On Mon, 20 Nov 2000, Diane Secord wrote: Wanna be one of my reporters? Aw come on. And the reply received: Sure! & my first & last "flash" is: this friend of mine in Florida (where else) has wigged out & started a website all by herself & now she ain't never gonna have any spare time left over. I e corresponded with a friend (I won't give his name, but if I remember correctly his CB handle {the precursor to e mail addresses} was OWP123) about being a reporter for the web page and he replied with the above. Yes, this takes a little time. And there are times after I get home from work and boot up that I wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew. But, the benefits have been greater than the headaches.

First of all, thanks to all of you who responded with your words of encouragement, suggestions and memories. Secondly, a special "thank you" to David Stewart ('58) , who so aptly spoiled us into wanting to stay in touch. Your efforts, David, reunited people who had been out of touch for years, and, in a more personal way, made me hungry to learn more, i.e., the development of a second web page. No one can blame you for wanting to be fully retired (as we say in the Social Security business), just don't lose touch cause we may need a guest (or should we say ghost) editor sometime.:-))

I think I have enough news to make this edition, but I am already thinking about next month's page. Please (maybe, I should say "puh-leeze" as I am begging), don't think any bit of news is too little or insignificant. I need all the information you can give me to fill the pages. Each month, ideas will be given for you to think on for the next edition, but if there is something else you want to share with others (with me having full editorial rights to print it) send it to my e mail address. Somebody asked me "Why memories? The past is over." I just thought this might be the "bridge" we need to acquaint ourselves with other Exes and, also, things change and the memories we share tell others about the old Big Lake, whether it is a memory from the 40's, 50's or even 90's. I hope you all help keep the past alive. My suggestion for next month is to share a story about someone or ones in Big Lake that, in retrospect, influenced you in later decisions.

Before I go any further, let's go over some housekeeping issues:
1. When the web page was finished, I sent e messages to everyone on the E-Mail List. Quite a few were returned to me for lack of a good address. The names of alumni follow. If you or someone who knows the alumnus see this, please e me or complete a guest entry with your correct e mail address. E mail returned: Jack R Seals ('49) , Jane Wilson Brown (53), Howard Johnson ('57),Kenneth ('57) and Frances Tinney ('58)Harris, Victor Whitley ('57), Tommy & Margaret Rees ('58), Nola Davis Trewin ('61), Charleen Gaston Scott ('61), Bill Farr ('64), Frances Johnson ('64), Pam Daugherty Hamilton ('67), Vance Molhusen ('71), Debbie Sparks Johnson ('72), Brandi Williams, Jay D. Holt ('94) and Amanda Williams ('98).
2. I told ya'll I was learning and I am still learning on the guest page issue. Geocities has redone the format of the guestbook and they have limited the number to 50. After that no one can access the folder. As a result, I have copied the entries in a different format to the page titled Guestbook Entries. Also, the Comment space is smaller, so I just rearranged the questions so we now have two Comment sections. (Hey, my mama didn't raise no dummy!) I estimate that there are 4 or 5 lines to each comment section.

E BYTES RECEIVED:
From Joe Snow: What is WEB address again?? I see John and Pam about every 4 years are so and we only live 30 miles apart!!!
From David Stewart: Diane... Here is a email I received some time ago from Reba Theus Cross, class of '54. You may want to add it to your website... Again, the site looks great. As soon as I get time, I will go into the Old Toot site and add a link direct to your site from it... David S.
From: "rcross" Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 22:07:28 -0500: I enjoyed the reunion in Big Lake so much in June. Lately I got to wondering about Robert Sewell and whatever happened to him? Does anyone know? He probably graduated in '55. I've also wondered about Miss Vlha, whom I called an old lady when she was probably in her 30s. I need to apologize
From Ike Low ('64): Been in Big Spring about 20+ years now. I'm a RN in charge of an outpatient surgery center here.
From Walter Horton ('65): Just got back from Big Lake, where I went hunting with David Armstrong for 8 days. Had a great time, Killed a 9 point whitetail, and a 6 point mule deer. I have been going out there hunting with David for the last 13 years every since Mother and Dad passed away. It gives me a chance to see some of the people who still live there and also gives me a chance to put flowers on Mom and Dad's graves.
From Monte Nevills ('64): I have to go see Dad in San Angelo over the holidays. He had a hole in his retina repaired and the medicines have been a hassle on his blood pressure lately. He is now 87...

