This is Letty Watt--Oklahoma Golf Legend Podcast

Sunday, June 25, 2023

SUMMER OF '63 IN MY HOME TOWN

THE MIAMI NEWS-RECORD

60th YEAR, NO 278              MIAMI, OKLAHOMA, MONDAY, MAY 20, 1963            8 PAGES         DAILY 5 CENTS--SUNDAY 15 CENTS 


 

63.5.20 Street Dance Here Tonight

A square dance sponsored by Miami Jaycees will be held in the unit block of East Central tonight at 8 o'clock. The dance is the first of several events to be held this week in conjunction with the Western Week and the Jim Shoulders Rodeo.

Calling the street dance will be Willie Harland of Vinita, who is widely recognized as one of the best square dance callers in this area. Prizes will be awarded to the best dancers. Ron Gilbert, Western Week publicity chairman, reported that several out-of-town square dance clubs are planning to attend.

The Jim Shoulders Rodeo, an RCA approved event, will be held Thursday through Saturday, beginning at 8 o'clock nightly.  

News Clips:

 KENNEDY'S PLANE SETS MOSCOW FLIGHT MARK--President Kennedy's jet airliner has set a speed record for a Washington-to-Moscow flight, answering Soviet taunts that no American aircraft could make the 5,004 mile trip without stopping. 

ANOTHER BIG AREA TURNOUT FOR VACCINE--"The response was magnificent as usual," remarked Dr. C.W. Letcher. The Sabin drive chairman today reported approximately 12,000 Ottawa countians were immunized with Sabin III vaccine Sunday. Letcher reported the county's record of Sabin doses administered per capita exceed that of any other mid-western community in which similar drives were undertaken. 

63.5.24 "Rugged Action Marks Start of Miami's Rodeo"

...For the most part, cowboy performances last night earned average scores. The big exception came in bulldogging competition, where Buck Rutherford of Lenapah hauled down his animal in a flashing 8.7 seconds.

One of evening's biggest thrills was provided unexpectedly by the rodeo's sponsor, Jim Shoulders, who tangled with a saddle bronc named Bomber. The bronc bounced from the chute and in the flick of an eyelash pitched upended Shoulders, who had been  sanding in front of the chute, and then pitched his rider, Wayne Nimmo of Springhill, Kansas. Shoulders limped back to the chute wearing a smile and a few bruises. 

One highlight of the evening came with announcement of winners in the rodeo queens contest. Cheryl Judy, 16-year old daughter of Mr and Mrs Bill Judy, Miami, Route 3, is Miami Rodeo Queen and Frances McCarty, 15-year old daughter of Mr and Mrs Troy McCarty of Commerce, won the competition as Out-of-Town Rodeo Queen.   

63.6.2 29th Annual Wilson Recital at Coleman  "TOYLAND DANCE REVUE"

The shows title was originated by the film producer Walt Disney, who granted Virginia Lee and Tom Wilson special permission to utilize it in their annual spring show. The usual giant cast of young dancers will be primed to cross the footlights after the curtain goes up at 8 o'clock. 

Assisting the Wilson's with the revue are Betty Sue Cray, accompanist, Dee Watters at the drum; Sam Seabolt, bass; Jerry Hunter, guitar; Sarah Stansell, trumpet; and Burl Lane Jr., saxophone. Alma Francis is the narrator. The properties were created by Tom Wilson, assisted by Ted Watts and Lewis Arnett. Special effects are in the charge of Orick Sparlin.   Assistant teachers are Pat Melody, Dee Wallace, Judy Cottam, Kay Snyder and Janie Sandmire. Backstage directors are Jim Watters and George Frances. Costumes were created by Jane Ellis, Lois Smith, Hilda Patrick, and Naydeen Sandmire.

63.6.9 Swimming Teachers at the Municipal Pool 

63.6.9 Fans Can Pick Up Tickets for July 14 Trains to K.C.

Persons who made reservations to ride the Mickey Mantle Special to Kansas City for the July 14 double-heater between the Athletics and NY Yankees may pick-and pay for-their tickets from Frank Munoz at the Security Bank and Trust Co. 

The cost of the tickets, $11 for each adult and $7.80 for each child, covers round-trip rail fare, and bus transportation between the rail station and the stadium. Through the efforts of Munoz, volunteer co-coordinator, Miami received a quota of 100 tickets on the Frisco special train from KC to Tulsa. 



