily, for more than 200 species yard that was off limits last year, due of birds and many other animals. It's not hard to understand why natural- ists Frederick and Marguerite Baum- gartner chose this area for their na- ture school and sanctuary. "I love these escarpments," Fred Vireos, right, was painted by Wallace 0. Hughes says as we work our way along the to illustrate Oklahoma Birdlife by Frederick M. bottom of a particularly steep slope. and A. Marguerite Baumgartner. Scheduled for On this spring day, the slopes are 1983 publication by the University of Oklahoma Press, the text includes more than 4LXI species carpeted with wildflowers-dog tooth of birds sighted in the state.

TWENTY-FOUR OKLAHOMA TODAY

to nesting bluebirds. similarity between streetcars and yel- banding interests with nature school The next priority was to build trails low-throated warblers when he was students, giving them close-up views along the ridges and through the 20 learning his bird songs as a high- of the species she catches in mist nets draws of the Little Lewis Sanctuary school student. He had to ride the and live traps. She also encourages to show students a cross-section of the streetcar on his eight-mile trip to students to "help" her when she is area's habitats and wildlife. It's an school each day. ready to release them. ideal location for a nature school. Ele- Marguerite, on the other hand, did "Holding a small bird in your hand ments of eastern, western, northern not become a birder until her senior and setting it free is a beautiful ex- and southern habitats mingle in this year in college. That summer she took perience," she says, convinced that western uplift of the Ozark Mountains. an ornithology course at the Allegheny everyone should have the opportunity This "hill 'n' holler" country, with its School of Natural History in upstate at least once. abundant springs and vegetation, is New York, "just for fun." This joy in the beauties of nature rich in wildlife. There is even lake- "My sister and I did a humming- and willingness to share 50 years' shore habitat at nearby Lake Eucha. bird project together," she recalls. "We worth of knowledge spill over into the But the school's greatest asset is found a nest and took turns observing Baumgartners' teaching. Their en- the Baumgartners themselves. Long it from dawn to dusk, working. in two- thusiasm is so infectious that even the before ecology became a household hour shifts. That made a birder out of most nonchalant students find them- word, the Baumgartners began their me." selves keeping careful check lists, stay- careers as ecologists and wildlife bi- That college project later developed ing up to listen to the night-time ologists. With doctorates earned at into a major preoccupation with stud- chorus of bird songs and looking for- Cornell University under Dr. Arthur ies of the ruby-throated hummingbird. ward to outings. Somehow, it's easy A. Allen, they have had extensive Since 1977, Marguerite has been band- to rise at 5 a.m. and be out in the field training and experience in ornithology, ing and observing the hummingbirds all day. vertebrate zoology, entomology and that visit her yard. Using a manually- By this time, we have worked our nature study. They are part of the operated "hummer trap" and U.S. way down Brush Creek into the wider strong ornithological tradition in Okla- Fish and Wildlife Service bands of Spavinaw Creek valley. Marguerite homa, which includes such other not- aluminum 114 inch long and 1116th and her "flower people" have ducked ables as George M. Sutton and Mar- inch wide, she had banded 671 indi- out of sight to look for a rattlesnake garet M. Nice. viduals through 1981. (The 1982 band- fern along the escarpment behind us. As we move farther down the ing season is now under way.) "We've Ferns are her specialty, and she tries hollow, Fred thinks he hears a yellow- exceeded our wildest expectations," to show her classes examples of the throated warbler. she says. 15 different species inhabiting the "Yes, that's it. The song of the But hummingbirds are just one of area. yellow-throated warbler is exactly like the many species Marguerite bands. We birders hear a cherry, cherry, the sound of a token being dropped Northern finches are among her spe- cherry, and freeze. into the box on an Indianapolis street- cialties at present. In the first months "Kentucky warbler," says Fred. car." He laughs at our puzzled ex- of 1982 she banded 110 purple finches, "Now if we're living right, we'll get to pressions. Most of his tips are helpful, 440 goldfinches and 370 pine siskins, see this bird. We .can split up to work but this one goes back before our time. not to mention the number of returns our way around these trees." He explains that he first noted the from previous years. She shares her I'm sticking with Fred. If I can,

