Temple History Museum Update

Here's an update on the Temple History Museum sent to supporters:

Our dream of a museum to preserve the history of the Temple community is coming true thanks to support from the worldwide Temple community. The Temple History Museum will have an informal opening tonight (Dec. 11) when it is part of the Temple Chamber of Commerce Christmas Home Tour.  A formal opening will come later.

I’m writing this letter to seek continued support from Temple residents and others who have an interest in preserving the history of Temple and its families. We need your financial support to operate, maintain and expand the museum collection, which will include a file for every family for which we have information.  These files may be used by our descendents for generations to come.

About four years ago Jay Driskill donated the old cleaners building for the museum.  Since then, we have spent $26,000 cash and hundreds of hours upgrading the building, installing eye-catching murals outside and displaying our current collection inside.  Local response has been very positive.

          

We’re looking for your support to continue. No gift is too small or too large.  There are several levels of memberships:  Diamond $25,000; Platinum $10,000; Gold $3,000; Silver $1500; Bronze $500; Lifetime $250; Family $35; Individual $25.

           Do you have stocks that are paying very little dividends and capital gains tax on selling would be high?  You could create a charitable gift annuity with the Temple Museum Association, which might work to benefit both you and the museum for generations to come.

           The Temple Museum Association is a tax code 501 (c)(3) entity,  which means CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE.  Please send contributions to the Temple Museum Association,

P. O. Box 234, Temple, OK

73568. Questions?  Call 580-342-6930 or e-mail.

Sincerely,

Harold Powell

Look for 'Temple History Museum' page on Facebook

The Temple History Museum has a page on Facebook. Click here to see it, or use this link:

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Temple-History-Museum/173508309332585#!/pages/Temple-History-Museum/173508309332585?v=wall

Fw: Bedlam countdown: No. 5 - 1958 | NewsOK Videos

Shared by Vickie Nowlin
This is my friend Myrna, whose deceased husband played for OU.   Harold, did you know him?  You played for OU before him, I suppose.  Jim (Lawrence?????)  Myrna remarried and I have only recently found out her first husband played ball.    Lawrence may not be his name.   

This is from a note that I sent to my 2 Sons earlier.  I am trying to share stories of my life with their Dad so they will have them to remember when I can no longer remember them...which may be any day now. :)
The Daily Oklahoman ran a series last week on Countdown to Bedlam.showing
the Top 10 Faves, over the years.  In 5th place, in their estimation, but
#1, in mine, was the 1958 Game, Jim's Senior Season.  We had been beaten
only by Texas, and only by one point. We were still smarting from that.  We COULD NOT let A & M beat us.We OWNED the Big 7 and they were in the lowly
MVC.

The game stayed tied 0-0 through 3 quarters and everyone's nerves were on edge.  All of the wives sat together in a special section and we always left the game a little early to get down in the end zone or exit, or wherever the
team headed, after the game.  We sat there and sat there, and actually stayed too long.  We finally left our seats and headed to the designated area for meetin' and greetin' our guys. It was still nuthin' to nuthin' and we had to push through a crowd that was on their feet, just to get to the ramp.


We were actually running around the outside of the stadium when we heard all sorts of celebratory sounds from inside the stadium.cannon.cheers.guns.you know the drill.  We didn't know what had happened, but we knew that
something BIG had.  Just as we got to the gate, the crowd started pouring out and Duane Moses, one of Jim's Sayre HS team mates saw me and ran over and picked me up and threw me up in the air.(I was teeny tiny then! :) ) and said we had won.  Later, in what seemed like FOREVER, The Happy Sooners came out and there were Hugs all around.  I soon learned that Jim had been a Hero, of sorts, opening the hole for Bobby Boyd to go through for the winning TD.  Ah, Yes.those were the days!

Deer Creek 40, Temple 6

LAMONT, Okla. (Friday, Nov 19, 2010) --  Temple played Deer Creek-Lamont in a second round state playoff game at Lamont.

End of 1st quarter Temple - 0 Deer Creek - 0.