63.6.23 Camp Cherokee

Camping out has been part of summer plans for thousands of boys who have been part of the Oklahoma Cherokee Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This year, 820 boys are scheduled to attend the five one-week camping sessions at Camp Cherokee, a 1,350 acre camp on Grand Lake.  


Last week, 210 boys attended from Miami troops 50, 51, 54, Vinita troop 67, Nowata troop 29, and Bartlesville troops 11, 12, 16, 30, 102, and 111. Director of the camp is Bill Eller of Bartlesville, He and his staff maintain the dining hall, trading post, swimming pool and other camp facilities along with instructors of swimming, archery, boating, canoeing, campcraft, wildlife, and soil-water conservation.

63.7.18 Winners of Playgrounds Tournament Competition 

Miami's annual doll, pet and bicycle parade, a highlight of the annual municipal summer playgrounds program, will be held Friday morning beginning at 10:30am. Moving south down Main street, the paraders will turn left at Second avenue and assemble on the courthouse lawn for judging of parade winners. 

First, second, and third prize will be awarded in four divisions--pets, dolls, decorated bicycles and doll carriages. Final event in the summer program for some 430 youngsters will be the swimming party and picnic, Friday, July 26 at Riverview park. Host for the noon picnic, which will follow the swim party will be the Miami Rotary club. 

Croquet doubles winners: Steven Macklin and James Loehr, Rotary Jaycee, first; Terry Ingle and Susie Halley, College, second; Marjie Dent and Jean Hale, Will Rogers, third; 

Singles winners: Jolene Downing, Torbert, first; Mike Hignite, Chaney, second, and Shelly Schuelein, College, third. 

 

 

 

 

 

63.7.21 Winners of Honors in Playgrounds Parade

Decorated Bicyles: The Bowden fleet--Elizabethe, Mike, Margaret and Charles--first; Kenneth Cooper, second; and Shelly Schuelein, third. (Picture would not download.)

Dolls: Christie Jean Hester, first; Bonnie Hadley, second, and Donna Hawkins, third. Mrs. Bruce G. Carter, one of the judges. 


63.7.23 Miami Youth League Clubs in First Season

Miami's newest baseball organization if the Youth League, which is playing its first season on a new diamond at the Fairgrounds. The league is part of Miami's municipal summer baseball program that totals 32 teams--22 in three Little League divisions, six in the Babe Ruth league and four in the new Youth League, which is headed by Phil Lockhart. 





63.8.2  BIG CROP OF WARDOG CANDIDATES DUE TO REPORT AUG.15

Coach Bill Watkins today expressed hope that the 1963 Miami Wardog candidates will begin efforts immediately to reach peek physical conditions for the the grid campaign. 

63.8.2  Sixth Bargain Fiesta to Jam Main Street --Throngs Due Saturday for Annual Sale

Miami's main street will be transformed into a combination shopping bazaar, carnival and old-time golf rush. The rush will begin early for the endless variety of merchandise being offered by Miami businessmen. Shoppers will undoubtedly begin swarming into the sale area well ahead of the announced 7a.m starting time to "stake" their claims to bargain offerings and to enjoy the atmosphere of a gigantic community get-together which prevails during the yearly event. 

Contrary to the idea that you only spend money at a sale, some lucky folks will leave Saturday event $100 richer than when they came. Three times during the day, at 2,4, and 6pm, $100 drawings will be held at the corner of Central avenue and Main street. To be eligible for a prize a person needs only to register at one of the downtown stories before noon Saturday.


 




 

63.8.7  Phone Prefix Use to Start Monday

 Stan Martin, local SW Bell manager, said that changes will be taking place in preparation for "extended area service" which will make its full-fledged debut in September. "Two first...then five" refers to the method of telephone dialing which Miami phone users will employ next Monday.

"The changes will just mean that Miami people will have a to dial the prefix KI, Kimball, before dialing the rest of the number. Otherwise, their call won't be completed." said Martin. Martin further explained that the changes are part of the program to permit Miami telephone users to call any number in Miami, Quapaw, Picher, or Commerce without long distance changes, simply by dialing two letters and five numbers."  (Note: when my parents moved to the country they had a party line from 1970--1980's.)

 63.8. 12 Net Champs Crowned Here

In the finals of the Miami Jaycees junior tennis tournament, results were as follows:

Junior Boys Singles: Doug Wasson def. Tom Jones to take the championship, Jimmie Bridgeman was awarded the sportsmanship trophy.  Boys Singles: Ken Tunnell def. brother Danny Tunnell. Junior Girls Singles: Joyce Bump def. Margaret Pierce. Girls Singles: Sherry Sparkman def. Carolyn Gladden. 