The Baumgartners are offering sev- 13-19 class is called "Summer Bird- annual "Wild Harvest," a class that eral chances to visit Little Lewis life" and deals with the different ways concentrates on the gathering and Whirlwind Nature Center this sum- birds are studied at the center-from preparation of wild foods. The three- mer. One weekend a month they con- birdsongs to bluebird trails. The "Nat- day session may be taken either from duct nature rambles, which run from ural Areas" course, duly 11-17, intro- Saturday through Monday, or from Friday evening to Sunday noon. The duces the Baumgartners' corner of Friday noon to Sunday afternoon. nature of the rambles depends on Oklahoma, concentrating on the area's Whichever session they opt for, par- what's going on outdoors. "Whatever unique plant and animal life. This ticipants will partake of the Sunday we see is what we do," as Marguerite course runs back to back with the noon feast, "native plants and animals puts it. Dates are June 4-6; July 16- Spavinaw Creek float trip. August as delectable as we can make them," 18 (a Saturday inner-tube float on brings a survey of nature literature, according to Marguerite. Spavinaw Creek, plus a land trip Sun- Aug. 8-14. The course and its ex- For more information on Little day morning); Aug. 14-15; Sept. 10- tensive book list cover a range of Lewis activities, call the Baumgart- 12; and Oct. 1-3. literature, with related field activity. ners at (918) 253-8805 or write them Three one-week resident courses Come autumn, the Baumgartners at Rt. 2, Box 51A, Jay, OK 74346. concentrate on in-depth looks at facets and their guests will celebrate an early Registration should be made by mail of the world of Little Lewis. The June Thanksgiving Oct. 16-18 with their at least two weeks in advance.

TWENTY-SIX OKLAHOMA TODAY that is. I'm not the only one breathing hard after a full day of birding cov- ering several miles. Persistence and perspiration pay off, however, and we soon spot the bird. "Ah, that's a beautiful sight," Fred says. As I look up at the bird7sbright yellow belly against the blue Okla- homa sky, I had to agree. As we near the creek, we stop to watch two turkey vultures ("T.V. birds," as Fred calls them) perched in a snag high on the rocky cliff across the stream. Their wings, wet from a recent rain, are stretched to dry in the sun. The "flower people" catch up with us, and Marguerite points out the huge patches of watercress in the river. Marguerite Baumgartner answers students' questions. Photo by Linda Shalaway The air is suddenly shattered by the roaring buzz of trail bikes. Fred and Marguerite flinch as the bikes ap- proach. We are now on public land, all over Oklahoma and occasionally primitive cave, from which an under- which explains the ruts in the ground. from other states. Our group includes ground stream emerges and runs "If people were only aware of the several college students, two teachers, through a wooded glen to join Spav- birds and other animals and the plants a university professor, a grandmother, inaw Creek. We follow the stream, in these areas, they wouldn't need to a physician, a stone mason and other eyes and ears alert, anxious to test be reminded to be more careful how birding enthusiasts. the skills we've developed. We see they use the land," Fred says. The privately funded school has its northern parula warblers, tufted tit- The nature school, in fact, is his own "campus7'-three small dormi- mice, blue-gray gnatcatchem, white- and Marguerite's attempt to increase tories (cabins) and a classroom build- throated sparrows, a ruby-crowned public awareness. ing with room for storage of collec- kinglet, bank swallows, a red-shoul- "Prior to the 1960~~there was little tions, laboratory work and demonstra- dered hawk and downy, red-headed public knowledge about environmental tions. and red-bellied woodpeckers. It's been issues, and opinions were based on As we follow the river upstream, a good day. Our notebooks are bulging. emotion," says Fred. "Increased we see a pair of cardinals darting in On the way back upstream, Murray knowledge is now having a much the brush at the water's edge. Looney picks a great bunch of water- greater impact on the environment." "No doubt they have a nest some- cress to contribute to this evening's Fred is convinced that knowledge is where in the brush. I'll have Mar- potluck supper. more effective than emotion where the guerite wade across to check it It's late afternoon. There is an hour environment is concerned. Both are Fred says, grinning. break before dinner and an evening of optimistic about the influence that en- Upstream and around a bend we studying nests and recorded bird vironmental groups can have on public come upon a little blue heron feeding songs, listening for whip-poor-wills, policy, and about the potential for in the water. Fred tells us of the great chuck-will's-widows and barred owls, raising public consciousness. blue heron rookery we will be seeing asking questions and reflecting on the "We wouldn't be doing this if we tomorrow, and also of the yellow- day's activities. Fred is on the back didn't believe it," Marguerite says. crowned night heron nest he plans to porch, binoculars in hand, surveying To accommodate their various types show us. the wind-swept ridge that is his back of students, the Baurngartners have Our afternoon ends with a hike yard. developed a number of different through a wooded area owned by Mary "That's a pine warbler I hear, isn't courses. They can be taken for college and Murray Looney. The Looneys, it?" I ask, lingering as the others head credit through Oklahoma State Uni- close friends of the Baumgartners, are their separate ways. versity or strictly for personal enrich- among several landowners who have "I believe it's a junco, but that's a ment. opened their property to the nature good try," he says tactfully. The well-worn welcome mat at the school students. This greatly increases My disappointment must show. Baumgartners' front door attests to the the variety of habitats and wildlife to "Don't worry," he reassures me. number of friends and students visit- which the students have access. "You'll learn the songs. It only takes ing Little Lewis. Students come from The Looneys' property includes a about 50 years." %El