End of 2nd quarter Temple - 6 Deer Creek - 6.

End of 3rd quarter Temple - 6 Deer Creek - 20.

End of 4th quarter Temple - 6 Deer Creek - 40.

Temple played good football the 1st half but run out of steam in the second half due to injuries to key

players plus a 5 hour bus ride. Temple ended the season with 9 wins and 2 loses.

Bill

Playoffs: Temple 22, Sharon Mutual 18

TEMPLE, Okla. (Nov 12, 2010) --  Temple played host to Sharon-Mutual tonight in a 1st round playoff game.

End of 1st quarter Temple - 6 Sharon-Mutual - 0.

End of 2nd quarter Temple - 6 Sharon-Mutual - 18.

End of 3rd quarter Temple - 14 Sharon-Mutual -  18.

End of 4th quarter Temple - 22 Sharon-Mutual - 18

Temple advances to 2nd round game next week away from home,  Probably with DC-Lamont.

Nic Brown scored on a 42 yd TD run and a 10 Yd TD pass.

Aaron Holden scored on a 1 yd TD run.

-Bill

Temple 46, Ryan 22

TEMPLE, Okla. (Nov 5, 2010) -- Temple played district foe Ryan tonight at Temple.
End of 1st quarter Temple - 8 Ryan - 6.

End of 2nd quarter Temple - 22 Ryan - 22.

End of 3rd quarter Temple - 30 Ryan - 22.

End of 4th quarter Temple - 46 Ryan 22.

Temple played sloppy defense 1st half but 2nd half they played really good defense. In 8 man football to hold a GOOD team scoreless for a half is hard to do.

Temple ended the regular season 8-1 and with tonight's victory came in second in the district and next week will play 1st playoff game against Sharon-Mutual or Waynoka at Temple.

Now some unoffocial highlights:

Cody Littles 39 yd TD run, 41 yd TD pass.

Nic Brown 83 yd TD run, 19 yd TD pass,80 yd TD run, 33 yd TD run.

Bill

Temple 42, Corn Bible 22

CORN, Okla (Oct 29,2010) -- Temple played Corn Bibe Acemedy tonight at Corn.

End of 1st quarter Temple - 0 Corn Bible - 0.

End of 2nd quarter Temple 16 Corn Bible 14.

End of 3rd quarter Temple - 28 Corn Bible - 22.

End of 4th quarter Temple - 42  Corn Bible 22.

Highlights: Aaron Holden 1 yard TD run, 62 yd TD run, 47 yd TD run.

Nic Brown 13 yd TD pass, 51 yd TD run.

Kyle Baze 28 yd TD pass.

This was a hard fought battle on both sides. At the end of 3rd quarter looked like either side could win.

Temple was able to score twice in 4th quarter, Temple had 2 stops near the goal line and overcame a rash

of penatlies to pull out a victory.

Next week Temple will play Ryan at Temple. This will be another tough game.

-- Bill

Temple 50, Grandfield 0

GRANDFIELD, Okla. (Oct 14,2010) -- Temple played district foe Grandfield at Grandfield tonight.

End of 1st quarter Temple 30 - Grandfield 0.

End of 2nd quarter Temple 50 - Grandfield 0. End of game by "MERCY RULE".

Unofficial highlights.

• Kyle Baze 15 yd TD pass.
• Aaron Holden 45 yd TD run - 55 yd td interception - 5 yd TD run.
• Nic Brown 65 yd TD run -  40 yd TD run.
• Garret Thompson 1 yd TD run.

Temple had a game scheduled with Lawton Christian next week but Lawton Christian did not field a team this year. Next game will be with Corn Bible Academy Oct 29 at Corn Bible. This could be interesting.

Bill

Temple 6, Tipton 32

TEMPLE, Okla. (Oct 8 ,2010) -- Temple played district foe Tipton tonight at Temple.

• End of 1st quarter - Temple 0 - Tipton 6.
• End of 2nd quarter - Temple 0 - Tipton 20.
• End of 3rd quarter - Temple 6 - Tipton 20.
• End of 4th quarter - Temple 6 - Tipton 32.

