The Squirrel’s Nest

Have you ever found a wild animal that needed help? These animals need to be properly cared for by a Wildlife Rescue Specialist. There are State Licensed Wildlife Rescuers for all wild animals you may find that need help. When you meet, Susan and Bobby Welch, you know that you have met the cream of the crop.  She has been rehabilitating squirrels since 1988, 25 years now.  Susan trained under another wildlife rehabilitation specialist in Texas. Susan is a licensed by the Oklahoma Wildlife Commission to rescue and rehabilitate squirrels. Her service is called The Squirrel’s Nest, which is listed in the phone book. She is a professional and knows all the ins and outs of caring for squirrels. Susan gets calls from all over Northeast Oklahoma about squirrels that need her services. All this would not be possible if it were not for all the help from her husband, Bobby.

The Squirrel’s Nest had about 12 baby squirrels that day I visited. These tiny squirrels are only a few days old, they still have the umbilical cords attached. Compare the babies to the size of the quarter. Tiny, tiny. Susan does not get much sleep when she has such tiny baby squirrels, they need to be fed every 2 hours.

The Vinita Daily Journal published an article about an very old horse that the Welch’s were giving much TLC. The horse, Cloud, was 41 years old at the time and a beloved pet.  The Welch’s moved from Texas to Oklahoma because Susan is originally from Nowata and wanted to be around her elderly family members. Veterinarians advised the Welch’s that Cloud probably would not make the move, but the horse was like a family member so he came to Oklahoma. Neighbors shared their corn and apples with Cloud. Cloud had no teeth so the apples had to be pureed, the corn chopped and alfalfa cubes soaked in water before the food was fed to him. Sometimes Susan will get a squirrel that has been injured. She has a hospital cage for the injured animal until it heals enough to be put with other squirrels. One of the squirrels in the picture below has a injury under one front arm, Susan said it is healing nicely and she thought the injury occurred when it fell from it’s nest in the tree. When the squirrels are ready to be released back into the wild, the Welch’s take the animals to several wooded areas used to introduce the healthy ones back into nature. They soon will be playing and chattering and scurrying about in the woods.

The Vinita newspaper article quoted Susan saying, “I remember back in the 1940’s when the Interurban street car used to run from Cheryville, Kanas to Nowata.” She told me that Nowata was really booming with business when she grew up here,  such Millinery Shops, Men’s and Women’s Clothes Shop, Grocery Stores, Hardware Stores and many more.

These two loving hands has saved many a baby squirrel in 25 years!

Little Town

Little Town

I like to live in a little town

Where the trees meet across the street,

Where you wave your hand and say “Hello!”

To everyone you meet.

I like to stand for a moment

Outside the grocery store

And listen to the friendly talk of

The folks that live next door.

For life is interwoven

With the friends we learn to know,

And we hear their joys and sorrows

As we daily come and go.

So I like to live in a little town,

I care no more to roam.

For every house in a little town

Is more than a house-it’s home.

Published in Kitchen Klatter Magazine July 1958

A Caring Corner Ministry

Have you ever needed clothes, bedding, and a few toys for your children? I did once, when my house was flooded by 7  feet of water for 3 days. My children were 3 and 5, and almost everything we owned was destroyed in the flood. Or maybe you just needed a winter coat to keep out the chill of the brisk wind. A clothes closet ministry can be a real blessing during tough times! Many individuals in small towns do not have access to all of the social services that are available in bigger towns.

However, the churches and their understanding congregations step forward to offer help to those who are hurting. On a corner in Nowata is a unassuming building that has a sign in the window that reads, ”The Caring Corner”. This ministry is sponsored by the Living Word Church. The staff at the Caring Corner is 100% volunteer. These thoughtful individuals give many hours of their time to make this ministry happen. This service offers clothing, shoes, household items, toys, etc. on a once a month schedule, free of charge. There is a sign in sheet for name, address, phone number and any special requests one might have. The organizers pour much of their personal time and energy into this program. While they are sifting through the clothes and come upon any of the special needs requests, those items are set aside.  If there is an emergency need, one can call the Living Word Church.

