CHICKASHA — Chickasha is home to an unusual kind of “Statehood Baby.”
It is a huge pecan tree that measures more than 11 feet around its gnarly trunk.
The tree, which is located in the 600 block of S. 12th St., was accepted as a “Centennial Witness Tree,” thanks to a project of the same name that sought out trees that “witnessed” Oklahoma’s statehood in 1907, in an attempt to locate the first trees planted by Oklahoma settlers.
Paige Barth, a painter, stained-glass artist and gourmet cook from New Jersey who shares her backyard with the tree as it shares native pecans with her, applied for the Centennial Tree designation in July, 2007. She was approved on Aug. 7, and received her official certification just yesterday - one day before Statehood Day, Nov. 16.
While Barth enjoys her mammoth shade tree, it keeps her busy with yard work. In fact, she bought a kiva fireplace to take advantage of the free firewood that falls from her “self-pruning” tree, and she recently raked 20 bags of leaves from her backyard.
Nonetheless, this New Jersey transplant is proud of her Centennial Witness Tree and is planning a party to celebrate its new celebrity status.
The project is the result of the combined efforts of the Tree Bank Foundation, the Forestry Services of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma Centennial Commission.
According to Becky Durrett, vice president of the Tree Bank, the Witness Tree Project was developed to increase public awareness of trees as an important part of Oklahoma’s heritage and to stress the importance of continued tree planting efforts in Oklahoma as a living legacy for future generations.
“Trees played an important part in the lives of Oklahoma’s first settlers,” said Urban Forestry Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Mark Bays. “In addition to fuel and housing materials, Oklahoma’s trees provided protection from the sun and wind, and added beauty to the landscape. Many of the trees which populated the forests and plains of Oklahoma in 1907, as well as those planted by settlers soon after, are still standing today and we hope, with the help of the community, to find and identify these ‘witness trees.’”
Owners of trees nominated were asked to provide a description of their tree’s historical significance or any special-interest stories about the Witness Trees to be compiled and published in a commemmorative booklet.
To be eligible for the project, trees had to be estimated at more than 100 years of age and be located in Oklahoma. In addition, a description of the tree’s species and location were provided, along with photos showing the full height and width of the tree and a measurement of its circumference.
Selected trees were registered on an official list and their owners received an Oklahoma Centennial Commission Certificate.
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Chickasha tree witnessed statehood
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Food and fund donations collected from the drive, which runs Sept. 27-Oct. 29, will benefit First Baptist Church in Chickasha.
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DOUGLAS EUGENE HENRY, SR.
Funeral services for Douglas Eugene Henry, Sr., of Chickasha, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, in Epworth United Methodist Church.
Douglas Eugene Henry, Sr., was born May 30, 1939 in Chickasha to Joel and Lessie Inez (Parker) Henry. He passed away on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 ,in Oklahoma City, at 71.
He and Camelia Turnbow were married for 18 years, and later he married Alicia Malicoat Blair on June 12, 1986 in Chickasha. -
HIWANAH JOAN CASSMEYER WOOD
Funeral service for Hiwanah Joan Cassmeyer Wood, 70, of Rush Springs and formerly of Alex, were held at 1:30 p.m, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at the Main Street Church of Christ in Alex.
Hiwanah Joan Cassmeyer Wood was born May 6, 1940 at Alex. She was the daughter of Robert and Annie (Bedford) Stewart. She died Friday Sept. 3, 2010 in Duncan.
She married Anthony “Tony” Cassmeyer; he preceded her in death in 1974.
She later married Wylie Wood. Joan has lived in Rush Springs since 1982.
She was a member of the Alex Main Street Church of Christ.
Her parents and two daughters, Shirley Crosby and Becky Cassmeyer preceded her in death. Four brothers Buford, Leonard, Bobby Joe and Elmer Stewart also preceded her in death. -
ANNA MAE LARGENT
Funeral service for Anna Mae Largent, 33, of Chickasha, is pending with the McRay Funeral Home.
Anna Mae was born on Aug. 29, 1927.
She died on Sept. 7, 2010 in Chickasha. -
HASKELL CURTIS GREENROYD, SR.
Private services were held for Haskell Curtis Greenroyd, Sr., 93, of Minco.
Haskell was born Oct. 15, 1916, at Rush Springs to Sam and Jessie Mae (Taylor) Greenroyd.
He died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha. Haskell lived in Minco most all of his life.
He served in the United States Army during WWII.
Services were under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home Minco. -
MARLIN EUGENE LAURENS, SR.
Marlin Eugene Laurens, Sr., was born on May 7, 1943 in Snyder Texas. He was the son of Charles and Gussie (Pete) Laurens. He went home on July 24, 2010. He and Linda (Jones) was married August 3, 1963 in Tijuana, Mexico. He was widowed, then he and Jeanne married November 15, 1997. Marlin was a retired truck driver. He enjoyed cooking and family. He lived in Chickahsa off and on for 40 plus years.
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ROSA NUCKOLS/ GUFFEE
Rosa Nuckols/Guffee, 49, left this earth for her heavenly home on September 3, 2010, after loosing her battle with cancer. Rosa was born on March 28, 1961, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to the parents of Calvin and Inez Guffee.
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