Many of us Oklahoma Fans know that Barry Switzer recently had a 70th birthday celebration. Well our very own Jason Gilbow was there in probably the most memorable piece of attire at the event. Aside from the distraction that his jacket creates…try to focus on the folks he was able to rub elbows with for a
few hours
I was pondering our 25th reunion, did some googling, and there we were (or are…or whatever). I thought we’d all look old by now, but really, we look pretty much the same overall…most of us anyway. I live in the DFW area and have since graduating college in ’87. My parents moved to Duncan, so I haven’t even been to Enid in nearly 20 years.
I work for Gibson guitars as a Business Manager, and I’m also in a classic rock band, Take5 (http://www.myspace.com/take5site). Other than that, I’ve got 11 year old twins (Evan and Adyson), and have been married to my wife Debbie (a Texas girl…sorry!) since ’88. Kinda quick summary for the last 20 years, but I’m sure you don’t want TOO much detail.
Keep me posted on the reunion stuff…add me to the list, etc…blah blah…
Business Manager for Gibson Guitars – 30+ Years experience playing guitar. Classically trained as a kid, but play by ear most of the time. I’ve got plenty of live experience, and of course I play Gibson guitars exclusively. Currently lead guitarist for take5. Still messing with the recording thing, so no laughing…or at least don’t point AND laugh
I think we have our band for the 25th reunion folks.
Well done Craig, you seem to have captured eternal youth…I on the other hand…noodled myself the secret to middle-age. Whaaaaaaaaaa!
Barry McCool is doing something very special. At first one might think that quilting is a girlie hobby. Well if Barry McCool, retired Marine/lifelong Plainsmen/elected Mayor is doing it…it must not be as girlie as you think. Here’s what Barry is doing with his mad quilting skillz.
“I have decided on a name for my quilt project for the troops. It will be called “Patches for Patriots”. At the time of these photos, I do have #3 flag being pieced together and #4 cut out.
For those of you that do not know, I am making 50 flag quilts to deliver to the wounded American Service Men and Women of this great Nation.
If you would like to sponsor one or more or just find out more info. please contact me at bcool831@pldi.net
Sorry about the last pic. Please excuse the socks. Ha!”
Outstanding Barry. We’re proud of you as always and look forward to you sharing your milestones on this project. And Barry…nice socks!
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You could sit in the booth at the diner and play a few of your favorite tunes from the juke box? I ran across this little historic gem while in Maryland at a charming little place called the Tastee Diner. If you’re ever near Bethesda, it’s worth the detour to stop in and have some fries with gravy, and a soft drink with the soft pellet ice (you ice crunchers know is the best that can be found).
For Immediate Release
Blake Fisher was born in March to Chauncey and Gabrielle. Blake’s weight can only be estimated as there was no qualified physicist in the delivery room to calculate the effect of the gravitational pull this baby’s size has on his surroundings. Based on my infauxmation, I can report Blake’s official birthday is March 15 through March 17. That’s just how big he is folks. No worries, Gabrielle and the baby are both fine and doing well. Actually Blake weighed in at 9pounds 8 ounces (source not confirmed) and was born on March 16th, just a few hours after the most beautiful girl in the world (Selah) was introduced to the planet. Here is a picture of Blake and his proud brother and sister (Owen and Olivia). The Fisher’s live just a holler from NYC these days. Chauncey works for Granite Transformations while Gabrielle works for Clinique. Congratulations to the Fisher clan on yet another beautiful addition to your family and we look forward to seeing you guys soon!
Now here’s a Dr. Laura you know and can be proud of. Even though she lacks a syndicated radio show at the moment, her contributions toward wellness will certainly be as significant as other Drs. by the same name.
Laura is an Associate Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She received her Ph.D. in Epidemiology and her M.P.H. in Health Education. Laura has significant experience in tobacco-related surveillance and evaluation research and has worked with Native American communities for over 7 years on a variety of health-related issues. She is currently the Principal Investigator for the NCI- funded project entitled Tobacco Industry Tactics Aimed at Native Americans. The overall goal of this project is to gain an understanding of tobacco industry strategies related to the targeting and marketing of commercial tobacco to Native American communities so that more effective techniques for the prevention and control of tobacco abuse may be developed.
But wait, there’s more. Laura is an advisor to the College of Public Health Graduate Student Association.
And if you still aren’t impressed, it gets even better. Laura is also the mother of two wonderful children named Madelyn and Sam. If you can believe it, those young’ins keep her at least as busy as her work on cancer issues.
Now this is one Plainsman using her powers for good!
They are all doing great! Kirbie is the Ambassador for the American Heart Assoc. Here is a picture on the Red Carpet in St. Louis. She attended the Heart Ball. Spencer my son is a lefty and a pitcher! Go Spencer the Cardinals need pitchers!!!
GO Kirbie! GO Spencer! We’re all mighty proud of ALL of you.