SPRING 1982 TWENTY-SEVEN Early Oklahoma settlers would have agreed with the man who said that Easy Street is a blind alley. The settlers had an ambition, and they knew that magic dreams come true only with hard work and deterrnina- tion. Nowhere today is the bright edge of magic and ambition more evident than at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute. Almost a thousand talented Okla- homa teen-agers have now attended this unusual educational camp, which meets each June for two weeks amid the rugged granite hills of Quartz Mountain State Park in far southwest Oklahoma. In practice, the camp teaches nine art disciplines: acting, ballet, mime, modern dance, orchestral music, paint- ing, printmaking, photography and writing. In addition, as the handbook states, OSAI teaches hard work, self- discipline and self-discovery to a new generation of Oklahomans. It is now recognized that artistic gifts often show themselves in the early teen years, and that some tal- ents, notably those of music and dance, must be nurtured then or be irrevocably lost. The OSAI zeros in, discovering and nurturing the artistic talent of these bright students, but after six years an interesting byproduct of the camp is showing up. Mary Frates, camp director, says, "We certainly encour- age students who wish to pursue a career in the arts. This is a very special opportunity for them. How- ever, if an art career is not to be, we feel that the camp is tied up with life and living-with the self-discipline that's necessary no matter what career is chosen. The students who are not tomorrow's performers will be tomor- row's audience for the arts. Art is a special and rich part of a full life." As one student remarked, "I learned things here that pertain not only to Part of the magic at the Summer Arts Institute comes from its art but also to my life." distinguished facult) Above. Mnne This learning experience begins with Chouteau encourages an aspirin0 auditions that are held statewide early ballerina. Above, right. Poet each year. Visual artists and writers William Stafford spends time with student Robin Perr)! Right. Artist submit portfolios, and performing art- Fritz Scholder talks technique ists endure live auditions. No talented with a young painte~Photos by youngster who can pass the audition David Fitzgerald. is turned away for lack of the $400 tuition fee. The money is raised by the OSAI, often by grant from the student's hometown community.