Clothing donations are closed currently, due to the abundance of caring folk that have given. Please note that donations cannot be dropped off at the door. Since the staff is 100% volunteer, there are no set hours, therefore, the boxes and sacks can get ruined in the weather. If you have something other than clothes to offer, please call the Living Word Church.

Ministries like The Caring Corner can always use monetary donations. I am positive that the money will be put to good use and goes 100% to the ministry. There is a If You Wish donation box at the site.

The Caring Corner

• 146 S Oak
• Sponsored by The Living Word Church at 225 S. Ash/Highway 169
• 918 273-1208
• Clothing Give Away, 1st Friday and Saturday of each month
• Open 8:00am to 12:00am
• April 6th & 7th
• May 4th & 5th
• June 1st & 2nd

“I was naked and you clothed me…..” Matthew 25

Bigfoot has been seen in Nowata County!

Have you seen Bigfoot? I think if you look close you will see the scamp standing in the woods!

While I was goggling Nowata County the other day, I came across several sites that mentioned Bigfoot sightings in Nowata County! I have found 6 documented sightings, three of the sightings occurred near the Noxie/Wann/South Coffeyville area.  

1. 1917 South Coffeyville     The individual telling this incident grandmother owned a ranch near South Coffeyville in 1917. His grandmother tells that local Native Americans have a legend of a creature that fits the creature both have witnessed more than Bigfoot. This individual has had several encounters with the creature himself. He believes is not an ape but the creature described by the Native American legend. He tells the creature is quick in it’s movements and more human like than ape. His grandmother tells of a time when their neighbors “caught”  something in their barn one night and wanted their family to come see the thing that was trapped. When they arrived there was loud banging inside the barn. The men became frightened that the thing inside would get out, so they began to fire their guns into the barn. A big crash was heard on the other side of the barn, so they all ran around to find a big gaping hole. The family became so spooked that they began to deny the incident occurred and fabricated a story that the hole in the side of the barn was put there by their bull. He also reports that he saw the old barn as a child and one could still see the bullet holes. Reported by Jerry Hestand of the Texas Bigfoot Research Center.
2. 1974 Watova    This sighting happened in July-August  of 1974 at a home near Watova. The owner saw the creature many times during a two week period. Reportedly two sheriff deputies shot at the creature but it was apparently unharmed.
3. 1976 Noxie/Wann  This sighting brought national attention to Nowata County. A farmer, Dan Gosh, reported that he was within 10 feet of the creature before he saw it. The creature growled and ran one way, he screamed and ran the other. Mr. Gosh describes the creature as 7 feet tall, hairy, foul-smelling with eyes that glowed like a cat. Sheriff Robert Donald reported to a Canadian radio program that the farmer has seen the creature on several occasions and has shot at it several times. He also mentioned that a similar but shorter creature had been seen in Watova 13 months ago. Sheriff Donald was afraid that gun toting residents roaming the woods might mistake the reporters for Bigfoot and shoot them. Reported by Bigfoot Encounters.com.
4. 1990’s South Coffeyville   On the same ranch (near South Coffeyville) as the 1917 sighting, the individual reporting saw a creature while staying at the ranch house. A storm caused the electricity to go off, the gentleman had to go outside on the front porch to change a fuse (old farmhouse). There was a security light about 100 yards away from the front porch and the security light that was not affected by the storm. When the gentleman flipped on the ranch lights, he noticed a tall, dark figure standing by the grain bin about forty yards away. He suspected it might be one of the legendary creatures, so he got his gun from his truck. He shot six times but the creature was so fast the shots did not come close to hitting it. Several of the family members and near-by neighbors heard the gunfire and came to find out what was going on. He reported to them what he had saw and they heard an animal fleeing through the woods. All the witnesses chased the creature to a large Alfalfa field, where the truck’s lights hit the creature and it began to run. It sprinted the field very quickly.  This witness has two more sightings he has experienced. Reported by Jerry Hestand Bigfoot Research Center.
5. 2002 Wann  In December of 2002, a truck driver and his son saw a creature in a field just outside Wann on Highway 10, about thirty minutes after dawn. He describes the creature has very tall and weighed about 300-500 pounds., long black hair and a cone shaped head. The creature was eating something off of a small branch in it’s hand. The creature did not run or walk away, it just moved it’s whole body as it watched the truck drive away. The truck driver now carries a digital camera to take a picture if he sees another Bigfoot. Report #5620 taken by BFRO Investigator Roger Roberts.
6. 2003 East Nowata County   Observation made by a confidential source. This person had recently bought a Hunting Lease in Nowata County. While he was bow hunting in a tree stand, he heard a distinct tree knocking from a distance. The knocking was in patterns of 4-6 knocks. The knocking increased and came from several directions and moved closer. He began to hear a sound like talking but was not discernible, which continue every 15-20 minutes. He checked the logbook to see if there were other hunters and asked the landowner if he had been outside. There were no other hunters and the landowner had not been outside at that time. Three weeks later when he and his son was getting out of their truck to sign the logbook on the lease, both heard a Bigfoot vocalize. The individual had put his PDA in his pocket and had it turned on, just in case, he heard the knocking again. After hearing the vocalization, he took the device from his pocket and replayed it for his son. He later matched the wave file to a another recording supposedly made by a Bigfoot. He played the recording for the landowner and his wife, they said that was a sound they often heard at night but never thought anything about it. Reported on GCBRO.com