 There was no doubt that Tipton was the best team. Temple could not run the ball or throw the ball. Next week Temple will play Grandfield at Grandfield on Thursday night, it should be an easy game.

Bill

 

Temple 46, Thackerville 0

THACKERVILLE, Okla. (Friday Oct 1, 2010) --Temple played district foe Thackerville tonight at Thackerville.

End of 1st quarter Temple 24 - Thackerville 0.
Game over at 4:22 left in 2nd quarter by "MERCY RULE" Temple 46 - Thackerville 0.

Unofficial highlights:
Cody Littles 51 yd TD run, 24 yd TD run.
Nic Brown 16 yd TD run, 12 yd TD run, 44 yd TD run.
Kyle Baze 30 yd TD run.

Next week Temple will play Tipton at Temple. Then we will know what kind of team Temple has because Tipton will be tough.
--Bill

Temple 50, Cement 0

Friday Sept 24, 2010 -- Temple played district foe Cement tonight at Temple.
End of 1st quarter Temple 22 - Cement 0.
End of 2nd quarter Temple 44 - Cement 0.
Game over with 11:44 left in 3rd quarter by "MERCY RULE". Temple 50 - Cement 0.

Unofficial highlights:

• Nic Brown 14 yd TD run -20 yd TD pass- 85 yd KO return.
• Aaron Holden 15 yd TD run-53 yd TD pass interception return.
• Kyle Baze 62 yd TD pass.
• Cody Littles 51 yd TD run.

Next week Temple plays Thackerville at Thackerville.

--Bill

Temple 50, Duke 0

(Friday, Sept 17, 2010) -- Temple High School played district foe Duke at Duke tonight.

End of 1st quarter Temple 36 - Duke 0.
End of 2nd quarter Temple 50 -Duke 0. Game over account "MERCY RULE".

 

Temple scored four touchdowns in the first five plays.

Unofficial highlights

• Aaron Holden 40 yd TD run - 20 yd TD run - 46 yd TD run.
• Garrett Thompson 85 yd TD run - 52 yd TD pass.
• Nic Brown 49 yd TD pass.
• Kyle Baze 53 yd TD pass.

Next week Temple plays Cement at Temple.

 

Bill

 

Pictures Worth 103 Years

John Gower's nieces shared photos from his 103rd birthday celebration.

Four generations of Gowers: John's daughter-in-law Camilia; John; Camilia's daughter Clarke and her 11-month-old daughter Leila.

John Gower

Oldest Alum Celebrates 103 Years: John Gower

I received this from Renee, Thad Gower's daugther and niece of John Gower:

Temple Alumni's oldest dues paying member John Gower celebrated his 103rd birthday on Friday, Sept. 9,  in Ponca City, Oklahoma. John has outlived all of his immediate family: brothers, Ray, Glen, and Thad; six sisters, Neva Mae Bowers, Irene Gower, Lillian Goodwin, Billie Worsham, Marie Murrell, and Rita Cox; his 2 children, and his wife who was 104 when she died a couple of years ago. John's mind remains alert but his eyes are failing. He recently moved to an assisted living center in Ponca City. where a celebration was held in his honor.

Homecoming Dedicated to Christy Lewis

Christy Lewis

The Temple Homecoming parade and halftime at Friday's football game were dedicted to Christy Lewis, a Temple teacher of 25 years who died July 13 at the age of 50. Christy's daughter, Lindsey Lewis Calhoun, led the parade in a convertible driven by Lindsey's father Kyle, and she was in half time ceremony.

Temple 68, Mountain View/Gotebo 22

Temple, Okla. (Friday Sept 10, 2010)-- Temple High School played District foe Mountain View/Gotebo at Temple.

End of 1st quarter Temple 36 - Mt View/Gotebo 6
End of 2nd quarter Temple 50 - Mt View/ Gotebo 14.
Game over at 1:55 left in 3rd quarter by "Mercy rule". Temple 68 -Mt View /Gotebo 22.