MAY FETE POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY Inclement weather Tuesday forced the postponement of the annual May Fete event at Government Springs Park.The 92nd Annual May Fete will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.Members of the public are invited to attend.In order to best honor the class of 2007, seniors will be seated in front of the gazebo and on the first grass tier to the west of the same area. Families and friends are encouraged to find seating to the north and south of the student section.
The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK – MAY FETE POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY
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This video is here because most of the men featured are our age. In fact, I see a lot of you friends of mine in the men of this video. This video takes a while to load, but is well worth the wait.
Hat tip to Barry McCool for the submission
Bidet may soon be found in many home bathrooms By Robert Barron Staff Writer. There is a new feature in the area of sanitation and while it is aimed at luxury homes, John Kang hopes it soon will be in everyone’s home.Kang is a representative of Coco Bidets, a bathroom sanitary item that does away with the need for toilet paper. The concept was being introduced to area residents this weekend at Enid Home Builder’s Association Home Show at the Chisholm Trail Coliseum and Pavilion.Having the bidet wash off the body after using the restroom is much more sanitary and more cost-effective than using tissue paper, Kang said of the new product. Read the rest of this post »
One morning after arriving at work, I happened to look out my office window to behold what I initially thought must be the second coming (though no trumpet sounded), or the Mothership that George Clinton was famous for singing about. Turns out it was just the sunrise. What a beautiful sunrise it was though.
Battlestar Galactica: The 14th Colony is the name of a fanfilm being shot in an effort to further the genre and evolve the story-lines demanded by the international BG community. This mission of love was motivated by a lack of response on the part of the studio, to the requests of a very committed fan base. For any of you who remember and enjoyed Battlestar Galactica, you know the character of Orin and his significance in the story line. Well, hold on to your popcorn people…..our very own Jason Maly will be playing Orin in this latest installment.
In this photo Jason is either being molested, or measured for his costumes. It’s difficult to tell but both of them are smiling, so either way, my guess is that its all good. If you are reading this post, then there’s time to follow the actual production of this film on a day to day basis. For those of you living in or near Enid, you may even find that you have a talent these guys can use. The project is looking for all kinds of volunteers.
Jason, please keep us updated as milestones of this project are achieved and we all look forward to watching the movie upon it’s completion. Hey maybe we could have a movie night at our 25th reunion and all watch you star in the movie together. Now that would be the coolest movie session since you youst to invite us all over from time to time to watch your favorite film of that age called “Time Square”.
Many, if not all of you, will remember Ben Blankenship from the class of ‘83. Today Ben lives in Nashville Tennessee and is an accomplished songwriter and musician. He’s toured from San Francisco to New York City, Western Europe, and points both on and off the compass from which Ben derives his story lines. When not living out his dreams, he teaches English, which in fairness might be his dream as well, but you’ll have to get in touch with Ben to discern which aspect of his life he’s most passionate about.
Click on the picture of Ben to go to his website where you can hear his song “The Flightline”, which to us who are from Enid, and know Ben, know it’s about Enid even though he doesn’t say so in the song. You can also pick up one or both of Ben’s CDs entitled “Black Lipstick” and “Solitare”. Best of Adventures to you Ben, and keep your old classmates up on some engagement dates where we might find you performing a set or two.
Taylre, Riley, Cooper, Bryson are the treasures of this Plainsmen, who once a beloved cheerleader, uses that same source of energy today to raise four beautiful children, provide accounting consultant services, and run a home decor business. She resides in Arizona but spends a significant amount of time south of the border as well as her favorite beaches on the west coast. Pictured here you can see her innovative talents at work in how she keeps one of her children calm and occupied while she attends to other beach activities. This technique is referred to as Adolescent Swaddling.
Here is a pic of Shannon at one of her meetings with her Employer. Some days you just really hate the thought of driving down to the marina once again, to sit on the deck of an 80ft. yacht, abiding by such a stringent dress-code, trying to listen to the sales figures as the waves slap against the vessel, seagulls yelp over-head, the first mate just won’t let you finish your drink before he’s filled it back up to the top, while your major office supply expense (sunscreen) is running out. Some folks just got it rough.
All I can say is that Shannon is fortunate to have such good children to mitigate some of her suffering.
Thanks for sharing an update with us Shannon, you continue to make us all proud to know you.