CLASS NEWS:
From Margaret Nossent Nixon ('56): Diane, Dear, I've tried to remember who was at the luncheon (Nifty Fifties)and I think I've left some off. We met on l2/09/00. As I remember, Kay Weatherby Ellis, Tex & Peggy White Collins, George & Diana Lea Salyer Dykes, Walter & Mildred Norwood Rackley, Donald & Mary Ann Barbee Meroney, Jack & Joleta Harris, Nancy Boyd Chapman, Max & Margaret Nossent Nixon, Tom & Marian Sue Roach Byrd, John & Marinell Cartwright Glidewell, and their grandson, Jay, Gerald Owens, Ray & Sharon Dorsey. Buddy Miller had shoulder surgery on 12/14/00 at Shannon. He should go home today. Next Reunion Luncheon is 01/27/01 @ Zentner's Steak House @ 1:00 PM.

Margaret continues: The weekend of l0/27/00, Ann Becknell Way, Reba Theus Cross, Shirley Harris Halydier, Jerre Kay Mills Eschberger, Nancy Boyd Chapman, Myself , Class of '56, and Sandra McIntyre Holmes, Class of '54, met at Doris Holmes Matranga's (56), home in San Antonio. We spent some of Sat. afternoon at Jack & Sandra Holmes' place near Doris. We laughed, cried, went thru albums and scrapbooks. Reba & Shirley are widowed now. Jack Harris is recovering from heart attack a nd heart surgery.

Bob Daugherty ('65) is coordinating a cruise out of Ft Lauderdale FL. The scheduled date of departure is July 15, 2001. Also, Charles Millwee ('64) has gotten final information together on a cruise to Alaska. So far, there are about 6 couples from the class of '64 planning to go. (Ed Notes: Margaret coordinates the luncheons for the Nifty Fifties group. It is open to any who are in San Angelo at the scheduled time and want to come. Will share information on the cruises as I get it.)

On a sadder note, for those of you who do not know, Gary Partain ('64) died this past summer from surgery complications. Gary was the annual editor in his senior year and brother of Jim Partain ('62).

BITS FROM RECENT ISSUES OF THE BIG LAKE WILDCAT:
Paving bricks for the west side of the courthouse walkway are on sale now and anyone may buy a brick to commemorate their class, friends or family. These great gifts are priced at $34 each and discounts are available for multiple orders. Call Jana at Keep Big Lake Beautiful 915-884-3581.
Mr and Mrs Japson Pettit observe 62nd wedding anniversary Nov 18 . The Pettits have four children, Dorothetta Ernst, Margaret Young, Billy Pettit and Roy Pettit.
Members of Keep Big Lake Beautiful conducted a public hearing and they have a Governor's beautification award in the amount of $65,000 to spend after hearing suggestions from the public.(Ed Note: In correspondence from David Werst, he gave me permission to print whatever from the Wild Cat and told me that they are working on getting the Wild Cat online. Oh, the wonder of computers.)

FROM PAST ISSUES OF THE OWL'S HOOT:
December 13, 1963 issue gave the following: The Student Council is now working on the housing for the annual basketball tournament. Houses will be furnished for all teams living 75 miles or more from Big Lake. There about fourteen teams coming from that distance, so homes will be needed for 160 to 170 boys and coaches. The council members are trying to have the housing completed by the holidays. Housing is needed for both Thursday and Friday, January 2nd and 3rd. If no one has contacted you and you have available housing, please contact a member of the student council.

December 20, 1963 issue gave following: The 33rd annual tournament, which is the oldest and largest one in West Texas was begun in 1929. It has been held continuously since that time with the exception of three years during World War II. Since it's beginning in 1929 the Reagan County Owls have won the tournatment six times during those years. The Owls took the top position in 1929, 1933, 1952, 1952, 1957, and again in 1963. Beautiful trophys and individual awards are given to the winners each year. These awards are donated by the Big Lake merchants, who are always anxious for a good tournament. (Ed Notes: Remember how this tournament was "just there" when we got back from the Christmas holidays? Now, that I am older and have coordinated a few conferences, I appreciate the planning and work that resulted in the success of the tournament. And I also appreciate the work that went into the Owl's Hoot every week. I can still smell the fumes from the duplicating machine. And we on the Hoot staff would always go home on Thursday (press day) with blue ink all over us.)