TWENTY-EIGHT OKLAHOMA TODAY "The students are like enormous sponges," said Judith Somogi, con- ductor of the New York Opera and principal conductor of the Frankfurt (Germany) Opera. "They are incred- ible for absorption." The only haggard faces usually belong to the staff and faculty, espe- cially after the 4 a.m. climb to the top of King Mountain to see the sunrise. This hike? for the visual art- ists and writing students, is only one 3 of many special events. The payoff for adult dedication comes when students say, "They are really neat people. What I love is the I fact that they care enough for us and our futures to wade through all the hassles." Or, as one backhanded com- AT QUARTZV MOUNTAIN I pliment goes, "They're the most caring I group of middle-aged people I've ever met!" Oklahomans-"middle-aged" and otherwise-who make the camp hap- pen come from a broad spectrum. More than 300 people from 37 Okla- homa communities serve on the In- stitute board, raise funds or donate in-kind services. Some of Oklahoma's largest corporations such as Phillips, Cities Service and Conoco contribute in the belief that it provides a better quality of life for Oklahoma and for their employees. Although private contributions fund the majority of the budget, the back- Alison Keim of Oklahoma City, a practice rooms arranged and faculty bone support of OSAI comes from modern dance student, reminisced art work on display. the State of Oklahoma. The Institute about her audition. "Oh gosh yes, I It's obvious that the camp will be has benefited from the endorsement remember! Because of a mix-up, three fun, but hard work is ahead. From of the State Department of Education, or four of us missed the regular au- sunrise to sunset, each student's day the Arts Council of Oklahoma and the dition, and so they came to us, to is packed with classes, demonstrations, State Department of Tourism and our school. It was a complete surprise. rehearsals and conversations with the Recreation. We just danced in the hall. Thank artists. In two short weeks, the camp The Institute and its students have goodness there was no time to be will crescendo with live student per- also benefited from the talents of nervous. I was so excited when I was formances, open to the public. (There OSAI's carefully selected faculty. accepted." will be concerts on June 9th, 16th and In fact, the faculty list reads like The Institute is well aware of the 19th, performances on the 11th and a "Who's Who in American Art To- panic the try-outs provoke and coolly 12th and a student workshop per- day." Even a partial roll of the artists states in its newsletter the steps to formance on the 18th. All start at who have flown to the hills of Okla- audition: (1) Request and fill out 8 p.m.) homa is impressive-Maria and Mar- application form. (2) Prepare audition The student reaction to this work jorie Tallchief, prima ballerinas; Fritz materials or portfolios. (3) Be on blitz ranges from "Phew!" to "I missed Scholder, noted American artist; poet time. (4) Never say, "I'm not good being able to just sit and stare at Donald Hall; mime Tony Montanaro; enough." (5) Take. a deep breath, the mountains or the beach until 12." Georgina Parkinson, ballet mistress and go for it! (That student didn't say whether he for Baryshnikov's American Ballet "Go for it!" might be the camp meant until noon or midnight.) Theatre; and Karel Husa, Pulitzer- slogan. Accepted students arrive in During the after-dinner break the Prize winning composer and conductor buses to find Quartz Mountain State halls are littered with napping stu- of the Cornell University orchestra. Lodge alive with bright tents and ban- dents, abandoned violins and rumpled The idea of "mentorship" is carried ners on the grounds, dance floors and ballet gear. And still they beg for through every level of camp life. The mirrors in place, music stands and more. students can look to adult faculty