Highlights (unofficial)
Kyle Baze 30 yd TD pass-
23 yd TD pass-
20 yd td pass interception.

Aaron Holden 4 yd TD run-
40 yd TD run-
60 yd TD pass interception-
80 yd KO return.
Nick Brown 26 yd TD run.
Cody Littles 44 yd TD run-
26 yd TD run.

Bill

Tigers Season Opener: Temple 60, Alex 30

Friday Sept 3, 2010. THS kicked off 2010 football season tonight.
Class "C" Temple played class "B" Alex at Temple tonight. First half looked like either team could win but in the second half Temple pulled away for it's first victory of the season.

End of 1st Quarter Alex 16 - Temple 14.
End of 2nd quarter Alex 24 - Temple 30.
End of 3rd quarter Alex 24 - Temple 52.
End of 4th quarter Alex 30 - Temple 60.

Bill Ille

A Temple Tiger Football Legend by Jerry Fetters

Temple Tiger football season is upon us again. This is a football legend about a powerful Temple Tiger kicker during the 1953 season. At that time Temple was able to have both varsity and junior varsity football teams. It was too long ago for me to recall how the splits were made officially but even in hindsight it is clear that the better more experienced players were on the varsity and we others made up the junior varsity. We JV players didn’t get much playing time on the Friday night games so we had a few games scheduled for Thursday nights. One such game was against Frederick JV. It was a cold and windy night. The JV players were taken to Frederick on one of the school buses. Our head coach J.D. Lynch also went along to coach the JV team even though he had a varsity game the next night.

Being responsible high school students we were lectured on being sure that we took all of our equipment with us. We arrived in Frederick and changed from our street clothes to our Temple football uniforms and shoes. At least those of us who took all of complete uniforms changed into them. We went onto the field and prepared to kick off. Our kicker goes onto the field with one street shoe on his right foot and barefoot on his left foot. He kicks off and does reasonable well for such an equipment deprived football player. He smilingly trots off the field, Coach Lynch then calls Bobby Graybill aside and as Bobby tells the story, “really ate his rear about where were his shoes.” Bobby confessed that he had forgotten his football shoes and in the tension filled confusion he had also lost one of his street shoes. Coach Lynch told him to go to the bench and set for the rest of the game.

Bobby says, "It was so cold and I had nothing else to lose so after the half I just left the field and went to the bus where it had to be warmer." Being such a critical player, Coach Lynch never noticed his absence. Bobby got on the cold bus and decided to start the bus and turn on the heater. The heater was not very powerful but better than being outside. The cheerleaders saw Bobby on the bus and the bus running and they all drifted towards the bus one at a time. Bobby said he was in “hog heaven” being on the bus with all the cheerleaders. All of a sudden he looked at the gas gauge and it showed under a quarter tank. Bobby quickly shuts off the engine. After the game the team loaded onto the bus to head back to Temple. As we were starting out of town the driver noticed the gas gauge. Guess what?? No stations were open after 9:00PM. Bobby was in big trouble with both Coach Lynch and the bus driver. One hour later the bus driver had called a service station owner who reluctantly came and provided gas to the departing Temple Tigers and their former kicker. After that game, it was mutually decided between Bobby and Coach Lynch that Bobby would no longer participate in football. Thus the University of Oklahoma and probably some NFL pro team were eventually deprived of his prowess as a kicker.

Letter from the REAL Temple Alumni Association

Here's a letter from Richard Glenn, the president of the REAL Temple alumni association. Richard was concerned his letter, sent to members of the alumni association, would be confused with a scam circulated by email.

Here's the real letter:

July 15, 2010

Dear Temple Alumni:

We are writing to let you know about a problem the Temple Alumni Association will be facing in the very near future. The Alumni base is shrinking every year. The graduating classes are much smaller than in the past, and the membership in the Alumni Association is rapidly declining as there are less than 500 members in the ranks. Consequently, donations are lower also.