All the above are individual’s  stories and opinions, none have been proven or unproven. Opinions are not necessarily held by this blog writer. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Any resemblance to living or deceased persons is coincidental. No animals (especially Bigfoot) have been harmed in this blog entry.

But I am sure I see that rascally critter!

So the next time you are out and about keep an eye out for the old trickster Bigfoot! You might be just ten feet away before you see the dirty dog! Actually I hear tell that you can probably smell him before you see him.

You Scalawag you!

Double Creek Cove

Starting to plan your summer vacation? a road trip? need a place to park your camper/rv? Just look south of Nowata on Oologah Lake and you will find Double Creek Cove, it is sure to fit the bill. That is, if you are looking for very reasonable fees and scenic camping. The campsites with electric include a picnic table, a fire ring and cooking grill. If you enjoy roughing it, then there are primitive campsites. Restrooms are available but no showers.

Double Creek Park Camping Fees

• Campsites with Electric                                                                      $9.00
• Tent Sites/Primitive                                                                           $5.00
• Senior Citizens/Campsites with Electric                                          $6.00

Check Out Time                 11:00 AM

I have been out to Double Creek Park in the early morning and have seen Wild Turkeys and Deer walking about. The day I took these pictures it was a early warm Spring Day and the birds were singing. It was very quite. I imagine that it would be a great place to get away from it all. Check back in the Summer for more pictures.

I understand that Oologah lake is one of the best fishing lakes in Oklahoma. You might want to spend some time kicking back with the fishing pole in the water. Double Creek Park has a boat ramp for all the boaters. There is a swim designated area, also.

If you want to tour area points of interest, there are plenty of interesting places to keep you busy for a few days . The Dog Iron Ranch and Birthplace of the comedian, Will Rogers, is just about 17 miles south on Hwy. 169. If you go north about 20 miles on Hwy.169 to Coffeyville, Kansas, you will find the Brown Mansion and The Dalton Museum. Go west, young man, on Hwy. 60 towards Bartlesville and you will find an abundance of sites to spend a few quality hours.

• Price Tower
• Woolaroc
• Frank Phillips Mansion
• Bartlesville Historical Museum
• Nellie Johnstone, First Commercial Oil Well

Venture on to Dewey, where the west is wild and tour a real Hollywood Cowboy’s museum. Dewey is about 5 miles north of Bartlesville on Hwy.75 and tour a real Hollywood Cowboy’s museum.

1. Tom Mix Museum
2. The Dewey Hotel

Now, I haven’t told you of all the antique stores and great shopping in the area! That is a secret for a later entry, be sure and come back!

