Betty’s Week
By Betty Shearer
Received an e-mail from Teresa Wilbourn Everett last week. Was glad to hear from her. She writes, “I love to read your articles Ms. Betty. It always reminds me of when I was a kid and we would get the Herald in the mail and my Dad would always read Betty’s week first. Glad to hear everything is well in the Valley.” Teresa is the middle daughter of Sam Wilbourn, who now lives in Diamond Head, and the late Linda Wilbourn. Teresa and her family live on the Gulf Coast, not sure exactly what city. She is a granddaughter of the late Faye and Otis “Huck” Wilbourn.
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February 28 is the date that has been set for the annual Enid Lake Clean Up Day. This is a project of Enid Lake Volunteers for Waste Management. There are flyers on our front counter giving compete details of this event and a detailed story will appear in a later issue of the paper. We also have raffle tickets for sale for prizes to be given away during this event. Tickets are $1 each and prizes are: 1st, 12 gauge 3-1/2” shotgun; 2nd, 22 semi automatic rifle; 3rd, trolling motor; and 4th, a $100 gift certificate. You do not have to be present to win. Proceeds from this raffle will help defray the cost of the clean-up.
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Was sorry to hear of the death of R. V. Hervey last week. R. V. was killed in a vehicle collision at the intersection of Hwy. 7 and 9-W last Tuesday night. He was one of Jim’s classmates and when I told Jim about his death, he said, “I’m so sorry to hear about this—he was one of the good guys.” Of course Jim went on to say that he was always sorry to learn of the death of a classmate, friend or any Vallian. We do extend our sympathy to the Hervey family.
Jim was en route to a concert in El Paso while we were talking. He told me about one of Celeste’s trips to El Paso last week. One of her students had been killed in an automobile accident and she was on her way to attend the funeral. She knew the name of the street and also the church. However the street could have been many miles long and she didn’t know the exact location of her destination. She called Jim, asked him to Google the church and in a few minutes he had it on his computer screen.
Says that he was surprised to find a white funeral coach parked in front. Jim says I knew that these were not in real time, but it sure seemed like it. He gave Celeste the address and instructions to find same. Also told her about the vehicle parked in front. When she arrived, she called back to tell Jim the funeral coach being used on this day was black. Then Jim says, since he had the computer on he decided to check on the Valley.
Says he went to 500 Main and did not find us, then came on down the street and found my old van parked out front. Says, “Mom, yours was the only vehicle on that side of the street when the filming was done.” Looking at the other side of the street though, he found more folks. The rest of our crew usually parks in the parking lot. I park out front because I’m usually loading or unloading or often have errands to run—it’s just easier to keep the van on the street. This modern day technology does boggle my mind, though.
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Was also sorry to learn of the death of Chester Joyner. Mr. Chester is a long-time friend, and I have missed him coming by the office from time to time. His youngest son, Joey, was also a member of Jim’s class. The Joyner family brings back memories of the little league ball park. Joey and Jim both played and Mrs. Joyner and her sister were always there (often sat a few seats lower) and Mr. Chester probably was also present—most of the men did not sit in the bleachers. Enjoyed watching the Joyner children (Beverly, Mike and Joey) grow up. Our sympathy is extended to the entire family—we’ll also miss him.
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Heard from another of Jim’s classmates on Monday, when Wilma Black came by to pay her and Jerry’s subscriptions. Jerry was another of my favorites (think they all were.) He was a very positive young man—always smiling and happy and he also had red hair. Wilma shared that Jerry is just back from a tour in Iraq—safely at home in Cookville, Tennessee. She plans a visit soon.
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Worked outside for a long time Friday and the weather was great—sunshine, with spring-like temps. Made a stepping stone path to the back door and also picked up a lot of trash from the yard.
Watched a bit of TV on Thursday night—found special son Elvis airing (January 8 was his 74th birthday). I’ve never been an Elvis fan, but these programs were interesting. One was on his life and music, the other was facts and myths. Everyone on the program affirmed that he was strongly opposed to illegal drugs, but had no problem with prescriptions. They say that doctors were responsible for his problems.
He died at age 42—32 years ago. That was hard to believe. He also had an honorary badge from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Dept. and was willing to be active in this department. One of the women on the program said that even her own mother thinks Elvis is still alive.
She says she can’t convince her otherwise, but that she is sure he was in the casket and dead—she touched him and was with him during the time he lay in state at Graceland. His wife and daughter also attested to this fact. There was lots more but I can’t remember it all. However, clips from the many shows over the years were very interesting, and I appreciate his music more now than I did when I was growing up as a peer.
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Most of the Herald Staff has had bad colds over the past week, as has many others in the Valley and elsewhere. They are all getting better though. Jack is still feeling pretty bad—he was the last to contract it and was sick all weekend. David and Mel had it all last week. So far, I’ve missed it and I hope I continue to stay well.
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Had not seen Robert Montgomery in several weeks. He popped in last week with a belated holiday gift—a big bag of shelled pecans. Now that’s a real friend. A gift of any kind of pecans is great and welcomed, but shelled ones only come from a really good friend. A visit with Robert, with or without a present, always brightens my day. Thanks for being a friend!
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At Mom’s on Saturday I found that Brother Bo had been in bed with this bug. He usually does the last minute cooking for Sunday lunch after he gets home from church. With him out, I dished out orders, so we’d be assured of food. Sent Jimmie home with cabbage for cole slaw. Rance’s orders were to put in the tater tots, bread and meat to heat when he arrive. I was to bring in the baked beans. I’d cooked barbecue country ribs on Saturday afternoon and made a strawberry shortcake. Bo says he came in Sunday, saw the menu, and decided he’d been sicker than he thought. Says, “I just knew I’d been out from New Years to the Fourth of July!”
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Other welcomed guests in the office on Monday were long-time friends, Don Holloway and Glen Gabbert. The three of us go back to Northwest Jr. College days—we were all students there in the mid-50s. It was so much fun to reminisce about the faculty and friends we’d enjoyed during our years there. Both Glen and Don are a little older than me—they served time in the military before going to school. We were talking about some of the illnesses of these classmates and wound up with Ed’s. Don also has some problems, and his statement was, “Just wait until you get as old as I am and you’ll see.” Knowing that I was just a years or so older I come back with, “You mean I’m going to fall apart next year!” I was ribbing Don of course, because I do know he has problems and I do sympathize. Am so grateful for my excellent health and I do sympathize with the many who are my age, or even much younger, who have so many aches and pains.
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Attended the charrette last night and it was most interesting. If you missed it I’m sorry you did not make the effort to be there. I’ll let Jack give you the official report, but I’ll probably make comments in next week’s column. The final public meeting of this event will be held in the courtroom Wednesday night, beginning at 6 p.m. Come on out and see what these experts recommend for our city. I’m going to cut prayer meeting (which I rarely do) because I believe this meeting is that important.