SUMMER 1982 TWENTY-NINE members and college-age artists who sees music study as part of a well- serve as cabin counselors and liaisons rounded life. "They are not wasting to each art discipline. time on music," Mrs. Morishige said. Another unusual aspect of the camp "When they have too much math, is the cross-pollination of disciplines. they can play the piano!" The poets may write a poem for the Lois Cullen, whose daughter Leslie dancers, who perform to the music is now a concert flutist in New York, of an orchestra student. As one stu- believes that the words of Judith So- dent remarked, "It was my favorite mogi, OSAI music faculty member part of camp because we saw each and internationally known female con- other perform. It gave us a sense of ductor, encouraged Leslie. "Judith community." told her and the other students, 'If Leslie Cullen, former OSAI flute you want something, you go and do student from Lawton, currently study- it. Work hard for your dreams and ing at the Manhattan School of Mu- don't let anyone discourage you.' " sic, said it best: "I'd go to the other Many of the students go home able classes, especially acting, ballet or to say only, "I discovered myself7'- mime, and then it was exciting to a good asset to carry into adult life. have my friends come to hear what Oklahoma Citian Lauren Fitzgerald, I was doing-to know they appreci- veteran of three years of OSAI writing ated what I was doing." studies, and now a rhetoric/writing This is reinforcement for students student at Tulsa University, was can- who might have found their drive, did about her reasons for attending ambition and talent awkward with camp. "I went for the boys, but, of their back-home peer group. Alison course, I did a complete switch. From Keirn, OSAI dance student, said, "It's the first class I knew something spe- nice to know you're not alone in your cial was happening. My instructor that doubts or your desires. I received year was William Stafford. This year fresh motivation and encouragement." he's on the cover of the American That encouragement is bearing fruit Poetry Review. Can you imagine how for many Oklahoma young people. that makes me feel? . . . very privi- After six years the camp has some leged to have known and studied under students who are working on fame him. It's a big plus in my confidence." in their own right. Confidence grows at the camp. "I At the 1981 camp, instructor Georg- know I changed," said Alison Keim. ina Parkinson spotted the talent of "I saw it. I was just a high-school Robert Underwood, a Tulsa ballet student doing high-school things, and student. "He was as strong a male then I went to camp and it all crystal- dancer as anyone we'd just auditioned lized. I'd only been dancing for nine for the American Ballet Theatre in months before I went to camp the first New York," she said. She recom- time." Her high school had given her mended him to director Mikhail a choice of electives-field hockey or Baryshnikov. Underwood is now danc- dance. "I'd never even seen a hockey ing with the ABT in New York. An- stick, so I took dance. That first year other alum, Megan Mullally, from at OSAI I wasn't even that good, but Oklahoma City, is now an equity I knew dance was what I was meant actress in Chicago, and has been nom- to do." inated for the Joseph Jesserson award, Hard work is the bottom line-and Chicago's equivalent of the Tony magic, too. As Daniel Kiacz, OSAI Award. printmaking instructor, put it, "They A career in math and a Rhodes saw that the magic of making art is Scholarship were in the stars for Nina really a combination of magic that's Morishige, who graduated in May, in each of them and the incredible at age 18, with a master's degree in hard work that's necessary to get that math from Johns Hopkins! magic out." All three of the Morishige daugh- The kids can say-as Marjorie Tall- ters, who come from Edmond, attended chief did in the summer of 1979-"A11 At last year's camp, instructor Georgina Parkinson was OSAI as orchestra students. Mika, 20, the work . . . it was worth it!" so impressed with the talent of Tulsan Robert UnderwooI is now studying mechanical engineer- Those early-day settlers would have that she recommended him to Mikhail Batyshniko~ ing on a Presidential scholarship at approved. director of the American Ballet Theatre. Underwood is rn now dancing with the ABT in New York. Photo by OSU, and the youngest, Sachi, 15, David Fitzgerald. wants to be a doctor. Their mother

THIRTY OKLAHOMA TODAY

Club, Porsche Club and Sports Car was a self-made man who expanded Club of America. his floor-furnace manufacturing con- Off-road motorcycle events will con- cern into one of the largest privately tinue to attract hardy motorcyclists owned companies west of the Missis- who mark an 88-mile course so rough sippi. He walked through life with a they get credit for riding 112 miles. bold stride, wearing his customary A motorcycle event on a recent week- costume of Bermuda shorts and high- end included 400 entries from 27 topped tennis shoes. If it was cold, states. he wore long johns under the Bermuda Horse clubs include the Oklahoma shorts. "If people judge me by my Foxtrotters and the Oklahoma Trail appearance," he said, "I don't want

