Local News
THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS
In the midst of the raging snowstorm on Christmas Eve, Gene Herndon of Minco saw a beacon of hope coming his way:
Headlights from a four-wheel-drive tractor.
Stranded in his car on Hwy 152 between Mustang and Union City for nearly eight hours, Herndon had watched as the storm continued to dump inch after inch of snow on the ground, burying his car deeper and deeper with each passing hour.
As Herndon waited and watched the falling snow, his wife, Marilyn, secretary for the Grady County Commissioners, was also waiting and watching the snow.
Because it was Christmas Eve, her husband was scheduled to work only a half day at the FAA Center east of Mustang, and she became more and more worried as the hours passed. That she was unable to reach her husband by cell phone made her all the more anxious.
The relief Herndon experienced can only be imagined as the big tractor approached and began pulling cars from the drift. The man on the tractor worked continuously until he freed five cars that had been trapped in the same snowdrift for so many hours.
The man on the tractor took each vehicle to the nearby home of retired police officer Bill Rickets – and it was there that Bill and his wife welcomed their guests with open arms.
Herndon never learned the name of the man on the tractor who may well have saved his life and the lives of others.
In the true spirit of Christmas, the Rickets offered their home and provisions to a group of tired and frightened people, turning six strangers into friends by making them comfortable and giving them a hot meal. Later, they all sat down together and spent the evening watching the weather news that dominated the airways that day.
The Rickets found enough space, pillows and blankets to make a warm bed for their new-found friends and they even shared a glass of eggnog before retiring for the night.
The next morning, the Rickets served their guests hot biscuits and gravy.
At home, Marilyn and her dogs were still waiting for Herndon to come home. She did not sleep that night, pacing the floor with worry, still unable to reach her husband.
The next morning on Christmas Day, Herndon thanked his hosts and headed for home. Twice he got stuck in the snow and twice a good Samaritan in a Jeep pulled him out.
Once he arrived safely in Minco, Herndon was still unable to get home because the snow on his road was drifted too high to pass.
He was, however, finally able to call his wife and let her know he was OK, and he also called a friend to check on road conditions in Chickasha. After learning roads were passable, Herndon headed for Chickasha where he spent Christmas with his daughter, who cooked Christmas dinner.
Herndon remained at his daughter’s home until his road was passable and finally made it home to his wife and puppies late Christmas evening.
“My puppies and I were so happy to see him,” Marilyn said. “This reaffirms your faith in people.”
“By Saturday, he was getting antsy to go to Wal-Mart,” said Marilyn, who has often urged her husband to carry emergency supplies with him in his car, something he has never done.
However, on this trip to Wal-Mart, Marilyn said her husband returned home with new tires on his vehicle, and a new coat, a hat and gloves - safely stashed behind the seat in his vehicle.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