RCHS EXES AND TEACHERS REMEMBER:
Jim Whitehead, '58, shared the following: My father, Warren W. (Slim) Whitehead, got a job with Big Lake Oil Company in December 1944 and moved us from Georgetown, TX to a "shotgun house" in Texon. A couple of days later, the company had the Christmas Party for the families at the Theater in Texon where toys were given to each of the youngsters. My gift was a wooden black and white horse on wheels pulling a little red wagon which I still have 56 years later. The theater burned to the ground a couple of years later and of course the company town is now a ghost town. I very much share your feelings about Big Lake, Reagan County and Texon, the original Permian Basin Oil Discovery which hit in 1923.

The University of Texas owned much of the land and some of those shallow wells are still producing today. The original rig is located on 19th Street in Austin with a series of plaques which tell the story of the discovery which helped to create the wealth of our State University system including all UT and A&M campuses. Hanging on the wall of my office is a 1928 panorama of Texon along with photos of the historical plaques telling the story of "Santa Rita #1" and the "History of Texon."

I, like you, am proud of my roots and the "heart" and values we took for granted. Since we all grew up poor, we had no class barriers or social ceilings to restrict our self images and were always taught that we could accomplish any goals we were willing to work hard enough to achieve. How lucky we were!! Jim Whitehead (Ed Note: Thank you, Jim. Your memory was the first reply and when I got it I knew I would have a next edition.)

Kay Weatherby Ellis, '58, wrote: I remember Christmas in Big Lake as being very special. I can remember as a small child that Santa came to the Albright Grocery Store and looked oddly like Mrs. Albright. We were given Christmas candy in smal brown paper bags tied with cord. By today's standards, this seems like very little, but I remember how magical it seemed to me. I also can remember the Christmas Bazaar held by the church or churches in a building that was across from the locker plant. That was fun! We didn't have flea markets, etc to go to so this was really a treat.

Memories of the RCHS basketball tourney -- by Jackye Havenhill former RCHS librarian:
The Christmas season always brought programs. In the elementary school, each grade had a segment in the colorful extravaganza. If it was not long enough, the music teacher had the group sing an extra chorus or do the dance of the elves just a little longer.

High school was no different. Usually, school was dismissed early, right after a program where each class presented some sort of activity-drama or musical. The week or so before Christmas, the Student Council was in frenzy, finding housing for all the players coming to the annual RCHS basketball tournament. Forms had to be filled out, homes assigned, and bracket made before the holidays, because the 3-day tournament began the weekend after New Year's. Often it was bedlam, but it was fun.

One tournament stands out in my mind. It rained and rained in Big Lake. The ground outside the gym was not yet paved or graveled. Needless to say it was a quagmire. Finally the park ing in front of the gym was blocked off - after many cars had to be towed out of the mud. Everyone was sent to the back and entered the gym through the back door.

One other note worthy incident was this. Dilley, a south Texas town, entered the tournament for the first time. It seems our water did not agree with them. At one session, we watched them come in with their manager carrying a large jug of bottled water. I don't remember if they won or not, but we in Big Lake did have our secret weapon! We treasure all of our memories. They are priceless.

Memories of the Basketball Tourney - Ralph Havenhill, former RCHS coach and elementary school principal:
To all those who loved the "oil patch" town of Big Lake, Texas: To all those who loved "ole" Reagan County High School: To all those who may by chance have attended the annual RCHS basketball tournament:

I'd like to remind you how, way back in the dark ages, Reagan County High School won their annual tournament 2 years in a row, 1951-1952. I can remember those faces as well as if it were yesterday -Billy Slatton, Roy Johnson, Don Barber, Billy Cutburth, Dick Seals, Jerry Thompson, Lloyd Ask, Jerry Ross, Clifford Farris, Pat Newbrough, Jimmy Colley, David Seals, Wayne Wade, Charles Martin, Richard Boggs, Leland Varnadore, Bobby Walker, and Larry Smith.

This is the only time that the tournament was won by one team 2 years in a row. This bunch did it and I think we should remember all of them once more. They were good ball players and, especially, good young men. I should know because I had the privilege of coaching them.