I Riders. Horsemen's events often in- to have anything to do with them." After the tents are in place (below), Boy Scouts camping at Turkey Creek volve riding 16 to 18 miles each day He gave away more money that test their strength on rugged, hand- of a two-day event. most people ever see. He gave gen- made monkey bars, salute the flag The Tulsa Ski Club plans to set erously to the University of Oklahoma, at dawn and learn the basics of up a slalom course on the lakes. to Tulsa's Philbrook Art Center and c.--3ng before launching the boat. Occasionally, church groups camp out Hillcrest Medical Center and to for religious retreats. churches. He gave Tulsa the John Each group must post a $100 clean- Zink Park. When he died in 1973, at up bond, which is returned if it leaves 79, he was buried on the banks of the camp site as clean as it was found. the Tall Chief Creek in the heart of The ranch is open only to organized his beloved ranch. groups. No hunting is allowed. The John Zink Foundation, which All reservations are made through donated $1 million toward Tulsa's ranch manager Bill Dobbs. His ranch- River Parks low-water dam project house phone number is (918) 241- on the Arkansas River, operates the 2273. ranch. The John Zink Ranch is located As head of the Foundation, the at the end of State Highway 97, 10 philanthropist's son, also named John, miles north of Sand Springs. preserves a natural spot where people John Zink was a big, barrel-chested thriv~venif cattle didn't. Like his man with a white beard and a rugged father, he understands the attraction lifestyle. Time magazine called him of the John Zink Ranch. "There is a "Hemingwayesque." Sports Illustrated little Tom Sawyer in all of us," he called him "The Whooping Baron of says. the Prairies." His middle name was "Steele." He