A caretaker is on site, but if he cannot be found upon entering the park, well, just go ahead and park your camper or set up your tent. He will come around and collect the dues for camping. 

Rules and Regulations 

Double Creek Park

1. Camping fees must be paid before entering the park (read the above information)

2. No alcohol in the park.

3. Gate is locked from 10:00pm to 6:00am.

4. Check out time is 11:00am.

5. Do not drive through the fields.

6. Put all trash in dumpster.

7. No cans or bottles in the fire rings.

8. Fireworks are to be set off down by the water, NO FIREWORKS NEAR CAMPERS!

9. No visitors allowed after 10:00pm.

10. Use deadwood only for campfires, no green trees.

Failure to obey the rules will be grounds for immediate eviction from the park and the forfeiture of fees paid.

Please be a good boy/girl scout and leave the place better than when you found it!

Best of all, the people are friendly and the food is home cooked! You might make some new friends and enjoy a meal around the fire ring. Can’t get much better than that!

Nowata Animal Shelter

Every town needs a wonderful devoted person for their Animal Control Officer, it is a hard job. Nowata is fortunate to have Holly Ridenhour. This is a powerball of a woman! She has developed spay/neuter programs, written grants, rescued wild animals, recruited many volunteers, rehabilitated animals and worked many hours tirelessly. However, Holly’s one quality that out shines all the others, is her deep love for animals. This is obvious when you hear her talk to the animals and about the animals. I first met Holly when my daughter, Rachael, rescued a yorkie last year from the Nowata Animal Shelter. By the way, the yorkie’s name is Maggie and is doing fantastic!

A Spay/Neuter Clinic is held once a month. The clinics are listed on the front page of the Nowata Star, so be sure and look when and where if you are interested.

The costs are as follows:

• $25.00 for a cat
• $35.00 for a dog 60 lbs and under 
• $45.00 for dogs over 60 lbs

A huge discount! Holly takes 10 to 12 animals to the Spay Oklahoma Clinic in Tulsa once a month and the animals are brought home at the end of the day for their owners to pick up. While the dogs and cats are at the clinic, they are also given other services, such as shots. Spay Oklahoma tattoos the animals that have been spayed/neutered with a small blue tattoo on their stomach. This tattoo serves has proof that the animal has been spayed/neutered for any other purposes, such as other town ordinances, owners, etc. Interested persons in the clinic can contact Holly at the Nowata Police Department, 335-3531.

Here is Holly and a little cutie of a Pomerian Mix that is waiting to be claimed.

Once a month she meets with the Dewey, Bartlesville Animal Control Officers at Walmart in Bartlesville to divy up the donated dog/cat food.  This donated food also helps feed the drug enforcement dogs of the area.

Donations are greatly appreciated. Here is a list of needed items:

• Dog Nail Clippers
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Collars: large, medium and small
• VCR for Monitoring System
• Box fans for circulation
• Bleach
• Pine Sol
• Cat Litter

Monetary donations are always welcomed! 

Holly brought this Rottweiler, named Dalton, out to have a walk in the shelter’s run. A beautiful dog and he is a gentle giant. Dalton is waiting to be claimed.

Holly has worked hard for two years obtaining a grant for expanding the animal shelter. The expansion will be built on the back of the original shelter and will include approximately 20 more dog runs. Good work, Holly!

Currently, the closest licensed Wildlife Rescue is located in Foyil, Oklahoma. Holly recently rescued what she thought was a hawk, but the Rescue Center called and told her it was a Falcon! She also takes care of the animal cruelty cases, right now, she has a horse at her house she is restoring to good health. This is the 13th horse she has rehabilitated.

There are many, many generous individuals to thank for their time and donations to the Nowata Animal Shelter. A big THANK YOU goes to Mr. Raymond Cline, a major contributor. Valerie Collier gets a big thumbs up for grooming the dogs for no charge and maintaining the Adoption Pet Site for the Shelter. Valerie owns Collier’s Dog Grooming, 601 N. Pecan, Nowata, Oklahoma, (91 273-1071. Of course, the shelter and Holly are supported by the Nowata City Officials and the Nowata City Council.