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Soldier: Honor troops like Va. Tech deadBy ALISA TANG, Associated Press Writer Mon Apr 23, 11:16 AM ETKABUL, Afghanistan – An Army sergeant complained in a rare opinion article that the U.S. flag flew at half-staff last week at the largest U.S. base inAfghanistan for those killed at Virginia Tech but the same honor is not given to fallen U.S. troops here and inIraq. In the article issued Monday by the public affairs office at Bagram military base north of Kabul, Sgt. Jim Wilt lamented that his comrades’ deaths have become a mere blip on the TV screen, lacking the “shock factor” to be honored by the Stars and Stripes as the deaths at Virginia Tech were.”I find it ironic that the flags were flown at half-staff for the young men and women who were killed at VT, yet it is never lowered for the death of a U.S. service member,” Wilt wrote.He noted that Bagram obeyedPresident Bush’s order last week that all U.S. flags at federal locations be flown at half-staff through April 22 to honor 32 people killed at Virginia Tech by a 23-year-old student gunman who then killed himself.”I think it is sad that we do not raise the bases’ flag to half-staff when a member of our own task force dies,” Wilt said.According to the Defense Department, 315 U.S. service members have died in and around Afghanistan since the U.S.-led offensive that toppled the Taliban regime in late 2001, 198 of them in combat. Read the rest of this post »
Just having the name Cho Seung-Hui as a part of this post will probably bring a new high to the hits this blog recieves on a daily basis. Every news outlet over the last two days has covered the news surrounding the mass murderer, over the information about his victims by a 4 to 1 margin in my estimation. You won’t find the media outlets calling him a mass murderer though. They like to refer to him as “gunman”, “gentleman”, “perpetrator”, etc. Every major news outlet both on network and cable television will hour after hour trot out their “experts” to provide analysis into the mind of a man we’ll never understand. So why do they do it? Ratings. The bigger question should be…WHY DO YOU WANT IT? Why do you want to know about the insanity of a man who would commit this atrocity. Why do you even want to know his name? Why do you want to see a picture of him holding his two pistols. Why are you giving him what he wants? Giving him what he wants you ask? Yes.
The only thing we know for sure about Cho Seung-Hui is that he wanted attention. He wanted everyone to know what he did and why. He sent video and pictures to NBC. Of course he wanted the attention. So what do we all do? We give it to him. More than what it says about him, what does it say about us? Many of you can probably recall the names of the Columbine Killers. Can you recall the name, without googling, any of their 37 victims? A year from now will any of us recall the names of any of this mass murderers victims. Will any of the news outlets dicuss to a significant degree the potential of their lives that was so violently snuffed out? Will any of the news outlets challenge us to pick up the banners for the causes that many of these people carried? Will any of the news outlets challenge us to make sure we live our lives in a way that embraces the sense of fellowship that now exists at Virginia Tech? So its up to us, the news has become what entertainment tonight used to be. I move that we never mention his name, never show his picture, never minimize what he was by using more pallatable words. I move that we research the lives of all those killed, and make an effort through this process to take a piece of what they were, and make it a part of who we are, and what we’ll become. I move that the name Cho Seung-Hui fades from our memory and that the names of his victims become part of our collective memory. All in favor, say Aye!
Why just the other day we were all graduating from Enid High School. I clearly remember our names being called out one by one as we sat in the stands at Selby Stadium, walked down, shook the hand of Dennis Iselin, accepted our certificates, then threw our caps in the air.
LO and Behold the next thing we know, kids like Barry McCool Jr. here are going to their own senior proms. We are as old as our folks were when we graduated. Can you kids believe it? If you’ve got pictures of your dearest ones attending some special event, send em on. We can never have to many examples to reinforce the fact that we ain’t gettin any younger.
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I was moved so deeply by this site I just had to link to it here for you guys to see as well. It’s quite probably the saddest, and yet most beautiful mission of love I’ve come across in awhile.
Parents through out the world experience heartache and grief every day due to the death of a baby. This heartache can happen to anyone one of us. Through our experience, being able to introduce this art form of photography to parents suffering this grief will help them in their healing process. We want to bring awareness to parents and caregivers everywhere to this method of healing. We aim to bring parents together with professional photographers that are volunteering their time and services to helping parents create these heirloom memories of their time together as a family. Our goal is to ultimately be able to present Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep to families through out this nation. NILMDTS also aims to educate other photographers to the sensitivity and compassion of this topic.
Now I lay Me Down To Sleep – The Mission of NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP…
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BIG Blue shout out to Laura (Smith) Price and her Dad Lynn for this picture. Lynn took the pic at our 20th reunion and Laura was kind enough to ask if daddy would get us a digital version for the website, which he gladly supplied to her over the Easter weekend. Additionally, Laura, Deb (True) and Justin Cromwell spent some time together over the Easter weekend watching the May Fete video that filmed by Lynn so long ago. He’s going to get that video into DVD format and perhaps one day in the near future, you’ll be able to laugh just as hard as Laura, Justin, and Deb did when they saw it last weekend. If you click on the thumbnail pic, a larger pic will open up that you can then zoom in on with great clarity. There was some photographic glitch in the picture because the lens being used could not pic up my hair for some reason. Oh well.
If you ever have the need for photographic services that are artistic, expressive, and unique then give Lynn Smith a call.
Lynn Smith Portraits
126 S Independence St
Enid, OK 73701
(580) 234-8778
Finally, as Laura awaited her flight at the Houston (TX) airport for her flight to OKC, she ran into Sharon Smith waiting for the same flight. They were able to catch up on how their lives are going and enjoy each others company for a time. Keep your eyes open at airports, you never know when an old friend is near by.
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