OKLAHOMA TODAY

TODAY IN OKLAHOMA BOOKS

We'd like to be among the first to A lot of new subscribers have THE MODERN COWBOY by John say, "Howdy!" to the 50 governors, joined the Oklahoma Today family R. Erickson; Univ. of Neb. Press; their families and staffs expected for this spring. The magazine now goes $15.95. The cowboy is as much a part the National Governors Conference at to folks in all 50 states and 36 foreign of Oklahoma as oil rigs and Choc Shangri-La Aug. 8-10. We hope you countries. I think it's neat that we beer. And the cowboy look has never folks have a fine time in Soonerland. have readers in such far-off spots as been more popular across the country: The week before the governors ar- Nigeria, Denmark, Chile, Singapore, Businessmen wear $500 boots and rive, the Southern Hills Golf and Israel and even tiny Liechtenstein. string ties; urban cowboys and COW- Country Club in Tulsa will host the Of course, we're pleased about our girls congregate in ersatz-Western 1982 PGA golf championship. If the new Oklahoma friends, too. bars. governors arrive early, they may get A couple of things-If you haven't But what about the men to whom a chance to follow the Shangri-La golf received your Oklahoma Today by the a hat is not a decoration but some- pro around the course. Bruce Lietzke time all your friends have theirs, thing to keep the sun off, the men is generally one of the tournament's please let us know. We don't want you who make their livings as modern-day top competitors, and I imagine he will to miss a single issue, and if you don't cowboys? be giving the governors a few tips on write when yours somehow goes astray, Erickson takes a look at today's cutting their strokes during the con- we'll never know. working cowboy-his work, his tools ference. But the big news with Oklahoma and equipment, his horse, his roping The nation's governors couldn't have Today is that we have just moved technique, his style of dress, his rela- picked a better time to visit Oklahoma into new offices. The editorial and tionships with his family and his em- than on our 75th birthday celebration. business offices are now located at ployer. In the process he talks about Almost every community and organi- 215 N. E. 28th St., about five blocks modern ranching, the world in which zation has become involved in the from the Capitol complex. We now the cowboy operates. Chapters include Diamond Jubilee. The Diamond Ju- have plenty of parking available for "What He Looks Like and What He bilee staff at (405) 524-8900 is sched- visitors and some much needed office Wears," "Cowboy Vices and Recre- uling speakers-authorities on past space. Our mailing address is P. 0. ation" (ever wonder how a real cow- and present day Oklahoma-if your Box 53384, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. boy takes his tobacco?), "The Horse," group needs one. Special activities are Come see us! "Pickups and Trailers," "Spring planned for historic sites at Fort Tow- During the move to our new offices, Roundup and Branding," "The Mo- son, June 26; Tom Mix Museum, we discovered that most back issues dem Cattle Business" and "Books Dewey, July 9; and the State Capital of Oklahoma Today are available for About Cowboys." Printing Museum, Guthrie, Aug. 7. those of you who want to complete Erickson got practical experience Phillips University at Enid is in- your set. Issues 10 years old or less in 1978 and 1979 when he worked on volved with celebrating its own Dia- sell for their cover price; older issues a ranch in Beaver County, and he has mond Jubilee. We were amused to sell for $2 each. great affection for the cowboy's way learn that when the Disciples of Christ Summertime means rodeo for most of life. He tries to give a balanced School opened on Sept. 17, 1907, stu- of us in Oklahoma, with almost every view of the cowboy as a cross between dents had to sit on boards supported festival or special event capped off myth figure and wage earner, and he by nail kegs until the buildings were with a rodeo. For many small towns starts with this definition: "The cow- completed. Of course, Phillips now has it's the high point of the year. boy is a common laborer with heroic a lovely campus. Festivities planned Many of those cowboys and cow- tendencies and a sense of humor." throughout the year will include na- girls start riding and roping in high He ends by saying: "No one can tionally known speakers, Enid-Phillips school. The best will be competing say whether he will ride with us into Symphony concerts, fairs and plays. during the Oklahoma State High the twenty-first century or turn his And speaking of the Diamond Ju- School Rodeo Finals June 24-27 at horse and lope back into the past. But bilee, the Oklahoma Today staff ap- the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. From I have a feeling that, in one form or preciates all the letters and kind words there, the winners will go to the na- another, he will be with us as long we've received about our special Dia- tional finals in July at Douglas, Wyo., as there is a place called America, mond Jubilee issue. And, yes, you can where the Oklahoma team has won and that we will continue to find him still begin subscriptions with that issue the last four years. in our dreams and in our deepest vision if you will just note your request on Oklahoma Today is doing just fine of ourselves." the order blank. We just knew you'd this Diamond Jubilee year. And what HE WAS SINGIN' THIS SONG by want to send copies to your friends with rodeos and Diamond Jubilee Jim Bob Tinsley; Forewords by Gene and relatives once you had seen it, events, visits from 49 governors-not Autry and S. Omar Barker; Univ. of so we had a bigger press run than .to mention our being honored as the Central Fla.; $30. Don't expect to find usual. (The price is still only $7 for featured state at the Smithsonian In- a scholarly treatise on "Mamas, Don't the full year's subscription, including stitution's 1982 Festival of American Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be the special Diamond Jubilee issue, Folklife, June 24-28 and July 1-5- Cowboys"+r even on "Ghost Riders which sells for $6.95 on the news- Oklahoma's 75th summer is sure to be in the Sky" or "Tumbling Tumble- stands.) a star-spangled one. weeds," those standards of n-cowboy