A STORY OR TWO by B T Curry, former RCHS teacher:
I don't remember any good Christmas stories I could tell about the seven years I taught at RCHS, and no specific story about the basketball tournament. As I recall, during the time I was there, the tournament was held during the week preceding Christmas vacation. Because it was such a large tournament and teachers, especially class sponsors, were so involved in every phase of its production, there was little "school" that took place during that time. Sponsors had the task of getting advertisements for the programs and seeing that they were printed, and ordering for the concession stand as well as making student work schedules. Other teachers were assigned to various duties such as working at the doors to collect admission fees. The first few years I was there we had twenty-four, twenty-six, or twenty-eight teams entered, but it grew to a record high of thirty-two teams. That lasted for a year or two and I don't think there has ever been that many schools entered since that time. Usually the bracket was manipulated so that the Owls would reach the finals, and if they did there would be a standing room only crowd. The noise was unbelievable during the championship game and many times the horn signaling a timeout could not be heard. Finally, Coach Bird solved that problem. He went to the wrecking yard and got a big horn off a junk truck, hooked it to a battery, and fixed it so that could be used instead of the horn that went with the scoreboard. During five or six of the seven years I was there, I was assigned to help pick the All-Tournament Team. That was a lot of fun, and of course there was a lot of "jawing" back and forth between the members of that group as to who was the Most Outstanding Player. I figured that if I was to do a good job of selecting this team, then I needed to see everyone play. Many times I was there at the gym at 7:30 in the morning for the first game and did not leave until midnight. It was a lot of fun, and when I left RCHS I vowed to go back to see later tournaments. But there always seems to be something which interferes, and I have not seen a game in the RCHS gym since that time.

Another interesting thing happened along about Christmas time, or shortly thereafter during first semester final exams, which I have laughed about to myself many many times. I worked late a t my house one night getting a stencil ready for the exam the next morning. It was around 11:30 or 12:00 when I finished, so I decided to go to the school and run it off so it would be ready the next morning. Since I drove the bus to Midkiff, I very seldom got to school until about ten minutes before the first bell rang and I knew that I would not have time to duplicate the exam before classes started. I drove up to the school, parked, and walked to the front door. I slipped the key in the door, opened it and stepped inside. In the pitch dark, I started toward the teachers lounge and got somewhere near the office when the front door slammed behind me. When it did, there was a sound like a tribe of Indians chasing a herd of buffalo down the first corridor to my right. I was standing near the light switch, so I reached out and flicked it on. There were kids running everywhere, trying to get into rooms, hiding behind locker doors, trying to get into lockers, and running to the end of the hall in an effort to get out before I saw them. However, the end doors were chained, the classrooms were locked, and there was no place for them to go. So I casually walked down the hall past each one, making a mental note of who each one was, and saying to them, "What are you all doing up here this time of night? Your exams are not until in the morning." Of course, I knew why they were there and what they were going to do had I not showed up when I did. They were all quiet as a churchmouse, and looking very subdued. Finally I said, "You all go home and go to bed." They headed for the door in a hurry. I knew the parents of one of them quite well, and as he walked past me he said, "You aren't going to tell Mother and Daddy, are you?" The next morning I went to school as usual and said nothing to anyone. I figured I might as well let them sweat for an hour or two. During the noon hour I went into the office and talked to Magruder, told him what happened and gave him names of all those involved. I made it a point to tell him that I happened upon them before they had the opportunity to get into any rooms or get any exam papers. He called each of them into the office that afternoon and had a talk with them, but I think that is as far as it went. I don't think they were ever punished for what they had done and I didn't really care. When I had flicked on the light that night, there was a bunch of scared "puppies" and I figured that probably was enough punishment to last them for sometime. There was about eight or ten boys involved, and probably that many girls. I probably could name most of them, even now, but I'll keep that between us. However, I would like for them to know that they have brought a laugh or two to me down through the years whenever I have recalled that night.

A Basketball Tournament Memory: Reed and Ralph by Jim McCoy, Class of 1971
In the late 1960s-early '70s, the legendary RCHS basketball tournament was always held the first Thursday-Friday-Saturday in January. Our superintendent Ben Featherston always set it for that weekend because the other area schools would still be out for the Holidays, and WE wouldn't. He saw to it that we were usually back in class by Jan. 2nd or 3rd, a ploy that boosted attendance for the tournament by the locals as well as by the visiting teams.We would try to cajole our teachers into giving us a "walk" so we could cut class and go watch the tournament, although I don't remember if we were ever successful.

In those days, two well-known characters around RCHS came together to provide a "tournament memory"… and they weren't even students.

First, there was Mr. C.C. Reed, our campus custodian. Known as "Reed" to everyone (except perhaps his daughter Delilah who was in our Class of '71, and probably called him "papa"), he was always ready with a smile, and a stiff nod of the head and greeting when passing in the halls or wherever. A "Hi ya, Reed," would get the invariable response, a booming "Lookin' good, lookin' good!!"