Junior Boys Doubles--First round, Rodger Smith and Doug Wasson def. Tunnell and Douthitt; Tome Jones and Woody Kaze def. Bill Oliver and Jimmie Bridgeman; Smith and Wasson def. Jones and Kaze to take the championship. Boys Doubles: First round, Kent Tunnell and Mike Cole def. Danny Tunnell and Doug Wasson. D. Tunnel and R. Wasson def. Ronnie Hanna and Brent Rousey; K. Tunnell and Cole def. D Tunnell and R. Wasson in the finals. 

Junior Girls Doubles: First round, Cassie Gaines and Joyce Bump def. Margaret Pierce and Vicki Haynes; Ann Habeger and Vicki Newell def Jean Burford and Sandra Rossman; Gains and Bump def Habeger and Newell for the title.  Girls Doubles: Kathy Munson and Sherry Sparkman def Paula Brewer and Ann Shell;  Debbie Brewer and Carolyn Gladden def. Paula Brewer and Ann Shell. Second round, Munson and Sparkman def. Brewer and Gladden in double elimination. 

63.8.17 PLAN TO ATTEND THE 2ND ANNUAL SIDEWALK SALE IN COMMERCE

Thirty-four businesses from Commerce advertised in a full page add for their Sidewalk Sale.


63.8.19 SOCIETY PAGE  (there were over 86 records of picnics held at Riverview Park)

Members of the Mid-Century Mother's club entertained their families with a picnic super at Riverview Park in Miami. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mauller, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gandy, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Webber, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sill, Mr and Mrs. Harold Curlee, Mr and Mrs. Don Hartman, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Richey, Mike Mauller, Brenda and Carla Reynolds, Pat, Becky and Diana Sill, Vicki and Gary Curlee, Lisa VanVolkenberg, Donna and Nancy Hartman, and Jan and Brent Richey.   

63.8.20 GRAND CHAMPION SHOWN BY WYANDOTTE YOUTH

A Wyandotte youth, Charles Beatty, edged out Phil Synar of Miami, last year's junior champion beef showman at the Ottawa Country Free Fair to win grand champion honors with his 839 pound Hereford steer in the Junior Livestock show

63.8.30 FOOTBALL PREVIEW HERE SATURDAY NIGHT

Two local football squads that are expected to make impressive records this year will display talents before fans Saturday night at the Football Jamboree at Robertson Field. Clashing at 6:30 will be NEO's Blue and Gold units, which have been divided by Coach Red Robertson and his aids to provide a balanced game.

Miami high school's War Dogs will go into action immediately after the Norsemen leave the field. All War Dog candidates will be used as Coach Bill Watkins and his assistants survey the action by four different Blue and White units. 

Last year's Jamboree was a crowd pleaser and the 1963 event sponsored by Miami Jaycees promises to be even better. Receipts from the $1.30 admission prices will be split equally by the high school and college for the purpose of meeting expenses in connection with the taking of motion pictures of the games. These films are important in the coaching program and also will be available at time for public showings.

 

 



 

9 comments:

  1. I remember the "battle of using the word "Disney or Disneyland" in that years recital" Dad got a very nasty letter from Disney threatening a lawsuit and "severe financial penalties" if any Disney name or copyrighted material was used. Mom & Dad were appropriately incensed. This was received about 2 weeks before the show. I heard dad say that good old Walt should perform a physically impossible act of self-impregnation (or the Oklahoma vernacular of the act) and the Disney name was spelled dissney and Toyland was a common name and the show went on as planed. Nothing was heard from Disney and the folks never visited Disneyland again.

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  2. The above is not anonymous, I was there fresh out of high school, Tom (Pat) Wilson

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  3. A BLAST FROM THE PAST, THANKS FOR SHARING LETTY...AHHHH

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  4. Thank you for the memories!!

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  5. I really love reading these...there was such an emphasis on young folks,..not really not so much to do, but almost everybody did itr! and their efforts were publicized and celebrated. Thanks. CarolC

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  6. Congratulations on another very pleasing and well-done article.

    I enjoy reading, reminiscing, and learning of Miami OK past events.

    Your work brings enjoyment to many.

    God Bless.
    James Taylor

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  7. So fun seeing vintage photos! Loved growing up in Miami! Margaret Pierce West

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  8. wow. blasts from the past… thanks!!

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  9. Love reading your stories Letty

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