THIRTY-SIX SUMMER 1982 We have been anticipating our issue of Oklahoma Today's Diamond Ju- JOHN R ERlCKSON 4. -;. bilee. It is a beautiful tribute to our I Photographsby Klis Erickson k&_r....,.rY state with a wide variety of articles, all expertly written, and the photog- raphy is the best. We were very disappointed to see the map of Oklahoma without the three Panhandle counties. These were printed on another page. We would so like to "be a part" of our state, too! Revenue from the three Pan- handle counties funnels a sizable sum into our state treasury each year. Is it asking too much to include us attached on each and every map of our beloved state? Lillie Grove Beaver, OK music. ed, and there are special sections on Tinsley's talking about the real "Sauces and Stuffings," "Oklahoma Editor's Note: It's almost impossible thing, the songs sung by men who Plants" and "Breads and Desserts." to get all of Oklahoma on two pages. lived the life of 19th- and early 20th- Order Wildlife Chef from the Okla- We did price a foldout page, but that century cowboys. homa Wildlife Federation, 4545 Lin- was frightfully expensive. So we did The book's subtitle, "A Collection coln Blvd., Suite 171, Oklahoma City, the next best thing-started the map of Forty-eight Traditional Songs of OK 73105. with the Panhandle and hoped every- the American Cowboy, with Words, one would turn the page for the rest Music, Pictures, and Stories," tells it of the state. all. From the familiar-"Home on the Range," "Red River Valley," Good- LETTERS As I was looking at the Spring issue, bye, Old Paint," "Oh, Bury Me Not I decided I'd love to see if at Okla- on the Lone Prairie7'-to the less so Editor: homa State University we might form -"My Love Is a Rider," "The Crook- I am older than Oklahoma, being a travel club in our Faculty Wives ed Trail to Holbrook," "The Cowboy's born Sept. 11, 1901, the first white group and really see our state--on one Christmas Ballw-Tinsley discusses child born in Hobart and Kiowa day outings. antecedents, authorship, history and County, while it was still Indian If you have any suggestions for such variants, as well as presenting the Territory. a group, I sure would appreciate them. tune and lyrics. My parents, Mr. and Mrs. James I'd really like to show off and learn He divides the book into sections M. Shelby, and my mother's parents, more about our home state. like "At Work," "On the Trail," "Tra- with some of their family, left El Reno Dona Usry gedy" and "Off Duty," and along the in 1901 for Kiowa County. Their cara- Stillwater, OK way he throws in a lot of rare old van consisted of four covered wagons photographs, and a lot of cow-country and four teams of horses, plus one Having just seen your Spring 1982 history as well. wagonload of lumber. Pres. William Diamond Jubilee issue I must write McKinley had declared the Kiowa, to congratulate you on its appearance WILDLIFE CHEF, edited by Mere- Comanche and Apache Indian Reser- and contents. The articles are well dith Garvin; Oklahoma Wildlife Fed- vations opened for white settlement. chosen and well written. The pictures eration, $5.65. Where do you go for A county seat was established at are just right for the articles. The a really good recipe for barbecued Hobart, Lawton and Anadarko and whole issue makes me proud to be raccoon? Antelope goulash? Pheasant- town lots sold at auction. an Oklahoman. burgers? The family arrived in Hobart on Ernest M. Hodnett Julia Child and Betty Crocker may July 4, 1901, on the 125th anniversary Stillwater, OK let you down, but not Wildlife Chef. of the signing of the Declaration of All three can be found among the Independence. They were there for I visited your lovely state last July nearly 400 game and fish recipes as- the opening Aug. 6. My father bought and toured Will Rogers Memorial in sembled by wildlife chef Meredith one of the first lots sold and pitched Claremore. It sure brought back mem- Garvin of Miami and published by a tent on it. I was born in that tent. ories of a great man. The Will Rogers the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation. The town was named Hobart after Memorial Building is quite impressive The book gives how-tos and recipes Garrett A. Hobart, vice president un- and well done. So is your publication. for campsite cooking, from mustard der McKinley. So they named me Art Davis grilled fish to Scotch eggs and fruit Hobarta after the town. (But I spell Madeira Beach, FL bread pie, but all of its recipes can it Hoberta. ) be made at home, using game or sub- Happy Diamond Jubilee. We enjoy your magazine very much. stituting the tamer beef, pork or fowl Hoberta Shelby Frost A Swiss family with a lot of Okie available in the supermarket. Tips on Bridgeport, Texas feelings. dressing, butchering, preparing and P.S. I married a Texan and he brought Dr. A. Lasker storing game and fish are also includ- me to Texas, but I still love Oklahoma. Heteniveg, Switzerland

OKLAHOMA TODAY THIRTY-SEVEN

JT CALENDAR -The Great Kiamlchi River Raft Race. Memorial Day weekend.