Dr. Liz Fulbright, a local area Vet, donates her time and skill to a Shot Clinic at the shelter, usually held in May. Shots, tags and a flea/tick dip are available at the May Clinic for very little cost. The Flea/Tick Dip Tank at the shelter opens late April to the public for a donation. Anyone interested can use the service when Holly is on duty and available, so please call the 273-3531 number to coordinate with Holly’s busy schedule.

Consider the Nowata Animal Shelter when you donate to worthy causes, you can rest assured that your money goes a long way toward the care of the animals! Donations can be dropped off at the Nowata Police Department, 113 S. Pine. Be sure to designate the donation for the animal shelter.

The Nowata Animal Shelter will be highlighted once every month on this blog, so you out of town visitors come back, you might see a dog or a cat that captures your heart! I am sure that Holly will be glad to help you with the adoption.

10-33 Ambulance Service

The 10-33 Ambulance is a fantastic example of what a small town can do! This ambulance service is absolutely free, no charge for it’s services! Volunteers provide 24/7  emergency services to all who live in the 588 square mile Nowata County area. The day I made a visit to the office, I talked to a very enthusiastic helpful dispatcher, Nell Hathcoat, who works several 24 hour shifts a week. She told of a saying of her father’s that reminded me of a Dr. Philism. Her parents lived in a very small house, her dad once said “You can’t cuss a cat in there because you’d get hair in your mouth!” I have laughed about that ever since. The hour I was there talking to Nell, several people came in to give their donation and the ambulance was out on a run.

The local paper, Nowata Star, as a front page article this week about the 10-33 Annual Fundraiser. According to the paper, Rose Willis started the quilt raffle six years ago and it was such a success that the raffle is still going strong in 2007. This year the fundraiser is raffling off two handmade quilts and an afghan, one chance for $1 or six chances for $5. The donors of the two handmade quilts are Carl and Lorene Reynolds and Alice Stills. Marge and Gene Greb donated a handmade afghan for the raffle, also. The quilts and afghan will be displayed at various town businesses and the Nowata Jubilee until March 31st.

10-33 Ambulance Service 918-273-1033

The service was started in 1976 by Richard and Betty Eden and the members of the 10-33 citizens band radio club in Nowata. The story goes that there was a motorcycle accident and it took the Bartlesville Ambulance (a town 20 miles away) 35 minutes to get to the scene. The founders wanted to help neighbors who needed assistance with medical emergencies, so they began to  develop a ambulance service.  The first ambulance was a converted Chevy van. Today there are multiple ambulances and several wheelchair accessible vans. Mr. Bell donated the wheelchair accessible vans. The service runs entirely on donations and volunteers. The fundraisers include:

• Quilts, afghans and other handmade crafts raffles
• Chicken Noodle Dinner
• The Nowata Jubilee donates all proceeds from certain nights of entertainment

To make a donation the address is: 10-33 Ambulance Service, 321 E. Cherokee, Nowata, OK 74048.

The 10-33 service make emergency runs to the local Jane Phillips Nowata Health Center and to trauma hospitals in Bartlesville, Vinita and Tulsa. Yet another provided service is transportation to doctor appointments for the citizens, which help many of the elderly and disabled in Nowata. The civic minded volunteers also gather pull tabs from canned pop for the Ronald McDonald House and serves as an Angel Food Ministries Sign-up Location.

Nowata citizens are very proud of their 10-33 Ambulance Service and grateful for the much needed services provided by the many volunteers.

Nowata County Historical Museum

The Nowata County Historical Museum is a hidden treasure! The museum is housed in the old Nowata Health Clinic/Hospital building. There are 24 rooms and long hallways filled with the history and memories of the people who built Nowata into their home.