Then there was Ralph. Ralph was not enrolled at RCHS either, but he probably attended class as often as some bona fide students. Ralph was a basset hound cross (I think), nominally owned by David Routon, but embraced by the student body as some sort of "unofficial mascot". Ralph liked us kids and if there was a door open at the high school, he would wander in and into the first classroom he came to. He would be clandestinely shuffled to the back of the room by helping hands, hopefully out of sight of the teacher, to curl up and go to sleep. If he was discovered, he was hustled out of that classroom, usually to mosey into the next one, unruffled.

Ralph was also fond of gate crashing RCHS sports events. He seemed to have a knack for coming in the back door of the gym (which was usually open), unseen by "the powers that be". He much preferred the south, Home side of the gym (of course), where he would be hustled to the back, invisible in the crowd of students. This was before the plastic seats were added, and the wood plank bleachers would be packed with us home-town kids on the east end. It was on that stage that Ralph gave his most memorable performance…

I don't remember who we were playing or even what year it was, but it was a night game, probably the finals, during the tournament. Ralph had wandered in the back door and after being welcomed by the student throng in the stands with a friendly round of patting on the head and back scratching, Ralph did what he did best: he went to sleep. Shielded from unfriendly eyes by the bodies sitting in front, Ralph lay sprawled on the empty top bleacher.

Yelling ourselves hoarse during the game, during a time-out we looked back at Ralph sleeping, amazed at his aloofness. He was totally out of it…. somewhere in doggy dreamland, oblivious to all the noise around him. It was then (and I steadfastly refuse to divulge any names here), that someone thoughtfully said, "I think ol' Ralph needs a chew." A 25-cent pouch of Red Man was procured from someone's pocket and a giant sized quid was formed . Ralph's loose upper cheek was pulled up from his teeth and the wad was pressed home. Ralph continued to sleep.

The game resumed, and our attention was again drawn to the action on the court and away from our sleeping canine friend with one side of his jaw bulged out… swollen up as if he had been "snake bit". Now, put yourself in Ralph's place. At some point later, his slumber was broken by the realization of the presence of a wad of some foreign substance in his jowls. Perhaps this came after a groggy yawn which ejected the stuff directly into his mouth, mixing with the saliva and making…. tobacco juice. The ears perk up. What IS this foul tasting stuff?? He did what you would expect. He retched.

A girl happened to be looking back and screamed. Others glanced over their shoulder to see Ralph standing there heaving, salivating profusely, wet tongue and quivering jaws working overtime in attempt to rid himself of the bits of chaw without swallowing any more. "Mad dog!" The section rose to its feet, recoiling in horror at the sight, at least at first. A cool-headed observation "Oh, it's just Ralph" from someone prevented a wholesale stampede for the exit.

But, as luck would have it, who should be walking past at that moment but Mr. C.C. Reed, avowed nemesis of our pal Ralph. Now, Reed had it in for Ralph ever since the time the dog had been accidentally locked up in the gym over a weekend and left his droppings of wisdom at center court. The shiny wood of the RCHS basketball court was Reed's pride and joy, and there was no better way of getting on his bad side than to desecrate his court. People had started double-checking rooms, buildings and even departing buses for Ralph, who might be curled up in a corner asleep. Otherwise he might be inadvertently locked up… or taken for a ride to Fabens. So, with a little help from his friends(?), Ralph was hustled out of the gym before Reed could retaliate with a broom handle. Reed was mad at ME for a long time after that incident… and I never could understand why.(Ed Note: This story reminded me of one Mr Reed was involved in: I remember when I was a senior, a bunch of us girls used white shoe polish (we didn't want to use chalk because it could wash off) and wrote Go Owls, Seniors, '64, or some other earth shattering idea) on the sidewalk as you entered the circle drive in front of the school. Mr Magruder called us into the office and the thing he said that made me feel the worst was "Mr Reed has cleaned up your mess and he had to do it by getting down on his hands and knees and scrubbing with a brush". I went and found him and apologized. He was very gracious in accepting my apology.)

Thought for December, 2000 (taken from the December 20, 1963 Owl's Hoot):
May you have.....
the gladness of Christmas - which is Hope
the spirit of Christmas - which is Peace
the heart of Christmas - which is Love

Merry Christmas Everyone!