As you know, the association awards two $1000.00 scholarships to deserving seniors each year. We also try to help purchase a “big ticket” item every two years or so for the school. Without the help of the Alumni Association, Temple schools could not afford items such as new stage curtains, sound and video system for the auditorium, and other improvements. Money is becoming very tight for the scholarships and for the 2011 reunion. The Alumni officers met recently and determined that we are being forced to increase dues to $10.00 for each biennium. This increase will help insure that we can continue to have our reunions, award our scholarships, and help our school. However, these dues will not start arriving until the Fall of 2011.

We will gratefully accept any donations you might feel led to send to the association to help us get through this tough time. Your generosity is appreciated more than you could ever know. Many of you have gone “over and above” through the years and your involvement and assistance has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2011.

Sincerely,

Richard Glenn, President
Temple Alumni Association
P. O. Box 298
Temple, Oklahoma 73568

Beware of Questionable Alumni E-mail/Website

Some Temple alums have received an email that appears to be trying to trick people into paying money to join a website with no real connection to Temple alumni. We don't know of any Temple connection to this site; if you receive the email, don't follow the link, and don't submit a payment. If you know of a real Temple connection, let us know. Otherwise, be wary. Temple is not alone. There are many complaints about this site online from alumni from schools across the country.

Here's a sample of the questionable email:

From: "Temple Alumni"
To: xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 1:26 AM
Subject: Temple Alumni Site
Greetings Alumni,
One more chance before the Temple Alumni site goes to an annual fee. Hurry and become a lifetime member now while it is still a one time $10.00 fee.
Use this link to become an upgraded lifetime member:
https://www. alumniclass. com/templehighschool /login-spr?uri=/templehighschool /members/activate
Thanks for your support!
Regards, Randy
Alumni Webmaster

If you receive an email like the one above, please ignore it.
-Harold Powell

Temple Museum Association

We set up an online store to support the Temple Museum Association. You can purchase merchandise that includes pictures of the new murals on the front of the museum building. A small amount of anything purchased through this link will support the museum.

Elmer Graham Dies at 94

The Wichita Falls Times Record News says Elmer Graham died on Tuesday. 

Signs of Summer in Cotton County

We’ve had a lot of irons in the fire and no time to blog. Trying to do better. Thanks to those who have written that they missed us.

Cotton County has turned hot and dry. Combiners are loading up and pulling out. The cows have gathered in the ponds and under the shade trees.

Is said that the wheat crop came up short of bushels and low in quality and market. Graze out used about half of the acreage and appears to have done much better than grain.

Clarence Vache baled his wheat instead of harvesting it for grain or grazing.

Murals Flank Entrance to Temple Museum

Bob Palmer of University of Central Oklahoma and his assistant Lisa outline figures in one of two murals commissioned for the Temple Museum.

Lisa ads details a mural depicting the construction of the First State Bank building in 1905.

Harold Powell and artist Bob Palmer pose in front of one of the finished murals depicting cotton pickers in 1916 with the cotton gin, which would later become the Bone Gin, in the background. Mary Lou Powell Connelly, Bob Waller and The Ken Haleys donated the funds for the murals, which are a bright spot on Temple’s Commercial Street.

The next steps for completion of the museum are attic insulation and displays.

Harold Powell

Hoot Gibson's funeral moved to Feb. 2

Due to extreme winter weather conditions, funeral services for Charlie “Hoot” Gibson have been changed to Tuesday, February 2nd at 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Temple.

Hoot Gibson

Charles “Hoot” Gibson, Temple Class of 1952 has died. Services will be at The First Methodist Church, Temple at 1:30, Saturday, January 30th, 2010.

--Harold Powell

Home Towns

Jayne Anne Phillips wrote a short story about her hometown in the January 10 edition of Smithsonian magazine. Her closing words hit the nail on the head about home towns: “Towns change; they grow or diminish, but home towns remain as we left them. Later, they appear, brilliant with sounds and smells, intense suspended images moving. We close our eyes and make them real.”
--Harold Powell