Just some of the rooms:

• Early Day Tools
• Old-fashioned Kitchen and Dining Room
• Ladies Fashions of the Day
• Cherokee and Delaware Indian Tribes
• Cowboys and Cowgirls of Yesterday
• The Oil Boom

The museum library contains many books, newspapers and photographs. One could spend countless hours just reading about the history of Nowata County.

There are many unique and fascinating people in the history of Nowata, which I hope to include in this blog. Many will showed the pioneering spirit and determination that helped build America. Two of the interesting individuals who caught my eye the day I visited the museum were the Cowgirl Trick Rider, Pauline Nesbitt, and the 1950-60’s artist, Adrian D. Price.

Outside the museum on display are many of the tools used in the Oil Boom of Nowata County.

This picture below are of the tools that helped build the oil fields around the county. I especially like the silver gleaming in the morning sun. This helps to imagine these tools in the hands of a oil covered worker as he went about the often messy and always hard work in the oil field. 

A display of unique items like a wood stove and a large bell are just outside the main door.

 

The Nowata County Historical Museum is manned by volunteers, such as the ladies mentioned in the above entry. The museum is also funded by donations. These caring people make the museum all that it is today, their sharing and giving keeps the history of Nowata alive.

Some important facts to consider when you make the trip to visit the museum.

• Admission is Free, donations appreciated.
• 121 South Pine
• 918-273-3538
• Hours 1:00pm until 4:00pm
• Tuesday through Saturday
• Closed Monday

I hope you come to tour the museum and enjoy the displays and make a day of it! You and your friends/family can visit the museum, eat lunch at a local restaurant and see the local Historical Site, the Nowata County Courthouse.

Nowata, where the origin of it’s name has many stories!

When I decided to act on my idea of a blog of Nowata and the surrounding communities, I thought that I should start with a bit of the history.  The best place to start was the Nowata Historical Museum. I knew I would find much of the history, but I did not expect to find the two very nice and informative women, Estelle Dugger and Betty Nunnallee, who waited to greet me inside. These ladies volunteer many of their afternoons to keep the museum open for visitors to Nowata. I had walked in on a discussion about their husbands leaving from the train depot for World War II, along with 47 other young men from Nowata. However, that story will be for another entry.

Nowata (city) is the county seat of Nowata County, Oklahoma. It was formed in 1907 at Oklahoma Statehood from the Cooweescoowee District of the Cherokee Nation West, Indian Territory. I guess there are many different tales about where the name, Nowata, got it’s beginning. The Nowata Area Chamber Guide gives two accounts for the name. The first being that two railroad surveyors took the suggestion of an educated Delaware Indian woman that Nowata meant welcome. Another says a Georgian exploring the area found no water at some springs and posted a sign “No Wata” to inform other travelers. Where ever the town’s name came from, Nowata has a very rich history, which I am looking forward to seeking out and sharing.

The earliest evidence of humans here is the prehistoric Indians living in this area such as the Ozark Bluff Dwellers and the Lower Mound Builders. The Osage Indians were living in this area in the 1700’s -early 1800’s. The Cherokee Indians became the titled owners ofmost of Northeastern Oklahoma from 1817 to 1830, which included all of Nowata County.

Founded by Fred Metzner, who built the first general merchandise store. Metzner, was appointed Postmaster and the post office received it’s first mail, February 2, 1891. The mail route ran from Coffeyville to Claremore. This information was published in the Nowata Star Newspaper, 1909.

In 1904, oil and gas was discovered which made Nowata County the world’s largest shallow oil field. Nowata County today is mostly agricultural, with cattle accounting for half of the farm income. Wheat is the second revenue for farms. The Nowata County Courthouse is an historical site.

Childers, Delaware, Elliott (new one for me), Lenapah, New Alluwe, South Coffeyville and Watova are the other towns/communities in Nowata County. Each has their own story to tell and their own people to share that story.

One of the interesting facts about Nowata is that many of the streets in Nowata are still the original brick. There were mulitple brick plants in the area during the early 1900’s. When you drive on the brick streets you feel the bricks under the tires and see all the unique characteristics of each road, which brings visions of another time.

 

Many more stories and interesting facts to come!